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The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate dynamics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and costs during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, preserving positive growth momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and global financial uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.
The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF likewise sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth predicted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable general conditions.
Enhancing Corporate Dexterity Through Gulf Shared Service CentersThe IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a fairly high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions stay contained and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to increase as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is projected to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this trend. Policy steps targeted at bring in foreign direct investment, easing foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a helpful role in 2026.
The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would place the area materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional threat conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments expand investment in services, facilities, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.
The Digital Foundation: Shared Solutions in the Modern GCCPublic-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps intended at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.
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