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The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the most part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items attracting brand-new capital. This shows that investors were targeting specific direct exposures, while reducing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have taken place in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.
In spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, keeping favorable development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and global financial uncertainty remain a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual financial investment.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift toward more positive general conditions.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Regional LandscapeThe IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs global growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and innovation. 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 infrastructure.
Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures focused on attracting foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and lower the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil profits are anticipated to play a supportive function in 2026.
3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing 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 innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, 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, reinforcing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, facilities, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout 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.
Utilizing Market Research to Drive Strategic GrowthPublic-sector investment and reform stay central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures focused on drawing in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a supportive role in 2026.
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