Navigating the Upcoming Regional Economic Landscape for Executives

Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and client need to direct your tactical instructions. Verify investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement quickly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

1 GCC, "HE GCCSG: The FTA between the GCC and the UK is a Major Strategic Chance to Raise Economic Relations to New Horizons," October 20252 GCC, "Joint Statement on Economic Cooperation Between the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," Might 2025 3 IMEC, "India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Development Update," April 20254 WAM, "UAE's CEPA program reinforces international economic ties with 26 strategic arrangements," March 20255 Muscat Daily, "Oman, India set to sign complimentary trade pact 'soon'," September 20256 India Embassy Qatar, "India-Qatar Bilateral Relations," June 20257 Reuters, "Qatar's QIA plans to at least double annual United States investments over next years," May 2025; WAM, "US$ 110 billion in UAE investments in Africa position country as world's fourth-largest investor," October 2025; Whitehouse, "Reality Sheet: President Donald J.

Boards across Africa are entering a defining cycle. Capital is tighter. Scrutiny is higher. Danger is more interconnected. And the quality of conference room judgment will increasingly determine which organisations sustain development and which fall back. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is releasing a new regular monthly conference room dialogue assembling accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.

Ways to Utilize Market Research for Growth

This inaugural session brings together board specialists to examine the genuine pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Top Priorities Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulatory and governance expectations Technology disruption and cyber strength Long-term worth creation and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally producing a repeating online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances credible female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.

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Ensuring Strategic Excellence in Regional Markets

Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a significant brand-new capital release. Global macro conditions set a challenging background.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Performance throughout the marketplace was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. Overall, the information reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.

Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst higher oil costs, along with its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.

Why Does Operational Excellence Essential for 2026 Growth?

Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items drawing in new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Leverage GCC Intelligence for 2026 Growth

Trading activity stayed consistent, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing financiers to adjust positions without significant main creations or redemptions.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security dangers across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show strength, preserving positive growth momentum in recent years. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial unpredictability stay a structural constraint, GCC nations have actually so far restricted their impact on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual investment.