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The sector likewise dealt with more comprehensive macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy prices. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as evaluation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.
The petrochemical ETF considerably surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products attracting new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while decreasing or rotating out of others.
Trading activity remained steady, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without considerable primary productions or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have actually resulted in more financial pressure on GCC countries, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and costs throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local assets.
Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security dangers throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, maintaining positive development momentum over the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and global economic unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
The World Bank, on the other hand, jobs 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 increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent typically in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive overall conditions.
Driving Development Through Centralized Gulf Shared Service ModelsThe IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies simply above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position the region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, enhancing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to increase as federal governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and technology. 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 infrastructure.
Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy procedures aimed at attracting foreign direct financial investment, easing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and minimize the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil earnings are anticipated to play an encouraging role in 2026.
3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable general conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects international development alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would put the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions stay consisted of and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to rise as governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout 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 infrastructure.
Creating a Future-Proof Outsourcing Structure for the RegionPublic-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this trend. Policy measures focused on drawing in foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the area's exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil earnings are expected to play a helpful role in 2026.
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