How to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Inform method with evidence: Usage independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your tactical direction. Confirm investment plans: Guarantee resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract quickly and take decisive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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Strategic Strategy for Regional Success

This inaugural session combines board professionals to analyze the real pressures shaping board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Mediator 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 an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully developing a repeating online forum that surfaces board-level insight, magnifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.

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Strategic Planning for Middle East Success

The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a consolidation stage, with activity remaining elevated but development slowing. Overall properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued rearranging and as a response to geopolitical news instead of a significant new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a little subset of products.

Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in particular country exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of greater oil costs, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

Why Is Operational Excellence Essential for Future Growth?

Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Regardless 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 continuous Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, including a more careful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the many part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF significantly outshined. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allocation instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of products bring in brand-new capital. This indicates that investors were targeting particular exposures, while reducing or turning out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Strategic Planning for GCC Leadership

Trading activity stayed consistent, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without significant primary developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the situation.

In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on international high-end and customer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 showed some development connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Regardless of continuous geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the larger area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.