How Is Operational Excellence Crucial for 2026 Growth?

The sector also faced broader macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as assessment pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF substantially exceeded. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, reflecting selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

Trading activity remained constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. The majority of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling financiers to change positions without substantial primary productions or redemptions.

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

Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually affected sentiment and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.

Maximizing ROI Via Data-Driven GCC Market Analysis

Regardless of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping positive growth momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the wider region and international economic unpredictability remain a structural restraint, GCC nations have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic economic efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and continual investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating 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 toward more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide 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 comparison, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local risk conditions remain included and reform momentum holds.

Ways to Leverage GCC Research for 2026 Success

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to increase as governments broaden financial investment in services, infrastructure, 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, enhancing credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in innovation and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps targeted at drawing in foreign direct investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil expansion and decrease the area's direct exposure to oil rate volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil revenues are expected to play an encouraging role in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output development projected to increase from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more positive 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 establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC expansion would position 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions remain consisted of and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

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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 rise as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, 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, enhancing credit conditions, and rising investment in technology and AI-related facilities.

Public-sector investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the development outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a supportive function in 2026.