How to Leverage GCC Research for Growth

Notify strategy with evidence: Use independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer need to direct your tactical direction. Verify financial investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and initiatives are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive group with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In response, Ascent Club, a presence launchpad curating access and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in cooperation with BusinessDay, is launching a new monthly boardroom discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate leadership and who are members of Climb Club.

Achieving Operational Excellence in the GCC

This inaugural session brings together board specialists to examine the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Threats and Concerns Forming 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disruption and cyber strength Long-lasting worth development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb 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 an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic direction within their organisations. Through this collaboration, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

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Why Is Operational Excellence Essential for 2026 Growth?

Total properties held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful new capital deployment. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs providing positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data reflects a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a little subset of items.

Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in specific country exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst greater oil prices, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

Driving Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC

Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. Despite 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 dispute and resulting energy shock have reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.

The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical tensions and greater energy costs. Thematic ETFs also had a hard time for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and worldwide rate dynamics weighed on efficiency.

The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in new capital. This indicates that financiers were targeting particular direct exposures, while minimizing or rotating out of others.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Strategic Strategy for Regional Success

Trading activity stayed constant, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more financial pressure on GCC nations, the area stays durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end 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 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has affected belief and prices during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, preserving positive development momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and global financial unpredictability remain a structural constraint, GCC countries have up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and sustained financial investment.