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The sector also dealt with wider macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy background in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs likewise struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth innovation, as valuation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely concentrated, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. In spite of weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a small number of items attracting new capital.
Trading activity stayed stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without significant main productions or redemptions.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and customer brand names. Momentum continued into April with the approval of KraneShares AGIX and KWIN ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX. These funds are anticipated to introduce in April pending a final approval from ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some development associating with ETFs in the GCC. We expect more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has affected belief and rates during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
In spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to show resilience, preserving favorable growth momentum in current years. While conflicts in the larger area and international financial unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy continuity, and sustained investment.
The World Bank, on the other hand, tasks 3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, showing a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects worldwide growth alleviating to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 region materially ahead of the world average and slightly above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, reinforcing the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that local danger conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.
Information 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 governments expand investment in services, infrastructure, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is predicted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and rising investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Public-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps aimed at bring in foreign direct financial investment, relieving foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and lower the area's exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer control the growth outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a helpful function in 2026.
The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent development in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth projected to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift toward more positive general conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs international growth easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and establishing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would put the area materially ahead of the world average and somewhat above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional risk conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

Data from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently account for more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as federal governments expand financial investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity throughout the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, improving credit conditions, and increasing financial investment in technology and AI-related facilities.
Key Tips for Operational Excellence in the GCCPublic-sector financial investment and reform remain main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and decrease the area's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil incomes are expected to play an encouraging function in 2026.
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