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Notify method with proof: Use independent data on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to direct your strategic direction. Validate investment strategies: Make sure resource allocation and efforts are backed by reliable market insight. Accelerate confident decisions: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.

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Overall possessions held broadly stable over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The outcome was a quarter defined by volatility, dispersion, and selective positioning, instead of a clear directional trend. Oil related properties did well for the many part. On the positive side, in January, the Boreas Outright Luxury ETF launched on ADX to add more thematic ETFs. In Q1, two more Kraneshares have actually been approved for launch by the Capital Market Authority (CMA) and are about to be authorized by the Abu Dhabi Stock Market (ADX). The GCC ETF universe comprised 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. Overall, the data reflects a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Performance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of idiosyncratic winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were focused in particular nation direct exposures and commodities, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs in the middle of higher oil rates, in addition to its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt provided strong efficiency in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still published positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more cautious policy background in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs Struggled for the many part, especially those linked to carbon and high-growth innovation, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, reflecting selective allotment rather than broad market involvement. Regardless of weak performance, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with only a little number of items bring in new capital.

Trading activity stayed consistent, 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 occurred in the secondary market, making it possible for investors to adjust positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually resulted in more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the region remains resilient and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more worldwide and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually affected sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.
How to Utilize Market Research for GrowthDespite ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to demonstrate resilience, maintaining favorable development momentum recently. While disputes in the wider region and global financial unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have so far restricted their influence on domestic economic performance through strong financial positions, policy connection, and continual investment.
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