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Notify strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market self-confidence, growth, and customer demand to guide your strategic instructions. Confirm financial investment strategies: Make sure resource allotment and efforts are backed by credible market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach agreement quickly and take decisive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively identify which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Climb Club, an exposure launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in partnership with BusinessDay, is introducing a new regular monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and business management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board specialists to analyze the real pressures forming board agendas today: INSIDE THE CONFERENCE ROOM: The Strategic Dangers and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Evolving regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber resilience Long-term value development and sustainability imperatives Management choices boards should prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers consist of: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is a convening of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and tactical direction within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are intentionally developing a repeating forum that surfaces board-level insight, amplifies reputable female governance voices, and expands access to the tactical thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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The GCC ETF market entered Q1 2026 in a debt consolidation stage, with activity remaining raised however growth slowing down. Total properties held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels indicated continued repositioning and as a reaction to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital release. Worldwide macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with a total AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency throughout the marketplace was broadly unfavorable, with only 13 ETFs delivering favorable returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the information shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity focused in a small subset of products.
Efficiency in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, rather than broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific country exposures and products, especially Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were durable throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its regional market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amidst greater oil costs, along with its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.
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 ongoing Middle East dispute and resulting energy shock have actually reshaped the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy rates. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, showing selective allowance rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs tape-recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of products bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of bigger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken place in the secondary market, allowing investors to adjust positions without substantial main creations or redemptions. While current geopolitical events have led to more monetary pressure on GCC countries, the area remains resilient and well capitalized to handle the scenario.
In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on international high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress associating with ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has impacted belief and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local assets.
The Transformation of Regional Commerce in Saudi Company HubsIn spite of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, keeping positive development momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC countries have actually so far limited their effect on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
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