Why Does Operational Excellence Crucial for Future Expansion?

The sector also faced wider macro headwinds, including a more mindful policy backdrop in China and global risk-off belief driven by geopolitical tensions and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the most part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and international rate characteristics weighed on performance.

The petrochemical ETF substantially surpassed. Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly concentrated, showing selective allocation instead of broad market participation. Despite weak performance, ETFs taped $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items bring in new capital. This shows that financiers were targeting specific exposures, while lowering or rotating out of others.

Trading activity stayed stable, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Most activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, making it possible for financiers to change positions without significant primary productions or redemptions.

In January, Boreas released its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic direct exposure focused on international 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 expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has affected sentiment and rates during the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local properties.

Emerging Shifts in the 2026 GCC Economy

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical stress and security threats throughout the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, keeping favorable development momentum over the last few years. While conflicts in the wider area and worldwide financial uncertainty remain a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now restricted their effect on domestic financial efficiency through strong fiscal positions, policy continuity, and continual financial investment.

3.2 percent growth in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. 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 toward more positive overall conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) jobs worldwide development relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with innovative 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 place the region 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 relatively high-growth pocketprovided that regional danger conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

How to Leverage GCC Intelligence for 2026 Growth

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 rise as governments broaden investment in services, infrastructure, and technology. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is forecasted to grow by around 4.1 percent in 2026, supported by strong labor markets, enhancing credit conditions, and rising financial investment in technology and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector financial investment and reform stay main to sustaining this pattern. Policy steps aimed at attracting foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership rules, expanding capital markets, and supporting private-sector participation continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil revenues are expected to play a supportive function in 2026.

The World Bank, on the other hand, projects 3.2 percent growth in 2025, accelerating to 4.5 percent in 2026. The IMF similarly sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent typically in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more positive general conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks international growth reducing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated economies around 1.5 percent and emerging market and developing economies just above 4 percent. On that contrast, a 4.44.5 percent GCC growth would position the region materially ahead of the world average and a little above (or broadly in line with) the emerging-market aggregate, strengthening the GCC's status as a reasonably high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

How to Utilize Market Research for Growth

Information from the GCC Statistical Center reveal that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has actually continued to rise as governments expand 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, improving credit conditions, and rising financial investment in innovation and AI-related infrastructure.

Public-sector investment and reform remain central to sustaining this pattern. Policy measures targeted at bring in foreign direct financial investment, alleviating foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and minimize the region's exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play a supportive function in 2026.