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The sector also dealt with broader macro headwinds, consisting of a more careful policy backdrop in China and international risk-off belief driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy rates. Thematic ETFs Had a hard time for the many part, particularly those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as appraisal pressures and global rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and extremely focused, reflecting selective allowance rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items bring in brand-new capital.
Trading activity stayed steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, focused in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually taken location in the secondary market, enabling investors to adjust positions without substantial primary creations or redemptions.
In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global High-end UCITS ETF, including a niche thematic exposure focused on global luxury and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 revealed some progress connecting to ETFs in the GCC. We expect more global and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC throughout 2026. While the dispute has actually impacted belief and rates throughout the quarter, it has actually driven more volume and interest in local possessions.
Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate strength, maintaining positive development momentum recently. While conflicts in the wider region and global economic uncertainty stay a structural restraint, GCC countries have actually up until now limited their influence on domestic financial performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.
3.2 percent development in 2025, speeding up to 4.5 percent in 2026. 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 total conditions.
The Strategic Benefits of Advanced Strategy IntelligenceThe IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) tasks worldwide development easing to 3.1 percent in 2026, with sophisticated 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 place 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 fairly high-growth pocketprovided that local threat conditions stay included and reform momentum holds.
Data from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors currently represent more than 73 percent of overall GDP, a share that has continued to increase as governments broaden investment in services, facilities, and technology. 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 technology and AI-related infrastructure.
Public-sector investment and reform stay main to sustaining this trend. Policy steps focused on bring in foreign direct investment, reducing foreign ownership guidelines, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil growth and reduce the region's direct exposure to oil cost volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the development outlook, oil revenues are anticipated to play an encouraging role 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 Sees momentum improving, with GCC output growth forecasted to rise from 1.7 percent in 2024 to 3.3 percent on average in 2025, reflecting a shift towards more favorable overall conditions.
The IMF's World Economic Outlook (October 2025) projects global growth relieving to 3.1 percent in 2026, with advanced 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 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 risk conditions remain contained and reform momentum holds.
Information from the GCC Statistical Center show that non-oil sectors already account for more than 73 percent of total GDP, a share that has continued to rise as federal governments broaden financial investment in services, facilities, and innovation. According to Oxford Economics, non-energy activity across the GCC is projected 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.
The Strategic Benefits of Advanced Strategy IntelligencePublic-sector financial investment and reform remain central to sustaining this trend. Policy measures focused on attracting foreign direct investment, relieving foreign ownership rules, broadening capital markets, and supporting private-sector involvement continue to underpin non-oil expansion and reduce the area's direct exposure to oil price volatility. While hydrocarbons no longer dominate the growth outlook, oil incomes are expected to play an encouraging function in 2026.
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