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Inform strategy with evidence: Usage independent information on market confidence, development, and customer demand to guide your tactical instructions. Verify investment plans: Ensure resource allowance and initiatives are backed by reputable market insight. Accelerate confident choices: Gear up members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach contract rapidly and take definitive action.
Capital is tighter. And the quality of boardroom judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain development and which fall behind. In action, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and opportunities for board- and C-level females, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a new regular monthly conference room dialogue convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the highest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Climb Club.
This inaugural session combines board professionals to take a look at the real pressures forming board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Priorities Shaping 2026 Monetary discipline in constrained markets Progressing regulative and governance expectations Innovation interruption and cyber strength Long-lasting value production and sustainability imperatives Management decisions boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Climb members and speakers include: Mediator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.
Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing directly to governance, danger oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are purposefully producing a recurring online forum that surface areas board-level insight, enhances reliable female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's boardrooms.
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Overall possessions held broadly consistent over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital deployment. Worldwide macro conditions set a tough background.
The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (as of Q1 2026). Efficiency across the marketplace was broadly negative, with just 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decline. In general, the data shows a market that is active but narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.
Strategic Strategy for Regional LeadershipPerformance in Q1 2026 was driven by a narrow group of distinctive winners, instead of broad market strength. The leading ETFs were concentrated in specific nation direct exposures and products, particularly Turkey, Saudi petrochemicals, gold, and Egypt. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt were resistant during the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching brand-new highs amid greater oil rates, as well as its continued ability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which stays open.
Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. Despite a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted positive returns for the quarter. The ongoing Middle East conflict and resulting energy shock have actually improved the outlook for emerging market equities in between the oil-haves and the oil-have-nots.
The sector likewise faced more comprehensive macro headwinds, including a more cautious policy backdrop in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and higher energy costs. Thematic ETFs likewise had a hard time for the most part, particularly those linked to carbon and high-growth technology, as evaluation pressures and worldwide rate characteristics weighed on efficiency.
Circulations in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allocation rather than broad market involvement. Despite weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a small number of items drawing in brand-new capital.
Trading activity remained stable, with typical 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. A lot of activity appears to have actually occurred in the secondary market, allowing investors to change positions without considerable main developments or redemptions. While recent geopolitical occasions have actually led to more monetary pressure on GCC nations, the area remains durable and well capitalized to deal with the scenario.
In January, Boreas introduced its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, adding a niche thematic exposure focused on worldwide high-end and consumer brand names. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.
Q1 2026 showed some progress relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the dispute has impacted sentiment and prices throughout the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional assets.
Strategic Strategy for Regional LeadershipIn spite of continuous geopolitical tensions and security risks across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have actually continued to show resilience, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While conflicts in the broader region and global economic unpredictability remain a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually so far limited their influence on domestic economic performance through strong fiscal positions, policy connection, and sustained investment.
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