Corporate Strategy for Middle East Success

Notify method with proof: Use independent information on market confidence, growth, and client demand to direct your tactical direction. Verify investment strategies: Ensure resource allotment and efforts are backed by trustworthy market insight. Speed up positive choices: Equip members of your executive team with clear, actionable insight to reach arrangement rapidly and take definitive action.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Capital is tighter. And the quality of conference room judgment will progressively figure out which organisations sustain growth and which fall behind. In reaction, Ascent Club, a visibility launchpad curating gain access to and chances for board- and C-level ladies, in collaboration with BusinessDay, is introducing a brand-new monthly conference room discussion convening accomplished African female executives who actively serve at the greatest levels of governance and corporate management and who are members of Ascent Club.

Strategic Planning for GCC Success

This inaugural session brings together board professionals to analyze the genuine pressures shaping board programs today: INSIDE THE BOARDROOM: The Strategic Risks and Concerns Forming 2026 Financial discipline in constrained markets Developing regulatory and governance expectations Innovation disturbance and cyber durability Long-term value production and sustainability imperatives Leadership choices boards must prioritise heading into 2026 Ascent members and speakers include: Moderator Nnoli Akpedeye MD/CEO, Contego Servo Limited Speakers Sarah Ajose-Adeogun Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Ochanya R.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Deborah David CFO, Powergas It is an assembling of executives contributing straight to governance, risk oversight, and strategic instructions within their organisations. Through this partnership, Ascent Club and BusinessDay are deliberately creating a recurring forum that surface areas board-level insight, magnifies trustworthy female governance voices, and expands access to the strategic thinking emerging from Africa's conference rooms.

Get the most recent insights, patterns, and strategies provided straight to your inbox. Join Everest Group's newsletter to remain at the forefront of what's next.

Strategic Strategy for GCC Excellence

Total assets held broadly constant over the quarter, while trading levels pointed to continued repositioning and as a response to geopolitical news rather than a meaningful brand-new capital implementation. Global macro conditions set a challenging backdrop.

The GCC ETF universe consisted of 39 ETFs with an overall AUM of $9.35 billion (since Q1 2026). Performance across the market was broadly negative, with only 13 ETFs delivering positive returns compared to 26 in decrease. In general, the data shows a market that is active however narrow, with capital and liquidity concentrated in a small subset of products.

Performance 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 resilient throughout the quarter. Saudi Arabia's oil direct exposure supported its local market, with Aramco reaching new highs amidst greater oil prices, as well as its continued capability to export oil through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which remains open.

Why Is Operational Excellence Essential for Future Growth?

Egypt delivered strong performance in January and February. In spite of a market pullback in March due to the war, both Egypt's market and its ETFs still posted favorable returns for the quarter. The continuous 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 faced broader macro headwinds, including a more careful policy background in China and worldwide risk-off sentiment driven by geopolitical stress and greater energy prices. Thematic ETFs also struggled for the a lot of part, especially those connected to carbon and high-growth technology, as valuation pressures and global rate dynamics weighed on performance.

Flows in Q1 2026 were modest and highly focused, showing selective allotment rather than broad market participation. Regardless of weak efficiency, ETFs recorded $27.1 million in net inflows, with just a little number of items drawing in brand-new capital.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Scaling Industrial Growth Within Dubai and the GCC

Trading activity remained steady, with average 30-day volumes around 33,000 shares, concentrated in a handful of larger and more liquid ETFs. Many activity appears to have actually happened in the secondary market, enabling financiers to adjust positions without significant primary 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 handle the circumstance.

In January, Boreas launched its S&P Global Luxury UCITS ETF, including a specific niche thematic direct exposure focused on global luxury and customer brands. ETFs by the CMA for cross-listing on ADX.

Q1 2026 revealed some development relating to ETFs in the GCC. We anticipate more international and thematic ETFs to list in the GCC during 2026. While the conflict has actually impacted belief and costs during the quarter, it has driven more volume and interest in regional properties.

Regardless of ongoing geopolitical tensions and security threats across the Middle East, the economies of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have continued to demonstrate durability, preserving positive development momentum in the last few years. While disputes in the larger area and global economic unpredictability stay a structural restriction, GCC nations have actually up until now limited their impact on domestic financial efficiency through strong financial positions, policy connection, and sustained financial investment.