Author
Varsha K
Varsha is a finance professional specializing in market research and investment strategy with strong experience in financial services and comapnies like Morningstar. Her work focuses on analyzing global trends, evaluating opportunities across asset classes, and delivering thoughtful perspectives that help investors make informed decisions.
Articles by Varsha K

Top Shariah ETFs Index Providers: The Rulebooks Behind Islamic Investing.
Shariah-compliant ETFs in the GCC rely on specialized index providers and Shariah Supervisory Boards to screen eligible investments. MSCI Islamic indices apply business-activity and financial-ratio screens to ensure compliance with Islamic finance principles.

Saudi PMI Hits Four-Month High as Consumer Spending growth 6%
Saudi Arabia's PMI reached 53.3 in June, its strongest reading in four months, driven by resilient domestic demand and improved business confidence. The Kingdom's economic resilience is significantly influencing GCC-focused ETFs as it accounts for the largest share of regional equity benchmarks.

GCC Asset Management Hits $2.7 Trillion as Retail Leads Growth
GCC asset management reached $2.7 trillion in 2025 with a 10% annual increase, driven by rapid retail investor growth outpacing institutional capital. Retail assets grew 14% versus 9% institutional, signaling stronger ETF adoption and market liquidity.

PIF Net Profit Leaps 153% to SAR 65.2B in 2025; Assets Top SAR 4.5T
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) reported a 153% surge in net profit to SAR 65.2B in 2025, with total assets topping SAR 4.5 trillion. The growth was driven by stronger operating revenue, increased returns from associates and joint ventures, and reduced administrative expenses.

Ferrari's Controversial Luce EV Sells Out Instantly in China Despite Online Backlash
Ferrari's Luce EV sold out all 88 allocated units in China despite weeks of online mockery over its design. The brand undercut European pricing to penetrate the world's largest EV market.

State Street Secures Fund Administration License in Saudi Arabia
Global custodian State Street has obtained a Managing Investment and Operating Funds (MIOF) license from Saudi Arabia's Capital Market Authority, enabling the firm to establish, operate, and administer funds within the Kingdom.

The UAE Announces A Retail-SUKUK Initiative - What are the Best Sukuk ETFs in 2026?
The UAE launched a Retail Sukuk Initiative in October 2025, making government-backed Treasury Sukuk accessible to retail investors from AED 1,000. Discover the best sukuk ETFs for GCC investors as the global sukuk market expands from $1.38 trillion in 2025 to projected $4.19 trillion by 2034.

Top GCC ETFs: Local and International Listings Explained
The Gulf's $4.3 trillion equity market offers two distinct ETF investment routes: locally listed products on regional exchanges and internationally listed funds on global exchanges. This guide explains structural differences in currency exposure, liquidity, regulation, and tax treatment.

Best ETFs in Saudi Arabia (KSA): Top Picks and Full Market Guide (June 2026)
Saudi Arabia's Tadawul exchange offers 13 listed ETFs with zero-fee options and $665 million in AUM. Top performers include Albilad MSCI US Equity ETF (ABMSCIE) with 33.49% 1-year returns, making KSA attractive for GCC and international investors.

Best ETFs in the UAE: Top Picks and Full Market Guide (June 2026)
The UAE ETF market has expanded to 24 listed funds offering diverse investment options including domestic equities, global themes, Shariah-compliant strategies, and commodities. This comprehensive guide covers top-performing UAE equity ETFs ranked by AUM and YTD returns.

Best ETFs in the GCC: Top Picks and Full Market Guide (June 2026)
The GCC ETF market has grown to approximately $9.35 billion in AUM across 39 listed funds in June 2026. This guide highlights the best-performing ETFs, including new thematic products in quantum computing, AI infrastructure, and luxury goods.

2026 ETF Flows Cross $1 Trillion
US-listed ETFs reached $1.005 trillion in year-to-date net inflows by June 17, 2026, continuing record-breaking momentum from 2025's $2.37 trillion. Vanguard has overtaken BlackRock as the largest US ETF issuer, driven by demand for low-cost core equity products.
