GCC
ETF trends and investment insights across the Gulf Cooperation Council.
Quantum Stocks Surge on Trump Backing. An Intel Deja-Vu?
The U.S. Commerce Department awarded $2 billion in grants to nine quantum technology companies, with IBM receiving $1 billion for America's first pure-play quantum foundry. The move reflects Washington's strategic equity-backed industrial policy pattern.
UAE Stocks Defy Market Turbulence as Q1 2026 Earnings Surge
UAE equity markets experienced significant turbulence in early 2026 due to geopolitical shocks, but Q1 earnings season revealed record-breaking corporate results. Despite IMF downgrading UAE growth forecasts to 3.1%, underlying fundamentals suggest long-term investor optimism.
Craze for Luxury Overruns Dubai Malls. Meet Swatch’s new ‘Royal Pop’ Watch
Swatch's highly anticipated Royal Pop watch collaboration with Audemars Piguet caused crowd surges that forced Dubai malls to cancel launches. The luxury craze highlights investment opportunities in luxury sector ETFs for GCC investors.
Qatar Upgrades Its Index Governance Just as the Semi-Annual Review Looms
The Qatar Stock Exchange has reconstituted its Index Committee to formalize benchmark governance, with a QFMA representative participating as observer. The June 2026 semi-annual review marks the first major constituent review under the new framework.
Abu Dhabi Takes Steps Towards a Defense Fund with an MOU with Hanwha Aerospace
The UAE is exploring creation of a dedicated defense-focused investment vehicle to centralize global defense manufacturer investments and expand domestic production capabilities, following regional conflicts since 2022.
Oman Leads Arab Markets as GCC Equities Diverge in 2026
Oman's Muscat Stock Exchange has emerged as the Arab world's strongest performer in 2026, with the MSX30 index up 42.3% year-to-date, significantly outpacing larger Gulf peers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE amid widening regional market divergence.
ADNOC Plans $55bn Project Awards as UAE Energy Policy Enters New Phase
ADNOC is preparing to award AED 200 billion ($55 billion) in new projects between 2026 and 2028, marking an acceleration in execution following the UAE's formal exit from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026.
Morgan Stanley joins ADX as the first international remote trading member.
Morgan Stanley has been approved as the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange's first international remote trading member, enabling direct client access to ADX-listed securities from New York and marking a major milestone in ADX's global expansion strategy.
Gulf markets sell off on reports of continued military action in the region
April 30 2026: Gulf equity markets retreated as reports of potential US military action against Iran triggered a broad risk-off tone across regional exchanges. Saudi Arabia's Tadawul fell 0.45%, while UAE and Qatar indices declined 1.63-1.68% on rising geopolitical risk premiums.
GCC-Owned US or UCITS ETFs and the Tax Boogeyman
GCC investors often overlook how ETF domicile affects after-tax returns. US-domiciled ETFs face 30% dividend withholding while Ireland-domiciled UCITS ETFs typically benefit from reduced 15% rates through tax treaties.
ADX Expands Clearing Ecosystem as FAB Joins as General Clearing Member
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has appointed First Abu Dhabi Bank as a General Clearing Member, expanding its clearing services and post-trade capabilities. The move strengthens ADX's regional positioning as institutional trading and foreign participation continue to rise.
The UAE Has Left OPEC. Now Murban Becomes the Trade.
The UAE's departure from OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, 2026 liberates the world's second-largest spare oil capacity from quota constraints, positioning Murban as an independent crude benchmark for the first time.
