GCC
ETF trends and investment insights across the Gulf Cooperation Council.
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.
UAEUS
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.
LUXURYAE
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.
QATUS
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.
Saudi Aramco Profit Jumps 26% as Oil Shock Offsets Export Disruptions
Saudi Aramco reported a 26% year-on-year profit surge to SAR 126 billion in Q1, driven by soaring oil prices following the Strait of Hormuz crisis that disrupted regional energy markets.
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.
UAEUS
Global Markets at the Crossroads: Five Signals the Iran Trade Is Shifting
A May 6, 2026 Axios report of U.S.-Iran peace talks triggered sharp declines across oil ETFs and energy equities, with BNO falling 8% and XLE dropping 4% as markets reprice the conflict's war premium.
USOUSXLEUS
ADX Partners with HSBC & FAB to Launch MENA's First Digital Bond
The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange has launched MENA's first distributed ledger technology-based bond in partnership with HSBC and First Abu Dhabi Bank, marking a significant milestone in Gulf capital markets digitization.
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.
AGIXUSKWINUS
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.
UAEAAE
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.