ETF and capital markets coverage focused on the United Arab Emirates.
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.
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.
GCC markets delivered strong gains on June 16, 2026 following a preliminary US-Iran accord that reduced regional conflict fears. Dubai surged 1.7% and Abu Dhabi gained 1.6% as investors responded to lower geopolitical risk premiums.
Quantum computing is transitioning from science fiction to investable reality, with GCC investors now able to access the Lunate Boreas Solactive Quantum Computing UCITS ETF (QUANTM) on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. The ETF rose 4% as global interest in quantum technology accelerates.
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.
The UAE Central Bank's support package has exceeded AED 6.2 billion, benefiting over 65,000 individuals, SMEs, and corporates through loan deferments and interest relief. Banking sector assets grew 2.1% during the support period, reflecting strong liquidity and financial stability.
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 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.
Global asset manager Capital Group is opening its first Middle East office in Abu Dhabi Global Market, expanding its $3.3 trillion AUM and actively managed ETF platform across the region.
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'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.
The UAE has announced its exit from OPEC and OPEC+ effective May 1, 2026, signaling a strategic shift toward independent oil production management while maintaining market stability.
