Middle East ETP News
you are currently viewing::GCC Economies Demonstrate Resilience, Advance Diversification, and Accelerate Digital TransformationDecember 4, 2025--World Bank's Gulf Economic Update reviews a decade of economic diversification, highlights strong momentum in recent years, and a surge in AI-driven digital transformation
According to the latest edition of the Gulf Economic Update (GEU)-Fall 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to expand by 4.8%, Saudi Arabia by 3.8%, Bahrain by 3.5%, Oman by 3.1%, Qatar by 2.8%, and Kuwait by 2.7%. Sustaining this trajectory will require continued progress on national Vision strategies and disciplined fiscal management to mitigate risks from oil price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and potential reform slowdowns. |
Dubai's main share index declined 2%
March 17, 2026-Most Gulf stock markets fell in early trading on Monday, led by losses in Dubai as the Iran conflict weighed on investor sentiment and spurred risk aversion across the region.
RMB adoption in the Middle East is reshaping regional economies and trade flows
March 11, 2026--A new study by Standard Chartered pegs the primary drivers behind RMB's growth in the region to energy settlements in the Middle East
The growing dominance of Renminbi (RMB) in the Middle East as a strategic currency is a direct result of a convergence in pricing dynamics, counterparty preference and long-dated capital needs, particularly in the fields of energy trade, according to Standard Chartered.
Mideast Stocks: UAE leads Gulf bourses lower; oil leaps on Iran war
March 9, 2026--Dubai's main share index dropped 3.8%
Most Gulf markets fell in early Monday trading, led by sharp losses in the UAE, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continuedand oil prices jumped more than 15% on supply cuts and fears of prolonged Strait of Hormuz shipping disruptions.
Saudi Arabia's GDP grows 4.5% in 2025
March 9, 2026--Oil activities recorded growth of 5.7%
General Authority for Statistics said Saudi Arabia's real gross domestic product grew by 4.5% in 2025 compared with 2024, driven by growth across all major economic sectors.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf bourses rise; UAE shares extend losses as Middle East conflict widens
March 5, 2026--Both the Dubai and Abu Dhabi exchanges said they will temporarily set a 5% lower price limit on securities
Most Gulf stock markets rose in early trading on Thursday, but UAE equities fell again, extending the prior session's losses after exchanges reopened on Wednesday following a two-day suspension prompted by Iran's weekend missile-and-drone barrage on the Emirates.
UAE markets slide but Saudi stocks extend recovery
March 4, 2026--DFM and ADX reopen after 2 days
Both imposed -5% temporary limit
Tadawul All-Shares up 1.6% in morning
UAE equity markets tumbled on Wednesday as trading resumed for the first session since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran, sparking a broader Middle East conflict.
UAE non-oil business activity expands to 12-month high in February
March 4, 2026--PMI points to growth in sectors such as construction, real estate, logistics and technology
The UAE's non-oil private sector expanded at the fastest pace in a year in February as business activity strengthened, according to new survey data released on Wednesday.
LNG shutdown sinks Qatar stocks but Tadawul rebounds
March 3, 2026-- Bourse dives as global markets reel on Middle East tensions.
Qatar LNG production still halted
Doha bourse lowest since June 2025
Saudi market up as Aramco advances
Abu Dhabi's Mubadala doubles investment in Bitcoin ETF to $630mln
February 18, 2026--Abu Dhabi's Mubadala Investment Company has given a substantial boost to its holdings in BlackRock's iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) ETF with Tuesday's Q4 2025 SEC 13F filings revealing an ownership of 12.7 million shares valued at $630.6 million as of December 31.
UAE, Saudi to anchor Middle East's $25bln sustainable bond surge in 2026
February 18, 2026--Diversification has become harder since 2020 as stocks and bonds tend to move in tandem during sharp selloffs, adding to financial stability concerns
Spreading investments across asset classes can reduce risk and smooth returns. The classic diversification between stocks and bonds worked historically because they moved in opposite directions.
