Middle East ETP News
you are currently viewing::Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-Enhancing Resilience to Global Shocks: Economic Prospects and Policy Challenges for the GCC CountriesDecember 6, 2025-Despite the challenging external environment, the GCC economies have been resilient. Non-hydrocarbon activity has remained robust amid strong domestic demand supported by the reform momentum, limited spillovers from regional, as well as the modest direct impact of higher U.S. tariffs given the exemption of energy products and limited trade ties with the U.S. While external balances narrowed amid oil production cuts and robust imports, the external positions remain overall strong. The economic outlook remains favorable but risks are tilted to the downside amidst elevated global uncertainty. Economic activity will be supported by the unwinding of oil production cuts, the expansion of natural gas production, and strong reform and project implementation facilitated by ample policy buffers. External buffers would remain comfortable despite narrower current account balances driven by higher imports. The near-term risks to the outlook are tilted to the downside, as oil prices could decline and financial conditions tighten amid high uncertainty. Over the medium term, ongoing global structural shifts pose two-sided risks for the GCC economies. Source: imf.org |
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.
IMF Staff Country Report-Kuwait: 2025 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
February 17, 2026--Summary
Kuwait has started the transition from an oil dependent welfare state towards a dynamic and diversified economy. Reform momentum has been building, starting with enactment of the Financing and Liquidity Law.
Kuwait: 2025 Article IV Consultation-Press Release; and Staff Report
February 17, 2026--Summary
Kuwait has started the transition from an oil dependent welfare state towards a dynamic and diversified economy. Reform momentum has been building, starting with enactment of the Financing and Liquidity Law.
New $200m fund to boost liquidity on Qatar stock exchange
February 16, 2026--Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has partnered with US asset manager Franklin Templeton to establish a new fund to boost liquidity in the Gulf state's emerging stock market.
Franklin Templeton Qatar Equity Fund will start with $200 million in capital, with QIA serving as the fund's anchor investor, contributing cash and stock. No specific details were given.
Abu Dhabi's GDP expands 7.7%,non-oil economy grows 7.6% in Q3 2025
February 9, 2025-Over the first nine months of 2025 (January to September),Abu Dhabi's GDP grew by 5% year-on-year,while the non-oil economy expanded by 6.8% year-on-year
