Middle East ETF News
UAE leaves OPEC in blow to oil cartel during war on Iran
April 28, 2026- Announcement of its exit on Friday comes as Gulf producers are already struggling to ship exports through the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Arab Emirates has announced its decision to quit OPEC and OPEC+ to focus on "national interests", dealing a heavy blow to the oil-exporting groups at a time when the US-Israel war on Iran has caused a historic energy shock and rattled the global economy.
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Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf equities nudge higher despite stalled diplomacy in Iran
April 26, 2026-The war has deepened instability in the Middle East
Most stock markets eked out small gains on Sunday despite hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough in the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran fading, with stalled talks underscoring the hardening positions of both Tehran and Washington.
The Gulf's growth model faces its first true stress test
April 7, 2026-GDP in Saudi Arabia and the UAE could fall by 3% and 5% respectively
The US-Israel war with Iran has now stretched beyond five weeks, inflicting extensive damage on energy infrastructure, airports, ports and commercial and technology hubs across the six GCC states.
Mideast Stocks: Most Gulf equities retreat on fears of prolonged Middle East conflict
April 2, 2026-Dubai's main share index dropped 1.4%
Major Gulf stock markets fell in early trading on Thursday after President Donald Trump said the U.S. would continue its attacks on Iran, without specifying when the war would end.
Mideast Stocks: Dubai leads Gulf stocks higher on hopes of de-escalation of Iran war
April 1, 2026-Dubai's main share index advanced 2.1%
Major Gulf stock markets rose in early Wednesday trading on hopes of a de-escalation in the Iran conflict, with Dubai leading gains as its 1 billion dirham ($272.3 million) support package took effect.
UAE space programme at private sector 'tipping point'
March 31, 2026-Aim for 70% private funding within 10 years
Currently 49% private investment
Iran conflict speeding up timelines
The UAE wants the private sector to lead its space programme within this decade -and the Iran conflict is helping to accelerate the pivot, according to industry experts speaking at an event in Washington.
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.
