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Company news and financial news, analysis, opinion and statistics covering the 6 Gulf Corporation Council members Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Financial development across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the area predicted to outperform its 2025 performance in spite of soft oil profits and ongoing international uncertainties. According to a new Oxford Economics research briefing, GCC GDP development is anticipated to increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, up from 4 percent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong consumer dynamics, and slowly enhancing oil output.

But the most recent forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly stable worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC consumers as a significant chauffeur of the region's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing real non reusable incomes are anticipated to sustain a surge in consumer costs throughout the Gulf.

Credit development is likewise forecast to stay raised as access to monetary services widens. With GCC central banks expected to follow awaited United States Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the area's dollar pegs, obtaining expenses are likely to decline, providing households and organizations further inspiration to spend and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook provides a blended image.

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This might weigh on firsthalf growth, particularly for economies more depending on oil extraction. Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later on in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as stocks tighten up and worldwide need enhances. Qatar, on the other hand, stands apart as a regional outperformer, with substantial expansions in gas production and exports expected to lift its total economic efficiency.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan expects a 6 percent cut in capital expense as the kingdom intends to narrow its financial deficit by two portion points. However, the report notes that these cuts may not materialise completely if countercyclical costs steps are triggered to support development. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development agendas.

In spite of shortterm threats connected to oil rates and global demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is defined by strength in basics: durable consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil characteristics, and strategic fiscal preparation. With these factors lining up, the area is getting ready for among its most well balanced periods of expansion in the last few years anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council local economies are anticipated to stay durable in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly constant international economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the real gross domestic item of the GCC region is expected to broaden by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the predicted 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no notable effect on regional growth, and non-energy sectors have actually sustained their robust momentum," said Oxford Economics. It added: "Meanwhile, oil production has slowly increased, supplying a boost to the area's economies. We anticipate GCC growth will increase to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that economic development in the area is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by expanding non-oil sectors.

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Non-oil activities accounted for 73.2 percent of total GDP, up from 70.6 percent at the end of 2024, highlighting the area's continued progress towards diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout performers in 2026 and are expected to outperform their international peers.

In December, the IMF further stated that headline inflation is expected to remain below 2 percent in Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar, near 2 percent in the Kingdom and the UAE, and a little above 2 percent in Kuwait in 20252026. According to Oxford Economics, credit growth is expected to remain elevated in the GCC area throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and financing is projected to be supported by additional cuts in rates of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the US dollar, GCC central banks are expected to follow the United States Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will reduce financial obligation maintenance costs and improve non reusable earnings and need," stated the report.