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

ANSR July GCC PRs 50DR+

Economic development throughout the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is set to accelerate in 2026, with the region predicted to outperform its 2025 efficiency regardless of soft oil revenues and continuous international uncertainties. According to a brand-new Oxford Economics research instruction, GCC GDP growth is anticipated to rise to 4.4 per cent in 2026, up from 4 per cent in 2025, reflecting a resistant nonenergy sector, strong customer dynamics, and gradually improving oil output.

But the current forecasts recommend that Gulf economies are now wellpositioned to gain back momentum, buoyed by enhancing domestic need and a broadly constant worldwide backdrop. The report highlights GCC customers as a major chauffeur of the area's economic efficiency heading into next year. Low inflation, robust labour markets, and growing genuine disposable earnings are anticipated to sustain a rise in consumer costs across the Gulf.

Credit development is also forecast to remain elevated as access to financial services expands. With GCC central banks anticipated to follow awaited US Federal Reserve rate cuts due to the region's dollar pegs, obtaining costs are most likely to decline, giving families and businesses even more motivation to invest and invest. While the nonoil sector continues to anchor the region's strength, the GCC's hydrocarbon outlook presents a blended photo.

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This could weigh on firsthalf development, especially for economies more reliant on oil extraction. However, Oxford Economics predicts a rebound later in 2026, with Opec+ members anticipated to resume raising production as inventories tighten and worldwide need improves. Qatar, on the other hand, sticks out as a local outperformer, with substantial growths in gas production and exports expected to raise its overall economic performance.

Saudi Arabia's 2026 budget plan expects a 6 per cent cut in capital investment as the kingdom aims to narrow its financial deficit by two percentage points. However, the report notes that these cuts might not materialise totally if countercyclical spending measures are triggered to support growth. By contrast, more diversified economies such as the UAE and Qatar are expected to continue advancing their development agendas.

Regardless of shortterm dangers connected to oil prices and international demand, the GCC's 2026 economic outlook is specified by strength in basics: resilient consumers, robust nonenergy sectors, enhancing oil dynamics, and tactical financial preparation. With these factors aligning, the area is preparing for one of its most balanced periods of growth recently anchored by a clear upward trajectory in GDP development.

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RIYADH: Gulf Cooperation Council regional economies are expected to stay resilient in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand and a broadly stable global economy, according to an analysis. In its most current report, Oxford Economics highlighted that the genuine gross domestic product of the GCC region is anticipated to expand by 4.4 percent in 2026, up from the projected 4 percent this year.

United States trade policy under President Donald Trump has had no noteworthy influence on local development, and non-energy sectors have sustained their robust momentum," stated Oxford Economics. It included: "On the other hand, oil production has actually slowly increased, supplying an increase to the region's economies. We anticipate GCC growth will rise to 4.4 percent in 2026, from 4 percent this year."In November, the GCC Statistical Center stated that financial development in the region is set to speed up to 4.3 percent by 2027, driven by broadening 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 region's continued development toward diversity. According to Oxford Economics, GCC customers will be standout entertainers in 2026 and are anticipated to exceed their international peers.

In December, the IMF even more said 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 stay elevated in the GCC region throughout 2026, as access to financial services is anticipated to grow and financing is forecasted to be supported by further cuts in rate of interest."Owing to their currency pegs to the United States dollar, GCC reserve banks are anticipated to follow the US Federal Reserve by reducing monetary policy further, which in turn will lower financial obligation maintenance expenses and improve disposable earnings and need," stated the report.