GCC Markets See Strong Comeback as Foreign Investors Inject $1.47bn in Q1

After a spell of caution, international money is flooding back into Gulf stock exchanges.

Foreign investors were net buyers of $1.47 billion in GCC equity markets during the first quarter of 2026, a sharp reversal from the $313.5 million in net selling seen in the previous three months, according to a report by Kamco Invest.

Saudi Arabia led the charge, attracting $2.6 billion in net foreign purchases. The Kingdom’s ongoing economic reforms under Vision 2030, including the removal of Qualified Foreign Investor restrictions in February, have opened the door wider for both institutional and individual foreign investors. A new real estate law granting foreign nationals property rights in designated zones has also helped.

Qatar and Oman recorded net inflows of $232.5 million and $61 million respectively. However, the UAE and Kuwait saw outflows, with Dubai losing $654 million, Abu Dhabi $379.7 million, and Kuwait $343.4 million.

Five Saudi companies ranked among the region’s ten most traded stocks, including Al Rajhi Bank, Saudi Aramco, and Saudi National Bank.

Total trading value across the Gulf edged up slightly to $145 billion, though volumes fell. Analysts note that geopolitical tensions and the Ramadan holiday dampened some activity, but the overall trend signals renewed international confidence in the region’s markets.

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