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The UAE led the region with foreign capital net inflows of $680.4 million in May, rebounding from the previous month that saw the country follow a GCC-wide negative trend, stemming from escalating tensions in the Middle East and the challenging global economic climate, including higher interest rates.
In a turnaround from April’s net outflow of $48.6 million, the growth gave a boost to UAE’s year-to-date inflow chart with the country recording $1.67 billion in total foreign capital contributions, according to figures released by the Dubai-based management consultants and financial advisors Iridium.
Abu Dhabi took the lead in net foreign capital inflows with $686 million recorded in May, up from -$19 million in April, while Dubai maintained its net outflows of -$30 million from the previous month.
In year-to-date figures, Abu Dhabi maintained its pole position with $1.344 billion in net inflows, with Dubai coming in second in the region at $323 million.
Saudi Arabia followed behind Dubai with $224 million in net inflows year-to-date, reflecting its resilience despite intermittent outflows, the report said. In contrast, Kuwait and Qatar had mixed performances, with Kuwait posting net inflows of $190 million, while Qatar experienced net outflows amounting to -$125 million.
In May 2024, the GCC equity markets recorded a positive trend in foreign capital flows, with a net inflow of $616.7 million. The four GCC Emerging Markets combined (Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE), recorded a higher net inflow of $636.2 million.
Last month, Iridium stated GCC equity markets have shown significant volatility in foreign capital flows over the previous three quarters due to geopolitical instability. After observing major inflows in mid-2023, the markets encountered steep outflows in subsequent months, especially in October, following the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, with December 2023 recording Israel’s push into Gaza and again in April when ceasefire talks failed.
(Reporting by Bindu Rai, editing by Daniel Luiz)
