Bi-Weekly Geopolitical Report – Middle Eastern Stock Markets: An Overview (February 10, 2025)
by Daniel Ortwerth, CFA | PDF
All the attention paid to the strong performance of United States stock markets in recent years can easily distract us from what might be happening in other markets around the world. A quick review of global stock markets reveals that one region, the Middle East, has seen its market capitalization grow more rapidly over the last 10 years than any other region, including the US. This prompts an investigation into the reasons. Should investors give more consideration to the Middle East, or might there be other factors at play that explain the growth without necessarily translating into investable opportunities?
This report begins with a review of the global stock market, categorized by region and country. We next take a closer look at the fastest growing Middle Eastern markets, and we finish with considerations about the potential future for Middle Eastern stocks. As always, we conclude the report with investment implications.