Standard Chartered (“the Bank”) Wealth Solutions Chief Investment Office (CIO) has released its Global Market Outlook for the second half of 2026, outlining its investment strategy and key themes as investors navigate a more complex and evolving market environment. The report was launched alongside Global Market Outlook events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this week, the first of their kind for the Bank regionally for the second half of this year.

The Bank’s CIO expects risky assets to remain supported by a soft-landing macro backdrop, though investors will need to navigate energy prices, equity supply, investor positioning and central bank policy in H2 2026.

For investors in the UAE and wider Middle East, evolving energy dynamics and easing geopolitical risk premiums following the US-Iran interim deal are expected to support sentiment, while stable oil prices and strong regional liquidity continue to underpin investment activity and diversification opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the CIO remains Overweight global equities, with a preference for the US and Asia ex-Japan, alongside selective opportunities in fixed income and alternatives.

Reflecting this stance, the CIO team sees further upside in key asset classes, with a target of 7,950 for the US S&P 500 index and USD 5,100 for gold by mid-2027, underscoring the role of equities as a core growth driver and gold as a strategic portfolio diversifier.

Global equities rose more than 12% year-to-date, supported by strong earnings and AI-driven optimism, despite geopolitical tensions, higher oil prices and elevated bond yields.

While this momentum is expected to extend into H2, investors will need to be more nimble as markets adjust to four key pivot points: energy prices, equity supply, investor positioning and central bank policy.  

In the Middle East, including the UAE, oil market developments remain particularly relevant. While the interim US‑Iran agreement may ease supply constraints and soften prices, the pace of recovery in physical flows and inventory rebuilding is why energy prices are unlikely to immediately return to start-of-year levels, a key factor shaping inflation expectations and investment opportunities.

Ayesha Abbas, Managing Director and Head of Affluent and Wealth Solutions, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and UAE at Standard Chartered, said: “UAE investors are entering the second half of 2026 from a position of strength. The region continues to benefit from supportive liquidity conditions and the stabilisation of oil markets. In this environment, we are seeing strong demand for diversified portfolios that balance growth opportunities in global equities with income strategies such as Emerging Market USD bonds, alongside gold as a strategic hedge. For internationally minded clients in the UAE, staying invested and well-diversified will be key to capturing opportunities as markets evolve.”

Standard Chartered (“the Bank”) Wealth Solutions Chief Investment Office (CIO) has released its Global Market Outlook for the second half of 2026, outlining its investment strategy and key themes as investors navigate a more complex and evolving market environment. The report was launched alongside Global Market Outlook events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi this week, the first of their kind for the Bank regionally for the second half of this year.

The Bank’s CIO expects risky assets to remain supported by a soft-landing macro backdrop, though investors will need to navigate energy prices, equity supply, investor positioning and central bank policy in H2 2026.

For investors in the UAE and wider Middle East, evolving energy dynamics and easing geopolitical risk premiums following the US-Iran interim deal are expected to support sentiment, while stable oil prices and strong regional liquidity continue to underpin investment activity and diversification opportunities.

Against this backdrop, the CIO remains Overweight global equities, with a preference for the US and Asia ex-Japan, alongside selective opportunities in fixed income and alternatives.

Reflecting this stance, the CIO team sees further upside in key asset classes, with a target of 7,950 for the US S&P 500 index and USD 5,100 for gold by mid-2027, underscoring the role of equities as a core growth driver and gold as a strategic portfolio diversifier.

Global equities rose more than 12% year-to-date, supported by strong earnings and AI-driven optimism, despite geopolitical tensions, higher oil prices and elevated bond yields.

While this momentum is expected to extend into H2, investors will need to be more nimble as markets adjust to four key pivot points: energy prices, equity supply, investor positioning and central bank policy.  

In the Middle East, including the UAE, oil market developments remain particularly relevant. While the interim US‑Iran agreement may ease supply constraints and soften prices, the pace of recovery in physical flows and inventory rebuilding is why energy prices are unlikely to immediately return to start-of-year levels, a key factor shaping inflation expectations and investment opportunities.

Ayesha Abbas, Managing Director and Head of Affluent and Wealth Solutions, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and UAE at Standard Chartered, said: “UAE investors are entering the second half of 2026 from a position of strength. The region continues to benefit from supportive liquidity conditions and the stabilisation of oil markets. In this environment, we are seeing strong demand for diversified portfolios that balance growth opportunities in global equities with income strategies such as Emerging Market USD bonds, alongside gold as a strategic hedge. For internationally minded clients in the UAE, staying invested and well-diversified will be key to capturing opportunities as markets evolve.”

As RAKBANK marks its 50th anniversary year, the Bank has launched a one-of-a-kind Female Entrepreneurs Package in celebration of International MSME Day, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs.

Beyond just Banking

Launched under the theme “Empowering Women to Start, Grow and Scale with Confidence” the She Means Business Package reflects the growing contribution of female entrepreneurs to the UAE economy and the need for solutions that support them across different stages of their business journey. From managing banking costs, accessing finance and day-to-day operations, female founders often require support that goes beyond traditional banking. RAKBANK brings together its best-in-business banking solutions, practical business tools, financial protection and community support into one integrated package designed to simplify banking, reduce friction and enable female entrepreneurs to grow with confidence.

Limited time offer: As part of the launch, female entrepreneurs who activate their account by 10 December 2026 can enjoy the She Means Business package free for 12 months, subject to terms and conditions.

What entrepreneurs get:

1. Digital banking foundation

• A zero-balance business account, available in both Islamic and Conventional variants
• Multi-currency capability in AED, USD, GBP and EUR
• Digital onboarding in as little as 48 hours, enabling faster speed to market and seamless access to banking services

2. Everyday business tools

• WPS-enabled payroll processing
• QR-based payments powered by AANI
• Complimentary access to a cloud-based app for up to four users, helping entrepreneurs manage accounting, banking, payroll and VAT from a single platform.

3. Cost savings and financial benefits

• Four complimentary international remittances per month
• Preferential USD foreign exchange rates
• Monthly maintenance fees fully covered for 12 months, supporting early-stage growth

4. Built-in protection in Partnership with RAKInsurance

• Essential insurance/Takaful coverage including:
• Workmen’s compensation (including employer liability)
• Public liability protection of up to AED 1 million 

5. Community, learning and growth – Beyond banking, the package extends into capability building and community engagement, with access to: 

• Learning and business development opportunities, covering topics such as AI, leadership, pricing, cash flow management, marketing and business growth
• Curated networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing forums with ecosystem partners and industry experts
• AED 1,500 off the annual CrunchMoms membership — a community that connects female entrepreneurs with like-minded women, mentors, and new opportunities.
• A complimentary Personal Banking Financial Needs Assessment to help founders align their personal finances with their business ambitions

Who the Package is for

The package is available to new RAKBANK customers who are female founders operating as Sole Proprietors and Individual LLCs.

How to apply

Eligible founders can apply by visiting quickapply.rakbank.ae and selecting the RAKStarter Account.

Vishal Shah, Managing Director & Head of Business Banking Group, RAKBANK, said:

“For 50 years, RAKBANK has supported over 250,000 SMEs across the UAE, helping founders transform ambition into action and we proudly bank over 20,000 female-led businesses.

Female entrepreneurs are playing an increasingly important role in shaping the UAE’s economic future, contributing to the country’s entrepreneurship agenda, and access to the right ecosystem makes a meaningful difference in enabling founders toreach their full potential. Understanding the needs of entrepreneurs has long been at the heart of how we design and evolve our propositions, reinforcing our commitment to being the financial partner of choice for SMEs across the UAE. Through She Means Business, we are bringing Digital with a Human Touch to life by combining seamless digital banking, relationship-led financial partnership and ecosystem access.”