Tag Archives: MENA
Index-Based Investing in Islamic Finance: 2025 Review
The Islamic asset management industry has been experiencing growth in index-based investing, and these trends have accelerated in 2025. As of October 2025, assets under management (AUM) in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) linked to Islamic indices reached USD 7.3 billion, a 44% YTD increase (see Exhibit 1)—outpacing the 30% growth observed in the global ETF market.1…
- Categories Equities, Fixed Income, Thematics
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- Equities, Fixed Income, Thematics
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Sukuk Market Hits USD 1 Trillion This Summer: What You Should Know
The global sukuk market has surpassed the USD 1 trillion mark in outstanding issuances, achieving a significant milestone that affirms its role within the fixed income sector. The Dow Jones Sukuk Total Return Index (ex-Reinvestment), launched in April 2006, has served as a benchmark for measuring the global investment grade (IG) USD-denominated sukuk market during…
- Categories Fixed Income, Thematics
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S&P DJI’s Global Islamic Equity Benchmarks Rose 6% in H1 2025, Underperforming Conventional Benchmarks
In the first half of 2025, global equities faced significant volatility, primarily driven by developments related to U.S. tariffs. Steep declines between February and April were followed by a swift recovery, and the S&P Global BMI ultimately finished with a solid 10.0% return. U.S. equities underperformed, breaking their streak of extended outperformance, as the S&P…
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SPIVA Insights: Key Findings in the Middle East
How do active managers stack up to passive benchmarks in the Middle East? S&P DJI’s Tim Edwards joins GCMA’s Michael Grifferty for a closer look at the latest SPIVA MENA results and explores what’s driving the growth of passive in the region.
- Categories Equities, Fixed Income
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- Equities, Fixed Income
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Index-Based Investing in Islamic Finance: Trends and Implications
Indices play a crucial role in Islamic finance by identifying the universe of securities eligible for Shariah-compliant investments, establishing the benchmarks by which Islamic market participants assess performance and increasingly serving as the basis for index-linked investment products. Islamic finance has also embraced the global trend toward index-based or “passive” investing,1 with assets in exchange-traded…
- Categories Equities, Fixed Income, Thematics
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- Equities, Fixed Income, Thematics
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Carbon Intensity in the Middle East – An Index Perspective
In December 2023, the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference was hosted in Dubai, once again putting the spotlight on global climate change action and handing the Middle East hosting responsibilities. Describing the current period as “the beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era,1 this iteration of COP not only gave us the first…
- Categories Sustainability
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S&P DJI’s Global Islamic Equity Benchmarks Rose 5% in Q3 2024, Underperforming Conventional Benchmarks
Global equities continued to trend higher in the third quarter of 2024, as central banks in many parts of the world moved to ease monetary policy on the back of moderating inflation. The S&P Global BMI rose 7.0% for the quarter and was up 18.1% YTD. Emerging market regions drove the market up, with an…
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S&P DJI’s Global Islamic Equity Benchmarks Rose 13% in H1 2024, Outperforming Conventional Benchmarks
Global equities extended their upward trend into Q2 2024 on the back of sustained economic growth and moderating inflation. The S&P Global BMI posted a healthy 10.4% return in the first half of the year, led by the U.S where the S&P 500® had an impressive run with a 15.3% gain and new record highs….
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Why Does the S&P 500 Matter to the Middle East?
Explore the expanding ecosystem of the iconic S&P 500 as S&P DJI’s Tim Edwards joins Cboe’s Sarju Gudka for a closer look at how and why market participants are putting the definitive gauge of U.S. large-cap equities to work in the Middle East.
- Categories Equities, S&P 500 & DJIA
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Understanding the S&P/Hawkamah ESG Pan Arab Index
How are indices helping market participants align ESG goals and values? Join S&P DJI’s Maya Beyhan and Hawkamah’s Dr. Ashraf Gamal El Din for a closer look at how the S&P/Hawkamah ESG Pan Arab Index enhances its sustainability profile compared to its underlying benchmark, as well as an exploration of the drivers of its historical…
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