Middle Eastern investors favour FX and commodities for excess returns

Euromoney Limited, Registered in England & Wales, Company number 15236090

4 Bouverie Street, London, EC4Y 8AX

Copyright © Euromoney Limited 2025

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Middle Eastern investors favour FX and commodities for excess returns

Currencies and commodities are projected to be the most sought-after asset classes for Middle Eastern investors this year, according to a survey commissioned by the Abu Dhabi-based broker ADS Securities (ADSS).

The survey, which polled more than 100 high-net-worth individuals in the GCC region last month, showed that 30% of them expect commodities to be the most common investment in 2012, with FX the next highest on 28%. The high-net-worth individuals who answered came from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. “In recent months, we have been conscious of a shift in investor sentiment towards FX and commodities given the consistent growth in trading volumes,” says Philippe Ghanem, managing director of ADSS. “When we consider the challenges facing real estate, equities, fixed income and mutual funds, we shouldn’t be surprised smart investors are opting for asset classes that produce the returns they are looking for even in volatile market conditions.”

Since launching eight months ago, ADSS has reported rapid growth, with trading volumes rising month-on-month since inception and the company anticipates strong growth to continue this year.

Gift this article