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 Key Benefits
 Provides a reliable, investable set of benchmark indices for the region
 Supplies detailed data about market characteristics
 May be licensed as the basis for index-linked products
Home > Products > MSCI Products > Gulf Cooperation Council Indices > Overview

MSCI Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries Indices
A comprehensive family of equity market indices for investors in the Gulf region

MSCI GCC Countries Indices

Launched in January 2006 to reflect growing investor interest in this region, the MSCI Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries Indices are designed to provide pension plans, other investors, asset managers and consultants with an asset allocation and performance measurement framework for the equity markets of the GCC countries.

The indices cover the GCC countries of Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

As of the close of May 30, 2008, the MSCI GCC Countries Indices have transitioned to the enhanced MSCI GCC Countries Indices Methodology.

In 2006, MSCI Barra also created the MSCI Arabian Markets Index, which includes the six GCC countries listed above, plus Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco. As a result of the creation of the MSCI Frontier Markets Indices, the MSCI Arabian Markets Index will include Tunisia and Lebanon, effective May 30, 2008. Tunisia and Lebanon were added to the MSCI Provisional Arabian Markets Index, effective November 30, 2007.

As announced on November 27, the MSCI Frontier Markets Indices include five of the GCC countries. Note that Saudi Arabia is not part of the MSCI Frontier Markets Indices as it is currently closed to international investors.

All of the indices have daily history back to May 31, 2005.

The MSCI GCC Countries Indices may be used to:

  • Evaluate the performance of regional managers
  • Evaluate the impact of integrating these markets into a portfolio
  • Conduct research on the these markets
  • Construct and issue index-linked products such as listed and OTC derivatives, ETFs, and institutional and retail funds.

Note: MSCI GCC Countries Indices are not part of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index.

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