Abstract The study investigates volatility persistence, long-term memory and time-varying conditional correlations among the stock markets of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Daily equity index data between 2012 and 2024 were analyzed using univariate fractionally integrated generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (FIGARCH) models to examine long-memory behavior and multivariate dynamic conditional correlation (DCC) models to assess conditional correlations between these markets. For each of the GCC equity markets, the analysis highlighted large degrees of long-memory and volatility persistence. Finally, the DCC model shows that strong and dynamic Intermarket links among the GCC, especially between KSA and UAE, exist and reflect significant volatility spillover from good economic ties. This study fills the gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive understanding of long-run volatility memory and inter-market associations in the GCC stock markets.