EM Bond & Gold ETFs In Favor, Sector ETFs Out Of Favor

U.S.-listed ETFs raked in nearly $5 billion of fresh capital this week. According to FactSet data, all of the major asset classes had inflows in the week ending Thursday, Oct. 20. That includes U.S. equity ETFs, with inflows of $1.7 billion; international equity ETFs, with inflows of $800 million; U.S. fixed-income ETFs, with inflows of $1.6 billion; and international fixed-income ETFs, with inflows of $400 million. 

Investors may have been encouraged by the ongoing Q3 earnings season, where most corporations are beating profit expectations. On the other hand, election uncertainty and a likely Fed rate hike by year-end kept enthusiasm in check.

Emerging Market Bonds & Gold In Favor

The iShares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB) took in $380 million in the latest week, a strong showing for one of 2016's most popular products. Year-to-date inflows for EMB are now close to $4.5 billion.

Right on the heels of EMB was the SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), with inflows of $349 million. Gold prices ticked up by a little more than 1% this week despite a big rally in the U.S. dollar. 

Other notable winners this week included the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), with inflows of $268 million, and the PowerShares Senior Loan Portfolio (BKLN), with inflows of $224 million.

Big Outflows From Sector ETFs

In terms of outflows, three sector funds topped the list. The Healthcare Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV) had outflows of $346 million; the Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLU) had outflows of $300 million; and the Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLK) had outflows of $258 million. 

The Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE) and the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLRE) also found themselves on the list, with outflows of $165 million and $130 million, respectively. 

Outside the sector funds, two notable losers this week included the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (VXX), with outflows of $163 million; and the iShares Core International Aggregate Bond ETF (IAGG), with outflows of $127 million, or 40% of its assets under management. 

For a full list of this week's top inflows and outflows, see the tables below:

Top 10 Creations (All ETFs)

Top 10 Redemptions (All ETFs)

ETF Weekly Flows By Asset Class

Top 10 Volume Surprises, Funds >$50 mm AUM

Top 10 Weekly Performers, Excluding Leverage/Inverse Funds and <1,000 Shares Traded

Bottom 10 Weekly Performers, Excluding Leverage/Inverse Funds and <1,000 Shares Traded

Top 10 YTD Performers

Bottom 10 YTD Performers

Disclaimer: All data as of 6 a.m. Eastern time the date the article is published. Data is believed to be accurate; however, transient market data is often subject to subsequent revision and correction by the exchanges.