ETFs Add $21.5B Last Week

U.S.-listed ETFs took in more than $21.5 billion in new assets in the week ending May 20, the largest haul since early April, and a sign of confidence despite nearly all asset classes suffering this year amid economic uncertainty. 

Investors even added net inflows of just over $7 billion on Friday despite the S&P 500 momentarily dipping into bear market territory in intraday trading before rallying to nearly flat to close the week. 

The U.S. ETF industry has added $224.9 billion in net assets year to date, according to ETF.com data provider FactSet, and manages more than $6.3 trillion in assets. 

Large Caps, Safety Plays Gain 

The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) led all funds, with a whopping gain just shy of $5 billion, followed by a $1.9 billion inflow into the iShares Core High Dividend ETF (HDV). Other large cap funds gained on the week as well, with the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) adding $1.2 billion and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) adding just over $1 billion. 

Treasury ETFs rounded out the top inflows list within the fixed income category, leaning heavily toward safer short-term maturities.  

The iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF (SHV) added $1.5 billion, while the SPDR Bloomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL), the Vanguard Intermediate-Term Treasury Index ETF (VGIT) and the iShares TIPS Bond ETF (TIP) had combined inflows of $2.35 billion. Those inflows come despite a $576 million outflow from the SPDR Portfolio Short Term Treasury ETF (SPTS). 

Defensive-tilted equity strategies also took in significant assets. The iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Value ETF (IJS) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Min Vol Factor ETF (EEMV) combined took in $2.2 billion. 

Outflows Across Equity Types 

Fears of a recession amid multiple macroeconomic head winds appeared to drive outflows across multiple ETFs across the equity asset class. 

The iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (IJR) led outflows, with a $1.3 billion loss, followed by the Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF), with a $1.3 billion outflow. 

The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the iShares MSCI USA Value Factor ETF (VLUE) lost a combined $1.8 billion, showing fears across the market capitalization range, while the iShares ESG Aware MSCI EM ETF (ESGE) and the ESG Aware MSCI USA ETF (ESGU) combined to lose $1.17 billion on the week. 

Commodities as an asset class posted a combined outflow of $959 million, driven primarily by a $1.04 billion outflow from the iShares GSCI Commodity Dynamic Roll Strategy ETF (COMT). 

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

Asset Classes (Year-to-Date)

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

Top 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.