ETFs Increase $32B in September

October 11, 2013 (PLANSPONSOR.com) – U.S. markets saw $32.1 billion of inflows for exchange-traded funds (ETFs) during the month of September.

September marks the second best month in 2013 behind inflows of $42 billion in July, and brings year-to-date inflows to $128 billion, according to the latest “ETF Snapshot” report from State Street Global Advisors (SSgA). SSgA also found Europe experienced inflows of $1.3 billion, increasing its year-to-date inflows to $9.8 billion. Canada posted minor inflows, while The Asia-Pacific region saw outflows of $614 million.

The relatively strong growth in global ETF inflows for the month of September was bolstered by large cap ETFs taking in $11.6 billion. Fixed income ETFs, in turn, saw inflows of $5.5 billion, mainly through demand for developed market treasuries.

By asset class, MSCI AC World IMI increased 5.4%, while MSCI EAFE gained 7.4%. Emerging markets returned 6.5%, while emerging markets small cap went up 5.8%, SSgA. U.S. large- cap, mid-cap and small-cap markets were all positive for the month, ticking up 3.1%, 5.2% and 6.2%, respectively.

The global aggregate gained 2.1% and the global treasury ex-U.S. fell 2.6%. The U.S. high yield, U.S. aggregate, U.S. Treasury and U.S. corporate bond markets were all positive in September. The U.S. real estate investment trust (REIT) market went up 3.2%.

Commodities came in negative for September, with the Dow Jones-UBS Commodity Index losing 2.6% and gold falling 4.9%.

The top three families in the global ETF marketplace were BlackRock, SSgA and Vanguard. Collectively, they account for approximately 70% of the global ETF market.

«