Global ETP asset flows highest since 2008
Inflows into exchange-traded products (ETPs) in September saw the highest global levels in almost four years, reaching a new high in total assets, according to BlackRock.
September inflows of $43.3 billion were the highest since December 2008, and at the end of the month total global ETP assets reached a new high of US$1.85 trillion, the latest monthly BlackRock ETP Landscape Report found.
Fixed income products have been a key driver of that growth, accounting for 30 per cent or US$54.1 billion so far this year, up more than 50 per cent on the same period last year, the report found.
Emerging markets ETPs saw a five-fold increase on the same period last year, with US$29.6 billion in inflows from January to September this year.
"After positioning for uncertainty in August, investors recovered their risk appetite in September," said Mark Oliver, managing director, iShares Australia.
"Additional monetary easing by central banks served as a catalyst for investors to move into risk assets across geographies and asset classes, with equity funds leading the way."
He said research showed a similar recovery in risk appetite in Australia, where ETP assets under management increased by 16 per cent to reach AU$5.7 billion in September. Listed ETPs locally have reached almost double the full year total from 2011, he said.
Local investors favoured international large cap and emerging markets equities, gold, and income-orientated local equities, he added.
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