ETFGI Reports Equity Smart Beta ETFs/ETPs Attracted US$3.40 Billion In Net Inflows During February 2020

ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs/ETPs ecosystem, reported today that equity-based Smart Beta ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$3.40 billion during February bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$10.13 billion which is lower than the US$14.67 billion gathered at this point last year. Year-to-date through the end of February 2020, Smart Beta Equity ETF/ETP assets have decreased by 8.5% from US$860 billion to US$787 billion, which is the 5thhighest level of assets on record, according to ETFGI’s February 2020 ETF and ETP Smart Beta industry landscape insights report, an annual paid-for research subscription service. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.) 

Highlights

• Equity Smart Beta ETFs/ETPs attracted $3.40 billion in net inflows in February
• Assets invested in Smart Beta Equity ETFs/ETPs decreased to $787 billion, but are at the  5thhighest level on record. 

“At the end of February, the S&P 500 was down 8.2% as coronavirus cases continued to spread and the potential economic impact weighed on investors and the markets. Outside the U.S., the S&P Developed ex-U.S. BMI declined nearly 9.0%.  The S&P Emerging BMI lost 5.1% during the month. Global equities as measured by the S&P Global BMI ended down 8.1% with 49 of 50 included country indices down, while China gained 0.9%.”  According to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI.

At the end of February 2020, there were 1,311 smart beta equity ETFs/ETPs, with 2,476 listings, assets of $787 billion, from 165 providers listed on 41 exchanges in 33 countries. Following net inflows of $3.40 billion and market moves during the month, assets invested in Smart Beta ETFs/ETPs listed globally decreased by 8.2%, from $857 billion at the end of January 2020 to $787 billion.

Comparison of assets in market cap, smart beta, other and active equity products

DividendsETFs and ETPs attracted the greatest monthly net inflows, gathering $1.76 billion at the end of February. Multi-Factor ETFs and ETPs suffered the greatest outflows during the month and amounted to $1.75 billion. 

Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 Smart Beta ETFs/ETPs by net new assets, which collectively gathered $6.74 billion at the end of February, the iShares MSCI USA Minimum Volatility ETF (USMV US) gathered $798 million alone.

Top 20 Smart Beta ETFs/ETPs by net new assets February 2020