Active exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and exchange-traded products (ETPs) gathered net inflows of US$8.24 billion in September, bringing year-to-date net inflows to a record US$51.48 billion, compared with US$29.41 billion in the nine months of 2019 and US$42.10 billion for all of last year, research and consultancy firm ETFGI reports.

Assets invested in active ETFs and ETPs rose 10.5% to a new record high of US$228.41 billion at the end of September.

At the end of the third quarter, the global active ETF/ETP industry had 956 ETFs and ETPs, with 1,199 listings and assets of US$228 billion from 181 providers listed on 25 exchanges in 18 countries.

Fixed income focused active ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$5.25 billion in September, bringing net inflows for the nine months of 2020 to US$30.81 billion, compared with US$22.74 billion for the same period last year. Equity focused active ETFs and ETPs listed globally attracted net inflows of US$1.73 billion in September, bringing net inflows for the three quarters of 2020 to US$16.39 billion, up from US$5.89 billion for the same period last year.

Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs and ETPs by net new assets, collectively gathered US$6.83 billion in September. Hwabao WP Cash Tianyi Listed Money Market Fund from China alone gathered US$2.27 billion.

Commenting on the market performance, Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI, notes: “The S&P 500 declined 3.8% in September, with concerns over back-to-school (and resulting Covid-19 cases), US elections and stimulus talks. Strong prior month gains boosted the index higher to close up 8.9% for the third quarter. Global equities declined 3.1% in September, as measured by the S&P Global BMI. Despite the monthly decline, the global benchmark managed to finish up 8.1% for the third quarter and up 0.7% year-to-date. Emerging markets declined 2.2% in September but closed up 9.0% for the third quarter.”