ETFs/ETPs listed in Japan reached a record high of US$209 billion at the end of April 2017, according to ETFGI’s April 2017 global ETF and ETP industry insights report.

At the end of April 2017, the Japanese ETF/ETP industry had 185 ETFs/ETPs, with 230 listings, assets of US$209 billion, from 20 providers listed on 2 exchanges.

“Investors in most markets continued to favour equities over fixed income and commodities as equity markets performed positively in April. The S&P 500 was up 1%, international equity markets outside the US and emerging markets were both up 2% in April. Investors were captivated by a closely-fought first round of the French elections during April,” says Deborah Fuhr, managing partner and a founder of ETFGI.

ETFs and ETPs listed in Japan saw net outflows of US$837 million in April. Year-to-date, net inflows stand at US$26.06 billion. At this point last year there were net inflows of US$9.20 billion.

Equity ETFs/ETPs saw net inflows of US$402 million in April, bringing year to date net inflows to US$26.55 billion, which is greater than the net inflows of US$8.51 billion over the same period last year.

Fixed income ETFs and ETPs experienced net inflows of US$8 million in April, growing year-to-date net inflows to US$17 million, which is less than the same period last year which saw net inflows of US$21 million. Commodity ETFs/ETPs saw net outflows of US$28 million in April. Year-to-date, net outflows are at US$37 million, compared to net inflows of US$150 million over the same period last year.

Kokusai AM gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows in April with US$17 million, followed by MUFJ with US$16 million, and Rakuten with US$13 million net inflows.

YTD, Nomura AM gathered the largest net ETF/ETP inflows with US$10.23 billion, followed by Nikko AM with US$6.15 billion and Daiwa with US$5.68 billion net inflows.