Global equity funds see second weekly outflow on caution over economic outlook
Sept 13 (Reuters) -Global investors were net sellers of equity funds for a second successive week through Sept. 11, driven by concerns over the health of the U.S. economy and caution about the political climate in the run-up to the U.S. Presidential debate.
However, optimism over central banks' rate cuts trimmed down the outflows.
According to LSEG data, investors withdrew $3.46 billion from global equity funds during the week, a reduction in sales volume compared to the $4.96 billion in net sales the prior week.
U.S. data signalling economic slowdown sparked last week's global equity sell-off, but world stocks rebounded over 2% this week following an ECB rate cut and prospects of a 50-basis point U.S. rate cut in the next week's meeting.
Investors sold $7.82 billion worth of U.S. equity funds last week following $11.54 billion in net sales the prior week. Conversely, Asian and European funds drew inflows of $2.91 billion and $793 million, respectively.
"We prefer global equities to fixed income once again, as rate cuts are starting around the globe and joblessness is still low," Ajay Rajadhyaksha, chairman for global research at Barclays, said in a note.
"But investors may elect to sit on the sidelines for now, awaiting clarity that will emerge from the US presidential election."
The technology sector experienced a substantial $1.97 billion outflow in the week to Sep. 11, the largest since November 2023. Meanwhile, investors withdrew $1.53 billion from financials and allocated $1.12 billion and $878 million to consumer staples and utilities, respectively.
During the week, investors added $21.67 billion and $4.14 billion, respectively, to safer money market and government bond funds.
Global bond funds attracted $11.81 billion in their 38th consecutive week of inflows, with investors notably putting $3.12 billion into short-term funds and $1.5 billion into high-yield funds.
Gold and other precious metal funds retained their appeal for the fifth consecutive week with $472 million in net purchases, while energy funds saw an increase of $150 million in inflows.
Data covering 29,592 emerging market funds showed equity funds lost $1.05 billion in outflows for the 14th week in a row. In contrast, bond funds gained $567 million, marking a 12th straight week of inflow.
Fund flows: Global equities, bonds and money markets https://tmsnrt.rs/3Jt3wjr
Fund flows: Global equity sectors https://tmsnrt.rs/3J5InKT
Weekly flows into global bond funds https://tmsnrt.rs/44OuJ93
Fund flows: EM equities and bonds https://tmsnrt.rs/3ysJzD6
Reporting by Gaurav Dogra and Patturaja Murugaboopathy in Bengaluru;
Editing by Tomasz Janowski
Latest News
Disclaimer: The XM Group entities provide execution-only service and access to our Online Trading Facility, permitting a person to view and/or use the content available on or via the website, is not intended to change or expand on this, nor does it change or expand on this. Such access and use are always subject to: (i) Terms and Conditions; (ii) Risk Warnings; and (iii) Full Disclaimer. Such content is therefore provided as no more than general information. Particularly, please be aware that the contents of our Online Trading Facility are neither a solicitation, nor an offer to enter any transactions on the financial markets. Trading on any financial market involves a significant level of risk to your capital.
All material published on our Online Trading Facility is intended for educational/informational purposes only, and does not contain – nor should it be considered as containing – financial, investment tax or trading advice and recommendations; or a record of our trading prices; or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instruments; or unsolicited financial promotions to you.
Any third-party content, as well as content prepared by XM, such as: opinions, news, research, analyses, prices and other information or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an “as-is” basis, as general market commentary, and do not constitute investment advice. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, it would be considered as marketing communication under the relevant laws and regulations. Please ensure that you have read and understood our Notification on Non-Independent Investment. Research and Risk Warning concerning the foregoing information, which can be accessed here.
