Exchange traded funds and exchange traded products listed in Europe reported net inflows of US$17.78 billion in March, bringing net inflows for the first quarter of 2021 to a record US$60.44 billion, surpassing the prior record of US$35.35 billion gathered in the first three months of 2017.

Assets invested in the European ETFs and ETPs industry have increased by 2.3%, from US$1.33 trillion at the end of February, to US$1.36 trillion, according to the latest report by research and consulting firm ETFGI.

Equity ETFs and ETPs listed in Europe attracted the highest inflows among asset classes in March as well as in the first quarter.

Speaking of the broader market, ETFGI founder and owner Deborah Fuhr says: “The S&P 500 gained 4.4% in March and 6.2% in the first quarter, supported by the increasing pace of Covid-19 vaccinations and continued monetary and fiscal support. Global equities gained 2.5% in March and 5.2% in Q1, as measured by the S&P Global BMI.” 

According to Fuhr, 38 of the 50 countries advanced during the month and 35 were positive at the end of first quarter.  Developed markets ex-US gained 2.3% in US dollar terms in March and 4.0% in Q1.  Emerging markets were down 1.6% in US terms in March and up 2.8% in Q1.