The Gold ETF is now outperforming the S&P 500 ETF over the last 20 years…$GLD: +622%$SPY: +571%https://t.co/9q53veqKtP pic.twitter.com/pGb89U8yde
— Charlie Bilello (@charliebilello) April 19, 2025
U.S.-listed ETFs saw net inflows of $8.2 billion on Thursday, April 17, as investors cautiously returned to the market after a volatile week. The U.S. markets were closed the next day for Good Friday. U.S. equity ETFs attracted the most money, bringing in $3.8 billion.
U.S. fixed-income ETFs and international equity ETFs each saw inflows of $2.3 billion. This suggests investors are seeking global diversification amid trade policy uncertainty. The Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) was the most popular fund, with over $2.1 billion in inflows.
AQR recently called buffer ETFs into question. https://t.co/YPgVj7l3su
One of the leading buffer ETF providers, FT Vest, offered a rebuttal. https://t.co/ltkiKowwKZ
Who is right? Who am I to say but I offered my take in a substack I just posted.https://t.co/LniINDGr39
— Jeffrey Ptak (@syouth1) April 21, 2025
The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) added $1.4 billion, showing appetite for risk in certain sectors.
ETF flows showing nerves again yesterday: $GLD (gold), $BIL (cash) and $SH (-1x SPX) all in Top 5. Safety Dance in effect.. altho $VOO still hauling in cash, it will prob take a nuclear war to stop the Vanguardians from DCA-ing. Outside of that tho, def a slowdown in dip buying pic.twitter.com/kD6Vj02C73
— Eric Balchunas (@EricBalchunas) April 22, 2025
The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) and the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) each gained more than $1.1 billion.
U.S. equity ETFs attract inflows
Tech-focused funds like the Invesco QQQ Trust Series I (QQQ) and the iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF (IWF) also did well. However, some funds had outflows. The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) lost $1.2 billion.
The Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) had $1.1 billion in redemptions. The SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) saw $521 million leave the fund, a sign investors are moving away from defensive assets. Sector ETFs focused on consumer staples and financials had modest outflows.
Inverse ETFs gained $443 million, while leveraged and currency funds lost assets. Commodities ETFs saw $154 million in outflows. In summary, equity ETFs led inflows, but the mixed results across different fund types show investors are still seeking safety in some areas of the market.
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