ETF Asset Report of Q3

The third quarter of 2019 was all about the ebb and flow of trade tensions, global monetary policy easing and Trump’s impeachment talks. While markets were volatile on a flare-up in trade relations with China, widespread global monetary policy easing helped the broader market to a large extent.

Overall, the S&P 500 lost about 0.1% in Q3, the Dow Jones added about 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite lost 1.9%. All-world ETF iShares MSCI ACWI ETF ACWI retreated 1.2% in the third quarter.

Let’s see how investors reacted to this situation and parked their money in the third quarter. The data is from etf.com (as of Sep 30, 2019).

S&P 500 Win

Despite subdued performance of the S&P 500,iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) garnered about $8.01 billion and $4.16 billion in assets in the third quarter. SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY raked in about $2.85 billion in assets.

Gold Glitters

Gold bullion ETF SPDR Gold Trust GLD raked in about $6.05 billion in assets.Gold prices have been on a tear of late, with GLD rallying 8% in the third quarter (as of Sep 27, 2019) against the S&P 500’s 0.1% loss. Heightened tensions related to the U.S.-China trade war in recent months led to the upside. Also, a barrage of rate cuts, Brexit uncertainty and the upcoming U.S. presidential election have played a crucial role in boosting the yellow metal (read: 5 Reasons to Buy Gold ETFs as Price May Touch $2000).

Low Volatility Prevails

The U.S. market was subdued, taking the spotlight away from low-volatility products. These apparently safe products, which normally do not surge in a bull market but offer protection in troubled times, were much in demand in the third quarter. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, tariff worries, overvaluation worries — all have contributed to investors’ interest in low-volatility products. iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol U.S.A. ETF USMV has attracted about $5.27 billion in assets in the third quarter.

International Bonds Rule

As several international economies cut rates in the third quarter, bond yields fell and international bond fund Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX) hauled in about $4.18 billion in assets. In fact, the Fed enacted two rate cuts in the third quarter, which dragged down the treasury bond yields and pushed investors toward Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND). The fund hauled in about $3.21 billion in assets.

Sheen for Small-Caps Rekindle

Small caps, which have been under pressure, were on investors’ favor. Small-cap ETF iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM accumulated about $2.70 billion in assets in the quarter. A dovish Fed, trade war tensions, global growth worries, geopolitical risks, compelling valuation and a decently growing U.S. economy have probably worked in favor of pint-sized stocks.

Emerging Market ETFs Lost

Trade tensions dealt a blow to the emerging market bloc.iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG) lost about $5.7 billion and $2.44 billion in the quarter (read: ETF Asset Report of September).

Financial Stocks Shed Assets

Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF) lost about $1.80 billion in assets in the quarter due to low-yield environment (read: Guide to 10 Most-Heavily Traded ETFs).

Want key ETF info delivered straight to your inbox?

Zacks’ free Fund Newsletter will brief you on top news and analysis, as well as top-performing ETFs, each week. Get it free >>

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM): ETF Research Reports
 
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND): ETF Research Reports
 
SPDR Gold Shares (GLD): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares Edge MSCI Min Vol USA ETF (USMV): ETF Research Reports
 
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLF): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI): ETF Research Reports
 
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO): ETF Research Reports
 
Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (BNDX): ETF Research Reports
 
iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG): ETF Research Reports
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research
 
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report