Record August for asset flows into ETFs and ETPs

August saw record asset flows into globally listed ETFs and exchange-traded products (ETPs), according to consultancy ETFGI.

In the same month, globally listed ETFs and ETPs gathered net inflows of $94.64 bn, which brings year-to-date net inflows to $834.21 bn – a significant jump on the $427.56 bn seen in August 2020.

The figure is also larger than the net inflows for all of 2020, which totaled $762.77 bn. 

Assets invested in the global ETF and ETP industry increased by 2.8 percent from $9.46 tn at the end of July 2021 to $9.73 tn in August 2021, according to ETFGI’s 2021 global ETFs and ETPs industry landscape insights report.

Globally, there are 9,302 ETFs and ETPs, with 18,802 listings and assets of $9.73 tn. As at end of August, there were 568 providers on 78 exchanges in 62 countries. 

Equities in globally listed ETFs and ETPs gathered net inflows of $69.06 bn during August, bringing net inflows for 2021 to $581.25 bn, much higher than the $136.96 bn seen in net inflows in 2020.

Active ETFs and ETPs reported $6.99 bn in net inflows, bringing net inflows for 2021 to $95.22 bn, a significant rise on the $43.04 bn attracted over the same year-to-date period in 2020.

But net inflows to fixed income ETFs and ETPs dropped to $19.99 bn in August 2021. The total for 2021 so far is $153.33 bn, slightly down on 2020’s $160.43 bn.

Top-performing ETFs and ETPs
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust tops the August list with the largest individual net inflow of $7.81 bn. Vanguard S&P 500 ETF comes second with $4.54 bn and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF is third with $4.24 bn.

‘Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs by net new assets, which collectively gathered $40.58 bn during August,’ notes a release from ETFGI.

Invesco Physical Gold ETC tops the ETP list with the largest individual net inflow of $529 mn, followed by ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures with $360 mn and iPath Series B S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN with $213 mn.  

Collectively, the top 10 ETPs by net assets gathered $1.62 bn over August. 
 

Upcoming events

  • Forum – AI & Technology
    Wednesday, November 12, 2025

    Forum – AI & Technology

    About the event As more investors and corporate communication teams embrace AI, machine learning and emerging technologies to inform their decision making, investor relations professionals are facing a pivotal moment: adapt and lead, or risk falling behind. At this fast-moving stage of adoption, IR teams are asking important questions regarding…

    New York, US
  • Forum & Awards – South East Asia
    Tuesday, December 2, 2025

    Forum & Awards – South East Asia

    Building trust and driving impact: Redefining investor relations in South East Asia Investor Relations in South East Asia is at a turning point. Regulatory fragmentation, macroeconomic volatility and the growing importance of retail investors require IROs to strategically analyze and reform traditional practices. The ability to deliver transparent, dependable and…

    Singapore
  • Briefing – The value of IR in an increasingly passive investment landscape
    Wednesday, December 3, 2025

    Briefing – The value of IR in an increasingly passive investment landscape

    In partnership with WHEN 8.00 am PT / 11.00 am ET / 4.00 pm GMT / 5.00 pm CET DURATION 45 minutes About the event Explore how IR teams can adapt to the rise of passive investing while effectively measuring and communicating their impact. As index funds and ETFs reshape…

    Online

Explore

Andy White, Freelance WordPress Developer London