Performance

The Steel ETF (SLX) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending April 20, 2018, finishing up about 4.7%. The next best performer this week was the iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (PICK), with a 4.3% gain.

And underperforming this week was the Semiconductor ETF (SMH), off -4.9% due to reports of apparent smart phone sales growth slowdown. Its main competitor, the iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) also fell about -4.6% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• A third electric vehicle ETF debuted from Global X
• Hartford Funds launched an active “tax-aware” fixed-income fund
• Principal rolled out an actively managed investment-grade corporate bond ETF
• Direxion unveiled a leveraged complement to a key robotics fund
• First Trust converted its Taiwan AlphaDex ETF into an equal-weighted India fund

Closures

• EventShares will close two of its policy funds, and broadens focus of the third
• Elkhorn Investments finalized the closure of its two commodity funds in the wake of the failed deal with Veracen

Filings

None

Source: ETF.com

Fund Flows

• Supported by strong Q1 earnings reports, US listed ETFs continued to build momentum from previous week, with inflows of $11.0B. US Equity funds added $6.8B of weekly inflows, US Fixed Income added $2.2B, and International Equity ETFs picked up $1.1B.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) added a modest $708M
• The largest other individual inflows this week went into the PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ), with $1.3B.
• The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) led all ETFs in outflows this week, with -$758M, in a typical risk-on week.

Detailed Fund Flows: ETF.com

Best Reads

• 3 Investing Ideas For Q2, from Blackrock
• Why You Should Incorporate China ETF Exposure, from ETF Trends
• ESG Ratings Help Investors Pick Winning EMs, from Bloomberg

Performance

The PowerShares DWA Healthcare Momentum Portfolio ETF (PTH) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending April 13, 2018, finishing up about 12.7%, beneficiary of several acquisition announcements. The next best performer this week was the SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Equipment & Services ETF (XES), with a 11.1% gain.

And underperforming this week was the iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (PTH), down -3.1% this week. The iShares Residential Real Estate ETF (REZ) also fell about -1.9% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• Prudential enters ETF market with ultra-short-term bond fund
• iShares rolls out gun-free small-cap ETF
• Pacer launches fund covering military-friendly employers
• VanEck debuts actively managed real assets ETF-of-ETFs

Closures

• Barclays completes the closure of 50 of its iPath ETNs

Filings

None

Source: ETF.com

Fund Flows

• After 3 weeks of bleeding red ink, US listed ETFs finally registered inflows this week, up $13.2B, coinciding with equity market rebound. US Equity funds added $6.9B of weekly inflows. US Fixed Income added inflows of $4.0B. International Equity ETFs picked up $1.0B, while Commodity ETFs added another $750M.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) added almost $4.3B
• The largest other individual inflows this week went into the iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD), with $818M.
• The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (EFA) led all ETFs in outflows this week, with-$633M.

Detailed Fund Flows: ETF.com

Best Reads

• Manager Selection Critical For Alternatives Investors, from Invesco
• Will Mueller Be Good For Gold?, from Barron’s
• Can Humans Understand How Robots Invest?, from Bloomberg

Performance

The iShares U.S. Home Construction ETF (ITB) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending April 6, 2018, finishing up about 2.5%. The next best performer this week was iShares Global Timber & Forestry ETF (WOOD), with a 2.0% gain.

And underperforming this week was the PowerShares DWA Healthcare Momentum Portfolio ETF (PTH), trading down -4.8% this week. The First Trust NYSE Arca Biotechnology Index Fund (FBT) also fell about -4.6% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• iShares rolled out a U.S. infrastructure fund alongside a “K-1 Free” commodity ETF
• Newcomer Little Harbor launched an actively managed fund driven by artificial intelligence
• Deutsche Asset management debuted a smart-beta factor ETF targeting quality and value
• Goldman Sachs unveiled a leveraged large-cap U.S. ETN, likely designed for Fisher Investments

Closures

• Amplify Investments announced the impending closure of the Amplify YieldShares Oil Hedged MLP Income ETF (AMLX)

Filings

• State Street Global Advisors filed for another Select Sector SPDR Fund in response to changes to the Global Industry Classification Standard
• FlexShares plans “Value-Scored” high-yield bond ETF

Source: ETF.com

Fund Flows

• For the third week in a row, US listed ETFs shed assets, this time some -$3.0B. US Equity funds led the way again with $-$9.7B of weekly outflows. US Fixed Income picked up net inflows of $4.9B, in flight to safety. International Equity ETFs picked up a small inflow of $155M, while Commodity ETFs had a $825M pickup.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost about $-6.7B
• The largest individual inflows this week were into the iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF (IWM), totaling $937M.
• The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) led all ETFs in outflows this week, this side of SPY, with -$1.1B.

Detailed Fund Flows: ETF.com

Best Reads

• The Alerian Problem, from SL Advisors
• Do Dividends Really Pay?, from Indexology
• Utilities Under Pressure In Early 2018, from Morningstar

Performance

The Guggenheim China Small Cap ETF (HAO) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending March 30, 2018, finishing up about 4.8%. The next best performer this week was iShares Cohen & Steers REIT ETF (ICF), with a 4.2% gain.

And underperforming this week was the Social Media Index ETF (SOCL), trading down -2.3% this week, on the heels of the Facebook data privacy scandal. The Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) also fell about -1.9% this week, , in reversal from last week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• Cboe Vest launches its first ETF, an equity portfolio with an options overlay
• Vident Financial rolls out a REIT fund that incorporates geographic exposure
• Nationwide debuts maximum diversification ETF targeting emerging markets

Closures

None

Filings

• Equbot plans an international version of its AI-driven U.S. ETF
• Fidelity files for factor fixed-income funds

Source: ETF.com

Fund Flows

• This week US listed ETFs saw another net outflow of -$12.4B. US Equity funds led the way again with $-$12.4B of weekly outflows. International Equity ETFs also lost -$1.8B. US Fixed Income had modest net inflows of $1.6B, in another risk-off week.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost about $-7.8B
• Largest individual inflows this week were into Barclays ETN+ FI Enhanced Global High Yield ETN Series B (FIYY), with $1.4B.
• The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) led all ETFs (except SPY) in outflows this week, with -$4.8B.

Detailed Fund Flows: ETF.com

Best Reads

• Enjoy ETF Tax Dodge While You Can, from Forbes
• Exotic ETF Trading Resurging, from Bloomberg
• The One ETF Everyone Should Own, from SeekingAlpha

Performance

The Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending March 23, 2018, finishing up about 5.3%. The next best performer this week, the worst for equities in over two years, was another gold fund, the Gold Miners ETF (GDX), with 4.1% gain.

And underperforming this week was the SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME), trading down -6.8% this week. The Social Media Index ETF (SOCL) also fell about -6.5% this week, on Facebook user data scandal.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• iShares debuts 7 AI-powered actively managed sector funds
• Barclays adds to lineup of leveraged ETNs designed for Fisher Investments
• iShares rolls out target-maturity muni ETF targeting bonds maturing in 2024

Closures

None

Filings

• O’Shares plans 5 “Quality Growth” ETFs
• IndexIQ files for pair of smart-beta equity funds

Fund Flows

• In yet another reversal, US listed ETFs saw a net outflow of -$24.1B. The wild swings in flows were likely due to rebalancing, as fund managers orchestrated large inflows and outflows to wash out low-basis stock positions and potential capital gains. US Equity funds led the way again with $-$27.7B of weekly outflows. US Fixed Income had modest net inflows of $1.6B, and International Equity ETFs picked up $493M.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost about $-2.4B
• Large individual inflows this week include the Shares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), with $1.4B, followed by iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD), with $779M, and SPDR Gold Trust (GLD), with $522M, in flight to safety.
• The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) led all ETFs in outflows this week, with -$6.6B, followed by the iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY), with-$3.6B, and Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (SCHD), with -$2.3B.

Source: ETF.com

Best Reads

• Value is in the Eye of the Fund Provider, from WealthManagement.com
• Tariffs: There’s An ETF For That!, from SeekingAlpha
• Record ETF Inflows Not What They Seem, from ETF.com

Performance

The iShares U.S. Utilities ETF (IDU) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending March 16, 2018, finishing up about 2.1%. The next best performer this week was another utility fund, the First Trust Utilities AlphaDEX Fund (FXU), with 1.9% gain.

And underperforming this week was the iShares U.S. Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA), trading down -3.6% this week. The SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) also fell about -3.5% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• Franklin Templeton files for trio of actively managed bond ETFs
• Global X plans electric car and autonomous vehicle fund
• First Trust outlines unconstrained bond ETF in recent filing

Closures

None

Filings

• Vanguard using transition indexes for GICs sector realignment

Fund Flows

• In yet another reversal, this week saw strong, in fact record inflows into the US listed ETFs totaling an astounding 44.7B. US Equity funds led with an enormous $39.3B of weekly inflows. International Equity ETFs picked up $3.8B, and US Fixed Income also had net inflows of $1.0B. Despite these net positive numbers, European equity ETFs as well as Treasury and broad US bond funds were notable AUM losers.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) gained nearly $10.8B by itself.
• Other large individual inflows this week include the iShares Select Dividend ETF (DVY), with $3.5B, followed by PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ), with $2.7B, and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), with $2.5B.
• The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) led all ETFs in outflows this week, with -$907M, followed by the iShares MSCI Eurozone ETF (EZU), with -$423M, and iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT), with -$336M.

Source: ETF.com

Best Reads

• Fossil Fuel Free ETFs That Aren’t, from ETF.com
• PowerShares Dividend Achievers: Falls Short In Comparison, from SeekingAlpha
• Using Momentum in a Fixed Income ETF to Navigate an Uncertain Market, from Iris
• The ‘ESG’ Umbrella Has Leaks, from ETF.com

Performance

The iShares U.S. Broker-Dealers & Securities Exchanges ETF (IAI) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending March 9, 2018, finishing up about 6.4%. The next best performer this week was the PowerShares NASDAQ Internet Portfolio (PNQI), with a 5.9% gain.

And underperforming other ETFs in the wake of the new tariffs is the SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME), trading down -1.6% this week. The Steel ETF (SLX) also fell about -1.5% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• Davis Funds rolls out actively managed global ex-U.S. ETF

Closures

• Janus will shut down the Janus Velocity Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF (TRSK) and the Janus Velocity Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF (SPXH)

Filings

None

Fund Flows

• After two weeks of solid gains, this week saw strong outflows of -9.6B out of US listed ETFs. US Equity funds were responsible for the bulk of it with -$9.3B of outflows, but US Fixed Income also had outflows of -$611M.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost $-12.7B alone.
• Large inflows this week include iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), with $1.8B, followed by iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), with $1.1B, and Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP), with $643M.
• The iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG) led all other ETFs in outflows this week, reversing from the previous week, with -$915M, followed by the Vanguard Information Technology ETF (VGT), with -$820M, and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), with -$543M.

Source: ETF.com

Best Reads

• Junk Bond ETFs Built For Rising Rates, from ETF.com

Performance

The SPDR S&P Semiconductor ETF (XSD) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for another volatile week ending March 2, 2018, finishing up about 1.2%. The next best performer during this rebound week was iShares PHLX Semiconductor ETF (SOXX), with a 1.0% gain.

And underperforming other ETFs is the SPDR S&P Homebuilders ETF (XHB), trading down -5.5% this week. One of last week’s outperformers, the Shares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ) also fell about -5.3% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• T. Boone Pickens is the driving force behind oil-related equity ETF bearing his name
• Whitford Asset Management rolls out a fund based on its quantitative model

Closures

None

Filings

• Salt Financial plans high-beta ETF based on in-house metric
• REX and ProShares shifted the focus of some of their volatility ETFs in the wake of February’s market correction
• 53 ETFs have made changes to their expense ratios with the end of February and start of March

Fund Flows

• This week saw strong inflows back into US listed ETFs, to the tune of $12.3B. US Equity funds led the charge with $9.9B of inflows, followed by international equities, which gained $1.0B and US Fixed Income with inflows of $733M.
• The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) gained $4.1B alone.
• Other large inflows include PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ), $1.8B, followed by iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV), with $1.3B, iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (AGG), with $1.0B, and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), with $676M of inflows.
• The iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) led all ETFs in outflows this week, with -$550M, followed by the iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM), once again, with -$465M. iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) lost -$332M, VanEck Vectors Semiconductor ETF (SMH), down -$308M. Yet another bond fund, Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF (VSCH) rounded up the top 5 AUM losers, down -$283M.

Source: ETF.com

Best Reads

• The Big Systemic Market Structure ETF Risk that No One is Talking About, from Exponential ETFs
• Short interest on junk bond ETFs hits record as investors warn of ‘liquidity mismatch’, from MarketWatch
• ETFs That Deliberately Avoid Gun Exposure, from ETF Trends
• 7 ETFs Where Dividends and Low Volatility Meet, from Investor Place

Performance

The PowerShares Golden Dragon China Portfolio ETF (PGJ) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending February 23, 2018, finishing up about 2.5%. The next best performer during this rebound week was the Shares U.S. Oil Equipment & Services ETF (IEZ), with a 2.3% gain.

And underperforming other ETFs is the Junior Gold Miners ETF(GDXJ), trading down -5.1% this week. The Gold Miners ETF (GDX) also fell about -5.1% this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• First Trust rolls out robotics and artificial intelligence ETF with its own twist.

Closures

• WisdomTree announces it will close one in 10 of its ETFs.

Filings

• WisdomTree plans actively managed large-cap equity fund with accompanying futures portfolio.

Fund Flows

• This week, even as the U.S. stock market stabilized, investors remained cautious. While inflows to US-listed ETFs this week totaled $4.9B, US Equity funds were in the red again, with -$2.4B outflows. US Fixed Income reversed to see inflows of $2.0B, while international equities gained another $4.5B of inflows.
• The largest ETF in the world, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost -$1.3B.
• Notable inflows include iShares Core MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (IEMG), with inflows of $1.3B. It was followed by Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), with $504M of inflows, SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), reversing to $488M of inflows, Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA), with $475M, and iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), with $347M.
• The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA) led all other ETFs in outflows this week, -$938M, followed by the iShares Russell 2000 ETF(IWM), with -$743M.  SPDR sector ETFs were next on the redemption charts: Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLE), with -$528M, Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLV), down -$419M, and Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLI), down -$338M.

Source: ETF.com

Performance

The SPDR S&P Metals & Mining ETF (XME) outperformed all other non-leveraged ETF for the week ending February 16, 2018, finishing up about 11.1%, helped by the proposal of import tariff on metals by the US Department of Commerce. The next best performer during this rebound week was the Guggenheim Solar ETF (TAN), with a 10.8% gain.

And underperforming other ETFs is the PowerShares India Portfolio (PIN), trading flat this week.

Source: ETF Channel

Launches

• Vanguard rolls out actively managed factor funds.
• Innovation Shares debuts AI-powered electric vehicle ETF.
• Horizons launches actively managed dividend fund with options collar.
• Direxion unveils buy-and-hold ETF family.

Closures

None this week.

Filings

None this week.

Fund Flows

• This week continued to trend from previous week with -$6.1B outflows from US-listed ETFs this week, led by US Equity funds again, with -$6.7B outflows.  US Fixed Income also saw outflows of -$3.0B, while international equities gained $3.9B of inflows.  Leveraged ETFs continued to gain assets in this still volatile week with $702M of inflows, while the inverse ETFs lost -$633M.
• The largest ETF in the world, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) lost -$4.8B.
• Notable inflows include Vanguard Growth ETF (VUG) with $882M gain, Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), with $852M of inflows, taking share from SPY; iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA), with $810M. The next two showed continued appetite for hedging:  SPDR Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (BIL), with $727M inflows, and VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF (GDX), with $610M.
• The PowerShares QQQ Trust (QQQ) led all other ETFs in outflows this week, -$1.6B.  It was followed by bond funds SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK), -$1.6B, iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD), with -$1.5B, and Shares JP Morgan USD Emerging Markets Bond ETF (EMB), down -$874M.  The iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM) also made top 5 outflows, with -$997M.

Source: ETF.com