2022 was a remarkable year for investors around the globe. Some may call it a year for the history books. Major economic and geopolitical headwinds resulted in falling equity and fixed income markets around the globe. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, investors were concerned about the still-disrupted delivery chains and increasing inflation rates when the year 2022 started. All these concerns became overshadowed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since this meant that investors had to rewrite their playbook for the year. The war in Ukraine led to increasing prices for energy and food, which fuelled the already increasing

Despite the deteriorating situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic in some parts of Europe, February 2021 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the promoters of mutual funds (+€11.8 bn) and ETFs (+€17.5 bn) enjoyed inflows. The level of the overall flows was skewed by outflows from money market funds as investors in Europe returned to risk-on mode in February. At a closer look, investors bought into risky assets as long-term funds enjoyed estimated net inflows of €88.1 bn, while money market products faced estimated outflows of €58.8 bn. Equity funds (+€50.0 bn) were by far

Despite the deteriorating situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, January 2021 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the promoters of mutual funds (+€52.3 bn) and ETFs (+€15.2 bn) enjoyed inflows. Despite some economic uncertainties’ investors bought into risky assets. As a result, long-term funds enjoyed estimated net inflows of €78.4 bn, while money market products had estimated net outflows of €11.0 bn. Equity funds (+€51.6 bn) were by far the best-selling asset type overall for January 2021. The category was followed by bond funds (+€27.7 bn), mixed-assets funds (+€2.8 bn), and commodities funds (+€1.2 bn).

Despite the deteriorating situation with regard to the COVID-19 pandemic, December 2020 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the promoters of mutual funds (+€99.1 bn) and ETFs (+€23.5 bn) enjoyed inflows. The high level of inflows was surprising since there were some uncertainties around the outcome of the presidential election in the US and a possible hard Brexit. In addition, investors fear a second coronavirus lockdown-induced economic downturn in Europe. Despite these fears, investors bought into risky assets as long-term funds enjoyed estimated net inflows of €90.6 bn, while money market products had estimated inflows of

November 2020 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the mutual fund promoters enjoyed inflows (+€74.7 bn). Meanwhile, the market environment has become quite uncertain as the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit major markets in Europe and investors feared a second coronavirus lockdown-induced economic downturn. Despite these fears, investors bought into risk assets as long-term funds enjoyed estimated net inflows of €67.4 bn while money market products had estimated inflows of €7.3 bn. Equity funds (+€63.4 bn) were the best-selling asset type overall for November 2020. The category was followed by mixed-assets funds (+€77.6 bn)

European investors bought further back into mutual funds and ETFs in September. Even as the global equity markets recovered further in a volatile environment, investors returned to long-term mutual funds because they expected the massive stimulus packages from central banks and governments globally to keep interest rates low and to foster global economic growth despite upcoming uncertainties from a possible second wave of COVID-19 lockdowns in Europe. As a result, long-term mutual funds posted overall net inflows for the month. Equity funds (+€26.4 bn) were the best-selling asset type overall for September, followed by bond funds (+€6.7 bn), mixed-assets funds

The coronavirus pandemic hit the European fund industry with declining markets and estimated net outflows of €125.9 bn in the first quarter of 2020. This trend reversed over the course of the second quarter as central banks and governments around the globe started quantitative easing programs and economic relief packages to cushion the economic drawdowns caused by the spread of the coronavirus and the lockdowns of economies around the globe. The measures taken led to a rebound of the equity markets accompanied by falling interest rates. The return to somewhat normal market circumstances led investors to buy back into mutual

The coronavirus pandemic hit the European fund industry with declining markets and estimated net outflows of €125.9 bn in the first quarter of 2020. The flows were mainly driven by developments around the spread of the coronavirus and the lockdowns of economies around the globe since these circumstances may lead to a global recession with further falling stock markets. Central banks and governments have put rescue programs into place to reduce the impacts of lockdowns on the economy, as well as on the society in general, which will lead to an increase in outstanding government debt and a restart of

European investors switched to a risk-off mode in March due to the global outbreak of the coronavirus and a possible recession caused by the lockdowns in a high number of countries around the world. As a result, investors faced an increased volatility on the global equity markets. Long-term mutual funds posted overall net outflows for the month. Commodity funds (+€2.2 bn) were the only asset type with net inflows for March. Conversely, bond funds (-€134.9 bn) faced the highest outflows overall, bettered by equity funds (-€48.9 bn), mixed-assets funds (-€38.7 bn), alternative UCITS funds (-€27.7 bn), real estate funds (-€1.5

Following the good performance of the equity markets globally, European investors continued to be in risk-on mode in January. Investor sentiment might have been supported by positive news regarding the trade war between the U.S. and China, as well as a clearer situation around Brexit, since both led to a better outlook for general economic growth and company earnings for the year ahead. Despite this, there are concerns over global economic growth which have been triggered by the outbreak of the coronavirus, the effects of which on supply chains and corporate profits are not yet known. Nevertheless, long-term mutual funds

The European fund industry enjoyed estimated net inflows of €303.9 bn in 2019 after a rough 2018, when funds had estimated net outflows of €129.2 bn. The flows were mainly driven by discussions about a possible positive outcome in the trade war between the U.S. and China, Brexit developments, the ongoing low interest rate environment, and U.S. rate cuts. Taking this all into account, it was not surprising that 2019 was another positive year for the European fund industry. That said, the flows within equity funds were surprising (Please see the special section on this topic below). Even as the

It seems like the concerns of European investors regarding general economic growth and, therefore, declining earnings, are gone. This is in spite of continued uncertainty over Brexit and the trade war between China and the U.S. As a result, November was the ninth month during which long-term mutual funds posted net inflows this year. Equity funds (+€24.0 bn) were the best-selling asset type in the segment of long-term mutual funds, followed by mixed-assets funds (+€7.6 bn), bond funds (+€5.8 bn), and real estate funds (+€0.8 bn). Conversely, “other” funds (-€2.5 bn), alternative UCITS funds (-€1.5 bn), and commodity funds (-€0.001