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)

October 2020 was another positive month for the European fund industry since the promoters of mutual funds (+€69.2 bn) enjoyed inflows. Meanwhile, the market environment turned negative 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 €51.9 bn while money market products had estimated inflows of €17.8 bn. As a result, long-term mutual funds posted overall net inflows for the month. Equity funds (+€30.4 bn) were the best-selling asset type overall

European investors bought further back into mutual funds and ETFs in May after massive outflows from these products in March. Investors returned to the markets after they had somewhat stabilized after the massive stimulus packages by central banks and governments globally following the outbreak of COVID-19, which caused widespread worldwide lockdowns and stoked fears of a global recession. As a result, long-term mutual funds posted overall net inflows for the month. Bond funds (+€29.6 bn) were the best-selling long-term asset type for May, followed by equity funds (+€7.9 bn), mixed-assets funds (+€5.7 bn), commodities funds (+€2.4 bn), ”other” funds (+€0.7

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

Following the good performance of the equity markets globally, European investors continued to be in risk-on mode in December. The sentiment of investors might have been supported by a calm market during the trade war between the U.S. and China, as well as a clearer situation around Brexit after the general election in the UK, since both led to a better outlook for general economic growth and company earnings for the year ahead. As a result, December was the tenth month during which long-term mutual funds posted net inflows in 2019. Equity funds (+€26.3 bn) were the best-selling asset type

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

After strong outflows from equity funds in August, it appears quantitative easing by the European Central Bank (ECB) and the interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve have led European investors back to equities in September. This comes despite ongoing concerns about declining company earnings and the possible effects of a trade war between the U.S. and China. As a result, September was the seventh month during which long-term mutual funds posted net inflows this year. Equity funds (+€14.3 bn) were the best-selling asset type in the segment of long-term mutual funds, followed by bond funds (+€9.7 bn), mixed-assets funds

Looking at the headline figures, the first nine months of 2018 seem to have been rough for the European fund industry. Even though the assets under management (AUM) (€10.7 tr) increased over the course of the year so far, the industry failed to attract significant new money. The net fund flows stood at €5.9 bn at the end of September. A closer view of the underlying trends shows that European investors have started to pull out money from bond funds and surprisingly also from money market products. The general fund-flow trends are a reaction of European investors to the recent

Looking at the headline figures, first half 2018 could be considered a business-as-usual period for the European fund industry, since the assets under management (+€10.7 tr) increased in the first and second quarters of the year. But a closer look at the underlying trends shows that the recent geopolitical uncertainty and discussions of possible new tariffs in the U.S., which may result in a trade war, caused investors to change their asset allocations. Assets Under Management in the European Fund Industry The assets under management in the European fund industry increased from €10.4 tr to €10.7 tr over first half