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)

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 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

European investors bought further back into mutual funds and ETFs in August. Since the global equity markets recovered further, 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 after the lockdowns caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 are lifted in more countries around the globe. As a result, long-term mutual funds posted overall net inflows for the month. Bond funds (+€19.9 bn) were the best-selling asset type overall for August, followed by equity funds (+€11.0 bn), alternative UCITS funds

European investors bought further back into mutual funds and ETFs in July. Since the global equity markets stabilized further, investors returned to long-term mutual funds because they expect the massive stimulus packages from central banks and governments globally to keep interest rates low and to foster global economic growth after the lockdowns caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 are lifted in more countries around the globe. As a result, long-term mutual funds posted overall net inflows for the month. Bond funds (+€24.2 bn) were the best-selling long-term asset type for July, followed by equity funds (+€14.4 bn), mixed-assets funds (+€4.9

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

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

European investors started to buy back into mutual funds and ETFs in April after massive outflows from these products in March. Investors returned to the markets after they had somewhat stabilized 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 (+€23.5 bn) were the best-selling asset type for April, followed by equity funds (+€18.4 bn), ”other” funds (+€1.7 bn), mixed-assets funds (+€1.5 bn), commodities funds (+€0.8 bn), and real estate funds (+€0.04 bn). On the other hand,

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

The celebration of the Refinitiv Lipper Fund Awards in Vienna was held on March 9 in the prestigious Park Hyatt Hotel, located in the historic former headquarters of the Bank Austria. The awards ceremony in Austria was the second event in the German-speaking markets (Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) and was visited by around 70 participants from the Austrian and international fund industries. Johann (Hansi) Leikert, Sales Director CEE/CIS at Refinitiv, and Mario Franzin, Editor in Chief at 4profit Verlag GmbH, welcomed the guests, while Dr. Anatol Eschelmüller, Project Manager at 4profit Verlag, moderated the evening. Detlef Glow, Head of Lipper

European investors switched to a risk-off mode in February due to uncertainties over a possible shortage in supply chains caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus in China and the respective increased volatility on the global equity markets. Nevertheless, long-term mutual funds posted net inflows for the month. Bond funds (+€30.4 bn) were the best-selling asset type in the long-term mutual funds segment, followed by mixed-assets funds (+€6.2 bn), commodity funds (+€1.0 bn), and “other” funds (+€0.1 bn). Conversely, equity funds (-€1.4 bn), real estate funds (-€2.3 bn), and alternative UCITS funds (-€4.3 bn) faced outflows. These fund flows added