Global equity funds see biggest weekly inflows in over a decade

(Reuters) – Global equity funds saw the largest weekly net purchases in over a decade in the week to Nov. 13, driven by investor optimism that a decisive second-term mandate for Donald Trump would bolster corporate earnings and fuel U.S. economic growth.

Investors ploughed $49.3 billion into global equity funds during the week, the highest amount on a net basis since at least January 2014, according to LSEG Lipper data.

The scaled record highs for three consecutive days following Trump’s victory last week, though it has pulled back about 1.6% from record levels so far this week on prospects of a potentially slower pace of U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts.

“We continue to hold a positive view on global and U.S. equities and believe that the macro backdrop is favourable for this year’s equity rally to gain further ground,” said Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management.

Investors flocked to U.S. equity funds, adding $37.37 billion in their biggest weekly net purchase in at least a decade. They also snapped up $11.28 billion worth of European equity funds, while withdrawing a meagre $305 million from Asian funds.

The financial sector attracted a significant $4.68 billion, the highest in at least a decade. Investors also acquired funds worth $1.35 billion and $414 million, respectively, in the industrials and consumer discretionary sectors.

Global bond funds were popular for the 47th week running, with about $5.37 billion in net inflows during the week.

Global high yield and loan participation funds saw a noteworthy $2.65 billion and $1.49 billion worth of inflows, with the government bond funds segment witnessing $479 million worth of net sales.

Investors pumped about $73.61 billion into global money market funds following net purchases of $127.11 billion in the week before.

Gold and precious metals funds, meanwhile, witnessed a net $950 million worth of second consecutive weekly outflows.

Data for 29,683 emerging market funds showed investors pulled $5.8 billion out of equity funds during the week, the biggest amount in 11 months. They also divested $939 million worth of bond funds.