Assets in regulated open-ended fund assets worldwide increased 3.1% to €52.7 trillion in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to figures published by the European Fund and Asset Management Association (Efama).
Worldwide net cash flow to all funds amounted to €808 billion, up from net inflows of €622 billion in the third quarter of 2019.
Bernard Delbecque, senior director for economics and research said: “Net sales of equity funds rebounded strongly during the fourth quarter of 2019, as investor confidence strengthened at that time against the background of improved economic conditions”.
Other key developments in the worldwide investment fund industry in the fourth quarter of 2019, according to Efama, were:
- A rebound in net sales of equity funds. After three quarters of negative or nearly zero net sales, net inflows into equity funds rose to €134 billion in the last quarter 2019. Equity flows recovered across the board but were primarily driven by Europe (€55 billion), followed by the US (€33 billion).
- Net sales of bond funds remained strong. Net sales of worldwide bond funds amounted to $234 billion in Q4 2019, compared to €245 billion the previous quarter. The US (€158 billion) and China (€49 billion) accounted for the majority of global net sales.
- Strong net sales of money market funds. Money market funds attracted €259 Billion in net new money in Q4 2019, compared to €279 billion in Q3 2019. Again, the vast majority of net sales was registered in the US (€171 billion) and China (€66 billion), whereas Europe registered net outflows of just €5 billion.
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