Equity ETFs Attract Bulk of Inflows as Tech and Broad Market Funds See Strong Demand

Date: January 13, 2026

Market Overview

Investor flows on Thursday overwhelmingly favored equity-focused ETFs, with broad market and technology-oriented products capturing the lion’s share of net inflows. The top 10 ETFs by inflow included five S&P 500-tracking funds, a Nasdaq-100 vehicle, and a total stock market offering, underscoring demand for core equity exposure.

Smaller inflows into sector-specific and thematic products, such as regional banking and Magnificent Seven-focused funds, suggest niche positioning amid a generally positive risk-on environment. Bond ETFs saw limited activity, with only the Vanguard Short-Term Bond ETF (BSV) registering a modest inflow. The data may reflect broad positioning ahead of potential earnings season or a strategic rebalancing toward growth-oriented assets.

ETF Highlights

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) led inflows with $2.03 billion, reinforcing its role as a benchmark proxy for the U.S. large-cap equity market. With assets under management (AUM) of $717.21 billion, the inflow could indicate sustained demand for low-cost, broad-market exposure. Similarly, the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) attracted $1.25 billion, aligning with SPY’s trend and potentially signaling a rotation into cap-weighted indices.

The Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ), tracking the Nasdaq-100, added $930.72 million in inflows despite its AUM of $412.42 billion. Its 1.94% price gain may have bolstered its appeal as a leveraged bet on technology and innovation sectors. Conversely, the Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF (MAGS) saw $261.47 million in inflows despite a meager 0.05% price change, possibly reflecting speculative interest in its concentrated exposure to seven high-profile tech stocks.

The Invesco S&P 500 Equal Weight ETF (RSP) drew $332.05 million, its 3.25% price gain potentially attracting investors seeking reduced megacap concentration. Meanwhile, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) added $264.14 million, suggesting appetite for a broader equity universe spanning large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks.

Sector-specific flows included $262.13 million into the SPDR S&P Regional Banking ETF (KRE), which rose 2.21%, possibly indicating tactical bets on financials. The iShares MBS ETF (MBB) added $352.68 million, though its 0.49% gain and $39.58 billion AUM suggest more defensive positioning in mortgage-backed securities.

Thematic and international exposure saw limited traction, with the Capital Group Global Growth Equity ETF (CGGO) surging 4.10% and attracting $254.48 million. However, its modest AUM of $8.85 billion highlights its niche role. The only bond-related inflow, $252.35 million into BSV, may reflect a marginal shift toward short-duration fixed income but pales in scale compared to equity flows.

Notable Trends

The dominance of S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 ETFs in inflow rankings underscores a clear preference for large-cap equity exposure. The simultaneous strength of both cap-weighted (SPY, IVV) and equal-weight (RSP) S&P 500 funds may signal a broader appetite for diversified strategies. Additionally, the Magnificent Seven’s inclusion in the top inflows—despite its small AUM—highlights ongoing fascination with concentrated tech bets, even as broader market funds outperform.

Conclusion

Today’s inflows may indicate a strategic tilt toward equity markets, particularly in large-cap and technology-driven segments. The strong performance of both broad and equal-weight S&P 500 ETFs could point to a desire for balanced or diversified exposure, while niche inflows into regional banking and Magnificent Seven funds suggest selective sector and thematic positioning. Overall, the data may reflect investor confidence in growth-oriented assets and a cautious approach to fixed income, with tech and broad equity funds serving as primary conduits for capital deployment.