ETF Daily Fund Inflow Report

Date: August 11, 2025

Headline: Growth and Gold ETFs Attract Strong Inflows Amid Divergent Market Themes

Market Overview
Today’s fund flows reflect a bifurcated investor approach, with significant allocations to growth-oriented equities and precious metals, alongside more modest interest in core equity and bond strategies. The top 10 list features a mix of Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and gold-focused ETFs, suggesting a balance between risk-on positioning and defensive hedging. While large-cap growth and gold led inflows, small-cap and short-duration bond ETFs also attracted capital, hinting at a search for both growth and stability. The absence of a dominant macro event or policy announcement in recent days leaves these flows potentially reflective of sector rotation or portfolio rebalancing ahead of seasonal earnings reports.

ETF Highlights
QQQ - Invesco QQQ Trust ($1.65B inflow)
As a proxy for the Nasdaq-100’s large-cap growth equities, QQQ’s substantial inflow underscores continued demand for technology and innovation-driven sectors. Its 12.05% YTD performance, coupled with $363.56B in AUM, highlights its role as a cornerstone for investors seeking exposure to high-growth companies. The ETF’s scale and performance may reinforce its appeal amid speculation about sustained earnings momentum in the tech sector.

XLC - Communication Services Select Sector SPDR Fund ($778.16M inflow)
Focusing on communication services, XLC’s inflow could signal renewed interest in media, entertainment, and tech-driven sectors. With an 11.74% YTD gain and $27.94B AUM, the ETF appears to benefit from broader growth trends, though its performance lags slightly behind Nasdaq 100 peers. This may reflect a tactical shift toward cyclically resilient sub-sectors.

GLD - SPDR Gold Shares ($683.18M inflow)
GLD’s strong inflow, despite a relatively modest 27.43% YTD return, suggests gold’s role as a hedge against macroeconomic uncertainties. With $104.71B in AUM, the ETF’s size and inflow volume indicate persistent demand for safe-haven assets, potentially driven by inflation concerns or geopolitical risks.

SPLG - SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF ($606.52M inflow)
As a low-cost S&P 500 vehicle, SPLG’s inflow aligns with core equity demand. Its 8.50% YTD performance and $80.71B AUM position it as a staple for diversified portfolios. The ETF’s inflow may reflect a preference for broad-market exposure over concentrated bets, particularly amid mixed sector performance.

LQD - iShares iBoxx USD Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF ($581.83M inflow)
LQD’s inflow highlights defensive positioning in the fixed-income space. With 2.56% YTD gains and $28.12B AUM, the ETF appeals to investors seeking stable yields in a low-rate environment. Its performance, however, lags behind equity peers, suggesting bonds may be playing a secondary role in current portfolio strategies.

VOO - Vanguard S&P 500 ETF ($487.35M inflow)
VOO’s $719.94B AUM and 8.49% YTD return reinforce its status as a benchmark equity vehicle. The inflow may reflect institutional or retail rebalancing into core holdings, particularly as its performance mirrors broader market optimism. Its scale ensures it remains a focal point for passive strategies.

IWM - iShares Russell 2000 ETF ($485.17M inflow)
Despite a -0.31% YTD decline, IWM attracted notable inflows, potentially signaling a rotation into small-cap stocks. With $60.55B AUM, the ETF’s performance contrast with its inflow volume could indicate speculative positioning for a potential rebound in small-cap equities amid expectations of economic resilience.

VCSH - Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond ETF ($430.58M inflow)
VCSH’s 1.82% YTD return and $37.58B AUM position it as a liquidity-focused play. The inflow may reflect investor caution, with short-duration bonds offering a balance between yield and capital preservation. Its performance, however, trails longer-duration peers, suggesting limited appetite for rate sensitivity.

QQQM - Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF ($392.35M inflow)
QQQM’s 12.06% YTD gain and $57.56B AUM mirror QQQ’s growth orientation but with a slightly different structure. Its inflow, while smaller than QQQ’s, underscores the Nasdaq 100’s enduring appeal, particularly among investors seeking diversified exposure to growth leaders.

GLDM - SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust ($387.28M inflow)
GLDM’s 27.66% YTD performance and $17.35B AUM highlight its role as a compact gold alternative to GLD. The inflow, nearly matching GLD’s, suggests strong relative demand for gold exposure, possibly driven by retail investors or thematic strategies targeting inflationary pressures.

Notable Trends
The juxtaposition of growth equities (QQQ, QQQM) and gold ETFs (GLD, GLDM) signals a dual focus on innovation-driven gains and macroeconomic hedging. Meanwhile, the coexistence of large-cap (VOO, SPLG) and small-cap (IWM) inflows hints at a broad equity appetite, though small-cap’s negative YTD raises questions about selective positioning. The bond space remains a secondary focus, with inflows split between investment-grade (LQD) and short-duration (VCSH) strategies, reflecting cautious yield-seeking behavior.

Conclusion
Today’s flows suggest a market split between growth optimism and defensive positioning. Strong inflows into Nasdaq 100 and gold ETFs may indicate a search for both innovation-driven returns and macroeconomic hedges, while mixed equity inflows highlight a balanced approach to risk. The modest bond flows, meanwhile, could signal a wait-and-see stance ahead of potential rate developments. Collectively, these trends may reflect a strategy of diversification across asset classes and sectors, with investors navigating a landscape of divergent opportunities.