ETF Daily Fund Inflow Report

Date: September 10, 2025

Headline: Broad Market and Defensive Assets Attract Largest Inflows Amid Divergent YTD Performance

Market Overview
Today’s fund flows reflect a mixed investor approach, with capital splitting between core equity exposure, high-yield credit, and traditional safe-haven assets. The top 10 list features a blend of large-cap equities, gold, and short-duration fixed income, suggesting a balance between risk-on positioning and caution. While equity-focused ETFs like the iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) and sector-specific products such as the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) drew significant inflows, allocations to gold via the iShares Gold Trust (IAU) and ultra-short bond funds like the JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) also stood out. This dispersion may indicate investors are hedging against macroeconomic uncertainty while maintaining exposure to growth-oriented assets. With the year-to-date performance of these ETFs ranging from a 38.64% gain in gold to a 0.08% decline in CLO-focused products, the flows could signal a rotation toward established havens and resilient equity benchmarks.

ETF Highlights
The iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) led inflows with $1.69 billion, reinforcing its role as a core proxy for U.S. large-cap equities. Its $666.31 billion in assets under management underscores its status as a liquidity magnet, and its 11.35% YTD gain aligns with sustained demand for broad-market exposure. The SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust (DIA), up 7.15% YTD, also attracted $204.70 million, likely reflecting similar appetite for blue-chip stability.

High-yield corporate bonds via the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond ETF (HYG) drew $387.72 million, despite a modest 2.78% YTD return. This may indicate investors are seeking income in a low-rate environment, though the fund’s $18.49 billion AUM suggests it remains a niche play compared to broader equity vehicles.

Gold’s strong showing, with the iShares Gold Trust (IAU) pulling in $237.28 million, contrasts sharply with its 38.64% YTD surge. The inflow could signal hedging activity, though physical gold’s performance outpacing most equities highlights its role as a diversifier. Meanwhile, the JPMorgan Ultra-Short Income ETF (JPST) and Ultra-Short Municipal Income ETF (JMST) combined for $555.55 million in inflows, pointing to demand for low-risk, short-duration fixed income. JPST’s 0.58% YTD return and $33.89 billion AUM suggest it is being used as a cash management tool rather than a yield play.

Sector-specific flows favored technology and biotech, with the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (IGV) and iShares Biotechnology ETF (IBB) gaining $183.78 million and $143.05 million, respectively. IGV’s 12.11% YTD gain and $9.56 billion AUM indicate its appeal as a concentrated bet on growth stocks, while IBB’s 6.38% YTD rise may reflect sector rotation amid speculative interest. International equities also saw a niche boost, as the iShares Core MSCI EAFE ETF (IEFA) added $171.42 million. Its 22.98% YTD gain and $151.67 billion AUM position it as a beneficiary of global market rotation, though its inflow pales compared to domestic peers.

The Janus Henderson AAA CLO ETF (JAAA) closed the list with $141.82 million in inflows despite a 0.08% YTD decline. Its $25.20 billion AUM and negative returns highlight its niche appeal, possibly as a structural play on collateralized loan obligations rather than a performance-driven investment.

Notable Trends
The juxtaposition of gold’s strong inflow and YTD performance against the lackluster returns of CLOs underscores a preference for established safe havens over esoteric fixed-income strategies. Additionally, the dominance of ultra-short bond ETFs suggests investors are prioritizing liquidity and stability, even at the expense of yield.

Conclusion
Today’s flows highlight a bifurcated strategy: investors are bolstering core equity positions while simultaneously allocating to defensive assets like gold and short-duration fixed income. The resilience of large-cap equities and the divergence in sector and asset-class performance may signal a cautious optimism, with capital flowing to both growth and hedging instruments. This duality could reflect positioning ahead of macroeconomic developments or a broader attempt to balance return potential with risk mitigation.