Momentum and private assets: The trends driving ETFs to record inflows

ETF Market Overview - The ETF marketplace has seen significant growth, with net inflows reaching $1.11 trillion as of the end of October 2025, which is approximately $100 billion short of the record set in 2024 [1][2] - 2025 is noted as the best year for the ETF industry across various asset classes, including equity, fixed income, gold, and cryptocurrencies, indicating a strong investor interest [2] Secular and New Trends - Secular trends show that low-cost beta strategies have attracted nearly $500 billion in new flows, primarily through S&P 500 exposure [4] - New trends are emerging around income generation, digital assets, cryptocurrencies, and private assets, which are expected to complement traditional low-cost market exposure [5][9] Private Assets and Partnerships - There is a growing emphasis on private assets, with partnerships established with firms like Blackstone, Apollo, and Bridgewater to enhance access to private market segments [8] - The All Weather ETF has seen significant success, crossing $600 million in flows and projected to reach $1 billion within its first year [9] Fee Sensitivity and Product Diversity - Investors are increasingly willing to pay higher fees for access to unique investment strategies, such as Bitcoin-oriented ETFs and private credit products, which offer exposure to harder-to-access markets [14][15] - The market is characterized by a mix of low-cost products and more complex offerings, including actively managed ETFs that charge higher premiums [16] Market Momentum and Sector Performance - The current market momentum is heavily influenced by technology, consumer discretionary, and communication services sectors, with analysts predicting continued strength in indices like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ [20][24] - There is speculation about a potential catch-up trade as investors may begin to diversify away from high-performing sectors, although this is not expected to happen until early next year [25][23] Defensive Sector Interest - The healthcare sector, represented by the Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLV), has started to regain favor after being out of favor for much of the year, indicating a potential shift towards more defensive investments [27]