U.S. ETFs Hit Record $1.54 Trillion Annual Inflows

U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds reached record annual inflows of more than $1.54 trillion by the end of September 2026, already exceeding the previous full-year record of $1.52 trillion set in 2025. State Street Investment Management projects that total inflows will climb to $2.3 trillion by the end of the year.

Equity ETFs drove the majority of this growth, attracting over $1 trillion. Technology funds led sector-specific inflows with more than $59 billion, while funds tracking U.S. stocks received approximately $655 billion. In contrast, financial sector funds experienced outflows exceeding $3.8 billion.

While AI enthusiasm and strong corporate earnings pushed markets to record highs earlier in the year, recent volatility has emerged. Investors are currently reacting to soaring bond yields and inflation concerns tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict.