ETFGI, a leading independent research and consultancy firm covering trends in the global ETFs/ETPs ecosystem, reported record year to date net inflows into Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) ETFs and ETPs listed globally of US$ 130 billion which is 49% higher than the record full year 2020 net inflows.

ESG ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered net inflows of US$11.25 billion during October, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$130.28 billion which is much higher than the US$54.91 billion gathered at this point last year. Total assets invested in ESG ETFs and ETPs increased by 9.1% from US$331 billion at the end of September 2021 to US$361 billion, according to ETFGI’s October 2021 ETF and ETP ESG industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service.  (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)

Record year to date net inflows into #ESG #ETFs and ETPs listed globally of US$130 billion which is 49% higher than the record for full year 2020 according to @etfgi's new report #Readmore https://t.co/tOpedZ261I

— Deborah Fuhr, ETFGI (@deborahfuhr) November 23, 2021

Highlights

• Record $361 billion invested in ETFs and ETPs listed globally at the end of October.
• Assets increased 80.8% YTD in 2021, going from US$200 billion at end of 2020, to US$361 billion.
• Record YTD 2021 net inflows of $130.28 Bn beating the prior record of $54.91 Bn gathered YTD 2020.
• $130.28 Bn YTD net inflows are $43.29 Bn or 49% over full year 2020 record net inflows $86.99 Bn.
• $162.36 billion in net inflows gathered in the past 12 months.
• 34^th month of consecutive net inflows.
• Equity ETFs and ETPs listed globally gathered a record $98.07 Bn in YTD net inflows 2021.

“Due to strong corporate earnings the S&P 500 gained 7.01% in October and is up 24.04% year to date. Developed markets ex-U.S. experienced gains of 2.50% in October. Canada 7.46% and Sweden 7.21% were the leaders of the month while Japan suffer the biggest loss of 3.43%. Emerging markets were up by 1.00% during October. Peru (up 14.45%) and Egypt (up 10.76%) were the leaders, whilst Brazil (down 10.72%) and Chile (down 5.66%) were down the most.” According to Deborah Fuhr, managing partner, founder and owner of ETFGI.

The Global ESG ETF/ETP had 834 products, with 2,344 listings, assets of $361 Bn, from 170 providers listed on 40 exchanges in 32 countries. Following net inflows of $11.25 Bn and market moves during the month, assets invested in ESG ETFs/ETPs listed globally increased by 9.1% from $331 Bn at the end of September 2021 to $361 Bn at the end of October 2021.

Since the launch of the first ESG ETF/ETP in 2002, the iShares MSCI USA ESG Select ETF, the number and diversity of products have increased steadily.  During October, 27 new ESG ETFs/ETPs were launched.

Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs/ETPs by net new assets, which collectively gathered
$5.18 Bn in October. Deka MSCI USA Climate Change ESG UCITS ETF (D6RQ GY) gathered $620 Mn the largest net inflows.

Confusion persists around what constitutes an ESG fund. According to PRI, a UN-supported initiative which seeks to understand the investment implications of ESG issues, 56% of adopters believe there is a lack of clarity in ESG definitions. ETFGI’s classification system attempts to provide greater precision, with ETFs/ETPs listed globally organised into categories, including core ESG products and theme-based groups, such as Clean/Alternative Energies and Gender Diversity.

Source: ETFGI