Key Milestones and Market Performance
- Record Assets: The global ETFs industry reached an unprecedented **$15.50 trillion** in assets by February 2025, surpassing January’s record of $15.45 trillion.
- 35th Anniversary: March 2025 marked 35 years since the launch of the first ETF (Toronto 35 Index Participation Units in 1990).
- Strong Inflows: February saw $152.13 billion** in net inflows, with year-to-date (YTD) inflows hitting **$304.70 billion—the highest ever recorded.
Sector Breakdown (February 2025)
- Equity ETFs: $59.96B net inflows ($125.29B YTD).
- Fixed Income ETFs: $35.47B net inflows ($65.57B YTD).
- Commodities ETFs: $10.75B net inflows ($12.47B YTD).
- Active ETFs: $51.72B net inflows ($103.69B YTD).
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Top ETFs by Net New Assets (February 2025)
| ETF Name | Ticker | Assets ($Bn) | February Inflows ($Bn) |
|-----------------------------------|--------|--------------|------------------------|
| SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY US) | SPY | 624.48 | 8.67 |
| Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO US) | VOO | 620.57 | 7.27 |
| Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ US) | QQQ | 321.47 | 3.87 |
Data highlights investor preference for U.S. large-cap equity ETFs.
Market Trends and Regional Performance
- Developed Markets: Ex-U.S. index rose 1.31% in February (up 6.08% YTD), led by Luxembourg (+14.10%) and Spain (+8.87%).
- Emerging Markets: Slightly declined (-0.04% in February) with Indonesia (-15.94%) and Thailand (-9.48%) underperforming.
FAQ Section
1. What drove the record ETF inflows in 2025?
Investors favored low-cost index-tracking ETFs and active strategies amid market volatility, with fixed income and commodities ETFs gaining traction.
2. How does ETFGI’s research benefit investors?
ETFGI’s subscription reports provide granular insights on global ETF trends, fees, and thematic strategies (e.g., ESG, crypto).
3. What’s next for the ETF industry?
Expect innovation in thematic ETFs (e.g., AI, clean energy) and expansion in emerging markets.
👉 Discover ETFGI’s latest research for data-driven investment decisions.
Upcoming ETFGI Global Summits (2025)
| Event Location | Date | Highlights |
|----------------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------|
| London (Europe) | May 1–2 | 25th anniversary of European ETFs |
| Hong Kong (Asia) | September 3–4 | Focus on APAC market growth |
Early bird discounts available for CFA members and institutional investors.
Final Thoughts
The ETF industry’s growth reflects rising demand for transparency and diversification. With 13,630 products across 81 exchanges, ETFs remain a cornerstone of modern investing.