The exchange traded fund (ETF) SPDRs (SPY) has had a ton of assets dumped into it recently, but that’s not the only crazy activity occurring in the ETF markets lately.
Last week’s data through Sept. 21 shows that total new assets in the SPDRs is at $91.5 billion, says Jim Wiandt for Index Universe. Total assets in the U.S. are now at $566 billion, as of that date. Below is a rough recap of the current top 10 ETFs by assets, all of which have accumulated nearly more than $10 billion:
1. SPDRs (SPY) – $91.6 billion
2. iShares MSCI EAFE Index (EFA) – $47.6 billion
3. iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EEM) – $20.9 billion
4. PowerShares QQQ (QQQQ) – $19.9 billion
5. iShares S&P 500 Index (IVV) – $17.8 billion
6. StreetTRACKS Gold Shares (GLD) – $13.5 billion
7. iShares Russell 2000 Index (IWM) – $13.5 billion
8. iShares Russell 1000 Growth Index (IWF) – $12.7 billion
9. iShares MSCI Japan Index (EWJ) – $11.2 billion
10. iShares Russell 1000 Value Index (IWD) – $9.9 billion
What’s most interesting is the absence of some traditional ETFs, such the MidCap SPDRs (MDY) at $9.6 billion, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is just off the list at $9.3 billion and the DIAMONDS Trust, Series 1 (DIA) at $8.0 billion. It just goes to show what the latest trends are concerning where people are putting their money. Seeing lots of money in international ETFs doesn’t come as a surprise, but who knew the iShares Russell 1000 Growth and Value index ETFs had gotten so huge?
To put all this in perspective, more than 550 ETFs exist now that have a total of $566 billion in assets. Of that, $198 billion, or 35%, is in the top five listed above, and $262 billion, or 46% is in the top 10. ETFs are definitely coming along. Just imagine what these numbers will look like five years from now.
For full disclosure, some of Tom Lydon’s clients own SPY, EEM, QQQQ and IWF.
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.