The Industrial Select Sector SPDR (NYSEArca: XLI), the largest industrial sector ETF, experienced $1.1 billion in net inflows. This sector play stood out as consumer staples, consumer discretionary, health care, energy and financial sector ETFs were among the most hated plays last month.
The SPDR Gold Shares (NYSEArca: GLD) also stood out with $1.0 billion in inflows, but it wasn’t too surprising as the sudden bout of volatility did push more investors toward safe-haven bets.
On the other hand, the ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF (NYSEArca: SVXY), which both follow the inverse or -100% daily performance of VIX futures, brought in $907 million over the past month. SVXY may be seen as a very bullish play as it takes a bearish bet on the CBOE Volatility Index, or so-called VIX and the gauge of market fear. Some traders may be projecting greater market complacency ahead, turning to SVXY as a means to play an ongoing bull market in a year of muted volatility.
Related: ETF Performance Report: August 2017