In this video ETF Securities Gemma Weeks examines the key movements over the past week in the Australian ETF market.
This week’s highlights:
- The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.0% last week, as declines in banks and resources led the market lower. Trade concerns dragged on markets globally, with the EURO STOXX 50 declining by 1.3% and the Nikkei 225 dropping 0.8%. China’s Shanghai Composite fell 4.6% and China and Asia focused ETFs (CETF, IZZ, PAXX and UBP) were amongst the poorest performers for the week. The S&P 500 added 0.8% with the U.S. growth outlook strengthening. U.S. defensive sectors outperformed last week with real estate, telecoms and health care being the top performing sectors. ETFS S&P 500 High Yield Low Volatility ETF (ZYUS), which has a defensive sector bias, returned over 2%.
- The Fed kept rates on hold, but reaffirmed its confidence in the U.S. economy. U.S. 10-year Treasury yields rose above 3% for the first time since May. The Bank of England raised rates for the second time since the Brexit referendum.
- Gold dropped 0.8% to US$1,215/ounce and other precious metals also retreated. WTI crude fell to US$68.49/bbl.
- The Australian ETF market saw inflows of $118m into and outflows of $145m from domestically domiciled funds last week. The largest inflows were into BetaShares Australian Bank Senior Floating Rate Bond ETF (QPON) with notable inflows into a range of domestic and international equity funds including QUAL, MVW and QFN. SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Fund (STW) saw $140m of outflows.
