Content and data provided by various third parties and Fidelity − Terms of Use | Help/Glossary
Research > ETFs > ETF / ETP Commentary > 

2026 ETF Inflows Top $700B: Where's the Money Going?

BY | ETF Database
8:26 am ET 05/14/26 | 4 VIEWS
It’s no secret that 2025 proved to be a very fortunate environment for the ETF market. After all, U.S. ETFs saw record net inflows of about $1.49 trillion that year. Key Takeaways: U.S. ETFs have seen more than $700 billion in net inflows this year, as of May 13, 2026. Given that ETF inflows for last year were at around $1.49 trillion, 2026 is on a good pace to challenge the record. A number of different ETF approaches are seeing significant investor attention, highlighting the flexibility and versatility of the ETF wrapper. However, 2026 is a different beast entirely, and as such, many have wondered if ETFs will be able to keep the momentum up. Fortunately, early evidence is implying that enthusiasm for the ETF wrapper won’t be slowing down any time soon.  As of May 13, 2026, the year has already witnessed more than $700 billion in net inflows. Despite only being halfway through May, this number puts 2026 at the fourth highest year for ETF flows, bested only by 2021, 2024, and 2025.  See More: April Showers Bring a Deluge of ETF InflowsFollowing the MoneyNow, the broad ETF market may be seeing compelling flows, but where is that money going? Well, there are a number of different approaches that are seeing strong investor interest.  To start, many of the traditional tried-and-true S&P 500 funds are still doing extremely well. The State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY A-), a household name at this point, saw $16.76 billion in net flows between April 12, 2026 and May 12, 2026.  SPY isn’t the only popular S&P 500 ETF leading the pack. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO A) likewise offers impressive fund flows, seeing net flows of $16.86 billion from April 12, 2026 through May 12, 2026. Attention Moving Beyond the S&P 500S&P 500 funds aren’t the only strategies that are seeing significant attention from investors. The Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) may be a new fund — having only launched back in early April — but its standout exposure to computer memory and storage chip companies has let it see breakneck flows out of the gate. After all, the fund has already hit $7.5 billion in assets under management, despite having launched less than two months ago.  See More: Powerhouse AI ETF DRAM Hits $6.5 Billion at Record Pace Sectors beyond AI are also seeing significant investor interest. For instance, the State Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLE A) has attracted strong fund flows throughout the year. Between January 1, 2026 and May 12, 2026, the fund has seen net inflows of $6.15 billion.  What all these show is that the flexible ETF wrapper is enabling a menagerie of different strategies to thrive under all this investor momentum. Given that the ETF market had already accrued more than $700 billion by May 13, the industry could very well be poised to break 2025’s record by the end of the year.  “ETF adoption has never been stronger, as advisors and investors embrace the diversification, liquidity and tax benefits,” said Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi. “Not only have broad market-cap weighted ETFs gained traction, but other more targeted products see increasing use. We’re on pace to smash last year’s net inflows with a seasonally strong fourth quarter.” For more news, information, and analysis, visit the Equity ETF Content Hub.

More Commentary

Tailormade Tech With Baron Capital's BCTK
BY | ETF Database
6:21 am ET 05/14/26 | 9 VIEWS
How Bond Ladder ETFs Help Retirees Master Liability Matching
BY | ETF Database
8:36 am ET 05/14/26 | 4 VIEWS
Crypto ETFs: Blockchain Equities Reemerge
BY | ETF Database
5:36 am ET 05/14/26 | 15 VIEWS
View more Commentary

Search Commentary

Enter Keyword(s)
Filter Results

Performance data shown is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance data quoted. Yield and return will vary, therefore you have a gain or loss when you sell your shares. For standard quarterly performance, go to the fund's Snapshot page by clicking on the ETF/ETP's symbol.

ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV and are subject to the market fluctuations of their underlying investments.

For iShares ETFs, Fidelity receives compensation from the ETF sponsor and/or its affiliates in connection with an exclusive long-term marketing program that includes promotion of iShares ETFs and inclusion of iShares funds in certain FBS platforms and investment programs. Please note, this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation can be found in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Fidelity may add or waive commissions on ETFs without prior notice. BlackRock and iShares are registered trademarks of BlackRock, Inc. and its affiliates.

FBS receives compensation from the fund's advisor or its affiliates in connection with a marketing program that includes the promotion of this security and other ETFs to customers ("Marketing Program"). The Marketing Program creates incentives for FBS to encourage the purchase of certain ETFs. Additional information about the sources, amounts, and terms of compensation is in the ETF's prospectus and related documents. Please note that this security will not be marginable for 30 days from the settlement date, at which time it will automatically become eligible for margin collateral.

News, commentary (including "Related Symbols") and events are from third-party sources unaffiliated with Fidelity. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt their content. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use.

Any data, charts and other information provided on this page are intended to help self-directed investors evaluate exchange traded products (ETPs), including, but limited to exchange traded funds (ETFs) and exchange traded notes (ETNs). Criteria and inputs entered, including the choice to make ETP comparisons, are at the sole discretion of the user and are solely for the convenience of the user. Analyst opinions, ratings and reports are provided by third-parties unaffiliated with Fidelity. All information supplied or obtained from this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or guidance, an offer of or a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell a particular security, or a recommendation or endorsement by Fidelity of any security or investment strategy. Fidelity does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating ETPs. Fidelity makes no guarantees that information supplied is accurate, complete, or timely, and does not provide any warranties regarding results obtained from their use. Determine which securities are right for you based on your investment objectives, risk tolerance, financial situation and other individual factors and re-evaluate them on a periodic basis.

Before investing in any exchange traded product, you should consider its investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Contact Fidelity for a prospectus, offering circular or, if available, a summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully.