Flight from Equity Funds Continued in March

ICI data showed fund asset levels overall were $9.2 trillion, up 2.3% in March, according to a news release. Overall fund levels dropped 4% to $9 trillion in February (see “Mutual Fund Flows Backtrack in February’).

The announcement said stock funds saw a $27.5-billion March outflow, compared to an asset loss of $24.8 billion the month before. Among stock offerings, world equity funds posted an outflow of $11.1 billion in March, versus a $10.7 billion asset drain in February. Funds that invest primarily in the U.S. had an outflow of $16.4 billion in March, versus a $14.1 billion for the earlier month.

Meanwhile, according to ICI, hybrid funds posted a $4-billion March outflow, compared to an outflow of $4.23 billion the month before.

ICI said bond funds had enjoyed an inflow of $21 billion in March, compared to a $16.9-billion inflow in February. Taxable bond funds had an inflow of $17.6 billion in March, versus an inflow of $12.6 billion in February while municipal bond funds had a March influx of $3.3 billion in March, compared to a boost of $4.3 billion the month before.

Money market funds had an outflow of $77 billion in March, compared to a $6.3 billion February outflow.

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