The Markets July 31, 2007

Investment in Mutual Funds Slows to Near Halt in June

The combined assets of the nation's mutual funds went up slightly by $1.6 billion to $11.39 trillion in June, according to the Investment Company Institute (ICI).

Reported by

Adrien Martin

The leveling off of mutual fund assets in June follows a $329.1 billion, or 3%, increase the month before.

Investors were less aggressive in terms of money market funds in June than the month before, with these funds seeing an inflow of $34.62 billion, compared to an inflow of $57.62 billion in May. Funds offered primarily to institutions had an inflow of $27.51 billion. Funds offered primarily to individuals had an inflow of $7.11 billion.

However, stock funds saw greater inflows in June. These funds posted an inflow of $5.49 billion for the month, compared to an inflow of $1.30 billion in May. Among stock funds, world equity funds (US funds that invest primarily overseas) posted an inflow of $8.52 billion in June, compared to an inflow of $11.40 billion in May.

Funds that invest primarily in the US had an outflow of $3.03 billion in June, compared to an outflow of $10.1 billion in May.

Bond funds had an inflow of $7.52 billion in June, compared with an inflow of $21.31 billion in May. Taxable bond funds had an inflow of $7.02 billion in June, vs. an inflow of $17.74 billion in May. Municipal bond funds had an inflow of $508 million in June, compared with an inflow of $3.57 billion in May.

Hybrid funds posted an inflow of $1.16 billion in June, compared to an inflow of $2 billion in May.