US ETFs attract $25.2 billion in weekly inflows
Year-to-date totals approach $760 billion as bond selloff drives demand for US fixed income, while semiconductor and tech giants draw equity capital.
Investors directed $25.2 billion into US-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the week ending Friday, 22 May 2026. This inflow pushes year-to-date totals toward $760 billion, a figure described as modest relative to the year’s blistering pace. The movement of capital highlights a distinct rotation towards income-generating assets alongside continued strength in domestic equities.
US fixed income ETFs led the weekly inflows with $13.2 billion, followed by US equity ETFs at $7.9 billion. The surge in bond demand appears linked to a recent selloff in the fixed income market and the accompanying rise in yields, which has made the asset class more attractive to investors hunting for income. International fixed income ETFs also saw $3.2 billion in inflows, while international equity ETFs recorded a rare outflow of $1.2 billion.
Among individual funds, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) recorded the largest single inflow of $4 billion. The iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF (SGOV) received $2.3 billion, and the Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) attracted $2.1 billion. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH) pulled in $1.5 billion as chip stocks continued to rise sharply, supported by positive developments in the sector.
On the outflows side, the ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) saw the largest exit of $5.7 billion. This reversal of significant inflows from the previous week suggests potential tax-related or arbitrage trading activity, a pattern similar to those observed in April. The ARK Autonomous Technology & Robotics ETF (ARKQ) and ARK Next Generation Internet ETF (ARKW) also experienced outflows of nearly $900 million and $581 million respectively.
The iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) lost $1.1 billion, coinciding with a pullback in bitcoin prices. Despite the weekly decline, the ETF retains $2.7 billion in year-to-date inflows. Meanwhile, currency ETFs lost $1.6 billion, and commodities ETFs shed $270 million. The broader market context includes rising US stock indices, with the S&P 500 up roughly 10 per cent on the year, as diplomatic engagements in Beijing provided further support to equity sentiment.
