Net inflows combined with positive market performance during the first half of 2014 helped push assets in the global exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products industry to a new high of $2.64 trillion, according to preliminary data.

Net inflows combined with positive market performance during the first half of 2014 helped push assets in the global exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products industry to a new high of $2.64 trillion, according to preliminary data.

At the end of June 2014 there were 5,359 ETFs/ETPs from 219 providers listed on 59 exchanges globally, according to a report by ETFGI, a research firm that tracks this industry.

Equity ETFs/ETPs - the star of the show - gathered $84.2 billion, followed by fixed income with $36.5 billion, while commodity ETFs/ETPs experienced net outflows of $3.0 billion.

Specifically, the US gathered $1.86 trillion, followed by Europe at $470 billion, Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan) at $96.7 billion and Japan at $90.1 billion. Canada saw inflows of $65.7 billion, while the Middle East/Africa had inflows of $43.5 billion.

“In June investors invested almost all net new money into equity exposures with the US and emerging markets being the preferred allocations. The S&P 500 index ended up 7 per cent at the end of Q2 2014, closing at an all-time high on 20 June. Internationally, developed markets gained 2 per cent and emerging markets are up 4 per cent. The positive equity market performance has helped to improve investor confidence during the first half of 2014,” said Deborah Fuhr, ETFGI, managing partner.