ETFGI reports that the European ETF industry recorded record net inflows in the first quarter, as the industry celebrated its 26th anniversary on April 11th
Press Release
LONDON — April 14, 2026 — ETFGI reports that the European ETF industry recorded record net inflows in the first quarter, as the industry celebrated its 26th anniversary on April 11th. During March the ETFs industry in Europe gathered net inflows of US$13.62 billion, bringing year-to-date net inflows to US$128.71 billion, according to ETFGI's March 2026 European ETFs industry landscape insights report, the monthly report which is part of an annual paid-for research subscription service. ETFGI, is a 14 year old leading independent research and consultancy firm renowned for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, 6 annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summits, and ETF TV on global ETF industry trends. (All dollar values in USD unless otherwise noted.)
- The European ETF industry marked its 26th anniversary on April 11.
- Assets invested in the ETFs industry in Europe stood at $3.29 trillion at the end of March, down from the record high of $3.53 trillion at the end of February 2026.
- Net inflows reached $13.62 billion in March 2026.
- Year‑to‑date net inflows of $128.71 billion are the highest on record, surpassing the previous highs of $99.04 billion in 2025 and $59.30 billion in 2021.
- March marked the 42nd consecutive month of net inflows into European ETFs.
During March the S&P 500 declined 4.98% in March and is down 4.33% year‑to‑date in 2026. Developed markets excluding the United States fell 10.99% in March but remained up 0.18% for the year. Within developed markets, Korea (‑24.15%) and Luxembourg (‑21.47%) recorded the largest declines during the month. Emerging markets declined 10.13% in March and were down 2.84% year‑to‑date. Egypt (‑19.42%) and South Africa (‑17.24%) experienced the steepest losses among emerging markets in March. According to Deborah Fuhr, Managing Partner, Founder, and Owner, ETFGI
Growth in assets in the ETFs industry in Europe as of the end of March
|
Source: ETFGI data sourced from ETF/ETP sponsors, exchanges, regulatory filings, Thomson Reuters/Lipper, Bloomberg, publicly available sources and data generated in-house. Note: “ETFs” are typically open-end index funds that provide daily portfolio transparency, are listed and traded on exchanges like stocks on a secondary basis as well as utilising a unique creation and redemption process for primary transactions. “ETPs” refers to other products that have similarities to ETFs in the way they trade and settle but they do not use a mutual fund structure. The use of other structures including grantor trusts, partnerships, notes and depositary receipts by ETPs can create different tax and regulatory implications for investors when compared to ETFs which are funds. |
The ETFs industry in Europe had 3,683 products, with 15,350 listings, assets of $3.29 Tn, from 149 providers listed on 32 exchanges in 25 countries at the end of March.
iShares is the largest provider by assets, with $1.31 trillion, representing a 39.8% market share. Amundi ETF ranks second, with $407.38 billion in assets and a 12.4% market share, followed by Xtrackers with $331.99 billion and a 10.1% market share. Together, the top three providers—out of 149—account for 62.3% of total assets in the European ETF industry, while the remaining 146 providers each hold less than 8% market share.
Net Flows highlights
During March, ETFs attracted net inflows of $13.62 billion. Equity ETFs led flows, gathering $9.62 billion during the month and bringing year‑to‑date net inflows to $95.39 billion, significantly higher than the $72.15 billion recorded at the same point in 2025.
Fixed income ETFs experienced net outflows of $424.08 million in March. Despite this, year‑to‑date net inflows reached $21.86 billion, exceeding the $13.67 billion attracted by fixed income ETFs through March 2025.
Commodity ETFs reported net inflows of $456.64 million in March, although they remained in net outflow territory year‑to‑date at $1.99 billion, compared with $5.46 billion of net inflows at the same point in 2025.
Active ETFs continued to gain traction, attracting $3.68 billion of net inflows during March. This brought year‑to‑date net inflows in Europe to $11.08 billion, well above the $6.65 billion recorded year‑to‑date in 2025.
Substantial inflows can be attributed to the top 20 ETFs by net new assets, which collectively gathered $18.24 Bn in March. Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWRD LN) gathered $2.46 Bn, the largest individual net inflow.
Top 20 ETFs by net new assets March 2026: Europe
|
Source: ETFGI data sourced from ETF/ETP sponsors, exchanges, regulatory filings, Thomson Reuters/Lipper, Bloomberg, publicly available sources and data generated in-house. Note: This report is based on the most recent data available at the time of publication. Asset and flow data may change slightly as additional data becomes available. |
The top 10 ETPs by net new assets collectively gathered $1.69 Bn during March. WisdomTree Agriculture (AIGA LN) gathered $355.35 Mn, the largest individual net inflow.
Top 10 ETPs by net new assets March 2026: Europe
|
Source: ETFGI data sourced from ETF/ETP sponsors, exchanges, regulatory filings, Thomson Reuters/Lipper, Bloomberg, publicly available sources and data generated in-house. Note: This report is based on the most recent data available at the time of publication. Asset and flow data may change slightly as additional data becomes available. |
Investors have tended to invest in Equity ETFs during March.
Contact deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com if you have any questions or comments on the press release or ETFGI events, research or consulting services.
Register now to join us at our 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Europe & Africa, taking place on November 19th in London and November 20th virtual.
The summit is designed as an educational event for financial advisors and institutional investors in the UK, Europe and across Africa. Industry leaders from issuers, regulators, investors, exchanges, and trading firms will share insights on the selection, use and trading of ETFs, including active, virtual assets, market structure, regulations, and technological advancements shaping ETF innovation and usage.
Secure your spot now to be part of this landmark event! Register now!
📅 Event Date: November 19th in London and November 20th virtual
📍 Location: One Moorgate Place, Chartered Accountants Hall, 1 Moorgate Pl, London EC2R 6EA, United Kingdom
🆓 Free Registration: For CFA members, buy-side institutional investors, and financial advisors
🐤 Early Bird Discount: Ends October 9th, 2026
📚CPD Credits: Earn educational credits
📋View the agenda, speakers, and topics from last year's successful annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Europe & Africa here.
Don’t miss this opportunity to explore key trends and network with industry leaders driving the future of ETFs. Register now!
Register to attend our 2026 events:
- 7h Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Latin America, May 20th in Mexico City at BIVA and May 21st virtual. Early bird expires on April 17th - Register now.
- 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Asia Pacific, September 9th in Hong Kong and September 10th virtual. Early bird expires on July 29th - Register now.
- 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - United States, September 29th in New York City. Early bird expires on August 21st - Register now.
- 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Middle East & GCC, October 20th in Dubai. Early bird expires on September 11th - Register now.
- 7th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Europe & Africa, November 19th in London and November 20th virtual. Early bird expires on October 9th - Register now.
- 8th Annual ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit - Canada, December 8th in Toronto. Early bird expires on October 27th - Register now.
ETFGI is a leading independent research and consultancy firm with 14 years of experience, recognized for its expertise in subscription research, consulting services, 6 annual regional in person ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summit events that cover all ETFs listed global on 81 exchanges in 63 countries, and ETF TV, covering global ETF industry trends. Interested in subscribing to ETFGI’s research email: contact@etfgi.com
ETF TV (www.ETFtv.net) is an on-demand program that highlights newly launched exchange-traded funds, products, and notes, while exploring the most pressing topics shaping the ETF landscape. Each episode brings together leading voices from across the industry—including issuers, investors, benchmark providers, and traders—to discuss the trends and developments influencing the use and management of exchange-traded products.
Every show features insightful interviews with key market participants, offering expert perspectives on the issues that matter most to the ETF community. ETF TV also offers the opportunity to create sponsored episodes, allowing partners to collaborate with us in producing custom content tailored to their brand and messaging.
If you’re interested in sponsoring or speaking at one of our upcoming ETFGI Global ETFs Insights Summits, subscribing to any of ETFGI’s annual research services (www.ETFGI.com), sponsoring an episode of ETF TV (www.ETFtv.net), exploring our consulting offerings, or if you have any questions, please reach out to us at deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com and margareta.hricova@etfgi.com.
Contact:
Deborah Fuhr
Managing Partner, Founder
ETFGI
Mobile: +44 777 5823 111
Email: deborah.fuhr@etfgi.com
Web: www.etfgi.com
Connect on:
Deborah Fuhr Twitter | LinkedIn
ETFGI Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
ETFs Network LinkedIn
ETF TV Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
Women in ETFs, Board member and founder
Women in ETFs Twitter | LinkedIn | Website
|