Summary
Bank of America said equity net flows turned positive in April even as money market funds experienced outflows. The bank attributed the backdrop to hopes for a US-Iran peace deal and the usual tax-season withdrawals that weigh on short-term cash instruments.
Detailed findings
In its monthly review of fund flow data sourced from Simfund, Morningstar, Lipper and the Investment Company Institute, Bank of America reported that active equity flows were essentially flat in April while passive equity inflows fell sharply. Bond flows softened over the month and money market flows moved into negative territory, the bank said.
Despite the seasonal drag from tax-related withdrawals, equity inflows improved in April and fixed income flows strengthened on a month-over-month basis. Bank of America noted that money market flows remained negative month-to-date, a pattern it put down to tax seasonality.
Within equities, US-listed stocks recorded the largest net inflows for the month. On the fixed income side, inflows were concentrated in US Treasuries and in global bonds, pointing to demand for higher-quality and diversified sovereign exposures.
Bank of America also highlighted long-term industry positioning trends. Active equity now accounts for 26% of long-term industry assets under management, down from 41% in 2010, while passive equity has expanded to 38% from 14%. The share of active equity managers outperforming their three-year benchmarks was described as remaining flat year-over-year at 27% versus 25%.
Firm-level flow leaders and ratings
The bank identified positive net flow results in April for a range of asset managers and custodians, citing contributions from their fixed income, passive equity, ETF and money market fund businesses. The firms named included BlackRock (NYSE:BLK), Fidelity, Invesco (NYSE:IVZ), JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM), Lazard (NYSE:LAZ), PIMCO, Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW), Vanguard, Voya Financial (NYSE:VOYA) and Wilmington Trust.
Bank of America reiterated a Buy rating on BlackRock, noting the firm has tended to outperform during other periods of market volatility. The bank also placed a Buy rating on Affiliated Managers Group (NYSE:AMG), citing momentum at AQR as a factor in that assessment.
Rates outlook and potential market impact
On monetary policy, BofA economists now expect two 25 basis point rate cuts in September and October, delayed from the bank's prior projection of cuts in June and July. The later timing supports the prospect of higher front-end yields for longer and could, according to the bank, encourage investors to rotate out of money market funds and into short-duration bond funds.
This report reflects Bank of Americas monthly compilation of fund flows and the firm-level and market implications it draws from that data.