Finance

Global equity fund inflows slow on geopolitical uncertainties

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on January 23, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: January 23, 2026

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Global equity fund inflows slow on geopolitical uncertainties
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(Refiles to fix typographical error in headline) Jan 23 (Reuters) - Investments in global equity funds shrank in the week to January 21 as U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of reigniting a trade

Global Equity Fund Inflows Decline Amid Geopolitical Tensions

Impact of Geopolitical Factors on Equity Funds

(Refiles to fix typographical error in headline)

Recent Trends in Equity Fund Investments

Jan 23 (Reuters) - Investments in global equity funds shrank in the week to January 21 as U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of reigniting a trade dispute with Europe over Greenland curbed investor appetite.

Bond Fund Performance and Trends

According to LSEG data, investors bought global equity funds worth a net $9.19 billion during the week - a marked decline from the previous week's $45.57 billion net purchases.

Sector-Specific Inflows and Outflows

Trump, however, stepped back from his tariff threats against eight European countries on Wednesday and ruled out seizing Greenland by force.

U.S. equity funds shrank by $5.26 billion as outflows partly reversed an inflow of $28.17 billion, received in the previous week.

Investors, meanwhile, purchased European and Asian equity funds of $10.22 billion and $3.89 billion, respectively in the most recent week.

"Strategically, we believe diversification across regions and asset classes is all the more important in a polarised world, where risks are higher and outcomes less predictable," said Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management.

At an early stage of the fourth-quarter earnings season, LSEG data shows that global large- and mid-cap companies are expected to report earnings growth of 16.44% for the last quarter.

Among equity sectors, the financials and metals and mining sector funds were notable for inflows of $2.36 billion and $2 billion, respectively.

Investors, meanwhile, added a net $12.52 billion to bond funds, extending their recent buying streak into a third successive week.

They bought dollar-denominated medium-term bond funds of a net $2.14 billion and euro-denominated bond funds of approximately $1.6 billion.

Money market funds underwent a second successive weekly outflow, amounting to a net of $35.02 billion.

The gold and precious metals commodity funds segment drew $1.96 billion worth of weekly net investments, the 10th weekly inflow in 11 weeks.

In emerging markets, investors acquired equity funds of $7.6 billion, the largest amount for a week since October 2024. They also invested $1.42 billion into bond funds, data for a combined 28,718 funds showed.     

(Reporting by Gaurav Dogra; editing by Barbara Lewis)

Key Takeaways

  • Global equity fund inflows decreased significantly due to geopolitical tensions.
  • U.S. equity funds saw substantial outflows, reversing previous gains.
  • European and Asian equity funds experienced notable inflows.
  • Bond funds continued to attract investments for the third week.
  • Emerging markets saw the largest equity fund inflows since October 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an equity fund?
An equity fund is a type of mutual fund or exchange-traded fund that primarily invests in stocks or shares of companies, aiming for capital appreciation.
What are bond funds?
Bond funds are investment funds that invest in bonds or other debt securities, providing investors with regular income through interest payments.
What are inflows and outflows in investment funds?
Inflows refer to the money coming into an investment fund, while outflows are the money leaving the fund, affecting its overall performance.
What is diversification in investing?
Diversification is an investment strategy that involves spreading investments across various assets to reduce risk and improve returns.

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