Money-market funds (MMF) secured the lion's share of inflows last week, Bank of America strategists noted in their weekly report, a trend reflective of the quarter-end effect.
Specifically, MMFs attracted $81.8 billion last week, the largest in 13 weeks.
However, on an annualized basis, these funds are on track to amass an inflow of $1.2 trillion, positioning this year to potentially record the second-highest inflow ever.
The breakdown of inflows for the week includes $81.8 billion into cash, $14.2 billion in stocks, and $13.4 billion into bonds. Meanwhile gold attracted $900 million, while $200 million went into cryptocurrencies.
Sector-wise, tech funds drew $1.1 billion, with the first quarter witnessing the third-largest record inflow to technology at $18.6 billion. Meanwhile, the materials sector experienced an eighth consecutive week of inflows at $0.7 billion, marking its longest streak since May 2022.
Analysts assert that the current bull market's mantra remains “anything but bonds,” referring to strong performance across various markets, including a 40-year equity high in Japanese stocks, a 20-year high in European stocks, and new highs in the US market.
The strategists pinpoint the largest tactical risk to consensus in Q2 as a potential downturn in US payrolls amidst high living costs, “signaling Fed needs, and not just wants, to cut rates”
Delving into equity markets specifically, the US witnessed its second week of inflows at $7.1 billion and emerging market (EM) stocks saw a resumption of inflows, the largest in two months, at $3.8 billion. In contrast, Japan saw its 12th week of outflows at $1.2 billion while $600 million left Europe, marking a 14th straight week for that region.
As for fixed income, investment-grade (IG) bonds witnessed their "23rd week of inflows at $9.7b," with high-yield (HY) bonds seeing a resumption of inflows at $1.3 billion. Treasury bonds enjoyed their "8th week of inflow at $2.1b," and emerging market (EM) debt welcomed its "1st inflow in past 8 weeks at $300m," with bank loans recording their largest influx since April 2022 at $1.3 billion.
In fixed income, investment-grade bonds had their 23rd consecutive week of inflows, totaling $9.7 billion. High-yield bonds attracted $1.3 billion, Treasury bonds received $2.1 billion for the eighth week, and emerging market debt saw its first inflow in eight weeks at $300 million. Bank loans experienced their largest inflow since April 2022, also at $1.3 billion.