Investment fund assets worldwide increased 4.8% during the fourth quarter of 2016, to reach €41.29 trillion at end of the year.
The year asset growth reached 9.9% and in the final quarter was led by equity funds. Worldwide net cash inflows decreased from €432 billion in the third quarter to €388 billion in the fourth quarter, reflecting a sharp decrease in net flows into bond funds, said the European Fund and Asset Management Association (Efama).
Equity funds recorded net inflows of €114 billion, compared to €40 billion in the third quarter. Bond funds, meanwhile, recorded net inflows of €107 billion, compared to €253 billion in the third quarter.
Long-term funds (all funds excluding money market funds) recorded net inflows of €318 billion during the fourth quarter, compared to €390 billion in the previous quarter.
Net inflows into balanced/mixed funds totaled €64 billion, compared to €59 billion in the previous quarter.
At the end of 2016, assets of equity funds represented 40% and bond funds represented 22% of all investment fund assets worldwide.
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