ETFs attracted net inflows of $358 million last week

Exchange-traded funds attracted net inflows of $358 million last week, representing two straight months of positive new money coming into the funds, according to research sent to clients Monday by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.

Emerging markets stock funds were again strong with $1 billion. But that was offset by U.S. large-cap stock ETFs’ $2.1 billion outflows.

ETF assets stood entering today at $925 billion, up 18.5% so far this year.

During the past 13 weeks, nearly $41 billion of inflow had gone into ETFs. Of that amount, 46% went into emerging markets funds, according to MSSB’s analysts.

But the biggest gainer in terms of inflows during the week was theTechnology Select Sector SPDR (XLK).

“A number of XLK’s constituents reported earnings last week, undoubtedly leading to strong flows,” wrote Dominic Maister, lead ETF and closed-end fund analyst at the firm.

The biggest ETF by assets, the SPDR S&P 500 (SPY), had net outflows of $2.1 billion in the week.

So far this year, MSSB estimates SPY had net outflows of $7.8 billion through last week.

During the past 13-week run in ETF inflows, the analysts estimated that Vanguard Emerging Markets ETF (VWO) has collected the most new money — about $7.6 billion.