Investors pull money from equity funds as rising oil prices fuel inflation fears 11-Sep 18:21

Global equity funds recorded significant outflows in the week through September 9, as a surge in oil prices amid the U.S.-Iran ​war heightened concerns about inflation and rising borrowing costs.

LSEG Lipper ‌data showed that global equity funds recorded net outflows of $15.52 billion during the week, the largest since March 18, driven by net sales of $32.27 billion ​in U.S. equity funds.

European and Asian equity funds, however, recorded ​net inflows of $11.16 billion and $3.03 billion, respectively.

Brent crude hit a ⁠four-month high of $109.97 a barrel on Friday, after surpassing the ​key $100 threshold on Wednesday, fueling concerns that inflation would remain elevated and ​prompt major central banks to raise interest rates.

The U.S. producer price report released on Thursday, ahead of Friday's consumer price data, indicated that inflation remained firm in ​August, strengthening expectations of a rate hike by the Federal ​Reserve next week.

Sectoral funds, meanwhile, attracted net inflows of $2.92 billion, led by net purchases ‌of $1.89 ⁠billion in technology and $1.25 billion in financials.

Global bond funds attracted $8.95 billion, the smallest amount for a week since July 29.

Short-term bond funds attracted $6.65 billion, their second-largest weekly inflow in three months. Investors also ​bought $1.01 billion in ​loan participation funds ⁠and $743 million in government bond funds, while selling $2.37 billion in corporate bond funds.

Investors added money market funds ​of $10.72 billion in their second consecutive weekly purchase.

In ​commodity funds, ⁠gold and precious metals funds recorded net sales of $537 million after eight consecutive weeks of inflows. Energy, however, attracted $211 million.

In emerging markets, investors ⁠ended ​an eight-week streak of net purchases, posting ​net sales of $1.56 billion. Bond funds recorded a sixth consecutive weekly inflow of $537 million, ​data covering 28,984 funds showed.