# Global exchange-traded fund market trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20261023-global-exchange-traded-fund-market-trends
> Updated: 2026-10-23T11:39:12.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Global exchange-traded fund (ETF) assets reached $24.03 trillion by the end of August 2026, following nearly $2 trillion in net inflows during the first eight months of the year. This growth marks 87 consecutive months of net inflows. In the United States, passive funds accounted for 55% of fund assets by the end of 2025, surpassing actively managed funds. While traditional index investing remains the foundation, actively managed ETFs are a growing segment, holding approximately $2.72 trillion globally as of August 2026.

In the third quarter of 2026, gold ETFs specifically saw significant growth, reaching a record quarterly inflow of $30.7 billion. September alone saw $10 billion in inflows, following a $17.9 billion intake in August. This surge brought global gold ETF holdings to a record 4,256 tonnes. In India, gold ETF investments rose 71.4 per cent month-on-month in September, reaching Rs 4,451 crore, even as the broader Indian mutual fund industry experienced net outflows.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-23: Global ETF assets surpass $24 trillion as passive investing grows

Global ETF assets exceeded $24 trillion in August 2026, driven by nearly $2 trillion in year-to-date inflows and the continued dominance of passive investing strategies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-etf-assets-surpass-24-trillion-as-passive-investing-grows

### 2026-10-12: Gold ETF investments reach record highs globally and in India

Global gold ETF inflows reached a record $30.7 billion in Q3 2026, while Indian gold ETF investments surged 71.4% in September amid broader mutual fund outflows.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gold-etf-investments-reach-record-highs-globally-and-in-india

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Cite as: Global exchange-traded fund market trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20261023-global-exchange-traded-fund-market-trends