Assets held in UCITS and AIFs have exceeded €20trn for the first time ever, according to the latest monthly data from the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA).

Net assets increased by 0.8% to €20.04trn in May, driven by strong sales of equity and multi-asset funds in the month.

Thomas Tilley, senior economist, said: "Net assets of UCITS and AIFs breached the €20 trillion threshold for the first time ever in May, thanks to solid net sales and the strong performance of global stock markets in recent months"

Highlights in the data included:

  • Net sales of UCITS and AIFs totalled €64bn down from €96bn in April 2021.
  • UCITS recorded net inflows of €55bn, compared to €97bn in April 2021.
  • Long-term UCITS (UCITS excluding money market funds) recorded €64bn of net sales, down from €89bn in April 2021.
  • Equity funds recorded net sales of €29bn compared to €48bn in April 2021.
  • Bond funds registered net inflows of €15bn down from €20bn in April 2021.
  • Multi-asset funds recorded net inflows of €17bn, similar to €17bn in April 2021.
  • UCITS money market funds recorded net outflows of €8bn compared to net inflows of €8bn in April 2021.
  • AIFs registered net inflows of €8bn, compared to net outflows of €1bn in April 2021.
  • The total net assets of UCITS and AIFs increased by 0.8% to €20,040bn.