U.S. equity funds notch up biggest weekly inflow in seven weeks

(Reuters) – Investors were net buyers of U.S. equity funds in the week to Aug. 10, on bets that the Federal Reserve would slow the pace of its interest rate hikes as inflation concerns subside.

Refinitiv Lipper data showed $4.21 billion in net purchases of U.S. equity funds, their biggest weekly inflow since June 22.

Data released on Wednesday showed U.S. consumer prices were unchanged in July, prompting some traders to cut bets to a 50 bps hike at the Fed’s September meeting.

Some market participants were earlier anticipating a third straight 75 bps interest rate increase in September.

U.S. small-cap funds attracted $192 million, while large-cap funds had purchases of $7.6 billion, the biggest inflow since May 25. Mid-cap funds recorded $294 million of net selling.

Data for growth and value funds showed investors acquired funds totalling $2.46 billion and $26 million respectively.

U.S. consumer staples and healthcare funds notched up inflows of $487 million and $345 million respectively, but tech funds saw outflows of $852 million.

Meanwhile, bond funds witnessed inflows of $1.15 billion, as purchases continued for a second straight week.

U.S. bond fund purchases were broadly into government funds, with U.S. government and treasury fixed income funds, and U.S. short/intermediate government and treasury funds attracting $1.88 billion and $540 million, respectively.

Money market funds had disposals of $12.19 billion as net selling continued for a second week.

(Reporting by Gaurav Dogra and Patturaja Murugaboopathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Alexander Smith)