Euro falls as French debt concerns weigh on currency
The euro was heading for weekly losses against the dollar and yen, while traders awaited policy meetings at three major central banks.
Global equity fund inflows rise to $28.16 billion
Asian equity funds recorded their biggest weekly inflow since at least December 2022, while technology funds returned to net purchases.
Investors added a net $28.16 billion to global equity funds in the week ended October 21, extending their run of inflows to five weeks, LSEG Lipper data showed. The total increased from $19.88 billion a week earlier, amid lower Treasury yields and stronger-than-expected early corporate earnings.
Asian equity funds led regional purchases with $11.53 billion, the highest weekly inflow since at least December 2022. European funds received $9.14 billion, while US equity funds took in $5.07 billion.
Technology funds drew $5.05 billion after investors withdrew $4.77 billion the previous week. Healthcare funds attracted $1.83 billion, but consumer discretionary funds recorded outflows of $1.29 billion.
Early earnings results provided support for investor sentiment. Nearly 18% of companies in the MSCI All Country World Index had reported, and about 73% of those beat the average analyst forecast, LSEG data showed.
Bond funds worldwide received $9.44 billion, also extending their inflow streak to five weeks. Swiss franc-denominated funds attracted $6.8 billion, their largest weekly intake since at least November 2024. Short-term bond funds gained $2.78 billion, while high-yield and government bond funds lost $1.68 billion and $550 million, respectively.
Money market funds took in $15.86 billion, reversing the previous week's $47.51 billion withdrawal. Gold and other precious metals funds received $1.29 billion, their fifth week of inflows in six weeks, while energy funds attracted $41.5 million.
Separately, data tracking 29,174 emerging market funds showed equity purchases of $6.28 billion, the largest weekly net inflow since August 5. Emerging market bond funds recorded withdrawals of $48.72 million.