Managed Futures Dominate Alternatives ETFs with Strong Weekly Performance and Inflows

Share

Weekly Channel Summary

The Alternatives ETF channel, encompassing 47 funds from 26 issuers, holds a total of $13.31 billion in assets under management. This past week, the channel attracted $119 million in net new assets. Year-to-date inflows now stand at a robust $3.44 billion, while the one-year total has reached $5.22 billion.

This Week’s Performance Leaders and Laggards

Managed Futures strategies led performance across the Alternatives channel, posting a 2.00% gain for the week. This positive momentum builds on a strong year, with the category now up 11.31% year-to-date. In contrast, Long Volatility funds struggled, declining by 1.04% over the week and extending their year-to-date losses to -23.62%.

Absolute Return Performance Snapshot

Absolute Return WTD 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month YTD 1 Year
Managed Futures 2.00% 4.59% 0.87% 6.87% 11.31% 20.51%
Multi-Strategy 0.53% 0.31% 1.57% 4.09% 6.32% 14.34%
Event Driven -0.02% 0.36% 0.69% 1.76% 2.28% 4.02%

Volatility Performance Snapshot

Volatility WTD 1 Month 3 Month 6 Month YTD 1 Year
Vol – Short -0.04% 2.36% 10.89% 0.99% 1.20% 18.61%
Vol – Long -1.04% -7.67% -30.57% -23.00% -23.62% -55.77%

Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by Weekly Performance

The Simplify Multi-QIS Alternative ETF (QIS) was the week’s top performer, returning 3.74%. Other managed futures funds also posted strong results, including the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) which gained 3.69%. At the other end of the spectrum, volatility-linked products faced headwinds, with the 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) declining by 2.36%.

Ticker Fund Name WTD Performance
Top Performers
QIS Simplify Multi-QIS Alternative ETF 3.74%
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF 3.69%
MFUT Cambria Chesapeake Pure Trend ETF 2.94%
TFPN Blueprint Chesapeake Multi-Asset Trend ETF 2.32%
KMLM KraneShares Mount Lucas Managed Futures Index Strategy ETF 2.19%
Bottom Performers
UVIX 2x Long VIX Futures ETF -2.36%
ZVOL Volatility Premium Plus ETF -2.19%
UVXY ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF -1.38%
VIXY ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF -0.97%
SPCK SPAC and New Issue ETF -0.58%

Analyzing the Weekly Flows

Investors directed a net $119 million into the Alternatives channel over the past week. Managed Futures funds were the primary destination for new capital, attracting $146 million in net inflows. Conversely, Long Volatility strategies experienced the largest redemptions, with investors pulling a net $37 million from the category.

Absolute Return Flows Summary

Absolute Return Fund Count AUM 5 Day 30 Day 90 Day YTD 1 Year
Managed Futures 16 $7.76B $146M $50M $894M $2,645M $3,669M
Multi-Strategy 12 $2.81B $14M $275M $697M $873M $1,103M
Event Driven 8 $424M -$2M -$6M -$10M -$31M $1M

Volatility Flows Summary

Volatility Fund Count AUM 5 Day 30 Day 90 Day YTD 1 Year
Vol – Short 5 $1.06B -$2M -$43M -$192M -$131M -$500M
Vol – Long 6 $1.26B -$37M -$1M $261M $79M $946M

Top & Bottom 5 ETFs by 5-Day Flow

The iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF (DBMF) led all funds with $87 million in weekly net inflows, followed by several other managed futures products. Despite being one of the week’s top performers, the Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF (CTA) saw the largest outflows at -$47 million. The 2x Long VIX Futures ETF (UVIX) also experienced significant redemptions, shedding $39 million.

Ticker Fund Name 5-Day Flow
Inflows
DBMF iMGP DBi Managed Futures Strategy ETF $87M
KMLM KraneShares Mount Lucas Managed Futures Index Strategy ETF $49M
FFUT Fidelity Managed Futures ETF $48M
VIXM ProShares VIX Mid-Term Futures ETF $13M
FLSP Franklin Systematic Style Premia ETF $8M
Outflows
CTA Simplify Managed Futures Strategy ETF -$47M
UVIX 2x Long VIX Futures ETF -$39M
UVXY ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF -$13M
VIXY ProShares VIX Short-Term Futures ETF -$4M
SVXY ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF -$3M

Issuer League Table Update

iM remains the dominant issuer in the Alternatives space, commanding a 30.61% market share, followed by Simplify at 16.85%. This week, iM also led all issuers in asset gathering, bringing in $87 million in net new money. In contrast, Simplify experienced the largest net outflows among issuers, with redemptions totaling $49 million.

Top 5 Issuers by AUM

Brand Fund Count AUM AUM Market Share
iM 1 $4.07B 30.61%
Simplify 5 $2.24B 16.85%
New York Life Investments 2 $1.26B 9.47%
Franklin 1 $1.02B 7.66%
ProShares 6 $752M 5.65%

Top & Bottom 3 Issuers by 5-Day Flow

Brand 5-Day Flow
Inflows
iM $87M
KraneShares $49M
Fidelity $48M
Outflows
Simplify -$49M
Volatility Shares -$38M
ProShares -$6M

For a deeper dive into these trends, access our FREE, in-depth Alternative ETF reports in the right side panel of this page.

Disclosures

This material is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. All investments, including ETFs, involve risk, including the possible loss of principal. Investors should consider their investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing.

This analysis was developed by the team at ETF Action. We leverage advanced AI tools to assist in the drafting and refinement of our content, based on our expert prompts, direction, and final review.