Exchange-traded product flows slow in April, but year-to-date totals up 21% from 2012

Despite slowing in April to $10.3 billion (from $23 billion in March), global exchange-traded product inflows totaled $79.9 billion through the end of April, up 20.5% compared to the first four months of 2012. According to BlackRock's ETP Landscape for the month of April, equity inflows totaled $9.6 billion during the month, driven largely by Japanese equity funds, which saw $4.8 billion of inflows. Fixed-income inflows totaled $9.5 billion for the month. Gold ETP outflows were $8.7 billion in April, bringing the year-to-date outflow total to $17.9 billion, as the metal fell 12% from the beginning of the year through April 30.