U.S. money market mutual funds took in a net $162 billion in 2018, the bulk of which came amid the market's disastrous fourth quarter. Bond funds saw net flows significantly drop off during the year, adding only a net $35 billion after net inflows of $109 billion and $267.5 billion in 2017 and 2016, respectively.
U.S. equity outflows in 2018 were consistent with 2017, both around $142 billion.
A look at 2018 quarterly flows summarizes the markets 2018 rather well, particularly in terms of money market funds. The asset class received $159 billion in inflows in the fourth quarter, after three quarters when net inflows totaled only $2 billion. U.S. equity fund holders perhaps saved themselves from further losses as the year's largest outflows came in the third quarter when the market was at its peak.
