Investors make push into emerging markets ETFs says iShares

Inflows into emerging markets ETFs are accelerating as investors are showing a renewed appetite for opportunities outside of the developed markets, reports iShares, the world's leading Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) provider.

Inflows of net new assets into iShares' emerging markets ETFs have demonstrated a growth pattern in 2009, with March and April figures a peak for the year so far.

Key figures include:

Net new assets of €322 million attracted into iShares' range of emerging markets funds in March and April alone. This represents 84% of the full year inflows of €383 million (year to date).

The most popular of these products has been the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets fund, which has gathered net new assets of €171 million year to date.

Trading volumes in the emerging markets product range have also been strong with more than €2 billion of iShares' emerging markets ETFs traded in 2009 and €1,191 million of this taking place in March and April so far, a 26% increase compared with the same period last year.

Andrea Morresi, head of sales for iShares in Europe, commented: "Whilst inflows into fixed income products have continued there are indications that some investors are rediscovering an appetite for risk and looking for opportunities outside of the developed markets. iShares' range of emerging markets ETFs offers investors effective and cost-efficient vehicles to gain exposure to emerging market equities and bonds, and is ideal for establishing strategic asset allocations as well as for tactical investment opportunities."

For more information on iShares' range of emerging market ETFs, visit ishares.com