The global actively managed ETF industry closed the first half of 2026 on a record-setting note. According to ETFGI's June 2026 Active ETF and ETP industry landscape report, the sector pulled in US$89.13 billion of net new money during June alone, pushing year-to-date net inflows to an unprecedented US$500.88 billion. Total industry assets now stand at US$2.56 trillion, eclipsing the previous all-time high of US$2.49 trillion set just one month earlier at the end of May.
Active ETFs Reach Record Scale Worldwide
At the end of June 2026, the global active ETF industry comprised 5,524 actively managed ETFs with 7,582 exchange listings, managed by 724 providers across 49 exchanges in 39 countries, a footprint that underscores how thoroughly active management has gone global. The number of products alone tells a striking growth story: active ETFs have expanded from just 35 ETFs in 2009 to 5,524 ETFs by the end of June 2026, while assets over the same period grew from just US$2 billion to US$2.56 trillion, highlighting the extraordinary scale of the industry's growth.
A Record First Half for Active ETFs
The scale of 2026's growth becomes clear when set against recent history. Year-to-date inflows have already more than doubled the previous full-year record of US$266.48 billion set in 2025, far exceeding the US$152.87 billion gathered in 2024. Assets have risen 34.2% since the start of the year, up from US$1.93 trillion at the end of 2025.
June also marked the 75th consecutive month of net inflows into actively managed ETFs globally, a streak that underscores how deeply active management has become embedded in the broader ETF ecosystem, traditionally dominated by passive index-tracking strategies.
Ten-Year Growth Trajectory
The 10-year CAGR for combined ETF/ETP assets now sits at 47.0%, with year-to-date growth alone hitting 34.2%, underscoring the industry's rapid growth over the past decade.
Breaking Down June's Record Flows
Equity Strategies Lead, Fixed Income Accelerates
Equity-focused active ETFs remained the dominant driver of flows. They gathered US$56.70 billion in June, lifting year-to-date inflows to US$298.88 billion, more than double the US$148.61 billion collected over the same period in 2025.
Fixed income active ETFs also had a standout half-year, taking in US$16.64 billion in June and US$153.44 billion year-to-date, well ahead of the US$102.81 billion recorded through June 2025. This suggests investors are using active fixed-income vehicles not just for yield but also for more tactical duration and credit positioning amid shifting rate expectations.
Where the Biggest ETF Flows Landed
Flows remained highly concentrated in June. The top 20 actively managed ETFs by net new assets collectively attracted US$33.08 billion, representing approximately 37% of the month's global active ETF inflows. The Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM US) led the rankings with US$9.35 billion in June inflows and US$19.74 billion year-to-date, making it the single largest recipient of new assets during the month. The fund's focus on semiconductor memory companies reflects continued investor demand for AI infrastructure and related technology themes. Large allocations also flowed into active value, fixed income, factor rotation, CLO, and leveraged single-stock products.
The list also highlights how differently size and momentum can play out across funds. iShares' DYNF, the largest fund in this group at US$38.0 billion in assets, added a comparatively modest US$1.04 billion in June. Despite having a smaller asset base (US$25.9 billion versus DYNF's US$38.0 billion), DRAM attracted nearly nine times as much new money during June. The comparison illustrates that fund size and monthly inflows don't necessarily move together, with newer thematic strategies often attracting stronger growth than larger, more established funds.
A Fragmented Market Despite Record Growth
Despite the record flows, no single provider dominates. Dimensional leads with US$302.98 billion in assets (11.8% market share), narrowly ahead of JP Morgan Asset Management at US$299.87 billion (11.7%), with iShares in third at US$174.88 billion (6.8%). Together, the top three providers control just 30.3% of global active ETF AUM out of 724 total providers. None of the remaining 721 providers individually accounts for more than 6% of global active ETF assets.
The fragmented market structure suggests there remains ample room for challenger issuers and specialist strategies to gain market share despite the industry's rapid expansion.
Record ETF Flows Defied Mixed Markets
Flows accelerated even as equity markets cooled somewhat in June. The S&P 500 slipped 0.95% for the month but held a 10.21% year-to-date gain. Developed markets ex-US fell 0.91% in June (still up 14.28% YTD), with Luxembourg (-14.45%) and Israel (-11.93%) among the weakest performers. Emerging markets declined 1.50% in June, trimming their YTD gain to 9.77%, dragged down by Indonesia (-8.64%) and the Czech Republic (-6.03%).
The resilience of active ETF inflows despite weaker equity market performance suggests investors increasingly view active ETFs as tools for tactical positioning and risk management, rather than simply vehicles for chasing market momentum.
What Comes Next for Active ETFs
With 1,019 new actively managed ETFs launched by 253 providers during the first half of 2026, innovation remains a defining feature of the industry. If the current pace continues, the active ETF market is on track to set fresh records for assets, inflows, and product launches by year-end.
Bottom Line
The first half of 2026 has cemented actively managed ETFs as one of the fastest-growing segments of the global investment industry. Record inflows, a rapidly expanding product universe, and continued demand across equity, fixed income, and thematic strategies underscore a structural shift in how investors are using ETFs. While a handful of funds captured a disproportionate share of June's inflows, the industry's fragmented provider landscape and accelerating pace of product launches suggest competition and innovation remain far from exhausted.
