October ETF Scorecard

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- ETF investors flocked to emerging market funds in October.

While the purchase of funds like Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets(VWO) and iShares MSCI Emerging Markets(EEM) was by far the most dominant trend based on flows, fixed income remains a significant destination of investor dollars.

Money was focused on inflation-protected securities and the short end of the yield curve, and a popular corporate bond ETF, iShares iBoxx Investment Grade Corporate Bond (LQD) even saw significant outflows.

Vanguard MSCI Emerging Markets(VW0) saw $2.2 billion in net inflows last month, closely followed by the $1.76 billion that flowed into iShares MSCI Emerging Markets(EEM).

The sum of these two net inflows was equivalent to 45% of the net inflows across all ETFs and ETNs -- and they weren't the only emerging market funds with sizable inflows. Market Vectors Russia(RSX) had $238 million in inflows and, more impressively, Market Vectors Brazil Small Cap(BRF) had $195 million - which was equivalent to 67% of its September 30 AUM.

All together, the net inflows for all global and international equity long ETFs in October was $7.47 billion, or 85% of net inflows and more than 50% of the gross inflows of $13.88 billion.

The next four largest inflows were for U.S. bond funds, led by iShares Barclays TIPS(TIP), with $589 million in net inflows; iShares Barclays 1-3 Year Credit(CSJ), $392 million; Vanguard Barclays Total Bond(BND), $356 million; and Vanguard Barclays Short Term Bond(BSV), $327 million.

iShares JPM USD Emerging Market Bond(EMB), also a U.S. dollar-denominated bond fund, was eight in terms of inflows, with $302 million.

The sum of all long bond inflows was $3.07 billion, showing investors' appetites for bonds remains strong, with the inflation protected and short-end of the yield curve most popular -- a sign of continued inflation fears. In conjunction with the huge inflows into emerging markets, it signals investors are not optimistic about the U.S. dollar and/or what that means for interest rates.