US-based stock funds posted $21.6 billion in withdrawals during the latest week, Lipper data showed on Thursday, adding to a trend of outflows from actively managed mutual funds that has lasted much of the year.
Taxable bond funds recorded $2 billion in outflows during the latest week, the data through December 21 showed, a smaller level of withdrawals than the $5.8 billion pulled the week prior.
Investors have pulled money from stock mutual funds despite a strong rally since the US presidential election. The stock gains are based on a premise that President-elect Donald Trump will enact policies that spur infrastructure spending and inflation while cutting financial regulatory red tape.
As a result, US stock prices have helped push the Dow Jones Industrial Average within arm's reach of the 20,000 milestone.
While benchmark indexes have gained ground, the Lipper data nonetheless showed a 41st consecutive week of withdrawals from stock mutual funds, many of which are actively run by portfolio managers seeking to beat the market.
Many exchange-traded funds, which merely track a market index, have been attracting money this year. But in the latest week, as investors settle up portfolios for year-end accounting, these funds also suffered net withdrawals.
The data this past week may overstate the degree of outflows because of end-of-year payouts by funds that are typically then reinvested quickly and will likely show up in future weeks as an inflow, a Thomson Reuters Lipper analyst said.