U.S. equity fund inflows rise on earnings optimism, AI boost

U.S. equity funds saw their biggest weekly net inflows in four weeks through April 22, drawing $27.98 billion as upbeat Q1 corporate results and AI-linked deal activity lifted risk appetite. LSEG data showed 82% of 134 S&P 500 firms beat mean analyst estimates, while Amazon’s plan to invest up to $25 billion in Anthropic helped spur demand for tech-focused funds. Sector funds took in $7.1 billion (tech $5.03bn, industrial $994m, financials $991m); growth funds received $4.92bn and value funds $1.47bn. Bond funds reversed recent sales to attract about $3.4bn, led by general domestic taxable and short-to-intermediate investment-grade categories. Money market funds saw net redemptions of $16.1bn. Overall, flows point to renewed risk-on positioning with notable rotation into tech and sector ETFs and modest re-entry into fixed income.