Asia Pacific ex-Japan ETF industry hits record $1.81 trillion in assets
25 MAR, 2026
By Joanna Piwko from RankiaPro Europe
The Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) exchange-traded fund (ETF) industry has reached a new milestone, with total assets climbing to a record $1.81 trillion at the end of February 2026, according to a report released by ETFGI.
The latest figures surpass the previous high of $1.76 trillion recorded in December 2025, marking a 2.9% increase year-to-date despite a volatile start to the year.
February Brings First Inflows of 2026
After a weak opening to the year, February marked a turning point for the region’s ETF market. The industry recorded net inflows of $34.37 billion, making it the first month of positive flows in 2026.
However, the earlier outflows still weigh on the broader picture, with year-to-date net outflows totaling $62.01 billion.
Market Performance Mixed Across Regions
According to Deborah Fuhr, founder and managing partner at ETFGI, global market performance showed mixed trends:
- The S&P 500 declined 0.76% in February, but remained slightly positive year-to-date.
- Developed markets outside the U.S. surged 6.03% in February and 12.55% year-to-date, led by strong performances in Korea and Luxembourg.
- Emerging markets also advanced, rising 2.47% in February and 8.11% year-to-date, with Thailand and Taiwan among the top performers.
Industry Structure and Leading Providers
By the end of February, the Asia Pacific ex-Japan ETF market included:
- 4,445 ETFs
- 4,690 listings
- 301 providers
- 21 exchanges across 15 countries
The market remains relatively concentrated at the top:
- China Asset Management leads with $115.72 billion in assets (6.4% market share)
- Samsung Asset Management follows with $109.06 billion (6.0%)
- E Fund Management ranks third with $100.50 billion (5.5%)
Together, the top three firms account for 17.9% of total ETF assets, while the remaining providers each hold less than 6%.
Asset Class Flows Show Diverging Trends
February inflows were spread across multiple ETF categories:
- Equity ETFs: $8.88 billion inflows, but $86.59 billion in YTD outflows
- Fixed Income ETFs: $5.50 billion inflows, with $8.12 billion YTD outflows
- Commodities ETFs: $5.47 billion inflows, boosting YTD inflows to $15.89 billion
- Active ETFs: $5.23 billion inflows, with $5.99 billion YTD inflows
Notably, the top 20 ETFs attracted a combined $19.92 billion in February, highlighting continued investor preference for large, established funds. The Samsung KODEX KOSDAQ 150 ETF led individual inflows, gathering $2.31 billion during the month.
Outlook
Despite ongoing volatility and early-year outflows, the February rebound and record asset level suggest resilient investor demand for ETFs in Asia Pacific markets. Analysts expect flows to remain sensitive to global market conditions, particularly shifts in U.S. equities and emerging market performance.
