ETFs: “Buying continues apace”

Despite concerns about possible new trade tariffs, index funds remain in high demand. Equity ETFs in particular are highly sought after across all regions. Also in focus: gold and silver ETCs and mining companies.
 

October 14, 2025. The abrupt—and perhaps only temporary—end to the stock market rally at the end of last week did little to dampen the positive mood in ETF trading. “Despite Friday's weakness, we had around 30 percent more purchases than sales on balance, with a clear increase in turnover,” reports Holger Heinrich of Baader Bank AG. Ivo Orlemann of ICF Bank also reports that there is “lots of buying” with significantly higher turnover. Purchases predominate in Société Générale's trading, accounting for 65 percent of the total. According to Frank Mohr, there is “significantly more activity than normal,” especially in the equity ETF segment.

Great interest in global and US ETFs

Orders are coming in from all regions. Mohr observes a clear buying surplus for global and US index funds. The iShares Core MSCI World (IE00B4L5Y983) and the ETFs on the S&P 500 from Amundi (LU0496786657) and iShares (IE00B5BMR087). Heinrich has noticed a noticeable upturn in the US segment, “especially for broadly diversified and factor-oriented strategies.” The UBS Core MSCI USA hEUR (IE00BD4TYG73) is in particularly high demand. The JPM US Equity Premium Income Active (IE0000EAPBT6) and the iShares Edge MSCI USA Multifactor (<IE00BZ0PKS76>) are also benefiting from increased interest.

German and European stocks are also in demand

European stocks also remain in demand. Heinrich sees strong buying activity here, with a focus on sustainability and dividend strategies. Funds such as iShares Core MSCI Europe (IE000MAO75G5), Xtrackers MSCI EMU High Dividend Yield ESG (IE000VCBWFL8), and Invesco MSCI Europe ESG Climate Paris Aligned (IE000TI21P14) are in demand. Mohr reports purchases of the Xtrackers MSCI Europe (LU0274209237), the Amundi Core Stoxx Europe 600 (LU0908500753) and the iShares Edge MSCI Europe Momentum Factor (IE00BQN1K786). The iShares Core DAX (DE0005933931) is also currently one of the most purchased funds.

Focus on technology, defense, and precious metals

Tech stocks continue to dominate the sectors. Orlemann reports strong demand for VanEck Semiconductor (IE00BMC38736) and VanEck Space Innovators (IE000YU9K6K2). The fund bundles shares from companies in the aerospace industry and is also very popular with Société Générale's clients. “This ETF provider is always well ahead of the curve with exciting topics,” explains Mohr. 
Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data (IE00BGV5VN51), iShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector (IE00B3WJKG14) and iShares Digital Security (IE00BG0J4C88) also remain popular. The tech segment is also in focus outside the US market. This is evidenced by strong demand for the Invesco MSCI China Technology All Shares Stock Connect (IE00BM8QS095).

Record prices for gold and silver attract buyers

Orlemann also reports strong interest in the continuing boom in the precious metals segment, including mining stocks. Gold and silver have reached new all-time highs. Gold and silver ETCs from WisdomTree (JE00BN2CJ301, JE00B1VS3333) are being bought, as are L&G Gold Mining (IE00B3CNHG25) and Global X Silver Miners (IE000UL6CLP7) in the equity ETF segment.