Skip to main content
Smart Beta Compass

Factor Performance and Flows

In this section we review the recent performance of specific factor-driven indices that are tracked by relevant European-listed Smart Beta ETFs, and analyse the flows European and US-listed Smart Beta ETF categories by their relevant factor exposure.

Temps de lecture: 9 min
Ryan Reardon profile picture
Senior Equity ETF Strategist

The charts detail relative performance against cap-weighted market benchmarks across World/Global, USA, and Eurozone/Europe regions.

Market rally led by pro-cyclical small-cap and value stocks

US and European equities advanced in Q3. Europe lagged but value were the best performer within the region. The major geographic benchmarks posted positive returns: MSCI World (+7.3%), S&P 500® (+8%), EURO STOXX® (+4.1%), and MSCI Europe (+3.5%).

In the US small-cap and growth stocks significantly outperformed, while select value stocks were strong in both the US and Europe. The MSCI World Small Cap Index outperformed the MSCI World driven by stock selection in Industrials (+103bps) and Materials (+64bps).1

The MSCI Europe Value Exposure Select Index’s outperformance versus the MSCI Europe Index in Q3 due to positive stock selection in Financials (+111bps) and Consumer Staples (+110bps).2

Figure 1: Relative monthly performance versus the MSCI World Index

Relative monthly performance versus the MSCI World Index

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P., as of 30 September 2025. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends and other income as applicable. See Appendix for index details.

Figure 2: Relative monthly performance versus the S&P 500 Index

Relative monthly performance versus the S&P 500 Index

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P., as of 30 September 2025. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends and other income as applicable. See Appendix for index details.

Figure 3: Relative Monthly Performance versus the EURO STOXX® Index

Relative Monthly Performance versus the EURO STOXX® Index

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P., as of 30 September 2025. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. Index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends and other income as applicable. See Appendix for index details.

Smart Beta ETF flows

ETF flows continued in Dividend Stocks, with Volatility and Quality out of favour. European and US ETF investors took significant steps in positioning for income using dividend factor ETFs. European investors pulled cash from Quality and Low Vol, and US investors selling Quality and Size.

Figures 1 and 2 highlight the top and bottom two factors in each time period.

Figure 1: European-listed Smart Beta Flows (US$M)

European-listed Smart Beta Flows (US$M)

Source: Bloomberg Finance L.P., as of 30 September 2025. The top two (green) and bottom two (red) categories are highlighted in each time period. Flows are as of the date indicated and should not be relied upon thereafter.

More on Smart Beta