FRANKFURT (DEUTSCHE BOERSE AG) - Energy prices remain the primary focus, keeping oil and gas ETFs and ETCs highly active. Notably, tech ETFs are regaining significant traction, while European equities are also moving further into the spotlight.
April 15, 2026. FRANKFURT (Deutsche Börse). Market volatility is driving high volumes in ETF trading. "Buying interest is clearly dominant," reports Frank Mohr of Société Générale. While World and US equities continue to account for the largest share of turnover, "the proportion of European equities is rising." At ICF Bank, Ivo Orlemann notes that oil and gas ETCs remain a focal point. "Trading in equity ETFs has become somewhat quieter."
The price of oil briefly fell to 93 US dollars per barrel of Brent following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Iran conflict, but has since rebounded. By Tuesday noon, the price stood at nearly 99 US dollars.
According to Orlemann, the WisdomTree WTI Crude Oil 3x Daily Leveraged ETC (IE00BMTM6B32) is seeing exceptionally high turnover. Also popular are the WisdomTree Brent Crude Oil (JE00B78CGV99) and the WisdomTree Brent Crude Oil 2x Daily Leveraged (JE00BDD9QD91), both of which are ETCs.
Oil and gas ETFs are also seeing significant activity. Mohr reports two-way flow with a slight selling bias. Positions are being taken in the iShares MSCI World Energy Sector (IE00BJ5JP105), while the iShares Stoxx Europe 600 Oil & Gas (DE000A0H08M3) is being offloaded.
Focus on high-dividend stocks
Regarding broad-based equity ETFs, Mohr observes substantial buying in World and US equities, such as MSCI World trackers from iShares or Amundi (IE00B4L5Y983, LU2572257124), the Amundi Global Equity Quality Income (LU0832436512), and the Vanguard FTSE All-World (IE00BK5BQT80). ICF is seeing inflows into the Global X Superdividend (IE00077FRP95) and the VanEck Morningstar Developed Markets Dividend Leaders (NL0011683594), both of which target high-dividend stocks globally.
In the US equity space, Mohr notes that the iShares S&P 500 (IE00B5BMR087) and the State Street SPDR S&P 400 US Mid Cap (IE00B4YBJ215) are high on buy lists. "Nasdaq ETFs are also in demand," he adds. The Nasdaq 100 has rallied strongly since its recent low in late March and is approaching its all-time high.
For European equities, Mohr reports mixed flows; German stocks are seeing more buying, while Eurozone equities are facing selling pressure, particularly Euro Stoxx 50 ETFs. "Emerging market equities are no longer as sought after as they were in late 2025 and early 2026," he adds.
World ETFs particularly popular
Inflows into European UCITS ETFs slowed in March, according to issuer Amundi. Furthermore, ETF investors rebalanced their portfolios in response to the Iran conflict. Global strategies led the way, accounting for more than half of total net inflows (6 billion euros). Developed European markets followed with an increase of 3.7 billion euros. US equity ETFs saw outflows of 543 million euros. Net inflows into emerging markets dropped to just 29 million euros due to the stronger US dollar, compared to 9.5 billion euros in February.
Tech stocks: Heading for all-time highs
Despite high turnover in oil and gas ETFs, tech stocks are once again dominating sector tracker activity. Mohr reports they account for a significant 60 percent of turnover. "Most of this is buying." Examples include the iShares S&P 500 Information Technology Sector (IE00B3WJKG14), the Xtrackers MSCI World Information Technology (IE00BM67HT60), and the Xtrackers Artificial Intelligence & Big Data (IE00BGV5VN51). All three have recently posted gains, though they have yet to reclaim their November peaks.
A rarer appearance on the turnover lists of Société Générale and ICF is the VanEck Space Innovators (IE000YU9K6K2), providing exposure to the aerospace industry. "This is likely due to the lunar orbit mission," Mohr remarks. The ETF was launched in June 2022, and its price has more than quadrupled since then.
Money market products: "Established in cash management"
Bond ETF trading is currently taking a back seat. "At around 12 percent, the share is well below the usual third," Mohr notes. Money market trackers, such as those from Amundi (FR0010510800) or Xtrackers (LU0290358497), are at the top of the turnover lists. "Money market ETFs have become firmly established in cash management."
By Anna-Maria Borse, April 15, 2026, © Deutsche Börse AG
(Deutsche Börse AG is solely responsible for the content of this column. The articles do not constitute an invitation to buy or sell securities or other assets.)
