Goldman Sachs Predicts Record-Breaking $2 Trillion in U.S.-Listed ETF Flows by Year-End

U.S.-listed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are expected to break records in 2026, according to Goldman Sachs Global Banking & Markets. The bank predicts that these ETFs will attract a staggering $2 trillion in flows this year, representing a 40% increase over last year's levels.

This forecast comes after the first half of 2026 saw U.S.-listed ETFs experience net inflows exceeding $1 trillion. As a result, Goldman Sachs is anticipating a record-breaking full-year flow of more than $2 trillion.

The bank attributes this growth to innovation in the ETF market, which has led to the launch of over 1,100 new funds since last year alone. By the end of 2026, there are expected to be more than 6,000 listed ETFs in the U.S., surpassing the number of single stocks.

Not all innovation is seen as beneficial by experts, however. Morningstar has highlighted that leveraged and inverse single-stock ETFs have been underperforming, with the median fund losing 38% over the past four years while collecting over $6 billion in management fees.