![USO's Outflows Surged Amid Oil Price Retreat](/files/images/20240426/5c21bd45425c4c38aa4daea07e.jpeg)
The largest pure-play oil-focused ETF lost 20% of its assets in outflows in a single day this week—showing investors less bullish on the commodity and looking to take profits.
The $1.3 billion United States Oil Fund (USO) lost $370 million in outflows on April 23, according to etf.com data. Through April 25, investors have drained a net $400 million from the oil fund so far this year while it's gained 20%, far outpacing the S&P 500’s 6% gain.
The outflows came as crude oil futures fell in the past week on weaker-than-expected U.S. economic growth and rising crude oil inventories. West Texas Intermediate U.S. crude oil fell below $83 on Wednesday, the same day as the outflows. Crude oil prices were previously at a six-month high earlier this month when they breached nearly $88.
Over the past year, oil has been one of the biggest gainers in the U.S. stock market, driven by geopolitical instability and supply constraints, according to analysts. Year to date, oil has gained about 15%, according to CNBC, outpacing the S&P 500. The commodity has risen as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cuts production and global instability persists in Ukraine and the Middle East.
Oil ETF Performance
Oil ETFs have been some of the year’s best-performing funds, according to etf.com data. Yet those same funds have been bleeding outflows as investors look to take profits. The $41 billion Energy Select SPDR (XLE) , which tracks a market-cap-weighted index of energy firms, has climbed 16% this year so far, even as it has bled $221 million over the same time period.
Yet many are still bullish about the price of oil still having room to run. The U.S. Energy Information Administration said in mid-April they were raising their forecast for average oil prices from $87 a barrel to $89 per barrel this year.
Contact Lucy Brewster at [email protected] .
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