Bond ETFs of Every Flavor Hammered by Building Inflation Bets

  • Investment-grade, high-yield and government debt post outflows
  • Meanwhile, investors pour cash into inflation-linked bond ETFs
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Exchange-traded funds across the bond spectrum are bleeding assets as investors brace for higher inflation.

The $46 billion iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF (LQD) has lost $7.4 billion in six weeks -- its worst-ever stretch of outflows, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Short interest as a percentage of shares outstanding on the $14 billion iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) is at a three-year high, IHS Markit Ltd. data show. Over $1 billion was pulled from the $10 billion SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF (JNK) in the biggest weekly exodus since last February.