(Reuters) – U.S. equity fund outflows in week to November 17th were the result of six consecutive inflows. This was because investors weighed in on the prospect of Federal Reserve early rate hikes amid rising consumer prices, and strong retail consumption.

Refinitiv Lipper data indicated that the net outflow of $1.98billion in U.S. equity funds by investors was the first since September 29, 2009.

Graphic: Fund flows into U.S. equities bonds and money market funds – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/klpykdodjpg/Fund%20flows%20into%20U.S.%20equities%20bonds%20and%20money%20market%20funds.jpg

The net sales of large-cap and mid-cap U.S equity funds were $4.56 billion, and $477 millions, respectively. However, inflows to small-cap funds totaled $193 million.

U.S. values funds received $1.32 billion in the first week of weekly inflows in five weeks. Growth funds, however, faced an outflow of $3.26 billion for the third week.

Graphic: Fund flows into U.S. growth and value funds – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/zjpqkwgwgpx/Fund%20flows%20into%20U.S.%20growth%20and%20value%20funds.jpg

After outflows totalling $1.56 trillion in the week prior, technology funds bought $484 million. The outflows to healthcare and financial funds was $482 million. Utilities and industrials saw net sales exceeding $300 million.

Graphic: Flows into US equity sector funds – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/dwvkreneypm/Flows%20into%20US%20equity%20sector%20funds.jpg

U.S. bond funds received $5.49 Billion in net purchases last week, which is a 39% decline in the inflows. The net inflows to U.S. tax bond funds were $4.18 billion, while U.S. municipal bonds funds received $1.19 billion.

U.S. Treasury and short/intermediate governments received $1.65 Billion, which is the largest inflow over the past three weeks. U.S. investment-grade short/intermediate funds received $914 M after an outflow the week before.

Inflation-linked funds attracted $1.48 Billion, and U.S. Mortgage funds experienced outflows in the range of $237 M.

In the meantime, net U.S. purchases totaled$11.96 trillion, which is the highest inflow over three weeks.

Graphic: Flows into US bond funds – https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/mkt/mypmnkwklvr/Flows%20into%20US%20bond%20funds.jpg