Emerging market ETFs saw inflows from leveraged accounts, as "loans for investing" into international equities grew 5% this quarter. Currency stability is critical for sustaining these trends. That Grad PLUS shortfall hits a relatively small share of students but an outsized share of dollars. Only about 16% of graduate students have relied on Grad PLUS loans, but the program accounted for 32% of federal-loan disbursements, according to a report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workplace. The reason: Those who tapped it were often enrolled in the most expensive programs. Commodities rally is feeding into equity markets, with leveraged participation—via "loans for investing"—noted in agriculture and soft commodities. Supply chain data points to potential price resilience. Infrastructure-focused funds are attracting loan-based investments, with "loans for investing" helping finance positions in construction and materials firms. Public spending forecasts support medium-term growth.
