State Street Global Advisors reports that ETF assets in the US totaled $580 billion at the end of September, down $2.9 billion or 0.5% for the month.

The overall asset decline was moderate compared to price levels for stocks and bonds.  In September, the S&P 500 lost 8.9% and the Barclays Capital US Aggregate Credit Index fell 1.34%.

The ETF asset decline was cushioned by new money coming into ETFs.  For example, State Street’s SPDR S&P 500 (SPY) had positive cash flow of more than $20 billion for the month.

Movement between sectors was also active in September.  Financials, energy and consumer staples saw assets climb over 20% while assets for the technology sector declined nearly 17%.