(Bloomberg) — A Chinese exchange-traded fund tracking the tech-heavy ChiNext Index drew the largest inflow amongst ETFs worldwide last week, as retail investors chased returns that surged after an economic stimulus blitz.

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The E Fund ChiNext Price Index ETF attracted 35 billion yuan ($5.3 billion) of net inflows last week, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. That’s helped the ETF nearly double its market capitalization throughout the nine trading sessions between the central bank’s stimulus announcement and the tip of last week — while the underlying ChiNext gauge rose a more modest 37%.

The E fund has been one among the many go-to buys for the so-called National Team of state-owned funds during stock market routs. But last week’s surge is also more attributable to retail investors, who’re increasingly preferring ETFs as an answer to buy equities.

Most of last week’s inflows came on Oct. 9, the first trading day allowed for retail traders who opened accounts over the Golden Week holiday, based on Bloomberg-compiled data. As a technique to trade ChiNext-listed shares directly, recent retail investors must establish at least 24 months of trading record. Buying through ETFs may very well be easier for rookie traders who might have been tempted by ChiNext’s back-to-back double-digit weekly gains.

–With assistance from Jack Wang.

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