Investors poured $481.1 million into the SPDR Gold Shares ETF (NYSEArca: GLD) in the wake of the Fed’s decision to extend its easy-money policies until 2014. GLD was the No. 1 ETF on IndexUniverse’s “Top 10 Creations” list, making it the leading edge of net inflows that helped lift total U.S.-listed ETF assets to a record.

Net inflows were $891.91 million and total assets under management rose to a record $1.141 trillion from $1.133 trillion on Tuesday, Jan. 24, according to data compiled by IndexUniverse. The new record eclipsed the $1.138 trillion reached on April 29, 2011, just before concerns about the eurozone began to hurt equity prices around the world, especially in the emerging markets.

The Fed’s pledge helped lift stocks to an eight-month high and also fueled the rise in total ETF assets. The Dow Jones industrial average rose yesterday 81.21 points, or 0.6 percent, to close at 12, 756.96. The Fed’s commitment to keep interest rates low, and its setting an inflation target of 2 percent, drove the rally. The S&P 500 gained 11.41 points, or 0.9 percent, to close at 1,326.06.

Many analysts, traders and money managers reckon an extension of the Fed’s easy-money policies could put a bid back into equity markets while at the same time push up precious metals prices among investors who see the Fed’s policies weakening the dollar. That dollar weakening makes gold and other commodities priced in the U.S. currency rise in value. Gold is also viewed as a store of value at a time when many fiat currencies are losing value, which gives it upside potential beyond some other commodities. Gold rose $35.60, or 2.14 percent yesterday, to $1,699.80 a troy ounce.

The No. 2 fund on the creations list was the iShares iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate Bond Fund (NYSEArca: HYG), which had inflows of $205.6 million. The No. 3 fund on the list was the iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond Fund (NYSEArca: LQD), which had inflows of $170.7 million.

Wednesday was also a strong day for bonds, with U.S.-focused fixed-income ETFs garnering inflows of $614.1 million.

Redemptions

The No. 1 fund on IndexUniverse’s “Top 10 Redemptions” list was the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (NYSEArca: SPY), which had outflows of $1.068 billion. SPY still remains just above the $100 billion mark after crossing that threshold last Friday.

The No. 2 fund on the redemptions list was the iPath S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures ETN (NYSEArca: VXX), which had outflows of $106.6 million. The No. 3 fund on the list was the CurrencyShares Euro Trust (NYSEArca: FXE), which had outflows of $90.4 million.

Top 10 Creations (All ETFs)

Top 10 Redemptions (All ETFs)

ETF Daily Flows By Asset Class

Top 10 Volume Surprises, Funds >$50 mm AUM

Top 10 1-Day Performers, Excluding Leverage/Inverse Funds and <1,000 Shares Traded

Disclaimer: All data as of 6 a.m. Eastern time the date the article is published. Data is believed to be accurate; however, transient market data is often subject to subsequent revision and correction by the exchanges.