The balance of net assets in bond investment trusts, excluding money management funds, hit a record high for a fourth month in July.

The balance stood at 26.119 trillion yen at the end of the month, up 67.6 billion yen from June, the Investment Trusts Association said.

Industry analysts traced the strong performance to steady fund inflows amid ultra-low interest rates in Japan. By contrast, the balance of net assets in stock investment trusts fell 300.5 billion yen to 14.985 trillion yen amid a prolonged slump in prices on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The overall balance of net assets in investment trusts rebounded, rising 60.9 billion yen to hit 59.900 trillion yen.