Bond investing dipped in 2010

U.S. investors spent most of 2010 withdrawing more money from U.S. stock mutual funds and exchange-traded funds than they were putting in. They withdrew a net $42 billion last year, according to preliminary data Tuesday from fund tracker EPFR Global.

• BOND BOOM FALTERS: Investors added a net $174 billion into U.S. bond funds. That fell short of the record $213 billion that flowed in during 2009.

• WHAT’S NEXT: The long-term trends may be reversing. The net flow of money has been negative for bond funds since mid-November, and positive for stock funds since mid-December.