MW: Net foreign purchases of U.S. assets rise in June
By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Foreign investors bought a net $44.4 billion of long-term U.S. assets in June, up from $35.3 billion in May, the Treasury Department said Monday. International demand for Treasurys accelerated slightly to an increase of $33.9 billion in June from a gain of $32.9 billion in May. The data showed that official purchases of Treasurys accelerated in June while private purchases slowed. Foreign investors were net sellers of U.S. equities for the second straight month. They also were net sellers of U.S. corporate bonds but they continued to buy agency debt. Including short-term securities and bank lending data, foreigners sold a net $6.7 billion of U.S. assets compared with purchases of $17.1 billion a month earlier. According to the data, China reduced its Treasury holdings in June for the second straight month. Japan and the United Kingdom increased their Treasury holdings.
