Foreign holdings of US securities hit record $30.9 trillion in mid-2024
In brief
- Foreign holdings of US securities reached $30.9 trillion by mid-2024, up $2 trillion from 2023
- International investors own roughly 30.5% of US equity market as of April 2024
- Japan and UK drove foreign Treasury holdings increase through net purchases
- Treasury International Capital report showed $103.1 billion net foreign purchases of long-term US securities in April
Foreign Holdings Climb to Historic Levels
Foreign holdings of US Treasuries edged up to $9.352 trillion in April from $9.348 trillion in March. Net foreign purchases of long-term US securities totaled $103.1 billion in April alone, according to the TIC report. The broader picture shows foreign holdings of US securities reached approximately $30.9 trillion by mid-2024, following a $2 trillion rise throughout 2023.
Japan and the UK drove much of the increase in foreign Treasury holdings through net purchases. These two nations continue to be the largest national holders of US assets. The sustained inflow reflects confidence in American markets, though some analysts caution that heavy foreign ownership could amplify market volatility if geopolitical tensions escalate.
What the Data Reveals
The scale of foreign investment underscores the depth of global appetite for US assets. The $2 trillion surge in 2023 alone signals a significant reallocation of international capital. Yet the data itself—drawn from Treasury International Capital reporting—contains no mentions of digital assets, tokens, or blockchain-based instruments, reflecting the traditional scope of official capital flow measurement.
The consistency of foreign purchases may reflect the quality and stability of US securities relative to alternatives. Whether this trend sustains depends on currency valuations, geopolitical conditions, and relative returns across markets.
Frequently asked questions
How much of the US equity market do foreign investors own?
International investors owned approximately 30.5% of the US equity market as of April 2024, according to Treasury International Capital data.
Which countries are the largest holders of US assets?
Japan and the UK continue to be the largest national holders of US assets, driving much of the recent increase in foreign Treasury holdings through net purchases.
How much did foreign holdings of US securities grow in 2023?
Foreign holdings of US securities rose by approximately $2 trillion throughout 2023, reaching roughly $30.9 trillion by mid-2024.
