Latest data from StatsCan reveals investor activity
Canadian investors increased their holdings of international securities in August, the last month of data released by Statistics Canada.
Foreign securities held by Canadians increased by $12 billion in the month, which followed a $1.8 billion divestment in July. This rise was driven by an increase in acquisition of US corporate instruments.
Holdings of foreign bonds increased by $4.9 billion in August, the highest figure since February 2016 with US corporate and Treasury bonds a key part of the increase along with non-US foreign bonds.
Canadian investors also snapped up foreign equities totalling $7.2 billion, largely US stocks as prices edged higher. This increased investment followed a $2.9 billion divestment in foreign equities in July.
While Canadians were increasing their foreign securities holdings, international investors showed weakened interest in Canadian securities.
Foreign investors acquired $9.8 billion of Canadian securities in August, well below the $17.7 billion average in the previous 7 months.
Most of the activity in August was in the Canadian debt market with $8.2 billion of Canadian bonds acquired, mainly secondary market purchases of government Canadian dollar bonds.
Foreign investors’ acquisition of Canadian corporate bonds and equities slowed in the month.
Foreign securities held by Canadians increased by $12 billion in the month, which followed a $1.8 billion divestment in July. This rise was driven by an increase in acquisition of US corporate instruments.
Holdings of foreign bonds increased by $4.9 billion in August, the highest figure since February 2016 with US corporate and Treasury bonds a key part of the increase along with non-US foreign bonds.
Canadian investors also snapped up foreign equities totalling $7.2 billion, largely US stocks as prices edged higher. This increased investment followed a $2.9 billion divestment in foreign equities in July.
While Canadians were increasing their foreign securities holdings, international investors showed weakened interest in Canadian securities.
Foreign investors acquired $9.8 billion of Canadian securities in August, well below the $17.7 billion average in the previous 7 months.
Most of the activity in August was in the Canadian debt market with $8.2 billion of Canadian bonds acquired, mainly secondary market purchases of government Canadian dollar bonds.
Foreign investors’ acquisition of Canadian corporate bonds and equities slowed in the month.
