March 30, 2018

The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$7,845.8 billion (preliminary) at the end of the fourth quarter from −$7,739.7 billion (revised) at the end of the third quarter. The $106.1 billion decrease reflected net financial transactions of –$52.4 billion and net other changes in position, such as price and exchange-rate changes, of –$53.8 billion.

International Investment Position charts
  • The net investment position decreased 1.4 percent in the fourth quarter, compared with an increase of 3.3 percent in the third quarter. The net investment position decreased an average of 5.0 percent per quarter from the first quarter of 2011 through the second quarter of 2017.
  • U.S. assets increased $727.2 billion to $27,632.8 billion, mostly reflecting increases in portfolio investment and direct investment assets due to increases in foreign equity prices.
  • U.S. liabilities increased $833.3 billion to $35,478.6 billion, mostly reflecting increases in portfolio investment and direct investment liabilities due to increases in U.S. equity prices.

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