Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (2024)

Foreign ownership of U.S. assets has increased significantly since 1945, growing especially quickly over the past two decades. This growth is the result of a general increase in cross-border investment, with rising foreign ownership of U.S. assets nearly matched by rising U.S. ownership of assets abroad.

Dinah Walker

Analyst, Geoeconomics

These graphs reflect the following shifts:

More on:

Financial Markets

United States

  • U.S. ownership of foreign assets fell 2.3 percent in the third quarter of 2014, the first decline in over a year.
  • Foreign ownership of U.S. bonds issued by government-sponsored enterprises (agencies) rose 2.4 percent in the third quarter of 2014, driven by a 4.8 percent increase in private holdings of agencies. Foreigners hold about half as many agency securities as they did in 2008.
  • Foreign ownership of treasuries rose 1.1 percent in the third quarter of 2014. Both private and official sector holdings increased.

Figure 1: Ownership of Financial Assets (Percentage of U.S. GDP)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (1)

Cross-border investment has grown as financial markets have become increasingly globalized.

  • Since 1985, foreigners have consistently owned more U.S. assets than Americans own foreign assets.
  • Between the third quarter of 2013 and the third quarter of 2014, U.S. ownership of foreign assets increased 6 percent and foreign ownership of U.S. assets increased 10 percent.

Figure 2: Market size* (Percentage of U.S. GDP)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (2)

If the Federal Reserve’s holdings are excluded, foreigners own nearly 60 percent of outstanding marketable treasuries.

  • Foreigners own less-significant portions of other asset markets.
  • Their holdings of equities, though large in dollar terms, are small relative to the size of the equity market.

More on:

Financial Markets

United States

Figure 3: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Treasuries and Agencies (Percentage of Total Market)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (3)

Foreign ownership of U.S. treasuries has risen considerably since the middle of the 1990s and has been keeping pace with the growth of the market since 2012.

  • Before 2008, foreign ownership of the agency market was growing at a relatively rapid pace.
  • Since 2008, foreign holdings of agencies have declined steadily.

Figure 4: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Treasuries* (Percentage of Total Market)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (4)

The growth in foreign ownership of treasuries has come from official buyers (i.e., foreign central banks and sovereign wealth funds).

  • Foreign private holdings have not grown as a share of the market over the past ten years.
  • The much-discussed “flight to safety,” which is presumed to underpin the dollar, largely reflects the huge policy-driven demand for dollar reserves from emerging-market central banks, rather than the preferences of private sector investors.

Figure 5: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Agencies* (Percentage of Total Market)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (5)

A significant portion of growth in foreign ownership of agencies prior to 2008 was driven by official buyers.

  • Since 2008, foreign official buyers have dramatically reduced their holdings of agency securities, from nearly 16 percent of the market to 8 percent.
  • Private foreign holdings of agencies rose 5 percent in the third quarter of 2014.

Figure 6: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Corporate Bonds and Equities (Percentage of Total Market)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (6)

Foreign ownership of corporate bonds as a percentage of the total market has grown since 1945. Although growth has been modest over the past two decades, foreign holdings are now at levels not seen since the late 1980s.

  • Foreign ownership of U.S. equities has grown slowly but steadily since the 1970s.

Figure 7: Foreigners’ U.S. Portfolios (Percentage of Total Foreign Holdings)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (7)

The foreign preference for treasury ownership had been waning over the past forty years but has returned since the crisis.

  • Since the crisis, foreigners have allocated a declining share of their U.S. portfolios to corporate bonds and agencies.
  • Their allocation to equities and mutual funds has rebounded since 2008 and is now close to the 2000 peak.

Figure 8: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by Region* (Billions of U.S. Dollars)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (8)

The United States invests more directly into foreign enterprises abroad than foreigners do into the United States.

  • The sharpest contrast is in Latin America.

Figure 9: Portfolio Risk* (Percentage of Total Portfolio)

Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (9)

The United States tends to hold riskier assets abroad (equities) than foreigners hold in the United States.

    Figure 10: U.S. Net International Investment Position (NIIP) Versus Current Account (Percentage of GDP)

    Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (10)

    Because of persistent U.S. current account deficits and corresponding capital inflows, foreigners buy more U.S. assets than vice versa. But because U.S. holdings abroad usually have yielded higher returns than have foreign holdings in the United States, the U.S. net international investment position has deteriorated less—although there was a sharp decline in 2011.

    • The net international investment position deteriorated further in 2013.
    Quarterly Update: Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the change in US owned assets abroad? ›

    By the end of 2022, U.S.-owned assets abroad amounted to 31.68 trillion U.S. dollars, which is a decrease from the previous year, when U.S.-owned assets abroad totaled to 35.07 trillion U.S. dollars.

    What is foreign ownership limit? ›

    Foreign Ownership Limitations cover the limits on the amount a foreign firm or individual can invest in a business in another country through buying shares. This information is used by index providers in determining the “free float”.

    Do foreigners own most of the assets in the United States? ›

    If the Federal Reserve's holdings are excluded, foreigners own nearly 60 percent of outstanding marketable treasuries. Foreigners own less-significant portions of other asset markets. Their holdings of equities, though large in dollar terms, are small relative to the size of the equity market.

    What is the foreign ownership? ›

    Foreign ownership refers to the ownership of a portion of a country's assets (businesses, natural resources, property, bonds, equity etc.)

    Who owns most US assets? ›

    Over the past 20 years, Japan and China have owned more US Treasuries than any other foreign nation. Between 2000 and 2022, Japan grew from owning $534 billion to just over $1 trillion, while China's ownership grew from $101 billion to $855 billion.

    How much of America is owned by foreign investors? ›

    Of the 1.3 billion acres of private agricultural land in the United States, foreign entities fully or partially owned roughly 40 million acres valued at $74 billion in 2021.

    What is a 25% foreign owner? ›

    A U.S. corporation with 25% or more foreign ownership, or foreign corporations that do business or trade in the U.S. are required to file IRS Form 5472. You must report the existence of all related parties in Form 5472 as well, and fill out a separate form for each foreign owner.

    What is the limit of foreign portfolio? ›

    Foreign portfolio investment limits in India

    However, FPIs are subject to lower limits in certain sectors such as banking and insurance. SEBI has also prescribed a limit on the overall investment that can be made by FPIs in Indian securities. The limit is reviewed periodically and is currently set at USD 600 billion.

    How much foreign ownership can you have in stock connect? ›

    Foreign shareholders can sell A shares through the Stock Connect even when the aggregate foreign shareholding of the particular share is at 26% or 28%, or exceeds 30%.

    Do US citizens pay taxes on foreign assets? ›

    In general, yes — Americans must pay U.S. taxes on foreign income. The U.S. is one of only two countries in the world where taxes are based on citizenship, not place of residency. If you're considered a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, you pay income tax regardless where the income was earned.

    What is Americans largest asset? ›

    Real estate, for either personal use or rental purposes, is the most highly valued asset owned by households.

    What nation is the largest foreign investor in the United States? ›

    A few countries provided the majority of the $5 trillion in cumulative direct investment in the United States by the end of 2021. Japan was the single largest overseas investor, constituting nearly 15 percent of total cumulative foreign direct investment holdings.

    Can a foreign citizen own property in the US? ›

    It is entirely possible to purchase a home as a non-U.S. citizen — whether you're a foreign national or a permanent or a temporary resident. There are no limitations on the type of property that can be purchased or how the property is used.

    What are the benefits of foreign ownership? ›

    Inward foreign direct investment has an overall positive effect in employment, as companies have more capital to expand. It lowers prices and improves the quality of products. That is a result of higher productivity, which is beneficial for consumers and the company's competitiveness for exports.

    What are the three types of ownership in foreign direct investment? ›

    Foreign direct investments are commonly categorized as horizontal, vertical, or conglomerate.

    Who owns most of U.S. debt? ›

    Domestic Holders of Federal Debt

    The Federal Reserve, which purchases and sells Treasury securities as a means to influence federal interest rates and the nation's money supply, is the largest holder of such debt.

    Which country has no debt? ›

    The 20 countries with the lowest national debt in 2022 in relation to gross domestic product (GDP)
    CharacteristicNational debt in relation to GDP
    Macao SAR0%
    Brunei Darussalam2.06%
    Kuwait2.92%
    Hong Kong SAR4.26%
    9 more rows
    May 11, 2023

    What percentage of U.S. land is owned by foreigners? ›

    This is 2.9 percent of all privately held agricultural land and 1.7 percent of all land in the United States.

    Who owns the most US farmland? ›

    People own most farmland. Some 2.6 million owners are individuals or families, and they own more than two thirds of all farm acreage. Fewer than 32,500 non family held corpor ations own farmland, and they own less than 5 percent of all U.S. farmland.

    Can Americans own land in China? ›

    Foreign investors are not allowed to buy land in China. The land in China belongs to the state and the collectives.

    What country owns the most American companies? ›

    Citing the nonpartisan economic think-tank Paulson Institute, the American Security Institute report underscores that "Chinese firms and investors own a controlling majority in nearly 2,400 U.S. companies."

    Why a foreign owned LLC pays no taxes in the United States? ›

    The Foreign LLC Is A US Branch of a Foreign Corporation

    The foreign corporation isn't subject to US taxes, as all its earnings are distributed to shareholders.

    What is a 10% owned foreign corporation? ›

    (D) 10-percent owned foreign corporation The term “10-percent owned foreign corporation” means any foreign corporation in which the United States person owns directly or indirectly at least 10 percent of the voting stock.

    What is the difference between form 5471 and 5472? ›

    The Form 5471 is an information return, where taxpayers must disclose information regarding their interest in a foreign corporation. Form 5472 must be filed by a U.S. corporation that is 25% foreign-owned; or a foreign corporation that does business or trade in the U.S.

    What happens if more foreigners purchase US investments? ›

    When foreign investors buy more U.S. stocks and bonds, the income receipts increase. This increases because money is flowing into the United States and this increases the balance of trade.

    Is 40% international stock too much? ›

    In general, Vanguard recommends that at least 20% of your overall portfolio should be invested in international stocks and bonds. However, to get the full diversification benefits, consider investing about 40% of your stock allocation in international stocks and about 30% of your bond allocation in international bonds.

    What is a US foreign portfolio investment? ›

    Foreign portfolio investment (FPI) involves holding financial assets from a country outside of the investor's own. FPI holdings can include stocks, ADRs, GDRs, bonds, mutual funds, and exchange traded funds.

    Do foreign investors have to pay US taxes? ›

    Do Foreigners Pay Taxes on U.S. Investments? Foreigners who are not resident or nonresident aliens of the U.S. do not pay any taxes on their investments to the U.S. government. They will most likely have to pay taxes on their investment earnings in their home country.

    How are foreign investments taxed in the US? ›

    Key Takeaways. When Americans buy stocks or bonds from foreign-based companies, any investment income (interest, dividends) and capital gains are subject to U.S. income tax and taxes levied by the company's home country.

    What is the capital gains tax rate for foreign investors? ›

    A flat tax of 30 percent is imposed on U.S. source capital gains in the hands of nonresident alien individuals physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year.

    Can the IRS see my foreign bank account? ›

    Yes, eventually the IRS will find your foreign bank account. When they do, hopefully your foreign bank accounts with balances over $10,000 have been reported annually to the IRS on a FBAR “foreign bank account report” (Form 114).

    What happens if I have more than $10000 in a foreign bank account? ›

    A United States person that has a financial interest in or signature authority over foreign financial accounts must file an FBAR if the aggregate value of the foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any time during the calendar year. The full line item instructions are located at FBAR Line Item Instructions.

    Do I need to report foreign assets to IRS? ›

    Use Form 8938 to report your specified foreign financial assets if the total value of all the specified foreign financial assets in which you have an interest is more than the appropriate reporting threshold.

    How many Americans have $10 million in assets? ›

    Around 1,456,336 households in America have $10 million or more in net worth. That's 1.13% of American households. So, no, $10 million in net worth is not the one percent.

    What percentage of Americans have 4 million in assets? ›

    Somewhere around 4,473,836 households have $4 million or more in wealth, while around 3,592,054 have at least $5 million. Respectively, that is 3.48% and 2.79% of all households in America.

    How many Americans have over $1 million in assets? ›

    21,951,000 people in the U.S. have a net worth of $1 million or more. Among all states, New Jersey has the most millionaire households. Only 3% of American millionaires received an inheritance of $1 million or above. Real estate makes up about 40% of a typical millionaire's net worth.

    Who is America's most famous investor? ›

    Referred to as the “Oracle of Omaha,” Warren Buffett is viewed as one of the most successful investors in history.

    Which state has highest foreign investment? ›

    The combined tally of investment of three years makes Maharashtra the most attractive investment destination, states the survey. The investment is more than Karnataka ( ₹2,93,149 crore, 331 projects) and Gujarat ( ₹ 2,36,866 crore, 602 projects), states the survey.

    How much has the US invested in China? ›

    U.S. companies spent about $11 billion in 2022 buying or investing in Chinese companies, according to the data service firm Dealogic.

    Can a foreigner buy a house in USA with cash? ›

    While foreigners can buy property in the US, the easiest way to purchase your home if you are a foreigner is to pay the full price in cash. If you need financing (a mortgage), you will have to meet certain financing requirements.

    Can I get green card if I buy house in USA? ›

    Yes, you can obtain a green card through real estate investment in the United States. Although buying a real estate property will not directly help get a green card in the U.S., there are some ways to get a green card by investing in real estate. One of the preferable ways is through the EB-5 Investor Program.

    Do I need to declare foreign property in USA? ›

    Yes, you must report foreign properties on your U.S. tax return just like you would report any owned U.S. property.

    Why foreign investment in the US is good? ›

    The United States has always provided foreign investors a stable and welcoming market. As a place to do business, the United States offers a predictable and transparent legal system, low taxes, outstanding infrastructure, and access to the world's most lucrative consumer market.

    What are the benefits of foreign investment in the US? ›

    Employment and economic boost:

    FDI creates new jobs and more opportunities as investors build new companies in foreign countries. This can lead to an increase in income and mor purchasing power to locals, which in turn leads to an overall boost in targetted economies.

    What are the three basic forms of ownership in the US? ›

    There are three common types of businesses—sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation—and each comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

    What are the two 2 main types of international investments? ›

    There are two main categories of international investment: portfolio investment and foreign direct investment (FDI).

    What are the 4 types of foreign direct investment? ›

    The different types of FDIs are horizontal FDI, vertical FDI, conglomerate FDI and platform FDI.

    What is transfer of assets abroad? ›

    It applies where A becomes entitled to receive a capital sum just as it does where A actually receives a capital sum. It does not matter whether the sum is received before or after the transfer. The capital sum does not have to be paid by the person abroad or out of the income of that person.

    What is the difference between US sales of assets to foreigners and US purchases of foreign assets? ›

    a) the capital account balance measures the difference between U.S. sales of assets to foreigners and U.S. purchases of foreign assets.

    What is foreign owned assets? ›

    Foreign ownership refers to the ownership of a portion of a country's assets (businesses, natural resources, property, bonds, equity etc.) by individuals who are not citizens of that country or by companies whose headquarters are not in that country.

    Do I need to declare my overseas property? ›

    Yes, you must report foreign properties on your U.S. tax return just like you would report any owned U.S. property.

    What happens if you don't report foreign assets? ›

    If you don't disclose your offshore accounts, you may be caught through an IRS audit and your foreign accounts may be frozen. The IRS may also impose penalties for failure to comply with offshore account disclosures.

    Can IRS seize overseas assets? ›

    There are two basic types of forfeiture actions that can be initiated by the United States against foreign assets. One would be against assets that are located in a foreign country; the other would be against foreign assets located within this country.

    Are foreign transfers taxed? ›

    Americans who receive financial gifts from foreign loved ones won't have to pay taxes on the transfer. However, if you yourself sent funds to an American while abroad, you might. Recipients of foreign inheritances typically don't have a tax liability in the United States.

    What are examples of transfer of assets? ›

    A transfer is the movement of assets, funds, or ownership rights from one place to another. Banking, brokerage, cryptocurrency, asset titles, and loan transfers are a few examples of domains and transaction types where transfers occur.

    What does the IRS consider a foreign asset? ›

    Generally, the IRS has explained that a specified foreign financial asset includes any financial account maintained by a foreign financial institution; Other foreign financial assets, which include stock or securities issued by someone other than a U.S. person,any interest in a foreign entity, and any financial ...

    What foreign assets are reportable? ›

    Certain U.S. taxpayers holding specified foreign financial assets with an aggregate value exceeding $50,000 will report information about those assets on new Form 8938, which must be attached to the taxpayer's annual income tax return.

    Is real estate considered a foreign financial asset? ›

    If the real estate is held through a foreign entity, such as a corporation, partnership, trust or estate, then the interest in the entity is a specified foreign financial asset that is reported on Form 8938, if the total value of all your specified foreign financial assets is greater than the reporting threshold that ...

    How do I report foreign assets to the IRS? ›

    More In Forms and Instructions

    Use Form 8938 to report your specified foreign financial assets if the total value of all the specified foreign financial assets in which you have an interest is more than the appropriate reporting threshold.

    Are foreign assets subject to U.S. estate tax? ›

    U.S. citizens are subject to U.S. estate taxation with respect to their worldwide assets, even if they are not residents of the U.S. An estate tax return, Form 706, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping) Tax Return, Estate of a citizen or resident of the United StatesPDF, is required for a deceased U.S. citizen ...

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Jerrold Considine

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5945

    Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

    Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Jerrold Considine

    Birthday: 1993-11-03

    Address: Suite 447 3463 Marybelle Circles, New Marlin, AL 20765

    Phone: +5816749283868

    Job: Sales Executive

    Hobby: Air sports, Sand art, Electronics, LARPing, Baseball, Book restoration, Puzzles

    Introduction: My name is Jerrold Considine, I am a combative, cheerful, encouraging, happy, enthusiastic, funny, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.