Foreign Ownership of U.S. Assets Hits Record High
Global holdings of U.S. financial assets rose +13.6% YoY in Q3 2025, reaching a record $64.1 trillion.
Since 2018, foreign holdings have doubled, growing at a +9.3% CAGR since 2015.
At the same time, the U.S. net international investment position (NIIP) declined -11.2% YoY to a record –$27.6 trillion in Q3 2025. In simple terms, foreigners now hold $27.6 trillion more in U.S. assets than Americans hold abroad.
Additional trend: • Overseas purchases of U.S. equities surged +134% YoY in 2025, totaling $720.1 billion
What it signals:
Persistent global demand for U.S. equities and financial assets
Continued capital inflows supporting valuations
A widening external imbalance as foreign claims on U.S. assets grow
U.S. markets remain the primary destination for global capital — but rising foreign ownership also increases sensitivity to shifts in global sentiment, rates, and currency dynamics.