February 1, 2019
The U.S. net international investment position decreased to −$9,627.2 billion (preliminary) at the end of the third quarter of 2018 from −$8,845.1 billion (revised) at the end of the second quarter. The $782.1 billion decrease reflected net financial transactions of −$24.6 billion and net other changes in position, such as price and exchange-rate changes, of −$757.5 billion.
- The net investment position investment position decreased 8.8 percent in the third quarter, compared with a decrease of 14.2 percent in the second quarter and an average quarterly decrease of 4.4 percent from the first quarter of 2011 through the first quarter of 2018.
- U.S. assets increased $135.5 billion to $27,150.7 billion at the end of the third quarter, reflecting increases in portfolio investment assets and direct investment assets that were partly offset by decreases in financial derivatives, other investment assets, and reserve assets. The increase was mostly attributable to net acquisition of direct investment assets and portfolio investment assets.
- U.S. liabilities increased $917.6 billion to $36,777.9 billion at the end of the third quarter, reflecting increases in all major categories of liabilities, except financial derivatives. The increase was mostly attributable to U.S. equity price increases that raised the equity value of direct investment liabilities and portfolio investment liabilities.
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