The International Economics Directorate of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) collects and analyzes data on U.S. direct investment abroad (USDIA), foreign direct investment in the United States (FDIUS), and U.S. international services transactions. As outlined below, the data are published in the Survey of Current Business (SCB), other publications, or available electronically as free downloadable compressed files. Just click on the title of a file, or its product ID number, in this Guide.

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Contents

  1. U.S. Direct Investment Abroad:
    1. Direct investment position and related balance of payments flows
    2. Operations of U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates
    3. Capital expenditures of majority-owned foreign affiliates of U.S. companies
    4. Benchmark surveys and related articles
    5. Other articles and publications on U.S. direct investment abroad
  2. Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
    1. Direct investment position and related balance of payments flows
    2. Operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies
    3. Establishment Data from BEA-Census Link
    4. U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors
    5. Benchmark surveys and related articles
  3. International Services
    1. Annual International Services Articles
    2. Other Articles and Publications on U.S. International Sales and Purchases of Services
  4. Related Articles and Publications
    1. The international investment position of the United States
    2. U.S. international transactions
    3. Other related articles

Telephone Contacts for BEA Data Users - International

Order forms

HOW TO ORDER

Publications and data files

Most data on direct investment published by BEA are available in the form of free downloads. It is also possible to order paper copies of publications.

  • The SCB is the monthly journal of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) and is available online and in published form from the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO).
  • BEA publications listed in this guide that have a with a GPO stock number may be ordered on the GPO Web site.
  • BEA publications with a National Technical Information Service (NTIS) stock number may be ordered on the NTIS Web site.

Press Releases

The full text of BEA's news releases are available at <www.bea.gov> within minutes of their release. For information about how to obtain U.S. Department of Commerce's other press releases, please contact the Economics and Statistics Administration at (202) 482-1986.

I. U.S. DIRECT INVESTMENT ABROAD (USDIA)

A. Direct Investment Position and Related Balance of Payments Flows

Preliminary annual estimates are published in the summer of the year following the year covered; revised estimates are published a year later. Written analyses of data for the most recent year are based on preliminary estimates. Prior to 1996, quarterly estimates of the flows (but not the position) were published, in limited detail, in the U.S. international transactions articles in the March, June, September, and December Survey of Current Business (SCB) issues. Beginning in 1996, these articles appeared in the April, July, October, and January SCB.

From 1985 to 1993, summary estimates of the position and a brief analysis of current developments appeared in the June SCB as part of the article on the U.S. international investment position (see section IV.A). In 1994 and 1995, these estimates and analyses appeared in a separate article in the June SCB. Detailed tables on the position and related capital and income flows appeared in the August SCB (July in 1993). In earlier years, both detailed tables and an analysis usually had appeared in the August SCB. Beginning in 1996, summary estimates of the position and analyses appeared in an article in the July SCB, and detailed tables on the position and related capital and income flows appeared in the September SCB.

Balance of payments and position data for outward direct investment
Contains quarterly estimates for financial flows and income by country and by industry and annual country by industry estimates for positions, financial flows, and income.

Visit our interactive system to display and download customizable time series tables and charts using annual U.S. direct investment abroad balance of payments and direct investment position data back to 1982.

Past estimates for one or more years are revised each year, sometimes because the series have been "rebenchmarked" to a more recent benchmark, or census, of direct investment.

Survey of Current Business Articles

SCB issue, years covered, author, and comments

  • 8/24, 2023
  • 8/23, 2022
  • 8/22, 2021
  • 8/21, 2020
  • 8/20, 2019
  • 8/19, 2018, Atkinson & McCloskey
  • 8/18, 2017, Stutzman & Munasib
  • 7/17 & 9/17, 2016, Jenniges & Stutzman
    Raymond Mataloni prepared the 9/17 report
  • 7/16 & 9/16, 2015, Jenniges & Fetzer
    Sarah Stutzman prepared the 9/16 report
  • 7/15 & 9/15, 2014, Jenniges & Fetzer
    Nathan Hansen and Ricardo Limes prepared the 9/15 report
  • 7/14 & 9/14, 2013, Ibarra-Caton & Mataloni
    Ibarra-Caton prepared details of 9/14.
  • 7/13 & 9/13, 2012, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton.
    Ibarra-Caton prepared details of 9/13.
  • 7/12 & 9/12, 2011, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton.
    Lowe prepared details of 9/12.
  • 7/11 & 9/11, 2010, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton
    Lowe prepared details of 9/11.
  • 7/10 & 9/10, 2009, Ibarra-Caton
    Lowe prepared details of 9/10.
  • 7/09 & 9/09, 2008, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/09.
  • 7/08 & 9/08, 2007, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/08.
  • 7/07 & 9/07, 2006, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/07.
  • 7/06 & 9/06, 2005, Koncz & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/06.
  • 7/05 & 9/05, 2004, Koncz & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/05.
  • 7/04 & 9/04, 2003, Borga & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/04.
  • 7/03 & 9/03, 2002, Borga
    Estimates for 1999-2001 re-benchmarked to 1999 benchmark survey. Lowe prepared details of 9/03.
  • 7/02 & 9/02, 2001, Borga & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/02.
  • 7/01 & 9/01, 2000, Borga & Mataloni
    Lowe prepared details of 9/01.
  • 7/00 & 9/00, 1999, Bargas
    Lowe prepared details of 9/00.
  • 7/99 & 9/99, 1998, Bargas & Troia
    Lowe prepared details of 9/99.
  • 7/98 & 10/98, 1997, Bargas
    Estimates for 1994-96 re-benchmarked to 1994 benchmark survey.
  • 7/97 & 9/97, 1996, Bargas
    Lowe prepared details of 9/97.
  • 7/96 & 9/96, 1995, Lowe
  • 6/95 & 8/95, 1994, Lowe
  • 6/94 & 8/94, 1993, Lowe
  • 6/93 & 7/93, 1992, Lowe
    Estimates for 1989-92 re-benchmarked to 1989 benchmark survey.
  • 6/92 & 8/92, 1991, Mataloni
    Estimates incorporate various methodological changes.
  • 6/91 & 8/91, 1990, Lowe
  • 6/90 & 8/90, 1989, Lowe
  • 6/89 & 8/89, 1988, Lowe
  • 6/88 & 8/88, 1987, Lowe
  • 6/87 & 8/87, 1986, Lowe
  • 6/86 & 8/86, 1985, Brereton
    Estimates for 1982-84 re-benchmarked to 1982 benchmark survey.
  • 6/85 & 8/85, 1984, Belli
  • 8/84, 1983, Howenstine
  • 8/83, 1982, Whichard
  • 8/82, 1981, Whichard
  • 8/81, 1980, Whichard
    Estimates for 1977-79 re-benchmarked to 1977 benchmark survey.
  • 8/80, 1979, Whichard
  • 8/79, 1978, Whichard
  • 8/78, 1977, Kozlow, Rutter & Walker
  • 8/77, 1976, Whichard
    Estimates for 1966-75 revised.
  • 8/76, 1975, Whichard & Freidlin
  • 10/75, 1974, Freidlin & Lupo
    Estimates for 1966-73 re-benchmarked to 1966 benchmark survey.

 

Other Articles and Publications on Direct Investment Flows, Position, and Income:

SCB issue or publication date, title, and comments.

  • U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Balance of Payments and Direct Investment Position Estimates, 1982-88 -- 9/95
    Publication available from BEA, BEA product ID number IPN-0042. Order by email at OrderDesk@bea.gov or by phone at 1–800–704–0415 or 202-606-9666.
  • A Guide to BEA Statistics on U.S. Multinational Companies -- 3/95
    SCB article by Mataloni.
  • Rates of Return on Direct Investment -- 8/92
    SCB article by Landefeld, Lawson, & Weinberg.
  • Valuation of the U.S. Net International Investment Position -- 5/91
    SCB article by Landefeld & Lawson.
  • U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Balance of Payments and Direct Investment Position Estimates, 1977-81 -- 11/86
    Updates the 1950-76 publication listed below. Available from NTIS, product number PB87-178265, domestic price $31.50, foreign price $64.00, per paper copy. (Click on NTIS for shipping and handling fees.)
  • Selected Data on U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, 1950-76-- 2/82
    Publication covers the direct investment position and related capital and income flows; available from NTIS, product number PB87-121869, domestic price $58.50, foreign price $118.00, per paper copy. (Click on NTIS for shipping and handling fees.)
  • Trends in the U.S. Direct Investment Position Abroad, 1950-79 -- 2/81
    SCB article by Whichard.

Data Presentation Available On the Internet Only

Tables for U.S. direct investment abroad (USDIA) for position, financial flows, and income for 1966-81, for all countries in which there is U.S. direct investment (with no industry detail).

Also available, description of changes in methodology and presentation for USDIA balance of payments and position data: 1977, 1982, and 1994.

B. Operations of U.S. Parent Companies and Their Foreign Affiliates

Data are from benchmark and annual sample surveys of U.S. direct investment abroad. The surveys collect operating and financial data of U.S. companies and their foreign affiliates, such as balance sheets, income statements, employment and compensation of employees, trade in goods, and sales of goods and services. Published estimates are derived from the reported sample data. Benchmark surveys covered 1982, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, and 2009. Prior to 2009, non-benchmark surveys covered nonbank affiliates of nonbank parents. Data are preliminary when first published; revised data are published a year later.

Survey of Current Business Articles

SCB issue, year covered, and author

  • 09/24, 2022
  • 12/23, 2021
  • 12/22, 2020
  • 12/21, 2019
  • 09/20, 2018
  • 09/19, 2017, Hossiso
  • 09/18, 2016, Hossiso
  • 12/17, 2015
  • 12/16, 2014
  • 08/15, 2013, Scott
  • 08/14, 2012
  • 11/13, 2011, Barefoot
  • 11/12, 2010, Barefoot
  • 11/11, 2009, Barefoot and Mataloni
  • 8/10, 2008, Barefoot and Mataloni
  • 8/09, 2007, Barefoot and Mataloni
  • 11/08, 2006, Mataloni
  • 11/07, 2005, Mataloni
  • 11/06, 2004, Mataloni and Yorgason
  • 7/05, 2003, Mataloni
  • 7/04, 2002, Mataloni
  • 11/03, 2001, Mataloni
  • 12/02, 2000, Mataloni
  • 3/02, 1999, Mataloni and Yorgason
  • 7/00, 1998, Mataloni
  • 7/99, 1997, Mataloni
  • 9/98, 1996, Mataloni
  • 10/97, 1995, Mataloni
  • 12/96, 1994, Mataloni and Fahim-Nader
  • 6/95, 1993, Mataloni
  • 6/94, 1992, Mataloni
  • 7/93, 1991, Mataloni
  • 8/92, 1990, Mataloni
  • 10/91, 1989, Lowe and Mataloni
  • 6/90, 1988, Mataloni
  • 6/89, 1987, Whichard
  • 6/88, 1986, Whichard
  • 6/87, 1985, Brereton
  • 9/86, 1984, Brereton
  • 1/86, 1983, Belli
  • 12/85, 1982, Whichard and Shea

NOTE: For 1982, 1989, 1994, and 1999 and for certain earlier years, see the information on benchmark surveys in section I.D.

Because of space constraints, full details cannot be published in the SCB articles. Supplementary tables, currently about 70 for each year, are available in separate publications and as electronic files.

Comprehensive financial and operating data

C. Capital Expenditures by Majority-Owned Foreign Affiliates of U.S. Companies

Through September 1994, when this series was discontinued, estimates were published twice yearly, usually in the March and September SCB's.

SCB issue, years covered, author, and comments

D. Benchmark Surveys and Related Articles

Benchmark surveys are periodic surveys of the universe of U.S. direct investment abroad. In addition to the direct investment position and related flows of capital, income, and royalties and license fees, they cover a wide range of operating and financial data of U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates, such as balance sheets, income statements, external financing, employment and compensation of employees, trade in goods, and sales of goods and services.

Analytical SCB articles that draw on universe data from the benchmark surveys, or on matched sample data from the 1966 benchmark survey and the 1970 mini-census, are listed below.

SCB issue, title, author, comments

Benchmark results and their accompanying methodologies

E. Other Publications and Articles on U.S. Direct Investment Abroad

Publication date, title, comments

  • 3/99, INTERNATIONAL DIRECT INVESTMENT: Studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
    The publication brings together a number of key studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on U.S. direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in the United States. The studies cover such topics as the characteristics of multinational companies, including their profitability, productivity, and sourcing patterns; measures of direct investment that are valued in current-period prices; and supplemental balance of payments frameworks that incorporate information on ownership from BEA's direct investment surveys. These studies were originally published in the Survey of Current Business,BEA's monthly journal. This publication also includes users' guides to BEA's statistics on direct investment and detailed methodologies from BEA's benchmark survey publications on foreign direct investment in the United States and U.S. direct investment abroad.
    Publication available from GPO, stock number 003-010-00278-6, price $26.00.

Sources and Uses of Funds:

  • 6/79, Sources and Uses of Funds of Majority-Owned Foreign Affiliates of U.S. Companies, 1973-76
    Staff paper, available from the International Investment Division.

SCB issue date, title, comments

Sales by Majority-Owned Foreign Affiliates of U.S. Companies:

Sales data were collected in an annual sample survey for 1966-76. For 1977 and 1982, they were collected in the 1977 and 1982 benchmark surveys (see section I.D.); they were not collected for 1978-81. Beginning with 1983, sales data have been collected annually as part of the annual survey of the operations of U.S. parent companies and their foreign affiliates (see section I.B.).
SCB issue, year covered, author, comments

Statistics on U.S. Multinational Companies:

SCB issue, title, comments

U.S. Intrafirm Trade in Goods:

SCB issue, title, comments

  • 2/97, U.S. Intrafirm Trade in Goods
    SCB article by Zeile examines trends and patterns in U.S. intrafirm trade in goods associated with U.S. and foreign multinational companies in 1977-94. Analyzes the relative importance of intrafirm trade in total U.S. trade in goods with major trading-partner countries in 1992.

II. FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN THE UNITED STATES (FDIUS)

A. Direct Investment Position and Related Balance of Payments Flows

Preliminary annual estimates are published in the summer of the year following the year covered; revised estimates are published a year later. Written analyses of data for the most recent year are based on preliminary estimates. Prior to 1996, quarterly estimates of the flows (but not the position) were published, in limited detail, in the U.S. international transactions articles in the March, June, September, and December Survey of Current Business (SCB) issues. Beginning in 1996, these articles appeared in the April, July, October, and January SCB.

From 1985 to 1993, summary estimates of the position and a brief analysis of current developments appeared in the June SCB as part of the article on the U.S. international investment position (see section IV.A). In 1994 and 1995, these estimates and analyses appeared in a separate article in the June SCB. Detailed tables on the position and related capital and income flows appeared in the August SCB (July in 1993). In earlier years, both detailed tables and an analysis usually had appeared in the August SCB. Beginning in 1996, summary estimates of the position and analyses appeared in an article in the July SCB, and detailed tables on the position and related capital and income flows appeared in the September SCB.

 

Visit our interactive system to display and download customizable time series tables and charts using annual foreign direct investment in the U.S. balance of payments and direct investment position data back to 1980.

Balance of payments and position data for inward direct investment
Contains quarterly estimates for financial flows and income by country and by industry and annual country by industry estimates for positions, financial flows, and income.

 

Survey of Current Business Articles

SCB issue, year covered, author, and comments

  • 8/24, 2023
  • 8/23, 2022
  • 8/22, 2021
  • 8/21, 2020
  • 8/20, 2019
  • 8/19, 2018, Atkinson & McCloskey
  • 8/18, 2017, Stutzman & Munasib
  • 7/17 & 9/17 2016, Jenniges & Stutzman
    Raymond Mataloni prepared the 9/17 report
  • 7/16 & 9/16, 2015, Jenniges & Fetzer
    Sarah Stutzman prepared details of 9/16
  • 7/15 & 9/15, 2014, Jenniges & Fetzer
    Nathan Hansen and Ricardo Limes prepared the 9/15 report
  • 7/14 & 9/14, 2013, Ibarra-Caton & Mataloni
    Ibarra-Caton prepared details of 9/14.
  • 7/13 & 9/13, 2012, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton.
    Ibarra-Caton prepared details of 9/13.
  • 7/12 & 9/12, 2011, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton.
    Lowe prepared details of 9/12.
  • 7/11 & 9/11, 2010, Barefoot & Ibarra-Caton
    Lowe prepared details of 9/11.
  • 7/10 & 9/10, 2009, Ibarra-Caton
    Lowe prepared details of 9/10.
  • 7/09 & 9/09, 2008, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/09.
  • 7/08 & 9/08, 2007, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/08.
  • 7/07 & 9/07, 2006, Ibarra & Koncz
    Lowe prepared details of 9/07.
  • 7/06 & 9/06, 2005, Koncz & Yorgason
    Estimates for 2002-05 re-benchmarked to 2002 benchmark survey. Lowe prepared details of 9/06.
  • 7/05 & 9/05, 2004, Koncz & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/05.
  • 7/04 & 9/04, 2003, Borga & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/04.
  • 7/03 & 9/03, 2002, Borga
    Lowe prepared details of 9/03.
  • 7/02 & 9/02, 2001, Borga & Yorgason
    Lowe prepared details of 9/02.
  • 7/01 & 9/01, 2000, Borga & Mataloni
    Lowe prepared details of 9/01.
  • 7/00 & 9/00, 1999, Bargas
    Lowe prepared details of 9/00.
  • 7/99 & 9/99, 1998, Bargas & Troia
    Lowe prepared details of 9/99.
  • 7/98 & 9/98, 1997, Bargas
    Estimates for 1992-96 re-benchmarked to 1992 benchmark survey.
  • 7/97 & 9/97, 1996, Bargas
  • 7/96 & 9/96, 1995, Bargas
  • 6/95 & 8/95, 1994, Lowe
  • 6/94 & 8/94, 1993, Bargas
  • 6/93 & 7/93, 1992, Bargas
  • 6/92 & 8/92, 1991, Bezirganian
    Estimates for 1982 forward incorporate various methodological changes.
  • 6/91 & 8/91, 1990, Bezirganian
    Estimates for 1987-90 rebenchmarked to 1987 benchmark survey.
  • 6/90 & 8/90, 1989, Quijano & Bezirganian
  • 6/89 & 8/89, 1988, Quijano
  • 6/88 & 8/88, 1987, Quijano
  • 6/87 & 8/87, 1986, Whichard
  • 6/86 & 8/86, 1985, Howenstine
  • 6/85 & 8/85, 1984, Howenstine
  • 10/84, 1983, Belli
    Estimates for 1980-83 rebenchmarked to 1980 benchmark survey.
  • 8/83, 1982, Chung & Fouch
  • 8/82, 1981, Howenstine & Fouch
  • 8/81, 1980, Chung & Fouch
  • 8/80, 1979, Chung & Fouch
  • 8/79, 1978, Fouch & Lupo
  • 8/78, 1977, Chung & Fouch
  • 10/77, 1976, Mantel
    Position for 1973, and all estimates for 1974-75, rebenchmarked to 1974 survey.
  • 8/76, 1975, Lupo & Fouch
  • 10/75, 1974, Mantel
    Includes 1971-72 final estimates and final 1973 flows.

Other Articles and Publications on Direct Investment Flows, Position, and Income:

Publication date, title, and comments

 

B. Operations of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Companies

Data are from benchmark and sample surveys of foreign direct investment in the United States. The surveys collect financial and operating data of the U.S. affiliates of foreign direct investors, such as balance sheets, income statements, employment and compensation of employees, trade in goods, and selected data by State. The first annual survey covered 1977. Benchmark surveys cover 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007. Prior to 2007, non-benchmark surveys covered nonbank affiliates of nonbank parents. Data are preliminary when first published; revised data are published a year later. Articles published before those listed below presented only reported sample data. Other than for benchmark years, the listed articles present universe estimates derived by linking the sample data reported in the annual survey to the preceding benchmark survey.

Survey of Current Business Articles

SCB issue, year covered, author, and comments

  • 09/23, 2021
  • 09/22, 2020
  • 09/21, 2019
  • 12/20, 2018
  • 12/19, 2017
  • 12/18, 2016, Stutzman
  • 08/17, 2015, Stutzman
  • 08/16, 2014, Stutzman
  • 11/15, 2013, Ismaylov & Limes
  • 11/14, 2012, Anderson
  • 08/13, 2011, Anderson
  • 08/12, 2010, Anderson
  • 08/11, 2009, Anderson
  • 11/10, 2008, Anderson
  • 11/09, 2007, Anderson & Zeile
  • 8/08, 2006, Anderson
  • 8/07, 2005, Anderson
  • 8/06, 2004, Anderson & Zeile
  • 8/05, 2003, Zeile
  • 8/04, 2002, Zeile
  • 8/03, 2001, Zeile
  • 8/02, 2000, Zeile
  • 8/01, 1999, Zeile
  • 8/00, 1998, Zeile
  • 8/99, 1997, Zeile
  • 6/98, 1996, Fahim-Nader & Zeile
    The article is combined with the one on the acquisition and establishment of U.S. businesses by foreign direct investors in 1997.
  • 6/97, 1995, Fahim-Nader & Zeile
    The article is combined with the one on the acquisition and establishment of U.S. businesses by foreign direct investors in 1996.
  • 7/96, 1994, Fahim-Nader & Zeile
    The article is combined with the one on the acquisition and establishment of U.S. businesses by foreign direct investors in 1995.
  • 5/95, 1993, Fahim-Nader & Zeile
    The article is combined with the one on the acquisition and establishment of U.S. businesses by foreign direct investors in 1994.
  • 7/94, 1992, Zeile
  • 5/93, 1991, Bezirganian
  • 5/92, 1990, Bezirganian
  • 7/91, 1989, Bezirganian
  • 7/90, 1988, Howenstine
  • 7/89, 1987, Howenstine
  • 5/88, 1986, Howenstine
  • 5/87, 1985, Howenstine
  • 10/86, 1984, Shea
  • 11/85, 1983, Howenstine
  • 12/84, 1982, Howenstine
  • 11/83, 1981, Howenstine

NOTE: For 1977-80 data, see the sub-section below on Other Articles or Publications on the Operations of U.S. Affiliates.

For 1987, 1992, 1997, and 2002, and for certain earlier years, see the information on Benchmark Surveys in section II.E.

Data on the operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies

Comprehensive Financial and Operating Data

 

Other Publications or Articles on the Operations of U.S. Affiliates

SCB issue or publication date, title, and comments

  • 3/00, An Examination of the Low Rates of Return of Foreign-Owned U.S. Companies
    In 1988-97, the average rate of return on assets (ROA) of foreign-owned nonfinancial companies, at 5.1 percent, was 2.2 percentage points below that of U.S.-owned companies; over the period, the ROA gap narrowed to about 1 percentage point in 1997. Among several factors that may help explain the lower ROA of foreign-owned companies, age and market share were found to be significant, and industry mix and shifting of profits outside the United States using transfer prices were found to be relatively insignificant. These findings are based on newly developed estimates of the rate of return for foreign-owned U.S. nonfinancial companies that are disaggregated by industry and valued in current-period prices.
  • 3/99, INTERNATIONAL DIRECT INVESTMENT: Studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
    The publication brings together a number of key studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on U.S. direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in the United States. The studies cover such topics as the characteristics of multinational companies, including their profitability, productivity, and sourcing patterns; measures of direct investment that are valued in current-period prices; and supplemental balance of payments frameworks that incorporate information on ownership from BEA's direct investment surveys. These studies were originally published in the Survey of Current Business,BEA's monthly journal. This publication also includes users' guides to BEA's statistics on direct investment and detailed methodologies from BEA's benchmark survey publications on foreign direct investment in the United States and U.S. direct investment abroad.
    Publication available from GPO, stock number 003-010-00278-6, price $26.00.
  • 4/98, The Domestic Orientation of Production and Sales by U.S. Manufacturing Affiliates of Foreign Companies
    SCB article by Zeile compares the domestic content of output of U.S. manufacturing affiliates of foreign companies with that of other U.S. manufacturing companies. The article also examines the extent to which U.S. manufacturing affiliates rely on foreign sources for their intermediate inputs and whether the affiliates' production is intended for U.S. or foreign markets.
  • 2/97, U.S. Intrafirm Trade in Goods
    SCB article by Zeile examines trends and patterns in U.S. intrafirm trade in goods associated with U.S. and foreign multinational companies in 1977-94. Analyzes the relative importance of intrafirm trade in total U.S. trade in goods with major trading-partner countries in 1992.
  • 10/93, Merchandise Trade of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Companies
    SCB article by Zeile examines BEA's data on U.S.-affiliate trade in goods for 1977-91. It compares the trade in goods of U.S. affiliates with that of all U.S. businesses and analyzes trade patterns by investing country.
  • 11/92, Gross Product of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Direct Investors, 1987-90
    Tables published in SCB article. Presents estimates of gross product of U.S. affiliates for 1987-90 (1987 data replace those in the 6/90 SCB article mentioned below).
  • 6/90, Gross Product of U.S. Affiliates of Foreign Companies, 1977-87
    SCB article by Lowe presents estimates of gross product of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies for 1977-87. Analyzes patterns of growth by industry of affiliate and country of ultimate beneficial owner and compares affiliate data to all-U.S.-business data. 1987 data later revised (see above).
  • 2/90, A Guide to BEA Statistics on Foreign Direct Investment in the United States
    SCB article by Quijano.
  • 7/85, Foreign Direct Investment in the United States: Operations of U.S. Affiliates, 1977-80
    Publication presents universe estimates for 1977-79 and revised benchmark survey data for 1980 on the operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign direct investors. Available from NTIS, product number PB85-240604, domestic price $51.00, foreign price $103.00, per paper copy. (Click on NTIS for shipping and handling fees.) Also available electronically from BEA (see above).

C. Establishment Data from BEA-Census Link

Detailed establishment data for U.S. affiliates of foreign companies obtained from a project that links Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) enterprise, or company, data on foreign direct investment in the United States with the Census Bureau's establishment data for all U.S. companies. The data are presented by detailed industry, by country of ultimate beneficial owner, and by State.

D. U.S. Business Enterprises Acquired or Established by Foreign Direct Investors

Data are from an annual survey of U.S. businesses newly acquired or established by foreign direct investors during the year. The first survey covered 1979. There was a break in the survey series between 2009 and 2013. Data are preliminary when first published; revised data are published a year later.

Survey of Current Business Articles

SCB issue, year covered, author, comments

  • 8/24, 2023,
     This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2023.
  • 8/23, 2022,
     This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2022.
  • 8/22, 2021,
      This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2021.
  • 8/21, 2020,
      This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2020.
  • 8/20, 2019,
      This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2019.
  • 8/19, 2018, Anderson
     This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2018
  • 8/18, 2017, Anderson
     This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2017
  • 8/17, 2016, Anderson
    This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2016
  • 8/16, 2015, Anderson
    This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2015.
  • 1/16, 2014, Anderson
    This article presents data on new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired, established or expanded by foreign direct investors in 2014.
  • 6/09, 2008, Anderson
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2008.
  • 6/08, 2007, Ku-Graf
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2007.
  • 6/07, 2006, McNeil
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2006.
  • 6/06, 2005, McNeil
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2005.
  • 6/05, 2004, Anderson
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2004.
  • 6/04, 2003, Anderson
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2003.
  • 6/03, 2002, Anderson
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2002.
  • 6/02, 2001, Anderson
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2001.
  • 6/01, 2000, Howenstine
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors in 2000.
  • 6/00, 1999, Howenstine & Troia
    This article presents new investments of U.S. business enterprises acquired or established by foreign direct investors for 1999 under both the US SIC and NAICS.
  • 6/99, 1998, Fahim-Nader
    This article is separate from the overall operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in 1997 and presents data for 1998.
  • 6/98, 1997, Fahim-Nader
    The article is combined with the one on the overall operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in 1996.
  • 6/97, 1996, Fahim-Nader
    The article is combined with the one on the overall operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in 1995.
  • 7/96, 1995, Fahim-Nader
    The article is combined with the one on the overall operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in 1994.
  • 5/95, 1994, Fahim-Nader
    The article is combined with the one on the overall operations of U.S. affiliates of foreign companies in 1993.
  • 5/94, 1993, Fahim-Nader
  • 5/93, 1992, Fahim-Nader
  • 5/92, 1991, Fahim-Nader
  • 5/91, 1990, Fahim-Nader
    First estimates to incorporate an adjustment for late reports.
  • 5/90, 1989, Bezirganian
  • 5/89, 1988, Herr
  • 5/88, 1987, Herr
  • 5/87, 1986, Herr
  • 5/86, 1985, Shea
  • 5/85, 1984, Shea
  • 5/84, 1983, Belli
  • 6/83, 1982, Belli
  • 6/82, 1981, Belli
  • 8/81, 1980, Belli
  • 1/81, 1979, Belli

U.S. Business Enterprises Acquired or Established by Foreign Direct Investors

Comprehensive Data

E. Benchmark Surveys and Related Articles

Benchmark surveys are periodic surveys of the universe of foreign direct investment in the United States. In addition to the direct investment position and related capital and income flows, they cover a wide range of operating and financial data of U.S. affiliates of foreign direct investors, such as balance sheets, income statements, external financing, employment and compensation of employees, trade in goods, and selected data by State.

Analytical articles that draw on data from the benchmark surveys are:

SCB issue, year covered, author, and comments

Benchmark surveys have been conducted in 1980, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007.

Benchmark results and their accompanying methodologies.

III. International Services

A. Annual International Services Articles

Beginning with 1990, detailed data on trade in services and on services supplied through the channel of direct investment have been presented in an annual article in the SCB.

Publication date or SCB issue, title, author, and comments

B. Other Articles and Publications on U.S. International Sales and Purchases of Services:

Publication date, title, comments

IV. RELATED ARTICLES AND PUBLICATIONS

A. The International Investment Position of the United States

From June 1985 through June 1993 SCB, the articles on the U.S. international investment position include separate, brief analyses of the direct investment positions (measured at historical cost) for U.S. direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in the United States. In 1994 and 1995, these analyses appear in a separate article in the June SCB (see section I.A and section II.A). The article in the June 1995 issue includes aggregate current cost and market value estimates of the direct investment positions for 1982-94.

NOTE (1): Beginning with 1996, the articles that used to appear in the June issue of the SCB appeared in the July issue.

NOTE (2): The May 1991 SCB article, "Valuation of the U.S. Net International Investment Position," by Landefeld & Lawson, reviews the issues surrounding the valuation of the U.S. net international investment position and presents revalued estimates for direct investment, for U.S. gold reserves, and for the international investment position. The article describes two alternative methods for valuing direct investment in prices of the current period, presents estimates of the direct investment totals for 1982-89 that are prepared using these methods, and compares these estimates with BEA's existing historical-cost estimates and with current-value estimates from several earlier studies. Beginning with the article published in June 1991, the articles listed below show estimates of the position valued at current cost and market value only.

SCB issue, year covered, author, comments

  • 7/24, 2023, Whitaker
  • 7/23, 2022, Whitaker
  • 7/22, 2021, Whitaker
  • 7/21, 2020, Whitaker
  • 7/20, 2019, Nguyen and Whitaker
  • 7/19, 2018, Nguyen and Weinberg
  • 7/18, 2017, Nguyen and Weinberg
  • 7/17, 2016, Nguyen and Weinberg
  • 7/16, 2015, Nguyen
  • 7/15, 2014, Nguyen
  • 7/14, 2013, Nguyen
  • 7/13, 2012, Nguyen
  • 7/12, 2011, Nguyen
  • 7/11, 2010, Nguyen
  • 7/10, 2009, Nguyen
  • 7/09, 2008, Nguyen
  • 7/08, 2007, Nguyen
  • 7/07, 2006, Nguyen
  • 7/06, 2005, Nguyen
  • 7/05, 2004, Nguyen
  • 7/04, 2003, Abaroa
  • 7/03, 2002, Nguyen
  • 7/02, 2001, Nguyen
  • 7/01, 2000, King
  • 7/00, 1999, Scholl
  • 7/99, 1998, Scholl
  • 7/98, 1997, Scholl
  • 7/97, 1996, Scholl
  • 7/96, 1995, Scholl
  • 6/95, 1994, Scholl
  • 6/94, 1993, Scholl
  • 6/93, 1992, Scholl
  • 6/92, 1991, Scholl
  • 6/91, 1990, Scholl
  • 6/90, 1989, Scholl
  • 6/89, 1988, Scholl
  • 6/88, 1987, Scholl
  • 6/87, 1986, Scholl
  • 6/86, 1985, Scholl
  • 6/85, 1984, Scholl
  • 6/84, 1983, Scholl
  • 8/83, 1982, Scholl
  • 8/82, 1981, Scholl
  • 8/81, 1980, Scholl
  • 8/80, 1979, Scholl
  • 8/79, 1978, Scholl (article is in Pt. 1 of this issue)
  • 8/78, 1977, Scholl
  • 10/77, 1976, Scholl
  • 8/76, 1975, Scholl
  • 10/75, 1974, Scholl

B. U.S. International Transactions

A discussion of the prior quarter's balance of payments transactions appears in the March, June, September, and December SCB issues. Beginning in 1996, these articles appeared in the April, July, October, and January SCB.
Other analytical SCB articles include:

SCB issue, title, authors

C. Other Related Publications or Articles

Publication date, title, comments

  • 3/99, INTERNATIONAL DIRECT INVESTMENT: Studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis
    The publication brings together a number of key studies by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) on U.S. direct investment abroad and foreign direct investment in the United States. The studies cover such topics as the characteristics of multinational companies, including their profitability, productivity, and sourcing patterns; measures of direct investment that are valued in current-period prices; and supplemental balance of payments frameworks that incorporate information on ownership from BEA's direct investment surveys. These studies were originally published in the Survey of Current Business, BEA's monthly journal. This publication also includes users' guides to BEA's statistics on direct investment and detailed methodologies from BEA's benchmark survey publications on foreign direct investment in the United States and U.S. direct investment abroad. Publication available from GPO, stock number 003-010-00278-6, price $26.00.

SCB issue date, title, authors

TELEPHONE CONTACTS FOR DATA USERS - INTERNATIONAL

List of staff contacts

Order forms

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