The real behind the scenes story is the Foreigners who are fleeing the US$ in record numbers. The Greenback would be swirling around the toilet bowl and headed down the sewer if it weren't for coordinated support by foreign Central banks purchasing Treasurys during the month of August.
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Treasury International Capital (TIC) Data for July
Treasury International Capital (TIC) data for July 2008 are released today and posted on the U.S. Treasury website (www.treas.gov/tic). The next release, which will report on data for August, is scheduled for October 16, 2008.
Net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $6.1 billion.
Net foreign purchases of long-term U.S. securities were negative $25.6 billion. Of this, net purchases by private foreign investors were negative $20.7 billion, and net purchases by foreign official institutions were negative $4.9 billion.
U.S. residents sold a net $31.7 billion of long-term foreign securities.
Net foreign acquisition of long-term securities, taking into account adjustments, is estimated to have been negative $8.2 billion.
Foreign holdings of dollar-denominated short-term U.S. securities, including Treasury bills, and other custody liabilities decreased $8.4 billion. Foreign holdings of Treasury bills decreased $4.4 billion.
Banks' own net dollar-denominated liabilities to foreign residents declined $58.1 billion.
Monthly net TIC flows were negative $74.8 billion. Of this, net foreign private flows were negative $92.9 billion, and net foreign official flows were $18.2 billion.Net foreign purchases of long-term securities were $6.1 billion.