Foreign purchases of U.S. long-term securities cooled sharply at the start of 2026, according to the latest Treasury International Capital (TIC) data. Net long-term transactions dropped to $15.5 billion in January 2026, a steep decline from the revised $96.5 billion recorded in December 2025.
The January reading underscores a significant pullback in net foreign demand for U.S. long-term assets after a strong year-end surge. While still positive, the much smaller inflow suggests international investors were more cautious heading into 2026, potentially reassessing U.S. financial markets and interest-rate dynamics following the robust December figures.
The data, updated on 18 March 2026, will be closely monitored by market participants as an indicator of global appetite for U.S. Treasuries and other long-term instruments, given its implications for funding conditions, the dollar, and broader capital flows into the United States.
