U.S. Foreign Security Holdings Reach $19.3 Trillion
Investors held $19.3 trillion in foreign assets at year-end 2025, a significant increase from the previous year.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Investing
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U.S. investors held $19.3 trillion in foreign securities at the end of 2025, marking an increase from $15.8 trillion the prior year. This final data reflects the scale of American investment in international markets as of December 31, 2025.
Why it matters
The survey provides a comprehensive look at how U.S. capital is distributed globally, highlighting the reliance on international equity and debt markets for diversification. Monitoring these shifts helps households understand their exposure to foreign economies through their retirement and brokerage accounts.
U.S. portfolio holdings reached $19.3 trillion at the end of 2025, an increase from $15.8 trillion recorded the previous year. This total is comprised of $15.2 trillion in foreign equities and $4 trillion combined in long-term and short-term debt securities.
The players
U.S. Department of the Treasury
The federal agency that manages government revenue and produces reports on international capital flows.
Federal Reserve Bank of New York
A central banking institution that monitors financial markets and contributes to U.S. economic data tracking.
The details
The portfolio figures represent the total market value of foreign securities held by U.S. investors, which helps track how assets are allocated across international borders. The majority of these holdings are categorized as foreign equity, while the remainder is split between long-term and short-term debt securities. The data is compiled through a joint effort by the Treasury and Federal Reserve to map global investment trends.
Timeline
December 31, 2025: The survey date for portfolio holdings.
October 30, 2026: Final data released on the Treasury website.
February 26, 2027: Expected release of preliminary data for June 2026.
Money Landscape
This release follows the reporting protocols of the Treasury International Capital system, which acts as the primary benchmark for measuring U.S. cross-border financial activity. The growth in holdings reflects ongoing participation in global markets as a method for managing portfolio diversification.
Investors should review their brokerage statements to understand how much of their portfolio is exposed to the international markets highlighted in this survey. Consult a qualified financial professional to determine if your current asset allocation aligns with your long-term risk tolerance.
The takeaway
This data highlights the significant scale of American capital invested in foreign markets. Households should periodically audit their international exposure to ensure it remains consistent with their overall financial strategy.
What happens next
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is scheduled to release preliminary results for foreign portfolio holdings of U.S. securities as of end-June 2026 on February 26, 2027.
Further reading
For more on managing international allocations, visit the Investing section.
More information
Review the final data survey findings for a detailed breakdown of these holdings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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