The cross-border activity was concentrated on debt securities, with foreign investors adding $31.4 billion worth in the month, up from $20.4 billion the previous month.
StatsCan reported that investors targeted federal debt — adding $8.6 billion in bonds and $6.5 billion worth of money market securities — along with $9.8 billion in corporate debt.
Conversely, foreign investors trimmed $1.3 billion worth of Canadian equities in the month.
“The reduction reflected retirements of Canadian portfolio shares resulting from cross-border merger and acquisition activities. Foreign purchases of Canadian shares on the secondary market, led by shares of chartered banks, moderated the overall reduction,” StatsCan said.
At the same time, Canadian investors ramped up their buying of foreign securities in November.
In total, domestic investors added $17.5 billion in foreign securities, StatsCan reported. This was up from $5.4 billion in October.
Canadian investors jumped into U.S. stocks in November, buying $7.4 billion worth of equities, up from just $652 million in October. Large-cap tech stocks and index funds were the primary targets, StatsCan said.
Additionally, investors bought $4.0 billion worth of non-U.S. foreign shares in November, reversing a $2.5-billion divestment in October.
Canadian investors also added $6.1 billion in foreign debt, including $2.8 billion in U.S. corporate bonds and $1.6 billion in U.S. government bonds.
In a research note, National Bank Financial Inc. (NBF) said November’s $17.5-billion net investment means Canadian investors acquired $144.4 billion worth of foreign securities during the first 11 months of 2021.
“In dollar terms, you won’t find a prior [year-to-date] tally remotely close,” NBF said, noting that the previous record was $73.3 billion about 15 years ago.
Even with the record flow into foreign securities, net portfolio flows are still positive for Canada, as foreign buying of Canadian securities has been even stronger.
“An improved current account means Canada is less reliant on foreign inflows,” NBF said. “Still, the apparent abandonment of Canada by domestic investors is part of an overall capital bleed that needs redressing.”
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 100 points in late-morning trading, helped by strength in base metal and utility stocks, while U.S. stock markets were mixed.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 103.40 points at 24,542.48.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 192.31 points at 42,932.73. The S&P 500 index was up 7.14 points at 5,822.40, while the Nasdaq composite was down 9.03 points at 18,306.56.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.44 cents US on Tuesday.
The November crude oil contract was down 71 cents at US$69.87 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down eight cents at US$2.42 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$7.20 at US$2,686.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.35 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 200 points in late-morning trading, while U.S. stock markets were also headed higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 205.86 points at 24,508.12.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 336.62 points at 42,790.74. The S&P 500 index was up 34.19 points at 5,814.24, while the Nasdaq composite was up 60.27 points at 18.342.32.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.61 cents US compared with 72.71 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was down 15 cents at US$75.70 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was down two cents at US$2.65 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$29.60 at US$2,668.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.47 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2024.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was little changed in late-morning trading as the financial sector fell, but energy and base metal stocks moved higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 0.05 of a point at 24,224.95.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 94.31 points at 42,417.69. The S&P 500 index was down 10.91 points at 5,781.13, while the Nasdaq composite was down 29.59 points at 18,262.03.
The Canadian dollar traded for 72.71 cents US compared with 73.05 cents US on Wednesday.
The November crude oil contract was up US$1.69 at US$74.93 per barrel and the November natural gas contract was up a penny at US$2.67 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$14.70 at US$2,640.70 an ounce and the December copper contract was up two cents at US$4.42 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 10, 2024.
