Chinese Holdings Of U.S. Assets
From BCA:
China currently has about 64% of its foreign reserves in U.S. assets, a level that has declined gradually from as high as 84% in 2003. The majority of Chinese holdings of U.S. assets are risk free and long-term in nature, but there has been a clear trend in China’s reserve holdings that shows a persistent increase in exposure to risky assets and non-U.S. assets over the past five years.
Although, China’s net purchases of risky U.S assets have dropped sharply since mid-last year, while its net purchases of Treasurys have jumped. This underscores the authorities’ reduced risk appetite amid the ongoing global storm. Their reserve diversification process could accelerate again when global financial markets stabilize. Importantly, China’s net purchases of short-term U.S. Treasurys have jumped dramatically over the past year, accounting for the majority of the country’s total net purchases of U.S.government paper. This is an unprecedented development and a situation that warrants close attention going forward.
11:08:00, March 23, 2009
Demystifying Chinese Holdings Of U.S. Assets
Source:
March 25th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
Risk free..?? Interesting concept….
March 25th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Clearly, when the Chinese decide to allocate away from short-term US paper, there will be renewed bids for assets. The trick is figure out where that capital will flow. US equities? Maybe. Commodities and other hard assets? Almost certainly.
I blogged about this in January… although I had a little more spin on it:
http://www.dwaserstein.com/blog/?p=17
March 25th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
@The trick is figure out where that capital will flow.
Hmm.. oil, metals, grains or pieces of American paper….?? I think we know the answer.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:24 am
“ps – BR I need a thread to add juice to the World Currency idea” … thanks I’ll take this
World Currency ..an interesting concept from a common mans pov. Nearby there’s a cement mill owned by Italians and a steel rolling mill owned by Indians, both mothballed for the time being … Why … break unions or level wages across global lines .. idled for slow economy .. paybacks for __ .. raw material harder to acquire .. my beaver dam theory …… I don’t know .. only the Shadow knows what lurks in the hearts of men and corporations.
But – these factory closings if long enough will have affects here just like other places in America. I mention only those because they are recent and what I term super large grown over time capital investments. Corporatism now by nature (bottom line cash driven) are flying a world flag .. altho it is commonplace to see the country of the corporate CEOs choosing and the land the plant/office is physically in. A Corporation and its govenment affiliation has given us common folk pause as to our power over major system powers (many times our employers).
The idea of a world currency would have major powers setting laws for the general well being of all again. We here in America, the melting pot of the world with trio deficits (trade, general government, entitlements) we could throw this bone to our countries of origin to ease our growing pains. I also consider this a step in the road to world peace. A single currency would remove an avenue for distaster capitalism destruction mechanisms.
A world currency also would spread the costs of world military police oversight across other countries.The commonman American taxpayer is carry’g a large percentage of this cost from payroll deductions and corporate writeoffs and rentier class pass-thru.
A world currency would assist in balancing the labor scales across bounderies.
A world currency would allow easier world travel and re-settlement and bring our races of people together.
All this said … imo .. someday a system of points for labor starting from schooldays all through a productive life will be the best path to prosperity. Muscle effort / Danger / Commitment to educational excellence of the Job Description Labor needs to be a part of the point system. The productive life period becomes retirement when wished or when your body is in the way of what needs to done.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
What percentage of their holdings is short term? I’m not sure but I think the majority of their holdings is in 5 year maturities or less. They’d be idiots to go any further out than that. The only reason for them to buy Treasuries at all is to put some upward pressure on the USD/CNY exchange rate.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Greg0658 Says at 7:24 am “World Currency ..an interesting concept ….” … 24 hours later .. happy with that post but ..
“The productive life period becomes retirement when wished or when your body is in the way of what needs to done.” Imo that was my worst sentence .. “wished” and “in the way” meant a person who has legally performed and isn’t ready to stay home all day for what ever reason. To define “productive life period” imo begins about 6th grade. From personal life contributing began then. Paperboy, assist school librarian, summer assisting at disabled camp, crossing guard (actually that was 4th 5th) the work history beginning early should help development of the child. “the period” revolves around NOT “look busy work” or “crush your adversary work” it revolves around “providing” without waste and with imo duplicate multiple factories / systems .. so as to keep the good parts of competition against a friendly adversary. Multiple factory plants would balance duplicity (busy work) to reduce shipping costs, weather interuptions and environmental concerns.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Since u’all don’t wanna bite on this .. I went surfin the ocean .. posted this at:
Blog toe in water exploring. I searched out a story this am on Backman and u’all came up.
I didn’t understand there was a trade currency only slant to the idea. Probably blame sound-bite reporting.
The MSM did a number on her last night for opening the dialog wideopen. I will remind the MN Rep & u’all it wasn’t long ago the Amero had a foot in the door (imo). That’s a Mexico America Canada common currency. With the persistent free trade negotiations with Columbia I wouldn’t doubt they were to be in to. This latest collapse of the monetary system has the resemblance to the Euro on the way back burner .. right now this new idea is floating around this crapper
http://www.examiner.com/x-243-Progressive-Politics-Examiner~y2009m3d26-Rep-Michelle-Bachman-introducing-legislation-to-protect-US-dollar
ps – BR thanks for the linking freedom