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March 11, 2021CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT POSITION, Q4 2020 For a third consecutive quarter, Canada's net international investment position rose on higher foreign equity prices, with the increase moderated by the revaluation effects resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates.
As of Q4 2020, Canada had a positive net international investment position (at market value) of $1,360.6 billion. This consists of Canadian-held assets abroad worth $6,582.0 billion net of the Canadian liabilities to asset-holders abroad valued at $5,221.5 billion. The recent rebound in asset and liability values is associated with recovering equity prices as major stock markets reported gains over the last three quarters.
The gains in equity prices affects Canada's international assets more than it does Canada's international liabilities. Canada's international assets were up $497.3 billion to a record high on market price changes and increased investment. Liabilities were up $249.3 billion on higher market prices and increased foreign borrowing.
CANADA'S INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT POSITION BY DETAILED ASSET CATEGORY
Canada's international assets abroad consist of just over 70% equity (either direct investment or portfolio investment). Debt, bonds, loans, currency/bank deposits make up the bulk of the rest of Canada's international asset position. In contrast, Canada's liabilities to asset-holders abroad consist more of debt (direct debt, bonds, money market securities and currency/bank deposits) than of equity, which only accounts for about 40% of liabilities.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 36-10-0485-01 International investment position, book and market values, quarterly (x 1,000,000)
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