Foreigners demand for U.S. assets rise in Aug. (by Greg Robb)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Foreign demand for U.S. assets increased strongly in August after two weak months, government data released Tuesday showed. Foreign investors bought a net $57.9 billion of long-term U.S. assets in August, up from $9.1 billion in July and $4.1 billion in June, the Treasury Department said. Net purchases by private investors were $74.7 billion in August while net purchases by foreign government institutions fell by $8.7 billion. International demand for long-term Treasurys was strong in August. Foreigners bought a net $60.1 billion of long-term Treasurys in August after net purchases of $15.6 billion in the prior month. According to the data, Mainland China decreased its Treasury holdings in August, the first decline since March. Japan and the United Kingdom increased their holdings.