Foreign demand for U.S. assets cools in Oct. (by Greg Robb)

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Foreign investors were buyers of a net $2.6 billion of long-term U.S. securities in October, the lowest amount since June, government data released Thursday showed. This is down from $65.6 billion in September. Overall, foreigners bought a net $4.8 billion of long-term U.S. assets in October, down from $68.3 billion in September. Foreign investors were net buyers of only $7.5 billion of Treasurys in October down from $84.4 billion in September. They bought a net $3.7 billion of government agency bonds in October compared with $7.2 billion in September. Foreigners demand for corporate bonds remains virtually nonexistent. Foreign-based investors bought a net $2.9 billion in U.S. equities in the month. According to the data, sales of Treasurys directly attributed to Mainland China were $14.2 billion in October. China often acquires Treasurys through firms in other countries. The United Kingdom was a seller of $13.2 billion of Treasurys in October. Japan was a buyer of $22.2 billion.