WASHINGTON (AP) -- Foreign demand for U.S. Treasury securities rose to a record level in September for the ninth straight month. The increase suggests overseas investors are confident in U.S. debt despite a potential budget crisis.
The Treasury Department says total foreign holdings rose to $5.46 trillion in September, up 0.1 percent from August.
China, the largest holder of U.S. government debt, barely increased its holdings in September to $1.16 trillion. Japan, the second-largest holder, increased its holdings to $1.13 trillion. Brazil trimmed its holdings to $267 billion.
Investors continued to buy U.S. Treasurys, even as lawmakers and President Barack Obama remained at odds over whether to raise the U.S. borrowing limit as part of a broader budget deal.
| Approve: | 46.0% |
| Disapprove: | 49.0% |
| Spread: | -3.0% |
| Republican: | 39.0% |
| Democrat: | 41.7% |
| Spread: | +2.7% |
| Right Direction: | 31.3% |
| Wrong Track: | 59.4% |
| Spread: | -28.1% |
| Approve: | 14.4% |
| Disapprove: | 77.6% |
| Spread: | -63.2% |
