Bleeker, after returning from vacation I read about 300+ thqi posts, and along w/ the upbeat nature of the stock & board certainly did enjoy your and Aloha's tet-a-tet over world economic directions. I see that this question of largest foreign holders of us bonds (treasuries?) keeps coming up. I, personally had thought that it was Japan, but that is not of relevance. In order to answer these profound questions the Treasury Dept yesterday, 7/1/98 at 1:20 p.m. issued their monthly Table of Major Foreign Holders of U. S. Tresury Securities. I got this over dow jones wires (quotron) and do not have a link.
As of Apr, 98, all in billions the uk held 304.7,jap held 287.3, Ger. 93.3, followed in descending order by OPEC, Spain, China, HK, Neth. Ant. (not Neth.), Sing., Taiwan, Can, Switz, Bel-Lux, Mex, Fr.,Thai, Korea.
In March 98 the gap was UK 299.8, Jap 297.3,
Feb. 98 UK 304.9, Jap 296.9.
Jan uk 299.2, jap 293.3.
In 1997 the picture was different w/
Dec, 97 UK held 286.9, Jap 300.7.
June, 97 UK 237.3 vs Jap 316.9.
In Dec. 96 the UK held 190.6 vs Jap 286.4.
As a member since March I would make one observation, during the very down period after the wcw license loss, then the 88% earnings fiasco, both you and Aloha, thought neither of you held a position, both maintained a relatively positive wait and see approach. When things began to look up both of you began to be and became rock solid in your bullishness, altho Aloha at 23.75 on the way down and you at 26 on the way up.
The point is that all of us readers benefitted from both your points of view, then and now. I feel the best results are achieved when we can come to a conclusion based on as much knowledge as possible, even when I may be envious of those who reach the same conclusion w/ less information. I ,and at least some others, am interested in as many points of view as possible, then I'll reach my own conclusions.
In colonial Va. the pineapple was a sign put out as a welcome to others. Yours was a rather bleak, even though you added sugar, aberration of a nice theme.
All imo, except the statitics which are courtesy of Dept of Treas.
stx79 |
