Treasury International Capital data is a monthly US Treasury release showing cross-border purchases and holdings of US securities, including which foreign countries hold US government debt and by how much it changed.

How do capital flows affect currency prices?

Buying a country's assets requires buying its currency first. Sustained net inflows create structural demand that supports the exchange rate; sustained outflows do the opposite.

Is TIC data useful for short-term trading?

Rarely. It is published with a lag of about two months and is best used as medium-term directional context rather than an entry trigger.

FX TERMINAL

Capital Flows — TIC & Fund Flows

Cross-border money moves currencies. This screen tracks US Treasury International Capital (TIC) data — the major foreign holders of US Treasuries and US liabilities to foreigners by type — alongside ICI investment fund flows, so you can follow the structural demand for dollars behind medium-term FX trends.

Follow the money that moves exchange rates

Exchange rates are ultimately set by cross-border money. This screen tracks US Treasury International Capital (TIC) data — which countries hold US Treasuries and how those holdings are changing, plus US liabilities to foreigners by instrument type — alongside ICI investment fund flows.

These are slow-moving, structural series rather than intraday signals. They tell you whether foreign demand for dollar assets is building or draining underneath the price action, which is exactly the context a multi-week position needs and a scalp does not.

How to use flow data alongside price

Treat capital flows as a bias filter. Persistent foreign accumulation of Treasuries argues for dollar resilience on dips; sustained selling by large official holders argues the other way. Combine it with rate differentials, which explain why the flow is happening, and COT positioning, which shows how crowded the resulting trade already is.

Frequently asked questions

What is TIC data?: Treasury International Capital data is a monthly US Treasury release showing cross-border purchases and holdings of US securities, including which foreign countries hold US government debt and by how much it changed.
How do capital flows affect currency prices?: Buying a country's assets requires buying its currency first. Sustained net inflows create structural demand that supports the exchange rate; sustained outflows do the opposite.
Is TIC data useful for short-term trading?: Rarely. It is published with a lag of about two months and is best used as medium-term directional context rather than an entry trigger.

Related tools

FX Terminal provides free market research and analysis for informational purposes only. Nothing here is investment advice or a recommendation to trade. Trading forex carries a high level of risk.