China Brings US Treasury Holdings To One Year Low, Russia Cuts Treasury Exposure By 50% In One Year

Tyler Durden's picture




Today's TIC data confirmed what Zero Hedge readers have now known for quite some time: namely that foreigners are selling US paper. And while we have used contemporaneous Custody Account data from the Fed to present that in the past 7 weeks foreigners have sold a record amount of bonds, we now get confirmation via TIC that in November the selling continued, especially at the biggest non-Fed holder of US paper, China, which saw its holdings down to $1,132.6 billion, the lowest in the past year. Yet where the selling is just relentless is in Russia, which has quite demonstratively slashed its US Treasury holdings in half in the past year from $176 billion to under $80 billion. Putin is not happy, and is not afraid to show it.

China:

Russia:

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Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:22 | 2074071 Gavrikon
Gavrikon's picture

All the more for the Fed to buy.  Where's the prob?

Snicker.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:29 | 2074101 Chief KnocAHoma
Chief KnocAHoma's picture

That Commie bastard! That waste of space country will be selling it's soul to stay together while our children will be taking the USA to new heights.

It is all in the geography... we have two oceans, lots of deep water ports, ample resources, and our military is the best in the world. They are basically land locked to the west, and have no infrastructure.

He may be able to ruff up the dollar in the short term, but he is digging his own grave by doing it.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:32 | 2074111 j0nx
j0nx's picture

Is MDB off today and you are pulling the slack for him? The world is full of zombies and I hate to break it to you but the USA is leading the pack.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:07 | 2074213 spiral_eyes
Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:50 | 2074597 ratso
ratso's picture

OOOO! should we bee reeeaaally afriad?? I don't think so.

If China and Russia have sold some of our paper and the price hasn't moved, isn't that a good sign?  Yes

Are Russia and China the economic geniuses of our time who have figured out how to fairly value US Treasury debt?  I don't think so.

In sum, Russia and China selling our debt is probably the most bullish indicator that we have seen for a while for the US economy.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:33 | 2074115 end da fed
end da fed's picture

fuck! unload them faster and let's get this ball rolling

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:53 | 2074178 AbruptlyKawaii
AbruptlyKawaii's picture

dirty float bitchez

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:37 | 2074117 MillionDollarBonus_
MillionDollarBonus_'s picture

Give me a break. Once Americans start saving and putting the squeeze on Chinese exports, the Chinese come back with their tails between their legs and ramp up their treasury holdings. If the world really thinks they can do without the hearty American consumer, they need to think again.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:43 | 2074143 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

I agree, MDB knows EVERYTHING!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:49 | 2074162 azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

Saving? We don't need no stinking savings  We are America Bennie prints it

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:55 | 2074643 pirea
pirea's picture

bullshit

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 13:01 | 2074961 ZeroChance
ZeroChance's picture

Save what?  There is excess money in American's budgets?  Even if there were, the discipline and act of savings has been on a 30+ year steady decline.  Behavior is going to change overnight from consumption to savings?  Maybe somewhat, where possible, but that is ignoring that the typical American household budget is impacted with all of the recent shocks (bubble burst, extra debt, under-/un-employment, etc.).

So, all of a sudden, the nation is going to save their "excess money" and change behaviors they've had for the majority of their lives.  No doubt austerity is coming to the US (dramatically more than already) and that will impact everyone that sells to us.  But, there will be no active "squeezing" of anyone as if it's our empowered plan or some other fantasy.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 14:24 | 2075390 _ConanTheLibert...
_ConanTheLibertarian_'s picture

Once Americans start saving

LOL. Americans don't know shit about saving. They are too indoctrinated and/or dumb. Besides save what money? They are broke and buy everything on credit.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:35 | 2074118 dwdollar
dwdollar's picture

You forgot '/sarc'

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:52 | 2074168 Slartebartfast
Slartebartfast's picture

Hey Cheif!  How cool is your gig?  Sitting at home getting paid by the CorpGov to post their propaganda on ZH between rounds of Modern Warfare.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:30 | 2074279 ShankyS
ShankyS's picture

Hey - woooo - easy on the MW3 talk there. As for the rest, proceed. 

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:59 | 2074379 Chief KnocAHoma
Chief KnocAHoma's picture

Sorry it took me over an hour to respond to you panty waste, but I had a cell phone to one ear and land line the to the other while returning emails.

The movers and shakers like me and MDB are trying to keep the world going and still make time to post her among the social retards.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:54 | 2074176 Manthong
Manthong's picture

Rickards refers to Russia something to the effect of a mineral resources extraction racket run by a mafia.

Regardless, they need US paper only to the extent it supports their racket.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:00 | 2074656 el-greco
el-greco's picture

Hey Chief! Go back to the fifties.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 15:29 | 2075621 Chief KnocAHoma
Chief KnocAHoma's picture

That was WAY before I was born. By your name I would guess you like it up the ass.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:41 | 2074119 tarsubil
tarsubil's picture

10y is at 1.87. Um, can anyone reconcile these numbers? UK and Japan buying?

Also, is there any way China can dump treasuries without screwing themselves?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:21 | 2076416 UP Forester
UP Forester's picture

1.87% with a real inflation rate of 7-12%?

Sounds like a deal to me.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:45 | 2074138 GOSPLAN HERO
GOSPLAN HERO's picture

(Post under review - Alien and Sedition Acts - U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:47 | 2074150 Rodolfito
Rodolfito's picture

Before SOPA flies thru to protect their guilty asses, get DeSopa (for firefox) for starters ..

http://www.geek.com/articles/geek-pick/how-to-bypass-sopa-restrictions-2...

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:13 | 2074457 Babushka
Babushka's picture

Me like the link to anti-sopa (workarounds) gigs!!!

The ending recieves both thumbs up: The saddest thing about all of this is that these solutions have been used before. While these workarounds will help you to bypass SOPA, they are the same methods that experts recommend for bypassing the national firewall in China.

 

God bless USA and China soped all over !!!  and Hillary for promoting Internet freedom!!!

Bend over bitchez stile....

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:23 | 2074072 Bob Sacamano
Bob Sacamano's picture

Five or ten years of this data would be helpful for context.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:25 | 2074087 Tyler Durden
Tyler Durden's picture

The Treasury is kind enough to revise it every year to make any long-term analysis impossible

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:30 | 2074103 Joe Davola
Joe Davola's picture

Does "revise" mean "manipulate it to fit the current narrative"?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 14:26 | 2075396 _ConanTheLibert...
_ConanTheLibertarian_'s picture

How dare you imply that! ;-)

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:30 | 2076447 UP Forester
UP Forester's picture

Yeah, get in the truck, we've got a nice Summer Camp filled with educational opportunities for you!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:40 | 2074129 Eireann go Brach
Eireann go Brach's picture

Tyler, what % of Treasuries are the Fed buying on average each month right now?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 19:30 | 2076451 UP Forester
UP Forester's picture

What comes after 100%?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:23 | 2074075 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

But Robo insists theyre buying like mad.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:27 | 2074093 Quintus
Quintus's picture

Maybe he means you'd have to be mad to buy them.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:32 | 2074113 tmosley
tmosley's picture

You can't expect him to give a good analysis on the day of his unbirthday party.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:29 | 2074099 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

If you're happy and you know it sell US toilet paper.

If you're happy and you know it sell US toilet paper.

If your'e happy and you know and your gold and silver show it.

If you're happy and you know it sell US toilet paper.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:46 | 2074147 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

I had a friend named: Richard D. Kaye.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:52 | 2074173 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

His parents are funny. 

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 15:08 | 2075550 Lux Fiat
Lux Fiat's picture

I've heard that if the SHTF, stocks of TP are very good to have around.  Especially since it looks like Sears catalogs will be in short supply....

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:37 | 2074122 dwdollar
dwdollar's picture

The idiots are buying like mad. Just like the idiots bought stocks like mad in 2000 and real estate like mad in 2007.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:48 | 2074158 Rodolfito
Rodolfito's picture

He needs to put bread on the table, like the rest of us.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074076 Gadocat99
Gadocat99's picture

Y-Axis

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074078 GeneMarchbanks
GeneMarchbanks's picture

Ohhh man! The € is in trouble boyeeeee!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:27 | 2074079 847328_3527
847328_3527's picture

"Across all OECD countries, public debt-to-GDP ratios now average 100%. This leaves them all vulnerable. At 5% interest, they have to devote one 20th of their output to servicing old debt. If they have tax revenues of 20% of GDP, it means that a quarter of their revenues must be used to cover the debt. If interest rates don’t rise, they can hold on. But if they are still running deficits larger than their growth rates, the situation is hopeless.

In America, for example, the deficit – in terms of GDP – is increasing at three times the rate of the economy beneath it.

Already, most of the big banks in Europe and America are probably insolvent. Without artificial support from the authorities they would probably be unable to survive a crisis. Trouble is, the authorities have no real support to give. Most of the nations of the developed world are insolvent too. They can shuffle along now… but could not survive a run on their bonds."

 

From The Daily Reckoning web site by Bill Bonner. He makes a good point.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:10 | 2074436 Chief KnocAHoma
Chief KnocAHoma's picture

Again I believe this is all a matter of improperly valued assets.

Gold, silver, land should all be 3x there current levels. Ass pirate lawyers, actors and public employees should have their incomes reduced by 1/2.

Engineers and technical specialist should have their incomes doubled.

The house of reps should be a part time gig, with very limited campaign funding.

And it would be helpful if we would really think about who we are electing as President. Dancing skills on the Lesbo Ellen show should not count as a qualification.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 16:33 | 2075830 xela2200
xela2200's picture

Ah an idealist. Yeap, and on paper communism also sounds like the most compassionate system .

The human part of the equation always screws it up. It is not that We have greedy people, it is that the field is unfair. If you make it there is always somebody telling you that your income should be reduced by 1/2. Bring them ALL down, it is not fair. Let's all be equal. /sarc

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:11 | 2074444 Ratscam
Ratscam's picture

in reference to your avatar.
costa concordia had 13 decks all given names of European countries.
It's drowning. Talking about synchronicity!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074081 pazmaker
pazmaker's picture

what will we do when there is no one left to buy our toilet paper?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:30 | 2074105 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

Use it to warm the fire place.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:47 | 2074152 Pladizow
Pladizow's picture

Intrinsic Value = BTU's

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:58 | 2074954 Diet Coke and F...
Diet Coke and Floozies's picture

I recommend gasification technology for maximum efficiency...

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:04 | 2074206 LongBallsShortBrains
LongBallsShortBrains's picture

Finally cover these damn shorts.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 12:02 | 2074669 pirea
pirea's picture

we are going to store it at the FED

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074082 LongSoupLine
LongSoupLine's picture

don't worry, the Fed wants it all.  After all, there's so much monitizing and so little time.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074083 monmick
monmick's picture

Thank God the "US Households" can take-up the slack...

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 11:01 | 2074391 HurricaneSeason
HurricaneSeason's picture

This is the big breaking story I've been waiting for. Peru and Poland are lending us $100-$150 billion a month? The real number must be much higher given empoyment and cpi numbers and the wars and other things being off the books. It almost has to be the main heroin dealer in Afghanistan. If the main heroin dealer is in Afghanistan and making $4 trillion a year, he could probably be paying our debt.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:24 | 2074084 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

I read these posts and I ask who is buying? If it is the fed why is the balance sheet not exploding?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:33 | 2074108 Quintus
Quintus's picture

Have a read of this, and marvel at the impending catastrophe our 'Leaders' have wrought in their attempt to create fake demand for US Treasuries.

http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article32610.html

To answer your question regarding the Fed's balance sheet not exploding - you're looking in the wrong place.

What is, in fact, exploding is the derivative books of the TBTF banks where all the fake demand for these UST is coming from.  For example, in just the first half of 2011, Morgan Stanley just happened to grow their swap book from 27.2 Trillion to 35.2 Trillion in notional – for a cool increase of 8 Trillion in six months at one investment bank.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:41 | 2074137 fonzannoon
fonzannoon's picture

Interesting thanks.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:41 | 2074298 cowdiddly
cowdiddly's picture

Not only have the derivatives been exploding(the same thing that caused the 2008 crisis that Dodd Frank was suppossed to fix) but, what nuclear financial catastrophy has to happen to trigger an actual payout of these things as europe has shown us. DEAD MONEY. Thanks again Blythe Masters for such a wonderful inovative product. Between this and your silver shorts you are a real piece of work. You have been more responsible for the disaster the markets have become since Slick willie and Graham/Leach removed Glass Steagal and raided the SSI money to announce a balanced budget.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:32 | 2074114 Dr. Richard Head
Dr. Richard Head's picture

Balance sheet has in fact been exploding and has been touted by "officials" to be bullish for the dollar.  See?!?!  WE ARE ALL FUCKING SAVED!!!!!!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:26 | 2074088 Darth Silver
Darth Silver's picture

with all this selling and the deficit spending that continues to go on, how could operation twist being fully fund the hole?  mathmatically it doesnt seem plausible that a stealth QE3 hasnt been happening and the Fed has it under wraps. 

just saying......

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:28 | 2074100 firstdivision
firstdivision's picture

With all this selling, one has to wonder why USGB's are so high.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 15:25 | 2075605 xela2200
xela2200's picture

Monetization is happening somehow or it will soon. For now it could be the twist operation. Hover, once that program runs its course (fully twisted), then outright printing will be the only answer possible. We are not growing our way out of this mess. Therefore, tax revenue is not going to increase any time soon without inflation.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:26 | 2074090 firstdivision
firstdivision's picture

Anyone have any idea what they are doing with the money.....GOLD! 

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:41 | 2074314 Alchemist1
Alchemist1's picture

The reason they have less treasuries is because they have been bleeding reserves.. to answer your question, they are not doing anythign with the money because capital is leaving both Russia and China

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:26 | 2074091 GOSPLAN HERO
GOSPLAN HERO's picture

The Fed will continue to buy ALL debt.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:28 | 2074096 swissaustrian
swissaustrian's picture

I´m 3x short 10 y since october

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:29 | 2074102 firstdivision
firstdivision's picture

Ouch!  Lube helps...take it from someone that went short 10Y last summer.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:30 | 2074104 Boston
Boston's picture

Uh oh.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:38 | 2074125 qussl3
qussl3's picture

Why the hell would you short something where the other party has everything to lose, yet can keep the ball in the air at the press of a button.

Yes it's senseless that people still take ponzibucks, but thats just the reality, even better that the ROW are willing to do actual WORK for those ponzibucks, so why the heck would they stop printing it?

Until the major reserve pools, asset pools and trading venues have redenominated the ponzibuck will continue the buttrape.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:42 | 2074140 Boston
Boston's picture

Yields could rise when/if QE3 gets pre-announced, just like they did after QE1 and QE2 were announced.

Short term trade only, bec. you're right in that rates won't be permitted to rise too much, else the Ponzi collapses.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:32 | 2074110 LFMayor
LFMayor's picture

Layman's question here,  If these two are reducing (selling?) their holding who in the hell is buying it?   No private party has this kind of heat sink, so it must be a govt entity.  Have we coerced an "ally" into doing it or is it our own Fed.  How can the Fed camoflauge it?

It makes my head spin to think that this is just some sort of F upped feedback loop.  Is it just a case of mega-sized check-kiting?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:32 | 2074112 Archimedes
Archimedes's picture

BFD! 176 Billion to 80 Billion? The US borrows that much in a month. When China cuts their holdings in half then I will start paying attention.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:38 | 2074127 firstdivision
firstdivision's picture

OT FYI: PNC's profit was down 40% YoY

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:39 | 2074131 dick cheneys ghost
dick cheneys ghost's picture

Syria?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:15 | 2074228 xcehn
xcehn's picture

Surprisingly, the Russians practically gave the West a green light on Syrian 'humanitarian' intervention:

"If someone conceives the idea of using force at any cost — and I’ve already heard calls for sending some Arab troops to Syria — we are unlikely to be able to prevent this,” Mr. Lavrov said. “But this should be done on their own initiative and should remain on their conscience. They won’t get any authorization from the Security Council.”  [Lavrov]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/world/europe/russia-warns-against-supp...

 

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:39 | 2074132 youngman
youngman's picture

You will see this trifecta alot more in the future..the Japan/ UK/ USA buying each others debt....smoke and mirrors....none of these countries have extra cash flow to invest...stong economies for that cash flow to occur...lol...its our bank helping their bank helping the other bank.....what a joke

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:40 | 2074133 Dreadker
Dreadker's picture

Makes sense - if you're going to go to war over your pal Iran and Syria, you don't want to be holding the enemy countries debt now do you... ;-)

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:41 | 2074136 jm
jm's picture

Well, Ts are expensive right now.  Great time to sell for countries needing to use their reserves of fat... like Russia.

Massive flows out of euro assets into USD assets seems the dominant theme.

 

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:42 | 2074139 Dr. Gonzo
Dr. Gonzo's picture

We've got a lot more debt to sell too. Does anybody know anyone who wants to get a .001% yeild on their money in a currency that's depreciating at a rate of about 5% annual? If so please contact Tim Geithner for this patriotic investment opportunity. Hurry before the entire American public is forced to buy it all through their 401k's. You too can convert irredemible paper money into irredemible paper debt but this opportunity won't last forever and the nation needs the extra loot now to conduct war games with Israel and then to go on and invade Iran and steal their shit. Call now before the Ponzi system Collapses. If we can invade enough countries their won't be an alternative to our fascist hegemony and we won't have to admit collapse before the police/prison state. Please hurry patriots. Your country needs you. We gladly take gold, silver, and platinum as well.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:50 | 2074153 old naughty
old naughty's picture

Does the debt ceiling prevent the FED buyng more Treasuries?

Who bought the selloffs by China and Russia?

 Could China be buying Euro bonds with the proceeds?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:52 | 2074165 BandGap
BandGap's picture

My biggest concern is what happens when they (China, Russia) hold zero US treasury debt?

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:53 | 2074169 youngman
youngman's picture

That is when they will introduce the new gold standard I think....

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:51 | 2074166 youngman
youngman's picture

I want to know why US treasuries are a good deal?????  They pay nothing for ten years...and I think you will lose money.....its JUST a Safehaven trade?????  I think its a Central Bank trade...they care not  if they make a return....that is what has screwed up this "market"...there is no price descovery when the Central Banks are buying when they have to reduce the interest rates.....what do you think the real interest rates should be if the Cental banks were out of the buying?????  I think alot higher...

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:04 | 2074208 xcehn
xcehn's picture

I had a pile in US treasuries (short and long).  But it was giving me an ulcer.  Sleeping better was a better exchange, and the monster printing police state couldn't care less.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:10 | 2074224 Greenhead
Greenhead's picture

Of course it's a central bank trade.  Who else would buy a very low interest bond from a country determined to devalue its currency over the life of the bond?  Not sure how high the interest rates would have to go as the capacity to absorb all of the American, Japanese and European debt has to be questioned if no central banks were involved.  The rollover requirements plus the massive ongoing deficits should cause rates a lot higher than they are today with central planning intervention.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 09:54 | 2074177 Are you kidding
Are you kidding's picture

Huh? We borrow that much EVERY month...it's a drop in the bucket. We'll POMO more than that in short order.

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:03 | 2074201 kralizec
kralizec's picture

And the SCoaMF in the WH wants his credit limit raised.

Perfect timing, eh?

&%$#!!!

Wed, 01/18/2012 - 10:02 | 2074203 alexwest
alexwest's picture

typical BS..

russian's reserves are about 500 bln in $$

see http://cbr.ru/eng/hd_base/mrrf/?C_mes=01&C_year=2011&To_mes=01&To_year=2...

usually russians kept money in $/euro 50:40 ratio, rest of in yen/pounds/gold/etc

so question if its not USA debt, then what country? Brazil ? N korea?

please know facts before publishing shit

alx

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