Canada’s appetite for foreign securities saw a sharp reversal in August 2026, with net purchases turning into substantial net sales. After recording strong net buying of CAD 20.65 billion in July 2026, the indicator fell to negative territory at CAD -17.31 billion in August, according to data updated on 16 October 2026.
The move from significant inflows to notable outflows underscores a marked shift in cross-border investment behavior within just one month. While July’s figure highlighted robust Canadian demand for foreign assets, August’s negative reading suggests investors were either offloading foreign holdings or repatriating capital back into Canada during the period.