Canada's balance of international payments, third quarter 2012

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Canada's current account deficit (on a seasonally adjusted basis) increased $0.5 billion to $18.9 billion in the third quarter, as the deficit on trade in goods expanded further. This increase was attributable to a larger decline in exports than imports.

Chart description: Foreign investment in Canadian securities and current account balance

CSV version of chart 1

In the financial account (unadjusted for seasonal variation), non-resident investors added Canadian securities to their holdings for a 15th straight quarter, a period largely coinciding with the re-emergence of Canada's current account deficit. However, stronger Canadian direct investment abroad moderated the overall net inflow of funds to the Canadian economy over the quarter.

Current account

Deficit on goods increases further

The balance on trade in goods posted a $4.8 billion deficit in the third quarter, following a $3.6 billion deficit in the previous quarter. Exports were down with reductions in a number of commodities in the quarter, led by energy. Canada's trade surplus with the United States declined $0.6 billion, as exports were down $2.4 billion and imports were down $1.8 billion.

Chart description: Current account balances

CSV version of chart 2

Total exports of goods were down $3.7 billion to $112.7 billion. This marked the third consecutive quarterly reduction in the value of goods exported. Each of the 13 principal categories of goods either declined or was unchanged in the third quarter. Exports of energy products were down $1.6 billion, on lower volumes of crude petroleum and refined petroleum products. Notable reductions were posted by consumer goods (-$0.6 billion), as a result of reduced volumes, and by industrial chemical products (-$0.4 billion), as a result of lower prices.

Imports of goods declined $2.5 billion in the third quarter, following the high set in the previous quarter. Motor vehicles and parts fell $0.7 billion and energy products declined $0.5 billion. Motor vehicles and parts imports reflected lower volumes and prices, while energy product imports were reduced by lower prices. Except for farm, fishing and food products, other major import categories were either lower or unchanged in the quarter.

Chart description: Goods balances by geographic area

CSV version of chart 3

Deficit for trade in services reaches a new high

The deficit on trade in services widened $0.3 billion in the third quarter to a high of $6.3 billion, just above the previous high set in the second quarter of 2011. The deficit on transportation services increased $0.3 billion in the third quarter, as payments on water and air transport increased and receipts on water and air transport decreased. The international travel deficit narrowed $0.1 billion to $4.6 billion. That deficit was supported by sustained strong expenditure by Canadians travelling in the United States. The surplus on trade in commercial services edged down in the quarter on lower imports and exports.

Investment income deficit narrows

The deficit on investment income fell $1.2 billion in the third quarter to $6.3 billion. Income of Canadian direct investors was up $0.4 billion, mainly on higher undistributed earnings on foreign operations. Interest and dividends received by Canadians on their investment in foreign securities were up slightly. Income accruing to non-residents on their direct investment in Canada was down $0.7 billion on lower undistributed profits of their Canadian subsidiaries. This decline was partly offset by higher dividends received by non-residents on their holdings of Canadian equity securities.

Financial account

Foreign investors continue to accumulate Canadian securities

Non-residents acquired $28.2 billion of Canadian securities in the third quarter, mainly focused in debt securities. This acquisition was on par with the level of investment in the last quarter. However, purchases of Canadian securities by non-residents in the third quarter were partially offset by higher investment in foreign equities by residents. The third quarter marked the 15th straight quarterly net foreign investment in Canadian securities. Since the first quarter of 2009, investment from abroad has been primarily focused in Canadian debt securities.

Chart description: Foreign investment in Canadian securities

CSV version of chart 4

Foreign investment in Canadian bonds was $19.9 billion and was led by Canadian government bonds purchased on the secondary market, mainly focused in shorter-term instruments. Investment in federal bonds at $9.5 billion was robust for a fourth straight quarter. Foreign investors purchased $0.9 billion of Canadian paper, down from $10.2 billion in the second quarter. In particular, non-residents divested Treasury bills in the third quarter, after acquiring large amounts in the previous quarter.

Non-resident investors added $7.3 billion of Canadian stocks to their holdings, the largest investment since the first quarter of 2011. Inflows reflected both foreign purchases of Canadian stocks on the secondary market and new issues of Canadian shares resulting from cross-border merger and acquisition activity. Canadian stock prices were up 6.2% in the quarter and the Canadian dollar appreciated against its US counterpart.

Canadian investment in foreign securities highest in more than three years

Canadian investment in foreign securities advanced to $8.9 billion in the third quarter, led by equities. Investment in foreign equities was $6.2 billion and was focused in the US stock market. US stock prices gained 5.8% to reach, by quarter-end, levels last seen at the end of 2007. This was the largest such activity since the first quarter of 2009, a period characterized by relatively low stock prices following the financial crisis.

Canadian investors added $2.7 billion of foreign debt securities to their portfolios, mainly US corporate bonds. Canadian investment in maple bonds was modest in the quarter despite an increase in new issue activity in September, largely offset by retirements in July.

Outward direct investment more than double inward direct investment

Canadian direct investment abroad was $19.1 billion in the third quarter, the largest such outflow since the fourth quarter of 2010. Cross-border mergers and acquisitions accounted for $9.6 billion of the overall outflow after three quarters of more moderate activity. The finance and insurance sector as well as the holding companies sector together accounted for half of Canadian direct investment abroad in the quarter.

Chart description: Canadian direct investment abroad

CSV version of chart 5

Foreign direct investment in Canada was virtually unchanged, at $8.4 billion in the third quarter. Earnings reinvested in Canadian affiliates by foreign direct investors accounted for most of the activity. The bulk of foreign direct investment in Canada was from European and US investors. Inward mergers and acquisitions activity were subdued for a second straight quarter.