Canada's current account balance (on a seasonally adjusted basis) recorded a $0.8 billion deficit in the fourth quarter of 2021 after posting a $0.8 billion surplus in the previous quarter. The slight deficit position mainly reflected a deterioration of the investment income balance which posted its first deficit in over two years.
In the financial account (unadjusted for seasonal variation), record foreign investment in Canadian securities was the main contributor to the inflow of funds in the economy. This activity was moderated by strong Canadian acquisitions of foreign securities in the fourth quarter.
Direct investment abroad surged in the fourth quarter, on higher mergers and acquisitions activity. Consequently, direct investment abroad exceeded direct investment in Canada by $43.1 billion, the highest value on record.
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