Summary Box: Foreign holdings rise as China cuts its holdings of Treasury debt for 4th month

Summary Box: China trims holdings of US gov’t debt

FOREIGN HOLDINGS: Net foreign purchases of long-term securities rose to $47.1 billion in February, up from a $15 billion gain in January.

CHINA DOWN: China trimmed its holdings by $11.5 billion to $877.5 billion. It was the fourth straight decline but still left China as the No. 1 foreign holder of Treasury debt.

CONCERNS: Economists say it will be important for foreign demand for U.S. debt to remain strong to keep interest rates from rising, a development which could threaten the recovery.