The German Bundesbank published stock statistics on Germany’s direct investment positions for 2023, showing German direct investment abroad was broadly unchanged while foreign direct investment in Germany rose markedly. Immediate outward stocks edged up from EUR 1,694bn to EUR 1,701bn, with euro appreciation cited as a dampening factor via negative exchange-rate effects, while immediate inward stocks increased 7% from EUR 953bn to EUR 1,020bn. For outward positions, equity participation accounted for EUR 1,851bn, while net credit positions reduced the total by EUR 150bn because claims of EUR 433bn were overcompensated by liabilities of EUR 583bn. Looking through foreign holding companies, consolidated outward investment was EUR 1,618bn, split mainly across Europe (EUR 814bn, including EUR 618bn in the EU), the Americas (EUR 530bn) and Asia (EUR 235bn); by sector it was concentrated in manufacturing (EUR 555bn) and financial and insurance services (EUR 427bn), whereas the immediate view was dominated by holding companies (EUR 1,040bn, 61%). On the inward side, equity participation rose by around EUR 64bn to EUR 813bn and net foreign lending contributed EUR 207bn; holding companies accounted for EUR 666bn (65%) of immediate inward stocks. In the consolidated view (immediate plus indirect) of EUR 726bn, investment focused on financial and insurance services (EUR 263bn) and manufacturing (EUR 163bn), with Europe representing EUR 554bn (EUR 432bn from the EU), the Americas EUR 106bn and Asia EUR 60bn; by ultimate controlling parent location, the United States was the largest capital provider at EUR 164bn, while positions attributed to the Netherlands and Luxembourg more than halved. The Bundesbank indicated that detailed statistical tables in its specialist series will follow on 9 May 2025.

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