The pace of foreign investment in U.S. assets slowed only marginally in August, according to a Treasury Department report released on Monday. Net inflows of capital totaled $59.0 billion in August, down from the revised $63.1 billion in July. Previously, July net inflows had been reported at $64.0 billion. Purchases of net domestic securities, a narrower measure that excludes transactions between U.S. residents and foreigners in foreign stocks and bonds, dipped to $60.2 billion in August from a revised $79.2 billion in July. Foreigners were net sellers of U.S. stocks in August, according to the report, selling a net $2.1 billion in stocks in August, a reversal of the net purchases of $9.8 billion in July. Foreign investors have been net sellers U.S. stocks in four of first eight months of 2004. Interest in U.S. government bonds and notes also waned. Foreigners bought a net $14.6 billion in August, down from $22.4 billion in July and the lowest monthly total since October 2003, when net buys amounted to only $11.8 billion. Market participants watch the Treasury International Capital Data for signs of foreigners' appetite for U.S. assets.|||