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Foreign Direct Investment Data Tells Us About Where Capital Is Flowing (US FDI Trends Report)
US FDI Trends Report
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a critical indicator of a region’s economic vitality and global competitiveness.
Camoin Associates’ recent FDI trendline makes one thing clear: the U.S. is a scale play, not a broad-based one. The Q4 2025 report logged 463 projects, 62,695 jobs, and $40.6B invested. Foreign capital is still going to a limited set of places that can absorb large projects cleanly, which is why site product and infrastructure discipline matter more than incentive theater.
Why FDI Data Matters for Economic Development Organizations
For economic development organizations (EDOs) of all sizes, understanding where international capital is flowing and what is driving that movement is essential for:
- Shaping effective business attraction strategies
- Targeting the right industries
- Supporting local suppliers of foreign companies
Tracking FDI data allows EDOs to identify their region’s role in the global economy and uncover opportunities to attract investment in strategic sectors. It can also help with business retention and expansion programs by revealing growing trends or specific needs of foreign companies.
Q4 2025 FDI Highlights at a Glance
The following data covers FDI investment trends in the US from October through December 2025.
- 463 FDI projects were announced in the US between October and December 2025, representing a 17% year-over-year decline
- $40.6 billion in total capital investment, a 1% drop from last year
- Western Europe and Asia-Pacific remain the dominant contributors to US FDI, each investing approximately $17–$18 billion
Which States Attracted the Most FDI Capital Investment?
Tennessee
Tennessee attracted the most capital investment with $7.3 billion across 13 projects.
North Carolina
North Carolina followed with $3.2 billion and 34 projects.
Which Sectors Attracted the Most FDI?
Metals
The sector that attracted the greatest amount of FDI investment was metals, garnering $7.8 billion in investment over 18 projects.
Industrial Equipment
Industrial equipment followed with $6.2 billion in investment across 41 projects.
Real Estate
Real estate rounded out the top three with $4.0 billion across 84 projects.
How Ashmore Consulting Can Help
Projects are flowing to markets that can absorb size, speed, and complexity without surprises. That means site selection decisions—and incentive negotiations—must be grounded in execution risk, infrastructure readiness, and long‑term operating economics.
We advise companies on where projects truly work—and how to secure incentive packages that materially improve ROI over the life of the operation.
Connect with us to evaluate your next location decision with clarity and confidence.
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