Money Snatchers

WASHINGTON – CHINA’S holdings of US government debt dropped to the lowest level in at least a year, Treasury data showed on Monday.

The global appetite for US financial assets slowed markedly in December, and demand for federal debt fell by a record amount as China dumped more than $34 billion in American IOUs, the Treasury Department said Tuesday.

The US public debt topped 12 trillion dollars for the first time in history, Treasury officials disclosed Tuesday, moving past a key barrier that raised hackles in Congress.

July 29 — Treasury notes fell after a government auction of a record amount of notes drew higher-than- forecast yields for a second consecutive day, renewing concern a deluge of U.S.

June 15 — Prudential Financial Inc. , the second-biggest U.S.

To win over several hedge funds, which have been holding out for better terms, the Treasury increased its cash offer to holders of Chrysler’s secured debt by $250 million, to $2.25 billion, The Times said.

April 10 — Treasury 10-year notes fell for a third week as the government’s sale of $59 billion in debt and signs the economy is stabilizing diminished the safety appeal of U.S. securities.