Non-residents invested $3.9 billion in Canadian securities in April led by a record purchase of Canadian stocks, Statistics Canada said today.

This was outpaced by Canadian acquisitions of $4.7 billion of foreign securities, split almost equally between bonds and equities.

Canadian equities were the preferred choice for non-residents in April, with foreign investors purchasing $6.5 billion worth over the month. Coming on the heels of a net selloff in March, it was the highest level in over two years.

Non-resident purchases of Canadian equities have been strong since the beginning of 2006, with purchases of more than $4.7 billion posted in both January and February.