Unlike other financial investments, direct investment is not recorded in the balance of payments on a strict asset/liability basis. Direct investments are recorded on a directional basis (that is, as resident direct investment abroad, or non-resident direct investment in the reporting economy).
Capital invested by the direct investment enterprise in its direct investor (reverse investment) is regarded as an offset to capital invested in the direct investment enterprise by a direct investor and its related enterprises. That is, such capital is regarded as disinvestment by the direct investor rather than as an asset of the direct investment enterprise, except when the equity participation’s are at least 10 percent in both directions and two direct investment relationships are therefore established.