WASHINGTON (Dow Jones) - Capital flows into the U.S. rose to $66.0 billion in January as private investors lifted their buying of U.S. equities, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday.

Net foreign purchases of long-term domestic securities stood at $78.1 billion . Foreign official institutions bought $20.2 billion in securities, while private investors accounted for $57.9 billion, Treasury said.

Private foreign investors sold $4 billion in Treasuries in January, after buying fewer Treasuries in December.

The dollar dipped on the news, falling 0.3% to 117.32 yen, while the euro rose 0.2% to $1.2035 .

December's capital inflows were revised lower, to $53.8 billion from a previously estimated $56.6 billion .

Wachovia Corp.'s John Silvia said private investors will probably keep snapping up U.S. assets.

"The secular trend of foreign private interest in U.S. securities is likely to continue as long as the U.S. economy remains strong," said Silvia.

Japanese holdings of U.S. Treasuries fell in January, while Chinese holdings rose.

Chinese investors held $262.6 billion in Treasuries in January, versus the $ 256.7 billion they held in December.

Japan held $668.3 billion in Treasury securities in January, down from $684.9 billion in December.

U.S. investors bought fewer foreign-issued securities in January, buying $12.0 billion in foreign stocks and bonds. In December, they bought a revised $20.8 billion in foreign securities. (END) Dow Jones Newswires 03-15-06 1216ET Copyright (c) 2006 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.