The Americas are fuelling the boom, with a 12 per cent increase in capital flowing into the western hemisphere totalling $166bn of which $145bn is earmarked for the US. Asia Pacific has also experienced a modest four per cent increase in funds targeting the region to the tune of $122bn.

Europe was the only region surveyed to see investment fall, declining by one per cent to $141bn, mainly due to the surge in the strength of the dollar.

The UK continued to punch well above its weight, attracting the second largest amount of capital after the US at $47bn and just ahead of China at $46bn.