NEW YORK, March 13 (Reuters) - Foreigners added nearly

$16 billion to their emerging market portfolios in February,

with investors loading up on Chinese stocks as well as debt

across developing economies, a report from a finance trade group

said on Thursday.

Chinese stocks sucked in $11.2 billion, but selling

elsewhere meant emerging market equity portfolios saw a net

outflow of $2.1 billion last month. The picture was the reverse

in fixed income, where Chinese bonds posted a $15.1 billion

outflow though emerging market debt elsewhere raked in $33.2

billion.

The overall $15.9 billion net inflow to emerging market

portfolios last month compares with $21.2 billion in January and

$27.8 billion in February 2024 according to data from the

Institute of International Finance (IIF).

The February inflow to Chinese equities was the largest

for any month since September and the second largest in over two

years.

"The 'animal spirits' are being awakened with a recognition

of the advances that Chinese companies made in diverse areas

such as AI and electric vehicles," said Guilherme Valle,

founding partner and portfolio manager at ABS Global Investments

in an email exchange.

"The combination of innovative business models and low

valuations will continue to provide a favorable backdrop for

Chinese equities," he said.