Consolidated financial statement of the Eurosystem as at 18 November 2005

Items not related to monetary policy operations

In the week ending 18 November 2005, the decrease of EUR 226 million in gold and gold receivables (asset item 1) reflected sales of gold by three Eurosystem central banks (consistent with the Central Bank Gold Agreement of 27 September 2004).

The net position of the Eurosystem in foreign currency (asset items 2 and 3 minus liability items 7, 8 and 9) increased by EUR 0.2 billion to EUR 164.4 billion on account of customer and portfolio transactions.

The holdings by the Eurosystem of marketable securities of euro area residents denominated in euro (asset item 7) decreased by EUR 0.4 billion to EUR 92.8 billion. Banknotes in circulation (liability item 1) fell by EUR 1.3 billion to EUR 537.7 billion. Liabilities to general government (liability item 5.1) decreased by EUR 5.8 billion to EUR 40.5 billion.

Items related to monetary policy operations

The Eurosystem’s net lending to credit institutions (asset item 5 minus liability items 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 and 4) decreased by EUR 1.5 billion to EUR 383.5 billion. On Wednesday, 16 November 2005, a main refinancing operation of EUR 295 billion matured and a new one of EUR 293.5 billion was settled.

Recourse to both the marginal lending facility (asset item 5.5) and the deposit facility (liability item 2.2) was virtually nil, which was approximately the same as in the preceding week.

Current accounts of euro area credit institutions

As a result of all transactions, the current account position of credit institutions with the Eurosystem (liability item 2.1) increased by EUR 5.8 billion to EUR 158.2 billion.