Supporting information:
Historical data (Excel spreadsheet)Series description for Table F5
| Total foreign currency assets | | Total foreign currency liabilities | | Outstanding foreign exchange swap commitments | | Net open foreign currency position | | Foreign Currency Intervention Capacity | | Net New Zealand dollars purchased (sold) during the month |
Foreign currency assets and liabilities currency flows
Total foreign currency assets
Foreign currency assets are the aggregate foreign currency assets reported in Table F2.
This includes all foreign currency denominated assets on a trade date basis valued using accounting policies disclosed in the Reserve Bank Annual Report.
For clarification, foreign currency denominated assets include:
- cash, marketable securities, accrued interest and derivatives;
- amounts receivable under reverse repurchase agreements;
- units in the Asian Bond Fund I and II and related derivative contracts;
- receivables for securities sold;
- the value of securities lent under the securities lending program;
- the Bank's shareholding in the Bank for International Settlements; and,
- funds invested in foreign currency assets as a result of liquidity management swaps.
Unsettled foreign currency spot and swap transactions are included at the net value of the contract, so that the reported foreign currency asset (or liability) is reduced by the unsettled amount of the New Zealand dollar value the transaction.
Total foreign currency liabilities
Foreign currency liabilities are the aggregate foreign currency liabilities reported in Table F1.
This includes all foreign currency denominated liabilities on a trade date basis valued using accounting policies disclosed in the Reserve Bank Annual Report.
For clarification, foreign currency denominated liabilities include:
- liabilities under loan agreements. Principally these are liabilities to the New Zealand Government's Debt Management Office;
- liabilities due under repurchase agreements;
- payables for unsettled securities purchases; and,
- contra amounts payable or bonds received as collateral, to be returned under the Bank's securities lending program.
Outstanding foreign exchange swap commitments
Generally represents the outstanding second leg of foreign currency swaps and also includes outright forward transactions. Where the first leg is also unsettled then both legs are netted. A negative number represents a net aggregate obligation to deliver foreign currency under those contracts.
Net open foreign currency position
The Bank's net foreign currency exposure arising from foreign currency assets, foreign currency liabilities and derivative contracts. A positive number represents an aggregate net "long" exposure to foreign currencies. The Reserve Bank's long and short exposures to various currencies are netted.
Foreign Currency Intervention Capacity
Foreign currency assets that are readily liquefiable less foreign currency liabilities that fall due in the next 12 months. Excludes balances held to hedge operating and capital expenditure commitments and items that cannot be liquidated easily (BIS share investment and mark to market of swaps). Includes foreign currency-denominated assets held as part of Domestic Market Operations.
Net New Zealand dollars purchased (sold) during the month
The net value of outright sales and purchases of New Zealand dollars on a trade date basis. A positive number represents net purchases of New Zealand dollars during the month Zealand dollars during the month.
