Archived - Official International Reserves: 2016-03

Ottawa, March 3, 2016

- All 2016 Official International Reserves -

The Department of Finance announced today that Canada’s official international reserves increased by an amount equivalent to US$108 million during February to US$81,290 million.

Details on the level and composition of Canada’s reserves as of February 29, 2016, as well as the major factors underlying the change in reserves, are provided below. All figures are in millions of US dollars unless otherwise noted.

Foreign Currency Reserves

	Millions of US dollars
Securities	65,842
Deposits	5,247

Total securities and deposits (liquid reserves):	71,089
Gold¹	0
Special drawing rights (SDRs)	7,874
Reserve position in the IMF	2,327

Total:
February 29, 2016	81,290
January 29, 2016	81,182

Net change:	108

Details on Deposits

	Millions of US dollars
Other central banks/Bank for International Settlements	5,247
Banks headquartered in Canada	0
Of which: located abroad	0
Banks headquartered abroad	0
Of which: located in Canada	0

Total:	5,247

Details of Net Change

	Millions of US dollars
Reserves management operations²	735
Gains and losses on gold sales	1
Net investment gains and losses:
Return on investments³	319
Foreign currency debt charges	-100
Revaluation effects⁴	-67
Net government operations⁵	-780
Official intervention	0
Other transactions	0

Net change:	108

Currency Composition of Deposits and Securities

	Millions of US dollars
US dollars	48,617
Euro	16,064
Pound sterling	5,715
Yen	693

Total:	71,089

Predetermined Short-Term Drains on Foreign Currency Reserves (Nominal Value)

	Millions of US dollars

	0-1 month	1-3 months	3-12 months	Total
Foreign currency securities⁶:
Principal	-997	-1,607	-7,256	-9,859
Interest	-102	-149	-903	-1,154
Aggregate short forward positions in foreign currencies vis-à-vis Canadian dollar	0	-162	0	-162
Aggregate long forward positions in foreign currencies vis-à-vis Canadian dollar	0	0	0	0

Total net drains:	-1,098	-1,917	-8,159	-11,174

Additional Information (Nominal Value)

	Millions of US dollars
Undrawn, unconditional credit lines with banks headquartered outside Canada	0
Securities lent under repurchase agreements⁷	0
Securities held under repurchase agreements⁸	4,577
Financial derivatives assets (net, marked to market):
Forwards	0
Swaps	-6,889

NOTES:

The Government of Canada sold 21,851 ounces of gold coins for settlement in February. On February 29, gold holdings stood at 77 ounces. The valuation is based on the February 29, 2016, London p.m. fix of US$1,234.90 per ounce.
Net change in securities and deposits resulting from foreign currency funding activities of the Government. (Issuance of foreign currency liabilities used to acquire assets increases reserves, while maturities decrease reserves). During February, Canada bills decreased by US$98.2 million to a level of outstanding bills of US$2,470.5 million. An equivalent of US$758.6 million in cross-currency swaps was raised while US$75 million in cross-currency swaps matured during the month. A total of US$150 million in medium-term notes was issued during the month.
“Return on investments” comprises US$89 million of interest earned on investments and a US$230 million increase in the market value of securities resulting from changes in interest rates.
“Revaluation effects” reflect changes in the market value of reserve assets resulting from movements in exchange rates.
“Net government operations” are the net purchases of foreign currency for government foreign exchange requirements and for additions to reserves. In February, foreign exchange transactions were conducted to rebalance Canada’s liquid reserves.
“Foreign currency securities” include maturities of foreign currency debt, cross-currency swap payments and an estimate of interest payments on foreign currency liabilities.
“Securities lent under repurchase agreements” are included in total reserves. Collateral provided in securities lending transactions is not included in total reserves.
Cash invested under repurchase agreements is included in total reserves. Collateral provided in securities lending transactions is not included in total reserves.

Official International Reserves (10-Year Synopsis)

	Millions of US dollars

Date	US dollars	Other currencies	Gold	SDRs	IMF position	Total
February 29, 2016	48,617	22,472	0	7,874	2,327	81,290
January 29, 2016	48,678	21,902	24	7,869	2,709	81,182
December 31, 2015	48,229	20,848	58	7,899	2,719	79,753
November 30, 2015	47,652	19,977	102	7,801	2,680	78,212
October 30, 2015	48,410	19,963	110	7,942	2,728	79,153
September 30, 2015	48,105	19,538	107	7,916	2,770	78,436
August 31, 2015	48,429	18,654	109	7,916	2,745	77,853
July 31, 2015	48,211	18,100	105	7,837	2,728	76,981
June 30, 2015	47,376	18,254	112	7,902	2,751	76,395
May 29, 2015	48,533	18,073	114	7,813	2,736	77,269
April 30, 2015	48,718	18,318	113	7,902	2,792	77,843
March 31, 2015	49,215	17,844	114	7,751	2,757	77,681
February 27, 2015	45,039	18,511	116	7,927	3,175	74,768

December 31, 2015	48,229	20,848	58	7,899	2,719	79,753
December 31, 2014	43,756	19,000	116	8,164	3,664	74,700
December 31, 2013	39,514	18,916	115	8,675	4,717	71,937
December 31, 2012	35,622	19,621	181	8,754	4,368	68,546
December 30, 2011	32,826	19,985	167	8,966	3,875	65,819
December 31, 2010	26,677	18,211	153	9,054	3,056	57,151
December 31, 2009	23,879	18,723	119	9,212	2,424	54,357
December 31, 2008	22,804	18,733	95	991	1,249	43,872
December 31, 2007	19,257	20,057	91	1,015	661	41,081
December 31, 2006	15,608	17,590	69	963	833	35,063
December 31, 2005	16,842	13,822	56	897	1,401	33,018