Archived - Official International Reserves: 2016-04

Ottawa, April 5, 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$902 million during March to US$82,192 million.

Details on the level and composition of Canada’s reserves as of March 31, 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	67,257
Deposits	4,545

Total securities and deposits (liquid reserves):	71,802
Gold¹	0
Special drawing rights (SDRs)	8,032
Reserve position in the IMF	2,358

Total:
March 31, 2016	82,192
February 29, 2016	81,290

Net change:	902

Details on Deposits

	Millions of US dollars
Other central banks/Bank for International Settlements	4,545
Banks headquartered in Canada	0
Of which: located abroad	0
Banks headquartered abroad	0
Of which: located in Canada	0

Total:	4,545

Details of Net Change

	Millions of US dollars
Reserves management operations²	-42
Gains and losses on gold sales	0
Net investment gains and losses:
Return on investments³	57
Foreign currency debt charges	-103
Revaluation effects⁴	1,089
Net government operations⁵	-99
Official intervention	0
Other transactions	0

Net change:	902

Currency Composition of Deposits and Securities

	Millions of US dollars
US dollars	48,501
Euro	16,505
Pound sterling	6,102
Yen	694

Total:	71,802

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	-1,261	-2,650	-5,594	-9,505
Interest	-68	-210	-893	-1,171
Aggregate short forward positions in foreign currencies vis-à-vis Canadian dollar	-162	0	0	-162
Aggregate long forward positions in foreign currencies vis-à-vis Canadian dollar	0	0	0	0

Total net drains:	-1,491	-2,860	-6,487	-10,838

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	4,084
Financial derivatives assets (net, marked to market):
Forwards	-36
Swaps	-5,617

NOTES:

The Government of Canada sold nine ounces of gold coins for settlement in March. On March 31, gold holdings stood at 68 ounces. The valuation is based on the March 31, 2016, London p.m. fix of US$1,237 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 March, Canada bills decreased by US$345.4 million to a level of outstanding bills of US$2,125.1 million. An equivalent of US$528.8 million in cross-currency swaps was raised while US$224.9 million in cross-currency swaps matured during the month.
“Return on investments” comprises US$93 million of interest earned on investments and a US$36 million decrease 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. In March, the revaluation effect was mainly due to the appreciation of the euro.
“Net government operations” are the net purchases of foreign currency for government foreign exchange requirements and for additions to reserves. In March, 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
March 31, 2016	48,501	23,301	0	8,032	2,358	82,192
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

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