Statistical Supplement to the Federal Reserve Bulletin, October 2008

Note: The data presented in this table are available in the monthly statistical release "U.S. Reserve Assets; Foreign Official Assets Held at Federal Reserve Banks."

1. Gold held "under earmark" at Federal Reserve Banks for foreign and international accounts is not included in the gold stock of the United States; see table 3.13, line 3. Gold stock is valued at $42.22 per fine troy ounce.   Return to table

2. Special drawing rights (SDRs) are valued according to a technique adopted by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July 1974. Values are based on a weighted average of exchange rates for the currencies of member countries. From July 1974 through December 1980, sixteen currencies were used; since January 1981, five currencies have been used. U.S. SDR holdings and reserve positions in the IMF have also been valued on this basis since July 1974.   Return to table

3. Includes allocations of SDRs by the International Monetary Fund on Jan. 1 of the year indicated, as follows: 1970--$867 million; 1971--$717 million; 1972--$710 million; 1979--$1,139 million; 1980--$1,152 million; 1981--$1,093 million; plus net transactions in SDRs.   Return to table

4. Includes holdings of Treasury and Federal Reserve System; beginning November 1978,these are valued at current market exchange rates or, where appropriate, at such other rates as may be agreed upon by the parties to the transactions. Excludes outstanding reciprocal currency swaps with foreign central banks. At end-September 2008 swaps outstanding were $162 billion with the European Central Bank, $28.9 billion with the Swiss National Bank, $50.9 billion with the Bank of England, $29.6 billion with the Bank of Japan, $10 billion with the Reserve Bank of Australia, and $5 billion with the National Bank of Denmark.   Return to table