Reserves
China's growth and the yuan's status are not inextricably linked
China’s growing economic might has led to claims that the yuan will take its place among the reserve currencies. But, as Gary Smith argues, the link between GDP and reserve status is far from causal
IMF’s Lipsky on rebalancing SDR currency basket
IMF first deputy managing director John Lipsky says discussions on inclusion of renminbi in special drawing rights part of G-20 agenda
SNB confirms large loss on back of franc gains
Swiss National Bank reports $20.7 billion loss; figure slightly lower than that forecast in January
ECB reports €171 million profit
European Central Bank experiences sharp fall in profits for 2010 due to €1.16 billion transfer of income to risk provision fund
Hanoi to ban trade of gold bars
State Bank of Vietnam says government will issue ruling barring the trade of gold bars; move will follow 2008 ban on gold imports
Bank of Israel in the red by $4.9 billion
Israeli central bank reports loss for 2010; follows modest profit of $382 million in 2009
The value of active management for central banks
Central bank portfolio managers should not avoid risk but rather have a disciplined approach to managing it, Elisa Vilorio believes
DSK moots reserves role for SDR
IMF's Strauss-Kahn says ‘stockpiling’ special drawing right would create a more stable global monetary order
Crisis will not push SWFs to mull long-term shift: WikiLeak
Leaked diplomatic cable shows sovereign wealth funds rushed to liquid assets in immediate aftermath of crisis, but experts did not expect long-term portfolio shift
Central banks break 20-year streak with net gold purchase in 2010
World Gold Council's Fourth Quarter Investment Digest says central bank purchases of gold slightly outweighed sales for first time in 20 years on growing demand for the precious metal
BoJ study identifies capital inflow feedback loop
Bank of Japan Review study says foreign exchange intervention in emerging markets may have unintended consequences on capital flows
Estonia joins third central bank gold agreement
Bank of Estonia signs agreement limiting central bank gold sales to 400 tonnes a year up to August 2014; follows country’s entry to the eurozone
SNB expects $21.7 billion loss for 2010
Swiss National Bank says loss relates to foreign currency positions; says loss highlights need for independent central banks to have capital cushion
Gold could hit $1,600 in 2011, say analysts
Commentators say investor appetite for the precious metal will continue to soar as concerns over US economy, eurozone sovereign debt issues, persist
Argentinean central bank okays $7.5 billion loan to state
Central Bank of Argentina approves loan of $7.5 billion of reserves to repay bondholders; move is central bank’s latest measure to bail out government
Sudan bans some imports as forex shortage looms
Bank of Sudan bans imports of luxury items, goods with local substitutes, to conserve foreign currency; currency wobbles on secession, oil fears
Beijing must turn away from dollar, says PBoC official: reports
Senior People’s Bank of China official says Beijing must shake off dollar reliance in opinion column
Chile unveils strategy for series of interventions
Central Bank of Chile to buy $12 billion-worth of foreign currency in bid to halt peso’s appreciation; peso dips sharply
IMF takes final step in changing SDR basket
Fund sets exchange rate for SDR; continues to peg unit of account to yen, dollar, euro and sterling
HKMA unveils measure to smooth burgeoning renminbi flows
Hong Kong Monetary Authority reveals four measures to steady renminbi flows into territory; renminbi flows rocket over 200% compared to end-2009
Fund completes gold sales
IMF completes sale of 403 tonnes of gold, drawing 15 month process to an end; ease of effort linked to central banks' demand for the metal
Bank of Korea siphons $3 billion into SWF: reports
Korean central bank to place additional $3 billion in care of sovereign wealth fund, according to reports
Russia advances Canadian dollar position
Bank of Russia will increase holdings of Canadian dollar denominated assets to diversify foreign exchange reserves