(1)

Annex I is amended as follows: (a) Section 1.2 is replaced by the following: ‘1.2. Quarterly balance of payments statistics Objective The objective of the quarterly balance of payments of the euro area is to provide more detailed information to permit further analysis of international transactions. Quarterly balance of payments data are also the basis for detailed country economic monitoring. These statistics notably contribute to the compilation of the euro area sectoral and financial accounts and to the joint publication of Union/euro area balance of payments in cooperation with the European Commission (Eurostat). Requirements Quarterly balance of payments statistics conform as far as possible to international standards (see Article 2(4) of this Guideline). The required breakdown of quarterly balance of payments statistics is presented in Annex II, Tables 2 and 2A. Harmonised concepts and definitions used in the capital and financial accounts are set out in Annex III. The breakdown of the quarterly current account is similar to the one required for the monthly figures. However, for income a more detailed breakdown is needed on a quarterly basis. In the financial account, the ECB follows the requirements of the sixth edition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual (hereinafter the “BPM6”) for the “other investment” item. There is a difference in the presentation of the breakdown (i.e. sector as first priority). This sectoral breakdown is however compatible with the breakdown of the BPM6 where instruments have priority. As in the BPM6 presentation, currency and deposits are distinguished from loans and other investments. NCBs are required to distinguish between transactions with euro area Member States and all other international transactions. The statistics on net transactions in portfolio investment assets of the euro area are compiled by aggregating reported net transactions in securities issued by non-euro area residents. Statistics on net transactions in portfolio investment liabilities of the euro area are compiled by consolidation of net transactions in total national liabilities and net transactions in securities issued and purchased by euro area residents. An analogous reporting requirement and compilation method for the aggregate data are applied for portfolio investment income. For direct investment NCBs are required to submit quarterly the following sectoral breakdown: (a) deposit-taking corporations except the central bank; (b) general government; (c) financial corporations other than MFIs; (d) non-financial corporations, households and non-profit institutions serving households. For the “portfolio investment assets” and “other investment” items the breakdown of reports according to institutional sectors follows the standard components of the IMF comprising (a) central bank; (b) deposit-taking corporations except the central bank; (c) money market funds; (d) general government; (e) financial corporations other than MFIs; (f) non-financial corporations, households, and non-profit institutions serving households. For compiling the statistics on euro area net transactions in portfolio investment liabilities by sector of the euro area resident issuers, the requirements for quarterly data are similar to those for monthly balance of payments. In line with the system of national accounts, the BPM6 recommends that interest should be recorded on an accruals basis. This requirement affects the current account (investment income) as well as the financial account.’; (b) Section 3 is replaced by the following: ‘3. International investment position statistics Objective The international investment position is a statement of the external assets and liabilities of the euro area as a whole, for monetary policy and exchange market analysis. In particular, it contributes to the assessment of the Member States' external vulnerability and to monitoring the developments in holdings of liquid assets abroad by the money-holding sector. This statistical information is key to the compilation of the rest of the world account in the euro area quarterly financial accounts and may also assist in the compilation of balance of payments flows. Quarterly international investment position statistics are also the basis for detailed country economic monitoring. Requirements The NCBs must deliver international investment position statistics on a quarterly basis in respect of end-of-period stock levels and revaluations due to exchange rate or other price changes. The international investment position data conform as far as possible with international standards (see Article 2(4) of this Guideline). The ECB compiles the international investment position for the euro area as a whole. The breakdown of the international investment position for the euro area is presented in Annex II, Tables 4 and 4A. The international investment position shows financial stocks at the end of the reference period, valued at end-period prices. Changes in the value of stocks could be due to the following factors. First, part of the change in the value during the reference period will be due to the financial transactions that have taken place and been recorded in the balance of payments. Second, part of the changes in positions at the beginning and at the end of a given period will be caused by changes in the prices of the financial assets and liabilities shown. Third, in the event that stocks are denominated in currencies other than the unit of account used for the international investment position, changes in the exchange rates vis-à-vis other currencies will also affect the values. Finally, any other change which is not due to the above factors will be considered as due to other changes in volume during the period. A proper reconciliation between the financial flows and stocks of the euro area requires changes in value owing to price, to exchange rate changes and to other changes in volume to be distinguished. Coverage of the international investment position should be as close as possible to that for quarterly balance of payments flows. The concepts, definitions and breakdowns are in line with those used for quarterly balance of payments flows. As far as possible, data on the international investment position should be consistent with other statistics, such as money and banking statistics, financial accounts and national accounts. As for the monthly and quarterly balance of payments, NCBs are required to distinguish in their international investment position statistics between holdings vis-à-vis euro area Member States and all other international positions. A distinction between holdings in securities issued by euro area residents and in securities issued by non-euro area residents is required in the portfolio investment accounts. Statistics on net assets in portfolio investment of the euro area are compiled by aggregating reported net assets in securities issued by non-euro area residents. Statistics on net liabilities in portfolio investment of the euro area are compiled by consolidation of net total national liabilities and net holdings in securities issued and purchased by euro area residents. Portfolio investment assets and liabilities within the international investment position are compiled purely from stock data. NCBs (and other competent statistical authorities where appropriate) collect, as a minimum, quarterly portfolio investment stocks of assets and liabilities on a security-by-security basis according to one of the models set out in the table contained in Annex VI.’;