Gold
SNB raises rates, sells gold
The Swiss National Bank has raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 2.5% on 14 July. The central also announced that it will sell 250 tonnes of gold and increase its foreign exchange reserves by a corresponding amount.
Swiss National Bank - Annual Report 2006
With almost one-third of its assets in gold, 2006 was another strong year for the Swiss National Bank, as the 99th annual report details.
No more gold sales for ECB
The European Central Bank announced on 1 July that it has no intention to sell more gold this year.
Europe's central banks offloading gold
According to this article published Thursday 3 May by FMarena, with European central banks selling gold heavily recently, they might actually sell up to their quota.
Central banks can't break gold link
According to this article published by Miningmx this week, gold holdings by central banks have declined to their lowest level in 60 years.
Russia reiterates reserve diversification idea
The Russian central bank remains interested in further diversification of the currency structure of its gold and forex exchange reserves, its first deputy chairman said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday 21 February.
IMF's de Rato says G7 open minded on gold sales
International Monetary Fund managing director Rodrigo Rato said the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations were "open-minded" about allowing the Fund to sell part of its gold reserves.
China factors will be key in 2007 gold market
According to this article from Interfax-China, published Friday 2 February, Chinese factors are likely to have an increasing influence on the gold price this year with the possibility that the People's Bank of China will increase gold reserves.
Report recommends limited IMF gold sales
The report by the Committee of Eminent Persons released has recommended that the Fund sell 400 tonnes of its 3,217 tonnes of gold to finance an endowment fund.
Russian central bank reserves drop
The Russian central bank said Thursday 18 January its gold and foreign currency reserves have dropped by 2.2 bln usd in one week, with levels standing at 301.7 bln usd on Jan 12.
ECB member bank buys gold
The Daily Telegraph in London reported Wednesday 3 January that a member of the European Central Bank system had begun buying bullion, the first such purchase in years.
Bank of Slovenia joins Central Bank Gold Agreement
The central bank of Slovenia has joined the Central Bank Gold Agreement which limits gold sales by central banks, the European Central Bank said Friday 22 December.
Roth on seventy years after the gold standard
In the speech 'Seventy years after - the final collapse of the gold standard in September 1936' given on 15 December Jean-Pierre Roth of the Swiss National Bank said the Swiss like to remember that their currency has only been devalued once since its…
ECB sells more gold
The ECB sold 23 tons of gold on 30 November, the central bank said.
China may shift reserves to gold - Numis
China is likely to diversify its foreign exchange holdings of more than one trln usd away from US dollar denominated instruments in favour of gold, Numis Securities said Monday 13 November.
UAE considers reserves options
The UAE's central bank might cut its dollar holdings by anything up to 50% and is looking at the yen, euro and sterling as alternatives, the central bank governor said. It was also announced that Bahrain and the UAE would compete to host the GCC central…
Riksbank to sell 10 tonnes from gold reserves
Sweden's Riksbank said on Friday 29 September it intends to sell up to 10 tonnes of its gold reserves between Sept 2006 and Sept 2007, in order to obtain a better risk-adjusted return on the its assets.
Gold sales fall well below central bank pact limit
This article from the Financial Times, published Wednesday 27 September, notes that although European central banks have been big sellers of gold over the past six years, they appear to have lost their desire to sell the metal this year.
U.S., China must back IMF, end currency impasse
According to this article by Bloomberg, published Thursday 7 September, the International Monetary Fund which set up the system of flexible exchange rates needs to infuse it with a dose of vigour.
Belarussian central bank increases gold sales
The National Bank of Belarus increased sales of gold bars by 360% year-on-year to 802.9 kg in the first eight months of 2006, a source in the NBB's precious metals and stones department told Interfax.
Report sees slower gold sales
With European central banks unlikely to opt to sell the maximum allowable 500 metric tons of gold in their annual quota, gold prices should benefit from the reduced physical supply, according to a report by London-based consultancy Virtual Metals Ltd.
US says IMF gold revaluation not an option
U.S. Treasury Under Secretary Tim Adams said on Monday 17 July that it would not be appropriate for International Monetary Fund gold reserves to be revalued to support its financing to make up for reduced demand for emergency loans.
Bank of Portugal sold 15 tonnes of gold recently
The Bank of Portugal said on Tuesday 4 July that it has sold 15 tonnes of gold from its reserves in the last few months.
Hildebrand's reflections on the gold market
In the speech 'Reflections on the gold market' given on 26 June Philipp Hildebrand of the Swiss National Bank said even if gold has lost its role as an anchor for the international monetary system, it does not mean that it has become a commodity like any…