The Exchange Fund's foreign assets increased $19.2 billion last month.

The Monetary Authority reported today that foreign assets, representing the external assets of the Exchange Fund, amounted to $857.5 billion.

The Monetary Base, comprising Certificates of Indebtedness, Government-issued currency notes and coins in circulation, the Aggregate Balance of the banking system and Exchange Fund Bills and Notes issued, amounted to $252.7 billion.

Claims on the private sector in Hong Kong amounted to $52.0 billion. Foreign liabilities, representing mainly obligations under repurchase agreements amounted to $4.7 billion.