The Exchange Fund's total assets amounted to $2.235 trillion on November 30, up $197.1 billion on October, the Monetary Authority says. Foreign currency assets rose $196.3 billion and Hong Kong dollar assets grew by $800 million.

The rise in foreign currency assets was due mainly to purchases of foreign currencies with Hong Kong dollars, an increase in unsettled purchases of securities and valuation gains on foreign currency investments. The growth in Hong Kong dollar assets was due mainly due to valuation gains on Hong Kong equities.

The Monetary Base at the end of November was $996.1 billion, up $104.7 billion, or 11.7%, on October. The rise was due mainly to an inflow of funds into the Hong Kong dollar.

The Backing Assets rose $131.5 billion, or 14%, to $1.069 trillion. The backing ratio increased from 105.21% at the end of October to 107.36% at the end of November.