In July 2018 the current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €21 billion, compared with a surplus of €24 billion in June 2018.

In the 12-month period to July 2018, the current account recorded a surplus of €394 billion (3.5% of euro area GDP), compared with one of €358 billion (3.3% of euro area GDP) in the 12-month period to July 2017.

In the financial account, euro area residents made net acquisitions of foreign portfolio investment securities of €474 billion in the 12-month period to July 2018 (decreasing from €497 billion in the 12 months to July 2017).

Non-residents' net purchases of euro area portfolio investment securities amounted to €127 billion (down from €212 billion in the 12-month period to July 2017).