In August 2018 the current account of the euro area recorded a surplus of €24 billion, compared with a surplus of €19 billion in July 2018.

In the 12-month period to August 2018, the current account recorded a surplus of €379 billion (3.3% of euro area GDP), compared with one of €330 billion (3.0% of euro area GDP) in the 12-month period to August 2017.

In the financial account, euro area residents made net acquisitions of foreign portfolio investment securities of €406 billion in the 12-month period to August 2018 (decreasing from €514 billion in the 12 months to August 2017). Non-residents' net purchases of euro area portfolio investment securities amounted to €145 billion (down from €208 billion in the 12-month period to August 2017).