THE Hong Kong Monetary Authority announced Friday that the total assets of the Exchange Fund amounted to HK$961 billion (US$123.2 billion) as of Aug. 31. It was HK$4.6 billion lower than at the end of July.

　　Both foreign currency assets and Hong Kong dollar assets decreased, by HK$3.8 billion and HK$800 million respectively.

　　The decrease in foreign currency assets was mainly due to the sale of foreign currencies for Hong Kong dollars, which was partly offset by income from foreign currency assets and valuation gains on foreign currency investments.

　　The decrease in Hong Kong dollar assets was mainly due to fiscal drawdowns which were partly offset by the purchase of Hong Kong dollars from foreign currencies and an increase in bank borrowings.

　　(SD-Agencies)