Feb 26 • 11:00 UTC 🇪🇸 Spain El País

The ECB reduces its losses to 1.254 billion and sees the value of its gold reserves grow

The European Central Bank reports a reduced loss of 1.254 billion euros while the value of its gold reserves increases.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has announced that it has managed to reduce its losses to 1.254 billion euros, a significant improvement from the previous year's losses of 7.244 billion euros. This shift comes at a time when European banks are experiencing record profits and surging stock prices, but it highlights a differing financial reality for the ECB, whose primary goal is not profit generation but inflation control. Despite the substantial losses, ECB officials project a potential return to profitability within the next year or two, largely due to the overall economic recovery and market adjustments.

One contributing factor to the ECB's financial situation is the legacy of its asset acquisitions made during an extended period of low interest rates. Many of these assets continue to yield low or even negative returns, constraining the bank's ability to generate income. Furthermore, the ECB sold a minor portion of its dollar assets in 2025, indicating strategic adjustments in response to market conditions. The ongoing challenges faced by the ECB serve as a reminder of the complexities inherent in central banking, especially in a post-crisis economic landscape where inflation remains a critical issue.

While the ECB's losses present a financial challenge, the rising value of gold reserves offers a silver lining, reflecting the potential benefits of diversification in asset allocation. As the market continues to evolve, the ECB will likely remain vigilant in its fiscal strategies, balancing its mandate to control inflation with the need to stabilize its financial health. The implications of these developments will have far-reaching effects on monetary policy and economic stability within the Eurozone.

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