Accounting statistics, non-financial enterprises foreign financing, Q1 2006

Non-financial companies’ assets in foreign countries increased by 11.5 percent in the first quarter of 2006, while external liabilities went up by 5 percent in the same period. Assets in foreign countries increased by 27 percent, while external liabilities increased by 10.9 percent in the last 12 months. These are the results of a new statistics which show the financial links the 500 largest non-financial companies have with foreign countries.

Current assets

The companies’ current assets in foreign countries amounted to 268 billion NOK by the end of the first quarter 2006, while fixed assets in foreign countries were valued at 490 billion NOK. During the first quarter, current assets increased by 23.2 percent, while fixed assets increased by 5.9 percent. By the end of first quarter 2006, current assets’ share of total assets was 35.3 percent. The proportion of current assets by the end of the fourth quarter of 2005 was 32 percent.

Most assets and liabilities within own group of companies

68.5 percent of the assets in foreign countries was within own group of companies. 56.1 percent of the liabilities in foreign countries was to companies within own group of companies.

More short-term liabilities

By the end of first quarter, the companies had short-term liabilities of 166 billion NOK, while their long-term liabilities amounted to 330 billion NOK. Short-term liabilities increased by 15 percent during the first quarter of 2006, while long-term liabilities increased by a paltry 0.7 percent.

About the statistical basis

The statistics are based on a survey of the 500 largest non-financial companies. The size of the company is measured by assets and liabilities in foreign countries, foreign shares and foreign ownership.

The data are based on accounting legislation, and the values do not necessarily give a good picture of the real or market value of the assets.

Tables:

• Table 1 Assets and liabilities in foreign countries, by category. NOK million. Preliminary figures
• Table 2 Assets and liabilities in foreign countries, by category. Percentage distribution. Preliminary figures
• Table 3 Liabilities in foreign countries, by category. Percentage distribution. Preliminary figures
• Table 4 Assets in foreign countries, by category. Percentage distribution. Preliminary figures