The continual observation of price stability is based on analyses of price statistics. Particular attention is usually paid to the German Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and the national Consumer Price Index (CPI), which are both published by the Federal Statistical Office and often used throughout the EU and as inflation measures.

Orders received is a leading indicator for cyclical developments. The figures are compiled monthly by the Federal Statistical Office and published both as a value index and as a volume index for the manufacturing and construction sectors respectively. The number of permits granted for structural engineering work also indicates the level of economic movement to be expected in that sector.

Further tables

Real interest rates are interest rates that have been adjusted for developments in purchasing power. They are broadly calculated as the difference between the nominal interest rate and the inflation rate (in the case of low interest rates and relatively stable prices).

Expected real interest rates are calculated based on nominal yields and inflation expectations from analyst surveys.

Since December 2009, the statistics on financial vehicle corporations (FVCs) have included a quarterly survey, carried out at the end of the quarter, of the assets and liabilities of all FVCs in Germany.

As to the investment fund statistics, comprehensive information is collected on funds open to the general public, specialised funds and closed-end funds which were created by domestic investment companies pursuant to the Kapitalanlagegesetzbuch.

The statistics on amounts outstanding of OTC derivatives are part of a survey coordinated by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), which is conducted semi-annually by central banks in major financial centres.