The Central Bank of Timor-Leste has released the first-quarter 2026 report for the Petroleum Fund, showing the fund's balance declined to USD 18.31 billion at March 31 from USD 18.61 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2025. Under the Petroleum Fund Law, the Ministry of Finance sets the investment strategy and the central bank carries out operational management. The quarter's result reflected negative investment performance and fund withdrawals, partly offset by new receipts. Total receipts during the quarter were USD 4.50 million, while gross investment income was negative USD 97.72 million. That comprised USD 131.98 million in interest, coupons and dividends and negative USD 229.70 million from market value changes. The portfolio returned negative 0.62% for the quarter, compared with a benchmark return of negative 0.68%. Total withdrawals were USD 204.18 million, including USD 200 million transferred to the Treasury Account to finance the state budget and USD 4.18 million for investment management costs.