The WALCL, or "Assets: Total Assets: Total Assets (Less Eliminations from Consolidation): Wednesday Level," is a dataset provided by the Federal Reserve. It represents the total assets of the Federal Reserve System on a consolidated basis, excluding any eliminations due to consolidation between Federal Reserve Banks. The data is reported on a weekly basis, specifically on Wednesdays.
In simpler terms, the WALCL measures the total value of assets held by the Federal Reserve System, which includes assets like U.S. Treasury securities, mortgage-backed securities, foreign currency reserves, gold, and loans made to financial institutions, among others.
The Federal Reserve's balance sheet is a reflection of its monetary policy operations. For example, when the Fed conducts open market operations, it buys or sells government securities, which affects the size of its balance sheet. During times of economic stress or financial crisis, the Fed may expand its balance sheet by purchasing more assets or providing liquidity to the financial system, as it did during the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
To track the most recent WALCL data, you can visit the FRED (Federal Reserve Economic Data) website maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis or follow updates from financial news sources.