[17] Marketable securities and financial assets 

This item comprises the following categories:

The significant increase in marketable securities and financial assets resulted mainly from short-term financial investments with an original maturity of more than 90 days, which included fixed-term deposits of € 760.0 million (2010: € 0.3 million). There were no write-downs or payments past due. As of December 31, 2011, the balance sheet item “available-for-sale financial investments“ mainly includes commercial paper amounting to € 247.3 million as well as Greek sovereign bonds with a book value of € 10.9 million. The nominal value of the Greek sovereign bonds is € 43.2 million. We received these securities within the scope of an exchange of receivables that were due from Greek hospitals. In fiscal 2011, the first tranche amounting to € 12.4 million was repaid. Additionally, an impairment loss of € 18.0 million was recognized on remaining Greek sovereign bonds and reported under “Other operating expenses”. Moreover, fair value adjustments of € +1.3 million, which were recognized in equity, were made on “available-for-sale financial investments“ (2010: € –2.0 million).