16. Cash and cash equivalents

We reported a cash position of €1,290.8 million at the end of December 2018 compared to €1,151.2 million at year-end 2017. Net cash used in operating activities amounted to €142.5 million for the year ended 31 December 2018. The net cash used in investing activities amounted to €15.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2018. The net cash generated from financing activities amounted to €287.9 million for the year ended 31 December 2018, which can mainly be attributed to the public offering in the U.S. of Galapagos shares for which the cash proceeds from capital and share premium increases amounted to €280.2 million, net of issue costs. In addition, proceeds received on exercise of warrants contributed to cash generated in financing activities in 2018 for an amount of €7.7 million. Finally, €10.1 million of foreign currency exchange rate differences on our cash held in foreign currency positively impacted the ending balance of our cash and cash equivalents.

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at banks, short term bank deposits and money market funds that are readily convertible to cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. Our cash management strategy monitors and optimizes our liquidity position. Our cash management strategy may allow short term deposits with an original maturity exceeding 3 months while monitoring all liquidity aspects. Cash and cash equivalents comprised €733.5 million of term deposits which all had an original maturity longer than 3 months. All cash and cash equivalents are available upon maximum one month notice period and without significant penalty. Cash at banks were mainly composed of savings accounts and current accounts. We maintain our bank deposits in highly rated financial institutions to reduce credit risk. Cash invested in highly liquid money market funds represented €199.2 million and was aimed at meeting short-term cash commitments, while reducing the counterparty risk of investment.

On 31 December 2018, our cash and cash equivalents included $320.5 million held in USD, which could generate a foreign currency exchange gain or loss in our financial results in accordance with the fluctuation of the EUR/USD exchange rate as our functional currency is EUR.