VanEck Merk Gold ETF

Current report

On October 7, 2023, militants from Gaza launched a large-scale attack on Israeli towns, resulting in the deaths of civilians and soldiers and the taking of hostages. In response, Israel declared war on Hamas and initiated military operations targeting Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza. The continuing conflict has led to broader regional instability, military escalation, and the responses of global political actors-including sanctions, diplomatic interventions, and military posturing-which has increased volatility in financial markets and may continue to do so. These developments could adversely affect regional and global economic conditions and contribute to fluctuations in the price of gold and, consequently, the price of the Shares. Additional risks include disruptions to global shipping routes, energy markets, and the broader commodities supply chain, all of which could impact the gold market.

Current report

Similarly, the war in Ukraine, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, continues to pose geopolitical and economic risks. In response to the invasion, the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) suspended the accreditation of six Russian precious metals refiners on March 7, 2022, although bars produced prior to that date remain accepted as good delivery. Further, the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union have imposed restrictions on the import, purchase, and transfer of Russian-origin gold. These measures include:

Current report

In addition to the risks posed by armed conflict and sanctions, changes in international trade policy, including the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, could impact the price of gold and the value of the Shares. The price of gold is subject to fluctuations due to a variety of geopolitical and macroeconomic factors, including changes in trade policy. The imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers by major gold-importing or -exporting countries may disrupt global supply chains, reduce cross-border demand, or increase the cost of gold production. In addition, trade disputes and related policy uncertainty may contribute to increased market volatility, which could affect investor sentiment and the market price of gold. Trade tensions and related policy uncertainty may also lead to currency fluctuations, particularly in the U.S. dollar, which could impact the price of gold as it is typically denominated in U.S. dollars. These developments may positively or negatively impact the price of gold and the value of the Shares.

Previous report

On October 7, 2023, militants from Gaza attacked Israeli towns, killed Israeli civilians and soldiers and took hostages. In response to the attack, Israel declared war against Hamas, attacking Hamas and Islamic targets in Gaza. The conflict has escalated in the past year, and Israel is fighting adversaries across the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen and Iran. The responses of countries and political bodies to these events, the larger overarching tensions, Israel’s military response and the potential for wider conflict may increase financial market volatility generally, have adverse effects on regional and global economic markets, and cause volatility in the price of gold and the price of the Shares. In addition, the conflict, along with any global political fallout and implications including sanctions, collateral war damage, and a potential expansion of the conflict, could disturb the gold market.

Previous report

Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The extent and duration of the military action, resulting sanctions and economic impacts are impossible to predict. These and any related events could cause volatility in precious metals prices and have significant impact on Trust performance and the value of an investment in the Shares. Russia is a significant producer of gold. On March 7, 2022, in response to the Russian hostilities in the Ukraine, LBMA suspended six Russian refiners; as a result, new production by such refiners were no longer be accepted as “Good Delivery” by the London Bullion market. The bars these refiners previously produced will still be considered Good Delivery, consistent with past suspensions of refiners by the LBMA. However, fewer suppliers to the LBMA may lead to a lower supply of Good Delivery gold and further volatility in the price of gold.

Previous report

Following an announcement at the G7 Summit to collectively ban the import of Russian gold, the UK passed regulations which prohibit the direct or indirect (i) import of gold that originated in Russia, (ii) acquisition of gold that originated in Russia or is located in Russia and (iii) supply or delivery of gold that originated in Russia, all after July 21, 2022. Similarly, U.S. regulations prohibit the import of gold of Russian origin into the United States on or after June 28, 2022 and European Union regulations prohibit the direct or indirect import, purchase or transfer of gold if it originates in Russia and has been exported from Russia after July 22, 2022. On August 3, 2022, Switzerland announced sanctions that ban buying, importing or transporting gold and gold products from Russia, as well as services in connection with said gold and gold products. Although it is not possible to predict the impact that these sanctions may have, such sanctions could impact the operations of the Trust and its service providers and could significantly harm the value of the Trust’s Shares.