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abrdn Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust

For the period ended Jun 30, 2024. Filed Aug 9, 2024.

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About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Jun 30, 2024 · Filed Aug 9, 2024

GLTR$172.28-2.9%Stored close · as of Nov 10, 2026

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Item 1. Financial Statements

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

At June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023

June 30, 2024December 31, 2023
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for Share and per Share data)
ASSETS
Gold (cost: June 30, 2024: $433,078; December 31, 2023: $471,878)$618,511$602,149
Palladium (cost: June 30, 2024: $94,152; December 31, 2023: $103,017)51,58465,824
Platinum (cost: June 30, 2024: $36,478; December 31, 2023: $39,846)35,80538,629
Silver (cost: June 30, 2024: $211,657; December 31, 2023: $230,811)285,757252,721
Total investment in Bullion991,657959,323
Total assets991,657959,323
LIABILITIES
Fees payable to Sponsor490492
Total liabilities490492
NET ASSETS(1)$991,167$958,831
(1)Authorized share capital is Unlimited with no par value per Share. Shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2024 were 9,600,000 and at December 31, 2023 were 10,450,000. Net asset values per Share at June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $103.25 and $91.75, respectively.

Schedules of Investments

At June 30, 2024 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2023

DescriptionozCostFair Value% of Net Assets
Investment in Bullion (in 000’s of US$, except for oz and percentage data)
Gold265,352.8$433,078$618,51162.41%
Palladium53,070.494,15251,5845.20%
Platinum35,380.236,47835,8053.61%
Silver9,729,564.7211,657285,75728.83%
Total investment in Bullion10,083,368.1$775,365$991,657100.05%
Less liabilities(490)(0.05)%
Net Assets$991,167100.00%
DescriptionozCostFair Value% of Net Assets
Investment in Bullion (in 000’s of US$, except for oz and percentage data)
Gold289,717.8$471,878$602,14962.79%
Palladium57,943.6103,01765,8246.87%
Platinum38,629.039,84638,6294.03%
Silver10,622,986.0230,811252,72126.36%
Total investment in Bullion11,009,276.4$845,552$959,323100.05%
Less liabilities(492)(0.05)%
Net Assets$958,831100.00%

Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024Three Months Ended June 30, 2023Six Months Ended June 30, 2024Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for Share and per Share data)
EXPENSES
Sponsor’s Fee$1,499$1,515$2,875$3,010
Total expenses1,4991,5152,8753,010
Net investment loss(1,499)(1,515)(2,875)(3,010)
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS / (LOSSES)
Realized gain on Bullion transferred to pay expenses281170414302
Realized gain on Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares8,0441,18712,1193,792
Change in unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion73,798(58,444)102,522(30,730)
Total gain/(loss) on investment in Bullion82,123(57,087)115,055(26,636)
Change in net assets from operations$80,624$(58,602)$112,180$(29,646)
Net increase / (decrease) in net assets per Share$8.24$(5.17)$11.25$(2.62)
Weighted average number of Shares9,786,26411,334,0669,974,45111,294,475

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for Share data)SharesAmountSharesAmount
Opening balance9,900,000$941,86411,100,000$1,014,772
Net investment loss(1,499)(1,515)
Realized gain on investment in Bullion8,3251,357
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in Bullion73,798(58,444)
Creations50,0004,997450,00041,495
Redemptions(350,000)(36,318)(150,000)(13,344)
Closing balance9,600,000$991,16711,400,000$984,321
Six Months Ended June 30, 2024Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for Share data)SharesAmountSharesAmount
Opening balance10,450,000$958,83111,350,000$1,007,501
Net investment loss(2,875)(3,010)
Realized gain on investment in Bullion12,5334,094
Change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in Bullion102,522(30,730)
Creations50,0004,997550,00050,637
Redemptions(900,000)(84,841)(500,000)(44,171)
Closing balance9,600,000$991,16711,400,000$984,321

Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2024Three Months Ended June 30, 2023Six Months Ended June 30, 2024Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Per Share Performance (for a Share outstanding throughout the entire period)
Net asset value per Share at beginning of period$95.14$91.42$91.75$88.77
Income from investment operations:
Net investment loss(0.15)(0.13)(0.29)(0.27)
Total realized and unrealized gains or (losses) on investment in Bullion8.26(4.95)11.79(2.16)
Change in net assets from operations8.11(5.08)11.50(2.43)
Net asset value per Share at end of period$103.25$86.34$103.25$86.34
Weighted average number of Shares9,786,26411,334,0669,974,45111,294,475
Expense ratio(1)0.60%0.60%0.60%0.60%
Net investment loss ratio(1)(0.60)%(0.60)%(0.60)%(0.60)%
Total return, net asset value(2)8.52%(5.56)%12.53%(2.74)%
(1)Annualized for periods less than one year.
(2)Total return is not annualized.

1. Organization

The abrdn Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is a common law trust formed on October 18, 2010 under New York law pursuant to a depositary trust agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) executed by abrdn ETFs Sponsor LLC (the “Sponsor”) and The Bank of New York Mellon as Trustee (the “Trustee”). The Trust holds Bullion in set ratios such that for every 0.03 ounces of gold it holds 1.1 ounces of silver,0.004 ounces of platinum and 0.006 ounces of palladium (together, “Bullion”). Effective June 18, 2024, the Trust issues abrdn Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (“Shares”) in minimum blocks of 25,000 Shares (also referred to as “Baskets”) in exchange for deposits of Bullion and distributes Bullion in connection with the redemption of Baskets. Prior to June 18, 2024, the number of Shares that constituted a Basket was 50,000. Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust which are issued by the Trust. The Sponsor is a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of abrdn Inc., which is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of abrdn plc. The Trust is governed by the Trust Agreement.

The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the prices of physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium in the proportions held by the Trust, less the Trust’s expenses. The Trust is designed to provide an individual owner of beneficial interests in the Shares (a “Shareholder”) an opportunity to participate in the gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets through an investment in securities. The fiscal year end for the Trust is December 31.

The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q. In the opinion of the Trust’s management, all adjustments (which consist of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, and for all periods presented have been made.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires those responsible for preparing financial statements to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Trust.

2.1. Basis of Accounting

The Sponsor has determined that the Trust falls within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946,Financial Services—Investment Companies, and has concluded that for reporting purposes, the Trust is classified as an Investment Company. The Trust is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act.

2.2. Valuation of Bullion

The Trust follows the provisions of ASC 820,Fair Value Measurement(“ASC 820”). ASC 820 provides guidance for determining fair value and requires increased disclosure regarding the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Effective May 23, 2024, the Trustee, at the direction of the Sponsor, entered into an Allocated Account Agreement and Unallocated Account Agreement with ICBC Standard Bank Plc (“ICBC”), providing for the custody of the Trust’s Bullion. Prior to May 23, 2024, JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. (“JPMorgan”) served as custodian of the Trust’s Bullion, and will continue to provide custody services until all of the Trust’s Bullion is transferred to ICBC. At June 30, 2024, approximately 0.08% of the Trust's gold,98.91% of the Trust's palladium,99.03% of the Trust's platinum and 33.43% of the Trust's silver remained at JPMorgan, while 99.92% of the Trust's gold,1.09% of the Trust's silver,0.97% of the Trust's platinum and 66.57% of the Trust's silver had been transferred to ICBC. At June 30, 2024, none of the Trust's Bullion was held by a sub-custodian.

The Trust’s Bullion is recorded, per individual metal type, at fair value. The cost of Bullion is determined according to the average cost method and the fair value is based on the relevant “London Metal Price” for each metal held by the Trust. This is the applicable “London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”) Gold Price PM” for the price of an ounce of gold, the “LBMA Silver Price” for silver, and for platinum and palladium the applicable “LBMA Price PM”.

Realized gains and losses on transfers of Bullion, or Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares, are calculated on a trade date basis as the difference between the fair value and average cost of Bullion transferred.

The LBMA Gold Price PM is set using the afternoon session of the ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) equilibrium auction, an electronic, tradable and auditable over-the-counter auction market with the ability to settle trades in US Dollars, Euros or British Pounds for LBMA authorized participating gold bullion banks or market makers that establishes a reference gold price for that day’s trading. The “London Metal Price” for gold held by the Trust is the LBMA Gold Price PM.

The IBA conducts an electronic, over-the-counter silver auction in London, England to establish a fixing price for an ounce of silver once each trading day, which is disseminated by major market vendors (the “LBMA Silver Price”). The LBMA Silver Price is established by the nine LBMA authorized bullion banks and market makers participating in the auction and disseminated by major market vendors. The “London Metal Price” for silver held by the Trust is the LBMA Silver Price.

The LME is responsible for the administration of the electronic platinum and palladium bullion price fixing system (“LMEbullion”) as well as providing electronic market clearing processes for platinum and palladium bullion transactions at the fixed prices established by the LME pricing mechanism. LMEbullion establishes and publishes fixed prices for troy ounces of platinum and palladium twice each London trading day during fixing sessions beginning at 9:45 a.m. London time (the “LBMA Price AM”) and 2:00 p.m. London time (the “LBMA Price PM”). The “London Metal Price” for platinum and palladium held by the Trust is the LBMA Price PM.

Once the value of Bullion has been determined, the net asset value (the “NAV”) is computed by the Trustee by deducting all accrued fees, expenses and other liabilities of the Trust, including the remuneration due to the Sponsor (the “Sponsor’s Fee”), from the fair value of the Bullion and all other assets held by the Trust.

The Trust recognizes changes in fair value of the investment in Bullion as changes in unrealized gains or losses on investment in Bullion through the Statement of Operations.

The per Share amount of Bullion exchanged for a purchase or redemption is calculated daily by the Trustee using the London Metal Price for each metal held by the Trust to calculate the Bullion amount in respect of any liabilities for which covering Bullion sales have not yet been made, and represents the per Share amount of Bullion held by the Trust, after giving effect to its liabilities, to cover expenses and liabilities and any losses that may have occurred.

Fair Value Hierarchy

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The three levels of inputs are as follows:

– Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Trust has the ability to access.

– Level 2. Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument on an inactive market, prices for similar instruments and similar data.

– Level 3. Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability to the extent that relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Trust’s own assumptions about the assumptions that a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and that would be based on the best information available.

To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The Trust’s investment in Bullion is classified as a level 1 asset, as its value is calculated using unadjusted quoted prices from primary market sources.

The categorization of the Trust’s assets is as shown below:

(Amounts in 000’s of US$)June 30, 2024December 31, 2023
Investment in Bullion$991,657$959,323

There were no transfers between levels during the six months ended June 30, 2024 or the year ended December 31, 2023.

2.3. Bullion Receivable and Payable

Bullion receivable or payable represents the quantity of Bullion covered by contractually binding orders for the creation or redemption of Shares respectively, where the Bullion has not yet been transferred to or from the Trust’s account. Generally, ownership of Bullion is transferred within two business days of the trade date. At June 30, 2024, the Trust hadno Bullion receivable or payable for the creation or redemption of Shares. At December 31, 2023, the Trust hadno Bullion receivable or payable for the creation or redemption of Shares.

2.4. Creations and Redemptions of Shares

The Trust expects to create and redeem Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (effective June 18, 2024, a Basket equals a block of 25,000 Shares. Prior to June 18, 2024, a Basket equaled a block of 50,000 Shares.). The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to Authorized Participants on an ongoing basis. Individual investors cannot purchase or redeem Shares in direct transactions with the Trust. An Authorized Participant is a person who (1) is a registered broker-dealer or other securities market participant such as a bank or other financial institution which is not required to register as a broker-dealer to engage in securities transactions; (2) is a participant in The Depository Trust Company; (3) has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trustee and the Sponsor; and (4) has established an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account with the Trust’s Custodian or other Bullion clearing bank. An Authorized Participant Agreement is an agreement entered into by each Authorized Participant, the Sponsor and the Trustee which provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of the Bullion required for such creations and redemptions. An Authorized Participant Unallocated Account is an unallocated Bullion account, either loco London or loco Zurich, established with the Custodian or a Bullion clearing bank by an Authorized Participant.

The creation and redemption of Baskets is only made in exchange for the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of Bullion represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.

Authorized Participants may, on any business day, place an order with the Trustee to create or redeem one or more Baskets. Effective May 28, 2024, the standard settlement period for Shares is one business day. Prior to May 28, 2024, the settlement period for Shares was two business days. In the event of a trade date at period end, where a settlement is pending, a respective account receivable and/or payable will be recorded. When Bullion is exchanged in settlement of a redemption, it is considered a sale of Bullion for financial statement purposes.

The amount of Bullion represented by the Baskets created or redeemed can only be settled to the nearest 1/1000th of an ounce. As a result, the value attributed to the creation or redemption of Shares may differ from the value of Bullion to be delivered or distributed by the Trust. In order to ensure that the correct amount of Bullion is available at all times to back the Shares, the Sponsor accepts an adjustment to its Sponsor Fee in the event of any shortfall or excess on each transaction. For each transaction, this amount is not more than 1/1000th of an ounce of Bullion.

As the Shares of the Trust are subject to redemption at the option of Authorized Participants, the Trust has classified the outstanding Shares as Net Assets. Changes in the number of Shares outstanding are presented in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

2.5. Income Taxes

The Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses will “flow through” to the Shareholders, and the Trustee will report the Trust’s proceeds, income, deductions, gains, and losses to the Internal Revenue Service on that basis.

The Sponsor has evaluated whether or not there are uncertain tax positions that require financial statement recognition and has determined thatno reserves for uncertain tax positions are required as of June 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

2.6. Investment in Bullion

Changes in ounces of Bullion and their respective values for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are set out below:

(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for ounces data)
Ounces of BullionGoldPalladiumPlatinumSilverTotal
Opening balance274,058.654,811.736,541.210,048,817.310,414,228.8
Creations1,383.3276.7184.450,722.352,566.7
Redemptions(9,676.0)(1,935.2)(1,290.2)(354,788.4)(367,689.8)
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(413.1)(82.8)(55.2)(15,186.5)(15,737.6)
Closing balance265,352.853,070.435,380.29,729,564.710,083,368.1
Investment in Bullion
Opening balance$606,862$55,743$33,143$246,598$942,346
Creations3,1732831721,3694,997
Redemptions(22,719)(1,863)(1,292)(10,444)(36,318)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares6,926(1,570)(38)2,7268,044
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(958)(75)(51)(407)(1,491)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion transferred to pay expenses283(72)(6)76281
Change in unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion24,944(862)3,87745,83973,798
Closing balance$618,511$51,584$35,805$285,757$991,657
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for ounces data)Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Ounces of BullionGoldPalladiumPlatinumSilverTotal
Opening balance306,353.361,270.740,847.111,232,955.411,641,426.5
Creations15,301.43,060.32,040.2561,051.7581,453.6
Redemptions(4,169.9)(834.1)(555.9)(152,898.0)(158,457.9)
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(473.7)(94.7)(63.2)(17,367.6)(17,999.2)
Closing balance317,011.163,402.242,268.211,623,741.512,046,423.0
Investment in Bullion
Opening balance$606,488$91,293$40,071$268,299$1,006,151
Creations30,4104,5232,11513,58950,637
Redemptions(8,088)(1,103)(535)(3,618)(13,344)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares1,321(392)(39)2971,187
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(931)(134)(64)(417)(1,546)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion transferred to pay expenses169(37)(3)41170
Change in unrealized loss on investment in Bullion(23,164)(14,644)(3,630)(17,006)(58,444)
Closing balance$606,205$79,506$37,915$261,185$984,811
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for ounces data)
Ounces of BullionGoldPalladiumPlatinumSilverTotal
Opening balance289,717.857,943.638,629.010,622,986.011,009,276.4
Creations1,383.3276.7184.450,722.352,566.7
Redemptions(24,905.4)(4,981.1)(3,320.7)(913,197.6)(946,404.8)
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(842.9)(168.8)(112.5)(30,946.0)(32,070.2)
Closing balance265,352.853,070.435,380.29,729,564.710,083,368.1
Investment in Bullion
Opening balance$602,149$65,824$38,629$252,721$959,323
Creations3,1732831721,3694,997
Redemptions(53,742)(4,780)(3,111)(23,208)(84,841)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares13,144(4,068)(314)3,35712,119
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(1,839)(164)(104)(770)(2,877)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion transferred to pay expenses465(137)(11)97414
Change in unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion55,161(5,374)54452,191102,522
Closing balance$618,511$51,584$35,805$285,757$991,657
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except for ounces data)Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Ounces of BullionGoldPalladiumPlatinumSilverTotal
Opening balance315,173.663,034.742,023.211,556,366.811,976,598.3
Creations16,695.33,339.12,226.1612,160.8634,421.3
Redemptions(13,916.3)(2,783.3)(1,855.5)(510,265.8)(528,820.9)
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(941.5)(188.3)(125.6)(34,520.3)(35,775.7)
Closing balance317,011.163,402.242,268.211,623,741.512,046,423.0
Investment in Bullion
Opening balance$571,646$111,887$43,326$276,717$1,003,576
Creations32,9385,0182,30614,81355,075
Redemptions(26,860)(3,972)(1,809)(11,530)(44,171)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion distributed for the redemption of Shares4,458(1,049)(109)4923,792
Transfers of Bullion to pay expenses(1,809)(291)(128)(805)(3,033)
Realized gain / (loss) on Bullion transferred to pay expenses296(50)(3)59302
Change in unrealized gain / (loss) on investment in Bullion25,536(32,037)(5,668)(18,561)(30,730)
Closing balance$606,205$79,506$37,915$261,185$984,811

2.7. Expenses / Realized Gains / Losses

The primary expense of the Trust is the Sponsor’s Fee, which is paid by the Trust through in-kind transfers of Bullion to the Sponsor.

The Trust will transfer Bullion to the Sponsor to pay the Sponsor’s Fee that accrues daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.60% of the adjusted daily net asset value (“ANAV”) of the Trust, paid monthly in arrears.

The Sponsor has agreed to assume administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust, including the Trustee’s monthly fee and out of pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and the reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses, exchange listing fees, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per annum in legal expenses.

For the three months ended June, 30, 2024 and 2023, the Sponsor’s Fee was $1,498,511 and $1,515,120, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Sponsor’s Fee was $2,875,309 and $3,010,352, respectively.

At June 30, 2024 and at December 31, 2023, the fees payable to the Sponsor were $489,812 and $492,555, respectively.

With respect to expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor, the Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s Bullion as necessary to pay these expenses. When selling Bullion to pay expenses, the Trustee will endeavor to sell the smallest amounts of Bullion needed to pay these expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than Bullion. Other than the Sponsor’s Fee, the Trust hadno expenses during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023.

Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, when selling Bullion the Trustee will endeavor to sell at the price established by the LBMA Price for each metal held by the Trust. The Trustee will place orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) through which the Trustee expects to receive the most favorable price and execution of orders. The Custodian may be the purchaser of such Bullion only if the sale transaction is made at the next LBMA Price for each metal held by the Trust used by the Trustee to value the Trust’s Bullion. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the average cost of the Bullion sold. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale.

Realized gains and losses result from the transfer of LBMA Price for each metal held by the Trust used by the Trustee to value the Trust’s Bullion for Share redemptions and / or to pay expenses and are recognized on a trade date basis as the difference between the fair value and average cost of Bullion transferred.

2.8. Subsequent Events

In accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC 855-10,Subsequent Events, the Trust’s management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events impacting the Trust’s financial statements through the filing date. During this period, no material subsequent events requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements were identified.

3. Related Parties

The Sponsor and the Trustee are considered to be related parties to the Trust. The Trustee and the Custodian and their affiliates may from time to time act as Authorized Participants and purchase or sell Shares for their own account, as agent for their customers and for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. In addition, the Trustee and the Custodian and their affiliates may from time to time purchase or sell Bullion directly, for their own account, as agent for their customers and for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Trustee’s and Custodian’s fees are paid by the Sponsor and are not separate expenses of the Trust.

4. Concentration of Risk

The Trust’s sole business activity is the investment in Bullion, and substantially all the Trust’s assets are holdings of Bullion, which creates a concentration of risk associated with fluctuations in the price of Bullion. Several factors could affect the price of Bullion, including: (i) global Bullion supply and demand, which is influenced by factors such as general changes in economic conditions, such as a recession or other economic downturn, recycling, autocatalyst demand, industrial demand, jewelry demand and investment demand, central bank purchases and sales, and production and cost levels in major Bullion-producing countries; (ii) investors’ expectations with respect to the rate of inflation; (iii) currency exchange rates; (iv) interest rates; (v) investment and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds; and (vi) global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. In addition, there is no assurance that Bullion will maintain its long-term value in terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of Bullion declines, the Sponsor expects the value of an investment in the Shares to decline proportionately. Each of these events could have a material effect on the Trust’s financial position and results of operations.

5. Indemnification

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the Trustee (and its directors, employees and agents) and the Sponsor (and its members, managers, directors, officers, employees and affiliates) are indemnified by the Trust against any liability, cost or expense it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or willful malfeasance on its part and without reckless disregard on its part of its obligations and duties under the Trust’s organizational documents. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.