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As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 7, 2022
Registration
No. 333-[______]
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UNITED
STATES
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SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
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WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
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FORM
S-3
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REGISTRATION
STATEMENT UNDER
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THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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ABERDEEN
STANDARD PRECIOUS
METALS BASKET ETF TRUST
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(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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New
York
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27-2780046
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(State
or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S.
Employer
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incorporation
or organization)
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Identification
No.)
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c/o
Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC
712
Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor
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New
York, NY 10019
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844-383-7289
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(Address,
including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
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of
Registrant’s principal executive offices)
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c/o
Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC
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712
Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor
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New
York, NY 10019
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(844)
383-7289
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(Name,
address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of
agent for service)
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Copies
to:
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Thomas
C. Bogle, Esq.
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Stephanie
A. Capistron, Esq.
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Dechert
LLP
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1900
K Street, NW
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Washington,
DC 20006
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Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.
If
the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please
check the following box.
☐
If
any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under
the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check
the following box.
☒
If
this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please
check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.
☐
If
this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.
☐
If
this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become
effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.
☒
If
this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register
additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following
box.
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting
company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”,
“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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Smaller
reporting company
Emerging
growth company
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☐
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If an emerging
growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.
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CALCULATION
OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title
of each class of
securities to be
registered
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Amount
to be
registered)
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Proposed
maximum
offering price per
unit
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Proposed
maximum
aggregate offering
price
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Amount
of
registration
fee
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Aberdeen Standard Physical
Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF
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(1)
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(1)
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(1)
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(2)(3)
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(1)
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In accordance with
Rule 456(d) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), the Aberdeen Standard Physical
Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF (“Trust”) is registering an indeterminate number of units of fractional undivided
beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust (“Shares”) as may from time to time be offered hereunder at
indeterminate prices.
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(2)
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The registrant will
calculate registration fees, if any, in accordance with Rules 456(d) and 457(u) under the Securities Act. In accordance with
Rules 456(d) under the Securities Act, the registrant is deferring payment of these registration fees and will pay these registration
fees on an annual net basis no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year.
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(3)
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In accordance with
Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, when registration fees become due under Rule 456(d), the registration fee for the Shares
will be partially offset by the registration fee associated with unsold securities registered pursuant to that certain registration
statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-234723) filed by the Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust on November 27,
2019 (the “Prior Registration Statement”). A registration fee of $65,227.15 was paid in connection with the registration
pursuant to the Prior Registration Statement of 7,950,000 Shares, of which 1,900,000 remain unsold as of the date hereof and
for which a filing fee of $15,588.88 was previously paid with respect to the unsold Shares. The filing fee for any remaining
unsold Shares as of the date of effectiveness of this registration statement will be applied to partially offset filing fees
when, and if, they become due under Rule 456(d).
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This
registration statement shall become effective immediately upon filing, as provided in Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act of
1933.
Shares
of Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF
Aberdeen
Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust
The
Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust (Trust) issues Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF
(Shares) which represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust. Aberdeen Standard Investments
ETFs Sponsor LLC is the sponsor of the Trust (Sponsor), The Bank of New York Mellon is the trustee of the Trust (Trustee), and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is the custodian of the Trust (Custodian). The Trust intends to issue additional Shares on a continuous
basis.
The
Shares may be purchased from the Trust only in one or more blocks of 50,000 Shares (a block of 50,000 Shares is called a Basket).
The Trust issues Shares in Baskets to certain authorized participants (Authorized Participants) on an ongoing basis as described
in “Plan of Distribution.” Baskets will be offered continuously at the net asset value (NAV) for 50,000 Shares on
the day that an order to create a Basket is accepted by the Trustee. The Trust will not issue fractions of a Basket.
The
Shares trade on the NYSE Arca under the symbol “GLTR.”
Investing
in the Shares involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” starting on page 6.
Neither
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities
offered in this prospectus, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a
criminal offense.
The
Shares are neither interests in nor obligations of the Sponsor or the Trustee.
The
Trust issues Shares from time to time in Baskets, as described in “Creation and Redemption of Shares.” It is expected
that the Shares will be sold to the public at varying prices to be determined by reference to, among other considerations, the
prices of the gold, silver, platinum and palladium metal (“Bullion”) represented by each Share and the trading price
of the Shares on the NYSE Arca at the time of each sale.
The
date of this prospectus is January 7, 2022.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
This
prospectus, including the materials incorporated by reference herein, contains information you should consider when making an
investment decision about the Shares. You may rely on the information contained in this prospectus. The Trust and the Sponsor
have not authorized any person to provide you with different information and, if anyone provides you with different or inconsistent
information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell the Shares in any jurisdiction where the offer
or sale of the Shares is not permitted.
The
Shares are not registered for public sale in any jurisdiction other than the United States.
STATEMENT
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and within the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995, as amended. These forward-looking statements may relate to the Trust’s financial conditions, results of operations,
plans, objectives, future performance and business. Statements preceded by, followed by or that include words such as “may,”
“should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,”
“predict,” “potential” or similar expressions are intended to identify some of the forward-looking statements.
All statements (other than statements of historical fact) included in this prospectus that address activities, events or developments
that will or may occur in the future, including such matters as changes in commodity prices and market conditions (for gold, silver,
platinum, palladium and the Shares), the Trust’s operations, the Sponsor’s plans and references to the Trust’s
future success and other similar matters are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions. Actual events
or results may differ materially. These statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses the Sponsor made based on its
perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate in
the circumstances. Whether or not actual results and developments will conform to the Sponsor’s expectations and predictions,
however, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the special considerations discussed in this prospectus,
general economic, market and business conditions, changes in laws or regulations, including those concerning taxes, made by governmental
authorities or regulatory bodies, and other world economic and political developments. See “Risk Factors.” Consequently,
all the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance
that the actual results or developments the Sponsor anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they
will result in the expected consequences to, or have the expected effects on, the Trust’s operations or the value of the
Shares. Neither the Trust nor the Sponsor is under a duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform such statements
to actual results or to reflect a change in the Sponsor’s expectations or predictions.
GLOSSARY
OF DEFINED TERMS
In
this prospectus, each of the following quoted terms have the meanings set forth after such term:
“Allocated
Account Agreement”—The agreement between the Trustee and the Custodian which establishes the Trust Allocated Account.
The Allocated Account Agreement and the Unallocated Account Agreement are sometimes referred to together as the “Custody
Agreements.”
“ANAV”—Adjusted
NAV. See “Description of the Trust Agreement—Valuation of Bullion, Definition of Net Asset Value and Adjusted Net
Asset Value” for a description of how the ANAV of the Trust is calculated. The ANAV of the Trust is used to calculate the
fees of the Sponsor.
“Authorized
Participant”—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 DTC, (3) has entered into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trustee and the Sponsor and (4) has
established an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account. Only Authorized Participants may place orders to create or redeem one
or more Baskets.
“Authorized
Participant Agreement”—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 and any cash required for
such creations and redemptions.
“Authorized
Participant Unallocated Account”—An unallocated Bullion account, either loco London or loco Zurich, established with
the Custodian or a Bullion clearing bank by an Authorized Participant. Each Authorized Participant’s Authorized Participant
Unallocated Account is used to facilitate the transfer of Bullion deposits and Bullion redemption distributions between the Authorized
Participant and the Trust in connection with the creation and redemption of Baskets.
“Authorized
Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement”—The agreement between an Authorized Participant and the Custodian
or a Bullion clearing bank which establishes the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account.
“Basket”—A
block of 50,000 Shares is called a “Basket.”
“Book
Entry System”—The Federal Reserve Treasury Book Entry System for United States and federal agency securities.
“Bullion”—Gold,
silver, platinum and palladium metals, as applicable and in their capacity as bullion metals represented by each Share.
“CEA”—Commodity
Exchange Act of 1936, as amended.
“CFTC”—Commodity
Futures Trading Commission, an independent agency with the mandate to regulate commodity futures, options, swaps and derivatives
markets in the United States.
“Clearing
Agency”—Any clearing agency or similar system other than the Book Entry System or DTC.
“Code”—The
United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Creation
Basket Deposit”—The total deposit required to create a Basket. The deposit will be an amount of Bullion and cash,
if any, that is in the same proportion to the total assets of the Trust (net of estimated accrued but unpaid fees, expenses and
other liabilities) on the date an order to purchase one or more Baskets is properly received as the number of Shares comprising
the number of Baskets to be created in respect of the deposit bears to the total number of Shares outstanding on the date such
order is properly received. The Bullion comprising a deposit is in a proportion equal to 0.03 ounces of gold, 1.1 ounces of silver,
0.004 ounces of platinum and 0.006 ounces of palladium.
“Custodian”
or “JPMorgan”—JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., a national banking association and a market maker, clearer and approved
weigher under the rules of the LBMA and LPPM. JPMorgan is the custodian of the Trust’s Bullion.
“Custody
Agreements”—The Allocated Account Agreement together with the Unallocated Account Agreement.
“Custody
Rules”—The rules, regulations, practices and customs of the LBMA, the LPPM, the Bank of England or any applicable
regulatory body which apply to Bullion made available in physical form by the Custodian.
“DTC”—The
Depository Trust Company. DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under New York law, a member of the US Federal Reserve
System and a clearing agency registered with the SEC. DTC acts as the securities depository for the Shares.
“DTC
Participant”—A participant in DTC, such as a bank, broker, dealer or trust company.
“Evaluation
Time”—The time at which the Trustee evaluates the Bullion held by the Trust and determines both the NAV and the
ANAV of the Trust, which is currently as promptly as practicable after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on each day other
than (1) a Saturday or Sunday or (2) any day on which the NYSE Arca is not open for regular trading.
“Exchange”
or “NYSE Arca”—NYSE Arca, Inc., the venue where Shares are listed and traded.
“FCA”—The
Financial Conduct Authority, an independent non-governmental body which exercises statutory regulatory power under the FSM Act
and which regulates the major participating members of the LBMA and the LPPM in the United Kingdom.
“FINRA”—The
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
“FSM
Act”—The Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
“Good
Delivery”—With respect to gold, gold in bar form with a minimum fineness and purity of 99.5% weighing between 350
and 430 troy ounces. With respect to silver, silver in bar form with a minimum fineness and purity of 99.9% weighing between 750
and 1,100 troy ounces. With respect to platinum or palladium, platinum or palladium in plate or ingot form with a minimum fineness
and purity of 99.95% weighing between 32.151 and 192.904 troy ounces. One troy ounce equals 31.103 grams meeting the Good Delivery
Standards.
“Good
Delivery Standards”—The specifications for weight, dimensions, fineness (or purity), identifying marks and appearance
of gold and silver bars as set forth in “The Good Delivery Rules for Gold and Silver Bars” published by the LBMA and
for platinum and palladium plates and ingots as set forth in “The Good Delivery Rules for Platinum and Palladium Plates
and Ingots” published by the LPPM. The Good Delivery Standards as of December 2021 are described in “Operation of
the Bullion Markets.”
“IBA”
— ICE Benchmark Administration, the authorized benchmark administrator responsible for the LBMA Gold Price and LBMA Silver
Price.
“Indirect
Participants”—Those banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others who maintain, either directly or indirectly,
a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant.
“LBMA”—The
London Bullion Market Association. The LBMA is the trade association that acts as the coordinator for activities conducted on
behalf of its members and other participants in the London bullion market. In addition to coordinating market activities, the
LBMA acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of the LBMA is its involvement
in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “Good Delivery List,” which is the list of LBMA accredited
refiners of gold and silver. Further, the LBMA coordinates market clearing and vaulting, promotes good trading practices and develops
standard documentation. The major participating members of the LBMA are regulated by the FCA in the United Kingdom under the FSM
Act.
“LBMA
Gold Price” — The USD price for an ounce of gold set by the LBMA-accredited participating bullion banks or market
makers in an electronic, tradable and auditable over-the-counter auction, operated by IBA at 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. London time,
on each London business day and disseminated electronically by IBA to selected major market data vendors, such as Refinitiv and
Bloomberg.
“LBMA
PM Gold Price”— The USD price for an ounce of gold set by the LBMA-accredited participating bullion banks or market
makers in an electronic, tradable and auditable over-the-counter auction, operated by IBA at 3:00 p.m. London time, on each London
business day and disseminated electronically by IBA to selected major market data vendors, such as Refinitiv and Bloomberg. See
“Operation of the Bullion Markets—The Gold Bullion Market” for a description of the operation of the LBMA PM
Gold Price electronic auction process.
“LBMA
Silver Price” (previously named the “London Silver Price”) — means the price for an ounce of silver set
by LBMA-authorized participating bullion banks or market makers in the electronic, tradeable and auditable over-the-counter auction
administered by IBA at approximately 12:00 noon London time, on each London business day and disseminated by major market vendors.
See “Operation of the Bullion Markets–The Silver Bullion Market” for a description of the operation of the LBMA
Silver Price electronic auction process.
“LME”—The
London Metal Exchange. The LME, which is owned by Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd., was founded in 1877 and is a leading
venue for the trading of industrial metals. The majority of all non-ferrous metal futures business is transacted on LME platforms.
As a recognized investment exchange, the LME is regulated by the FCA. The LME administers the determination of the LME PM Fix.
“LME
PM Fix”—With respect to platinum, the afternoon session of the twice daily fix of the price of a troy ounce of platinum
which starts at 2:00 PM London, England time and is performed by an electronic auction system (LMEbullion) administered by the
LME in London in which participating members of the LPPM directly and other market participants indirectly through participating
members of the LPPM submit buying and selling orders. With respect to palladium, the afternoon session of the twice daily fix
of the price of an ounce of palladium which starts at 2:00 PM London, England time and is performed by an electronic pricing system
(LMEbullion) administered by the LME in London in which participating members of the LPPM directly and other market participants
indirectly through participating members of the LPPM submit buying and selling orders. See “Operation of the Bullion Markets”
for a description of the operation of the LME PM Fix electronic auction process for platinum and palladium.
“London
Metal Price” means, with respect to gold, the LBMA PM Gold Price, with respect to platinum and palladium, the LME PM Fix
and, with respect to silver, the LBMA Silver Price.
“LPPFCL”
— The London Platinum and Palladium Fixing Company Limited. The LPPFCL had the responsibility of establishing twice each
London trading day, a clearing price or “fix” for platinum and palladium bullion transactions. As of December 1, 2014,
the LPPFCL transferred ownership of the historic and future intellectual property of the twice daily “fix” for platinum
and palladium bullion transactions to a subsidiary company of the LBMA.
“LPPM”—The
London Platinum and Palladium Market. The LPPM is the trade association that acts as the coordinator for activities conducted
on behalf of its members and other participants in the London platinum and palladium markets. In addition to coordinating market
activities, the LPPM acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of the LPPM
is its involvement in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “London/Zurich Good Delivery Lists,”
which are the lists of LPPM accredited refiners and assayers of platinum and palladium. Further, the LPPM coordinates market clearing
and vaulting, promotes good trading practices and develops standard documentation.
“Marketing
Agent”— ALPS Distributors, Inc., a Colorado corporation.
“NAV”—Net
asset value. See “Description of the Trust Agreement—Valuation of Bullion, Definition of Net Asset Value and Adjusted
Net Asset Value” for a description of how the NAV of the Trust and the NAV per Share are calculated.
“NFA”—The
National Futures Association, a futures association and self-regulatory organization organized under the CEA and CFTC regulations
with the mandate to regulate intermediaries trading in futures, swaps and options.
“OTC”—The
global Over-the-Counter market for the trading of Bullion which consists of transactions in spot, forwards, and options and other
derivatives.
“Ounces”
— With respect to gold, fine troy ounces and with respect to silver, platinum and palladium, troy ounces, each as described
in “Operation of the Bullion Markets”.
“Securities
Act”—The Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
“Shareholders”—Owners
of beneficial interests in the Shares.
“Shares”—Units
of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust which are issued by the Trust and named “Aberdeen
Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF”.
“Sponsor”—Aberdeen
Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
“Sponsor’s
Fee”—The remuneration due to the Sponsor in exchange for which the Sponsor has agreed to assume the ordinary administrative
and marketing expenses that the Trust is expected to incur. The fee accrues daily and is payable in-kind in Bullion monthly in
arrears.
“tonne”—One
metric tonne which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms or 32,150.7465 troy ounces.
“Trust”—The
Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, a common law trust, formed on October 18, 2010 under New York law pursuant
to the Trust Agreement.
“Trust
Agreement”—The Depositary Trust Agreement between the Sponsor and the Trustee under which the Trust is formed and
which sets forth the rights and duties of the Sponsor, the Trustee and the Custodian.
“Trust
Allocated Account”—The allocated Bullion account of the Trust established with the Custodian by the Allocated Account
Agreement. The Trust Allocated Account is used to hold the Bullion deposited with the Trust in allocated form (i.e., as
individually identified bars of gold and silver and plates and ingots of platinum and palladium).
“Trustee”
or “BNYM”—The Bank of New York Mellon, a banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York
with trust powers. BNYM is the trustee of the Trust.
“Trust
Unallocated Account”—The unallocated Bullion account of the Trust established with the Custodian by the Unallocated
Account Agreement. The Trust Unallocated Account is used to facilitate the transfer of Bullion deposits and Bullion redemption
distributions between Authorized Participants and the Trust in connection with the creation and redemption of Baskets and the
sale of Bullion made by the Trustee for the Trust.
“Unallocated
Account Agreement”—The agreement between the Trustee and the Custodian which establishes the Trust Unallocated Account.
The Allocated Account Agreement and the Unallocated Account Agreement are sometimes referred to together as the “Custody
Agreements.”
“Zurich
Sub-Custodian”—The Zurich Sub-Custodian is any firm selected by the Custodian to hold the Trust’s platinum and
palladium in the Trust Allocated Account in the firm’s Zurich vault premises on a segregated basis and whose appointment
has been approved by the Sponsor. The Custodian will use reasonable care in selecting the Zurich Sub-Custodian. As of the date
of the Custody Agreements, the Zurich Sub-Custodian that the Custodian uses is UBS AG.
“US
Shareholder”—A Shareholder that is (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (2) a corporation
(or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United
States or any political subdivision thereof; (3) an estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for US federal income
tax purposes regardless of its source; or (4) a trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision
over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the
trust.
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
is only a summary of the prospectus and, while it contains material information about the Trust and its Shares, it does not contain
or summarize all of the information about the Trust and the Shares contained in this prospectus which is material and/or which
may be important to you. You should read this entire prospectus, including “Risk Factors” beginning on page 6, and
the materials incorporated by reference herein, before making an investment decision about the Shares.
Trust
Structure
The
Trust is a common law trust, formed on October 18, 2010 under New York law pursuant to the Trust Agreement. The Trust holds Bullion
and from time to time issues Baskets in exchange for deposits of Bullion and distributes Bullion in connection with redemptions
of Baskets. 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 Sponsor believes that,
for many investors, the Shares represent a cost-effective investment in Bullion. The material terms of the Trust Agreement are
discussed in greater detail under the section “Description of the Trust Agreement.” The Shares represent units of
fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust and are traded under the ticker symbol “GLTR”
on the NYSE Arca.
The
Trust’s Sponsor is Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC (known as ETF Securities USA LLC prior to October 1, 2018),
a Delaware limited liability company formed on June 17, 2009. Prior to April 27, 2018, the Sponsor was wholly-owned by ETF Securities
Limited, a Jersey, Channel Islands based company. Effective April 27, 2018, ETF Securities Limited sold its membership interest
in the Sponsor to abrdn Inc. (known as Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc. prior to January 1, 2022), a Delaware corporation. As
a result of the sale, abrdn Inc. became the sole member of the Sponsor. abrdn Inc. is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of abrdn
plc, which together with its affiliates and subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “abrdn.” The Trust is governed
by the Trust Agreement. Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the governing documents of the Sponsor, abrdn Inc.,
the sole member of the Sponsor, is not responsible for the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Sponsor solely by reason
of being the sole member of the Sponsor.
Effective
October 1, 2018, the name of the Trust changed from the ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust to the Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals
Basket ETF Trust. In addition, effective October 1, 2018, the name of the Shares changed from ETFS Physical PM Basket Shares to
Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF.
The
Sponsor arranged for the creation of the Trust and is responsible for the ongoing registration of the Shares for their public
offering in the United States and the listing of the Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Sponsor has agreed to assume the organizational
expenses of the Trust and the following administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust: the Trustee’s monthly
fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and expenses reimbursable under the Custody Agreements, Exchange listing
fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per annum in legal expenses.
The
Trustee is The Bank of New York Mellon. The Trustee is generally responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Trust. This
includes (1) transferring the Trust’s Bullion as needed to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in Bullion (Bullion transfers for
payment of the Sponsor’s Fee are expected to occur approximately monthly in the ordinary course), (2) calculating the NAV
of the Trust and the NAV per Share, (3) receiving and processing orders from Authorized Participants to create and redeem Baskets
and coordinating the processing of such orders with the Custodian and The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) and (4)
selling the Trust’s Bullion as needed to pay any extraordinary Trust expenses that are not assumed by the Sponsor. The general
role, responsibilities and regulation of the Trustee are further described in “The Trustee.”
The
Custodian is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the Trust’s Bullion deposited
with it by Authorized Participants in connection with the creation of Baskets. The Custodian also facilitates the transfer of
Bullion in and out of the Trust through Bullion accounts it maintains for Authorized Participants and the Trust. The Custodian
is a market maker, clearer and approved weigher of gold and silver under the rules of the London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”)
and of platinum and palladium under the rules of the London Platinum and Palladium Market (“LPPM”). The Custodian
holds the Trust’s loco London allocated Bullion in its London, England vaulting premises on a segregated basis and may select
one or more Zurich Sub-Custodians to hold the Trust’s loco Zurich allocated platinum and palladium on the Custodian’s
behalf at any such Zurich Sub-Custodian’s Zurich, Switzerland vaulting premises on a segregated basis. The general role,
responsibilities and regulation of the Custodian are further described in “The Custodian” and “Custody of the
Trust’s Bullion.”
Detailed
descriptions of certain specific rights and duties of the Trustee and the Custodian are set forth in “Description of the
Trust Agreement” and “Description of the Custody Agreements.”
Trust
Overview
The
investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of physical gold, silver, platinum
and palladium in the proportions held by the Trust, less the Trust’s expenses. The Shares are designed for investors who
want a cost-effective and convenient way to invest in Bullion with minimal credit risk.
The
Trust is one of several exchange-traded products (“ETPs”) that seek to track the price of physical precious metals
(“Bullion ETPs”). Some of the distinguishing features of the Trust and its Shares include holding of physical gold,
silver, platinum and palladium bullion in the specified ratio, vaulting of Trust gold and silver in London and the vaulting of
Trust platinum and palladium in London or Zurich, the experience of the Sponsor’s management team, the use of JPMorgan Chase
Bank, N.A. as Custodian, third-party vault inspection and the allocation of almost all of the Trust’s Bullion. See “Business
of the Trust.”
Investing
in the Shares does not insulate the investor from certain risks, including price volatility. See “Risk Factors.”
Principal
Offices
The
Trust’s office is located at 712 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10019 and its telephone number is 844-383-7289.
The Sponsor’s office is c/o Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor, New
York, NY 10019 and its telephone number is 844-383-7289. The Trustee has a trust office at 240 Greenwich Street,, New York, NY
10286. The Custodian is located at 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5JP, United Kingdom. The Zurich Sub-Custodian that
the Custodian currently uses is UBS AG, which is located at 45 Bahnhofstrasse, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
THE
OFFERING
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Offering
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The
Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust.
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Use of proceeds
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Proceeds
received by the Trust from the issuance and sale of Baskets, including the Shares (as described on the front page of this
prospectus), consist of Bullion deposits and, possibly from time to time, cash. Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, during the
life of the Trust such proceeds will only be (1) held by the Trust, (2) distributed to Authorized Participants in connection
with the redemption of Baskets or (3) disbursed to pay the Sponsor’s Fee or sold as needed to pay the Trust’s
expenses not assumed by the Sponsor.
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Exchange symbol
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GLTR
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CUSIP
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003263100
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Creation and
redemption
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The
Trust expects to create and redeem the Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block
of 50,000 Shares). The creation and redemption of Baskets requires the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust
of the amount of Bullion and any cash represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which will be based
on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed. On October 18, 2010, the Trust’s
formation date, the initial amount of Bullion required for deposit with the Trust to create Shares was 1,500 ounces of gold,
55,000 ounces of silver, 200 ounces of platinum and 300 ounces of palladium per Basket. The number of ounces of Bullion required
to create a Basket or to be delivered upon the redemption of a Basket gradually decreases over time, due to the accrual of
the Trust’s expenses and the sale or delivery of the Trust’s Bullion to pay the Trust’s expenses. See “Business
of the Trust—Trust Expenses.” Baskets may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants, who pay a transaction
fee for each order to create or redeem Baskets and may sell the Shares included in the Baskets they create to other investors.
The Trust will not issue fractions of a Basket. See “Creation and Redemption of Shares” for more details.
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Net Asset Value
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The
NAV of the Trust is the aggregate value of the Trust’s assets less its liabilities (which include estimated accrued
but unpaid fees and expenses). In determining the NAV of the Trust, the Trustee values the prices of Bullion as determined
by the relevant London Metal Price. The gold held by the Trust is valued on the basis of the daily price of an ounce of gold
as set by the LBMA-authorized participating bullion banks or market makers in an electronic, tradeable and auditable OTC auction
conducted by IBA at 3:00 p.m. London, England time and disseminated electronically by IBA to selected major market data vendors
such as Refinitiv and Bloomberg (LBMA PM Gold Price). Silver held by the Trust is valued on the basis of the daily price of
an ounce of silver as set by LBMA-authorized participating bullion banks or market makers in an electronic, tradeable and
auditable over-the-counter auction administered by IBA at approximately 12:00 noon London, England time, and disseminated
by major market vendors (LBMA Silver Price). Platinum held by the Trust is valued on the basis of the price of an ounce of
platinum as set by the afternoon session of the twice daily fix of the price of a troy ounce of platinum which starts at 2:00
p.m. London, England time (“LME PM Fix”) and is performed by an electronic pricing system (LMEbullion) administered
by the London Metal Exchange (LME) in London in which participating members of the LPPM directly and other market participants
indirectly through participating members of the LPPM submit buying and selling orders. Palladium held by the Trust is valued
on the basis of the price of a troy ounce of palladium as set by the afternoon session of the twice daily fix of the price
of a troy ounce of palladium which starts at 2:00 p.m. London, England time and is performed by an electronic pricing system
(LMEbullion) administered by the LME in London in which participating members of the LPPM directly and other market participants
indirectly through participating members of the LPPM submit buying and selling orders. See “Operation of the Bullion
Markets” for a description of the operation of the electronic auction market process for the LBMA PM Gold Price, the
LME PM Fix for platinum and palladium and the LBMA Silver Price. The Trustee determines the NAV of the Trust on each day the
NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, as promptly as practicable after 4:00 p.m. New York time. If no London Metal Price
is made for gold, silver, platinum or palladium on a particular evaluation day or has not been announced by 4:00 p.m. New
York time on a particular evaluation day, the next most recent London Metal Price announced for such metal or metals will
be used in the determination of the NAV of the Trust, unless the Sponsor determines that such price is inappropriate to use
as basis for such determination. The Trustee also determines the NAV per Share, which equals the NAV of the Trust, divided
by the number of outstanding Shares.
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Trust
expenses
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The
Trust’s only ordinary recurring charge is expected to be the Sponsor’s Fee. In exchange for the Sponsor’s
Fee, the Sponsor has agreed to assume the organizational expenses of the Trust and the following administrative and marketing
expenses incurred by the Trust: the Trustee’s monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and
reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses under the Custody Agreements, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees,
printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per annum in legal expenses.
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Secondary
Market Trading
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While
the Trust’s investment objective 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, only Authorized Participants
can buy or sell Shares at NAV per Share. Shares may trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower
or higher relative to their NAV. The amount of the discount or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per Share
may be influenced by non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and the London and Zurich bullion markets. While the
Shares trade on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New York time, liquidity in the global gold, silver, platinum and palladium
markets is reduced after the close of the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (COMEX), a member of the CME Group of exchanges (CME Group)
at 1:30 p.m. New York time. As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting premium or discount, on the
Shares may widen.
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Sponsor’s
Fee
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The
Sponsor’s Fee accrues daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.60% of the adjusted NAV (“ANAV”) of the Trust
and is payable in-kind in Bullion monthly in arrears. Bullion used to pay the Sponsor’s Fee shall be comprised of gold,
silver, platinum and palladium in such proportion so as to ensure that the Bullion held by the Trust following such transfer
is in the same ratio of metals as the Bullion required for a Creation Basket Deposit. The Sponsor, from time to time, may
waive all or a portion of the Sponsor’s Fee at its discretion for stated periods of time. The Sponsor is under no obligation
to continue a waiver after the end of such stated period, and, if such waiver is not continued, the Sponsor’s Fee will
thereafter be paid in full. Presently, the Sponsor does not intend to waive any of its fee. The Trustee, from time to time,
delivers Bullion in such quantity as may be necessary to permit payment of the Sponsor’s Fee and sells Bullion in such
quantity as may be necessary to permit payment in cash of Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. The Trustee is authorized
to sell Bullion at such times and in the smallest amounts required to permit such cash payments as they become due, it being
the intention to avoid or minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than Bullion. Accordingly, the amount of Bullion
to be sold varies from time to time depending on the level of the Trust’s expenses and the market price of gold, silver,
platinum and palladium. See “Business of the Trust—Trust Expenses.”
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Each
delivery or sale of Bullion by the Trust to pay the Sponsor’s Fee or other expenses shall be delivered or sold in such
proportion of gold, silver, platinum and palladium so as to ensure that the Bullion held by the Trust following such transfer
is in the same ratio of metals as the Bullion required for a Creation Basket Deposit, and such delivery or sale will be a
taxable event to Shareholders. See “United States Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of US Shareholders.”
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Termination
events
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The
Trustee will terminate and liquidate the Trust if one of the following events occurs:
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the
Shares are delisted from the NYSE Arca and are not approved for listing on another national securities exchange within five
business days of their delisting;
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Shareholders
acting in respect of at least 75% of the outstanding Shares notify the Trustee that they elect to terminate the Trust;
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60
days have elapsed since the Trustee notified the Sponsor of the Trustee’s election to resign and a successor trustee
has not been appointed and accepted its appointment;
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the
SEC determines that the Trust is an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Trustee has actual
knowledge of that determination;
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the
aggregate market capitalization of the Trust, based on the closing price for the Shares, was less than $350 million (as adjusted
for inflation by reference to the US Consumer Price Index) at any time after the first anniversary after the Trust’s
formation and the Trustee receives, within six months after the last trading date on which the aggregate market capitalization
of the Trust was less than $350 million, notice from the Sponsor of its decision to terminate the Trust;
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the
CFTC determines that the Trust is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Trustee has actual knowledge of that determination;
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the
Trust fails to qualify for treatment, or ceases to be treated, for US federal income tax purposes, as a grantor trust, and
the Trustee receives notice from the Sponsor that the Sponsor determines that, because of that tax treatment or change in
tax treatment, termination of the Trust is advisable;
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60
days have elapsed since DTC ceases to act as depository with respect to the Shares and the Sponsor has not identified another
depository which is willing to act in such capacity; or
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the
Trustee elects to terminate the Trust after the Sponsor is deemed conclusively to have resigned effective immediately as a
result of the Sponsor being adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Sponsor or of its property being appointed,
or a trustee or liquidator or any public officer taking charge or control of the Sponsor or of its property or affairs for
the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation.
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Upon
the termination of the Trust, the Trustee will sell the Trust’s Bullion and, after paying or making provision for the Trust’s
liabilities, distribute the proceeds to Shareholders surrendering Shares. See “Description of the Trust Agreement—Termination
of the Trust.”
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Authorized
Participants
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Baskets
may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants. Each Authorized Participant must (1) be 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) be a participant in DTC, (3) have entered into an agreement with
the Trustee and the Sponsor (Authorized Participant Agreement) and (4) have established an unallocated Bullion account with
the Custodian or a physical Bullion clearing bank (Authorized Participant Unallocated Account). The Authorized Participant
Agreement provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of Bullion and any cash
required for such creations or redemptions. A list of the current Authorized Participants can be obtained from the Trustee
or the Sponsor. See “Creation and Redemption of Shares” for more details.
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Clearance and settlement
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The
Shares are evidenced by one or more global certificates that the Trustee issues to DTC. The Shares are available only in book
entry form. Shareholders may hold their Shares through DTC, if they are participants in DTC, or indirectly through entities
that are participants in DTC.
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Summary
of Financial Condition
As
of the close of business on January 3, 2022, the NAV of the Trust, which represents the value of the Bullion deposited into and
held by the Trust, was $970,465,000 and the NAV per Share was $89.03.
RISK
FACTORS
You
should consider carefully the risks described below before making an investment decision. You should also refer to the other information
included in this prospectus, including the Trust’s financial statements and the related notes, as reported in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, which are incorporated
by reference herein.
RISKS
RELATED TO BULLION
The
value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the Bullion held by the Trust and fluctuations in the price of gold, silver,
platinum or palladium could materially adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
The
Shares are designed to mirror as closely as possible the performance of the price of physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium
in the proportions held by the Trust, and the value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the Bullion held by the Trust,
less the Trust’s liabilities (including estimated accrued but unpaid expenses). The prices of physical gold, silver, platinum
and palladium have fluctuated widely over the past several years. Several factors may affect the price of these metals, including:
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A
change in economic conditions, such as a recession, can adversely affect the price of
Bullion. Bullion is used in a wide range of industrial applications, and an economic
downturn could have a negative impact on its demand and, consequently, its price and
the price of the Shares;
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Investors’
expectations with respect to the rate of inflation;
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Currency
exchange rates;
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Investment
and trading activities of hedge funds and commodity funds;
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Global
or regional political, economic or financial events and situations; and
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Global
Bullion supply and demand.
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A
significant change in investor interest, including in response to online campaigns or
other activities specifically targeting investments in Bullion.
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In
addition, investors should be aware that there is no assurance that gold, silver, platinum or palladium will maintain their long-term
value in terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of any metal held by the Trust declines, the Sponsor
expects the value of an investment in the Shares to be impacted proportionately to the Trust’s interest in such metal.
Several
factors may have the effect of causing a decline in the prices of Bullion and a corresponding decline in the price of Shares.
Among them:
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significant increase in Bullion hedging activity by Bullion producers. Should there be
an increase in the level of hedge activity of Bullion producing companies, it could cause
a decline in world Bullion prices, adversely affecting the price of the Shares.
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A
significant change in the attitude of speculators and investors towards Bullion. Should
the speculative community take a negative view towards any Bullion metals, it could cause
a decline in world prices for such Bullion metals, negatively impacting the price of
the Shares.
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A
widening of interest rate differentials between the cost of money and the cost of Bullion
could negatively affect the price of Bullion which, in turn, could negatively affect
the price of the Shares.
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A
combination of rising money interest rates and a continuation of the current low cost
of borrowing Bullion could improve the economics of selling Bullion forward. This could
result in an increase in hedging by Bullion mining companies and short selling by speculative
interests, which would negatively affect the price of Bullion. Under such circumstances,
the price of the Shares would be similarly affected.
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Conversely,
several factors may trigger a temporary increase in the price of Bullion prior to your investment in the Shares. For example,
sudden increased investor interest in silver may cause an increase in world silver prices, increasing the price of the Shares.
If that is the case, you will be buying Shares at prices affected by the temporarily high prices of silver, and you may incur
losses when the causes for the temporary increase disappear.
A
decline in the automobile industry may have the effect of causing a decline in the prices of platinum and palladium and
a corresponding decline in the price of Shares.
Autocatalysts,
automobile components for emissions control that use platinum and palladium, accounted for approximately 30% of the net global
demand in platinum and 37% of the global demand in palladium in 2020. Reduced automotive industry sales may result in a
decline in autocatalyst demand which may impact the price of platinum and palladium and affect the price of the Shares.
Crises
may motivate large-scale sales of gold, silver, platinum or palladium which could decrease the price of such Bullion and adversely
affect an investment in the Shares.
The
possibility of large-scale distress sales of Bullion in times of crisis may have a short-term negative impact on the price of
Bullion and adversely affect an investment in the Shares. For example, the 2008 financial credit crisis resulted in significantly
depressed prices of gold, silver, platinum and palladium largely due to forced sales and deleveraging from institutional investors.
Crises in the future may impair Bullion’s price performance which would, in turn, adversely affect an investment in the
Shares.
The
price of Bullion may be affected by the sale of ETVs tracking the gold, silver, platinum or palladium markets.
To
the extent existing exchange traded vehicles (“ETVs”) tracking the gold, silver, platinum or palladium markets represent
a significant proportion of demand for physical Bullion, large redemptions of the securities of these ETVs could negatively affect
physical Bullion prices and the price and NAV of the Shares.
RISKS
RELATED TO THE SHARES
The
Shares and their value could decrease if unanticipated operational or trading problems arise.
There
may be unanticipated problems or issues with respect to the mechanics of the Trust’s operations and the trading of the Shares
that could have a material adverse effect on an investment in the Shares. In addition, although the Trust is not actively “managed”
by traditional methods, to the extent that unanticipated operational or trading problems or issues arise, the Sponsor’s
past experience and qualifications may not be suitable for solving these problems or issues.
Discrepancies,
disruptions or unreliability of the LBMA PM Gold Price, the LBMA Silver Price, or the LME PM Fix could impact the value of the
Trust’s Bullion and the market price of the Shares.
The
Trustee values the Trust’s gold, silver, platinum and palladium pursuant to the LBMA PM Gold Price for gold, the LBMA Silver
Price for silver, and the LME PM Fix for platinum and palladium. In the event that the LBMA PM Gold Price, the LBMA Silver Price,
or the LME PM Fix (the “London Metal Prices”) prove to be inaccurate benchmarks, or such London Metal Prices vary
materially from the prices determined by other mechanisms for valuing precious metals, the value of the Trust’s Bullion
and the market price of the Shares could be adversely impacted. Any future developments in the London Metal Prices, to the extent
they have a material impact on the London Metal Prices, could adversely impact the value of the Trust’s Bullion and the
market price of the Shares. It is possible that electronic failures or other unanticipated events may occur that could result
in delays in the announcement of, or the inability of the benchmarks to produce, the London Metal Prices on any given date. Furthermore,
any actual or perceived disruptions that result in the perception that the London Metal Prices are vulnerable to actual or attempted
manipulation could adversely affect the behavior of market participants, which may have an effect on the prices of gold, silver,
platinum or palladium. If the London Metal Prices are unreliable for any reason, the prices of gold, silver, platinum and palladium
and the market price for the Shares may decline or be subject to greater volatility.
If
the process of creation and redemption of Baskets encounters any unanticipated difficulties, the possibility for arbitrage transactions
intended to keep the price of the Shares closely linked to the prices of the underlying Bullion may not exist and, as a result,
the price of the Shares may fall.
If
the processes of creation and redemption of Shares (which depend on timely transfers of Bullion to and by the Custodian) encounter
any unanticipated difficulties, potential market participants who would otherwise be willing to purchase or redeem Baskets to
take advantage of any arbitrage opportunity arising from discrepancies between the price of the Shares and the prices of the underlying
Bullion may not take the risk that, as a result of those difficulties, they may not be able to realize the profit they expect.
If this is the case, the liquidity of Shares may decline and the price of the Shares may fluctuate independently of the prices
of the underlying Bullion and may fall. Additionally, redemptions could be suspended in any period during which (1) the NYSE Arca
is closed (other than customary weekend or holiday closings) or trading on the NYSE Arca is suspended or restricted, or (2) an
emergency exists as a result of which delivery, disposal or evaluation of the Bullion is not reasonably practicable.
A
possible “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand of Shares that largely exceeds supply may lead to price
volatility in the Shares.
Investors
may purchase Shares to hedge existing exposure to Bullion or to speculate on the price of Bullion. Speculation on the price of
Bullion may involve long and short exposures. To the extent aggregate short exposure exceeds the number of Shares available for
purchase (for example, in the event that large redemption requests by Authorized Participants dramatically affect Share liquidity),
investors with short exposure may have to pay a premium to repurchase Shares for delivery to Share lenders. Those repurchases
may in turn, dramatically increase the price of the Shares until additional Shares are created through the creation process. This
is often referred to as a “short squeeze.” A short squeeze could lead to volatile price movements in Shares that are
not directly correlated to the price of Bullion.
The
liquidity of the Shares may be affected by the withdrawal from participation of one or more Authorized Participants.
In
the event that one or more Authorized Participants having substantial interests in Shares or otherwise responsible for a significant
portion of the Shares’ daily trading volume on the Exchange withdraw from participation, the liquidity of the Shares will
likely decrease which could adversely affect the market price of the Shares and result in Shareholders incurring a loss on their
investment.
Shareholders
do not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an investment company registered under the Investment Company
Act of 1940 or the protections afforded by the CEA.
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. Consequently, Shareholders do not have the regulatory protections provided to investors in investment companies. The
Trust does not and will not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts, “commodity interests” or any other instruments
regulated by the CEA, as administered by the CFTC and the NFA. Furthermore, the Trust is not a commodity pool for purposes of
the CEA, and neither the Sponsor nor the Trustee is subject to regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator or a commodity
trading advisor in connection with the Trust or the Shares. Consequently, Shareholders do not have the regulatory protections
provided to investors in CEA-regulated instruments or commodity pools operated by registered commodity pool operators or advised
by registered commodity trading advisors.
The
Trust may be required to terminate and liquidate at a time that is disadvantageous to Shareholders.
If
the Trust is required to terminate and liquidate, such termination and liquidation could occur at a time which is disadvantageous
to Shareholders, such as when Bullion prices are lower than the Bullion prices at the time when Shareholders purchased their Shares.
In such a case, when the Trust’s Bullion is sold as part of the Trust’s liquidation, the resulting proceeds distributed
to Shareholders will be less than if Bullion prices were higher at the time of sale.
The
lack of an active trading market for the Shares may result in losses on investment at the time of disposition of the Shares.
Although
Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, it cannot be assumed that an active trading market for the Shares will be maintained.
If an investor needs to sell Shares at a time when no active market for Shares exists, such lack of an active market will most
likely adversely affect the price the investor receives for the Shares (assuming the investor is able to sell them).
Shareholders
do not have the rights enjoyed by investors in certain other vehicles.
As
interests in an investment trust, the Shares have none of the statutory rights normally associated with the ownership of shares
of a corporation (including, for example, the right to bring “oppression” or “derivative” actions). In
addition, the Shares have limited voting and distribution rights (for example, Shareholders do not have the right to elect directors
or approve amendments to the Trust Agreement, and do not receive dividends).
An
investment in the Shares may be adversely affected by competition from other methods of investing in Bullion.
The
Trust competes with other financial vehicles, including traditional debt and equity securities issued by companies in the gold,
silver, platinum and palladium industries and other securities backed by or linked to Bullion, direct investments in Bullion and
investment vehicles similar to the Trust. Market and financial conditions, and other conditions beyond the Sponsor’s control,
may make it more attractive to invest in other financial vehicles or to invest in Bullion directly, which could limit the market
for the Shares and reduce the liquidity of the Shares.
The
amount of Bullion represented by each Share will decrease over the life of the Trust due to the recurring deliveries of Bullion
necessary to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in-kind and potential sales of Bullion to pay in cash the Trust expenses not assumed
by the Sponsor. Without increases in the prices of gold, silver, platinum and palladium sufficient to compensate for that decrease,
the price of the Shares will also decline proportionately over the life of the Trust.
The
amount of Bullion represented by each Share decreases each day by the Sponsor’s Fee. In addition, although the Sponsor has
agreed to assume all organizational and certain administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust (the Trustee’s
monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses under the
Custody Agreements, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per
annum in legal expenses), in exceptional cases certain Trust expenses may need to be paid by the Trust. Because the Trust does
not have any income, it must either make payments in-kind by deliveries of Bullion (as is the case with the Sponsor’s Fee)
or it must sell Bullion to obtain cash (as in the case of any exceptional expenses). The result of these sales of Bullion and
recurring deliveries of Bullion to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in-kind is a decrease in the amount of Bullion represented by each
Share. New deposits of Bullion, received in exchange for new Baskets issued by the Trust, will not reverse this trend.
A
decrease in the amount of Bullion represented by each Share results in a decrease in each Share’s price even if the prices
of gold, silver, platinum and palladium do not change. To retain the Share’s original price, the price of Bullion must increase,
whether that is the price of gold, silver, platinum, palladium or any combination thereof. Without that increase, the lesser amount
of Bullion represented by the Share will have a correspondingly lower price. If these increases do not occur, or are not sufficient
to counter the lesser amount of Bullion represented by each Share, Shareholders will sustain losses on their investment in Shares.
An
increase in Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, or the existence of unexpected liabilities affecting the Trust, will require
the Trustee to sell larger amounts of Bullion, and will result in a more rapid decrease of the amount of Bullion represented by
each Share and a corresponding decrease in its value.
The
sale of the Trust’s Bullion to pay expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, or unexpected liabilities affecting the Trust, at
a time of low Bullion prices could adversely affect the value of the Shares.
The
Trustee sells Bullion held by the Trust to pay Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor on an as-needed basis irrespective of
then-current gold, silver, platinum and palladium prices. The Trust is not actively managed and no attempt will be made to buy
or sell Bullion to protect against or to take advantage of fluctuations in the price of any Bullion metal. Consequently, the Trust’s
Bullion may be sold at a time when the Bullion prices are low, resulting in the sale of more Bullion than would be required if
the Trust sold when prices were higher. The sale of the Trust’s Bullion to pay expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, or unexpected
liabilities affecting the Trust, at a time of low Bullion prices could adversely affect the value of the Shares.
The
value of the Shares will be adversely affected if the Trust is required to indemnify the Sponsor or the Trustee under the Trust
Agreement.
Under
the Trust Agreement, each of the Sponsor and the Trustee has a right to be indemnified from the Trust for any liability or expense
it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct, willful malfeasance or reckless disregard on its part. That
means the Sponsor or the Trustee may require the assets of the Trust to be sold in order to cover losses or liability suffered
by it. Any sale of that kind would reduce the NAV of the Trust and the value of the Shares.
The
Shares may trade at a price which is at, above or below the NAV per Share and any discount or premium in the trading price relative
to the NAV per Share may widen as a result of non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and London, Zurich and COMEX.
The
Shares may trade at, above or below the NAV per Share. The NAV per Share fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Trust’s
assets. The trading price of the Shares fluctuates in accordance with changes in the NAV per Share as well as market supply and
demand. The amount of the discount or premium in the trading price relative to the NAV per Share may be influenced by non-concurrent
trading hours between the NYSE Arca and the major Bullion markets. While the Shares trade on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New
York time, liquidity in the market for gold, platinum and palladium is reduced after the close of the major world markets for
gold, platinum and palladium, including London, Zurich and the COMEX and liquidity in the market for silver will be reduced after
the close of the major world silver markets, including London and the COMEX. As a result, during these periods, trading spreads,
and the resulting premium or discount on the Shares, may widen.
Purchasing
activity in the platinum and palladium markets associated with Basket creations or selling activity following Basket redemptions
may affect the prices of platinum and palladium and Share trading prices. These price changes may adversely affect an investment
in the Shares.
Purchasing
activity associated with acquiring the Bullion required for deposit into the Trust in connection with the creation of Baskets
may increase the market prices of platinum and palladium, which will result in higher prices for the Shares. Increases in the
market prices of platinum and palladium may also occur as a result of the purchasing activity of other market participants. Other
market participants may attempt to benefit from an increase in the market prices of platinum and palladium that may result from
increased purchasing activity of platinum and palladium connected with the issuance of Baskets. If, the prices of platinum and
palladium decline, the trading price of the Shares will also decline.
Selling
activity associated with sales of platinum and palladium withdrawn from the Trust in connection with the redemption of Baskets
may decrease the market price of platinum and palladium, which will result in lower prices for the Shares. Decreases in the market
price of platinum and palladium may also occur as a result of the selling activity of other market participants. If the price
of platinum and palladium declines, the trading price of the Shares will also decline in proportion to the Trust’s interest
in platinum and palladium.
Since
there is no limit on the amount of platinum and palladium that the Trust may acquire, the Trust, as it grows, may have an impact
on the supply and demand of platinum and palladium that ultimately may affect the price of the Shares in a manner unrelated to
other factors affecting the global markets for platinum and palladium.
The
Trust Agreement places no limit on the amount of platinum and palladium the Trust may hold. Moreover, the Trust may issue an unlimited
number of Shares, subject to registration requirements, and thereby acquire an unlimited amount of platinum and palladium. The
global market for platinum and palladium is characterized by supply and demand constraints that are generally not present in the
markets for other precious metals such as gold and silver. Between 2013 to 2020, world platinum mine supply averaged 5.8 million
ounces, while world net demand averaged 8.1 million ounces. During the same period, total global supply measured 7.7 million ounces
of platinum and 5.8 million ounces of palladium. If the amount of platinum and palladium acquired by the Trust is large enough
in relation to global platinum and palladium supply and demand, further in-kind creations and redemptions of Shares could have
an impact on the supply and demand of platinum and palladium unrelated to other factors affecting the global markets for platinum
and palladium. Such an impact could affect the prices for platinum and palladium that would directly affect the price at which
Shares are traded on the Exchange or the price of future Baskets created or redeemed by the Trust.
The
Trust and the Sponsor cannot provide Shareholders any assurance that the metal holdings of the Trust will have a similar impact
or have no long-term metal price impact thereby affecting Share trading prices.
RISKS
RELATED TO THE CUSTODY OF BULLION
The
Trust’s Bullion may be subject to loss, damage, theft or restriction on access.
There
is a risk that part or all of the Trust’s Bullion could be lost, damaged or stolen. Access to the Trust’s Bullion
could also be restricted by natural events (such as an earthquake) or human actions (such as a terrorist attack). Any of these
events may adversely affect the operations of the Trust and, consequently, an investment in the Shares.
The
Trust’s lack of insurance protection and the Shareholders’ limited rights of legal recourse against the Trust, the
Trustee, the Sponsor, the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodians and any other sub-custodian exposes the Trust and its Shareholders
to the risk of loss of the Trust’s Bullion for which no person is liable.
The
Trust does not insure its Bullion. The Custodian maintains insurance with regard to its business on such terms and conditions
as it considers appropriate in connection with its custodial obligations and is responsible for all costs, fees and expenses arising
from the insurance policy or policies. The Trust is not a beneficiary of any such insurance and does not have the ability to dictate
the existence, nature or amount of coverage. Therefore, Shareholders cannot be assured that the Custodian maintains adequate insurance
or any insurance with respect to the Bullion held by the Custodian on behalf of the Trust. In addition, the Custodian and the
Trustee do not require the Zurich Sub-Custodians or any other direct or indirect sub-custodians to be insured or bonded with respect
to their custodial activities or in respect of the Bullion held by them on behalf of the Trust. Further, Shareholders’ recourse
against the Trust, the Trustee and the Sponsor under New York law, the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodians and any sub- custodian
under English law, and any other sub-custodian under the law governing their custody operations is limited. Consequently, a loss
may be suffered with respect to the Trust’s Bullion which is not covered by insurance and for which no person is liable
in damages.
The
Custodian’s limited liability under the Custody Agreements and English law may impair the ability of the Trust to recover
losses concerning its Bullion and any recovery may be limited, even in the event of fraud, to the market value of the Bullion
at the time the fraud is discovered.
The
liability of the Custodian is limited under the Custody Agreements. Under the Custody Agreements between the Trustee and the Custodian
which establish the Trust Unallocated Account and the Trust Allocated Account, the Custodian is only liable for losses that are
the direct result of its own negligence, fraud or willful default in the performance of its duties. Any such liability is further
limited to the market value of the Bullion lost or damaged at the time such negligence, fraud or willful default is discovered
by the Custodian, provided the Custodian notifies the Trust and the Trustee promptly after discovery of the loss or damage. Under
each Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement (between the Custodian and an Authorized Participant establishing
an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account), the Custodian is not contractually or otherwise liable for any losses suffered
by any Authorized Participant or Shareholder that are not the direct result of its own gross negligence, fraud or willful default
in the performance of its duties under such agreement, and in no event will its liability exceed the market value of the balance
in the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account at the time such gross negligence, fraud or willful default is discovered by
the Custodian. For any Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement between an Authorized Participant and another
Bullion clearing bank, the liability of the Bullion clearing bank to the Authorized Participant may be greater or lesser than
the Custodian’s liability to the Authorized Participant described in the preceding sentence, depending on the terms of the
agreement. In addition, the Custodian will not be liable for any delay in performance or any non-performance of any of its obligations
under the Allocated Account Agreement, the Unallocated Account Agreement or the Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account
Agreement by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, war or terrorism. As a result, the recourse
of the Trustee or a Shareholder, under English law, is limited. Furthermore, under English common law, the Custodian, the Zurich
Sub-Custodian, or any other sub-custodian will not be liable for any delay in the performance or any non-performance of its custodial
obligations by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control.
The
obligations of the Custodian, any Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodians are governed by English law, which may frustrate
the Trust in attempting to seek legal redress against the Custodian, a Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian concerning
its Bullion.
The
obligations of the Custodian under the Custody Agreements are, and the Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreements
may be, governed by English law. The Custodian has entered into arrangements with the Zurich Sub-Custodian and may enter into
arrangements with any other sub-custodians for the temporary custody or holding of the Trust’s Bullion, which arrangements
may also be governed by English law. The Trust is a New York common law trust. Any United States, New York or other court situated
in the United States may have difficulty interpreting English law (which, insofar as it relates to custody arrangements, is largely
derived from court rulings rather than statute), LBMA or LPPM rules or the customs and practices in the London custody market.
It may be difficult or impossible for the Trust to sue any Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian in a United States,
New York or other court situated in the United States. In addition, it may be difficult, time consuming and/or expensive for the
Trust to enforce in a foreign court a judgment rendered by a United States, New York or other court situated in the United States.
Although
the relationships between the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodians concerning the Trust’s allocated Bullion are expressly
governed by English law, a court hearing any legal dispute concerning their arrangements may disregard that choice of law and
apply Swiss law, in which case the ability of the Trust to seek legal redress against any Zurich Sub-Custodian may be frustrated.
The
obligations of the Zurich Sub-Custodians under their arrangements with the Custodian with respect to the Trust’s allocated
Bullion are or will be expressly governed by English law. Nevertheless, a court in the United States, England or Switzerland may
determine that English law should not apply and, instead, apply Swiss law to those arrangements. Not only might it be difficult
or impossible for a United States or English court to apply Swiss law to the Zurich Sub-Custodians’ arrangements, but application
of Swiss law may, among other things, alter the relative rights and obligations of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodians
to the extent that a loss to the Trust’s Bullion may not have adequate or any legal redress. Further, the ability of the
Trust to seek legal redress against the Zurich Sub-Custodian may be frustrated by application of Swiss law.
The
Trust may not have adequate sources of recovery if its Bullion is lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed.
If
the Trust’s Bullion is lost, damaged, stolen or destroyed under circumstances rendering a party liable to the Trust, the
responsible party may not have the financial resources sufficient to satisfy the Trust’s claim. For example, as to a particular
event of loss, the only source of recovery for the Trust might be limited to the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodians or any other
sub- custodian or, to the extent identifiable, other responsible third parties (e.g., a thief or terrorist), any of which may
not have the financial resources (including liability insurance coverage) to satisfy a valid claim of the Trust.
Shareholders
and Authorized Participants lack the right under the Custody Agreements to assert claims directly against the Custodian, the Zurich
Sub-Custodian, and any other sub-custodian.
Neither
the Shareholders nor any Authorized Participant have a right under the Custody Agreements to assert a claim of the Trust against
the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodian. Claims under the Custody Agreements may only be asserted by
the Trustee on behalf of the Trust.
The
Custodian is reliant on the Zurich Sub-Custodians for the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum and palladium held in Zurich
on an allocated basis. Furthermore, the Custodian has limited obligations to oversee or monitor the Zurich Sub-Custodians. As
a result, failure by a Zurich Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum and palladium
could result in a loss to the Trust.
While
some trading occurs in London, platinum and palladium generally trade on a loco Zurich basis, whereby the physical precious metal
is held in vaults located in Zurich or is transferred into accounts established in Zurich. The Custodian does not have a vault
in Zurich and will be reliant on one or more Zurich Sub-Custodians for the safekeeping of that portion of the Trust’s allocated
platinum and palladium that is held in Zurich. Other than obligations to (1) use reasonable care in appointing a Zurich Sub-Custodian,
(2) require the Zurich Sub-Custodians to segregate the platinum and palladium held by it for the Trust from any other platinum
and palladium held by it for the Custodian and any other customers of the Custodian by making appropriate entries in its books
and records and (3) ensure that a Zurich Sub-Custodian provides confirmation to the Trustee that it has undertaken to segregate
the platinum and palladium held by it for the Trust, the Custodian is not liable for the acts or omissions of the Zurich Sub-Custodians.
Other than as described above, the Custodian does not undertake to monitor the performance by the Zurich Sub- Custodians of their
custody functions. The Trustee’s obligation to monitor the performance of the Custodian is limited to receiving and reviewing
the reports of the Custodian. The Trustee does not monitor the performance of the Zurich Sub-Custodians or any other sub-custodian.
In addition, the ability of the Trustee and the Sponsor to monitor the performance of the Custodian may be limited because, under
the Custody Agreements, the Trustee and the Sponsor have only limited rights to visit the premises of the Custodian or a Zurich
Sub-Custodian for the purpose of examining the Trust’s platinum or palladium and certain related records maintained by the
Custodian or the Zurich Sub-Custodians.
As
a result of the above, any failure by a Zurich Sub-Custodian to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s platinum
or palladium may not be detectable or controllable by the Custodian, the Sponsor or the Trustee and could result in a loss to
the Trust.
Because
the Trustee does not, and the Custodian has limited obligations to, oversee or monitor the activities of sub-custodians who may
hold the Trust’s Bullion, failure by the sub-custodians to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s Bullion
could result in a loss to the Trust.
Under
the Allocated Account Agreement described in “Description of the Custody Agreements”, the Custodian may appoint from
time to time one or more sub-custodians to hold the Trust’s Bullion on a temporary basis pending delivery to the Custodian.
The sub-custodians the Custodian currently uses are UBS AG for palladium and platinum and Malca Amit UK for silver. The custodian
may use LBMA and LPPM market-making members that provide bullion vaulting and clearing services to third parties. The Custodian
will select the Zurich Sub-Custodians, and each Zurich Sub-Custodian will maintain custody of that portion of the Trust’s
allocated platinum and palladium to be held in Zurich for the Custodian. The Custodian is required under the Allocated Account
Agreement to use reasonable care in appointing the Zurich Sub-Custodians and any other sub-custodian, making the Custodian liable
only for negligence or bad faith in the selection of such sub-custodians, and has an obligation to use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain delivery of the Trust’s Bullion from any sub-custodians appointed by the Custodian. Otherwise, the Custodian
is not liable for the acts or omissions of its sub-custodians. These sub-custodians may in turn appoint further sub-custodians,
but the Custodian is not responsible for the appointment of these further sub-custodians. The Custodian does not undertake to
monitor the performance by sub-custodians of their custody functions or their selection of further sub-custodians. The Trustee
does not monitor the performance of the Custodian other than to review the reports provided by the Custodian pursuant to the Custody
Agreements and does not undertake to monitor the performance of any sub-custodian. Furthermore, except for the Zurich Sub-Custodian,
the Trustee may have no right to visit the premises of any sub-custodian for the purposes of examining the Trust’s Bullion
or any records maintained by the sub-custodian, and no sub-custodian will be obligated to cooperate in any review the Trustee
may wish to conduct of the facilities, procedures, records or creditworthiness of such sub-custodian. In addition, the ability
of the Trustee to monitor the performance of the Custodian may be limited because under the Allocated Account Agreement and the
Unallocated Account Agreement the Trustee has only limited rights to visit the premises of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian
for the purpose of examining the Trust’s Bullion and certain related records maintained by the Custodian and the Zurich
Sub-Custodian. See “Custody of the Trust’s Bullion” for more information about sub-custodians that may hold
the Trust’s bullion.
The
obligations of any sub-custodian of the Trust’s Bullion are not determined by contractual arrangements but by LBMA and LPPM
rules and London or Zurich Bullion market customs and practices, which may prevent the Trust’s recovery of damages for losses
on its Bullion custodied with sub-custodians.
Except
for the Custodian’s arrangements with the Zurich Sub-Custodians, there are expected to be no written contractual arrangements
between sub-custodians that hold the Trust’s Bullion and the Trustee or the Custodian because traditionally such arrangements
are based on the LBMA’s and the LPPM’s rules and on the customs and practices of the London or Zurich Bullion markets.
In the event of a legal dispute with respect to or arising from such arrangements, it may be difficult to define such customs
and practices. The LBMA’s and the LPPM’s rules may be subject to change outside the control of the Trust. Under English
law, neither the Trustee nor the Custodian would have a supportable breach of contract claim against a sub-custodian for losses
relating to the safekeeping of Bullion. If the Trust’s Bullion is lost or damaged while in the custody of a sub-custodian,
the Trust may not be able to recover damages from the Custodian or the sub-custodian. Whether a sub-custodian will be liable for
the failure of sub-custodians appointed by it to exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trust’s Bullion will depend
on the facts and circumstances of the particular situation. Shareholders cannot be assured that the Trustee will be able to recover
damages from sub-custodians whether appointed by the Custodian or by another sub-custodian for any losses relating to the safekeeping
of Bullion by such sub-custodian.
Physical
Bullion allocated to the Trust in connection with the creation of a Basket may not meet the Good Delivery Standards and, if a
Basket is issued against such Bullion, the Trust may suffer a loss.
Neither
the Trustee nor the Custodian independently confirms the fineness of the physical gold, silver, platinum or palladium allocated
to the Trust in connection with the creation of a Basket. The Bullion allocated to the Trust by the Custodian may be different
from the reported fineness or weight required by the LBMA’s standards for gold and silver bars or the LPPM’s standards
for platinum and palladium plates and ingots delivered in settlement of a Bullion trade (“Good Delivery Standards”),
the standards required by the Trust. If the Trustee nevertheless issues a Basket against such Bullion, and if the Custodian fails
to satisfy its obligation to credit the Trust the amount of any deficiency, the Trust may suffer a loss.
Bullion
held in the Trust’s unallocated Bullion account and any Authorized Participant’s unallocated Bullion account will
not be segregated from the Custodian’s assets. If the Custodian becomes insolvent, its assets may not be adequate to satisfy
a claim by the Trust or any Authorized Participant. In addition, in the event of the Custodian’s insolvency, there may be
a delay and costs incurred in identifying the gold and silver bars and platinum and palladium plates and ingots held in the Trust’s
allocated Bullion account.
Bullion
which is part of a deposit for a purchase order or part of a redemption distribution is held for a time in the Trust Unallocated
Account and, previously or subsequently, in the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account of the purchasing or redeeming Authorized
Participant. During those times, the Trust and the Authorized Participant, as the case may be, have no proprietary rights to any
specific bars of gold or silver or plates or ingots of platinum or palladium held by the Custodian and each is an unsecured creditor
of the Custodian with respect to the amount of Bullion held in such unallocated accounts. In addition, if the Custodian fails
to allocate the Trust’s Bullion in a timely manner, in the proper amounts or otherwise in accordance with the terms of the
Unallocated Account Agreement, or if a sub-custodian fails to so segregate Bullion held by it on behalf of the Trust, unallocated
Bullion will not be segregated from the Custodian’s assets, and the Trust will be an unsecured creditor of the Custodian
with respect to the amount so held in the event of the insolvency of the Custodian. In the event the Custodian becomes insolvent,
the Custodian’s assets might not be adequate to satisfy a claim by the Trust or the Authorized Participant for the amount
of Bullion held in their respective unallocated Bullion accounts.
In
the case of the insolvency of the Custodian, a liquidator may seek to freeze access to the Bullion held in all of the accounts
held by the Custodian, including the Trust Allocated Account. Although the Trust would be able to claim ownership of properly
allocated Bullion, the Trust could incur expenses in connection with asserting such claims, and the assertion of such a claim
by the liquidator could delay creations and redemptions of Baskets.
In
issuing Baskets, the Trustee relies on certain information received from the Custodian which is subject to confirmation after
the Trustee has relied on the information. If such information turns out to be incorrect, Baskets may be issued in exchange for
an amount of Bullion which is more or less than the amount of Bullion which is required to be deposited with the Trust.
The
Custodian’s definitive records are prepared after the close of its business day. However, when issuing Baskets, the Trustee
relies on information reporting the amount of Bullion credited to the Trust’s accounts which it receives from the Custodian
during the business day and which is subject to correction during the preparation of the Custodian’s definitive records
after the close of business. If the information relied upon by the Trustee is incorrect, the amount of Bullion actually received
by the Trust may be more or less than the amount required to be deposited for the issuance of Baskets.
GENERAL
RISKS
The
Trust relies on the information and technology systems of the Trustee, the Custodian, the Marketing Agent and the Sponsor, which
could be adversely affected by information systems interruptions, cybersecurity attacks or other disruptions which could have
a material adverse effect on the Trust’s record keeping and operations.
The
Custodian, the Trustee the Marketing Agent and the Sponsor depend upon information technology infrastructure, including network,
hardware and software systems to conduct their business as it relates to the Trust. A cybersecurity incident, or a failure to
protect their computer systems, networks and information against cybersecurity threats, could result in a loss of information
and adversely impact their ability to conduct their business, including their business on behalf of the Trust. Despite implementation
of network and other cybersecurity measures, their security measures may not be adequate to protect against all cybersecurity
threats.
The
Trust as well as the Sponsor and its service providers are vulnerable to the effects of public health crises, including the ongoing
novel coronavirus pandemic.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruptions to economies and markets around the world, including the markets in which the Trust
invests, and which has and may continue to negatively impact the value of certain of the Trust’s investments. Although vaccines
for COVID-19 and variants thereof are becoming more widely available, the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts thereof may continue for
an extended period of time and may vary from market to market. To the extent the impacts of COVID-19 continue, the Trust may experience
negative impacts to its business that could exacerbate other risks to which the Trust is subject. Policy and legislative changes
in countries around the world are affecting many aspects of financial regulation, and governmental and quasi-governmental authorities
and regulators throughout the world have previously responded to serious economic disruptions with a variety of significant fiscal
and monetary policy changes.
Uncertainty
regarding the effects of Brexit could adversely affect the price of the Shares.
The
United Kingdom (the “UK”) left the European Union (the “EU”) (“Brexit”) on January 31, 2020,
subject to a transitional period ending December 31, 2020. During the transitional period, although the UK was no longer a member
state of the EU, it remained subject to EU law and regulations as if it were still a member state. The UK and the EU were to negotiate
the terms of their future trading relationship during the transitional period. On December 24, 2020, negotiators representing
the UK and the EU came to a preliminary trade agreement (the “TCA”), which was subsequently ratified by the UK Parliament
on December 30, 2020. On May 1, 2021, the EU Parliament ratified the TCA and the TCA entered into force. Despite the existence
of the TCA, many aspects of the trade relationship between the EU and the UK, including matters related to financial services,
are subject to future negotiation. It is not possible to predict the nature of the future trading relationship between the EU
and the UK due to political uncertainty.
The
unavoidable uncertainties and events related to Brexit could increase taxes and costs of business and cause volatility in currency
exchange rates and interest rates. Brexit could adversely affect the performance of contracts in existence at the date of Brexit
and European, UK or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in political
institutions, regulatory agencies and financial markets. Brexit could also lead to legal uncertainty and politically divergent
national laws and regulations as a new relationship between the UK and EU is defined and the UK determines which EU laws to replace
or replicate. Any of these effects of Brexit, and others that cannot be anticipated, could adversely affect the price of the Shares.
The impact of Brexit on the Trust, the Trust’s service providers, and markets generally may not be fully known for some
time.
Potential
conflicts of interest may arise among the Sponsor or its affiliates and the Trust.
Conflicts
of interest may arise among the Sponsor and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the Trust and its Shareholders, on the other
hand. As a result of these conflicts, the Sponsor may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the Trust
and its Shareholders. As an example, the Sponsor, its affiliates and their officers and employees are not prohibited from engaging
in other businesses or activities, including those that might be in direct competition with the Trust.
USE
OF PROCEEDS
Proceeds
received by the Trust from the issuance and sale of Baskets, including the Shares (which are described on the front page of this
prospectus) consist of gold, silver, platinum and palladium deposits and, possibly from time to time, cash. Pursuant to the Trust
Agreement, during the life of the Trust such proceeds will only be (1) held by the Trust, (2) distributed to Authorized Participants
in connection with the redemption of Baskets or (3) disbursed to pay the Sponsor’s Fee or sold as needed to pay the Trust’s
expenses not assumed by the Sponsor.
OVERVIEW
OF THE BULLION INDUSTRIES
Overview
of the Bullion Industries
Introduction
This
section provides a brief introduction to the gold, silver, platinum and palladium industries by looking at some of the key participants,
detailing the primary sources of demand and supply and, with respect to the gold and silver industries, outlining the role of
the “official” sector (i.e., central banks) in the markets.
The
Gold Industry
Market
Participants.
The
participants in the world gold market may be classified in the following sectors: the mining and producer sector, the banking
sector, the official sector, the investment sector, and the manufacturing sector. A brief description of each follows.
Mining
and Producer Sector.
This
group includes mining companies that specialize in gold and silver production, mining companies that produce gold as a by-product
of other production (such as a copper or silver producer), scrap merchants and recyclers.
Banking
Sector.
Gold
bullion banks provide a variety of services to the gold market and its participants, thereby facilitating interactions between
other parties. Services provided by the gold bullion banking community include traditional banking products as well as mine financing,
physical gold purchases and sales, hedging and risk management, inventory management for industrial users and consumers, and gold
deposit and loan instruments.
The
Official Sector.
The
official sector encompasses the activities of the various central banking operations of gold-holding countries. According to statistics
released by the World Gold Council, central banks are estimated to hold approximately 35,000 tonnes (when used herein “tonne”
refers to one metric tonne, which is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms or 32,151 troy ounces) of gold reserves, or approximately 20%
of existing above-ground stocks. From 2009 to 2019, the European Central Bank and other central banks of Europe operated under
a series of four Central Bank Gold Agreements (“CBGA”). The CBGA limited the amount of gold that these banks were
allowed to sell for the duration of each agreement, helping to stabilize the gold market. The CBGA had the desired effect, and
the gold market has become more balanced, eliminating the need for a formal agreement going forward.
The
Investment Sector.
This
sector includes the investment and trading activities of both professional and private investors and speculators. These participants
range from large hedge and mutual funds to day-traders on futures exchanges, and retail-level coin collectors.
The
Manufacturing Sector.
The
fabrication and manufacturing sector represents all the commercial and industrial users of gold for whom gold is a daily part
of their business. The jewelry industry is a large user of gold. Other industrial users of gold include the electronics and dental
industries.
World
Gold Supply and Demand 2011-2020 (in tonnes)
The
following table sets forth a summary of the world gold supply and demand for the period from 2011 to 2020 and is based on information
reported by the World Gold Council.
|
(tonnes)
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
2020
|
|
Supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine
production
|
|
|
2,868
|
|
|
|
2,882
|
|
|
|
3,076
|
|
|
|
3,180
|
|
|
|
3,222
|
|
|
|
3,251
|
|
|
|
3,247
|
|
|
|
3,332
|
|
|
|
3,530
|
|
3,473
|
|
|
Scrap
|
|
|
1,698
|
|
|
|
1,700
|
|
|
|
1,303
|
|
|
|
1,159
|
|
|
|
1,180
|
|
|
|
1,306
|
|
|
|
1,210
|
|
|
|
1,178
|
|
|
|
1,281
|
|
1,302
|
|
|
Net
Hedging Supply
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
(40
|
)
|
|
|
(39
|
)
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
(52)
|
|
|
Total
Supply
|
|
|
4,584
|
|
|
|
4,542
|
|
|
|
4,340
|
|
|
|
4,447
|
|
|
|
4,423
|
|
|
|
4,589
|
|
|
|
4,416
|
|
|
|
4,518
|
|
|
|
4,810
|
|
4,723
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jewelry Fabrication
|
|
|
2,099
|
|
|
|
2,066
|
|
|
|
2,726
|
|
|
|
2,559
|
|
|
|
2,464
|
|
|
|
1,953
|
|
|
|
2,214
|
|
|
|
2,129
|
|
|
|
2,122
|
|
1,327
|
|
|
Industrial Fabrication
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
|
432
|
|
|
|
428
|
|
|
|
411
|
|
|
|
376
|
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
|
380
|
|
|
|
391
|
|
|
|
326
|
|
302
|
|
|
Electronics
|
|
|
342
|
|
|
|
310
|
|
|
|
306
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
|
288
|
|
|
|
262
|
|
248
|
|
|
Dental
& Medical
|
|
|
43
|
|
|
|
39
|
|
|
|
36
|
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
|
30
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
13.9
|
|
11.9
|
|
|
Other
Industrial
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
|
84
|
|
|
|
85
|
|
|
|
80
|
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
|
73
|
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
|
49.8
|
|
42
|
|
|
Net Official
Sector
|
|
|
457
|
|
|
|
544
|
|
|
|
409
|
|
|
|
466
|
|
|
|
443
|
|
|
|
269
|
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
|
536
|
|
|
|
668
|
|
255
|
|
|
Retail Investment
|
|
|
1,617
|
|
|
|
1,407
|
|
|
|
1,871
|
|
|
|
1,162
|
|
|
|
1,160
|
|
|
|
1,043
|
|
|
|
1,028
|
|
|
|
1,097
|
|
|
|
871
|
|
899
|
|
|
Bars
|
|
|
1,248
|
|
|
|
1,057
|
|
|
|
1,444
|
|
|
|
886
|
|
|
|
875
|
|
|
|
786
|
|
|
|
780
|
|
|
|
800
|
|
|
|
579.6
|
|
537
|
|
|
Coins
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
|
350
|
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
|
276
|
|
|
|
284
|
|
|
|
257
|
|
|
|
248
|
|
|
|
297
|
|
|
|
292
|
|
292
|
|
|
Physical
Demand
|
|
|
4,643
|
|
|
|
4,449
|
|
|
|
5,434
|
|
|
|
4,598
|
|
|
|
4,443
|
|
|
|
3,631
|
|
|
|
3,988
|
|
|
|
4,153
|
|
|
|
3,987
|
|
3,731
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Physical
Surplus/Deficit
|
|
|
(59
|
)
|
|
|
93
|
|
|
|
(1,094
|
)
|
|
|
(151
|
)
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
958
|
|
|
|
428
|
|
|
|
365
|
|
|
|
823
|
|
1,066
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ETF Inventory
Build
|
|
|
189
|
|
|
|
279
|
|
|
|
(879
|
)
|
|
|
(155
|
)
|
|
|
(117
|
)
|
|
|
539
|
|
|
|
177
|
|
|
|
59
|
|
|
|
398
|
|
873
|
|
|
Exchange
Inventory Build
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
|
|
(98
|
)
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
(48
|
)
|
|
|
86
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
|
Net
Balance
|
|
|
(242
|
)
|
|
|
(176
|
)
|
|
|
(117
|
)
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
145
|
|
|
|
333
|
|
|
|
251
|
|
|
|
327
|
|
|
|
425
|
|
193
|
|
Source:
World Gold Council Gold Survey 2021
The
following are some of the main characteristics of the gold market illustrated by the table:
One
factor which separates gold from other precious metals is that there are large above-ground stocks which can be quickly mobilized.
As a result of gold’s liquidity, gold often acts more like a currency than a commodity.
Over
the past ten years, (new) mine production of gold has experienced a modest rise of an average of 2.40% per annum. Of the three
sources of supply, mine production accounts for 73.5% in 2020. Recycled gold volumes have ranged from 1,069 tonnes to 1,637 tonnes
over the past 10 years.
On
the demand side, jewelry is clearly the greatest source of demand. Industrial demand has fluctuated between 8% and 14% of total
demand over the past 10 years. Exchange traded product inventory build had seen strong growth through 2012, followed by outflows
in 2013, 2014 and 2015 as the price of gold fell by a cumulative 30% between 2013 and 2015. Exchange traded product inventory
build has been positive each year from 2016 to 2020. During the 2013 price crash, retail coin and bar demand rose to a 10-year
high as retail investors, especially from China, were enticed by the falling prices. Retail coin and bar demand has since tapered
off. Investor inflows into ETFs returned in 2016 amid heightened market uncertainty and continued to see 873 tonnes of inflows
in 2020.
Historical
Chart of the Price of Gold
The
price of gold is volatile and fluctuations are expected to have a direct impact on the value of the Shares. However, movements
in the price of gold in the past are not a reliable indicator of future movements. Movements may be influenced by various factors,
including announcements from central banks regarding a country’s reserve gold holdings, agreements among central banks,
political uncertainties around the world, and economic concerns.
The
following chart illustrates the movements in the price of an ounce of gold in U.S. Dollars from December 31, 2010 to December
30, 2021:
Source:
Bloomberg, abrdn. Data from 12/31/10 to 12/30/21. Spot Gold Price = GOLDLNPM Index
The
gold price tends to rise during periods of low real interest rates and high monetary expansion, as they are often associated with
currency debasement and systemic financial failures. The gold price peaked at US$1,943.2 per ounce in January 2021 as the uncertainties
regarding the pandemic drove prices higher. 2021 proved to be a volatile year for gold as major market events and continued pandemic
uncertainty, coupled with new variants, allowed gold to remain in the investment picture during the year. Additionally, the trends
of 3 years of investor outflows in global ETFs and net negative investor sentiment in gold futures positioning reversed in 2016
and continued through 2021. Continued low real interest rates, tepid economic growth, and concerns regarding the recovery of the
pandemic were key tailwinds for gold that sparked a return of investor interest.
The
Silver Industry
Market
Participants.
The
participants in the world silver market may be classified in the following sectors: the mining and producer sector, the banking
sector, the official sector, the investment sector, and the manufacturing sector. A brief description of each follows.
Mining
and Producer Sector.
This
group includes mining companies that specialize in silver and silver production, mining companies that produce silver as a by-product
of other production (such as a copper or gold producer), scrap merchants and recyclers.
Banking
Sector.
Bullion
banks provide a variety of services to the silver market and its participants, thereby facilitating interactions between other
parties. Services provided by the bullion banking community include traditional banking products as well as mine financing, physical
silver purchases and sales, hedging and risk management, inventory management for industrial users and consumers and silver leasing.
The
Official Sector.
There
are no official statistics published by the International Monetary Fund, Bank of International Settlements, or national banks
on silver holdings by national governments. The main reason for this is that silver is generally not recognized as a reserve asset.
Consequently, there are very limited silver stocks held by governments. According to The Silver Institute’s World Silver
Survey 2021, the identifiable silver bullion inventories are as follows:
|
Identifiable Silver Bullion Inventories*
|
|
|
|
Million ounces
|
|
|
2018
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
|
Y/Y
|
|
|
London
Vaults
|
|
|
1,137.7
|
|
|
|
1,162.2
|
|
|
|
1,080.5
|
|
|
|
-7
|
%
|
|
Comex
|
|
|
293.9
|
|
|
|
317.2
|
|
|
|
396.5
|
|
|
|
25
|
%
|
|
SGE
|
|
|
68.5
|
|
|
|
108.2
|
|
|
|
130.0
|
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
SHFE
|
|
|
35.8
|
|
|
|
63.2
|
|
|
|
95.2
|
|
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1,535.9
|
|
|
|
1,650.8
|
|
|
|
1,702.3
|
|
|
|
3
|
%
|
|
|
|
* Year-end; Source: Metals Focus,
LBMA, Comex, SGE, SHFE
|
The
Investment Sector.
This
sector includes the investment and trading activities of both professional and private investors and speculators. These participants
range from large hedge and mutual funds to day-traders on futures exchanges, and retail-level coin collectors.
The
Manufacturing Sector.
The
fabrication and manufacturing sector represents all the commercial and industrial users of silver. Industrial applications comprise
the largest use of silver. The jewelry and silverware sector is the second largest, followed by the photographic industry (although
the latter has been declining over a number of years as a result of the spread of digital photography).
World
Silver Supply and Demand 2011-2020
The
following table sets forth a summary of the world silver supply and demand for the period from 2011 to 2020 and is based on information
reported by the World Silver Survey 2021, published by The Silver Institute.
|
(in
millions of ounces)
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020
|
|
Supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mine Production
|
|
|
758.3
|
|
|
|
791.7
|
|
|
|
823.3
|
|
|
|
867.8
|
|
|
|
895.1
|
|
|
|
888.6
|
|
|
|
852.1
|
|
|
|
855.7
|
|
|
|
836.5
|
|
|
|
784.4
|
|
|
Net Government Sales
|
|
|
12.0
|
|
|
|
7.4
|
|
|
|
7.9
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Scrap
|
|
|
261.2
|
|
|
|
253.8
|
|
|
|
191.0
|
|
|
|
165.4
|
|
|
|
141.1
|
|
|
|
139.7
|
|
|
|
138.1
|
|
|
|
151.3
|
|
|
|
169.9
|
|
|
|
182.1
|
|
|
Net
Hedging Supply
|
|
|
12.2
|
|
|
|
(47.1
|
)
|
|
|
(34.8
|
)
|
|
|
16.8
|
|
|
|
7.8
|
|
|
|
(18.9
|
)
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
(2.8
|
)
|
|
|
15.7
|
)
|
|
|
8.5
|
|
|
Total
Supply
|
|
|
1,043.8
|
|
|
|
1,005.8
|
|
|
|
987.4
|
|
|
|
1,050.0
|
|
|
|
1,044.0
|
|
|
|
1,009.4
|
|
|
|
991.6
|
|
|
|
1,004.2
|
|
|
|
1,022.1
|
|
|
|
976.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jewelry
|
|
|
191.5
|
|
|
|
187.4
|
|
|
|
220.6
|
|
|
|
226.4
|
|
|
|
226.7
|
|
|
|
205.0
|
|
|
|
209.1
|
|
|
|
212.5
|
|
|
|
201.3
|
|
|
|
148.6
|
|
|
Coins & Bars
|
|
|
212.7
|
|
|
|
159.7
|
|
|
|
241.1
|
|
|
|
234.1
|
|
|
|
292.1
|
|
|
|
207.8
|
|
|
|
151.1
|
|
|
|
181.2
|
|
|
|
186.1
|
|
|
|
200.5
|
|
|
Silverware
|
|
|
47.5
|
|
|
|
43.8
|
|
|
|
59.3
|
|
|
|
61.2
|
|
|
|
63.2
|
|
|
|
52.4
|
|
|
|
58.4
|
|
|
|
61.1
|
|
|
|
59.8
|
|
|
|
32.6
|
|
|
Industrial Fabrication
|
|
|
661.5
|
|
|
|
600.1
|
|
|
|
604.6
|
|
|
|
596.3
|
|
|
|
583.2
|
|
|
|
576.8
|
|
|
|
599.0
|
|
|
|
578.6
|
|
|
|
510.9
|
|
|
|
486.8
|
|
|
Electrical &
Electronics
|
|
|
290.8
|
|
|
|
266.7
|
|
|
|
266.0
|
|
|
|
263.9
|
|
|
|
246.0
|
|
|
|
233.9
|
|
|
|
242.9
|
|
|
|
248.5
|
|
|
|
230.0
|
|
|
|
304.3
|
|
|
Brazing Alloys
& Solders
|
|
|
63.2
|
|
|
|
61.1
|
|
|
|
63.7
|
|
|
|
66.7
|
|
|
|
61.5
|
|
|
|
55.3
|
|
|
|
57.5
|
|
|
|
58.0
|
|
|
|
50.0
|
|
|
|
44.9
|
|
|
Photography
|
|
|
61.2
|
|
|
|
54.2
|
|
|
|
50.5
|
|
|
|
48.5
|
|
|
|
46.6
|
|
|
|
45.2
|
|
|
|
44.0
|
|
|
|
39.3
|
|
|
|
33.7
|
|
|
|
27.6
|
|
|
Photovoltaic
|
|
|
75.8
|
|
|
|
58.2
|
|
|
|
55.9
|
|
|
|
51.8
|
|
|
|
59.2
|
|
|
|
79.3
|
|
|
|
94.1
|
|
|
|
80.5
|
|
|
|
98.7
|
|
|
|
101.0
|
|
|
Ethylene Oxide
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
4.7
|
|
|
|
7.7
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
|
|
10.2
|
|
|
|
6.9
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
Other Industrial
|
|
|
164.2
|
|
|
|
155.1
|
|
|
|
160.8
|
|
|
|
160.6
|
|
|
|
159.8
|
|
|
|
152.9
|
|
|
|
153.7
|
|
|
|
146.9
|
|
|
|
94.5
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
ETP Inventory Build
|
|
|
(24.0
|
)
|
|
|
55.3
|
|
|
|
2.5
|
|
|
|
1.4
|
|
|
|
(17.8
|
)
|
|
|
49.8
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
(20.3
|
)
|
|
|
81.7
|
|
|
|
331.1
|
|
|
Exchange
Inventory Build
|
|
|
12.2
|
|
|
|
62.2
|
|
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
|
(5.3
|
)
|
|
|
12.6
|
|
|
|
79.8
|
|
|
|
6.8
|
|
|
|
71.2
|
|
|
|
10.0
|
|
|
|
7.0
|
|
|
Total
Demand
|
|
|
1,101.4
|
|
|
|
1,108.5
|
|
|
|
1,136.9
|
|
|
|
1,114.1
|
|
|
|
1,160.0
|
|
|
|
1,171.6
|
|
|
|
1,026.8
|
|
|
|
1,084.3
|
|
|
|
1,049.8
|
|
|
|
1,206.6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
Balance
|
|
|
(57.5
|
)
|
|
|
(102.6
|
)
|
|
|
(149.5
|
)
|
|
|
(64.0
|
)
|
|
|
(116.1
|
)
|
|
|
(162.1
|
)
|
|
|
(35.2
|
)
|
|
|
(80.1
|
)
|
|
|
(27.8
|
)
|
|
|
(230.4)
|
|
Source:
The Silver Institute - World Silver Survey 2021
The
following are some of the main characteristics of the silver market illustrated by the table.
Like
gold, silver has also been used as a currency in the past. However, the main difference between gold and silver is that while
approximately half of gold demand is used for jewelry, approximately half of silver fabrication demand is used for industrial
applications.
New
mine production accounts for approximately 80% of total silver supply. Recycled silver accounts for around 18.5% of total supply.
Industrial
applications and jewelry demand accounted for over 52% of total demand in 2020. Photography has been taking a lower share of overall
silver demand falling from 6% in 2010 to 2% in 2020, while photovoltaic demand has risen in recent years accounting for 9% in
2020. Investment in ETP’s rose significantly in 2020 and represented 28% of demand in 2020.
Historical
chart of the price of Silver
The
price of silver is volatile and fluctuations are expected to have a direct impact on the value of the Shares. However, movements
in the price of silver in the past are not a reliable indicator of future movements. Movements may be influenced by various factors,
including announcements from central banks regarding a country’s reserve silver holdings, agreements among central banks,
political uncertainties around the world, and economic concerns. The following chart illustrates the movements in the price of
an ounce of silver in dollars from December 31, 2010 to December 30, 2021 and is based on information provided by Bloomberg:
Source:
Bloomberg, abrdn. Data from 12/31/10 to 12/30/21. Spot Silver = SLVRLND Index
Starting
in early 2011, when prices peaked at $48.44 per ounce, silver prices began a downward trend, albeit with multiple upwards rallies
(that have often lasted several months). The rise in the value of the U.S. Dollar, sluggish industrial growth and a tame inflation
environment (which led some investors to revise their expectations of the effects of monetary expansion) were some of the drivers
behind the fall in silver prices from 2011 to 2019. Silver reversed course in 2020, as prices rose 46.75%, closing at $26.49 per
ounce, making it the top performer of the four metals (gold, silver, platinum, palladium). In 2021, silver took a slight step
back after its historic performance in 2020 as it returned -14% (as of December 30, 2021). As the world emerged out of the pandemic,
silver took a backseat to riskier asset classes such as equities which is a reason for its negative performance during the year.
Platinum
Group Metals
Platinum
and palladium are the two best known metals of the six platinum group metals (“PGMs”). Platinum and palladium have
the greatest economic importance and are found in the largest quantities. The other four—iridium, rhodium, ruthenium and
osmium—are produced only as co-products of platinum and palladium.
PGMs
are found primarily in South Africa and Russia. South Africa is the world’s leading platinum producer and one of the largest
palladium producers. Russia is the largest producer of palladium and most production is concentrated in the Norilsk region. All
of South Africa’s production is sourced from the Bushveld Igneous Complex, which hosts the world’s largest resource
of PGMs. Together, South Africa and Russia accounted for over 82% of platinum supply in
2020 and 78% of palladium supply in 2020.
World
Platinum Supply and Demand 2011-2020
The
following table sets forth a summary of the world platinum supply and demand from 2011 to 2020 and is based on information prepared
for World Platinum Investment Council by Metals Focus Limited (2019 onwards) and prior years by SFA (Oxford).
|
(thousands
of ounces)
|
|
|
2011
|
|
2012
|
|
2013
|
|
2014
|
|
2015
|
|
2016
|
|
2017
|
|
|
2018
|
|
2019
|
|
2020
|
|
Supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South
Africa
|
|
|
|
4,860
|
|
|
4,110
|
|
|
4,208
|
|
|
3,547
|
|
|
4,572
|
|
|
4,392
|
|
|
4,459
|
|
|
|
4,467
|
|
|
4,402
|
|
3,298
|
|
Russia
|
|
|
|
835
|
|
|
801
|
|
|
736
|
|
|
700
|
|
|
670
|
|
|
717
|
|
|
692
|
|
|
|
687
|
|
|
716
|
|
704
|
|
Others
|
|
|
|
790
|
|
|
769
|
|
|
891
|
|
|
896
|
|
|
865
|
|
|
988
|
|
|
961
|
|
|
|
959
|
|
|
979
|
|
987
|
|
Total
Supply
|
|
|
|
6,485
|
|
|
5,680
|
|
|
5,835
|
|
|
5,143
|
|
|
6,107
|
|
|
6,097
|
|
|
6,112
|
|
|
|
6,113
|
|
|
6,097
|
|
4,906
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand by
Application
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Autocatalyst
|
|
|
|
3,185
|
|
|
3,158
|
|
|
3,000
|
|
|
3,103
|
|
|
3,228
|
|
|
3,330
|
|
|
3,292
|
|
|
|
3,051
|
|
|
2,885
|
|
2,365
|
|
Chemical
|
|
|
|
470
|
|
|
452
|
|
|
528
|
|
|
523
|
|
|
502
|
|
|
475
|
|
|
504
|
|
|
|
540
|
|
|
698
|
|
585
|
|
Electrical
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
225
|
|
|
228
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
234
|
|
|
|
266
|
|
|
145
|
|
130
|
|
Glass
|
|
|
|
515
|
|
|
153
|
|
|
100
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
227
|
|
|
246
|
|
|
364
|
|
|
|
478
|
|
|
224
|
|
423
|
|
Investment
|
|
|
|
460
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
871
|
|
|
277
|
|
|
451
|
|
|
620
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
1,253
|
|
1,554
|
|
Jewelry
|
|
|
|
2,475
|
|
|
2,783
|
|
|
3,028
|
|
|
2,897
|
|
|
2,746
|
|
|
2,412
|
|
|
2,296
|
|
|
|
2,269
|
|
|
2,100
|
|
1,820
|
|
Medical &
Biomedical
|
|
|
|
230
|
|
|
223
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
215
|
|
|
218
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
221
|
|
|
249
|
|
239
|
|
Petroleum
|
|
|
|
210
|
|
|
112
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
165
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
176
|
|
|
220
|
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
219
|
|
109
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
320
|
|
|
395
|
|
|
433
|
|
|
438
|
|
|
441
|
|
|
458
|
|
|
476
|
|
|
|
582
|
|
|
577
|
|
501
|
|
Total
Gross Demand
|
|
|
|
8,095
|
|
|
7,902
|
|
|
8,551
|
|
|
8,054
|
|
|
8,178
|
|
|
8,165
|
|
|
7,962
|
|
|
|
7,846
|
|
|
8,350
|
|
7,726
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recycling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Autocatalyst
|
|
|
|
-1,240
|
|
|
-1,120
|
|
|
-1,206
|
|
|
-1,272
|
|
|
-1,112
|
|
|
-1,159
|
|
|
-1,279
|
|
|
|
-1,338
|
|
|
-1,630
|
|
-1,438
|
|
Jewelry
|
|
|
|
-810
|
|
|
-895
|
|
|
-790
|
|
|
-762
|
|
|
-574
|
|
|
-738
|
|
|
-638
|
|
|
|
-36
|
|
|
-477
|
|
-422
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
-10
|
|
|
-22
|
|
|
-24
|
|
|
-27
|
|
|
-29
|
|
|
-32
|
|
|
-34
|
|
|
|
-731
|
|
|
-58
|
|
-56
|
|
Total
Recycling
|
|
|
|
-2,060
|
|
|
-2,037
|
|
|
-2,020
|
|
|
-2,061
|
|
|
-1,715
|
|
|
-1,929
|
|
|
-1,951
|
|
|
|
-2,105
|
|
|
-2,165
|
|
-1,916
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Net Demand
|
|
|
|
6,035
|
|
|
5,865
|
|
|
6,531
|
|
|
5,993
|
|
|
6,463
|
|
|
6,236
|
|
|
6,011
|
|
|
|
5,741
|
|
|
6,185
|
|
5,810
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movements
in Stocks
|
|
|
|
450
|
|
|
-185
|
|
|
-696
|
|
|
-850
|
|
|
-356
|
|
|
-139
|
|
|
101
|
|
|
|
372
|
|
|
-88
|
|
-904
|
Source:
Prepared for World Platinum Investment Council by Metals Focus Limited (2019 onwards) and prior years by SFA (Oxford).
The
following are some of the main characteristics of the platinum market illustrated by the table:
The
main supplier of platinum is South Africa, providing over 67% of total mine supply in 2020. Russia is the second largest supplier
of platinum. Its share of world mine production has averaged around 12.3% of total mine supply over the past ten years. Scrap
supply from recycling of autocatalyst and other sources have accounted for about 25% from 2016 to 2020, on average.
Over
the past decade, jewelry demand for platinum peaked at 36% of total demand in 2014. Jewelry demand has since declined to 24% of
total demand in 2020, consistent with the year prior. Autocatalyst demand for platinum accounted for around 31% of total demand
at the end of 2020. Investment demand increased again to 20% of total demand in 2020, above the 15% of total demand in 2019.
Historical
Chart of the Price of Platinum
The
price of platinum is volatile and fluctuations are expected to have a direct impact on the value of the Shares. However, movements
in the price of platinum in the past are not a reliable indicator of future movements. The following chart illustrates the movements
in the price of an ounce of platinum in U.S. Dollars from December 31, 2010 to December 30, 2021 and is based on information provided
by Bloomberg:
Source:
Bloomberg, abrdn. Data from 12/31/10 to 12/30/21. Spot Platinum = PLTMLNPM Index
Platinum
prices had been on the rise until the Japanese earthquake in early 2011, coupled with the unfolding of the European financial
crisis with Portugal being bailed out, weighed on platinum performance in the second half of 2011. Platinum prices dropped by
26% in the six months to December 2011, from a high of $1,840 per troy ounce in June to a low of $1,369 per troy ounce in December
2011. Continued weakness in the European auto market weighed on platinum performance since then, with prices only partially recovering
from 2011 lows. In 2012, platinum prices rose on the back of supply disruptions in South Africa, which accounts for over 80% of
the world’s supply of platinum. A strike at one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines caused the price of platinum
to rise from $1,387 to $1,709 per ounce in August 2012. At the beginning of 2013, Anglo American Platinum, the world’s biggest
producer of the metal, announced its intention to close four mine shafts and its consideration of selling another mine complex
as part of a radical overhaul of its South African operations. This statement prompted a strong reaction on platinum prices, which
rose from $1,656 to $1,736 per ounce in the days following the announcement, on fears of a further tightening in platinum supply.
However, platinum’s correlation to gold weighed on platinum prices in 2013 overall. Prolonged strikes at South African mines
in 2014 led to the deepest supply deficit in platinum since 1975 (the earliest date we have supply and demand data). However,
that failed to arrest the price slide which saw prices fall 11% in 2014, highlighting the extent of negative sentiment towards
industrially-exposed precious metals. Despite autocatalyst demand for platinum increasing in 2015, tightening nitrogen oxide emission
standards have led to pessimism about the future demand for platinum-heavy diesel autocatalysts relative to palladium-heavy gasoline
autocatalysts. Further pessimistic outlook for South Africa’s economy and its currency the South African Rand weighed on
platinum prices throughout 2017, and platinum continued to fall in 2018 driven by lackluster investor sentiment, a stronger US
dollar, weaker diesel demand and rising mine supply. Platinum prices bounced back, rising 19.9% to $952 per ounce at the end of
2019. After seeing the price fall as low as $593 per ounce on March 19, 2020, platinum rebounded from pandemic lows and finished
the year at $1,068 per ounce. The steep climb in palladium price has led some investors to conclude that platinum appears under-valued,
in view of its potential to substitute for palladium in automotive applications in the future. Additionally, the outlook for mining
in South Africa is increasingly uncertain, with producers facing steep increases in electricity prices, periodic disruption to
power supplies and a risk of industrial action during forthcoming wage negotiations. Similarly to other precious metals, platinum
took a back seat to risky assets during 2021 as it returned -10% (as of December 30, 2021). The autocatalyst market took a major
step back in 2020, largely related to the pandemic, which was a major reason for the negative price performance in 2021.
Palladium
World
Palladium Supply and Demand 2011-2020
The
following table sets forth a summary of the world palladium supply and demand for the period from 2011 to 2020 and is
based on information reported by SFA (Oxford).
|
(thousands
of ounces)
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
|
2017
|
2018
|
2019
|
2020
|
|
|
Supply
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
South Africa
|
|
2,560
|
|
2,359
|
|
2,465
|
|
2,125
|
|
2,684
|
|
2,570
|
|
2,554
|
|
2,543
|
|
2,648
|
|
1,845
|
|
|
Russia
|
|
3,480
|
|
2,887
|
|
2,628
|
|
2,589
|
|
2,434
|
|
2,773
|
|
2,407
|
|
2,976
|
|
2,802
|
|
2,810
|
|
|
Others
|
|
1,320
|
|
1,239
|
|
1,305
|
|
1,389
|
|
1,337
|
|
1,417
|
|
1,410
|
|
1,458
|
|
1,444
|
|
1,740
|
|
|
Total
Supply
|
|
7,360
|
|
6,485
|
|
6,398
|
|
6,103
|
|
6,455
|
|
6,760
|
|
6,371
|
|
6,977
|
|
6,894
|
|
6,395
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demand by Application
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Autocatalyst
|
|
6,155
|
|
6,673
|
|
7,061
|
|
7,512
|
|
7,622
|
|
7,941
|
|
8,391
|
|
8,721
|
|
9,677
|
|
7,360
|
|
|
Chemical
|
|
440
|
|
524
|
|
440
|
|
358
|
|
451
|
|
414
|
|
529
|
|
565
|
|
511
|
|
600
|
|
|
Dental
|
|
540
|
|
510
|
|
457
|
|
468
|
|
468
|
|
430
|
|
398
|
|
364
|
|
323
|
|
200
|
|
|
Electrical
|
|
1,375
|
|
1,190
|
|
1,070
|
|
1,014
|
|
903
|
|
871
|
|
840
|
|
807
|
|
728
|
|
695
|
|
|
Investment
|
|
-565
|
|
467
|
|
-8
|
|
943
|
|
-659
|
|
-646
|
|
-386
|
|
-574
|
|
-57
|
|
40
|
|
|
Jewelry
|
|
505
|
|
442
|
|
354
|
|
272
|
|
222
|
|
191
|
|
173
|
|
157
|
|
140
|
|
150
|
|
|
Other
|
|
110
|
|
104
|
|
109
|
|
111
|
|
134
|
|
151
|
|
134
|
|
182
|
|
180
|
|
125
|
|
|
Total
Gross Demand
|
|
8,560
|
|
9,910
|
|
9,483
|
|
10,678
|
|
9,141
|
|
9,352
|
|
10,079
|
|
10,222
|
|
11,502
|
|
9,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recycling
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Autocatalyst
|
|
-1,695
|
|
-1,675
|
|
-1,905
|
|
-2,158
|
|
-1,897
|
|
-2,001
|
|
-2,404
|
|
-2,633
|
|
-2,932
|
|
-2,010
|
|
|
Other
|
|
-690
|
|
-637
|
|
-620
|
|
-563
|
|
-521
|
|
-502
|
|
-503
|
|
-491
|
|
-484
|
|
-385
|
|
|
Total
Recycling
|
|
-2,385
|
|
-2,312
|
|
-2,525
|
|
-2,721
|
|
-2,418
|
|
-2,503
|
|
-2,907
|
|
-3,124
|
|
-3,416
|
|
-2,395
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Net Demand
|
|
6,175
|
|
7,598
|
|
6,958
|
|
7,957
|
|
6,723
|
|
6,849
|
|
7,172
|
|
7,098
|
|
8,086
|
|
6,775
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Movements in stocks
|
|
1,185
|
|
-1,113
|
|
-560
|
|
-1,854
|
|
-268
|
|
-89
|
|
-801
|
|
-121
|
|
-1,192
|
|
-30
|
|
Source:
SFA (Oxford), Palladium supply & demand –2021
The
following are some of the main characteristics of the palladium market illustrated by the table:
Russia
has traditionally been the largest producer of palladium, providing on average 40% of supply over the past 10 years. South
Africa has, on average, supplied approximately 33% of production over the past 10 years. In 2020, Russia provided 44% of mine
supplies, while South Africa produced 29%. North America contributes approximately 15% of mine supply in 2020. Autocatalysts continue
to be the largest component of palladium demand, representing more than 80% of total gross demand in 2020, down slightly from
84% of total demand in 2019. Jewelry demand for palladium contributed 1.7% of total demand in 2020, up from 1.0% in 2019. Other
industrial demand (chemical, dental and electrical) has fallen from 24% of total demand in 2010 to 16% of total demand in 2020.
Historical
Chart of the Price of Palladium
The
price of palladium is volatile and fluctuations are expected to have a direct impact on the value of the Shares. However, movements
in the price of palladium in the past are not a reliable indicator of future movements. The following chart illustrates the movements
in the price of an ounce of palladium in U.S. Dollars from December 31, 2010 to December 30, 2021and is based on information provided
by Bloomberg:
Source:
Bloomberg, abrdn. Data from 12/31/2010 to 12/30/21. Spot Palladium = PLDMLNPM Index
Rising
palladium prices tempered in 2011, but concerns over supply shortages due to labor problems at mines in South Africa and
dwindling Russian stocks provided some price support into mid-2012. Palladium rose to a 13 year high of $907 per ounce in
September 2014, a 27% increase from the start of the year. The rally was driven by supply side concerns following the longest
strike in South African mining history and escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The strong rally in 2014 was completely
unwound in 2015, when South African mine supply resumed back to pre-strike levels and pessimism about industrial demand in China
overwhelmed the true tightness in the market. Palladium was then the top performer of the precious metals complex for 3 consecutive
years from 2017 to 2019, where it rose nearly 182% from $676 per troy ounce on December 31, 2016 to $1,905 per troy ounce on December
31, 2019. The price of palladium reached an all-time high of $2,781/oz on February 19, 2020, before closing out the year at a
price of $2,342/oz on December 31, 2020. The deficit in the palladium market looks set to widen dramatically, with stricter emissions
legislation forecast to trigger a steep change in demand from Chinese automakers. Similarly to other precious metals, palladium
took a step back in 2021 as it returned -16% (as of December 30, 2021). A decline in autocatalyst demand due to the pandemic was
a big reason for the negative performance seen during the year.
OPERATION
OF THE BULLION MARKETS
The
global trade in Bullion consists of Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) transactions in spot, forwards, and options and other
derivatives, together with exchange-traded futures and options.
Global
Over-The-Counter Market
The
OTC market trades on a 24-hour per day continuous basis and accounts for most global Bullion trading.
Market
makers, as well as others in the OTC market, trade with each other and with their clients on a principal-to-principal basis. All
risks and issues of credit are between the parties directly involved in the transaction.
For
gold and silver, market makers include the market-making members of the London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”),
the trade association that acts as the coordinator for activities conducted on behalf of its members and other participants in
the London bullion market. The twelve market-making members of the LBMA are: BNP Paribas,
Citibank N.A., HSBC, Goldman Sachs International, ICBC Standard Bank Plc, JPMorgan Chase Bank, Credit Suisse AG Zurich, Merrill
Lynch International, Morgan Stanley & Co. International Ltd., Standard Chartered Bank, Toronto-Dominion Bank and UBS AG.
For
platinum and palladium, five member participants of the London Platinum and Palladium Market (“LPPM”), the trade association
that acts as the coordinator for activities conducted on behalf of its members and other participants in the LPPM, are currently
participating in the London Metal Exchange Fix (“LME Fix”). The OTC market provides a relatively flexible market in
terms of quotes, price, size, destinations for delivery and other factors. Bullion dealers customize transactions to meet clients’
requirements. The OTC market has no formal structure and no open-outcry meeting place.
The
main centers of the OTC market are London, Zurich and New York for gold and silver and London, New York, Hong Kong and Zurich
for platinum and palladium. Mining companies, central banks, manufacturers of jewelry and industrial products, together with investors
and speculators, tend to transact their business through one of these market centers. Centers such as Dubai and several cities
in the Far East also transact substantial OTC market business, typically involving jewelry and small bars of gold or silver and
small plates or ingots of platinum or palladium (1 kilogram or less) and will hedge their exposure by selling into one of these
main OTC centers. Precious metals dealers have offices around the world and most of the world’s major bullion dealers are
either members or associate members of the LBMA and/or the LPPM.
In
the OTC market for gold, the standard size of trades between market makers ranges between 5,000 and 10,000 ounces. Bid-offer spreads
are typically 50 US cents per ounce. Certain dealers are willing to offer clients competitive prices for much larger volumes,
including trades over 100,000 ounces, although this will vary according to the dealer, the client and market conditions, as transaction
costs in the OTC market are negotiable between the parties and therefore vary widely. Cost indicators can be obtained from various
information service providers as well as dealers.
In
the OTC market for silver, the standard size of trades between market makers is 100,000 ounces.
In
the OTC market for platinum and palladium, the standard size of trades between market makers is 1,000 ounces.
Liquidity
in the OTC market can vary from time to time during the course of the 24-hour trading day. Fluctuations in liquidity are reflected
in adjustments to dealing spreads—the differential between a dealer’s “buy” and “sell” prices.
The period of greatest liquidity in the Bullion markets generally occurs at the time of day when trading in the European time
zones overlaps with trading in the United States, which is when OTC market trading in London, New York, Zurich and other centers
coincides with futures and options trading on the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”), a designated contract market
within the CME Group. This period lasts for approximately four hours each New York business day morning.
The
Gold Bullion Market
The
London Gold Bullion Market
Although
the market for physical gold is distributed globally, most OTC market trades are cleared through London. In addition to coordinating
market activities, the LBMA acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of
the LBMA is its involvement in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “Good Delivery List,” which
is the list of LBMA accredited refiners of gold. The LBMA also coordinates market clearing and vaulting, promotes good trading
practices and develops standard documentation.
The
terms “loco London” gold and “loco Zurich” gold refer to gold physically held in London and Zurich, respectively,
that meets the specifications for weight, dimensions, fineness (or purity), identifying marks (including the assay stamp of a
LBMA acceptable refiner) and appearance set forth in “The Good Delivery Rules for Gold and Silver Bars” published
by the LBMA. Gold bars meeting these requirements are described in this prospectus from time to time as “London Good Delivery
Bars.” The unit of trade in London is the troy ounce, whose gram conversion is: 1,000 grams equals 32.1507465 troy ounces
and 1 troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. A London Good Delivery Bar is acceptable for delivery in settlement of a transaction
on the OTC market. Typically referred to as 400-ounce bars, a London Good Delivery Bar must contain between 350 and 430 fine troy
ounces of gold, with a minimum fineness (or purity) of 995 parts per 1,000 (99.5%), be of good appearance and be easy to handle
and stack. The fine gold content of a gold bar is calculated by multiplying the gross weight of the bar (expressed in units of
0.025 troy ounces) by the fineness of the bar. A London Good Delivery Bar must also bear the stamp of one of the refiners who
are on the LBMA approved list. Unless otherwise specified, the gold spot price always refers to that of a London Good Delivery
Bar. Business is generally conducted over the phone and through electronic dealing systems.
On
March 20, 2015, ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) began administering the operation of an “equilibrium auction,”
which is an electronic, tradable and auditable, over-the-counter auction market with the ability to settle trades in US Dollars
(“USD”), Euros or British Pounds for LBMA-authorized participating gold bullion banks or market makers (“gold
participants”) that establishes a reference gold price for that day’s trading. IBA’s equilibrium auction is
the gold valuation replacement selected by the LBMA for the London gold fix previously determined by the London Gold Market Fixing
Ltd. that was discontinued on March 19, 2015. IBA’s equilibrium auction, like the previous gold fixing process, establishes
and publishes fixed prices for troy ounces of gold twice each London trading day during fixing sessions beginning at 10:30 a.m.
London time (the “LBMA AM Gold Price”) and 3:00 p.m. London time (the “LBMA PM Gold Price”).
Daily
during London trading hours the LBMA AM Gold Price and the LBMA PM Gold Price each provide reference gold prices for that day’s
trading. Many long-term contracts will be priced on either the basis of the LBMA AM Gold Price or the LBMA PM Gold Price, and
market participants will usually refer to one or the other of these prices when looking for a basis for valuations. The LBMA AM
Gold Price and the LBMA PM Gold Price, determined according to the methodologies of IBA and disseminated electronically by IBA
to selected major market data vendors, such as Refinitiv and Bloomberg, are widely used benchmarks for daily gold prices and are
quoted by various financial information sources as the London gold fix was previously. The Trust values its gold on the basis
of the LBMA PM Gold Price.
The
LBMA PM Gold Price is the result of an “equilibrium auction” because it establishes a price for a troy ounce of gold
that clears the maximum amount of bids and offers for gold entered by order-submitting gold participants each day. The opening
bid and subsequent bid prices are generated by an algorithm based method, and each auction is actively supervised by IBA staff.
There are currently sixteen direct gold participants (Bank of China, Bank of Communications, Citibank N.A. London Branch, Coins
‘N Things Inc., DRW Investments, LLC, Goldman Sachs, HSBC Bank USA NA, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), Jane
Street Global Trading, LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. London Branch, Koch Supply and Trading LP, Marex, Morgan Stanley, Standard
Chartered Bank, StoneX Financial Ltd. and Toronto-Dominion Bank), and IBA uses ICE’s front-end system, WebICE, as the technology
platform that allows direct participants as well as sponsored clients to manage their orders in the auction in real time via their
own screens.
The
IBA auction process begins with a notice of an auction round issued to gold participants before the commencement of the auction
round stating a gold price in U.S. Dollars, at which the auction round will be conducted. An auction round lasts 30 seconds. Gold
participants electronically place bid and offer orders at the round’s stated price and indicate whether the orders are for
their own account or for the account of clients. Aggregate bid and offer volume will be shown live on WebICE, providing a level
playing field for all participants.
At
the end of the auction round, the IBA system evaluates the equilibrium of the bid and offer orders submitted. If bid and offer
orders indicate an imbalance outside of acceptable tolerances established for the IBA system (normally 10,000 oz) (e.g., too many
purchase orders submitted compared to sell orders or vice versa), the auction chairman calculates a new auction round price principally
based on the volume weighting of bid and offer orders submitted in the immediately completed auction round. For instance, if the
order imbalance indicates that purchase orders (bids) outweigh sales orders (offers) then a new auction round price will be issued
that will be increased over that used in the prior auction round. Likewise, the new auction round price will be decreased from
the prior round’s price if offers outweigh bids. To clear the imbalance, the IBA system then issues another notice of auction
round to gold participants at the newly calculated price. During this next 30 second auction round, gold participants again submit
orders, and after it ends, the IBA system evaluates for order imbalances. If order imbalances persist, a new auction price is
calculated and a further auction round will occur. This auction round process continues until an equilibrium within specified
tolerances is determined to exist. Once the IBA system determines that orders are in equilibrium within system tolerances, the
auction process ends and the equilibrium auction round price becomes the LBMA PM Gold Price.
The
LBMA PM Gold Price and all bid and offer order information for all auction rounds become publicly available electronically via
IBA instantly after the conclusion of the equilibrium auction. Since April 1, 2015, the LBMA Gold Price has been regulated by
the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) in the United Kingdom (“UK”). IBA also has an Oversight Committee,
made up of market participants, industry bodies, direct participant representatives, infrastructure providers and IBA. The Oversight
Committee allows the LBMA to continue to have significant involvement in the oversight of the auction process, including, among
other matters, changes to the methodology and accreditation of direct participants. Additionally, IBA watches over the price discovery
process for the LBMA Gold Price and ensures that it meets the International Organization of Securities Commission’s (IOSCO)
Principles for Financial Benchmarks (the “IOSCO Principles”).
The
LBMA PM Gold Price is widely viewed as a full and fair representation of all or material market interest at the conclusion of
the equilibrium auction. IBA’s LBMA PM Gold Price electronic auction methodology is similar to the non-electronic process
previously used to establish the London gold fix where the London gold fix process adjusted the gold price up or down until all
the buy and sell orders are matched, at which time the price was declared fixed. Nevertheless, the LBMA PM Gold Price has several
advantages over the previous London gold fix. The LBMA PM Gold Price auction process is fully transparent in real time to the
gold participants and, at the close of each equilibrium auction, to the general public.
The
LBMA PM Gold Price auction process is also fully auditable by third parties since an audit trail exists from the time of each
notice of an auction round. Moreover, the LBMA PM Gold Price’s audit trail and active, real time surveillance of the auction
process by IBA as well as FCA’s oversight of IBA, deters manipulative and abusive conduct in establishing each day’s
LBMA PM Gold Price.
Since
March 20, 2015, the Sponsor determined that the London gold fix, which ceased to be published as of March 19, 2015, could no longer
serve as a basis for valuing gold bullion received upon purchase of the Trust’s Shares, delivered upon redemption of the
Trust’s Shares and otherwise held by the Trust on a daily basis, and that the LBMA PM Gold Price is an appropriate alternative
for determining the value of the Trust’s gold each trading day. The Sponsor also determined that the LBMA PM Gold Price
fairly represents the commercial value of gold bullion held by the Trust and the “Benchmark Price” (as defined in
Trust Agreement) as of any day is the LBMA PM Gold Price for such day.
The
Zurich Gold Bullion Market
After
London, the second principal center for spot or physical gold trading is Zurich. For eight hours a day, trading occurs simultaneously
in London and Zurich—with Zurich normally opening and closing an hour earlier than London. During these hours, Zurich closely
rivals London in its influence over the spot price because of the importance of the three major Swiss banks—Credit Suisse,
Swiss Bank Corporation, and Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS)—in the physical gold market. Each of these banks has long maintained
its own refinery, often taking physical delivery of gold and processing it for other regional markets. The loco Zurich bullion
specification is the same as for the London bullion market, which allows for gold physically located in Zurich to be quoted loco
London and vice versa.
Futures
Exchanges
The
most significant gold futures exchanges are the COMEX, a designated contract market within the CME Group., and the Tokyo Commodity
Exchange (“TOCOM”). The COMEX is the largest exchange in the world for trading precious metals futures and options
and has been trading gold since 1974. The TOCOM has been trading gold since 1982. Trading on these exchanges is based on fixed
delivery dates and transaction sizes for the futures and options contracts traded. Trading costs are negotiable. As a matter of
practice, only a small percentage of the futures market turnover ever comes to physical delivery of the gold represented by the
contracts traded. Both exchanges permit trading on margin. Margin trading can add to the speculative risk involved given the potential
for margin calls if the price moves against the contract holder. The COMEX trades gold futures almost continuously (with one short
break in the evening) through its CME Globex electronic trading system and clears through its central clearing system. On June
6, 2003, TOCOM adopted a similar clearing system. In each case, the exchange acts as a counterparty for each member for clearing
purposes.
Other
Exchanges
There
are other gold exchange markets, such as the Istanbul Gold Exchange (trading gold since 1995), the Shanghai Gold Exchange (trading
gold since 2002), the Hong Kong Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society (trading gold since 1918) and the Singapore Mercantile
Exchange (trading gold since 2010).
The
Silver Market
The
London Silver Bullion Market
Although
the market for physical silver is distributed globally, most OTC market trades are cleared through London. In addition to coordinating
market activities, the LBMA acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of
the LBMA is its involvement in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “Good Delivery List,” which
is the list of LBMA accredited refiners of silver. The LBMA also coordinates market clearing and vaulting, promotes good trading
practices and develops standard documentation.
The
term “loco London” silver refers to silver physically held in London that meets the specifications for weight, dimensions,
fineness (or purity), identifying marks (including the assay stamp of a LBMA acceptable refiner) and appearance set forth in “The
Good Delivery Rules for Gold and Silver Bars” published by the LBMA. Silver bars meeting these requirements are described
in this prospectus from time to time as “Silver Good Delivery Bars.” The unit of trade in London is the troy ounce,
whose conversion between grams is: 1,000 grams equals 32.1507465 troy ounces and 1 troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. A Silver
Good Delivery Bar is acceptable for delivery in settlement of a transaction on the OTC market. A Silver Good Delivery Bar must
contain between 750 troy ounces and 1,100 troy ounces of silver with a minimum fineness (or purity) of 999.0 parts per 1,000.
A Silver Good Delivery Bar must also bear the stamp of one of the refiners who are on the LBMA-approved list. Unless otherwise
specified, the silver spot price always refers to that of a Silver Good Delivery Bar. Business is generally conducted over the
phone and through electronic dealing systems.
On
July 14, 2017, the LBMA announced that ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) had been selected to be the third-party
administrator for the “LBMA Silver Price”. Effective from October 2, 2017, IBA is providing the auction platform and
methodology as well as the overall administration and governance for the LBMA Silver Price benchmark. IBA operates an “equilibrium
auction”, which is an electronic, tradable and auditable, over-the-counter auction for LBMA-authorized participating silver
bullion banks or market makers and sponsored clients of direct participants (“silver participants”) that establishes
a reference silver price for that day’s trading, often referred to as the “LBMA Silver Price”. The LBMA Silver
Price equilibrium auction operated by CME Group Inc. and Refinitiv prior to October 2, 2017 was selected by the LBMA as the silver
valuation replacement for the London silver fix previously determined by the London Silver Market Fixing Ltd. that was discontinued
on August 14, 2014. The LBMA Silver Price has become a widely used benchmark for daily silver prices and is quoted by various
financial information sources as the London silver fix was previously.
The
LBMA Silver Price is the result of an “equilibrium auction” because it establishes a price for a troy ounce of Silver
Good Delivery Bars that clears the maximum amount of bids and offers for silver entered by order-submitting silver participants
each day. IBA uses ICE’s front-end system, WebICE, as the technology platform that allows direct participants, as well as
sponsored clients of direct participants, to manage their orders in the auction in real time via their own desktops. As the IBA
electronic silver auction market develops, IBA expects to admit additional silver participants to the order submission process.
The benchmark is published when the auction finishes, typically a few minutes after 12:00 noon (London time).
At
the opening of each auction, IBA in the role of auction chairman (“Chairman”) announces an opening price (in U.S.
Dollars), that takes into account current market conditions and begins auction rounds, with an expected duration of at least 30
seconds each. During each auction round, participants may enter the volume they wish to buy or sell at that price, and such orders
will be part of the price formation. Aggregate bid and offer volume is shown live on WebICE. At the end of each auction round,
the total net volume is calculated. If this “imbalance” is larger than the imbalance tolerance (normally 500,000 oz.)
then the Chairman sets a new price (based on the current market conditions, and the direction and magnitude of the imbalance in
the round) and begins a new auction round. If the imbalance is less than the tolerance, then the auction is complete with all
volume tradeable at that price. The price is then set in U.S. Dollars and also converted into other currencies, including Australian
Dollars, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Onshore and Offshore Yuan, Indian Rupees, Japanese Yen, Malaysian Ringgit, Russian
Rubles, Singapore Dollars, South African Rand, Swiss Francs, New Taiwan Dollars, Thai Baht and Turkish Lira. The auction is run
at 12:00 noon (London time).
During
the auction, the price at the start of each round, and the volumes at the end of each round are available through major market
data vendors. As soon as the auction finishes, the final prices and volumes are available through major market data vendors. IBA
also publishes transparency reports, detailing the prices, volumes and times for each round of the auction. These transparency
reports are available through major market data vendors and IBA when the auction finishes. The process can also be observed real-time
through a WebICE screen. The auction mechanism provides a complete audit trail.
There
are currently thirteen direct participants who have been accredited to contribute to the LBMA Silver Price: Citibank N.A. London
Branch, Coins ‘N Things Inc., DRW Investments, LLC; Goldman Sachs, HSBC Bank USA NA, Jane Street Global Trading LLC, JP
Morgan Chase Bank N.A London Branch, Koch Supply and Trading LP, Marex, Morgan Stanley, Standard Chartered Bank, StoneX Financial
Ltd and The Toronto Dominion Bank.
Since
April 1, 2015, the LBMA Silver Price has been regulated by the FCA in the UK. IBA is authorized as a regulated benchmark administrator
by the FCA. Under the UK benchmark regulation, the governance structure for a regulated benchmark must include an Oversight Committee,
made up of market participants, industry bodies, direct participant representatives, infrastructure providers and the administrator
(i.e., IBA). Through the Oversight Committee the LBMA continues to have significant involvement in the oversight of the auction
process, including, among other matters, changes to the methodology and accreditation of direct participants. The price discovery
process for the LBMA Silver Price is subject to surveillance by IBA. IBA has been formally assessed against the IOSCO Principles.
In order to meet the IOSCO Principles, the price discovery used for the LBMA Silver Price benchmark is auditable and transparent.
The
LBMA Silver Price is viewed as a full and fair representation of all market interest at the conclusion of the auction. IBA’s
auction process is similar to CME Group’s auction process, which in turn was similar to the non-electronic process previously
used to establish the London silver fix where the London silver fix process adjusted the silver price up or down until all the
buy and sell orders are matched, at which time the price was declared fixed. Nevertheless, the LBMA Silver Price has several advantages
over the previous London silver fix. IBA’s auction process is fully transparent in real-time to direct participants and
sponsored clients and, at the close of each auction, to the general public. IBA’s auction process is also fully auditable
since an audit trail exists for every change made in the process. Moreover, the audit trail and active surveillance of the auction
process by IBA, as well as the FCA’s oversight of IBA, deters manipulative and abusive conduct in establishing each day’s
LBMA Silver Price.
Since
August 15, 2014, the Sponsor determined that the London silver fix, which ceased to be published as of that date, would be an
inappropriate basis for valuing silver bullion received upon purchase of the Trust’s Shares, delivered upon redemption of
the Trust’s Shares and otherwise held by the Trust on a daily basis, and that the LBMA Silver Price is an appropriate alternative
for determining the value of the Trust’s silver each trading day. The Sponsor also determined that the LBMA Silver Price
fairly represents the commercial value of silver bullion held by the Trust and that the “Benchmark Price” (as defined
in the Trust Agreement) as of any day is the LBMA Silver Price for such day.
Futures
Exchanges
The
most significant silver futures exchanges are the COMEX and the TOCOM. Futures exchanges seek to provide a neutral, regulated
marketplace for the trading of derivatives contracts for commodities. Futures contracts are defined by the exchange for each commodity.
For each commodity traded, this contract specifies the precise quality and quantity standards. The contract’s terms and
conditions also define the location and timing of physical delivery.
An
exchange does not buy or sell those contracts, but seeks to offer a transparent forum where members, on their own behalf or on
the behalf of customers, can trade the contracts in a safe, efficient and orderly manner. During regular trading hours at the
COMEX, the commodity contracts are traded on CME Globex system, an electronic auction in which all bids, offers and trades must
be publicly announced to all members and, upon execution, centrally cleared. Electronic trading is offered by the exchange almost
24 hours a day (except for a short break in the evening), six days a week.
In
addition to the public nature of the pricing, futures exchanges in the United States are regulated at two levels: internal and
external governmental supervision. The internal is performed through self-regulation and consists of regular monitoring of the
following: the central algorithmic matching process to ensure that it is conducted in conformance with all exchange rules; the
orderly trading and settlement of futures and options; the financial condition of all exchange member firms to ensure that they
continuously meet financial commitments; and the volume positions of commercial and non-commercial customers to ensure that physical
delivery and other commercial commitments can be met, and that pricing is not being improperly affected by the size of any particular
customer positions. External governmental oversight is performed by the CFTC, which reviews all the rules and regulations of United
States futures exchanges and clearing houses and monitors their enforcement.
The
Platinum Market
The
Zurich and London Platinum Bullion Market
Although
the market for physical platinum is distributed globally, most platinum is stored and most OTC market trades are cleared through
Zurich. As of September 1, 2009, London also serves as a center for the clearing of OTC trades in platinum. In addition to coordinating
market activities, the LPPM acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of
the LPPM is its involvement in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “London/Zurich Good Delivery Lists,”
which are the lists of LPPM accredited refiners of platinum. The LPPM also coordinates market clearing and vaulting, promotes
good trading practices and develops standard documentation.
Platinum
is traded generally on a “loco Zurich” basis, meaning the precious metal is physically held in vaults in Zurich or
is transferred into accounts established in Zurich. As of September 1, 2009, platinum began trading on a “loco London”
basis as well, meaning the precious metal is physically held in vaults in London or is transferred into accounts established in
London. The basis for settlement and delivery of a loco Zurich spot trade is payment (generally in U.S. Dollars) two business
days after the trade date against delivery. Delivery of the platinum can either be by physical delivery or through the clearing
systems to an unallocated account.
The
unit of trade in London and Zurich is the troy ounce, whose conversion between grams is: 1,000 grams is equivalent to 32.1507465
troy ounces, and one troy ounce is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams. A good delivery platinum plate or ingot is acceptable for delivery
in settlement of a transaction on the OTC market (a “Good Delivery Platinum Plate or Ingot”). A Good Delivery Platinum
Plate or Ingot must contain between 32 and 192 troy ounces of platinum with a minimum fineness (or purity) of 999.5 parts per
1,000 (99.95%), be of good appearance, and be easy to handle and stack. The platinum content of a platinum Good Delivery Platinum
Plate or Ingot is calculated by multiplying the gross weight by the fineness of the plate or ingot. A Good Delivery Platinum Plate
or Ingot must also bear the stamp of one of the refiners who are on the LPPM approved list. Unless otherwise specified, the platinum
spot price always refers to the “Good Delivery Standards” set by the LPPM. Business is generally conducted over the
phone and through electronic dealing systems.
Since
December 1, 2014, the LME has been administering the operation of an electronic platinum bullion price fixing systems (“LMEbullion”)
that replicates electronically the manual London platinum fix processes previously employed by the London Platinum and Palladium
Fixing Company Ltd (“LPPFCL”), as well as providing electronic market clearing processes for platinum bullion transactions
at the fixed prices established by the LME pricing mechanism. The LME’s electronic price fixing processes, like the previous
London platinum fix processes, establishes and publishes fixed prices for troy ounces of platinum twice each London trading day
during fixing sessions beginning at 9:45 a.m. London time (the “LME AM Fix”) and 2:00 p.m. London time (the “LME
PM Fix”). In addition to utilizing the same London platinum fix standards and methods, the LME also supervises the platinum
electronic price fixing processes through its market operations, compliance, internal audit and third-party complaint handling
capabilities in order to support the integrity of the LME PM Fix. The LME, in administering LMEbullion, uses a pricing methodology
that meets the administrative and regulatory needs of platinum market participants, including the IOSCO Principles.
Daily
during London trading hours the LME AM Fix and the LME PM Fix each provide reference platinum prices for that day’s trading.
Many long-term contracts are priced on the basis of either the LME AM Fix or the LME PM Fix, and market participants will usually
refer to one or the other of these prices when looking for a basis for valuations. The Trust values its platinum on the basis
of the LME PM Fix.
The
LME PM Fix results from LMEbullion. Formal participation in the LME PM Fix is limited to participating LPPM members. Five LPPM
member participants are currently participating in establishing the LME PM Fix (Goldman Sachs International, HSBC Bank USA NA,
ICBC Standard Bank plc, Johnson Matthey plc and BASF Metals Ltd.). Any other market participant wishing to participate in the
trading on the LME PM Fix is required to do so through one of the participating LPPM members.
Orders
are placed either with one of the participating LPPM member participants or with another precious metals dealer who will then
be in contact with a participating LPPM member during the fixing. The fix begins with the chair of the pricing function submitting
an opening price into the administration screen in LMEbullion, reflecting the market price and other data, prevailing at the opening
of the fix. This is relayed by the LPPM member participants to their dealing rooms which have direct communication with all interested
parties. Any member participant may enter the fixing process at any time, or adjust or withdraw his order. The platinum price
is adjusted up or down until all the buy and sell orders are electronically matched, at which time the price is declared fixed.
All orders are transacted on the basis of this fixed price, which is instantly relayed to the market through various media.
The
LBMA and the LME have asserted that the LME’s electronic price fixing processes are similar to the non-electronic processes
previously used to establish the applicable London platinum fix where the London platinum fix process adjusted the platinum price
up or down until all the buy and sell orders entered by the participating LPPM members are matched, at which time the price was
declared fixed. Nevertheless, the LME PM Fix has several advantages over the previous London platinum fix. The LME’s electronic
price fixing processes are intended to be transparent. The LME asserts that its electronic price fixing processes are fully auditable
by third parties since an audit trail exists from the beginning of each fixing session. The LME also asserts that the market operation,
compliance, internal audit and third-party complaint handling capabilities of the LME will support the integrity of the LME PM
Fix.
Since
December 1, 2014, the Sponsor determined that the London platinum fix, which has been revised based on the new LME method and
is now known as the LBMA Platinum Price (PM), which we refer to herein as the LME PM Fix, is an appropriate basis for valuing
platinum bullion received upon purchase of the Trust’s Shares, delivered upon redemption of the Trust’s Shares and
for determining the value of the Trust’s platinum bullion each trading day. The “Benchmark Price” (as defined
in the Trust Agreement) of the Trust’s platinum bullion as of any day is the LME PM Fix for such day.
As
of December 1, 2014, the LPPFCL transferred the ownership of the historic and future intellectual property of the twice daily
“fix” for platinum and palladium bullion to a subsidiary company of the LBMA.
Futures
Exchanges
The
most significant platinum futures exchanges are the COMEX and the TOCOM. The COMEX is the largest exchange in the world for trading
precious metals futures and options and launched platinum futures in 1956, followed with options in 1990. The TOCOM has been trading
platinum since 1984. Trading on these exchanges is based on fixed delivery dates and transaction sizes for the futures and options
contracts traded. Trading costs are negotiable. As a matter of practice, only a small percentage of the futures market turnover
ever comes to physical delivery of the platinum represented by the contracts traded. Both exchanges permit trading on margin.
Margin trading can add to the speculative risk involved given the potential for margin calls if the price moves against the contract
holder. The COMEX trades platinum futures almost continuously (with one short break in the evening) through its CME Globex electronic
trading system and clears through its central clearing system. On June 6, 2003, the TOCOM adopted a similar clearing system. In
each case, the exchange acts as a counterparty for each member for clearing purposes.
The
Palladium Market
The
Zurich and London Palladium Bullion Markets
Although
the market for physical palladium is distributed globally, most palladium is stored and most OTC market trades are cleared through
Zurich. As of September 1, 2009, London also serves as a center for the clearing of OTC trades in palladium. In addition to coordinating
market activities, the LPPM acts as the principal point of contact between the market and its regulators. A primary function of
the LPPM is its involvement in the promotion of refining standards by maintenance of the “London/Zurich Good Delivery Lists,”
which are the lists of LPPM accredited refiners of palladium. The LPPM also coordinates market clearing and vaulting, promotes
good trading practices and develops standard documentation.
Palladium
is traded generally on a loco Zurich basis, meaning the precious metal is physically held in vaults in Zurich or is transferred
into accounts established in Zurich. As of September 1, 2009, palladium began trading on a loco London basis as well, meaning
that the precious metal is physically held in vaults in London or is transferred into accounts established in London. The basis
for settlement and delivery of a loco Zurich spot trade is payment (generally in U.S. Dollars) two business days after the trade
date against delivery. Delivery of the palladium can either be by physical delivery or through the clearing systems to an unallocated
account.
The
unit of trade in London and Zurich is the troy ounce, whose conversion between grams is: 1,000 grams equals 32.1507465 troy ounces,
and one troy ounce equals 31.1034768 grams. A good delivery palladium plate or ingot on the LPPM approved list is acceptable for
delivery in settlement of a transaction on the OTC market (a “Good Delivery Plate or Ingot”). A Good Delivery Plate
or Ingot must contain between 32 and 192 troy ounces of palladium with a minimum fineness (or purity) of 999.5 parts per 1,000
(99.95%), be of good appearance, and be easy to handle and stack. The palladium content of a palladium plate or ingot is calculated
by multiplying the gross weight by the fineness of the plate or ingot. A Good Delivery Plate or Ingot must also bear the stamp
of one of the refiners who are on the LPPM approved list. Unless otherwise specified, the palladium spot price always refers to
that of “Good Delivery Standards” set by the LPPM. Business is generally conducted over the phone and through electronic
dealing systems.
Since
December 1, 2014, the LME has been administering the operation of electronic palladium bullion price fixing systems (“LMEbullion”)
that replicate electronically the manual London palladium fix processes previously employed by the London Platinum and Palladium
Fixing Company Ltd (“LPPFCL”) as well as providing electronic market clearing processes for palladium bullion transactions
at the fixed prices established by the LME pricing mechanism. The LME’s electronic price fixing processes, like the previous
London palladium fix processes, establishes and publishes fixed prices for troy ounces of palladium twice each London trading
day during fixing sessions beginning at 9:45 a.m. London time (the LME AM Fix) and 2:00 p.m. London time (the LME PM Fix). In
addition to utilizing the same London palladium fix standards and methods, the LME also supervises the palladium electronic price
fixing processes through its market operations, compliance, internal audit and third-party complaint handling capabilities in
order to support the integrity of the LME PM Fix. The LME, in administering LMEbullion, uses a pricing methodology that meets
the administrative and regulatory needs of palladium market participants, including the International Organization of Securities
Commission’s (IOSCO) Principles for Financial Benchmarks.
Daily
during London trading hours the LME AM Fix and the LME PM Fix each provide reference palladium prices for that day’s trading.
Many long-term contracts will be priced on the basis of either the LME AM Fix or the LME PM Fix, and market participants will
usually refer to one or the other of these prices when looking for a basis for valuations. The Trust values its palladium on the
basis of the LME PM Fix.
Formal
participation in the LME PM Fix is limited to participating LPPM members. Five LPPM members are currently participating in establishing
the LME PM Fix (Goldman Sachs International, HSBC Bank USA NA, ICBC Standard Bank plc, Johnson Matthey plc and BASF Metals Ltd.).
Any other market participant wishing to participate in the trading on the LME PM Fix is required to do so through one of the participating
LPPM members.
Orders
are placed either with one of the participating LPPM member participants or with another precious metals dealer who will then
be in contact with a participating LPPM member during the fixing. The fix begins with the chair reflecting the market price and
other data, prevailing at the opening of the fix. This is relayed by the LPPM member participants to their dealing rooms which
have direct communication with all interested parties. Any market member may enter the fixing process at any time, or adjust or
withdraw his order. The palladium price is adjusted up or down until all the buy and sell orders are electronically matched, at
which time the price is declared fixed. All fixing orders are transacted on the basis of this fixed price, which is instantly
relayed to the market through various media.
The
LBMA and the LME have asserted that the LME’s electronic price fixing processes are similar to the non-electronic processes
previously used to establish the applicable London palladium fix where the London palladium fix process adjusted the palladium
price up or down until all the buy and sell orders entered by the participating LPPM members are matched, at which time the price
was declared fixed. Nevertheless, the LME PM Fix has several advantages over the previous London palladium fix. The LME’s
electronic price fixing processes are intended to be transparent. The LME asserts that its electronic price fixing processes are
fully auditable by third parties since an audit trail exists from the beginning of each fixing session. The LME also asserts that
the market operation, compliance, internal audit and third-party complaint handling capabilities of the LME will support the integrity
of the LME PM Fix.
Since
December 1, 2014, the Sponsor determined that the London palladium fix, which has been revised based on the new LME method and
is now known as the LME PM Fix, is an appropriate basis for valuing palladium bullion received upon purchase of the Trust’s
Shares, delivered upon redemption of the Trust’s Shares and for determining the value of the Trust’s palladium bullion
each trading day. The Sponsor also has determined that the LME PM Fix will fairly represent the commercial value of palladium
bullion held by the Trust and, the “Benchmark Price” (as defined in the Trust Agreement) of the Trust’s palladium
bullion as of any day is the LME PM Fix for such day.
As
of December 1, 2014, the LPPFCL transferred ownership of the historic and future intellectual property of the twice daily “fix”
for platinum and palladium bullion to a subsidiary company of the LBMA.
Futures
Exchanges
The
most significant palladium futures exchanges are the COMEX and the TOCOM. The COMEX is the largest exchange in the world for trading
precious metals futures and options and launched palladium futures in 1968, followed with options in 2010. The TOCOM has been
trading palladium since 1992. Trading on these exchanges is based on fixed delivery dates and transaction sizes for the futures
and options contracts traded. Trading costs are negotiable. As a matter of practice, only a small percentage of the futures market
turnover ever comes to physical delivery of the palladium represented by the contracts traded. Both exchanges permit trading on
margin. Margin trading can add to the speculative risk involved given the potential for margin calls if the price moves against
the contract holder. The COMEX trades palladium futures almost continuously (with one short break in the evening) through its
CME Globex electronic trading system and clears through its central clearing system. On June 6, 2003, the TOCOM adopted a similar
clearing system. In each case, the exchange acts as a counterparty for each member for clearing purposes.
Market
Regulation
The
global gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets are overseen and regulated by both governmental and self-regulatory organizations.
In addition, certain trade associations have established rules and protocols for market practices and participants. In the United
Kingdom, responsibility for the regulation of the financial market participants, including the major participating members of
the LBMA and the LPPM, falls under the authority of the FCA as provided by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (“FSM
Act”). Under this act, all UK-based banks, together with other investment firms, are subject to a range of requirements,
including fitness and properness, capital adequacy, liquidity, and systems and controls.
The
FCA is responsible for regulating investment products, including derivatives, and those who deal in investment products. Regulation
of spot, commercial forwards, and deposits of Bullion not covered by the FSM Act is provided for by The London Code of Conduct
for Non-Investment Products, which was established by market participants in conjunction with the Bank of England.
The
TOCOM has authority to perform financial and operational surveillance on its members’ trading activities, scrutinize positions
held by members and large-scale customers, and monitor the price movements of futures markets by comparing them with cash and
other derivative markets’ prices. To act as a Futures Commission Merchant Broker on the TOCOM, a broker must obtain a license
from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (“METI”), the regulatory authority that oversees the operations
of the TOCOM.
The
CFTC regulates trading in commodity contracts, such as futures, options and swaps. In addition, under the CEA, the CFTC has jurisdiction
to prosecute manipulation and fraud in any commodity (including precious metals) traded in interstate commerce as spot as well
as deliverable forwards. The CFTC is the exclusive regulator of U.S. commodity exchanges and clearing houses.
Not
A Regulated Commodity Pool
The
Trust does not trade in gold, silver, platinum or palladium futures contracts on the COMEX or on any other futures exchange and
does not enter into swaps or option on gold, silver, platinum or palladium and does not trade other commodity contracts that would
qualify as “commodity interests”. The Trust takes delivery of physical Bullion that complies with the LBMA gold and
silver delivery rules and the LPPM platinum and palladium delivery rules as applicable. Because the Trust does not trade in Bullion
futures contracts on any futures exchange or trade any other derivatives on silver (e.g., options or swaps), the Trust is not
regulated by the CFTC under the CEA as a “commodity pool,” and is not operated by a CFTC-regulated commodity pool
operator. Investors in the Trust do not receive the regulatory protections afforded to investors in regulated commodity pools,
nor may the COMEX or any futures exchange enforce its rules with respect to the Trust’s activities. In addition, investors
in the Trust do not benefit from the protections afforded to investors in Bullion futures contracts on regulated futures exchanges.
BUSINESS
OF THE TRUST
The
activities of the Trust are limited to (1) issuing Baskets in exchange for the Bullion deposited with the Custodian as consideration,
(2) delivering Bullion as necessary to cover the Sponsor’s Fee and selling Bullion as necessary to pay Trust expenses not
assumed by the Sponsor and other liabilities and (3) delivering Bullion in exchange for Baskets surrendered for redemption. The
Trust is not actively managed. It does not engage in any activities designed to obtain a profit from, or to ameliorate losses
caused by, changes in the price of gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
Trust
Objective
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 Shares are intended to constitute a simple and cost-effective means of making an investment similar to a proportional
investment in gold, silver, platinum and palladium. An investment in physical Bullion requires expensive and sometimes complicated
arrangements in connection with the assay, transportation, warehousing and insurance of the metal. Although the Shares are not
the exact equivalent of an investment in Bullion, they provide investors with an alternative that allows a level of participation
in the gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets through the securities market.
Strategy
Behind the Shares
The
Shares are intended to offer investors an opportunity to participate in the gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets through
an investment in securities. The Bullion representing a Share in the initial Baskets was comprised of 0.03 ounces of gold, 1.1
ounces of silver, 0.004 ounces of platinum and 0.006 ounces of palladium. This ratio of gold, silver, platinum and palladium held
by the Trust will be maintained for the life of the Trust, although the actual weights of the metals represented by a Share will
decrease over time as the Trust accrues expenses. The logistics of storing Bullion are dealt with by the Custodian and the related
expenses are built into the price of the Shares. Therefore, the investor does not have any additional tasks over and above those
associated with dealing in any other publicly traded security.
The
Shares are intended to provide institutional and retail investors with a simple and cost-efficient means, with minimal credit
risk, of gaining investment benefits similar to those of holding physical Bullion metals in the proportions held by the Trust.
The Shares offer an investment that is:
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Easily Accessible
and Relatively Cost Efficient. Investors can access the gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets through a traditional
brokerage account. The Sponsor believes that investors will be able to more effectively implement strategic and tactical asset
allocation strategies that use Bullion by using the Shares instead of using the traditional means of purchasing, trading and
holding Bullion and for many investors, transaction costs related to the Shares will be lower than those associated with the
purchase, storage and insurance of physical Bullion.
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Exchange Traded
and Transparent. The Shares trade on the NYSE Arca, providing investors with an efficient means to implement various investment
strategies. The Shares are eligible for margin accounts and are backed by the assets of the Trust and the Trust does not hold
or employ any derivative securities. Furthermore, the value of the Trust’s holdings are reported on the Trust’s
website daily.
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Minimal Credit
Risk. The Shares represent an interest in physical Bullion owned by the Trust (other than amounts of gold and silver held
in unallocated form which are not sufficient to make up a whole bar, amounts of platinum and palladium held in unallocated
form which are not sufficient to make up a whole plate or ingot, or amounts of Bullion which are held temporarily in unallocated
form to effect a creation or redemption of Shares). Physical Bullion of the Trust in the Custodian’s possession is not
subject to borrowing arrangements with third parties. Other than the Bullion temporarily being held in an unallocated Bullion
account with the Custodian, the physical Bullion of the Trust is not subject to counterparty or credit risks. See “Risk
Factors—Bullion held in the Trust’s unallocated Bullion account and any Authorized Participant’s unallocated
Bullion account is not segregated from the Custodian’s assets....” This contrasts with most other financial products
that gain exposure to Bullion through the use of derivatives that are subject to counterparty and credit risks.
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The
Trust differentiates itself from competing Bullion ETPs in the following ways:
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Location
of Bullion Vault. The Trust’s Custodian holds gold and silver bullion in a secure vault in London. The Trust’s
Custodian holds platinum and palladium bullion in a secure vault in London or with a sub-custodian in Zurich. This custodial
arrangement differentiates the Trust from other Bullion ETPs, which may custody bullion in locations such as the United States,
Canada, the United Kingdom or Switzerland or which may use financial instruments to seek their investment objectives. The
geographic and political considerations of owning gold and silver in London and platinum and palladium in London or Zurich
may appeal to certain investors.
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Experienced
Management Team. The Sponsor has operated the Trust since its inception on October 18, 2010. The management team of the
Sponsor has established a long track record of operating precious metals ETPs backed by physical gold, silver, platinum and
palladium. Prior to April 27, 2018, the Sponsor was wholly-owned by ETF Securities Limited, a Jersey, Channel Islands
based company. Effective April 27, 2018, ETF Securities Limited sold its membership interest in the Sponsor to
abrdn Inc. See “Prospectus Summary—Trust Structure” for more information regarding abrdn Inc.’s
acquisition of the Trust’s Sponsor.
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Bullion
Bar and Ingot and Plate List. In the interests of transparency, the Custodian maintains a list of the uniquely identifiable
gold and silver bars and platinum and palladium ingots and plates held by the Trust. This list is updated daily and published
at www.abrdn.com/usa/etf. Although some Bullion ETPs that custody physical bullion, such as the Aberdeen Standard Gold
ETF Trust, may utilize similar disclosure, United States and non-United States precious metals ETPs that do not hold Bullion
in allocated form do not maintain inventory reports of bullion holdings.
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Vault Inspection.
The Sponsor has contracted with a specialist bullion assaying firm to provide biannual inspections of the Bullion bars held
on behalf of the Trust. One audit will be conducted at the end of each calendar year and the other at random, with the consent
of the Custodian, on a date selected by the assaying firm. Other Bullion ETPs may not allow third party inspections of bullion
bar, plate or ingot holdings.
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Custodian.
The Custodian of the Trust’s platinum is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Custodian may be different for other platinum
ETPs.
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Allocated Bullion.
The Trust holds physical gold and silver in allocated form with the Custodian in the Custodian’s London vaulting
premises. The Trust holds physical platinum and palladium in allocated form with the Custodian in the Custodian’s London
vaulting premises or the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s Zurich vaulting premises. The physical allocated Bullion of the Trust
is not subject to counterparty or credit risks. A small portion of the Trust’s physical Bullion, which amount is not
expected to exceed 430 ounces of gold, 1,100 ounces of silver, 192 ounces of platinum and 192 ounces of palladium on any given
day, will be held in unallocated form. This may differ from other Bullion ETPs that provide bullion exposure through other
means, such as the use of financial instruments.
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Structure.
The Shares intend to track the performance of the price of Bullion in a proportion equal to 0.03 ounces of gold, 1.1 ounces
of silver, 0.004 ounces of platinum and 0.006 ounces of palladium, less the Trust’s expenses. The Trust seeks to achieve
this objective by holding physical Bullion. This structure may be different from other Bullion ETPs that seek to track the
performance of the price of physical bullion through the use of commodity futures contracts or through derivatives.
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Sponsor’s
Fee. The Sponsor’s Fee associated with the Trust is a competitive factor that may influence an investor’s
decision to purchase Shares.
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Secondary
Market Trading
While
the Trust’s investment objective is for the Shares to reflect the performance of prices of physical gold, silver, platinum
and palladium in the proportions held by the Trust, less the expenses of the Trust, the Shares may trade in the secondary market
on the NYSE Arca at prices that are lower or higher relative to their NAV per Share. The amount of the discount or premium in
the trading price relative to the NAV per Share may be influenced by non-concurrent trading hours between the NYSE Arca and the
COMEX and the London and Zurich bullion markets. While the Shares trade on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New York time, liquidity
in the global gold, silver, platinum and palladium markets is reduced after the close of the COMEX at 1:30 p.m. New York time.
As a result, during this time, trading spreads, and the resulting premium or discount, on the Shares may widen.
Trust
Expenses
The
Trust’s only ordinary recurring expense is the Sponsor’s Fee. In exchange for the Sponsor’s Fee, the Sponsor
has agreed to assume the organizational expenses of the Trust and the following administrative and marketing expenses incurred
by the Trust: the Trustee’s monthly fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and reimbursement of the Custodian’s
expenses under the Custody Agreements, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and
up to $100,000 per annum in legal expenses.
The
Sponsor’s Fee accrues daily at an annualized rate equal to 0.60% of the ANAV of the Trust and is payable monthly in arrears.
The Sponsor, from time to time, may temporarily waive all or a portion of the Sponsor’s Fee at its discretion for a stated
period of time. Presently, the Sponsor does not intend to waive any of its fee.
Furthermore,
the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, agree to rebate all or a portion of the Sponsor’s Fee attributable to Shares held
by certain institutional investors subject to minimum shareholding and lock up requirements as determined by the Sponsor to foster
stability in the Trust’s asset levels. Any such rebate will be subject to negotiation and written agreement between the
Sponsor and the investor on a case by case basis. The Sponsor is under no obligation to provide any rebates of the Sponsor’s
Fee. Neither the Trust nor the Trustee will be a party to any Sponsor’s Fee rebate arrangements negotiated by the Sponsor.
Any Sponsor’s Fee rebate shall be paid from the funds of the Sponsor and not from the assets of the Trust.
The
Sponsor’s Fee is paid by delivery of Bullion to an account maintained by the Custodian for the Sponsor on an unallocated
basis, monthly on the first business day of the month in respect of fees payable for the prior month. The delivery is of that
number of ounces of gold, silver, platinum and palladium which equals the daily accrual of the Sponsor’s Fee for such prior
month calculated at the applicable London Metal Price. The gold, silver, platinum and palladium delivered to pay the Sponsor’s
Fee shall be in such proportion so as to ensure that the Bullion held by the Trust following such transfer is in the same ratio
of metals as the Bullion delivered for the Creation Basket Deposits.
The
Trustee will, when directed by the Sponsor, and, in the absence of such direction, may, in its discretion, sell Bullion in such
quantity and at such times as may be necessary to permit payment in cash of Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. The Trustee
is authorized to sell Bullion at such times and in the smallest amounts required to permit such payments as they become due, it
being the intention to avoid or minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than Bullion. Accordingly, the amount of Bullion
to be sold will vary from time to time depending on the level of the Trust’s expenses and the market prices of gold, silver,
platinum and palladium. The Custodian is authorized to purchase from the Trust, at the request of the Trustee, Bullion needed
to cover Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor at the prices used by the Trustee to determine the value of the Bullion held
by the Trust on the date of the sale.
Cash
held by the Trustee pending payment of the Trust’s expenses will not bear any interest. Each delivery or sale of Bullion
by the Trust to pay the Sponsor’s Fee or other Trust expenses will be a taxable event to Shareholders. See “United
States Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of US Shareholders.”
Impact
of Trust Expenses on the Trust’s Net Asset Value
The
Trust delivers Bullion to the Sponsor to pay the Sponsor’s Fee and sells Bullion to raise the funds needed for the payment
of all Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. The purchase price received as consideration for such sales is the Trust’s
sole source of funds to cover its liabilities. The Trust does not engage in any activity designed to derive a profit from changes
in the prices of gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Bullion not needed to redeem Baskets, or to cover the Sponsor’s Fee
and Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, is held in physical form by the Custodian (except for residual amounts of gold
not exceeding 430 ounces, the maximum weight to make one London Good Delivery Bar, residual amounts of silver not exceeding 1,100
ounces, the maximum weight to make one Silver Good Delivery Bar, residual amounts of platinum not exceeding 192 ounces, the maximum
weight to make one Good Delivery Platinum Plate or Ingot, and residual amounts of palladium not exceeding 192 ounces, the maximum
weight to make one Good Delivery Palladium Plate or Ingot, which will be held in unallocated form by the Custodian on behalf of
the Trust). As a result of the recurring deliveries of Bullion necessary to pay the Sponsor’s Fee in-kind and potential
sales of Bullion to pay in cash the Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, the NAV of the Trust and, correspondingly, the
fractional amount of physical Bullion represented by each Share will decrease proportionately over the life of the Trust. New
deposits of Bullion, received in exchange for additional new Baskets issued by the Trust, will not reverse this trend.
Hypothetical
Expense Example
The
following table, prepared by the Sponsor, illustrates the anticipated impact of the deliveries and sales of Bullion discussed
above on the fractional amount of Bullion represented by each outstanding Share for three years. It assumes that the only dispositions
of Bullion will be those deliveries needed to pay the Sponsor’s Fee and that the prices of gold, silver, platinum and palladium
and the number of Shares remain constant during the three-year period covered. The table does not show the impact of any extraordinary
expenses the Trust may incur. Any such extraordinary expenses, if and when incurred, will accelerate the proportional decrease
in the fractional amount of Bullion represented by each Share. In addition, the table does not show the effect of any waivers
of the Sponsor’s Fee that may be in effect from time to time.
|
|
|
Year
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
Hypothetical gold price per ounce
|
|
$
|
1,800.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,800.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,800.00
|
|
|
Hypothetical silver price per ounce
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
$
|
25.00
|
|
|
Hypothetical platinum price per ounce
|
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,000.00
|
|
|
Hypothetical palladium price per ounce
|
|
$
|
1,900.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,900.00
|
|
|
$
|
1,900.00
|
|
|
Sponsor’s Fee
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
Shares of Trust, beginning
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
Ounces of gold in Trust, beginning
|
|
|
3,000.00
|
|
|
|
2,982.00
|
|
|
|
2,964.11
|
|
|
Hypothetical value of gold in Trust
|
|
$
|
5,400,000
|
|
|
$
|
5,367,600
|
|
|
$
|
5,335,394
|
|
|
Ounces of silver in Trust, beginning
|
|
|
110,000.00
|
|
|
|
109,340.00
|
|
|
|
108,683.96
|
|
|
Hypothetical value of silver in Trust
|
|
$
|
2,750,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,733,500
|
|
|
$
|
2,717,099
|
|
|
Ounces of platinum in Trust, beginning
|
|
|
400.00
|
|
|
|
397.60
|
|
|
|
395.21
|
|
|
Hypothetical value of platinum in Trust
|
|
$
|
400,000
|
|
|
$
|
397,600
|
|
|
$
|
395,214
|
|
|
Ounces of palladium in Trust, beginning
|
|
|
600.00
|
|
|
|
596.40
|
|
|
|
592.82
|
|
|
Hypothetical value of palladium in Trust
|
|
$
|
1,140,000
|
|
|
$
|
1,133,160
|
|
|
$
|
1,126,361
|
|
|
Beginning adjusted net asset value of the Trust
|
|
$
|
9,690,000
|
|
|
$
|
9,631,860
|
|
|
$
|
9,574,069
|
|
|
Beginning NAV per share
|
|
$
|
96.90
|
|
|
$
|
96.32
|
|
|
$
|
95.74
|
|
Ounces of gold to be delivered to cover the Sponsor’s Fee
|
|
|
18.00
|
|
|
|
17.89
|
|
|
|
17.78
|
|
|
Ounces of gold in Trust, ending
|
|
|
2,982.00
|
|
|
|
2,964.11
|
|
|
|
2,946.32
|
|
Ounces of silver to be delivered to cover the Sponsor’s Fee
|
|
|
660.00
|
|
|
|
656.04
|
|
|
|
652.10
|
|
|
Ounces of silver in Trust, ending
|
|
|
109,340.00
|
|
|
|
108,683.96
|
|
|
|
108,031.86
|
|
Ounces of platinum to be delivered to cover the Sponsor's Fee
|
|
|
2.40
|
|
|
|
2.39
|
|
|
|
2.37
|
|
|
Ounces of platinum in Trust, ending
|
|
|
397.60
|
|
|
|
395.21
|
|
|
|
392.84
|
|
Ounces of palladium to be delivered to cover the Sponsor's Fee
|
|
|
3.60
|
|
|
|
3.58
|
|
|
|
3.56
|
|
|
Ounces of palladium in Trust, ending
|
|
|
596.40
|
|
|
|
592.82
|
|
|
|
589.26
|
|
|
Ending adjusted net asset value of the Trust
|
|
$
|
9,631,860
|
|
|
$
|
9,574,069
|
|
|
$
|
9,516,624
|
|
|
Ending NAV per share
|
|
$
|
96.32
|
|
|
$
|
95.74
|
|
|
$
|
95.17
|
|
DESCRIPTION
OF THE TRUST
The
Trust is a common law trust, formed on October 18, 2010 under New York law pursuant to the Trust Agreement. Prior to October 1,
2018, the name of the Trust was ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust. Effective October 1, 2018, the name of the Trust changed to
Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust. The Trust holds Bullion and is expected from time to time to issue Baskets
in exchange for deposits of Bullion and to distribute Bullion in connection with redemptions of Baskets. 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 Sponsor believes that, for many investors, the Shares represent
a cost-effective investment relative to traditional means of investing in Bullion. The material terms of the Trust Agreement are
discussed under “Description of the Trust Agreement.” The Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial
interest in and ownership of the Trust. The Trust is not managed like a corporation or an active investment vehicle. The Bullion
held by the Trust will only be delivered to pay the Sponsor’s Fee, distributed to Authorized Participants in connection
with the redemption of Baskets or sold (1) on an as-needed basis to pay Trust expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, (2) in the
event the Trust terminates and liquidates its assets, or (3) as otherwise required by law or regulation. The delivery or sale
of Bullion to pay fees and expenses by the Trust is a taxable event to Shareholders. See “United States Federal Income Tax
Consequences—Taxation of US Shareholders.”
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. The Trust does not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts, “commodity interests” or any other instruments
regulated by the CEA, as administered by the CFTC or NFA. The Trust is not a commodity pool for purposes of the CEA, and neither
the Sponsor nor the Trustee is subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator or a commodity trading adviser in connection
with the Trust or Shares.
The
Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time but only in Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 50,000 Shares). The number
of outstanding Shares is expected to increase and decrease from time to time as a result of the creation and redemption of Baskets.
The creation and redemption of Baskets requires the delivery to the Trust or the distribution by the Trust of the amount of Bullion
and any cash represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed. The total amount of Bullion and any cash required for the creation
of Baskets is based on the combined NAV of the number of Baskets being created or redeemed. The initial amount of Bullion required
for deposit with the Trust to create Shares was 1,500 ounces of gold, 55,000 ounces of silver, 200 ounces of platinum and 300
ounces of palladium per Basket. The number of ounces of Bullion required to create a Basket or to be delivered upon a redemption
of a Basket gradually and proportionally decreases over time. This is because the Shares comprising a Basket represent a decreasing
amount of Bullion due to the delivery or sale of the Trust’s Bullion to pay the Sponsor’s Fee or the Trust’s
expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. Baskets may be created or redeemed only by Authorized Participants, who pay the Trustee a
transaction fee of $500 for each order to create or redeem Baskets. Authorized Participants may sell to other investors all or
part of the Shares included in the Baskets they purchase from the Trust. See “Plan of Distribution.”
The
Trustee determines the NAV of the Trust on each day that the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, as promptly as practicable
after 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NAV of the Trust is the aggregate value of the Trust’s assets less its estimated accrued
but unpaid liabilities (which include accrued expenses). In determining the Trust’s NAV, the Trustee values (1) the gold
held by the Trust based on the LBMA PM Gold Price for an ounce of gold, (2) the silver held by the Trust based on the LBMA Silver
Price for an ounce of silver, (3) the platinum held by the Trust based on the LME PM Fix price for a troy ounce of platinum ,
and (4) the palladium held by the Trust based on the LME PM Fix price for a troy ounce of palladium, or such other publicly available
prices as the Sponsor may deem fairly represent the commercial value of the Trust’s Bullion. The Trustee also determines
the NAV per Share. If on a day when the Trust’s NAV is being calculated the London Metal Price is not available or has not
been announced by 4:00 p.m. New York time, for any Bullion metal the price from the next most recent LBMA PM Gold Price, LME PM
Fix or LBMA Silver Price, as applicable, for such Bullion metal is used, unless the Sponsor determines that such price is inappropriate
to use.
The
Trust’s assets consist of allocated physical Bullion, Bullion credited to an unallocated Bullion account and, from time
to time, cash, which is used to pay expenses not assumed by the Sponsor. Except for the transfer of Bullion in or out of the Trust
Unallocated Account in connection with the creation or redemption of Baskets, upon a delivery of Bullion to pay the Sponsor’s
Fee or upon a sale of Bullion to pay the Trust’s expenses not assumed by the Sponsor, it is anticipated that only a small
amount of unallocated gold, silver, platinum and palladium will be held in the Trust Unallocated Account. Cash held by the Trust
will not generate any income. Each Share represents a proportional interest, based on the total number of Shares outstanding,
in the Bullion and any cash held by the Trust, less the Trust’s liabilities (which include accrued but unpaid fees and expenses).
The Sponsor expects that the secondary market trading price of the Shares will fluctuate over time in response to the prices of
gold, silver, platinum and palladium. In addition, the Sponsor expects that the trading price of the Shares will reflect the estimated
accrued but unpaid expenses of the Trust.
Investors
may obtain on a 24-hour basis gold, silver, platinum and palladium pricing information based on the spot price for an ounce of
each Bullion metal from various financial information service providers. Current spot prices are also generally available with
bid/ask spreads from physical Bullion dealers. In addition, the Trust’s website (www.abrdn.com/usa/etf) provides
ongoing pricing information for the Shares and the performance of the price of Bullion in a proportion equal to 0.03 ounces of
gold, 1.1 ounces of silver, 0.004 ounces of platinum and 0.006 ounces of palladium. Market prices for the Shares are available
from a variety of sources including brokerage firms, information websites and other information service providers. The NAV of
the Trust is published by the Sponsor on each day that the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading and is posted on the Trust’s
website.
The
Trust has no fixed termination date.
THE
SPONSOR
The
Sponsor is a Delaware limited liability company.
The
Sponsor’s office is located at c/o Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC, 712 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor,
New York, NY 10019. Prior to April 27, 2018, the Sponsor was wholly-owned by ETF Securities Limited, a Jersey, Channel Islands
based company. Effective April 27, 2018, ETF Securities Limited sold its membership interest in the Sponsor to abrdn Inc. (known
as Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc. prior to January 1, 2022), a Delaware corporation. As a result of the sale, abrdn Inc. became
the sole member of the Sponsor. abrdn Inc. is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of abrdn plc, which together with its affiliates
and subsidiaries, is collectively referred to as “abrdn.” Under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act and the
governing documents of the Sponsor, the sole member of the Sponsor, abrdn Inc., is not responsible for the debts, obligations
and liabilities of the Sponsor solely by reason of being the sole member of the Sponsor.
Prior
to October 1, 2018, the name of the Sponsor was ETF Securities USA LLC. Effective October 1, 2018, the name of the Sponsor changed
to Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC.
The
Sponsor’s Role
The
Sponsor arranged for the creation of the Trust and is responsible for the ongoing registration of the Shares for their public
offering in the United States and the listing of the Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Sponsor has agreed to assume the organizational
expenses of the Trust and the following administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust: the Trustee’s monthly
fee and out-of-pocket expenses, the Custodian’s fee and the reimbursement of the Custodian’s expenses under the Custody
Agreements, Exchange listing fees, SEC registration fees, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and up to $100,000 per annum
in legal expenses. The Sponsor also paid the costs of the Trust’s organization and the initial sale of the Shares, including
the applicable SEC registration fees.
The
Sponsor does not exercise day-to-day oversight over the Trustee or the Custodian. The Sponsor may remove the Trustee and appoint
a successor Trustee (1) if the Trustee ceases to meet certain objective requirements (including the requirement that it have capital,
surplus and undivided profits of at least $150 million); (2) if, having received written notice of a material breach of its obligations
under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee has not cured the breach within 30 days; or (3) if the Trustee refuses to consent to the
implementation of an amendment to the Trust’s initial Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Sponsor also has the
right to replace the Trustee during the 90 days following any merger, consolidation or conversion in which the Trustee is not
the surviving entity or, in its discretion, on the fifth anniversary of the creation of the Trust or on any subsequent third anniversary
thereafter. The Sponsor also has the right to approve any new or additional custodian that the Trustee may wish to appoint and
any new or additional Zurich Sub-Custodian that the Custodian may wish to appoint.
The
Sponsor or one of its affiliates or agents (1) develops a marketing plan for the Trust on an ongoing basis, (2) prepares
marketing materials regarding the Shares, including the content of the Trust’s website and (3) executes the marketing plan
for the Trust.
THE
TRUSTEE
The
Bank of New York Mellon, a banking corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York with trust powers (“BNYM”),
serves as the Trustee. BNYM has a trust office at 2 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, New York 11217. BNYM is subject to supervision by
the New York State Financial Services Department and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Information regarding
creation and redemption Basket composition, NAV of the Trust, transaction fees and the names of the parties that have each executed
an Authorized Participant Agreement may be obtained from BNYM. A copy of the Trust Agreement is available for inspection at BNYM’s
trust office identified above. Under the Trust Agreement, the Trustee is required to have capital, surplus and undivided profits
of at least $150 million.
The
Trustee’s Role
The
Trustee is generally responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Trust, including keeping the Trust’s operational
records. The Trustee’s principal responsibilities include (1) transferring the Trust’s Bullion as needed to pay the
Sponsor’s Fee in Bullion (Bullion transfers are expected to occur approximately monthly in the ordinary course), (2) valuing
the Trust’s Bullion and calculating the NAV of the Trust and the NAV per Share, (3) receiving and processing orders from
Authorized Participants to create and redeem Baskets and coordinating the processing of such orders with the Custodian and DTC,
(4) selling the Trust’s Bullion as needed to pay any extraordinary Trust expenses that are not assumed by the Sponsor, (5)
when appropriate, making distributions of cash or other property to Shareholders, and (6) receiving and reviewing reports from
or on the Custodian’s custody of and transactions in the Trust’s Bullion. The Trustee shall, with respect to directing
the Custodian, act in accordance with the instructions of the Sponsor. If the Custodian resigns, the Trustee shall appoint an
additional or replacement custodian selected by the Sponsor.
The
Trustee intends to regularly communicate with the Sponsor to monitor the overall performance of the Trust. The Trustee does not
monitor the performance of the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian, or any other sub-custodian other than to review the reports
provided by the Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreements. The Trustee, along with the Sponsor, liaises with the Trust’s
legal, accounting and other professional service providers as needed. The Trustee assists and supports the Sponsor with the preparation
of all periodic reports required to be filed with the SEC on behalf of the Trust.
The
Trustee’s monthly fees and out-of-pocket expenses are paid by the Sponsor.
Affiliates
of the Trustee may from time to time act as Authorized Participants or purchase or sell Bullion or Shares for their own account,
as agent for their customers and for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Affiliates of the Trustee are subject
to the same transaction fee as other Authorized Participants.
THE
CUSTODIAN
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”) serves as the Custodian of the Trust’s Bullion. JPMorgan is a national banking
association organized under the laws of the United States of America. JPMorgan is subject to supervision by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. JPMorgan’s London office is regulated by the FCA and is
located at 25 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5JP, United Kingdom. JPMorgan is a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
While the United Kingdom operations of the Custodian are regulated by the FCA, the custodial services provided by the Custodian
and any sub-custodian, including the Zurich Sub-Custodian under the Custody Agreements, are presently not a regulated activity
subject to the supervision and rules of the FCA. The Zurich Sub-Custodian that the Custodian currently uses is UBS AG, which is
located at 45 Bahnhofstrasse, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland.
The
Custodian’s Role
The
Custodian is responsible for the safekeeping of the Trust’s Bullion deposited with it by Authorized Participants in connection
with the creation of Baskets. The Custodian is also responsible for selecting the Zurich Sub-Custodian and its other direct sub-
custodians, if any. The Custodian facilitates the transfer of Bullion in and out of the Trust through the unallocated Bullion
accounts it maintains for each Authorized Participant and the unallocated and allocated Bullion accounts it maintains for the
Trust. The Custodian holds at its London, England vault premises that portion of the Trust’s allocated Bullion to be held
in London. The Zurich Sub-Custodian holds at its Zurich, Switzerland vault premises that portion of the Trust’s allocated
platinum and palladium to be held in Zurich on behalf of the Custodian. The Custodian is responsible for allocating specific bars
of physical gold and silver and specific plates or ingots of physical platinum and palladium to the Trust’s allocated Bullion
account. The Custodian provides the Trustee with regular reports detailing the Bullion transfers in and out of the Trust’s
unallocated and allocated Bullion accounts and identifying the gold and silver bars and the platinum and palladium plates or ingots
held in the Trust’s allocated Bullion account.
The
Custodian’s fees and expenses under the Custody Agreements are paid by the Sponsor.
The
Custodian and its affiliates may from time to time act as Authorized Participants or purchase or sell Bullion or Shares for their
own account, as agent for their customers and for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. The Custodian and its
affiliates are subject to the same transaction fee as other Authorized Participants.
Inspection
of Bullion
Under
the Custody Agreements, the Trustee, the Sponsor and the Trust’s auditors and inspectors may, only up to twice a year, visit
the premises of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian for the purpose of examining the Trust’s Bullion and certain
related records maintained by the Custodian. Under the Allocated Account Agreement, the Custodian agreed to procure similar inspection
rights from the Zurich Sub-Custodian. Visits by auditors and inspectors to the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s facilities will be
arranged through the Custodian. Other than with respect to the Zurich Sub-Custodian, the Trustee and the Sponsor have no right
to visit the premises of any sub-custodian for the purposes of examining the Trust’s Bullion or any records maintained by
the sub-custodian, and no sub-custodian is obligated to cooperate in any review the Trustee or the Sponsor may wish to conduct
of the facilities, procedures, records or creditworthiness of such sub-custodian.
The
Sponsor has exercised its right to visit the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian, in order to examine the Bullion and
the records maintained by them. Inspections were conducted by Inspectorate International Limited (“Inspectorate”),
a leading commodity inspection and testing company retained by the Sponsor, as of August 14, 2020. Due to unprecedented social
lock-down policies implemented in the UK and Switzerland to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, neither the Sponsor, nor Inspectorate,
were able to perform a physical inspection of the Trust's Bullion on December 31, 2020. In lieu of a physical inspection, the
Sponsor performed alternative procedures to verify the Bullion held by the Trust as of December 31, 2020. These procedures included
confirmation of the Bullion list and total ounces of Bullion held by the Custodian at December 31, 2020, and an independent recalculation
of ounces of Bullion for each creation or redemption transaction from August 14, 2020, the date of the last physical inspection,
through December 31, 2020. The Sponsor and Inspectorate also virtually inspected a selection of Bullion held by the Custodian
on behalf of the Trust, verifying the weight of the Bullion, and that the serial numbers of the Bullion selected matched the records
of the Trust. Upon the relaxing of social lock-down
policies in the UK and Switzerland, the Sponsor’s inspector, Inspectorate, was able to most recently conduct a physical
inspection of the Bullion and execute its right to visit the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian as of July 23, 2021 as planned.
The results can be found on www.abrdn.com/usa/etf.
There
can be no guarantee that the Sponsor or the Trust’s auditors and inspectors will be able to perform physical inspections
of the Trust’s Bullion as planned. Local policies, regulations, or ordinances, as well as polices or restrictions adopted
by the Custodian or a sub-custodian, may temporarily prevent, or otherwise impair the ability of, the Sponsor or the Trust’s
auditors and inspectors, from performing a physical inspection of the Trust’s Bullion on a desired date. In those situations,
the Sponsor or the Trust’s auditors and inspectors may seek to verify the Bullion held by the Trust by alternate means,
including through virtual inspections of the Trust’s Bullion and/or a review of pertinent records.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE SHARES
General
The
Trustee is authorized under the Trust Agreement to create and issue an unlimited number of Shares. Prior to October 1, 2018, the
name of the Shares was ETFS Physical PM Basket Shares. Effective October 1, 2018, the name of the Shares changed to Aberdeen Standard
Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF. The Trustee creates Shares only in Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 50,000 Shares)
and only upon the order of an Authorized Participant. The Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in
and ownership of the Trust and have no par value. Any creation and issuance of Shares above the amount registered on the Trust’s
then-current and effective registration statement with the SEC will require the registration of such additional Shares.
Description
of Limited Rights
The
Shares do not represent a traditional investment and Shareholders should not view them as similar to “shares” of a
corporation operating a business enterprise with management and a board of directors. Shareholders do not have the statutory rights
normally associated with the ownership of shares of a corporation, including, for example, the right to bring “oppression”
or “derivative” actions. All Shares are of the same class with equal rights and privileges. Each Share is transferable,
is fully paid and non-assessable and entitles the holder to vote on the limited matters upon which Shareholders may vote under
the Trust Agreement. The Shares do not entitle their holders to any conversion or pre-emptive rights, or, except as provided below,
any redemption rights or rights to distributions.
Distributions
If
the Trust is terminated and liquidated, the Trustee will distribute to the Shareholders any amounts remaining after the satisfaction
of all outstanding liabilities of the Trust and the establishment of such reserves for applicable taxes, other governmental charges
and contingent or future liabilities as the Trustee shall determine. Shareholders of record on the record date fixed by the Trustee
for a distribution will be entitled to receive their pro rata portion of any distribution.
Voting
and Approvals
Under
the Trust Agreement, Shareholders have no voting rights, except in limited circumstances. The Trustee may terminate the Trust
upon the agreement of Shareholders owning at least 75% of the outstanding Shares. In addition, certain amendments to the Trust
Agreement require advance notice to the Shareholders before the effectiveness of such amendments, but no Shareholder vote or approval
is required for any amendment to the Trust Agreement.
Redemption
of the Shares
The
Shares may only be redeemed by or through an Authorized Participant and only in Baskets. See “Creation and Redemption of
Shares” for details on the redemption of the Shares.
Book
Entry Form
Individual
certificates will not be issued for the Shares. Instead, one or more global certificates are deposited by the Trustee with DTC
and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The global certificates evidence all of the Shares outstanding
at any time. Under the Trust Agreement, Shareholders are limited to (1) participants in DTC such as banks, brokers, dealers and
trust companies (DTC Participants), (2) those who maintain, either directly or indirectly, a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant (Indirect Participants), and (3) those banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others who hold interests in the
Shares through DTC Participants or Indirect Participants. The Shares are only transferable through the book entry system of DTC.
Shareholders who are not DTC Participants may transfer their Shares through DTC by instructing the DTC Participant holding their
Shares (or by instructing the Indirect Participant or other entity through which their Shares are held) to transfer the Shares.
Transfers are made in accordance with standard securities industry practice.
CUSTODY
OF THE TRUST’S BULLION
Custody
of the physical gold and silver deposited with and held by the Trust is provided by the Custodian at its London, England vaults
and by other sub-custodians on a temporary basis. Custody of the physical platinum and palladium deposited with and held by the
Trust is provided by the Custodian at its London, England vaults and by the Zurich Sub-Custodian selected by the Custodian in
its Zurich, Switzerland vaults and by other sub-custodians on a temporary basis. The Custodian is a market maker, clearer and
approved weigher under the rules of the LBMA and the LPPM.
The
Custodian is the custodian of the physical Bullion credited to the Trust Allocated Account in accordance with the Custody Agreements.
The Custodian segregates the physical Bullion credited to the Trust Allocated Account from any other precious metal it holds or
holds for others by entering appropriate entries in its books and records, and requires the Zurich Sub-Custodian to also segregate
the physical platinum and palladium of the Trust that it holds from the other platinum and palladium held by it for other customers
of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s other customers. The Custodian requires the Zurich Sub-Custodian to identify
in its books and records the Trust as having the rights to the physical platinum and palladium credited to its Trust Allocated
Account. Under the Custody Agreements, the Trustee, the Sponsor and the Trust’s auditors and inspectors may inspect the
vaults of the Custodian and the Zurich Sub-Custodian. See “Inspection of Bullion”.
The
Custodian, as instructed by the Trustee on behalf of the Trust, is authorized to accept, on behalf of the Trust, deposits of Bullion
in unallocated form. Acting on standing instructions specified in the Custody Agreements, the Custodian allocates Bullion deposited
in unallocated form with the Trust by selecting bars of gold or silver or plates or ingots of platinum or palladium for deposit
to the Trust Allocated Account or, with respect to platinum or palladium to be held in Zurich, requires the Zurich Sub-Custodian
to allocate platinum or palladium deposited in unallocated form with the Trust by selecting plates or ingots of platinum or palladium
for deposit for the benefit of the Trust Allocated Amount. All physical gold and silver allocated to the Trust must conform to
the rules, regulations, practices and customs of the LBMA. All physical platinum and palladium allocated to the Trust must conform
to the rules, regulations, practices and customs of the LPPM.
The
process of withdrawing Bullion from the Trust for a redemption of a Basket follows the same general procedure as for depositing
Bullion with the Trust for a creation of a Basket, only in reverse. Each transfer of Bullion between the Trust Allocated Account
and the Trust Unallocated Account connected with a creation or redemption of a Basket may result in a small amount of Bullion
being held in the Trust Unallocated Account after the completion of the transfer. In making deposits and withdrawals between the
Trust Allocated Account and the Trust Unallocated Account, the Custodian will use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize
the amounts of gold, silver, platinum and palladium held in the Trust Unallocated Account as of the close of each business day.
See “Creation and Redemption of Shares.”
DESCRIPTION
OF THE CUSTODY AGREEMENTS
The
Allocated Account Agreement between the Trustee and the Custodian establishes the Trust Allocated Account. The Unallocated Account
Agreement between the Trustee and the Custodian establishes the Trust Unallocated Account. These agreements are sometimes referred
to together as the “Custody Agreements” in this prospectus. The following is a description of the material terms of
the Custody Agreements. As the Custody Agreements are similar in form, they are discussed together, with material distinctions
between the agreements noted.
Reports
The
Custodian provides the Trustee with reports for each business day, no later than the following business day, identifying the movements
of gold, silver, platinum and palladium in and out of the Trust Allocated Account and the credits and debits of Bullion to the
Trust Unallocated Account and containing sufficient information to identify each bar of gold and silver and each plate or ingot
of platinum and palladium held in the Trust Allocated Account and whether the Custodian or a Zurich Sub-Custodian has possession
of such bar, plate or ingot. The Custodian also provides the Trustee with monthly statements of account for the Trust Allocated
Account and the Trust Unallocated Account as of the last business day of each month. Under the Custody Agreements, a “business
day” generally means any day that is both a “London Business Day,” when commercial banks generally and the London
Bullion market are open for the transaction of business in London, and a “Zurich Business Day,” when commercial banks
generally and the Zurich Bullion market are open for the transaction of business in Zurich.
The
Custodian’s records of all deposits to and withdrawals from, and all debits and credits to, the Trust Allocated Account
and the Trust Unallocated Account which are to occur on a business day, and all end of business day account balances in the Trust
Allocated Account and Trust Unallocated Account, are stated as of the close of the Custodian’s business (usually 4:00 p.m.
London time) on such business day.
Zurich
Sub-Custodian
Under
the Allocated Account Agreement, the Custodian selects the Zurich Sub-Custodian, whose appointment is approved by the Sponsor,
for the custody and safekeeping of the Trust’s physical platinum and palladium to be held in Zurich in its vault premises.
The
Custodian will use reasonable care in selecting any Zurich Sub-Custodian. The Custodian must require the Zurich Sub- Custodian
to segregate the platinum and palladium held by it for the Trust from platinum and palladium which it holds for its other customers,
the Custodian, and any other customers of the Custodian by making appropriate entries in its books and records. The Custodian
has required the Zurich Sub-Custodian to deliver, and the Zurich Sub-Custodian has delivered, to the Custodian (with a copy to
the Sponsor and the Trustee) an acknowledgement and undertaking to segregate all physical platinum and palladium held by it for
the Trust from any platinum and palladium which it owns or holds for others and which it holds for the Custodian and any other
customers of the Custodian, and in each case make appropriate entries in its books and records reflecting such segregation of
the Trust’s platinum and palladium. The Zurich Sub-Custodian that the Custodian currently uses is UBS AG.
Sub-custodians
Under
the Allocated Account Agreement, the Custodian may select, with the exception of the Zurich Sub-Custodian, any other sub-custodians
solely for the temporary holding of Bullion for it until transported to the Custodian’s London vault premises or the Zurich
Sub-Custodian’s Zurich vault premises, as applicable. These sub-custodians may in turn select other sub-custodians to perform
their duties, including temporarily holding Bullion for them, but the Custodian is not responsible for (and therefore has no liability
in relation to) the selection of those other sub-custodians. The Allocated Account Agreement requires the Custodian to use reasonable
care in selecting any sub-custodian and provides that, except for the Custodian’s obligation to use commercially reasonable
efforts to obtain delivery of Bullion held by any other sub-custodians when necessary, the Custodian is not liable for the acts
or omissions, or for the solvency, of any sub-custodian that it selects unless the selection of that sub-custodian was made negligently
or in bad faith.
The
sub-custodians selected and used by the Custodian as of the date of this prospectus are UBS AG for palladium and platinum and
Malca Amit UK for silver. The custodian may use LBMA and LPPM market-making members that
provide bullion vaulting and clearing services to third parties. The Allocated Account Agreement provides that the Custodian
will notify the Trustee if it selects any additional sub-custodians or stops using any sub-custodian it has previously selected.
Location
and Segregation of Bullion; Access
Gold
and silver held for the Trust Allocated Account by the Custodian is held at the Custodian’s London vault premises. Platinum
and palladium held for the Trust Allocated Account by the Custodian is held at the Custodian’s London vault premises or
by a Zurich Sub-Custodian in its Zurich vault premises. Bullion may be temporarily held for the Trust Allocated Account by any
other sub-custodians selected by the Custodian and by sub-custodians of sub-custodians in vaults located in England, Zurich or
in other locations. Where the physical Bullion is held for the Trust Allocated Account by any sub-custodian, the Custodian agrees
to use commercially reasonable efforts to promptly arrange for the delivery of any such physical Bullion held on behalf of the
Trust to the Custodian’s London vault premises or the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s Zurich vault premises, as applicable,
at the Custodian’s own cost and risk.
The
Custodian segregates by identification in its books and records the Trust’s Bullion in the Trust Allocated Account from
any other Bullion which it owns or holds for others and requires the Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other sub-custodians it selects
to so segregate the Trust’s Bullion held by them. This requirement reflects the current custody practice in the London and
Zurich Bullion markets, and, under the Allocated Account Agreement, the Custodian is required to communicate this segregation
requirement to each Zurich Sub-Custodian, who in turn must provide written acknowledgment of this requirement to the Custodian.
The Custodian’s books and records are expected, as a matter of current London and Zurich Bullion markets custody practice,
to identify every bar of gold and silver and each plate or ingot of platinum and palladium held in the Trust Allocated Account
in its own vault by refiner, assay or fineness, serial number and gross and fine weight. The Zurich Sub-Custodian and any other
sub-custodians selected by the Custodian are also expected, as a matter of current industry practice, to identify in their books
and records each bar of gold and silver and each plate or ingot of platinum and palladium, as applicable, held for the Custodian
by serial number and such sub-custodians may use other identifying information.
The
Trustee and the Sponsor and the Trust’s auditors and inspectors may, during normal business hours, visit the Custodian’s
premises up to twice a year and examine the Trust’s Bullion held there and such records of the Custodian concerning the
Trust Allocated Account and the Trust Unallocated Account as they may be reasonably required to perform their respective duties
to investors in the Shares. With respect to the Trust Unallocated Account, a second visit to the Custodian’s premises in
any calendar year shall require the consent of the Custodian, which consent may not be withheld unreasonably. Visits by auditors
and inspectors to the Zurich Sub- Custodian’s facilities will be arranged through the Custodian.
Transfers
into the Trust Unallocated Account
The
Custodian credits to the Trust Unallocated Account the amount of Bullion it receives from the Trust Allocated Account, an Authorized
Participant Unallocated Account or from other third party unallocated accounts for credit to the Trust Unallocated Account. Unless
otherwise agreed by the Custodian in writing, the only Bullion the Custodian accepts in physical form for credit to the Trust
Unallocated Account is Bullion that the Trustee has transferred from the Trust Allocated Account, an Authorized Participant Unallocated
Account or a third party unallocated account.
Transfers
from the Trust Unallocated Account
The
Custodian transfers Bullion from the Trust Unallocated Account only in accordance with the Trustee’s instructions to the
Custodian. A transfer of Bullion from the Trust Unallocated Account may only be made (1) by transferring Bullion to an Authorized
Participant Unallocated Account; (2) by transferring Bullion to the Trust Allocated Account; (3) by transferring Bullion to pay
the Sponsor’s Fee; (4) by making Bullion available for collection at the Custodian’s vault premises or at such other
location as the Custodian may direct, at the Trust’s expense and risk; (5) by delivering the Bullion to such location as
the Trustee directs, at the Trust’s expense and risk; or (6) by transfer to an account maintained by the Custodian or by
a third party on an unallocated basis in connection with the sale of Bullion or other transfers permitted under the Trust Agreement.
Transfers made pursuant to clauses (4), (5) and (6) will be made only on an exceptional basis, with transfers under clause (6)
expected to include transfers made in connection with a sale of Bullion to pay expenses of the Trust not paid by the Sponsor or
with the liquidation of the Trust. Any Bullion made available in physical form will be in a form which complies with the rules,
regulations, practices and customs of the LBMA, the LPPM, the Bank of England or any applicable regulatory body (“Custody
Rules”) or in such other form as may be agreed between the Trustee and the Custodian, and in all cases all gold made available
will comprise one or more whole gold bars, all silver made available will comprise one or more whole silver bars, all platinum
made available will comprise one or more whole platinum plates or ingots, and all palladium made available will comprise one or
more whole palladium plates or ingots, in each case as selected by the Custodian.
The
Custodian uses commercially reasonable efforts to transfer Bullion from the Trust Unallocated Account to the Trust Allocated Account
by 2:00 p.m. London time on each business day. In doing so, the Custodian shall identify bars and plates or ingots of a weight
most closely approximating, but not exceeding, the appropriate balance for each Bullion metal in the Trust Unallocated Account
and shall transfer such weight from the Trust Unallocated Account to the Trust Allocated Account.
Transfers
into the Trust Allocated Account
The
Custodian receives transfers of Bullion into the Trust Allocated Account only at the Trustee’s instructions given pursuant
to the Unallocated Account Agreement by debiting Bullion from the Trust Unallocated Account and crediting such Bullion to the
Trust Allocated Account.
Transfers
from the Trust Allocated Account
The
Custodian transfers Bullion from the Trust Allocated Account only in accordance with the Trustee’s instructions. Generally,
the Custodian transfers Bullion from the Trust Allocated Account only by debiting Bullion from the Trust Allocated Account and
crediting the Bullion to the Trust Unallocated Account.
Right
to Refuse Transfers or Amend Transfer Procedures
The
Custodian may refuse to accept instructions to transfer Bullion to or from the Trust Unallocated Account and the Trust Allocated
Account if in the Custodian’s opinion they are or may be contrary to the rules, regulations, practices and customs of the
LBMA or the LPPM, as applicable, or the Bank of England or contrary to any applicable law. The Custodian may amend the procedures
for transferring Bullion to or from the Trust Unallocated Account or for the physical withdrawal of Bullion from the Trust Unallocated
Account or the Trust Allocated Account or impose such additional procedures in relation to the transfer of Bullion to or from
the Trust Unallocated Account as the Custodian may from time to time consider necessary due to a change in rules of the LBMA,
the LPPM or a banking or regulatory association governing the Custodian. The Custodian will notify the Trustee within a commercially
reasonable time before the Custodian amends these procedures or imposes additional ones.
The
Custodian receives no fee under the Unallocated Account Agreement.
Trust
Unallocated Account Credit and Debit Balances
No
interest will be paid by the Custodian on any credit balance to the Trust Unallocated Account. The Trust Unallocated Account may
not at any time have a debit or negative balance.
Exclusion
of Liability
The
Custodian uses reasonable care in the performance of its duties under the Custody Agreements and is only responsible for any loss
or damage suffered by the Trust as a direct result of any negligence, fraud or willful default in the performance of its duties.
The Custodian’s liability under the Allocated Account Agreement is further limited to the market value of the Bullion lost
or damaged at the time such negligence, fraud or willful default is discovered by the Custodian, provided that the Custodian promptly
notifies the Trustee after any discovery of such lost or damaged Bullion. The Custodian’s liability under the Unallocated
Account Agreement is further limited to the amount of the Bullion lost or damaged at the time such negligence, fraud or willful
default is discovered by the Custodian, provided that the Custodian promptly notifies the Trustee of after any discovery of such
lost or damaged Bullion.
Furthermore,
the Custodian has no duty to make or take or to require the Zurich Sub-Custodian or any other sub-custodians selected by it to
make or take any special arrangements or precautions beyond those required by the Custody Rules or as specifically set forth in
the Custody Agreements.
Indemnity
The
Trustee will, solely out of the Trust’s assets, indemnify the Custodian (on an after tax basis) on demand against all costs
and expenses, damages, liabilities and losses which the Custodian may suffer or incur in connection with the Custody Agreements,
except to the extent that such sums are due directly to the Custodian’s negligence, willful default or fraud.
Insurance
The
Custodian maintains such insurance for its business, including its bullion and custody business, as it deems appropriate in connection
with its custodial and other obligations and is responsible for all costs, fees and expenses arising from the insurance policy
or policies attributable to its relationship with the Trust. Consistent with industry standards, the Custodian maintains a group
insurance policy that covers all metal types held in its, its sub-custodians’, and the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s vaults
for the accounts of all its customers for a variety of events. The Trustee and the Sponsor may, subject to confidentiality restrictions,
be provided with details of this insurance coverage from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
Force
Majeure
The
Custodian is not liable for any delay in performance or any non-performance of any of its obligations under the Custody Agreements
by reason of any cause beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, war or terrorism.
Termination
Beginning
January 1, 2022, the Custody Agreements will automatically renew for successive one year terms unless otherwise terminated.
The Trustee and the Custodian may each terminate any Custody Agreement for any reason, including if either the Custodian or the
Zurich Sub-Custodian ceases to offer the services contemplated by the Custody Agreements to its clients or proposes to withdraw
from the Bullion business, upon 90 business days’ prior notice. The Custody Agreements may also be terminated with immediate
effect as follows: (1) by the Trustee, if the Custodian ceased to offer the services contemplated by either Custody Agreement
to its clients or proposed to withdraw from the physical gold, silver, platinum or palladium business; (2) by the Trustee or the
Custodian, if it becomes unlawful for the Custodian or the Trustee to be a party to either Custody Agreement or for the Custodian
to provide or the Trustee or Trust to receive the services thereunder; (3) by the Custodian, if the Custodian determines in its
reasonable view that the Trust is insolvent or faces impending insolvency; (4) by the Trustee if the Trustee determines in its
sole view that the Custodian is insolvent or faces impending insolvency; (5) by the Trustee, if the Trust is to be terminated;
or (6) by the Trustee or the Custodian, if either of the Custody Agreements ceases to be in full force and effect.
If
redelivery arrangements acceptable to the Custodian for the Bullion held in the Trust Allocated Account are not made, the Custodian
may continue to store the Bullion and continue to charge for its fees and expenses, and, after six months from the termination
date, the Custodian may sell the Bullion and account to the Trustee for the proceeds. If arrangements acceptable to the Custodian
for redelivery of the balance in the Trust Unallocated Account are not made, the Custodian may continue to charge for its fees
and expenses payable under the Allocated Account Agreement, and, after six months from the termination date, the Custodian may
close the Trust Unallocated Account and account to the Trustee for the proceeds.
Amendments
The
Trustee and the Custodian entered into the Custody Agreements with effect on and from December 9, 2010. On September 20, 2018,
the Trustee and the Custodian entered into amendments to the Custody Agreements (the “2018 Custody Amendments”), effective
as of October 1, 2018, as approved and directed by the Sponsor on behalf of the Trust. The 2018 Custody Amendments reflect the
changed name of the Trust from ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust to Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, the changed
name of the Shares from ETFS Physical PM Basket Shares to Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF, and the
changed name of the Sponsor from ETF Securities USA LLC to Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC. On June 5, 2020, the
Trustee and the Custodian entered into amendments to the Custody Agreements (the “2020 Custody Amendments”, and together
with the 2018 Custody Amendments, the “Custody Amendments”), as approved and directed by the Sponsor on behalf of
the Trust. The 2020 Custody Amendments reflect changes to the terms of the Custody Agreements such that each Custody Agreement
shall have a term ending December 31, 2021 and will automatically renew for successive one year terms unless otherwise terminated.
No other material changes to the Custody Agreements were made in connection with the Custody Amendments.
Governing
Law
The
Custody Agreements and the Custodian’s arrangement with the Zurich Sub-Custodian are governed by English law. The Trustee
and the Custodian both consent to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the federal courts
located in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Such consent is not required for any person to assert a claim of New York
jurisdiction over the Trustee or the Custodian.
CREATION
AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
The
Trust creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Baskets (a Basket equals a block of 50,000 Shares).
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 physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium and any cash 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 are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem Baskets. Authorized Participants must be (1) registered
broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions, which are not required
to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions, and (2) participants in DTC. To become an Authorized Participant,
a person must enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Sponsor and the Trustee. The Authorized Participant Agreement
provides the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets and for the delivery of the Bullion and any cash required for
such creations and redemptions. The Authorized Participant Agreement and the related procedures attached thereto may be amended
by the Trustee and the Sponsor, without the consent of any Shareholder or Authorized Participant. Authorized Participants pay
a transaction fee of $500 to the Trustee for each order they place to create or redeem one or more Baskets. Authorized Participants
who make deposits with the Trust in exchange for Baskets receive no fees, commissions or other form of compensation or inducement
of any kind from either the Sponsor or the Trust for serving as an Authorized Participant, and no such person has any obligation
or responsibility to the Sponsor or the Trust to effect any sale or resale of Shares.
Authorized
Participants are cautioned that some of their activities will result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a
manner which would render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus-delivery and liability provisions of
the Securities Act, as described in “Plan of Distribution.”
Prior
to initiating any creation or redemption order, an Authorized Participant must have entered into an agreement with the Custodian
or a Bullion clearing bank to establish an Authorized Participant Unallocated Account in London or Zurich (“Authorized Participant
Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement”). Bullion held in Authorized Participant Unallocated Accounts is typically not segregated
from the Custodian’s or other Bullion clearing bank’s assets, as a consequence of which an Authorized Participant
will have no proprietary interest in any specific bars of gold or silver or plates or ingots of platinum or palladium held by
the Custodian or the clearing bank. Credits to its Authorized Participant Unallocated Account are therefore at risk of the Custodian’s
or other Bullion clearing bank’s insolvency. No fees will be charged by the Custodian for the use of the Authorized Participant
Unallocated Account as long as the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account is used solely for Bullion transfers to and from
the Trust Unallocated Account and the Custodian (or one of its affiliates) receives compensation for maintaining the Trust Allocated
Account. Authorized Participants should be aware that the Custodian’s liability threshold under the Authorized Participant
Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement is generally gross negligence, not negligence, which is the Custodian’s liability
threshold under the Trust’s Custody Agreements.
As
the terms of the Authorized Participant Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement differ in certain respects from the terms of the
Trust’s Unallocated Account Agreement, potential Authorized Participants should review the terms of the Authorized Participant
Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement carefully. A copy of the Authorized Participant Agreement may be obtained by potential Authorized
Participants from the Trustee.
Certain
Authorized Participants are expected to have the facility to participate directly in the physical gold, silver, platinum and palladium
markets and the Bullion futures markets. In some cases, an Authorized Participant may from time to time acquire Bullion from or
sell Bullion to its affiliated Bullion trading desk, which may profit in these instances. Each Authorized Participant must be
registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and regulated by FINRA or
be exempt from being or otherwise not be required to be so regulated or registered, and must be qualified to act as a broker or
dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where the nature of its business so requires. Certain Authorized Participants are
regulated under federal and state banking laws and regulations. Each Authorized Participant has its own set of rules and procedures,
internal controls and information barriers as it determines is appropriate in light of its own regulatory regime.
Authorized
Participants may act for their own accounts or as agents for broker-dealers, custodians and other securities market participants
that wish to create or redeem Baskets. An order for one or more Baskets may be placed by an Authorized Participant on behalf of
multiple clients. As of the date of this prospectus, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman
Sachs & Co. LLC, HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., Mizuho
Securities USA LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., UBS Securities LLC and Virtu Financial BD, LLC have
each signed an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Trust and, upon the effectiveness of such agreement, may create and redeem
Baskets as described above. Persons interested in purchasing Baskets should contact the Sponsor or the Trustee to obtain the contact
information for the Authorized Participants. Shareholders who are not Authorized Participants are only able to redeem their Shares
through an Authorized Participant.
All
Bullion will be delivered to the Trust and distributed by the Trust in unallocated form through credits and debits between Authorized
Participant Unallocated Accounts and the Trust Unallocated Account. Bullion transferred from an Authorized Participant Unallocated
Account to the Trust in unallocated form will first be credited to the Trust Unallocated Account. Thereafter, the Custodian will
allocate specific bars of gold and silver and allocate, or cause the allocation by the Zurich Sub-Custodian of, specific plates
or ingots of platinum, in each case representing the amount of Bullion credited to the Trust Unallocated Account (to the extent
such amount is representable by whole gold or silver bars or platinum or palladium plates or ingots) to the Trust Allocated Account.
The movement of Bullion is reversed for the distribution of Bullion to an Authorized Participant in connection with the redemption
of Baskets.
All
physical gold represented by a credit to any Authorized Participant Unallocated Account and to the Trust Unallocated Account and
all physical gold held in the Trust Allocated Account with the Custodian must be of at least a minimum fineness (or purity) of
995 parts per 1,000 (99.5%) and otherwise conform to the rules, regulations practices and customs of the LBMA, including the specifications
for a London Good Delivery Bar.
All
physical silver represented by a credit to any Authorized Participant Unallocated Account and to the Trust Unallocated Account
and all physical silver held in the Trust Allocated Account with the Custodian must be of at least a minimum fineness (or purity)
of 999.0 parts per 1,000 (99.9%) and otherwise conform to the rules, regulations, practices and customs of the LBMA, including
the specifications for a Silver Good Delivery Bar.
All
physical platinum or palladium represented by a credit to any Authorized Participant Unallocated Account and to the Trust Unallocated
Account and all physical platinum or palladium held in the Trust Allocated Account with the Custodian or for the Custodian by
the Zurich Sub-Custodians must be of at least a minimum fineness (or purity) of 999.5 parts per 1,000 (99.95%) and otherwise conform
to the rules, regulations practices and customs of the LPPM, including the specifications for a Good Delivery Platinum Plate or
Ingot or a Good Delivery Palladium Plate or Ingot, as applicable
Under
the Authorized Participant Agreement, the Sponsor has agreed to indemnify the Authorized Participants against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
Loco
London and Loco Zurich Platinum and Palladium Delivery Elections. Although all delivery of gold and silver in relation to
the creation or redemption of a Basket will be conducted loco London, Authorized Participants can elect to deliver platinum or
palladium loco London or loco Zurich in connection with the creation of a Basket. Authorized Participants can also elect to receive
delivery of platinum or palladium loco London or loco Zurich in connection with the redemption of a Basket. A Basket creation
order that elects to deliver all Bullion loco London will cause the Custodian to effect an allocation of such Bullion to the Trust
Allocated Account maintained by the Custodian in its London vault premises. A Basket creation order that elects to deliver (i)
platinum, (ii) palladium or (iii) platinum and palladium loco Zurich will cause the Custodian to effect an allocation of such
platinum or palladium to the Trust Allocated Account maintained by the Zurich Sub-Custodian in its Zurich vault premises and an
allocation of the remaining Bullion constituting the Basket to the Trust Allocated Account maintained by the Custodian in its
London vault premises. Likewise, a Basket redemption order that elects a total loco London delivery will cause the Custodian to
effect a de-allocation of Bullion necessary to satisfy such redemption requests from the Trust Allocated Account maintained by
the Custodian in London to the Trust Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian in London. A Basket redemption order that
elects a loco Zurich delivery for (i) platinum, (ii) palladium or (iii) platinum and palladium will cause the Custodian to effect
a de-allocation of such platinum or palladium necessary to satisfy such redemption requests from the Trust Allocated Account maintained
by the Zurich Sub-Custodian in Zurich to the Trust Unallocated Account maintained in Zurich and a de-allocation of the remaining
Bullion constituting the Basket necessary to satisfy such redemption requests from the Trust Allocated Account maintained by the
Custodian in London to the Trust Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian in London.
In
the event that there is not sufficient platinum or palladium in the Trust Allocated Account in London to satisfy loco London redemptions,
the Custodian shall cause the Zurich Sub-Custodian to de-allocate sufficient platinum or palladium held by it for the Trust Allocated
Account in Zurich and cause a transfer of such platinum or palladium from the Trust Unallocated Account maintained by the Custodian
in Zurich to the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account maintained in London. Likewise, in the event that there is not sufficient
platinum or palladium in the Trust Allocated Account in Zurich to satisfy loco Zurich redemptions, the Custodian will initiate
the reverse procedure to transfer platinum or palladium from London to Zurich. These transfers between London and Zurich unallocated
accounts will generally occur pursuant to loco swap arrangements and will not expose the Authorized Participant or the Trust to
any additional expense. The Custodian has assumed the responsibility and expenses for loco swap transfers and shall bear any risk
of loss related to the platinum or palladium being transferred. If no loco swap counterparty is available, the Custodian shall
arrange, at its own expense and risk, for the physical transportation of platinum or palladium between the Zurich Sub-Custodian’s
Zurich vault premises and the Custodian’s London vault premises. If such a loco swap or physical transfer is necessary to
effect a loco London or loco Zurich redemption, the settlement of loco London or loco Zurich redemption deliveries may be delayed
more than two, but not more than five, business days.
The
following description of the procedures for the creation and redemption of Baskets is only a summary and an investor should refer
to the relevant provisions of the Trust Agreement and the form of Authorized Participant Agreement for more detail, each of which
is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Where You Can Find More
Information” for information about where you can obtain the registration statement.
Creation
Procedures
On
any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Trustee to create one or more Baskets. Creation and redemption
orders are accepted on “business days” the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. Settlements of such orders requiring
receipt or delivery, or confirmation of receipt or delivery, of Bullion in the United Kingdom, Zurich or another jurisdiction
will occur on “business days” when (1) banks in the United Kingdom, Zurich and such other jurisdiction and (2) the
London and Zurich Bullion markets are regularly open for business. If such banks or the London or Zurich Bullion markets are not
open for regular business for a full day, such a day will only be a “business day” for settlement purposes if the
settlement procedures can be completed by the end of such day. Settlement of orders requiring receipt or delivery, or confirmation
of receipt or delivery, of Shares will occur, after confirmation of the applicable Bullion delivery, on “business days”
when the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. Purchase orders must be placed no later than 3:59:59 p.m. on each business day
the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. In the event of a level 3 market-wide circuit breaker resulting in a trading halt for
the remainder of the trading day, the time of the market-wide trading halt is considered the close of regular trading and no creation
orders for the current trade date will be accepted after that time (the “cutoff”). Orders placed after the cutoff
will be deemed to be rejected and will not be processed. Orders should be placed in proper form on the following business day.
The day on which the Trustee receives a valid purchase order is the purchase order date.
By
placing a purchase order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deposit Bullion with the Trust. Prior to the delivery of Baskets
for a purchase order, the Authorized Participant must also have wired to the Trustee the non-refundable transaction fee due for
the purchase order.
Determination
of required deposits
The
amount of gold, silver, platinum and palladium in the required deposit is determined by dividing the number of ounces of each
metal held by the Trust by the number of Baskets outstanding, as adjusted for the amount of Bullion constituting estimated accrued
but unpaid fees and expenses of the Trust.
Fractions
of a fine ounce of gold, silver, platinum and palladium smaller than 0.001 of a fine ounce which are included in the deposit amount
are disregarded in the foregoing calculation. All questions as to the composition of a Creation Basket Deposit will be finally
determined by the Trustee. The Trustee’s determination of the Creation Basket Deposit shall be final and binding on all
persons interested in the Trust.
Delivery
of required deposits
An
Authorized Participant who places a purchase order is responsible for crediting its Authorized Participant Unallocated Account
with the required Bullion deposit amount by the second business day in London or Zurich, as applicable, following the purchase
order date. Upon receipt of the Bullion deposit amount, the Custodian, after receiving appropriate instructions from the Authorized
Participant and the Trustee, will transfer on the second business day following the purchase order date the Bullion deposit amount
from the Authorized Participant Unallocated Account to the Trust Unallocated Account and the Trustee will direct DTC to credit
the number of Baskets ordered to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account. The expense and risk of delivery, ownership and
safekeeping of Bullion until such Bullion has been received by the Trust shall be borne solely by the Authorized Participant.
The Trustee may accept delivery of Bullion by such other means as the Sponsor, from time to time, may determine with the Trustee
to be acceptable for the Trust, provided that the same is disclosed in a prospectus relating to the Trust filed with the SEC pursuant
to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. If Bullion is to be delivered other than as described above, the Sponsor is authorized to
establish such procedures and to appoint such custodians and establish such custody accounts in addition to those described in
this prospectus, as the Sponsor determines to be desirable.
Acting
on standing instructions given by the Trustee, the Custodian will transfer the Bullion deposit amount from the Trust Unallocated
Account to the Trust Allocated Account by transferring gold and silver bars from its inventory and platinum and palladium plates
and ingots from its inventory or the inventory of the Zurich Sub-Custodian to the Trust Allocated Account. The Custodian will
use commercially reasonable efforts to complete the transfer of Bullion to the Trust Allocated Account prior to the time by which
the Trustee is to credit the Basket to the Authorized Participant’s DTC account; if, however, such transfers have not been
completed by such time, the number of Baskets ordered will be delivered against receipt of the Bullion deposit amount in the Trust
Unallocated Account, and all Shareholders will be exposed to the risks of unallocated Bullion to the extent of that Bullion deposit
amount until the Custodian completes the allocation process or a Zurich Sub-Custodian completes the allocation process for the
Custodian. See “Risk Factors—Bullion held in the Trust’s unallocated Bullion account and any Authorized Participant’s
unallocated Bullion account will not be segregated from the Custodian’s assets....”
Because
gold and silver are allocated only in multiples of whole bars and platinum and palladium are only allocated in multiples of whole
plates or ingots, the amount of Bullion allocated from the Trust Unallocated Account to the Trust Allocated Account may be less
than the total fine ounces of Bullion credited to the Trust Unallocated Account. Any balance will be held in the Trust Unallocated
Account. The Custodian uses commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the amount of Bullion held in the Trust Unallocated Account;
no more than 430 troy ounces of gold (maximum weight to make one London Good Delivery Bar), no more than 1,100 troy ounces of
silver (maximum weight to make one Silver Good Delivery Bar), no more than 192.904 troy ounces of platinum (maximum weight to
make one Good Delivery Platinum Plate or Ingot) and no more than 192.904 troy ounces of palladium (maximum weight to make one
Good Delivery Palladium Plate or Ingot) is expected to be held in the Trust Unallocated Account at the close of each business
day.
Rejection
of purchase orders
The
Trustee may reject a purchase order or a Creation Basket Deposit if such order or Creation Basket Deposit is not presented in
proper form as described in the Authorized Participant Agreement or if the fulfillment of the order, in the opinion of counsel,
might be unlawful. None of the Trustee, the Sponsor or the Custodian will be liable for the rejection of any purchase order or
Creation Basket Deposit.
Redemption
Procedures
The
procedures by which an Authorized Participant can redeem one or more Baskets will mirror the procedures for the creation of Baskets.
On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Trustee to redeem one or more Baskets. Redemption orders
must be placed no later than 3:59:59 p.m. on each business day the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. In the event of a level
3 market-wide circuit breaker resulting in a trading halt for the remainder of the trading day, the time of the market-wide trading
halt is considered the close of regular trading and no redemption orders for the current trade date will be accepted after that
time (the “cutoff”). Orders placed after the cutoff will be deemed to be rejected and will not be processed. Orders
should be placed in proper form on the following business day. A redemption order so received is effective on the date it is received
in satisfactory form by the Trustee. The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem Baskets and do not entitle
an individual Shareholder to redeem any Shares in an amount less than a Basket, or to redeem Baskets other than through an Authorized
Participant.
By
placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book entry
system to the Trust not later than the second business day following the effective date of the redemption order. Prior to the
delivery of the redemption distribution for a redemption order, the Authorized Participant must also have wired to the Trustee
the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order.
Determination
of redemption distribution
The
redemption distribution from the Trust consists of a credit to the redeeming Authorized Participant’s Authorized Participant
Unallocated Account, either loco London or loco Zurich, representing the amount of the Bullion (in the specified proportion of
gold, silver, platinum and palladium) held by the Trust evidenced by the Shares being redeemed. Fractions of a fine ounce of Bullion
included in the redemption distribution smaller than 0.001 of a fine ounce are disregarded. Redemption distributions will be subject
to the deduction of any applicable tax or other governmental charges which may be due.
Delivery
of redemption distribution
The
redemption distribution due from the Trust will be delivered to the Authorized Participant on the second business day following
a loco Zurich redemption order date if, by 10:00 a.m. New York time on such second business day, the Trustee’s DTC account
has been credited with the Baskets to be redeemed. The redemption distribution due from the Trust will be delivered to the Authorized
Participant on or before the fifth business day following a loco London redemption order date if, by 10:00 a.m. New York time
on the second business day after the loco London redemption order date, the Trustee’s DTC account has been credited with
the Baskets to be redeemed. If a loco swap or physical transfer is necessary to effect a loco London or loco Zurich redemption,
the redemption distribution due from the Trust will be delivered to the Authorized Participant on or before the fifth business
day following such a loco London or loco Zurich redemption order date if, by 10:00 a.m. New York time on the second business day
after the loco London or loco Zurich redemption order date, the Trustee’s DTC account has been credited with the Baskets
to be redeemed. In the event that, by 10:00 a.m. New York time on the second business day following the order date of a redemption
order, the Trustee’s DTC account has not been credited with the total number of Shares corresponding to the total number
of Baskets to be redeemed pursuant to such redemption order, the Trustee shall send to the Authorized Participant and the Custodian
via fax or electronic mail message notice of such fact and the Authorized Participant shall have two business days following receipt
of such notice to correct such failure. If such failure is not cured within such two business day period, the Trustee (in consultation
with the Sponsor) will cancel such redemption order and will send via fax or electronic mail message notice of such cancellation
to the Authorized Participant and the Custodian, and the Authorized Participant will be solely responsible for all costs incurred
by the Trust, the Trustee or the Custodian related to the cancelled order. The Trustee is also authorized to deliver the redemption
distribution notwithstanding that the Baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Trustee’s DTC account by 10:00 a.m.
New York time on the second business day following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized
its obligation to deliver the Baskets through DTC’s book entry system on such terms as the Sponsor and the Trustee may from
time to time agree upon.
The
Custodian transfers the redemption Bullion amount from the Trust Allocated Account to the Trust Unallocated Account and, thereafter,
to the redeeming Authorized Participant’s Authorized Participant Unallocated Account. The Authorized Participant and the
Trust are each at risk in respect of Bullion credited to their respective unallocated accounts in the event of the Custodian’s
insolvency. See “Risk Factors—Bullion held in the Trust’s unallocated platinum account and any Authorized Participant’s
unallocated Bullion account is not segregated from the Custodian’s assets....”
As
with the allocation of Bullion to the Trust Allocated Account which occurs upon a purchase order, if in transferring Bullion from
the Trust Allocated Account to the Trust Unallocated Account in connection with a redemption order there is an excess amount of
Bullion transferred to the Trust Unallocated Account, the excess over the Bullion redemption amount will be held in the Trust
Unallocated Account. The Custodian uses commercially reasonable efforts to minimize the amount of Bullion held in the Trust Unallocated
Account; no more than 430 ounces of gold (maximum weight to make one London Good Delivery Bar), no more than 1,100 ounces of silver
(maximum weight to make one Silver Good Delivery Bar), no more than 192 ounces of platinum (maximum weight to make one Good Delivery
Platinum Plate or Ingot) and no more than 192 ounces of palladium (maximum weight to make one Good Delivery Palladium Plate or
Ingot) is expected to be held in the Trust Unallocated Account at the close of each business day.
Suspension
or rejection of redemption orders
The
Trustee may, in its discretion, and will when directed by the Sponsor, suspend the right of redemption, or postpone the redemption
settlement date, (1) for any period during which the NYSE Arca is closed other than customary weekend or holiday closings, or
trading on the NYSE Arca is suspended or restricted or (2) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which
delivery, disposal or evaluation of Bullion is not reasonably practicable. None of the Sponsor, the Trustee or the Custodian are
liable to any person or in any way for any loss or damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
The
Trustee will reject a redemption order if the order is not in proper form as described in the Authorized Participant Agreement
or if the fulfillment of the order, in the opinion of its counsel, might be unlawful.
Creation
and Redemption Transaction Fee
To
compensate the Trustee for services in processing the creation and redemption of Baskets, an Authorized Participant is required
to pay a transaction fee to the Trustee of $500 per order to create or redeem Baskets. An order may include multiple Baskets.
The transaction fee may be reduced, increased or otherwise changed by the Trustee with the consent of the Sponsor. From time to
time, the Trustee, with the consent of the Sponsor, may waive all or a portion of the applicable transaction fee. The Trustee
shall notify DTC of any agreement to change the transaction fee and will not implement any increase in the fee for the redemption
of Baskets until 30 days after the date of the notice.
Tax
Responsibility
Authorized
Participants are responsible for any transfer tax, sales or use tax, recording tax, value added tax or similar tax or governmental
charge applicable to the creation or redemption of Baskets, regardless of whether or not such tax or charge is imposed directly
on the Authorized Participant, and agree to indemnify the Sponsor, the Trustee and the Trust if they are required by law to pay
any such tax, together with any applicable penalties, additions to tax or interest thereon.
DESCRIPTION
OF THE TRUST AGREEMENT
The
Trust operates under the terms of the Trust Agreement, dated as of October 18, 2010 between the Sponsor and the Trustee. A copy
of the Trust Agreement is available for inspection at the Trustee’s office. The following is a description of the material
terms of the Trust Agreement.
The
Sponsor
This
section summarizes some of the important provisions of the Trust Agreement which apply to the Sponsor. For a general description
of the Sponsor’s role concerning the Trust, see “The Sponsor—The Sponsor’s Role.”
Liability
of the Sponsor and indemnification
The
Sponsor will not be liable to the Trustee or any Shareholder for any action taken or for refraining from taking any action in
good faith, or for errors in judgment or for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of the sale of any Bullion or other assets
of the Trust. However, the preceding liability exclusion will not protect the Sponsor against any liability resulting from its
own gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the performance of its duties.
The
Sponsor and its members, managers, directors, officers, employees, affiliates (as such term is defined under the Securities Act)
and subsidiaries shall be indemnified from the Trust and held harmless against any loss, liability or expense incurred without
(1) gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or willful malfeasance on the part of such indemnified party arising out of
or in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement and under each other agreement entered into
by the Sponsor in furtherance of the administration of the Trust (including, without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the
Custody Agreements and any Authorized Participant Agreement) or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Trust
Agreement or (2) reckless disregard on the part of such indemnified party of its obligations and duties under the Trust Agreement.
Such indemnity shall include payment from the Trust of the costs and expenses incurred by such indemnified party in defending
itself against any claim or liability in its capacity as Sponsor. Any amounts payable to an indemnified party may be payable in
advance or shall be secured by a lien on the Trust. The Sponsor may, in its discretion, undertake any action which it may deem
necessary or desirable in respect of the Trust Agreement and the interests of the Shareholders and, in such event, the legal expenses
and costs of any such actions shall be expenses and costs of the Trust and the Sponsor shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor
by the Trust.
The
Sponsor may rely on all information provided by the Trustee for securities filings, including a free writing prospectus or marketing
materials. If such information is incorrect or omits material information and is the foundation for a claim against the Sponsor,
the Sponsor may be entitled to indemnification from the Trust.
Successor
sponsors
If
the Sponsor is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Sponsor or of its property is appointed, or a trustee or liquidator
or any public officer takes charge or control of the Sponsor or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
conservation or liquidation, then, in any such case, the Trustee may terminate and liquidate the Trust and distribute its remaining
assets. The Trustee has no obligation to appoint a successor sponsor or to assume the duties of the Sponsor and will have no liability
to any person because the Trust is or is not terminated as described in the preceding sentence.
The
Trustee
This
section summarizes some of the important provisions of the Trust Agreement which apply to the Trustee. For a general description
of the Trustee’s role concerning the Trust, see “The Trustee—The Trustee’s Role.”
Qualifications
of the Trustee
The
Trustee and any successor trustee must be (1) a bank, trust company, corporation or national banking association organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States or any of its states, and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust powers; (2) a participant in DTC or such other securities depository as shall then be acting with respect to the Shares;
and (3) unless counsel to the Sponsor, the appointment of which is acceptable to the Trustee, determines that such requirement
is not necessary for the exception under section 408(m)(3)(B) of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code),
to apply, a banking institution as defined in Code section 408(n). The Trustee and any successor trustee must have, at all times,
an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits of at least $150 million.
General
duty of care of Trustee
The
Trustee is a fiduciary under the Trust Agreement; provided, however, that the fiduciary duties and responsibilities and liabilities
of the Trustee are limited by, and are only those specifically set forth in, the Trust Agreement. For limitations of the fiduciary
duties of the Trustee, see the limitations on liability set forth in “The Trustee—Limitation on Trustee’s liability”
and “The Trustee—Trustee’s liability for custodial services and agents.”
Limitation
on Trustee’s liability
The
Trustee will not be liable for the disposition of Bullion or moneys, or in respect of any evaluation which it makes under the
Trust Agreement or otherwise, or for any action taken or omitted or for any loss or injury resulting from its actions or its performance
or lack of performance of its duties under the Trust Agreement in the absence of gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith
on its part. In no event will the Trustee be liable for acting in accordance with or conclusively relying upon any instruction,
notice, demand, certificate or document (1) from the Sponsor or a Custodian or any entity acting on behalf of either which the
Trustee believes is given as authorized by the Trust Agreement or a Custody Agreement, respectively; or (2) from or on behalf
of any Authorized Participant which the Trustee believes is given pursuant to or is authorized by an Authorized Participant Agreement
(provided that the Trustee has complied with the verification procedures specified in the Authorized Participant Agreement). In
no event will the Trustee be liable for acting or omitting to act in reliance upon the advice of or information from legal counsel,
accountants or any other person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or information. In addition,
the Trustee will not be liable for any delay in performance or for the non-performance of any of its obligations under the Trust
Agreement by reason of causes beyond its reasonable control, including acts of God, war or terrorism. The Trustee will not be
liable for any indirect, consequential, punitive or special damages, regardless of the form of action and whether or not any such
damages were foreseeable or contemplated, or for an amount in excess of the value of the Trust’s assets.
Trustee’s
liability for custodial services and agents
The
Trustee will not be answerable for the default of the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodian, or any other custodian or sub- custodian
of the Trust’s Bullion employed at the direction of the Sponsor or selected by the Trustee with reasonable care. The Trustee
does not monitor the performance of the Custodian, the Zurich Sub-Custodians, or any other sub-custodian other than to review
the reports provided by the Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreements. The Trustee may also employ custodians for Trust assets
other than Bullion, agents, attorneys, accountants, auditors and other professionals and shall not be answerable for the default
or misconduct of any of them if they were selected with reasonable care. The fees and expenses charged by custodians for the custody
of Bullion and related services, agents, attorneys, accountants, auditors or other professionals, and expenses reimbursable to
any custodian under a custody agreement authorized by the Trust Agreement, exclusive of fees for services to be performed by the
Trustee, are expenses of the Sponsor or the Trust. Fees paid for the custody of assets other than Bullion will be an expense of
the Trustee.
Taxes
The
Trustee will not be personally liable for any taxes or other governmental charges imposed upon the Bullion or its custody, moneys
or other Trust assets, or on the income therefrom or the sale or proceeds of the sale thereof, or upon it as Trustee or upon or
in respect of the Trust or the Shares which it may be required to pay under any present or future law of the United States of
America or of any other taxing authority having jurisdiction in the premises. For all such taxes and charges and for any expenses,
including counsel’s fees, which the Trustee may sustain or incur with respect to such taxes or charges, the Trustee will
be reimbursed and indemnified out of the Trust’s assets and the payment of such amounts shall be secured by a lien on the
Trust.
Indemnification
of the Trustee
The
Trustee, its directors, employees and agents shall be indemnified from the Trust and held harmless against any loss, liability
or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) arising out of or in connection with the
performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement and under each other agreement entered into by the Trustee in furtherance
of the administration of the Trust (including, without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Custody Agreements and any Authorized
Participant Agreement, including the Trustee’s indemnification obligations under these agreements) or by reason of the Trustee’s
acceptance of the Trust incurred without (1) gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or willful malfeasance on the part
of such indemnified party in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement
or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement or (2) reckless disregard
on the part of such indemnified party of its obligations and duties under the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement. Such
indemnity shall include payment from the Trust of the costs and expenses incurred by such indemnified party in defending itself
against any claim or liability in its capacity as Trustee. Any amounts payable to an indemnified party may be payable in advance
or shall be secured by a lien on the Trust.
Indemnity
for actions taken to protect the Trust
The
Trustee is under no obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action that in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability,
unless it is furnished with reasonable security and indemnity against the expense or liability. The Trustee’s costs resulting
from the Trustee’s appearance in, prosecution of or defense of any such action are deductible from and will constitute a
lien against the Trust’s assets. Subject to the preceding conditions, the Trustee shall, in its discretion, undertake such
action as it may deem necessary to protect the Trust and the rights and interests of all Shareholders pursuant to the terms of
the Trust Agreement.
Protection
for amounts due to Trustee
If
any fees or costs owed to the Trustee under the Trust Agreement are not paid when due by the Sponsor, the Trustee may sell or
otherwise dispose of any Trust assets (including Bullion) and pay itself from the proceeds provided, however, that the Trustee
may not charge to the Trust unpaid fees owed to the Trustee by the Sponsor in excess of the fees payable to the Sponsor by the
Trust without regard to any waiver by the Sponsor of its fees. As security for all obligations owed to the Trustee under the Trust
Agreement, the Trustee is granted a continuing security interest in, and a lien on, the Trust’s assets and all Trust distributions.
Holding
of Trust property other than Bullion
The
Trustee holds and records the ownership of the Trust’s assets in a manner so that it is owned by the Trust and the Trustee
as trustee thereof for the benefit of the Shareholders for the purposes of, and subject to and limited by the terms and conditions
set forth in, the Trust Agreement. Other than issuance of the Shares, the Trust shall not issue or sell any certificates or other
obligations or, except as provided in the Trust Agreement, otherwise incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for money borrowed.
All
moneys held by the Trustee shall be held by it, without interest thereon or investment thereof, as a deposit for the account of
the Trust. Such monies held shall be deemed segregated by maintaining such monies in an account or accounts for the exclusive
benefit of the Trust. The Trustee may also employ custodians for Trust assets other than Bullion, agents, attorneys, accountants,
auditors and other professionals and shall not be answerable for the default or misconduct of any such custodians, agents, attorneys,
accountants, auditors and other professionals if such custodians, agents, attorneys, accountants, auditors or other professionals
shall have been selected with reasonable care. Any Trust assets other than Bullion or cash are held by the Trustee either directly
or through the Federal Reserve/Treasury Book Entry System for United States and federal agency securities (“Book Entry System”),
DTC, or through any other clearing agency or similar system (“Clearing Agency”), if available. The Trustee will have
no responsibility or liability for the actions or omissions of the Book Entry System, DTC or any Clearing Agency. The Trustee
shall not be liable for ascertaining or acting upon any calls, conversions, exchange offers, tenders, interest rate changes, or
similar matters relating to securities held at DTC.
Resignation,
discharge or removal of Trustee; successor trustees
The
Trustee may at any time resign as Trustee by written notice of its election so to do, delivered to the Sponsor, and such resignation
shall take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and its acceptance of such appointment.
The
Sponsor may remove the Trustee in its discretion on the fifth anniversary of the date of the Trust Agreement by written notice
delivered to the Trustee at least 90 days prior to such date or, thereafter, on the last day of any subsequent three-year period
by written notice delivered to the Trustee at least 90 days prior to such date.
The
Sponsor may also remove the Trustee at any time if the Trustee (1) ceases to be a Qualified Bank (as defined below), (2) is in
material breach of its obligations under the Trust Agreement and fails to cure such breach within 30 days after receipt of written
notice from the Sponsor or Shareholders acting on behalf of at least 25% of the outstanding Shares specifying such default and
requiring the Trustee to cure such default, or (3) fails to consent to the implementation of an amendment to the Trust’s
initial Internal Control Over Financial Reporting deemed necessary by the Sponsor and, after consultations with the Sponsor, the
Sponsor and the Trustee fail to resolve their differences regarding such proposed amendment. Under such circumstances, the Sponsor,
acting on behalf of the Shareholders, may remove the Trustee by written notice delivered to the Trustee and such removal shall
take effect upon the appointment of a successor Trustee and its acceptance of such appointment.
A
“Qualified Bank” means a bank, trust company, corporation or national banking association organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States or any State of the United States that is authorized under those laws to exercise corporate
trust powers and that (1) is a DTC Participant or a participant in such other depository as is then acting with respect to the
Shares; (2) unless counsel to the Sponsor, the appointment of which is acceptable to the Trustee, determines that the following
requirement is not necessary for the exception under section 408(m) of the Code, to apply, is a banking institution as defined
in section 408(n) of the Code and (3) had, as of the date of its most recent annual financial statements, an aggregate capital,
surplus and undivided profits of at least $150 million.
The
Sponsor may also remove the Trustee at any time if the Trustee merges into, consolidates with or is converted into another corporation
or entity in a transaction in which the Trustee is not the surviving entity. The surviving entity from such a transaction shall
be the successor of the Trustee without the execution or filing of any document or any further act; however, during the 90-day
period following the effectiveness of such transaction, the Sponsor may, by written notice to the Trustee, remove the Trustee
and designate a successor Trustee.
If
the Trustee resigns or is removed, the Sponsor, acting on behalf of the Shareholders, shall use its reasonable efforts to appoint
a successor Trustee, which shall be a Qualified Bank. Every successor Trustee shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and
to the Sponsor, acting on behalf of the Shareholders, an instrument in writing accepting its appointment, and thereupon such successor
Trustee, without any further act or deed, shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its
predecessor; but such predecessor, nevertheless, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Sponsor, acting
on behalf of the Shareholders, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of
such predecessor, shall duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest in the Trust’s assets to such successor,
and shall deliver to such successor a list of the Shareholders of all outstanding Shares. The Sponsor or any such successor Trustee
shall promptly mail notice of the appointment of such successor Trustee to the Shareholders.
If
the Trustee resigns and no successor trustee is appointed within 60 days after the date the Trustee issues its notice of resignation,
the Trustee will terminate and liquidate the Trust and distribute its remaining assets.
The
Custodian and Custody of the Trust’s Bullion
This
section summarizes some of the important provisions of the Trust Agreement which apply to the Custodian and the custody of the
Trust’s Bullion. For a general description of the Custodian’s role, see “The Custodian—The Custodian’s
Role.” For more information on the custody of the Trust’s Bullion, see “Custody of the Trust’s Bullion”
and “Description of the Custody Agreements.”
The
Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, entered into the Custody Agreements with the Custodian under which the Custodian maintains the
Trust Allocated Account and the Trust Unallocated Account.
If
upon the resignation of any custodian there would be no custodian acting pursuant to the Custody Agreements, the Trustee shall,
promptly after receiving notice of such resignation, appoint a substitute custodian or custodians selected by the Sponsor pursuant
to custody agreements approved by the Sponsor; provided, however, that the rights and duties of the Trustee under the Trust Agreement
and such custody agreements shall not be materially altered without its consent. When directed by the Sponsor or if the Trustee
in its discretion determines that it is in the best interest of the Shareholders to do so and with the written approval of the
Sponsor (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), the Trustee shall appoint a substitute or additional custodian
or custodians, which shall thereafter be one of the custodians under the Trust Agreement. The Trustee shall not enter into or
amend any custody agreement with a custodian without the written approval of the Sponsor (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed). When instructed by the Sponsor, the Trustee shall demand that a custodian of the Trust deliver such of the
Trust’s Bullion held by it as is requested of it to any other custodian or such substitute or additional custodian or custodians
directed by the Sponsor. Each such substitute or additional custodian shall, forthwith upon its appointment, enter into a custody
agreement in form and substance approved by the Sponsor.
The
Sponsor will appoint accountants or other inspectors to monitor the accounts and operations of the Custodian and any successor
custodian or additional custodian and for enforcing the obligations of each such custodian as is necessary to protect the Trust
and the rights and interests of the Shareholders. The Trustee has no obligation to monitor the activities of any Custodian other
than to receive and review such reports of the Bullion held for the Trust by such Custodian and of transactions in Bullion held
for the account of the Trust made by such Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreements. See “The Trustee—The Trustee’s
Role” for a description of limitations on the ability of the Trustee to monitor the performance of the Custodian. In the
event that the Sponsor determines that the maintenance of Bullion with a particular custodian is not in the best interests of
the Shareholders, the Sponsor will direct the Trustee to initiate action to remove the Bullion from the custody of such custodian
or take such other action as the Trustee determines appropriate to safeguard the interests of the Shareholders. The Trustee shall
have no liability for any such action taken at the direction of the Sponsor or, in the absence of such direction, any action taken
by it in good faith. The Trustee’s only contractual rights are to direct the Custodian pursuant to the Custody Agreements,
and the Trustee has no contractual right or obligation to direct any Zurich Sub-Custodian.
Valuation
of Bullion, Definition of Net Asset Value and Adjusted Net Asset Value
On
each day that the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, as promptly as practicable after 4:00 p.m., New York time, on such day
(“Evaluation Time”), the Trustee evaluates the Bullion held by the Trust and determines both the ANAV and the NAV
of the Trust.
At
the Evaluation Time, the Trustee will value the Trust’s Bullion on the basis of that day’s London Metal Price for
such metal or, if no London Metal Price is made for a metal on such day or has not been announced by the Evaluation Time, the
next most recent London Metal Price announced for such metal determined prior to the Evaluation Time will be used, unless the
Sponsor determines that such price is inappropriate as a basis for evaluation. In the event the Sponsor determines that the applicable
London Metal Price or such other publicly available price as the Sponsor may deem fairly represents the commercial value of the
Trust’s Bullion metal is not an appropriate basis for evaluation of the Trust’s Bullion metal, it shall identify an
alternative basis for such evaluation to be employed by the Trustee. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor shall be liable to any
person for the determination that the London Metal Price or such other publicly available price is not appropriate as a basis
for evaluation of the Trust’s Bullion or for any determination as to the alternative basis for such evaluation provided
that such determination is made in good faith. See “Operation of the Bullion Markets” for a description of the London
Metal Price for each Bullion metal.
Once
the value of the Bullion has been determined, the Trustee subtracts all estimated accrued fees (other than the fees accruing for
such day on which the valuation takes place computed by reference to the value of the Trust or its assets), expenses and other
liabilities of the Trust from the total value of the Bullion and any other assets of the Trust. The resulting figure is the ANAV
of the Trust. The ANAV of the Trust is used to compute the Sponsor’s Fee.
All
fees accruing for the day on which the valuation takes place computed by reference to the value of the Trust or its assets are
calculated using the ANAV calculated for such day on which the valuation takes place. The Trustee subtracts from the ANAV the
amount of accrued fees so computed for such day and the resulting figure is the NAV of the Trust. The Trustee also determines
the NAV per Share by dividing the NAV of the Trust by the number of the Shares outstanding as of the close of trading on the NYSE
Arca (which includes the net number of any Shares created or redeemed on such evaluation day).
Any
estimate of the accrued but unpaid fees, expenses and liabilities of the Trust for purposes of computing the NAV of the Trust
and ANAV made by the Trustee in good faith shall be conclusive upon all persons interested in the Trust and no revision or correction
in any computation made under the Trust Agreement will be required by reason of any difference in amounts estimated from those
actually paid.
The
Sponsor and the Shareholders may rely on any evaluation furnished by the Trustee, and the Sponsor has no responsibility for the
evaluation’s accuracy. The determinations the Trustee makes will be made in good faith upon the basis of, and the Trustee
will not be liable for any errors contained in, information reasonably available to it. The Trustee will not be liable to the
Sponsor, DTC, Authorized Participants, the Shareholders or any other person for errors in judgment. However, the preceding liability
exclusion will not protect the Trustee against any liability resulting from bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of
its duties.
Other
Expenses
If
at any time, other expenses are incurred outside the daily business of the Trust and the Sponsor’s Fee, the Trustee will
at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion sell the Trust’s Bullion as necessary to pay such expenses. The
Trust shall not bear any expenses incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered.
These expenses shall be paid by the Sponsor.
Sales
of Bullion
The
Trustee will at the direction of the Sponsor or, in the absence of such direction, may, in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s
Bullion as necessary to pay the Trust’s expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor. The Trustee will not sell Bullion
to pay the Sponsor’s Fee. The Sponsor’s Fee is paid through delivery of Bullion from the Trust Unallocated Account
that had been de-allocated from the Trust Allocated Account for this purpose. When selling Bullion to pay other expenses, the
Trustee is authorized to sell the smallest amounts of Bullion needed to pay expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings
of assets other than Bullion. The Trustee places orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) as directed by the Sponsor
or, in the absence of such direction, with dealers through which the Trustee may reasonably expect to obtain a favorable price
and good execution of orders. The Custodian may be the purchaser of such Bullion at the price used by the Trustee to determine
the value of the Trust’s Bullion on the date of sale. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or
loss incurred by reason of any sale. See “United States Federal Income Tax Consequences—Taxation of US Shareholders”
for information on the tax treatment of Bullion sales.
The
Trustee will also sell the Trust’s Bullion if the Sponsor notifies the Trustee that sale is required by applicable law or
regulation or in connection with the termination and liquidation of the Trust. The Trustee will not be liable or responsible in
any way for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale of Bullion directed by the Sponsor.
Any
property received by the Trust other than Bullion, cash or an amount receivable in cash (such as, for example, an insurance claim)
will be promptly sold or otherwise disposed of by the Trustee at the direction of the Sponsor.
Any
disposition of Bullion by the Trustee to pay the Sponsor’s Fee, to pay other expenses of the Trust or for any other reason
will be executed by the disposition of gold, silver, platinum and palladium in such proportions so as to ensure that the Bullion
held by the Trust, if any, following such sale or sales is in the same ratio of metals as the Bullion required for a Creation
Basket Deposit.
The
Securities Depository; Book Entry-Only System; Global Security
DTC
acts as securities depository for the Shares. DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of
New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of section 17A of the Exchange Act.
DTC was created to hold securities of DTC Participants and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in such
securities among the DTC Participants through electronic book-entry changes. This eliminates the need for physical movement of
securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations,
and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. Access to the DTC system is also available
to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant, either directly or indirectly. DTC is expected to agree with and represent to the DTC Participants that it will administer
its book- entry system in accordance with its rules and by-laws and the requirements of law.
Individual
certificates will not be issued for the Shares. Instead, one or more global certificates are signed by the Trustee on behalf of
the Trust, registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC, and deposited with the Trustee on behalf of DTC. The
global certificates evidence all of the Shares outstanding at any time. The representations, undertakings and agreements made
on the part of the Trust in the global certificates are made and intended for the purpose of binding only the Trust and not the
Trustee or the Sponsor individually.
Upon
the settlement date of any creation, transfer or redemption of Shares, DTC credits or debits, on its book-entry registration and
transfer system, the amount of the Shares so created, transferred or redeemed to the accounts of the appropriate DTC Participants.
The Trustee and the Authorized Participants designate the accounts to be credited and charged in the case of creation or redemption
of Shares.
Beneficial
ownership of the Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants
and Indirect Participants. Owners of beneficial interests in the Shares are shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected
only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants), the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect
Participants), and the records of Indirect Participants (with respect to Shareholders that are not DTC Participants or Indirect
Participants). Shareholders are expected to receive from or through the DTC Participant maintaining the account through which
the Shareholder has purchased their Shares a written confirmation relating to such purchase.
Shareholders
that are not DTC Participants may transfer the Shares through DTC by instructing the DTC Participant or Indirect Participant through
which the Shareholders hold their Shares to transfer the Shares. Shareholders that are DTC Participants may transfer the Shares
by instructing DTC in accordance with the rules of DTC. Transfers are made in accordance with standard securities industry practice.
DTC
may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Baskets and/or the Shares by giving notice to the Trustee and
the Sponsor. Under such circumstances, the Sponsor will find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost
or, if a replacement is unavailable, the Trustee will terminate the Trust.
The
rights of the Shareholders generally must be exercised by DTC Participants acting on their behalf in accordance with the rules
and procedures of DTC. Because the Shares can only be held in book-entry form through DTC and DTC Participants, investors must
rely on DTC, DTC Participants and any other financial intermediary through which they hold the Shares to receive the benefits
and exercise the rights described in this section. Investors should consult with their broker or financial institution to find
out about procedures and requirements for securities held in book-entry form through DTC.
Share
Splits
If
the Sponsor believes that the per Share price in the secondary market for Shares has fallen outside a desirable trading price
range, the Sponsor may direct the Trustee to declare a split or reverse split in the number of Shares outstanding and to make
a corresponding change in the number of Shares constituting a Basket.
Books
and Records
The
Trustee will keep proper books of record and account of the Trust at its office located in New York or such office as it may subsequently
designate. These books of record are open to inspection by any person who establishes to the Trustee’s satisfaction that
such person is a Shareholder at all reasonable times during the usual business hours of the Trustee.
The
Trustee will keep a copy of the Trust Agreement on file in its office which is available for inspection at all reasonable times
during its usual business hours by any Shareholder.
Statements,
Filings and Reports
After
the end of each fiscal year, the Sponsor causes to be prepared an annual report for the Trust containing audited financial statements.
The annual report is in such form and contains such information as is required by applicable laws, rules and regulations and may
contain such additional information which the Sponsor determines shall be included. The annual report shall be filed with the
SEC and the NYSE Arca and shall be distributed to such persons and in such manner, as shall be required by applicable laws, rules
and regulations.
The
Sponsor is responsible for the registration and qualification of the Shares under the federal securities laws and any other securities
and blue sky laws of the US or any other jurisdiction as the Sponsor may select. The Sponsor will also prepare, or cause to be
prepared, and file any periodic reports or updates required under the Exchange Act. The Trustee will assist and support the Sponsor
in the preparation of such reports.
The
accounts of the Trust are audited, as required by law and as may be directed by the Sponsor, by independent registered public
accountants designated from time to time by the Sponsor. The accountant’s report will be furnished by the Trustee to Shareholders
upon request.
The
Trustee will make such elections, file such tax returns, and prepare, disseminate and file such tax reports, as it is advised
to by its counsel or accountants or as required from time to time by any applicable statute, rule or regulation.
Fiscal
Year
The
fiscal year of the Trust is the 12 month period ending December 31 of each year. The Sponsor may select an alternate fiscal year.
Termination
of the Trust
The
Trustee will set a date on which the Trust shall terminate and mail notice of the termination to the Shareholders at least 30
days prior to the date set for termination if any of the following occurs:
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The Trustee is notified
that the Shares are delisted from the NYSE Arca and are not approved for listing on another national securities exchange within
five business days of their delisting;
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Shareholders acting
in respect of at least 75% of the outstanding Shares notify the Trustee that they elect to terminate the Trust;
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60 days have elapsed
since the Trustee notified the Sponsor of the Trustee’s election to resign and a successor trustee has not been appointed
and accepted its appointment;
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the SEC determines
that the Trust is an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Trustee has actual knowledge of such
SEC determination;
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the aggregate market
capitalization of the Trust, based on the closing price for the Shares, was less than $350 million (as adjusted for inflation)
at any time after the first anniversary after the Trust’s formation and the Trustee receives, within six months after
the last of those trading days, notice from the Sponsor of its decision to terminate the Trust;
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the CFTC determines
that the Trust is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Trustee has actual knowledge of that determination;
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the Trust fails
to qualify for treatment, or ceases to be treated, for US federal income tax purposes, as a grantor trust, and the Trustee
receives notice from the Sponsor that the Sponsor determines that, because of that tax treatment or change in tax treatment,
termination of the Trust is advisable;
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60 days have elapsed
since DTC ceases to act as depository with respect to the Shares and the Sponsor has not identified another depository which
is willing to act in such capacity; or
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the Trustee elects
to terminate the Trust after the Sponsor is deemed conclusively to have resigned effective immediately as a result of the
Sponsor being adjudged bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the Sponsor or of its property being appointed, or a trustee
or liquidator or any public officer taking charge or control of the Sponsor or of its property or affairs for the purpose
of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation.
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On
and after the date of termination of the Trust, the Shareholders will, upon (1) surrender of Shares then held, (2) payment of
the fee of the Trustee for the surrender of Shares, and (3) payment of any applicable taxes or other governmental charges, be
entitled to delivery of the amount of Trust assets represented by those Shares. The Trustee shall not accept any deposits of Bullion
after the date of termination. If any Shares remain outstanding after the date of termination, the Trustee thereafter shall discontinue
the registration of transfers of Shares, shall not make any distributions to Shareholders, and shall not give any further notices
or perform any further acts under the Trust Agreement, except that the Trustee will continue to collect distributions pertaining
to Trust assets and hold the same uninvested and without liability for interest, pay the Trust’s expenses and sell Bullion
as necessary to meet those expenses and will continue to deliver Trust assets, together with any distributions received with respect
thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any other property, in exchange for Shares surrendered to the Trustee (after deducting
or upon payment of, in each case, the fee of the Trustee for the surrender of Shares, any expenses for the account of the Shareholders
in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement, and any applicable taxes or other governmental charges).
At
any time after the expiration of 90 days following the date of termination of the Trust, the Trustee may sell the Trust assets
then held under the Trust Agreement and may thereafter hold the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then
held by the Trustee under the Trust Agreement, without liability for interest, for the pro rata benefit of the Shareholders that
have not theretofore surrendered their Shares. After making such sale, the Trustee shall be discharged from all obligations under
the Trust Agreement, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, in each case, any fees, expenses,
taxes or other governmental charges payable by the Trust, the fee of the Trustee for the surrender of Shares and any expenses
for the account of the Shareholders in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Trust Agreement, and any applicable taxes
or other governmental charges). Upon the termination of the Trust, the Sponsor shall be discharged from all obligations under
the Trust Agreement except for its certain obligations to the Trustee that survive termination of the Trust Agreement.
Amendments
The
Trustee and the Sponsor may amend any provisions of the Trust Agreement without the consent of any Shareholder. Any amendment
that imposes or increases any fees or charges (other than taxes and other governmental charges, registration fees or other such
expenses), or that otherwise prejudices any substantial existing right of the Shareholders will not become effective as to outstanding
Shares until 30 days after notice of such amendment is given to the Shareholders. Amendments to allow redemption for quantities
of Bullion smaller or larger than a Basket or to allow for the sale of Bullion to pay cash proceeds upon redemption shall not
require notice pursuant to the preceding sentence. Every Shareholder, at the time any amendment so becomes effective, shall be
deemed, by continuing to hold any Shares or an interest therein, to consent and agree to such amendment and to be bound by the
Trust Agreement as amended thereby. In no event shall any amendment impair the right of the Shareholder to surrender Baskets and
receive therefor the amount of Trust assets represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable
law.
On
September 20, 2018, the Sponsor entered into an amendment to the Trust Agreement with the Trustee (the “DTA Amendment”),
effective as of October 1, 2018. The DTA Amendment reflects the changed name of the Trust from ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust
to Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, the changed name of the Shares from ETFS Physical PM Basket Shares to Aberdeen
Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF, and the changed name of the Sponsor from ETF Securities USA LLC to Aberdeen
Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC. No other material changes to the Trust Agreement were made in connection with the DTA Amendment.
Governing
Law; Consent to New York Jurisdiction
The
Trust Agreement, and the rights of the Sponsor, the Trustee, DTC (as registered owner of the Trust’s global certificates
for Shares) and the Shareholders under the Trust Agreement, are governed by the laws of the State of New York. The Sponsor, the
Trustee and each Authorized Participant by its delivery of an Authorized Participant Agreement and each Shareholder by accepting
a Share, consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and any federal courts located in the borough of
Manhattan in New York City. Such consent in not required for any person to assert a claim of New York jurisdiction over the Sponsor
or the Trustee.
UNITED
STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The
following discussion of the material US federal income tax consequences that generally applies to the purchase, ownership and
disposition of Shares by a US Shareholder, and certain US federal income tax consequences that may apply to an investment in Shares
by a Non-US Shareholder (as defined below). The discussion represents, insofar as it describes conclusions as to US federal income
tax law and subject to the limitations and qualifications described below, the opinion of Dechert LLP, counsel to the Sponsor
and special US tax counsel to the Trust. An opinion of counsel, however, is not binding on the United States Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) or on the courts, and does not preclude the IRS from taking a contrary position. The discussion below is based on
the Code, United States Treasury Regulations (“Treasury Regulations”) promulgated under the Code and judicial and
administrative interpretations of the Code, all as in effect on the date of this prospectus and all of which are subject to change
either prospectively or retroactively. The tax treatment of Shareholders may vary depending upon their own particular circumstances.
Certain Shareholders (including broker-dealers, traders, banks and other financial institutions, insurance companies, real estate
investment trusts, tax-exempt entities, Shareholders whose functional currency is not the US dollar or other investors with special
circumstances) may be subject to special rules not discussed below. In addition, the following discussion applies only to investors
who hold Shares as “capital assets” within the meaning of Code section 1221 and not as part of a straddle, hedging
transaction or a conversion or constructive sale transaction. Moreover, the discussion below does not address the effect of any
state, local or foreign tax law or any transfer tax on an owner of Shares. Purchasers of Shares are urged to consult their own
tax advisors with respect to all federal, state, local and foreign tax law or any transfer tax considerations potentially applicable
to their investment in Shares.
For
purposes of this discussion, a “US Shareholder” is a Shareholder that is:
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individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;
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a
corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal tax purposes) created
or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof;
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an
estate, the income of which is includible in gross income for US federal income tax purposes
regardless of its source; or
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a
trust, if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over
the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control
all substantial decisions of the trust.
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Shareholder that is not a US Shareholder (other than a partnership, or an entity treated as a partnership for US federal tax purposes)
generally is considered a “Non-US Shareholder” for purposes of this discussion. For US federal income tax purposes,
the treatment of any beneficial owner of an interest in a partnership, including any entity treated as a partnership for US federal
income tax purposes, generally depends upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. Partnerships
and partners in partnerships should consult their tax advisors about the US federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning
and disposing of Shares.
Taxation
of the Trust
The
Trust is classified as a “grantor trust” for US federal income tax purposes. As a result, the Trust itself is not
subject to US federal income tax. Instead, the Trust’s income and expenses “flow through” to the Shareholders,
and the Trustee reports the Trust’s income, gains, losses and deductions to the IRS on that basis.
Taxation
of US Shareholders
Shareholders
generally are treated, for US federal income tax purposes, as if they directly owned a pro rata share of the underlying assets
held by the Trust. Shareholders are also treated as if they directly received their respective pro rata share of the Trust’s
income, if any, and as if they directly incurred their respective pro rata share of the Trust’s expenses. In the case of
a Shareholder that purchases Shares for cash, its initial tax basis in its pro rata share of the assets held by the Trust at the
time it acquires its Shares is equal to its cost of acquiring the Shares. In the case of a Shareholder that acquires its Shares
as part of a creation of a Basket, the delivery of bullion to the Trust in exchange for the Shares is not a taxable event to the
Shareholder, and the Shareholder’s tax basis and holding period for the Shares are the same as its tax basis and holding
period for the bullion delivered in exchange therefor (except to the extent of any cash contributed for such Shares). For purposes
of this discussion, it is assumed that all of a Shareholder’s Shares are acquired on the same date and at the same price
per Share. Shareholders that hold multiple lots of Shares, or that are contemplating acquiring multiple lots of Shares, should
consult their tax advisors.
When
the Trust sells or transfers precious metal, for example to pay expenses, a Shareholder generally will recognize gain or loss
in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the Shareholder’s pro rata share of the amount realized by the Trust upon
the sale or transfer and (2) the Shareholder’s tax basis for its pro rata share of the precious metal that was sold or transferred.
Such gain or loss will generally be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending upon whether the Shareholder has a
holding period in its Shares of longer than one year. A Shareholder’s tax basis for its Shares generally will be determined
by multiplying the Shareholder’s total basis for its share of all of the precious metal held in the Trust immediately prior
to the sale, by a fraction the numerator of which is the amount of precious metal sold, and the denominator of which is the total
amount of the precious metal held in the Trust immediately prior to the sale. After any such sale, a Shareholder’s tax basis
for its pro rata share of the precious metal remaining in the Trust will be equal to its tax basis for its Shares immediately
prior to the sale, less the portion of such basis allocable to its share of the precious metal that was sold.
Upon
a Shareholder’s sale of some or all of its Shares, the Shareholder will be treated as having sold a pro rata share of the
precious metal held in the Trust at the time of the sale. Accordingly, the Shareholder generally will recognize gain or loss on
the sale in an amount equal to the difference between (1) the amount realized pursuant to the sale of the Shares, and (2) the
Shareholder’s tax basis for the Shares sold, as determined in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
A
redemption of some or all of a Shareholder’s Shares in exchange for the underlying precious metal represented by the Shares
redeemed generally will not be a taxable event to the Shareholder. The Shareholder’s tax basis for the precious metal received
in the redemption generally will be the same as the Shareholder’s tax basis for the Shares redeemed. The Shareholder’s
holding period with respect to the precious metal received should include the period during which the Shareholder held the Shares
redeemed. A subsequent sale of the precious metal received by the Shareholder will be a taxable event.
An
Authorized Participant and other investors may be able to re-invest, on a tax-deferred basis, in-kind redemption proceeds received
from exchange-traded products that are substantially similar to the Trust in the Trust’s Shares. Authorized Participants
and other investors should consult their tax advisors as to whether and under what circumstances the reinvestment in the Shares
of proceeds from substantially similar exchange-traded products can be accomplished on a tax-deferred basis.
Under
current law, gains recognized by individuals, estates or trusts from the sale of “collectibles,” including precious
metal bullion, held for more than one year are taxed at a maximum federal income tax rate of 28%, rather than the 20% rate applicable
to most other long-term capital gains. For these purposes, gains recognized by an individual upon the sale of Shares held for
more than one year, or attributable to the Trust’s sale of any precious metal bullion which the Shareholder is treated (through
its ownership of Shares) as having held for more than one year, generally will be taxed at a maximum rate of 28%. The tax rates
for capital gains recognized upon the sale of assets held by an individual US Shareholder for one year or less or by a corporate
taxpayer are generally the same as those at which ordinary income is taxed.
In
addition, high-income individuals and certain trusts and estates are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax that is imposed
on net investment income and gain. Shareholders should consult their tax advisor regarding this tax.
Brokerage
Fees and Trust Expenses
Any
brokerage or other transaction fees incurred by a Shareholder in purchasing Shares is treated as part of the Shareholder’s
tax basis in the Shares. Similarly, any brokerage fee incurred by a Shareholder in selling Shares reduces the amount realized
by the Shareholder with respect to the sale.
Shareholders
will be required to recognize a gain or loss upon a sale of precious metal by the Trust (as discussed above), even though some
or all of the proceeds of such sale are used by the Trustee to pay Trust expenses. Shareholders may deduct their respective pro
rata share of each expense incurred by the Trust to the same extent as if they directly incurred the expense. Shareholders who
are individuals, estates or trusts, however, may be required to treat some or all of the expenses of the Trust, to the extent
that such expenses may be deducted, as miscellaneous itemized deductions. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (P.L. 115-97), miscellaneous
itemized deductions, including expenses for the production of income, will not be deductible for either regular federal income
tax or alternative minimum tax purposes for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2026.
Investment
by Regulated Investment Companies
Mutual
funds and other investment vehicles which are “regulated investment companies” within the meaning of Code section
851 should consult with their tax advisors concerning (1) the likelihood that an investment in Shares, although they are a “security”
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, may be considered an investment in the underlying bullion for purposes
of Code section 851(b), and (2) the extent to which an investment in Shares might nevertheless be consistent with preservation
of their qualification under Code section 851. In recent administrative guidance, the IRS stated that it will no longer issue
rulings under Code section 851(b) relating to the determination of whether or not an instrument or position is a “security”,
but, instead, intends to defer to guidance from the SEC for such determination.
United
States Information Reporting and Backup Withholding Tax for US and Non-US Shareholders
The
Trustee or the appropriate broker will file certain information returns with the IRS, and provides certain tax-related information
to Shareholders, in accordance with applicable Treasury Regulations. Each Shareholder will be provided with information regarding
its allocable portion of the Trust’s annual income (if any) and expenses.
A
US Shareholder may be subject to US backup withholding tax in certain circumstances unless it provides its taxpayer identification
number and complies with certain certification procedures. Non-US Shareholders may have to comply with certification procedures
to establish that they are not a US person in order to avoid the backup withholding tax.
The
amount of any backup withholding tax will be allowed as a credit against a Shareholder’s US federal income tax liability
and may entitle such a Shareholder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.
Income
Taxation of Non-US Shareholders
The
Trust does not expect to generate taxable income except for gains (if any) upon the sale of precious metal. A Non-US Shareholder
generally is not subject to US federal income tax with respect to gains recognized upon the sale or other disposition of Shares,
or upon the sale of precious metal by the Trust, unless (1) the Non-US Shareholder is an individual and is present in the United
States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or other disposition, and the gain is treated as being from United
States sources; or (2) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-US Shareholder of a trade or business in
the United States.
Taxation
in Jurisdictions other than the United States
Prospective
purchasers of Shares that are based in or acting out of a jurisdiction other than the United States are advised to consult their
own tax advisers as to the tax consequences, under the laws of such jurisdiction (or any other jurisdiction not being the United
States to which they are subject), of their purchase, holding, sale and redemption of or any other dealing in Shares and, in particular,
as to whether any value added tax, other consumption tax or transfer tax is payable in relation to such purchase, holding, sale,
redemption or other dealing.
ERISA
AND RELATED CONSIDERATIONS
The
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or Code section 4975 impose certain requirements
on certain employee benefit plans and certain other plans and arrangements, including individual retirement accounts and annuities,
Keogh plans, and certain commingled investment vehicles or insurance company general or separate accounts in which such plans
or arrangements are invested (collectively, “Plans”), and on persons who are fiduciaries with respect to the investment
of “plan assets” of a Plan. Government plans and some church plans are not subject to the fiduciary responsibility
provisions of ERISA or the provisions of section 4975 of the Code, but may be subject to substantially similar rules under other
federal law, or under state or local law (“Other Law”).
In
contemplating an investment of a portion of Plan assets in Shares, the Plan fiduciary responsible for making such investment should
carefully consider, taking into account the facts and circumstances of the Plan and the “Risk Factors” discussed above
and whether such investment is consistent with its fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA or Other Law, including, but not limited
to: (1) whether the investment is permitted under the plan’s governing documents, (2) whether the fiduciary has the authority
to make the investment, (3) whether the investment is consistent with the plan’s funding objectives, (4) the tax effects
of the investment on the Plan, and (5) whether the investment is prudent considering the factors discussed in this prospectus.
In addition, ERISA and Code section 4975 prohibit a broad range of transactions involving assets of a plan and persons who are
“parties in interest” under ERISA or “disqualified persons” under section 4975 of the Code. A violation
of these rules may result in the imposition of significant excise taxes and other liabilities. Plans subject to Other Law may
be subject to similar restrictions.
It
is anticipated that the Shares will constitute “publicly offered securities” as defined in the Department of Labor
“Plan Asset Regulations,” §2510.3-101 (b)(2) as modified by section 3(42) of ERISA. Accordingly, pursuant to
the Plan Asset Regulations, only Shares purchased by a Plan, and not an interest in the underlying assets held in the Trust, should
be treated as assets of the Plan, for purposes of applying the “fiduciary responsibility” rules of ERISA and the “prohibited
transaction” rules of ERISA and the Code. Fiduciaries of plans subject to Other Law should consult legal counsel to determine
whether there would be a similar result under the Other Law.
Investment
by Certain Retirement Plans
Code
section 408(m) provides that the acquisition of a “collectible” by an individual retirement account (“IRA”)
or a participant-directed account maintained under any plan that is tax-qualified under Code section 401(a) (“Tax Qualified
Account”) is treated as a taxable distribution from the account to the owner of the IRA, or to the participant for whom
the Tax Qualified Account is maintained, of an amount equal to the cost to the account of acquiring the collectible. The term
“collectible” is defined to include, with certain exceptions, “any metal or gem”. The IRS has issued several
private letter rulings to the effect that a purchase by an IRA, or by a participant-directed account under a Code section 401(a)
plan, of publicly-traded shares in a trust holding precious metals will not be treated as resulting in a taxable distribution
to the IRA owner or Tax Qualified Account participant under Code section 408(m). However the private letter rulings provide that,
if any of the Shares so purchased are distributed from the IRA or Tax Qualified Account to the IRA owner or Tax Qualified Account
participant, or if any precious metal is received by such IRA or Tax Qualified Account upon the redemption of any of the Shares
purchased by it, the Shares or precious metal so distributed will be subject to federal income tax in the year of distribution,
to the extent provided under the applicable provisions of Code sections 408(d), 408(m) or 402. Accordingly, potential IRA or Tax
Qualified Account investors are urged to consult with their own professional advisors concerning the treatment of an investment
in Shares under Code section 408(m).
PLAN
OF DISTRIBUTION
The
Trust issues Shares in Baskets to Authorized Participants in exchange for deposits of Bullion on a continuous basis. The Trust
does not issue fractions of a Basket. Because new Shares can be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the
life of the Trust, a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act, will be occurring. Broker-dealers
and other persons are cautioned that some of their activities will result in their being deemed participants in a distribution
in a manner which would render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus-delivery and liability provisions
of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or its client will be deemed a statutory underwriter if it purchases
a Basket from the Trust, breaks the Basket down into the constituent Shares and sells the Shares directly to its customers; or
if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary
market demand for the Shares. A determination of whether a particular market participant is an underwriter must take into account
all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the
examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to designation
as an underwriter.
Investors
that purchase Shares through a commission/fee-based brokerage account may pay commissions/fees charged by the brokerage account.
We recommend that investors review the terms of their brokerage accounts for details on applicable charges.
Dealers
that are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions),
and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of section 4(a)(3)(C) of the
Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption provided by section 4(a)(3) of the Securities
Act.
The
Sponsor intends to qualify the Shares in states selected by the Sponsor and that sales be made through broker-dealers who are
members of FINRA. Investors intending to create or redeem Baskets through Authorized Participants in transactions not involving
a broker-dealer registered in such investor’s state of domicile or residence should consult their legal advisor regarding
applicable broker-dealer or securities regulatory requirements under the state securities laws prior to such creation or redemption.
The
offering of Baskets is being made in compliance with applicable rules of FINRA. The Authorized Participants will not receive from
the Trust or the Sponsor any compensation in connection with an offering of the Shares. Accordingly, there is, and will be, no
payment of underwriting compensation in connection with any such offering of Shares in excess of 10% of the gross proceeds of
the offering.
Pursuant
to a Marketing Agent Agreement (“Agent Agreement”) between ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Marketing Agent”)
and the Sponsor, the Marketing Agent provides marketing services under contract to the Sponsor and is paid by the Sponsor a certain
amount per annum, plus any fees or disbursements incurred by the Marketing Agent in connection with marketing of the Trust and
its Shares. The Trust is not responsible for the payment of any amounts to the Marketing Agent. The Sponsor and its parent, ASII,
are solely responsible for the payment of the amounts due to the Marketing Agent under the Agent Agreement.
On
September 20, 2018, the Agent Agreement was novated from ETF Securities (US) LLC to the Sponsor and amended (the “Agent
Agreement Novation and Amendment”), effective as of October 1, 2018. The Agent Agreement Novation and Amendment reflects
the changed name of the Trust from ETFS Precious Metals Basket Trust to Aberdeen Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust, the
changed name of the Shares from ETFS Physical PM Basket Shares to Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals Basket Shares ETF,
and the changed name of the Sponsor from ETF Securities USA LLC to Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC. No other material
changes to the Agent Agreement were made in connection with the Agent Agreement Novation and Amendment.
See
“Creation and Redemption of Shares” for additional information about the Trust’s procedures for issuance of
Shares in Baskets.
Under
the Agent Agreement, the Marketing Agent provides the following services to the Sponsor:
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Review marketing related legal documents and
contracts;
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Consult with the Sponsor on the development
of FINRA-compliant marketing campaigns;
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Consult with the Trust’s legal counsel
on free-writing prospectus materials and disclosures in all marketing materials;
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Review and file with FINRA marketing materials
that are not free-writing prospectus materials;
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Register and oversee supervisory activities
of FINRA-licensed personnel; and
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Maintain books and records related to the services
provided.
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The Shares trade on the NYSE Arca
under the symbol “GLTR.”
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LEGAL
MATTERS
The
validity of the Shares has been passed upon for the Sponsor by Dechert LLP, Washington, DC, who, as special US tax counsel to
the Trust, also rendered an opinion regarding the material US federal income tax consequences relating to the Shares.
LBMA
Gold Price and LBMA Silver Price
All
references to LBMA Gold Price and LBMA Silver Price are used with the permission of IBA and have been provided for information
purposes only. IBA accepts no liability or responsibility for the accuracy of the prices or the underlying product to which the
prices may be referenced.
THE
LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE, WHICH ARE ADMINISTERED AND PUBLISHED BY IBA, SERVES AS, OR AS PART OF, AN INPUT OR UNDERLYING
REFERENCE FOR THE TRUST.
EACH
OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE IS A TRADE MARK OF PRECIOUS METALS PRICES LIMITED, AND IS LICENSED TO IBA AS THE
ADMINISTRATOR OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE. IBA IS A TRADE MARK OF IBA AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. THE LBMA GOLD PRICE
AM, LBMA GOLD PRICE PM, LBMA SILVER PRICE AND THE TRADE MARKS LBMA GOLD PRICE, LBMA SILVER PRICE AND IBA, ARE USED BY THE SPONSOR
WITH PERMISSION UNDER LICENCE BY IBA.
IBA
AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO CLAIM, PREDICATION, WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO
BE OBTAINED FROM ANY USE OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE, THE LBMA SILVER PRICE, OR THE APPROPRIATENESS OR SUITABILITY OF THE LBMA GOLD
PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO WHICH IT MIGHT BE PUT, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO THE TRUST. TO THE FULLEST
EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL IMPLIED TERMS, CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, AS TO QUALITY,
MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PURPOSE, TITLE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, IN RELATION TO THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE, ARE
HEREBY EXCLUDED, AND NONE OF IBA OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE IN CONTRACT OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), FOR BREACH
OF STATUTORY DUTY OR NUISANCE, OR UNDER ANTITRUST LAWS OR OTHERWISE, IN RESPECT OF ANY INACCURACIES, ERRORS, OMISSIONS, DELAYS,
FAILURES, CESSATIONS OR CHANGES (MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE) IN THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER PRICE, OR FOR ANY DAMAGE, EXPENSE
OR OTHER LOSS (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT) YOU MAY SUFFER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AND LBMA SILVER
PRICE OR ANY RELIANCE YOU MAY PLACE UPON IT.
EXPERTS
The
financial statements of the Trust as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 2020, and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31,
2020 have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG LLP, independent
registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, and upon authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.
VALUATION
OF BULLION
At
the time of the Trust’s inception, the Sponsor determined that the Trust was not an investment company within the scope
of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification of Accounting Standards, Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment
Companies (“Topic 946”). Consequently, the Trust did not prepare the disclosures applicable to investment companies
under Topic 946, including the presentation of its Bullion assets at “fair value” as defined in Topic 946. Instead,
the Trust valued its Bullion assets at the lower of cost or fair value in accordance with ASC 330, Inventory and ASC 270, Interim
Reporting.
Following
the release of FASB Accounting Standards Update ASU 2013-08, Financial Services—Investments Companies (Topic 946): Amendments
to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements, the Sponsor re-evaluated whether the Trust met the revised definition of
an investment company 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.
As
a result of the change in the evaluation of investment company status, the Trust has, from January 1, 2014, presented its Bullion
assets at “fair value” as defined in FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
This
prospectus is a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Sponsor with the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933.
As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, this prospectus does not contain all of the information contained in the
registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. For further information about the Trust and about the securities
offered hereby, you should consult the registration statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. You should be aware that
statements contained in this prospectus concerning the provisions of any documents filed as an exhibit to the registration statement
or otherwise filed with the SEC are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such document
as so filed.
The
SEC allows the “incorporation by reference” of information into this prospectus, which means that information may
be disclosed to you by referring you to other documents filed or which will be filed with the SEC. The following documents filed
or to be filed by the Trust are so incorporated by reference:
In
addition, unless otherwise provided therein, any reports filed by the Trust with the SEC pursuant to section 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the initial filing date of the registration statement of which this prospectus
forms a part and before the termination or completion of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and to be a part of it from the filing dates of such documents and shall automatically update or replace, as applicable,
any information included in, or incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Certain
statements in and portions of this prospectus update, modify, or replace information in the above listed documents incorporated
by reference. Likewise, statements in or portions of a future document incorporated by reference in this prospectus may update,
modify or replace statements in and portions of this prospectus or the above listed documents.
The
Trust posts on its website (www.abrdn.com/usa/etf) its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current
Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, electronically files such
material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC. The Trust’s website and the information contained on that site, or connected
to that site, are not incorporated into and are not a part of this prospectus. The Trust will provide to each person, including
any beneficial owner, to whom a prospectus is delivered, a copy of any and all reports or documents that have been incorporated
by reference in the prospectus but which are not delivered with the prospectus; copies of any of these documents may be obtained
free of charge through the Trust’s website or by contacting the Trust, c/o Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor LLC,
712 Fifth Avenue, 49th Floor, New York, NY 10019, or by calling 844-383-7289.
You
should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any
person to provide you with different information or to make any representation not contained in this prospectus.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The
Sponsor has filed on behalf of the Trust a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the Securities Act. This prospectus
does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement (including the exhibits to the registration statement),
parts of which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about the Trust
or the Shares, please refer to the registration statement.
Information
about the Trust and the Shares can also be obtained from the Trust’s website. The internet address of the Trust’s
website is www.abrdn.com/usa/etf. This internet address is only provided here as a convenience to you to allow you to access
the Trust’s website, and the information contained on or connected to the Trust’s website is not part of this prospectus
or the registration statement of which this prospectus is part.
The
Trust is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act and the Sponsor, on behalf of the Trust, will file quarterly
and annual reports and other information with the SEC.
The
SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding
issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
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PROSPECTUS
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Aberdeen
Standard Precious Metals Basket ETF Trust
Shares
of Aberdeen Standard Physical Precious Metals
Basket
Shares ETF
PART
II—INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Item
14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The
Registrant (“Registrant” or “Trust”) shall not bear any expenses incurred in connection with the issuance
and distribution of the securities being registered. These expenses shall be paid by Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor
LLC, the sponsor of the Registrant (“Sponsor”).
Item
15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section
5.6(a) of the Registrant’s Depositary Trust Agreement (“Trust Agreement”) between The Bank of New York Mellon,
the Registrant’s Trustee (“Trustee”), and the Sponsor provides that the Trustee, its directors, employees and
agents (each a “Trustee Indemnified Party”) shall be indemnified from the Trust and held harmless against any loss,
liability or expense (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) arising out of or in connection
with the performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement and under each other agreement entered into by the Trustee in
furtherance of the administration of the Trust (including, without limiting the scope of the foregoing, the Trust’s custody
agreements and authorized participant agreements to which the Trustee is a party, including the Trustee’s indemnification
obligations thereunder) or by reason of the Trustee’s acceptance of the Trust incurred without (1) gross negligence, bad
faith, willful misconduct or willful malfeasance on the part of such Trustee Indemnified Party in connection with the performance
of its obligations under the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions
of the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement or (2) reckless disregard on the part of such Trustee Indemnified Party of
its obligations and duties under the Trust Agreement or any such other agreement. Such indemnity shall include payment from the
Trust of the costs and expenses incurred by such Trustee Indemnified Party in defending itself against any claim or liability
in its capacity as Trustee. Any amounts payable to a Trustee Indemnified Party under section 5.6(a) of the Trust Agreement may
be payable in advance or shall be secured by a lien on the Trust.
Section
5.6(b) of the Trust Agreement provides that the Sponsor and its members, managers, directors, officers, employees, affiliates
(as such term is defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities Act”)) and subsidiaries (each a
“Sponsor Indemnified Party”) shall be indemnified from the Trust and held harmless against any loss, liability or
expense incurred without (1) gross negligence, bad faith, willful misconduct or willful malfeasance on the part of such Sponsor
Indemnified Party arising out of or in connection with the performance of its obligations under the Trust Agreement and under
each other agreement entered into by the Sponsor, in furtherance of the administration of the Trust (including, without limiting
the scope of the foregoing, the Trust’s custody agreements and authorized participant agreements to which the Sponsor is
a party) or any actions taken in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement or (2) reckless disregard on the part of
such Sponsor Indemnified Party of its obligations and duties under the Trust Agreement. Such indemnity shall include payment from
the Trust of the costs and expenses incurred by such Sponsor Indemnified Party in defending itself against any claim or liability
in its capacity as Sponsor. Any amounts payable to a Sponsor Indemnified Party under section 5.6(b) of the Trust Agreement may
be payable in advance or shall be secured by a lien on the Trust. The Sponsor may, in its discretion, undertake any action which
it may deem necessary or desirable in respect of the Trust Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto and the interests
of the shareholders of the Trust and, in such event, the legal expenses and costs of any such actions shall be expenses and costs
of the Trust and the Sponsor shall be entitled to be reimbursed therefor by the Trust.
The
indemnities provided by section 5.6 of the Trust Agreement shall survive notwithstanding any termination of the Trust Agreement
and the Trust or the resignation or removal of the Trustee or the Sponsor, respectively.
Item
16. Exhibits.
(a)
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein:
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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4.1(a)
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Depositary
Trust Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October 19,
2010
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4.1(b)
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Amendment
to the Depositary Trust Agreement effective October 1, 2018, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with Registration
Statement 333-234723 on November 15, 2019
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4.2
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Form of Authorized Participant Agreement is filed herewith
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4.3
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Certificate
of Beneficial Interest, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October
19, 2010
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5.1
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Opinion of Dechert LLP as to legality is filed herewith
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8.1
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Opinion of Dechert LLP as to tax matters is filed herewith
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10.1(a)
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Allocated
Account Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October 19,
2010
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10.1(b)
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Amendment
to the Allocated Account Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the Trust’s Current Report
on Form 8-K on October 5, 2018
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10.1(c)
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Second
amendment to the Allocated Account Agreement effective June 5, 2020 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed with the
Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K on June 11, 2020
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10.2(a)
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Unallocated
Account Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October 19,
2010
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10.2(b)
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Amendment
to the Unallocated Account Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with the Trust’s Current Report
on Form 8-K on October 5, 2018
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10.2(c)
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Second
amendment to the Unallocated Account Agreement effective June 5, 2020 incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 filed with
the Trust’s Current Report on Form 8-K on June 11, 2020
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10.3
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Depository
Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October 19, 2010
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10.4(a)
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Marketing
Agent Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed with Registration Statement No. 333-164769 on October 19,
2010
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10.4(b)
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Novation
of and Amendment No. 1 to the Marketing Agent Agreement effective October 1, 2018, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4(b)
filed with the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K on March 1, 2019
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23.1
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Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, is filed herewith
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23.2
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Consents of Dechert LLP are included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1
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24.1
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Powers of attorney are included on the signature page to this registration statement
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(b) Financial Statement Schedules
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Not applicable.
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Item
17. Undertakings.
The
undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a)(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)
To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii)
To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if
the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective
registration statement; and
(iii)
To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement
or any material change to such information in the registration statement.
Provided,
however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on
Form S-1, Form S-3, Form SF-3 or Form F-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs
is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section
13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or,
as to a registration statement on Form S-3, Form SF-3 or Form F-3, is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule
424 (b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold
at the termination of the offering.
(4)
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(A)
Each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as
of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B)
Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance
or Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information
required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement
as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale
of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and
any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement
relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in
a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed
incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will,
as to a purchase with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made
in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately
prior to such effective date; or
(5)
That, for the purpose of determining liability of the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial
distribution of the securities:
The
undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned Registrant pursuant to this registration
statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or
sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned Registrant will be a seller to the purchaser
and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)
Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned Registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant
to Rule 424;
(ii)
Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant or used or referred
to by the undersigned Registrant;
(iii)
The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned
Registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned Registrant; and
(iv)
Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.
(6)
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual
report pursuant to section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee
benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference
in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(b)
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the
prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus
and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus,
to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that
is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(c)
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that
in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities
Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection
with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by
controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Philadelphia, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on January
7, 2022.
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ABERDEEN
STANDARD INVESTMENTS ETFs SPONSOR LLC
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By:
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/s/
Steven Dunn
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Steven
Dunn
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Each
person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes Steven Dunn and Andrea Melia, and each of them singly, his or her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact with full power to sign on behalf of such person, in the capacities indicated below, any and all
amendments to this registration statement and any subsequent related registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under
the Securities Act of 1933, and generally to do all such things in the name and on behalf of such person, in the capacities indicated
below, to enable the Registrant to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and all requirements of the Securities
and Exchange Commission thereunder, hereby ratifying and confirming the signature of such person as it may be signed by said attorneys-in-fact,
or any of them, on any and all amendments to this registration statement or any such subsequent related registration statement.
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities* and on the dates indicated.
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Signature
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Capacity
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Date
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/s/
Steven Dunn
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President
and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
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January
7, 2022
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Steven
Dunn
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/s/
Andrea Melia
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Chief
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(principal financial officer and principal
accounting officer)
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January
7, 2022
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Andrea
Melia
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*
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The
Registrant is a trust and the persons are signing in their capacities as officers of Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Sponsor
LLC, the Sponsor of the Registrant.
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