VanEck Merk Gold Trust Files Amendment to Annual Report

TL;DR

<b>VanEck Merk Gold Trust has filed an amendment to its 2023 annual report, providing updated information for its gold shares trading on NYSE Arca.</b>

AI Summary

VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) filed a Amended Annual Report (10-K/A) with the SEC on March 1, 2024. VanEck Merk Gold Trust filed an amendment (10-K/A) to its annual report for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023. The filing was made on March 1, 2024, with a date as of change of February 29, 2024. The trust's shares, VanEck Merk Gold Shares, trade under the symbol OUNZ on the NYSE Arca. The company is incorporated in New York and its principal executive offices are located in Brooklyn, NY. This filing indicates the registrant has submitted all required reports for the preceding 12 months and has been subject to filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Why It Matters

For investors and stakeholders tracking VanEck Merk Gold Trust, this filing contains several important signals. This amendment suggests potential updates or corrections to the previously filed annual report, which could impact investor understanding of the trust's financial status or operations. As a 10-K/A filing, it signifies a formal update to the company's comprehensive annual disclosure, requiring careful review by investors and analysts for any material changes.

Risk Assessment

Risk Level: low — VanEck Merk Gold Trust shows low risk based on this filing. The filing is an amendment to a standard annual report (10-K/A) and does not appear to contain new material financial information or significant operational changes, indicating a low level of immediate risk.

Analyst Insight

Investors should review the specific amendments made in this 10-K/A filing to understand any updated disclosures regarding the VanEck Merk Gold Trust.

Key Numbers

• 001-36459 — Commission File Number (SEC File Number)
• 46-6582016 — IRS Number (Registrant's IRS Employer Identification No.)

Key Players & Entities

• VanEck Merk Gold Trust (company) — Registrant
• OUNZ (company) — Trading Symbol
• NYSE Arca (company) — Name of each exchange on which registered
• 2023-01-31 (date) — Fiscal year ended
• 2024-03-01 (date) — Filing date
• 2024-02-29 (date) — Date as of change

FAQ

Risk Factors

• Reporting Requirements [low — regulatory]: The registrant has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Industry Context

VanEck Merk Gold Trust is an investment trust that holds physical gold. Its performance is directly tied to the price of gold.

Regulatory Implications

The filing is made under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, specifically Section 13 or 15(d), which governs the reporting requirements for public companies and certain other issuers.

What Investors Should Do

1. Review the specific amendments in the 10-K/A filing for any material changes from the original 10-K.
2. Monitor the trading symbol OUNZ on NYSE Arca for any price movements related to gold.
3. Assess the trust's alignment with its stated investment objective of holding physical gold.

Key Dates

• 2023-01-31: Fiscal Year End — End of the reporting period for the annual report.
• 2024-03-01: Filing Date — Date the amendment was filed with the SEC.
• 2024-02-29: Date as of Change — Indicates the most recent update to the filing information.

Year-Over-Year Comparison

This is an amendment (10-K/A) to the previously filed annual report for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2023.

Filing Documents

• ea0200989-10ka1_vaneck.htm (10-K/A) — 300KB
• ea0200989ex23-1_vaneck.htm (EX-23.1) — 5KB
• ea0200989ex23-2_vaneck.htm (EX-23.2) — 3KB
• ea0200989ex31-1_vaneck.htm (EX-31.1) — 9KB
• ea0200989ex32-1_vaneck.htm (EX-32.1) — 6KB
• img_001.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 11KB
• img_002.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 9KB
• img_003.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 4KB
• img_004.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 46KB
• ex23-1_001.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 4KB
• ex23-1_002.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 3KB
• ex23-2_001.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 3KB
• ex23-2_002.jpg (GRAPHIC) — 3KB
• 0001213900-24-018689.txt (&nbsp;) — 2180KB
• ounz-20230131_pre.xml (EX-101.PRE) — 92KB
• ounz-20230131.xsd (EX-101.SCH) — 33KB
• ounz-20230131_cal.xml (EX-101.CAL) — 8KB
• ounz-20230131_def.xml (EX-101.DEF) — 83KB
• ounz-20230131_lab.xml (EX-101.LAB) — 179KB
• ea0200989-10ka1_vaneck_htm.xml (XML) — 265KB

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 1 PART IV 2 Item 15 Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 2

SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES 3 i PART II Item 8. Financial Statements The audited financial statements required by Regulation S-X, with the respective reports of the Trust's independent registered public accounting firms for the periods set forth therein, appear on pages F-1 to F-15 of this Report and are incorporated in this Item 8 by reference to such information. 1 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules. (a)(1)

Financial Statements

Financial Statements See Index to Financial Statements on Page F-1 for a list of the financial statements being filed herein. (a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules Schedules have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information has otherwise been included. (a)(3) Exhibits Exhibit No. Exhibit Description 23.1 Consent of Cohen & Company, Ltd., Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 23.2 Consent of BBD, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.1 Certification by Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). 2 VANECK MERK GOLD TRUST FINANCIAL INDEX Page Report of Cohen & Company, Ltd., an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm located in Philadelphia, PA (PCAOB # 925 ). F-2 Report of BBD, LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm located in Philadelphia, PA (PCAOB #552). F-3 Audited Statements of Assets and Liabilities at January 31, 2023 and 2022 F-4 Audited Statements of Operations for the Years Ended January 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. F-5 Audited Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended January 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. F-6 Audited Financial Highlights for the Years Ende

Notes to Financial Statements F-9

Notes to Financial Statements F-9 F-1 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Sponsor, Trustee and the Shareholders of VanEck Merk Gold Trust Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investment, of VanEck Merk Gold Trust (the "Trust") as of January 31, 2023, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the year then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). We have also audited the Trust's internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the financial operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Trust maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. The Trust's financial statements, financial highlights, and internal control over financial reporting for the years ended January 31, 2022, and prior, were audited by other auditors whose report dated April 12, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial Basis for Opinions The Trust's management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporti

notes to financial statements

notes to financial statements. F-4 VanEck Merk Gold Trust of Operations For the Year ended January 31, 2023 For the Year ended January 31, 2022 For the Year ended January 31, 2021 Expenses Sponsor's fees $ 1,557,794 $ 1,271,275 $ 1,013,291 Total expenses 1,557,794 1,271,275 1,013,291 Net investment loss ( 1,557,794 ) ( 1,271,275 ) ( 1,013,291 ) Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) Net realized gain from gold bullion distributed for redemptions 1,178,406 1,756,856 7,325,362 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in gold bullion 31,993,651 ( 18,669,013 ) 32,005,146 Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from operations 33,172,057 ( 16,912,157 ) 39,330,508 Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets resulting from operations $ 31,614,263 $ ( 18,183,432 ) $ 38,317,217 See

notes to financial statements

notes to financial statements. F-5 VanEck Merk Gold Trust of Changes in Net Assets For the Year ended January 31, 2023 For the Year ended January 31, 2022 For the Year ended January 31, 2021 Net Assets—beginning of year $ 586,245,772 $ 442,483,105 $ 198,479,743 Creations 137,482,147 179,243,246 244,523,754 Redemptions ( 98,749,384 ) ( 17,297,147 ) ( 38,837,609 ) Net investment loss ( 1,557,794 ) ( 1,271,275 ) ( 1,013,291 ) Net realized gain from gold bullion distributed for redemptions 1,178,406 1,756,856 7,325,362 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment in gold bullion 31,993,651 ( 18,669,013 ) 32,005,146 Net Assets—end of year $ 656,592,798 $ 586,245,772 $ 442,483,105 See

notes to financial statements

notes to financial statements. F-6 VanEck Merk Gold Trust Financial Highlights Per Share Performance (for a share outstanding throughout each year) For the Year Ended January 31, 2023 For the Year Ended January 31, 2022 For the Year Ended January 31, 2021 For the Year Ended January 31, 2020 For the Year Ended January 31, 2019 Net asset value per share, beginning of year $ 17.45 $ 18.16 $ 15.48 $ 12.99 $ 13.25 Net investment loss (a) ( 0.04 ) ( 0.04 ) ( 0.05 ) ( 0.06 ) ( 0.05 ) Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investment in gold bullion 1.24 ( 0.67 ) 2.73 2.55 ( 0.21 ) Net change in net assets from operations 1.20 ( 0.71 ) 2.68 2.49 ( 0.26 ) Net asset value per share, end of year $ 18.65 $ 17.45 $ 18.16 $ 15.48 $ 12.99 Total return, at net asset value 6.88 % ( 3.91 )% 17.31 % 19.17 % ( 1.96 )% Ratio to average net assets Net investment loss ( 0.25 )% ( 0.25 )% ( 0.30 )% ( 0.40 )% ( 0.40 )% Net expenses 0.25 % 0.25 % 0.30 % 0.40 % 0.40 % (a) Calculated using average shares outstanding. See

notes to financial statements

notes to financial statements. F-7 VanEck Merk Gold Trust Schedules of Investment January 31, 2023 Fine Ounces Cost Value % of Net Assets Gold Bullion 341,282 $ 572,123,322 $ 656,592,807 100.00 % Total Investments 341,282 $ 572,123,322 $ 656,592,807 100.00 % Liabilities in excess of other assets ( 9 ) ( 0.00 )%(a) Net Assets $ 656,592,798 100.00 % January 31, 2022 Fine Ounces Cost Value % of Net Assets Gold Bullion 326,554 $ 533,769,944 $ 586,245,778 100.00 % Total Investments 326,554 $ 533,769,944 $ 586,245,778 100.00 % Liabilities in excess of other assets ( 6 ) ( 0.00 )%(a) Net Assets $ 586,245,772 100.00 % (a) Amount is less than 0.005% . See

notes to financial statements

notes to financial statements. F-8 VanEck Merk Gold Trust Notes to Financial Statements 1. ORGANIZATION The VanEck Merk Gold Trust (the "Trust"; known as the Merk Gold Trust prior to October 26, 2015 and then as the Van Eck Merk Gold Trust prior to April 28, 2016) is an investment trust formed on May 6, 2014 under New York law pursuant to a depositary trust agreement. After consideration of Financial Accounting Standards Topic 946, Merk Investments LLC (the "Sponsor") has concluded the Trust meets the fundamental characteristics of an investment company. In addition, while the Trust does not currently possess all of the typical characteristics of an investment company, it believes its activities are consistent with those of an investment company and will therefore apply the guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Topic 946, including disclosure of the financial support contractually required to be provided by an investment company to any of its investees. The Sponsor is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the performance of The Bank of New York Mellon (the "Trustee") and the Trust's principal service providers, including the preparation of financial statements. The Trustee is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Trust. Virtu Financial, also known as the Lead Market Maker, was the Initial Purchaser and contributed 1,000 Ounces of Gold in exchange for 100,000 shares on May 6, 2014. At contribution, the value of the gold deposited with the Trust was based on the price of an Ounce of Gold of $ 1,306.25 . The Initial Purchaser is not affiliated with the Sponsor or the Trustee. The Trust's primary objective is to provide investors with an opportunity to invest in gold through the shares and be able to take delivery of physical gold bullion and gold coins (physical gold) in exchange for their shares (the "Shares"). The Trust's secondary objective is for the shares to reflect the performance of the price of gold less the expense

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