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abrdn Palladium ETF Trust - Quarter Report: 2010 June (Form 10-Q)




 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q


 

 

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2010

 

 

 

or

 

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

 

For the Transition Period from________ to________

Commission File Number: 001-34589

 

 

 

 


 


 

ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


 

 

 

New York

 

26-4733157

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

c/o ETF Securities USA LLC

 

 

48 Wall Street, 11th Floor

 

 

New York, NY

 

10005

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(212) 918-4954

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes x No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer o

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

Smaller reporting company o

 

       
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o No x

7,550,000 shares outstanding as of August 11, 2010.



ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2010

INDEX

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

1

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

1

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

11

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

13

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

 

13

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

 

 

13

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

14

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

 

14

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

 

14

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

14

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

14

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved.)

 

 

14

Item 5. Other Information

 

 

14

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

 

15

SIGNATURES

 

 

16

i


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

Condensed Statements of Condition (unaudited)

At June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2010

 

December 31,
2009

 

 

 


 


 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in palladium (1)

 

$

360,400,691

 

$

3,930,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 



 



 

Total Assets

 

$

360,400,691

 

$

3,930,000

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Palladium Payable

 

$

11,118,058

 

$

 

Accounts payable to Sponsor

 

 

181,196

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 



 



 

Total Liabilities

 

$

11,299,254

 

$

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares at redemption value to investors (2)

 

$

349,101,437

 

$

4,020,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

(90,000

)


 



 



 

Total Liabilities, Redeemable Shares & Shareholders’ Deficit

 

$

360,400,691

 

$

3,930,000

 


 



 



 


 

 

(1)

The cost of investment in palladium at June 30, 2010 was $375,202,802 and at December 31, 2009 the market value of palladium was $4,020,000.

(2)

Authorized share capital is unlimited and no par value per share. Shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2010 were 7,850,000 and at December 31, 2009 were 100,000.

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

1


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

 

Condensed Statements of Operations (unaudited)

For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of palladium transferred to pay expenses

 

$

473,037

 

$

608,514

 

Cost of palladium transferred to pay expenses

 

 

(435,720

)

 

(574,039

)


 



 



 

Gain on palladium transferred to pay expenses

 

 

37,317

 

 

34,475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on palladium distributed for the redemption of shares

 

 

1,144,602

 

 

1,144,602

 

Unrealized Loss on Investment in palladium

 

 

(14,802,112

)

 

(14,802,112

)


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Loss on palladium

 

 

(13,620,193

)

 

(13,623,035

)


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor fees

 

 

533,291

 

 

790,754

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Expenses

 

 

533,291

 

 

790,754

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss from Operations

 

$

(14,153,484

)

$

(14,413,789

)


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Loss per share

 

$

(1.96

)

$

(2.59

)


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of shares

 

 

7,226,923

 

 

5,560,497

 


 



 



 

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

2


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
For the three months and six months ended June 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

INCREASE / (DECREASE) IN CASH FROM OPERATIONS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash proceeds received from transfer of palladium

 

$

 

$

 

Cash expenses paid

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash resulting from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

 

 

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of palladium received for creation of shares

 

$

142,403,548

 

$

381,041,201

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of palladium distributed for redemption of shares - at average cost

 

$

9,193,432

 

$

9,193,432

 

 



 



 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

RECONCILIATION OF NET GAIN/(LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Gain (Loss) from Operations

 

$

(14,153,484

)

$

(14,413,789

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in palladium assets

 

 

(117,971,798

)

 

(356,470,691

)

Increase in palladium payable

 

 

11,118,058

 

 

11,118,058

 

Increase in accounts payable to sponsor

 

 

59,651

 

 

181,196

 

Increase/(Decrease) in redeemable shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creations

 

 

142,403,548

 

 

381,041,201

 

Redemptions

 

 

(21,455,975

)

 

(21,455,975

)

 

 



 



 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

 

$

 

 

 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Disclosure of Non-Cash Item:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Value of palladium transferred to pay expenses

 

$

473,037

 

$

608,514

 

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

3


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Deficit (unaudited)

For the six months ended June 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Deficit - Opening balance

 

$

(90,000

)

Net Loss for the period

 

 

(14,413,789

)

Adjustment of Redeemable Shares to redemption value

 

 

14,503,789

 

 

 



 

Shareholders’ Deficit – Closing balance

 

$

 

 

 



 

See Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

4


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

1.

Organization

 

 

 

The ETFS Palladium Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment trust formed on December 30, 2009 (the “Date of Inception”), under New York law pursuant to a depositary trust agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) executed by ETF Securities USA LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”) at the time of the Trust’s organization. The Trust holds palladium bullion and issues shares (“Shares”) (in minimum blocks of 50,000 Shares, also referred to as “Baskets”) in exchange for deposits of palladium and distributes palladium in connection with the redemption of Baskets. Shares represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in an ownership of the Trust which are issued by the Trust. The Sponsor is a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETF Securities Limited, a Jersey, Channel Islands’ based company. The Trust is governed by the Trust Agreement.

 

 

 

The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of palladium, less the Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The Trust is designed to provide an individual owner of beneficial interests in the Shares (a “Shareholder”) an opportunity to participate in the palladium market through an investment in securities. The fiscal year end for the Trust is December 31.

 

 

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions for the Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management of the Sponsor, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 have been made.

 

 

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s prospectus. The results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year.

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies

 

 

 

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

 

 

2.1.

Valuation of Palladium

 

 

 

Loco London allocated palladium is held by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), on behalf of the Trust, and is valued, for financial statement purposes, at the lower of cost or market. The cost of palladium is determined according to the average cost method and the market value is based on the London PM Fix used to determine the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Trust. Realized gains and losses on transfers of palladium, or palladium distributed for the redemption of Shares, are calculated on a trade date basis using average cost. The London PM Fix price for an ounce of palladium is set using the afternoon session of the twice daily fix of the price of palladium by four members of the London Platinum and Palladium Market.

5


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

 

2.1.

Valuation of Palladium (continued)

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The table below summarizes the unrealized gains or losses on the Trust’s palladium holdings as of June 30, 2010 and December 31 2009:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 30,
2010

 

December 31,
2010

 

 







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in palladium - average cost

 

$

375,202,802

 

$

3,930,000

 

 

Unrealized (Loss)/Gain on investment in palladium

 

 

(14,802,111

)

 

90,000

 

 









 

Investment in palladium - market value

 

$

360,400,691

 

$

4,020,000

 

 










 

 

 

The Trust recognizes the diminution in value of the investment in palladium which arises from market declines on an interim basis. Increases in the value of the investment in palladium through market price recoveries in later interim periods of the same fiscal year are recognized in the later interim period. Increases in value recognized on an interim basis may not exceed the previously recognized diminution in value.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

2.2.

Palladium Payable

 

 

 

Palladium payable represents the quantity of palladium covered by contractually binding orders for the redemption of shares where the palladium has not yet been transferred out the Trust’s account. Generally, ownership of the palladium is transferred within three days of trade date. As of June 30, 2010 there was $11,118,058 of palladium payable.

 

 

2.3.

Creations and Redemptions of Shares

 

 

 

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

6


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

 

2.3.

Creations and Redemptions of Shares (continued)

 

 

 

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 palladium represented by the Baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number of Shares included in the Baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Baskets is properly received.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The Shares of the Trust are classified as “Redeemable Capital Shares” for financial statement purposes, since they are subject to redemption at the option of Authorized Participants. Outstanding Shares are reflected at redemption value, which represents the maximum obligation (based on NAV per Share), with the difference from historical cost recorded as an offsetting amount to retained earnings. Changes in the Shares for the three months ended June 30, 2010 are as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

For the period
from
December 30, 2009*
through
December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Redeemable Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Balance

 

 

100,000

 

 

 

 

Creations

 

 

8,200,000

 

 

100,000

 

 

Redemptions

 

 

(450,000

)

 

 

 


 



 



 

 

Closing Balance

 

 

7,850,000

 

 

100,000

 

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ended
June 30, 2010

 

For the period
from
December 30, 2009*
through
December 31, 2009

 

 

Redeemable Shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Balance

 

$

4,020,000

 

$

 

 

Creations

 

 

381,041,201

 

 

3,930,000

 

 

Redemptions

 

 

(21,455,975

)

 

 

 

Adjustment to redemption value

 

 

(14,503,789

)

 

90,000

 

 


 



 



 

 

Closing Balance

 

$

349,101,437

 

$

4,020,000

 

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemption Value per Share at Period End

 

$

44.47

 

$

40.20

 

 


 



 



 

 

*Date of Inception.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

2.4.

Revenue Recognition Policy

 

 

 

The primary expense of the Trust is the Sponsor’s Fee, which is paid by the Trust through in-kind transfers of palladium to the Sponsor. With respect to expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor, the Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s palladium as necessary to pay these expenses. When selling palladium to pay expenses, the Trustee will endeavor to sell the smallest amounts of palladium needed to pay these expenses in order to minimize the Trust’s holdings of assets other than palladium.

 

 

 

Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, when selling palladium the Trustee will endeavor to sell at the price established by the London PM Fix. The Trustee will place orders with dealers (which may include the Custodian) through which the Trustee expects to receive the most favorable price and execution of orders.

7


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

 

2.4.

Revenue Recognition Policy (continued)

 

 

 

The Custodian may be the purchaser of such palladium only if the sale transaction is made at the next London PM Fix or such other publicly available price that the Sponsor deems fair, in each case as set following the sale order. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the average cost of the palladium sold. Neither the Trustee nor the Sponsor is liable for depreciation or loss incurred by reason of any sale.

 

 

2.5.

Income Taxes

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

The Trust has adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740-10, Income Taxes (formerly FASB Interpretation Number 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes). The Sponsor has evaluated the application of ASC 740 to the Trust, to determine whether or not there are uncertain tax positions that require financial statement recognition. Based on this evaluation, the Trust has determined no reserves for uncertain tax positions are required to be recorded as a result of the application of ASC 740. As a result, no income tax liability or expense has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.

 

 

2.6.

Investment in Palladium

 

 

 

The following represents the changes in ounces of palladium and the respective values for the period for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and for the period from the date of inception through December 31, 2009:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months
Ending
June 30, 2010

 

For the period
from
December 30, 2009*
through
December 31, 2009

 

 

Ounces of Palladium:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Balance

 

 

10,000.0

 

 

 

 

Creations

 

 

819,299.0

 

 

10,000.0

 

 

Redemptions (excluding palladium payable at June 30 2010 – 24,928.4)

 

 

(19,957.3

)

 

 

 

Transfers of palladium

 

 

(1,268.0

)

 

 

 


 



 



 

 

Closing Balance

 

 

808,073.7

 

 

10,000.0

 

 


 



 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment in Palladium (lower of cost or market):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opening Balance

 

$

3,930,000

 

$

 

 

Creations

 

 

381,040,280

 

 

3,930,000

 

 

Redemptions (excluding palladium payable at June 30 2010 – $11,118,058)

 

 

(9,193,438

)

 

 

 

Transfers of palladium

 

 

(574,039

)

 

 

 

Unrealized Loss on Investment in palladium

 

 

(14,802,112

)

 

 

 


 



 



 

 

 

Closing Balance

 

$

360,400,691

 

$

3,930,000

 

 


 



 



 

 

*Date of Inception

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

 

 

2.7.

Expenses

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

At June 30, 2010 the fees payable to the Sponsor were $181,196.

 

 

2.8.

Organization Cost

 

 

 

Expenses incurred in organizing the Trust and the initial offering of the Shares, including applicable SEC registration fees, of approximately $1,190,905, were borne directly by the Sponsor. The Trust will not be obligated to reimburse the Sponsor.

 

 

3.

Related Parties

 

 

 

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

 

 

4.

Concentration of Risk

 

 

 

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

 

 

5.

Indemnification

 

 

 

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, each of the Trustee (and its directors, employees and agents) and the Sponsor (and its members, managers, directors, officers, employees and affiliates) is indemnified by the Trust against any liability, cost or expense it incurs without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part and without reckless disregard on its part of its obligations and duties under the Trust’s organizational documents.

 

 

 

The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

9


ETFS PALLADIUM TRUST

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

6.

Subsequent Events

 

 

 

In accordance with the provisions set forth in FASB ASC 855-10, Subsequent Events, the Trust’s management has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in the Trust’s financial statements through the filing date.

10


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

This information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes to the financial statements included in Item 1 of Part 1 of this Form 10-Q. The discussion and analysis that follows may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the Trust’s financial conditions, operations, future performance and business. These statements can be identified by the use of the words Statements “may, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential” or similar words and phrases. These statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses the Sponsor has made based on its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. 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 management’s expectations or predictions.

 

 

 

Introduction

 

 

 

The Trust is a common law trust, formed under the laws of the state of New York on December 30, 2009. The Trust is not managed like a corporation or an active investment vehicle. It does not have any officers, directors or employees and is administered by the Trustee pursuant to the Trust Agreement. 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. It will not hold or trade in commodity futures contracts, nor is it a commodity pool, subject to regulation as a commodity pool operator or a commodity trading adviser in connection with issuing Shares.

The Trust holds palladium and is expected to issue Baskets in exchange for deposits of palladium, and to distribute palladium in connection with redemptions of Baskets. Shares issued by the Trust represent units of undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Trust. The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the performance of the price of palladium, less the Trust’s expenses. The Sponsor believes that, for many investors, the Shares will represent a cost effective investment relative to traditional means of investing in palladium.

The Trust issues and redeems Shares only with Authorized Participants in exchange for palladium, only in aggregations of 50,000 or integral multiples thereof. A list of current Authorized Participants is available from the Sponsor or the Trustee.

Shares of the Trust began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) Arca under the symbol “PALL” on January 8, 2010.

 

 

 

Valuation of Palladium and Computation of NAV

 

 

 

As of the London PM Fix on each day that the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading or as soon as practicable after 4:00PM. New York time, on such day (the “Evaluation Time”) the Trustee values the palladium held by the Trust and determines both the ANAV and the NAV of the Trust.

 

 

 

At the Evaluation Time, the Trustee values the Trust’s palladium on the basis of that day’s London PM Fix, or, if no London PM Fix is made on such day or has not been announced by the Evaluation Time, the next most recent London palladium price (AM or PM) determined prior to the Evaluation Time is used, unless the Sponsor determines that such price is inappropriate as a basis for valuation. In the case this determination is made, the Sponsor will identify an alternative basis for such evaluation to be used by the Trustee.

 

 

 

Once the value of the palladium held by the Trust has been determined, the Trustee subtracts all estimated accrued but unpaid fees and other liabilities of the Trust from the total value of the palladium and all other assets of the Trust. The resulting figure is the ANAV of the Trust. The ANAV is used to compute the Sponsor’s Fee.

The Trustee then subtracts from the ANAV the amount of accrued Sponsor’s Fees computed for such day to determine the NAV of the Trust. The Trustee also determines the NAV per Share by dividing the NAV of the Trust by the number of Shares outstanding as of the close of trading on the NYSE Arca.

11



 

 

 

The Quarter Ended June 30, 2010

 

 

 

During the period the market value of the Trust’s assets grew from $269,810,048 on April 1, 2010 to $360,400,691 at quarter end, representing a 33.58% increase. The number of Shares outstanding also increased from 5,500,000 at April 1, 2010 to 7,850,000 at quarter end, with 56 Baskets created and 9 Baskets redeemed representing 2,350,000 net Shares created.

The NAV per Share decreased from $49.03 on April 1, 2010 to $44.47 on June 30, 2010, representing a 9.30% decrease during the quarter. The NAV per share decreased slightly less than the price per ounce of palladium ($491.00 on April 1, 2010 to $446.00 on June 30, 2010) due to Sponsor’s Fees, which were $533,291 for the quarter.

The NAV per Share of $57.00 on April 26, 2010, was the highest during the period, compared with a low of $41.80 on May 21, 2010.

Net loss for the quarter was $14,153,484, resulting from a net gain of $1,144,602 on palladium distributed for the redemption of Baskets, an unrealized loss on investment in palladium of $14,802,112 (due to the market value of palladium falling below the average cost) and a net gain of $37,317 on the transfer of palladium to pay Sponsor’s Fees, which were $533,291 for the quarter. Other than the Sponsor’s Fees, the Trust had no other expenses during the period.

 

 

 

The Period from Date of Inception (December 30, 2009) to June 30, 2010

 

 

 

On December 30, 2009, the Trust was formed as a legal entity with an initial deposit of palladium. On January 8, 2010 the Trust’s Shares commenced trading on the NYSE Arca under the symbol PALL, and the Trust commenced operations, began accruing expenses and began the calculation of NAV (the “Commencement of Operations”). The market value of the assets of the Trust were $4,310,000 and the NAV per Share was $43.10 as of the close of business on January 8, 2010.

 

 

 

The market value of the Trust’s assets at June 30, 2010 were $360,400,691 representing an 8,262.0% increase from the asset level as of close of business on the Commencement of Operations. The number of Shares outstanding at June 30, 2010 was 7,850,000 with 166 Baskets (representing 8,300,000 Shares) created and 9 Baskets (representing 450,000 Shares) redeemed during the period from the Date of Inception to June 30, 2010.

The NAV per Share increased from $43.10 on January 8, 2010 to $44.47 on June 30, 2010 representing a 3.18% increase from the close of business on the Commencement of Operations. The NAV per Share increased slightly less than the price per ounce of palladium ($431.00 on January 8, 2010 to $446.00 on June 30, 2010) due to Sponsor’s Fees, which were $790,754 for the period, or 0.60% of the Trust’s assets on an annualized basis. Other than the Sponsor’s Fees, the Trust had no other expenses during the period.

The NAV per Share of $57.00 on 26 April, 2010, was the highest during the period, compared with a low of $39.48 on February 5, 2010.

Net loss for the period ended June 30, 2010 was $14,413,789 resulting from a net gain of $34,475 on the transfer of palladium to pay the Sponsor’s Fees, which were $790,754, a gain on palladium distributed for the redemption of shares of $1,144,602, and an unrealized loss on investment in palladium of $14,802,112 (due to the market value of palladium falling below the average cost).

 

 

 

Liquidity & Capital Resources

 

 

 

The Trust is not aware of any trends, demands, conditions, events or uncertainties that are reasonably likely to result in material changes to its liquidity needs. In exchange for the Sponsor’s Fee, the Sponsor has agreed to assume most of the expenses incurred by the Trust. As a result, the only expense of the Trust during the period covered by this report was the Sponsor’s Fee. The Trust’s only source of liquidity is its transfers and sales of palladium.

The Trustee will, at the direction of the Sponsor or in its own discretion, sell the Trust’s palladium as necessary to pay the Trust’s expenses not otherwise assumed by the Sponsor. The Trustee will not sell palladium to pay the

12



 

 

 

Sponsor’s Fee but will pay the Sponsor’s Fee through in-kind transfers of palladium to the Sponsor. At June 30, 2010 the Trust did not have any cash balances.

 

 

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

 

 

The financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements relies on estimates and assumptions that impact the Trust’s financial position and results of operations. These estimates and assumptions affect the Trust’s application of accounting policies. In addition, please refer to Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of accounting policies.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

Not applicable.

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

The authorized officers of the Sponsor performing functions equivalent to those that a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, and with the participation of the Trustee, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures, and have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust have been effective as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

There have been no changes in the Trust’s or Sponsor’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Trust’s first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s or Sponsor’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Item 4T. Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

Not applicable.

13


PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

None.

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

 

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors since last disclosed in the prospectus included in the registrant’s registration statement filed on Form S-1 on April 23, 2010.

 

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

Item 2(a). None.

 

 

 

Item 2(b). Not applicable.

 

 

 

Item 2(c). For the three months ended June 30, 2010 nine Baskets were redeemed as follows:


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

Total Baskets
Redeemed

 

Total Shares
Redeemed

 

Average Ounces of
Palladium Per Share

 


 


 


 


 

04/01/10-04/30/10

 

0

 

0

 

 

05/01/10-05/31/10

 

3

 

150,000

 

0.0998

 

06/01/10-06/30/10

 

6

 

300,000

 

0.0997

 

 

 


 


 


 

Total

 

9

 

450,000

 

0.0997

 


 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

None.

 

 

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved.)

 

 

 

None.

 

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

 

 

None.

14


Item 6. Exhibits.

 

 

(a) Exhibits

 

 

31.1

Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.2

Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

15


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned in the capacities thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ETF SECURITIES USA LLC

 

 

 

Sponsor of the ETFS Palladium Trust

 

 

 

                  (Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 13, 2010

 

/s/ Graham Tuckwell

 

 

 


 

 

 

Graham Tuckwell

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: August 13, 2010

 

/s/ Thomas Quigley

 

 

 


 

 

 

Thomas Quigley

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

 

(Principal Financial Officer and Principal

 

 

 

Accounting Officer)

 

* The Registrant is a trust and the persons are signing in their capacities as officers of ETF Securities USA LLC, the Sponsor of the Registrant.

16


Exhibit Index

 

 

31.1

Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

31.2

Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.1

Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32.2

Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

17