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World Gold Trust - Quarter Report: 2020 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
 
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020
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:
001-37996
 
WORLD GOLD TRUST
(SPONSORED BY WGC USA ASSET MANAGEMENT COMPANY, LLC)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
Delaware
 
36-7650517
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
c/o WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC
685 Third Avenue 27
th
Floor
New York, New York 10017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(212)
317-3800
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Trading
Symbol(s)
 
Name of each exchange
on which registered
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
 
GLDM
 
NYSE Arca
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 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  
    No  
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).    Yes  
    No  
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.
Large accelerated filer
 
 
Accelerated filer
 
             
Non-accelerated
 filer
 
 
Smaller reporting company
 
Emerging growth company    ☐
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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
 12b-2
of the Exchange Act).    Yes  
    No  ☒
As of August
6
, 2020 SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust had
 
172,300,000
 
shares outstanding.
 
 

Table of Contents
WORLD GOLD TRUST
INDEX
 
  
 
  
 
Item 1.
 
  
     
 
 
  
 
1
 
 
 
  
 
2
 
 
 
  
 
3
 
 
 
  
 
4
 
 
 
  
 
6
 
 
 
  
 
7
 
 
 
  
 
8
 
 
 
  
 
9
 
 
 
  
 
10
 
 
 
  
 
11
 
 
 
  
 
12
 
Item 2.
 
  
 
19
 
Item 3.
 
  
 
23
 
Item 4.
 
  
 
24
 
  
 
24
 
Item 1.
 
  
 
24
 
Item 1A.
 
  
 
24
 
Item 2.
 
  
 
25
 
Item 3.
 
  
 
25
 
Item 4.
 
  
 
25
 
Item 5.
 
  
 
26
 
Item 6.
 
  
 
26
 
  
 
28
 

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Combined Statements of Financial Condition
at June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and September 30, 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Jun-30, 2020
    
Sep-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
        
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Gold, at fair value (cost $2,150,928 and $916,790 at June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019,
respectively)
  $
2,521,429
    $
1,036,032
 
Gold receivable
   
—  
     
14,819
 
                 
Total Assets
  $
2,521,429
    $
1,050,851
 
                 
   
LIABILITIES
 
Accounts payable to Sponsor
  $
342
    $
148
 
                 
Total Liabilities
  $
342
    $
148
 
                 
Net Assets
  $
2,521,087
    $
1,050,703
 
                 
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
1

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
Combined Schedules of Investment
(All balances in 000’s except percentages)
                          
June 30, 2020
  
Ounces of
gold
    
Cost
    
Fair
Value
   
% of
Net Assets
 
(unaudited)
                          
Investment in Gold
   
1,426.1
    $
2,150,928
    $
2,521,429
     
100.01
%
                                 
Total Investments
   
    $
2,150,928
    $
2,521,429
     
100.01
%
Liabilities
in excess of
other assets
   
     
     
(342
)    
(0.01
)%
 
                                 
Net Assets
   
     
    $
2,521,087
     
100.00
%
                                 
(All balances in 000’s except percentages)
                           
September 30, 2019
  
Ounces of
gold
    
       Cost       
    
Fair
Value
    
% of
Net Assets
 
Investment in Gold
   
697.5
    $
916,790
    $
1,036,032
     
98.60
%
                                 
Total Investments
   
    $
916,790
    $
1,036,032
     
98.60
%
 
Other assets
in excess of liabilities
   
     
     
14,671
     
1.40
%
                                 
Net Assets
   
     
    $
1,050,703
     
100.00
%
                                 
See notes to the
unaudited financial statements.
2

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
Unaudited Combined Statements of Operations
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three
Months
Ended
Jun-30,

2020
   
Three
Months
Ended
Jun-30,

2019
(1)
   
Nine
Months
Ended
Jun-30,

2020
   
Nine
Months
Ended
Jun-30,

2019
(1)
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor fees
  $
946
    $
330
    $
2,029
    $
761
 
Gold Delivery Provider fees
   
—  
     
13
     
—  
     
37
 
                                 
Total expenses
   
946
     
343
     
2,029
     
798
 
                                 
Net investment loss
   
(946
)    
(343
)    
(2,029
)    
(798
)
                                 
Net realized and change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in gold and Gold Delivery Agreement
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
116
     
11
     
232
     
21
 
Net realized gain/(loss) on Gold Delivery Agreement
   
—  
     
(188
)    
—  
     
787
 
Net realized gain/(loss) on gold transferred to cover Gold Delivery Agreement and Gold Delivery Provider fees
   
—  
     
117
     
—  
     
187
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
24,743
     
975
     
32,748
     
975
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investment in gold
   
167,695
     
63,435
     
251,259
     
91,027
 
                                 
Net realized and change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in gold and Gold Delivery Agreement
   
192,554
     
64,350
     
284,239
     
92,997
 
                                 
Net Income/(Loss)
  $
191,608
    $
64,007
    $
282,210
    $
92,199
 
                                 
(1)
Amounts include SPDR
®
Long Dollar Gold Trust which liquidated on September 16, 2019.
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
3

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
Unaudited Combined Statements of Cash Flows
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
INCREASE/DECREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATIONS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash proceeds received from sales of gold
  $
824
    $
318
    $
1,835
    $
671
 
Cash expenses paid
   
(824
)    
(318
)    
(1,835
)    
(671
)
                                 
Increase/(Decrease) 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 gold received for creation of shares - net of gold receivable
 
$
981,747
 
 
$
109,808
 
 
$
1,464,937
 
 
$
502,738
 
                                 
Value of gold distributed for redemption of shares - net of gold payable
 
$
174,354
 
 
$
(24,883
)
 
$
261,944
 
 
$
(24,883
)
                                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF
NON-CASH
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value of Gold Delivery Agreement inflows - net of Gold Delivery Agreement receivable
 
$
—  
 
 
$
1,913
 
 
$
—  
 
 
$
6,692
 
                                 
Value of Gold Delivery Agreement outflows - net of Gold Delivery Agreement payable
 
$
—  
 
 
$
(1,911
)
 
$
—  
 
 
$
(5,865
)
                                 
4

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
Unaudited Combined Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
 
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income/(Loss)
  $
191,608
    $
64,007
    $
282,210
    $
92,199
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
   
     
     
     
 
Gold paid for Gold Delivery Provider fees
   
—  
     
13
     
—  
     
37
 
Proceeds from sales of gold to pay expenses
   
824
     
318
     
1,835
     
671
 
Net realized (gain)/loss from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
(116
)    
(11
)    
(232
)    
(21
)
Net realized (gain)/loss on Gold Delivery Agreement
   
—  
     
188
     
—  
     
(787
)
Net realized (gain)/loss on gold transferred to cover Gold Delivery Agreement and Gold Delivery Provider fees
   
—  
     
(117
)    
—  
     
(187
)
Net realized (gain)/loss from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
(24,743
)    
(975
)    
(32,748
)    
(975
)
 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation)/depreciation on investment in gold
   
(167,695
)    
(63,435
)    
(251,259
)    
(91,027
)
Increase/(Decrease) in accounts payable to Sponsor
   
122
     
12
     
194
     
90
 
                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $
—  
    $
—  
    $
—  
    $
—  
 
                                 
(1)
Amounts include SPDR
®
Long Dollar Gold Trust which
 was
liquidated on September 16, 2019.
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
5

Table of Contents
World Gold Trust
Unaudited Combined Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
(1)
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Net Assets - Opening Balance
  $
1,615,111
    $
676,459
    $
1,050,703
    $
255,337
 
Creations
   
888,722
     
109,808
     
1,450,118
     
502,738
 
Redemptions
   
(174,354
)    
(24,883
)    
(261,944
)    
(24,883
)
 
Net investment loss
   
(946
)    
(343
)    
(2,029
)    
(798
)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
116
     
11
     
232
     
21
 
Net realized gain/(loss) on Gold Delivery Agreement
   
—  
     
(188
)    
—  
     
787
 
Net realized gain/(loss) on gold transferred to cover Gold Delivery Agreement and Gold Delivery Provider fees
   
—  
     
117
     
—  
     
187
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
24,743
     
975
     
32,748
     
975
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investment in gold
   
167,695
     
63,435
     
251,259
     
91,027
 
                                 
Net Assets - Closing Balance
  $
2,521,087
    $
825,391
    $
2,521,087
    $
825,391
 
                                 
(1)
Amounts include SPDR
®
Long Dollar Gold Trust which
was
liquidated on September 16, 2019.
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
6

Table of Contents
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
Statements of Financial Condition
at June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and September 30, 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$ except for share and per share data)
  
Jun-30,
2020
    
Sep-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
        
ASSETS
 
Investment in Gold, at fair value (cost $2,150,928 and $916,790 at June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively)
  $
2,521,429
    $
1,036,032
 
Gold receivable
   
—  
     
14,819
 
                 
Total Assets
  $
2,521,429
    $
1,050,851
 
                 
   
LIABILITIES
 
Accounts payable to Sponsor
  $
342
    $
148
 
 
                 
Total Liabilities
  $
342
    $
148
 
                 
Net Assets
  $
2,521,087
    $
1,050,703
 
                 
Shares issued and outstanding(1)
   
143,100,000
     
70,900,000
 
Net asset value per Share
  $
17.62
    $
14.82
 
(1)
Authorized share capital is unlimited and the par value of the Shares is $0.00.
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
7

Table of Contents
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
Schedules of Investment
(All balances in 000’s except percentages)
                          
June 30, 2020
  
Ounces of
gold
    
Cost
    
Fair
Value
   
% of
Net Assets
 
(unaudited)
                          
Investment in Gold
   
1,426.1
    $
2,150,928
    $
2,521,429
     
100.01
%
                                 
Total Investment
   
    $
2,150,928
    $
2,521,429
     
100.01
%
Liabilities
in excess of
other assets
   
     
     
(342
)    
(0.01
)%
 
                                 
Net Assets
   
     
    $
2,521,087
     
100.00
%
                                 
(All balances in 000’s except percentages)
                           
September 30, 2019
  
Ounces of
gold
    
Cost
    
Fair
Value
    
% of
Net Assets
 
Investment in Gold
   
697.5
    $
916,790
    $
1,036,032
     
98.60
%
                                 
Total Investment
   
    $
916,790
    $
1,036,032
     
98.60
%
Other assets
in excess of liabilities
   
     
     
14,671
     
1.40
%
 
                                 
Net Assets
   
     
    $
1,050,703
     
100.00
%
                                 
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
8

Table of Contents
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
Unaudited Statements of Operations
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$, except per share data)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2019
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sponsor fees
  $
946
    $
305
    $
2,029
    $
689
 
                                 
Total expenses
   
946
     
305
     
2,029
     
689
 
                                 
Net investment loss
   
(946
)    
(305
)    
(2,029
)    
(689
)
                                 
Net realized and change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in gold
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
116
     
9
     
232
     
18
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
24,743
     
975
     
32,748
     
975
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investment in gold
   
167,695
     
60,794
     
251,259
     
86,022
 
                                 
Net realized and change in unrealized gain/(loss) on investment in gold
   
192,554
     
61,778
     
284,239
     
87,015
 
                                 
Net Income/(Loss)
  $
191,608
    $
61,473
    $
282,210
    $
86,326
 
                                 
Net income/(loss) per share
  $
1.54
    $
1.18
    $
3.01
    $
2.17
 
                                 
Weighted average number of shares (in 000’s)
   
124,313
     
52,049
     
93,911
     
39,838
 
                                 
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
9

Table of Contents
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2019
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
INCREASE/DECREASE IN CASH FROM OPERATIONS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash proceeds received from sales of gold
  $
824
    $
293
    $
1,835
    $
600
 
Cash expenses paid
   
(824
)    
(293
)    
(1,835
)    
(600
)
                                 
Increase/(Decrease) 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 gold received for creation of shares – net of gold receivable
 
$
981,747
 
 
$
108,429
 
 
$
1,464,937
 
 
$
501,359
 
                                 
Value of gold distributed for redemption of shares
 
$
174,354
 
 
$
(24,883
)
 
$
(261,944
)
 
$
(24,883
)
 
                                 
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2019
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(LOSS) TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income/(loss)
  $
191,608
    $
61,473
    $
282,210
    $
86,326
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income/(loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
   
     
     
     
 
Proceeds from sales of gold to pay expenses
   
824
     
293
     
1,835
     
600
 
Net realized (gain)/loss from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
(116
)    
(9
)    
(232
)    
(18
)
Net realized (gain)/loss from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
(24,743
)    
(975
)    
(32,748
)    
(975
)
Net change in unrealized (appreciation)/depreciation on investment in gold
   
(167,695
)    
(60,794
)    
(251,259
)    
(86,022
)
Increase/(Decrease) in accounts payable to Sponsor
   
122
     
12
     
194
     
89
 
                                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $
—  
    $
—  
    $
—  
    $
—  
 
                                 
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
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Table of Contents
SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust
Unaudited Statements of Changes in Net Assets
For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
  
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30,
2020
   
Three Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2020
   
Nine Months
Ended
Jun-30, 2019
 
    
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
   
(unaudited)
 
Net Assets - Opening Balance
  $
1,615,111
    $
646,811
    $
1,050,703
    $
229,028
 
Creations
   
888,722
     
108,429
     
1,450,118
     
501,359
 
Redemptions
   
(174,354
)    
(24,883
)    
(261,944
)    
(24,883
)
Net investment loss
   
(946
)    
(305
)    
(2,029
)    
(689
)
Net realized gain/(loss) from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor fees
   
116
     
9
     
232
     
18
 
Net realized gain/(loss) from gold distributed for the redemption of shares
   
24,743
     
975
     
32,748
     
975
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investment in gold
   
167,695
     
60,794
     
251,259
     
86,022
 
                                 
Net Assets - Closing Balance
  $
2,521,087
    $
791,830
    $
2,521,087
    $
791,830
 
                                 
See notes to the unaudited financial statements.
11

Table of Contents
WORLD GOLD TRUST
Notes to the Unaudited Financial Statements
1.
Organization
The
World Gold Trust (the “Trust
”)
 was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 27, 2014 and is governed by the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration of Trust”), dated as of April 16, 2018 and amended on February 6, 2020, between WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC (the “Sponsor”) and the Delaware Trust Company (the “Trustee”). The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The beneficial interest in the Trust may be divided into one or more series. The Trust has established six separate series, one of which is operational as of June 30, 2020. The accompanying financial statements relate to the one operational series, SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust (“GLDM”), which began publicly trading on June 26, 2018. The fiscal
year-end
of both the Trust and GLDM is September 30
th
.
The investment objective of GLDM is for its shares (the “Shares”) to reflect the performance of the price of gold, less its expenses. GLDM’s only ordinary recurring expense is the Sponsor’s annual fee of 0.18% of its net asset value (“NAV”). The Sponsor believes that, for many investors, the Shares represent a cost-effective investment in gold.
BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, a division of The Bank of New York Mellon, (“BNYM”) is the administrator (the “Administrator”) and transfer agent of the Trust. BNYM also serves as the custodian of GLDM’s cash, if any. ICBC Standard Bank Plc (the “Custodian”) is responsible for custody of GLDM’s gold. State Street Global Advisors Funds Distributors, LLC is the marketing agent (the “Marketing Agent”).
The Statements of Financial Condition and Schedules of Investment at June 30, 2020, and the Statements of Operations, Changes in Net Assets and Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 have been prepared
without audit. The Statements of Operations, Changes in Net Assets and Cash Flows for the Trust for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019 include the operations of SPDR® Long Dollar Gold Trust (“GLDW”).
In the opinion of management of the Sponsor, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and for all periods presented have been made.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year.
GLDW
commenced operations on January 27, 2017 and on July 15, 2019, the Sponsor notified the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) that it had determined to voluntarily close GLDW, delist GLDW, liquidate GLDW’s shares and withdraw GLDW’s shares from registration under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. GLDW ceased accepting creation and redemption orders after September 6, 2019 and trading of GLDW’s shares on the NYSE Arca ceased at the open of market on September 10, 2019. The NYSE Arca filed a Form 25 with the Commission on September 11, 2019 and on September 16, 2019, a Post-Effective Amendment deregistering GLDW’s unsold shares was declared effective and the final liquidation payments were made.
 
Prior to terminating the Gold Delivery Agreement with Merrill Lynch International (the “Gold Delivery Provider”), GLDW entered into a transaction on each Business Day to deliver gold bullion to, or receive gold bullion from the Gold Delivery Provider. The amount of gold bullion transferred was equivalent to GLDW’s profit or loss as if it had exchanged the Euro, Japanese Yen, British Pound Sterling, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, and Swiss Franc (together, the “Reference Currencies”) comprising the Solactive GLD® Long USD Gold Index (“FX Basket”), in the proportion in which they were reflected in the Solactive GLD® Long USD Gold
12

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Index, for USDs in an amount equal to its holdings of gold bullion on such day. In general, if there was a currency gain (i.e., the value of the USD against the Reference Currencies comprising the FX Basket increased), GLDW received gold bullion and if there was a currency loss (i.e., the value of the USD against the Reference Currencies comprising the FX Basket decreased), GLDW delivered gold bullion. In this manner, the amount of gold bullion held was adjusted to reflect the daily change in the value of the Reference Currencies comprising the FX Basket against the USD. The Gold Delivery Agreement required gold bullion ounces, calculated pursuant to formulas contained in the Gold Delivery Agreement, to be delivered to the custody account of GLDW or the Gold Delivery Provider, as applicable. The fee that GLDW paid the Gold Delivery Provider for its services under the Gold Delivery Agreement was accrued daily and reflected in the calculation of the amount of gold bullion delivered pursuant to the Gold Delivery Agreement. The realized gain/loss from the Gold Delivery Agreement is disclosed in the Statements of Operations, Changes in Net Assets, and Cash Flows for the Trust for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019. The Combined Statements of Financial Condition and Schedules of Investment of the Trust for the year ended September 30, 2019 include the operations of GLDW up to its liquidation.
 
2.
Significant Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires those responsible for preparing financial statements to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by GLDM and the Trust.
2.1
Basis of Accounting
For accounting purposes,
 
GLDM is an investment company within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies, and therefore applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance therein. It is not registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
These financial statements present the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Trust combined with its operating series and GLDM separately. For the periods presented, there were no balances or activity for the Trust and the footnotes accordingly relate to GLDM, unless stated otherwise.
2.2
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements are presented for the Trust, as the SEC registrant, combined with GLDM and GLDW, until its liquidation, and for GLDM individually. The debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to GLDM
are
 enforceable only against the assets of GLDM and not against the assets of the Trust generally or any other series that the Trust may establish.
2.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents
 when outstanding
include highly liquid investments of sufficient credit quality with original maturity of three months or less.
2.4
Fair Value Measurement
U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price a fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. GLDM’s policy is to value its investments at fair value.
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Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of GLDM’s assets or liabilities. Inputs may be based on independent market data (“observable inputs”) or they may be internally developed (“unobservable inputs”). These inputs are categorized into a disclosure hierarchy consisting of three broad levels for financial reporting purposes. The level of a value determined for an asset or liability within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are:
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not considered to be active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means; and
Level 3 – Inputs that are unobservable for the asset and liability, including a fund’s assumptions (if any) used in determining the fair value of investments.
 
The following table summarizes GLDM’s investment at fair value:
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
June 30, 2020
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
Investment in Gold
  $
2,521,429
    $
—  
    $
—  
 
                         
Total
  $
2,521,429
    $
—  
    $
—  
 
                         
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
September 30, 2019
 
Level 1
 
 
Level 2
 
 
Level 3
 
Investment in Gold
  $
1,036,032
    $
—  
    $
—  
 
                         
Total
  $
1,036,032
    $
 —  
    $
 —  
 
                         
There were no transfers between Level 1 and other Levels in the period ended June 30, 2020 or for the year ended September 30, 2019.
The Administrator values the gold held by GLDM on the basis of the price of an ounce of gold as determined by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited (“IBA”), a benchmark administrator, which provides an independently administered auction process, as well as the overall administration and governance for the London Bullion Market Association (“LBMA”). In determining the NAV of GLDM, the Administrator values the gold held on the basis of the price of an ounce of gold determined by the IBA 3:00 PM auction process (“LBMA Gold Price PM”), which is an electronic auction. The auction runs twice daily at 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM London time. The Administrator calculates the NAV of GLDM on each day the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, generally as of 12:00 PM New York time. If no LBMA Gold Price PM is made on a particular evaluation day or if the LBMA Gold Price PM has not been announced by 12:00 PM New York time on a particular evaluation day, the next most recent LBMA Gold Price AM or PM is used in the determination of the NAV of GLDM, unless the Administrator, in consultation with the Sponsor, determines that such price is inappropriate to use as the basis for such determination.
2.5
Custody of Gold
Gold is held by the Custodian on behalf of GLDM. During the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and the year ended September 30, 2019, no gold was held by a subcustodian.
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2.6
Gold Receivable
Gold receivable represents the quantity of gold covered by contractually binding orders for the creation of Shares where the gold has not yet been transferred to GLDM’s account. Generally, ownership of the gold is transferred within two business days of the trade date.
 
Jun-30,
 
 
Sep-30,
 
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Gold receivable
  $
 —  
    $
14,819
 
 
2.7
Gold Payable
Gold payable represents the quantity of gold covered by contractually binding orders for the redemption of Shares where the gold has not yet been transferred out of GLDM’s account. Generally, ownership of the gold is transferred within two business days of the trade date.
 
Jun-30,
 
 
Sep-30,
 
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
 
2020
 
 
2019
 
Gold payable
  $
 —  
    $
 —  
 
 
2.8
Creations and Redemptions of Shares
GLDM creates and redeems Shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation Units (a Creation Unit equals a block of 100,000 Shares). GLDM issues Shares in Creation Units to certain authorized participants (“Authorized Participants”) on an ongoing basis. The creation and redemption of Creation Units is only made in exchange for the amount of gold and any cash represented by the Creation Units being created or redeemed. This amount will be based on the combined net asset value of the number of Shares included in the Creation Units being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem Creation Units is properly received.
As the Shares are redeemable in Creation Units at the option of the Authorized Participants, GLDM has classified the Shares as Net Assets for financial reporting purposes. Activity in the number of Shares created and redeemed for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
(Amounts are in 000’s)
 
Jun-30,
2020
 
 
Jun-30,
2019
 
Activity in Number of Shares Created and Redeemed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Creations
   
88,400
     
38,900
 
Redemptions
   
(16,200
)    
(1,900
)
                 
Net change in Number of Shares Created and Redeemed
   
72,200
     
37,000
 
                 
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
(Amounts in 000’s of US$)
 
Jun-30,
2020
 
 
Jun-30,
2019
 
Activity in Value of Shares Created and Redeemed:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Creations
  $
1,450,118
    $
501,359
 
Redemptions
   
(261,944
)    
(24,883
)
                 
Net change in Value of Shares Created and Redeemed
  $
1,188,174
    $
476,476
 
                 
15

Table of Contents
2.9
Income and Expense (Amounts in 000’s of US$)
The Administrator will, at the direction of the Sponsor, sell GLDM’s gold as necessary to pay its expenses. When selling gold to pay expenses, the Administrator will endeavor to sell the smallest amount of gold needed to pay expenses in order to minimize GLDM’s holdings of assets other than gold. Unless otherwise directed by the Sponsor, the Administrator will give a sell order and sell gold to the Custodian at the LBMA Gold Price PM following the sell order. A gain or loss is recognized based on the difference between the selling price and the average cost of the gold sold, and such amounts are reported as net realized gain/(loss) from investment in gold sold to pay Sponsor expenses on the Statement of Operations.
GLDM’s net realized and change in unrealized gain on investment in gold for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 of $284,239 is made up of a realized gain of $232 from the sale of gold to pay Sponsor fees, a realized gain of $32,748 from gold distributed for the redemption of shares, and a change in unrealized appreciation of $251,259 on investment in gold.
GLDM’s net realized and change in unrealized gain on investment in gold for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 of $87,015 is made up of a realized gain of $18 from the sale of gold to pay Sponsor fees, a realized gain of $975 from gold distributed for the redemption of shares, and a change in unrealized appreciation of $86,022 on investment in gold.
 
2.10
Income Taxes
GLDM is classified as a “grantor trust” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, it is not subject to U.S. federal income tax. Instead, its income and expenses “flow through” to the shareholders, and the Administrator will report GLDM’s proceeds, income, deductions, gains and losses to the Internal Revenue Service on that basis.
The Sponsor has evaluated whether there are uncertain tax positions that require financial statement recognition and has determined that no reserves for uncertain tax positions are required as of June 30, 2020. As of June 30, 2020, the 2019 and 2018 tax years remain open for examination. There were no examinations in progress at period end.
2.11
New Accounting Pronouncements
In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update
2018-13,
Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (“ASU
2018-13”).
The update provides guidance that eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. ASU
2018-13
will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. Management of the Sponsor does not currently expect these changes to have a material impact to future financial statements.
3.
Related Parties—Sponsor
The Sponsor receives an annual fee equal to 0.18% of the NAV of GLDM, calculated on a daily basis. The Sponsor is responsible for the payment of all of GLDM’s ordinary fees and expenses, including but not limited to the following: fees charged by GLDM’s Administrator, Custodian, Marketing Agent and Trustee; exchange listing fees; typical maintenance and transaction fees of The Depository Trust Company; SEC registration fees; printing and mailing costs; audit fees and expenses; and legal fees not in excess of $100,000 per annum and expenses and applicable license fees. The Sponsor is not, however, required to pay any extraordinary expenses incurred in the ordinary course of GLDM’s business as outlined in the Sponsor’s agreement with the Trust.
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4.
GLDM Expenses
GLDM’s only ordinary recurring operating expenses are the Sponsor’s annual fee of 0.18% of the NAV of GLDM. The Sponsor’s fee is payable monthly in arrears.
Expenses payable will reduce the NAV of GLDM.
5.
Concentration of Risk
GLDM’s primary business activities are the investment in gold and the issuance and sale of Shares.
Various factors could affect the price of gold including: (i) global gold supply and demand, which is influenced by such factors as forward selling by gold producers, purchases made by gold producers to unwind gold hedge positions, central bank purchases and sales, and production and cost levels in major gold-producing countries such as China, Australia, South Africa and the United States; (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; (vi) other economic variables such as income growth, economic output, and monetary policies; and (vii) global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. In addition, while gold is used to preserve wealth by investors around the world, there is no assurance that gold will maintain its long-term value in terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of gold declines, the Sponsor expects the value of an investment in the Shares to decline proportionately. Each of these events could have a material effect on GLDM’s financial position and results of operations.
6.
Indemnification
The Sponsor and each of its shareholders, members, directors, officers, employees, affiliates and subsidiaries will be indemnified by the Trust and held harmless against any losses, liabilities or expenses incurred in the performance of its duties under the Declaration of Trust without gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. The Sponsor shall in no event be deemed to have assumed or incurred any liability, duty, or obligation to any shareholder or to the Trustee other than as expressly provided for in the Declaration of Trust. Such indemnity includes payment from the Trust of the costs and expenses incurred in defending against any indemnified claim or liability under the Declaration of Trust.
The Trustee and each of its officers, affiliates, directors, employees, and agents will be indemnified by the Trust from and against any losses, claims, taxes, damages, reasonable expenses, and liabilities incurred with respect to the creation, operation or termination of the Trust, the execution, delivery or performance of the Declaration of Trust or the transactions contemplated thereby; provided that the indemnified party acted without willful misconduct, bad faith or gross negligence. The Sponsor will not be liable to the Trust, 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 gold or other assets held in trust under Declaration of Trust. However, the preceding liability exclusion will not protect the Sponsor against any liability resulting from its own gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct.
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Table of Contents
7.
Financial Highlights
The following presentation includes financial highlights related to investment performance and operations of a Share outstanding for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The total return at net asset value is based on the change in net asset value of a Share during the period and the total return at market value is based on the change in market value of a Share on NYSE Arca during the period. An individual investor’s return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions.
 
Three Months
Ended
 
 
Three Months
Ended
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
 
Nine Months
Ended
 
Jun-30,
2020
 
 
Jun-30,
2019
 
 
Jun-30,
2020
 
 
Jun-30,
2019
 
Net Asset Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net asset value per Share, beginning of period
  $
16.04
    $
12.94
    $
14.82
    $
11.87
 
                                 
Net investment income/(loss)
   
(0.01
   
(0.01
   
(0.02
   
(0.02
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain
/
(Loss)
   
1.59
     
1.13
     
2.82
     
2.21
 
                                 
Net Income/(Loss)
   
1.58
     
1.12
     
2.80
     
2.19
 
                                 
Net asset value per Share, end of period
  $
17.62
    $
14.06
    $
17.62
    $
14.06
 
                                 
Market value per Share, beginning of period
  $
15.72
    $
12.91
    $
14.70
    $
11.91
 
                                 
Market value per Share, end of period
  $
17.76
    $
14.09
    $
17.76
    $
14.09
 
                                 
Ratio to average net assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Investment loss
(1)
   
(0.18
)%    
(0.18
)%    
(0.18
)%    
(0.18
)%
 
                                 
Gross expenses
(1)
   
0.18
%    
0.18
%    
0.18
%    
0.18
%
                                 
Net expenses
(1)
   
0.18
%    
0.18
%    
0.18
%    
0.18
%
                                 
Total Return, at net asset value
(2)
   
9.85
%    
8.66
%    
18.89
%    
18.45
%
                                 
Total Return, at market value
(2)
   
12.98
%    
9.14
%    
20.82
%    
18.30
%
                                 
(1) Percentages are annualized.
(2) Percentages are not annualized.
18

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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 included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report. This Quarterly Report, including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, 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 such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future gold prices, gold bullion sales, foreign currencies (including the Reference Currencies), foreign currency exchange rates, costs, plans, or objectives are forward-looking statements based on our estimates, beliefs, assumptions and projections. Words such as “could,” “would,” “may,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” and “predict,” and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and fund performance, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that we believe could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from our expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as updated from time to time in World Gold Trust’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Trust Overview
The World Gold Trust (the “Trust”) was formed as a Delaware statutory trust on August 27, 2014. The Trust consists of multiple series (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). Each Fund issues common units of beneficial interest that represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of such Fund. The term of the Trust and each Fund is perpetual (unless terminated earlier in certain circumstances). The Trust was organized in separate series as a Delaware statutory trust rather than as separate statutory trusts to achieve certain administrative and other efficiencies. The Trust is sponsored by WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC (the “Sponsor”).
The Trust established six separate series, of which only SPDR
®
Gold MiniShares
SM
Trust (“GLDM”) is operational as of June 30, 2020. GLDM commenced operations on June 26, 2018. GLDM’s investment objective is for its shares (the “Shares”) to reflect the performance of the price of gold, less its expenses.
Gold is held by ICBC Standard Bank Plc (the “Custodian”) on behalf of GLDM.
As of the date of this quarterly report, Goldman, Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Virtu Americas LLC are the only Authorized Participants. An updated list of Authorized Participants can be obtained from the Sponsor.
 
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Investing in the Shares does not insulate the investor from risks, including price volatility. The following chart illustrates the movement in the market price of the Shares and NAV of the Shares against the corresponding gold price (per 1/100 of an oz. of gold) since the day the Shares first began trading on the NYSE Arca:
Share price & NAV v. gold price—June 26, 2018 to June 30, 2020
 
Critical Accounting Policy
Valuation of Gold, Definition of NAV
GLDM values the investment in gold bullion at fair value. BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, a division of The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Administrator”), will value any gold bullion held by GLDM on the basis of the price of an ounce of gold as determined by ICE Benchmark Administration Limited. In determining the NAV, the Administrator will value the gold bullion held by GLDM on the basis of the LBMA Gold Price PM. The Administrator will calculate the NAV on each day the NYSE Arca is open for regular trading, at the earlier LBMA Gold Price PM for the day or 12:00 PM New York time. If no LBMA Gold Price (AM or PM) is made on a particular evaluation day or if the LBMA Gold Price PM has not been announced by 12:00 PM New York time on a particular evaluation day, the next most recent LBMA Gold Price AM or PM will be used in the determination of the NAV, unless the Sponsor determines that such price is inappropriate to use as the basis for such determination. Gold held by GLDM is reported at fair value on the Statement of Financial Condition.
Once the value of the gold has been determined, the Administrator subtracts all estimated accrued fees, expenses and other liabilities of GLDM from the total value of the gold and all other assets of GLDM. The resulting figure is the NAV. The NAV is used to compute the Sponsor’s fee. The Administrator determines the NAV per Share by dividing the NAV of GLDM by the number of Shares outstanding as of the close of trading on NYSE Arca.
Recent Developments
GLDM 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”).
Pandemics and other public health crises may cause a curtailment of business activities which may potentially impact the ability of the Sponsor and its service providers to operate. The
COVID-19
pandemic or a similar public health threat could adversely impact GLDM by causing operating delays and disruptions, market disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). The
 
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COVID-19
pandemic has had and will likely continue to have serious negative effects on social, economic and financial systems, including significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.
Governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have, in the past, responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, such as quantitative easing, new monetary programs and lower interest rates. An unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, is likely to increase volatility in the market generally, and could specifically increase volatility in the market for gold, which could adversely affect the price of the Shares. The outbreak could also cause the closure of futures exchanges, which could eliminate the ability of Authorized Participants to hedge purchases of Baskets, increasing trading costs of Shares and resulting in a sustained premium or discount in the Shares. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any reasonable amount of certainty. A prolonged outbreak could result in an increase of the costs of GLDM, affect liquidity in the market for gold as well as the correlation between the price of the Shares and the net asset value of GLDM, any of which could adversely and materially affect the value of your Shares. The outbreak could impair information technology and other operational systems upon which GLDM’s service providers, including the Sponsor, the Administrator and the Custodian, rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of GLDM’s service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of GLDM.
To date, the impact of
COVID-19
has not materially affected the operations of GLDM.
Results of Operations
In the three months ended June 30, 2020, 52,700,000 Shares (527 Creation Units) were created in exchange for 525,241.3 ounces of gold, 10,300,000 Shares (103 Creation Units) were redeemed in exchange for 102,659.3 ounces of gold and 481.3 ounces of gold were sold to pay Sponsor fees. For accounting purposes, GLDM reflects creations and redemptions on the date of receipt of a notification of a creation but does not issue Shares until the requisite amount of gold is received. Upon a redemption, GLDM delivers gold upon receipt of Shares. These creations were completed in the normal course of business.
At June 30, 2020, the Custodian held 1,426,066.8 ounces of gold in its vault, 100% of which is allocated gold in the form of good delivery gold bars with a market value of $2,521,428,713 (cost — $2,150,927,963). Subcustodians did not hold any gold in their vaults on behalf of GLDM.
At September 30, 2019, the Custodian held 697,523.6 ounces of gold in its vault, 100% of which is allocated gold in the form of good delivery gold bars with a market value of $1,036,031,998 (cost — $916,789,900). Subcustodians did not hold any gold in their vaults on behalf of GLDM.
Inspectorate International Limited conducts two counts each year of the gold bullion held on behalf of GLDM at the vaults of the Custodian. A complete bar count is conducted once per year and coincides with GLDM’s financial year end at September 30
th
. The second count is a random sample count and is conducted at a date which falls within the same financial year and was conducted most recently on February 24, 2020. The results can be found on www.spdrgoldshares.com.
Cash Resources and Liquidity
At June 30, 2020, GLDM did not have any cash balances. When selling gold to pay expenses, GLDM endeavors to sell the exact amount of gold needed to pay expenses in order to minimize GLDM’s holdings of assets other than gold or any gold receivable. As a consequence, we expect that GLDM will not record any net cash flow from its operations and that its cash balance will be zero at the end of each reporting period.
Analysis of Movements in the Price of Gold
As movements in the price of gold are expected to directly affect the price of the Shares, it is important to understand the recent movements in the price of gold. However, past movements in the price of gold are not indicators of future movements.
 
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The following chart shows movements in the price of gold based on the LBMA Gold Price PM in U.S. dollars per ounce over the period from June 26, 2018 (the first date the Shares began trading on the NYSE Arca) to June 30, 2020.
LBMA Gold Price PM USD
 
The average, high, low and
end-of-period
gold prices for the three and twelve-month periods from June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2020 and for the period from June 26, 2018 (the first date the Shares began trading on the NYSE Arca) to June 30, 2020, based on the LBMA Gold Price PM, were:
 
Period
  
Average
    
High
    
Date
    
Low
    
Date
    
End of
period
    
Last
business
day
(1)
 
Three months to June 30, 2018
   $ 1,305.99      $ 1,351.45        Apr 18, 2018      $ 1,250.45        June 29, 2018      $ 1,250.45        June 29, 2018  
Three months to September 30, 2018
   $ 1,213.19      $ 1,262.05        July 9, 2018      $ 1,178.40        Aug 17, 2018      $ 1,187.25        Sep 28, 2018  
Three months to December 31, 2018
   $ 1,226.28      $ 1,279.00        Dec 28, 2018      $ 1,185.55        Oct 9, 2018      $ 1,281.65        Dec 31, 2018
(2)
 
Three months to March 31, 2019
   $ 1,303.79      $ 1,343.75        Feb 20, 2019      $ 1,279.55        Jan 21, 2019      $ 1,295.40        Mar 29, 2019  
Three months to June 30, 2019
   $ 1,309.39      $ 1,431.40        Jun 25, 2019      $ 1,269.50        Apr 23, 2019      $ 1,409.00        Jun 28, 2019  
Three months to September 30, 2019
   $ 1,472.47      $ 1,546.10        Sep 4, 2019      $ 1,388.65        Jul 5, 2019      $ 1,485.30        Sep 30, 2019  
Three months to December 31, 2019
   $ 1,480.96      $ 1,517.10        Oct 3, 2019      $ 1,452.05        Nov 12, 2019      $ 1,523.00        Dec 31, 2019
(2)
 
Three months to March 31, 2020
   $ 1,582.80      $ 1,683.65        Mar 6, 2020      $ 1,474.25        Mar 19, 2020      $ 1,608.95        Mar 31, 2020  
Three months to June 30, 2020
   $ 1,711.13      $ 1,771.60        June 29, 2020      $ 1,576.55        Apr 1, 2020      $ 1,768.10        June 30, 2020  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
Twelve months ended June 30, 2018
   $ 1,297.21      $ 1,354.95        Jan 25, 2018      $ 1,211.05        Jul 11, 2017      $ 1,250.45        June 29, 2018  
Twelve months ended June 30, 2019
   $ 1,262.74      $ 1,431.40        June 25, 2019      $ 1,178.40        Aug 17, 2018      $ 1,409.00        June 28, 2019  
Twelve months ended June 30, 2020
   $ 1,560.35      $ 1,771.60        June 29, 2020      $ 1,388.65        July 5, 2019      $ 1,768.10        June 30, 2020  
  
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
    
 
 
 
June 26, 2018 to June 30, 2020
   $ 1,410.89      $ 1,771.60        June 29, 2020      $ 1,178.40        Aug 17, 2018      $ 1,768.10        June 30, 2020  
 
(1)
The end of period gold price is the LBMA Gold Price PM on the last business day of the period.
(2)
There was no LBMA Gold Price PM on the last business day of December 2019 or 2018. The LBMA Gold Price AM on the last business day of December 2019 and 2018 was $1,523.00 and $1,281.65, respectively. The Net Asset Value of GLDM on December 31, 2019 and 2018 was calculated using the LBMA Gold Price AM.
 
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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
GLDM is a passive investment vehicle. Fluctuations in the value of gold bullion will affect the value of Shares which are designed to reflect the performance of the price of gold bullion, less GLDM’s expenses.
 
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Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The duly authorized officers of the Sponsor, performing functions equivalent to those a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures, and have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the duly authorized officers of the Sponsor performing functions equivalent to those a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, and to the Audit Committee of the Sponsor, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The duly authorized officers of the Sponsor, performing functions equivalent to those a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, have evaluated the effectiveness of GLDM’s disclosure controls and procedures, and have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of GLDM were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. Such disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the Exchange Act on behalf of GLDM are recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time period specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the duly authorized officers of the Sponsor performing functions equivalent to those a principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust would perform if the Trust had any officers, and to the Audit Committee of the Sponsor, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There has been no change in the internal control over financial reporting of the Trust that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.
There has been no change in the internal control over financial reporting of GLDM that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, GLDM’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION:
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
None.
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
for the year ended September 30, 2019, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report on
Form 10-K,
except for the following:
GLDM 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”).
Pandemics and other public health crises may cause a curtailment of business activities which may potentially impact the ability of the Sponsor and its service providers to operate. The
COVID-19
pandemic or a similar
 
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public health threat could adversely impact GLDM by causing operating delays and disruptions, market disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). The
COVID-19
pandemic has had and will likely continue to have serious negative effects on social, economic and financial systems, including significant uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets.
Governmental authorities and regulators throughout the world have, in the past, responded to major economic disruptions with a variety of fiscal and monetary policy changes, such as quantitative easing, new monetary programs and lower interest rates. An unexpected or quick reversal of these policies, or the ineffectiveness of these policies, is likely to increase volatility in the market generally, and could specifically increase volatility in the market for gold, which could adversely affect the price of the Shares. The outbreak could also cause the closure of futures exchanges, which could eliminate the ability of Authorized Participants to hedge purchases of Baskets, increasing trading costs of Shares and resulting in a sustained premium or discount in the Shares. The duration of the outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with any reasonable amount of certainty. A prolonged outbreak could result in an increase of the costs of GLDM, affect liquidity in the market for gold as well as the correlation between the price of the Shares and the net asset value of GLDM, any of which could adversely and materially affect the value of your Shares. The outbreak could impair information technology and other operational systems upon which GLDM’s service providers, including the Sponsor, the Administrator and the Custodian, rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of employees of GLDM’s service providers to perform essential tasks on behalf of GLDM. To date, the impact of
COVID-19
has not materially affected the operations of GLDM.
The risks described in our Annual Report on Form
10-K
are not the only risks facing the Trust. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
a)
None.
 
b)
Not applicable.
 
c)
Not applicable.
Since GLDM commenced operations on June 26, 2018, and in the period from then to June 30, 2020, 163,200,000 Shares (1,632 Creation Units) were created in exchange for 1,628,383.0 ounces of gold and 20,100,000 Shares (201 Creation Units) were redeemed in exchange for 200,424.8 ounces of gold.
 
Period
  
Total Number of
Shares
Redeemed
    
Average Ounces of
Gold
Per Share
 
04/01/20 to 04/30/20
     3,600,000        .00997  
05/01/20 to 05/31/20
     6,700,000        .00997  
06/01/20 to 06/30/20
     —          —    
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
Total
     10,300,000        .00665  
  
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
 
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
 
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Item 5.
Other Information
None.
 
Item 6.
Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index, and such Exhibit Index, are filed or incorporated by reference as a part of this report.
 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit
No.
  
Description of Exhibit
  31.1
   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.
  31.2
   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.
  32.1
   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2020.
  32.2
   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, with respect to the Trust’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended to June 30, 2020.
101.INS*
   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104.1
   Cover Page Interactive Data File – The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
 
*
Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation
S-T,
these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.
 
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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* indicated thereunto duly authorized.
 
WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC
Sponsor of the World Gold Trust
(Registrant)
By:  
/s/ Joseph R. Cavatoni
  Joseph R. Cavatoni
  Principal Executive Officer
By:  
/s/ Laura S. Melman
  Laura S. Melman
 
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Date: August 7, 2020
 
*
The registrant is a trust and the persons are signing in their capacities as officers of WGC USA Asset Management Company, LLC, the Sponsor of the registrant.
 
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