Weekly Investment Insights – Brexit – Is the end of March still likely?
Highlights
May’s second defeat in the Lords has added to uncertainty surrounding the triggering of Article 50, pressuring the GBP.
In all likelihood the “Brexit Bill” should gain approval during the next week setting the stage for an official announcement.
The risk comes from a rebellion in the Commons that could see government credibility damaged or even a snap election
May suffers second defeat
Theresa May’s EU Notification of Withdrawal Bill (the Bill) suffered its second setback in as many weeks on Tuesday, as the House of Lords voted for the inclusion of a yet another amendment to the landmark legislation. While the first centred on guaranteeing the rights of approximately 3 million EU citizens working in the UK, the second change would allow Parliament to have a direct say on the final terms of a future Brexit deal. In the meantime, the GBP has fallen to seven week lows against both the US Dollar and the Euro (see Figure 1) as investors continue to express concern over the imminent (in theory) trigger of Article 50. The question now is what the timeline will be of May actually triggering Article 50 given recent events and whether a March-end deadline is still realistic.
Figure 1: Uncertainty pushes GBP lower
(click to enlarge)
Next step and risks
At the start of next week (March 13th) the House of Commons is expected to vote on the amendments put forward. The most likely outcome is that with the government’s 17 member working majority the amendments will be overturned, sending the Bill back to the House of Lords. The House of Lords can vote for additional amendments (different from before) and begin a process known as “ping pong” with the lower house. Political pundits feel this is unlikely though as the Lords do not want to be viewed as frustrating the referendum result and in turn the will of the British public. Therefore, in the earliest case we could see May trigger the Article as early as next week.
However there are risks involved. Pro-EU backbenchers in the Conservative Party could coordinate to prevent amendments being implemented, prolonging the process further and creating greater uncertainty. This could see the Sterling move lower as it is clear that the market needs clarity over future proceedings. In the aftermath of the second vote in the Lord’s, the government took the swift steps of removing the former Conservative deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine from his post as government advisor, sending a signal that rebellion will not be tolerated.
Potential Dates
In any case, should the Lord’s approve the Bill in the early part of next week May will have to act tactfully in determining a trigger date. On the 15th March is the Dutch general election where controversial populist Geert Wilders is leading in the polls and then immediately after (17th-18th) is the Scottish National Party (SNP’s) spring conference where the increasingly disillusioned political party could announce a second independence referendum. The key date to avoid is the EU Summit to be held on March 27th, which commemorates the 1957 signing of the Treaty of Rome. Should May overshadow this event with the UK’s formal notification of departure, could spark a hostile reaction, something that will likely be reflected in an uptick in the EUR/GBP currency pair.
Investors wishing to express the investment views outlined above may consider using the following ETF Securities ETPs:
Currency ETPs
GBP Base
ETFS Long EUR Short GBP (GBUR) ETFS Short EUR Long GBP (URGB) ETFS Long USD Short GBP (GBUS) ETFS Short USD Long GBP (USGB)
USD Base
ETFS Long GBP Short USD (LGBP) ETFS Short GBP Long USD (SGBP)
3x
ETFS 3x Long GBP Short EUR (EGB3) ETFS 3x Short GBP Long EUR (GBE3) ETFS 3x Long GBP Short USD (LGB3) ETFS 3x Short GBP Long USD (SGB3) ETFS 3x Long USD Short GBP (USP3) ETFS 3x Short USD Long GBP (PUS3) ETFS 3x Long EUR Short GBP (EUP3) ETFS 3x Short EUR Long GBP (SUP3)
5x
ETFS 5x Long GBP Short EUR (EGB5) ETFS 5x Short GBP Long EUR (GBE5)
Basket
ETFS Bullish GBP vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (LGBB) ETFS Bearish GBP vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (SGBB)
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This communication has been provided by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the ”FCA”).
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The information contained in this communication is for your general information only and is neither an offer for sale nor a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. This communication should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. Historical performance is not an indication of future performance and any investments may go down in value. This document is not, and under no circumstances is to be construed as, an advertisement or any other step in furtherance of a public offering of shares or securities in the United States or any province or territory thereof. Neither this document nor any copy hereof should be taken, transmitted or distributed (directly or indirectly) into the United States. This communication may contain independent market commentary prepared by ETFS UK based on publicly available information. Although ETFS UK endeavours to ensure the accuracy of the content in this communication, ETFS UK does not warrant or guarantee its accuracy or correctness. Any third party data providers used to source the information in this communication make no warranties or representation of any kind relating to such data. Where ETFS UK has expressed its own opinions related to product or market activity, these views may change. Neither ETFS UK, nor any affiliate, nor any of their respective officers, directors, partners, or employees accepts any liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this publication or its contents. ETFS UK is required by the FCA to clarify that it is not acting for you in any way in relation to the investment or investment activity to which this communication relates. In particular, ETFS UK will not provide any investment services to you and or advise you on the merits of, or make any recommendation to you in relation to, the terms of any transaction. No representative of ETFS UK is authorised to behave in any way which would lead you to believe otherwise. ETFS UK is not, therefore, responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients and you should seek
2016 has been full of surprises and can be divided into three distinct phases defined by the EU referendum and US election.
Currently the market is in a period of re-pricing due to Trump’s proposed fiscal expansion plans.
The USD looks likely to hold onto recent gains, while the EUR look vulnerable to political uncertainty in the year to come.
Against all odds
Surprises have been commonplace in 2016 and have ensured that volatility has remained a prominent feature of the world’s currency markets. The year can almost be divided into three distinct phases marked around the shock outcomes in both the EU referendum and the US presidential election. In the period up to, and the month following, the Brexit vote, concerns over the economic impact of the referendum and reduced expectations of monetary tightening in the US saw safe havens like the JPY soar against the GBP and USD (rising 26% and 16% respectively from 1st January to the 6th July). These moves moderated somewhat until the US election, where Trump’s shock victory ushered in a complete shift in market assumptions and a corresponding re-pricing of financial assets. This is the current phase that we find ourselves in, characterised by the strongest trade weighted USD in over 14 years and a sharply weakening JPY. Going into 2017, we see healthy prospects for US growth and inflation buoying the USD, while in Europe the single currency risks being pressured by political uncertainty.
Click to enlarge
US reflation?
Markets appear to have interpreted Trump’s victory as a signal that the US will benefit from a large fiscal stimulus and infrastructure package in the years to come, helping to deliver both growth and inflation. While a lot of the details surrounding Trump’s future plan are currently uncertain, what seems clear is that the recent increase in inflation expectations have prompted the US Federal Reserve to pursue a more aggressive rate hike path. Should they follow through with the proposed three hikes in 2017 we see recent gains in the USD as being broadly sustained, although a near term pullback in the next few months may be due.
Populist sentiment tested
In Europe, scheduled parliamentary and presidential elections in a majority of the bloc’s largest nations have potential to test the Euro. Matteo Renzi’s recent resignation is a signal that anti-establishment sentiment on mainland Europe remains elevated and the growth of populist parties is not as remote a risk as market participants once thought. Combined with a European Central Bank (ECB) committed to at least another 12 months of asset purchases, risks for the EUR appear skewed to the downside.
Transitional Brexit deal to be brokered
Prospects for the GBP are centred on the progress of Brexit negotiations and the UK government’s ability to deliver an effective transitional agreement offering protection for Britain’s more exposed sectors, such as finance. We remain bullish on the currency and believe that it is currently trading near its structural nadir (see: GBP reaches rock bottom). However, it will remain volatile as markets scrutinise any plan Theresa May puts forward before the self-imposed March deadline for Article 50.
Investors wishing to express the investment views outlined above may consider using the following ETF Securities ETPs:
Currency ETPs
GBP Base
ETFS Long EUR Short GBP (GBUR)
ETFS Short EUR Long GBP (URGB)
ETFS Long USD Short GBP (GBUS)
ETFS Short USD Long GBP (USGB)
USD Base
ETFS Long GBP Short USD (LGBP)
ETFS Short GBP Long USD (SGBP)
ETFS Long EUR Short USD (LEUR)
ETFS Short EUR Long USD (SEUR)
EUR Base
ETFS Long USD Short EUR (XBJP)
ETFS Short USD Long EUR (XBJQ)
ETFS Long GBP Short EUR (EUGB)
ETFS Short GBP Long EUR (GBEU)
3x
ETFS 3x Long USD Short EUR (EUS3)
ETFS 3x Short USD Long EUR (USE3)
ETFS 3x Long GBP Short EUR (EGB3)
ETFS 3x Short GBP Long EUR (GBE3)
ETFS 3x Long GBP Short USD (LGB3)
ETFS 3x Short GBP Long USD (SGB3)
ETFS 3x Long EUR Short USD (LEU3)
ETFS 3x Short EUR Long USD (SEU3)
ETFS 3x Long USD Short GBP (USP3)
ETFS 3x Short USD Long GBP (PUS3)
ETFS 3x Long EUR Short GBP (EUP3)
ETFS 3x Short EUR Long GBP (SUP3)
5x
ETFS 5x Long GBP Short EUR (EGB5)
ETFS 5x Short GBP Long EUR (GBE5)
ETFS 5x Long USD Short EUR (5CH5)
ETFS 5x Short USD Long EUR (5CH6)
ETFS 5x Long USD Short GBP (USP5)
ETFS 5x Short USD Long GBP (PUS5)
Basket
ETFS Bullish GBP vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (LGBB)
ETFS Bearish GBP vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (SGBB)
ETFS Bullish USD vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (LUSB)
ETFS Bearish USD vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (SUSB)
ETFS Bullish EUR vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (LEUB)
ETFS Bearish EUR vs G10 Currency Basket Securities (SEUB)
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ETF Securities Weekly Flows Analysis – Oil suffers worst weekly outflows in six years
Investors take profit on OPEC-led oil price rally.
Gold ETP outflows of US$274mn were highest since July 2015.
Profit-taking on long GBP, short EUR positions after Pound rallies on hopes of a softer Brexit.
Oil ETP outflows reach highest level since August 2010 as investors take profit on a 15% surge in prices. There were US$126mn of outflows from long oil ETPs. OPEC’s landmark deal to cut production for the first time in eight years drove the market euphoria as participants responded to the headline cut of 1.2 million barrels per day. However, anyone looking at the details can see that OPEC is not committing to cutting 1.2 million barrels from today’s levels. The reference figures from which they are cutting from are inflated (compare to what was produced in October). The main flaw of the agreement is that it exempts Nigeria, Libya and suspends Indonesia, but formulates a production target that includes them. It also contingent on non-OPEC countries cutting 0.6 mbd, which we consider very ambitious. ETP investors have taken profit as it is very likely that disappointment will sink in after the market has assessed the details.
Outflows from gold ETPs accelerated to US$274mn – the highest since July 2015 – as the Fed’s December rate hike looms. A string of positive economic data from the US including an upward revision to GDP, a surge in consumer confidence, ISM manufacturing reaching a 5-month high and positive labour market data makes a December rate hike a near certainty. Gold’s traditional inverse relationship with real rates saw its price drop 0.5% and investors sold out of long positions. However, we fear that many investors are missing a trick. Inflation is likely to surge in 2017 as prior weak commodity prices fall out of the index and the pro-growth policies that the market is so enthusiastic about start to generate price increases. A conservative Fed is likely to remain reluctant to hike too quickly to ward off these pressures, leading to low real rates. Moreover, the Italian referendum results highlight that political instability is rife and we expect as the US-centric focus of investors to changes in Europe, demand for haven assets will once again rise.
Pound climbed 1.3% against the euro, driving US$11.9mn of profit taking. Market hopes of a ‘softer’ exit helped the UK currency rally to a 12 week high after UK Brexit Minister mooted the potential to access the single market post-Brexit for a price. This week the Supreme Court will undertake its hearing to decide whether the British Government can trigger Article 50 without a parliamentary vote. Although the results will not likely be announced until the new year, the uncertainty about whether the High Court judgment will be reversed could be another source of volatility.
Second consecutive week of inflows into all-commodity ETPs underscores desire for diversification. As investors took profit on price surges across metals and oil, they built US$51.2mn of positions in diversified baskets.
What to watch this week. The ECB may announce whether it is going to extend its QE programme beyond March at its meeting this week. Chinese PMIs, FX reserves, trade and lending data will be assessed to gauge how the world’s largest commodity consumer is faring.
Video Presentation
Nitesh Shah, Director, Commodity Research at ETF Securities provides an analysis of last week’s performance, flow and trading activity in commodity exchange traded products and a look at the week ahead.
For more information contact
ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E info@etfsecurities.com
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None of the index providers of the Funds referred to herein nor their licensors make any warranty or representation whatsoever either as to the results obtained from use of the relevant indices and/or the figures at which such indices stand at any particular day or otherwise. None of the index providers shall be liable to any person for any errors or significant delays in the relevant indices nor shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error or significant delay therein.
Storsatsning på Storbritannien när pundet närmar sig rekordlåg nivå
Trots att det brittiska pundet närmar sig den lägsta nivån mot dollarn på över trettio år så har de brittiska aktierna på senare tid börjat leverera en god avkastning. Detta kan vara en förklaring till att vissa investerare nu väljer att öka sin exponering mot den börshandlade fonden som heter iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEArca: EWU), den största av de börshandlade fonder som erbjuder exponering mot den brittiska aktiemarknaden. FTSE-100 noterade nyligen ett all time high och vi ser en Storsatsning på Storbritannien bland investerare världen över.
Bank of England sänkte styrräntan
Förra månaden sänkte Bank of England sin styrränta till rekordlåga 0,25 % från tidigare 0,5 procent och räknar med att den kommer att få göra ytterligare sänkningar ned till, eller kanske rent av förbi noll. BOE återupplivade också sitt statsobligationsåterköpsprogram, som har varit på paus sedan 2012, tillsammans med inköp av företagsobligationer.
EWU är inte en valutasäkrad produkt, vilket betyder att en svensk investerare som köper denna ETF tar en dubbel valutarisk, dels mot det brittiska pundet, dels mot den amerikanska dollarn eftersom denna börshandlade fond handlas på den amerikanska marknaden.
Vissa bedömare på marknaden förväntar sig att Bank of England att anta mer ackommoderande åtgärder för att bidra till att stärka ekonomin. I en post-Brexit miljö har till och med BOEs Martin Weale, tidigare känd som en av de mer hökaktiga ledamöterna kommit att anta en mer duvaktig inställning till bankens politiska utsikter. Detta när vi ser en Storsatsning på Storbritannien bland investerare världen över.
Data tyder på vissa investerare är haussade till EWU.
Under förra veckan noterade iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEArca: EWU) inflöden på 96 MUSD, det största flödet på en dag på 16 månader. Utöver EWU finns det andra alternativ för den som har en positiv syn på den brittiska aktiemarknaden, till exempel
Deutsche X-Trackers MSCI United Kingdom Hedged Equity ETF (NYSEArca: DBUK)Shares Currency Hedged MSCI United Kingdom ETF (NYSEArca: HEWU)WisdomTree United Kingdom Hedged Equity Fund (NasdaqGM: DXPS)
Framförallt DXPS har varit en av årets bättre placeringar och det rally som kunnat glädja dess andelsägare understryker efterfrågan på valutasäkrade aktierelaterade tillgångar med fokus på Storbritannien i efterdyningarna efter Brexit. Utvecklingen för DXPS och övriga ETFer med fokus på Storbritannien påminner starkt om dem som kunde ses i de valutasäkrade börshandlade fonder med fokus på Japan respektive Europa under 2013 respektive 2015. Båda dessa händelser åtföljdes av betydande kapitalinflöden.
När det gäller exponering mot Storbritannien är det möjligt att få en mer riskneutral position med hjälp av en valutasäkrad ETF vars smart beta strategier mer eller mindre återspeglar utvecklingen av de underliggande tillgångarna och FTSE-100 minus valutarisken. För en svensk placerare kvarstår emellertid en viss valutarisk då dessa börshandlade fonder handlas endera i USA eller i Tyskland och då nomineras i endera dollar eller euro.
Storbritannien FTSE-100
Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index kallas också för FTSE 100 Index, FTSE 100, FTSE eller också helt informellt för Footsie. Det är ett index som omfattar de 100 aktier på London Stock Exchange som har det högsta marknadsvärdet.
Contrary to the GBP flash crash on Friday last week, short GBP ETPs have seen outflows, totalling US$12mn. The flash crash for Sterling last week highlights the volatility that thin liquidity and computerised trading algorithms can have on currency markets, after a sharp 6% decline pushed Sterling to 31-year lows. Investors in the ETP space have started to believe that GBP was making a floor, based on fund flows. Currency ETPs tracking short GBP exposures recorded the most significant outflows in two months, with US$12mn withdrawn last week. Meanwhile, inflows into ETPs tracking long GBP exposures were the largest in over two years, since June 2014, recording over US$3mn last week.
Long US Dollar ETP inflows were the highest in a month. Investors maintained their faith in the US Dollar (and the Fed to hike rates in 2016), with US$10.2mn of inflows. Expectations for a rate hike in December have risen to 64% from 59% at end-September, while positions in futures markets show that net long exposures have softened by 1% over the past week.
Investors flee crude at fastest rate in nearly two months, as oil prices stall at US$50/bbl. OPEC comments from the International Energy Conference reiterating the cartel members’ optimism about forming an agreement to cut crude oil production appear to be having less impact, as oil prices begin to stall around US$50/bbl. Profit-taking by investors has seen US$71mn withdrawn from crude oil ETPs over the past week, the fastest pace in seven weeks.
Gold ETPs receive third consecutive week of inflows, totalling US$57mn last week. ETPs tracking long gold have received inflows in 11 of the past 12 weeks, indicating that investors remain cautious about the global economic outlook and the impact that monetary policy is having on global fiat currencies. Cumulative inflows over the past three months have amounted to US$1.1bn. However, futures market positioning indicates that gold’s support may be fading, with long positions being cut by 15% to the lowest level in four months. Meanwhile, silver ETPs recorded modest outflows after a near 11% plunge in prices over the past week.
Key events to watch this week. With US jobs failing to meet expectations last week, investors will be focussing on Fed Chair Yellen’s speech on Friday after scrutinising the FOMC minutes on Wednesday regarding the potential for a December rate hike from the Fed. US equities earnings season begins again this week, with questions over the robustness of the US sharemarket rally likely to be clarified. Additionally, US retail sales will shed light on whether consumer strength can hold up in the currently uncertain economic environment.
For more information contact
ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E info@etfsecurities.com
Important Information
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Important Information
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This communication has been provided by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (the ”FCA”).
This communication is only targeted at qualified or professional investors.
The products discussed in this communication are issued by ETFS Commodity Securities Limited (”CSL”), ETFS Hedged Commodity Securities Limited (”HCSL”), ETFS Hedged Metal Securities Limited (”HMSL”), Swiss Commodity Securities Limited (”SCSL”), ETFS Foreign Exchange Limited (”FXL”), ETFS Metal Securities Limited (”MSL”), ETFS Oil Securities Limited (”OSL”), ETFS Equity Securities Limited (”ESL”), Gold Bullion Securities Limited (”GBS” and, together with CSL, HCSL, HMSL, SCSL, FXL, MSL, OSL and ESL, the ”Issuers”) and GO UCITS ETF Solutions Plc (the ”Company ”). Each Issuer (apart from SCSL) is regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. The Company is an open-ended investment company with variable capital having segregated liability between its sub-funds (each a ”Fund”) and is organised under the laws of Ireland. The Company is regulated, and has been authorised as a UCITS by the Central Bank of Ireland (the ”Financial Regulator”) pursuant to the European Communities (Undertaking for Collective Investment in Transferable Securities) Regulations, 2003 (as amended).
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Securities issued by the Issuers and the Company may be structured products involving a significant degree of risk and may not be suitable for all types of investor. This communication is aimed at sophisticated, professional and institutional investors. Any decision to invest should be based on the information contained in the prospectus (and any supplements thereto) of the relevant Issuer or the Company which includes, inter alia, information on certain risks associated with an investment. The price of any securities may go up or down and an investor may not get back the amount invested. Securities may be priced in US Dollars, Euros, or Sterling, and the value of the investment in other currencies will be affected by exchange rate movements. Investments in the securities of the Issuers or the shares of the Company which provide a short and/or leveraged exposure are only suitable for sophisticated, professional and institutional investors who understand leveraged and compounded daily returns and are willing to magnify potential losses by comparison to investments which do not incorporate these strategies. Over periods of greater than one day, investments with a short and/or leveraged exposure do not necessarily provide investors with a return equivalent to a return from the unleveraged long or unleveraged short investments multiplied by the relevant leverage factor.
Investors should refer to the section entitled ”Risk Factors” in the relevant prospectus for further details of these and other risks associated with an investment in the securities offered by the Issuers and the Company.
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Issuers
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For Dutch, French, German and Italian Investors: The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for each of the Issuers (apart from SCSL) have been passported from the United Kingdom into France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands and have been filed with the l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers (AMF) in France, Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht (BaFin) in Germany, CONSOB and the Bank of Italy in Italy and the Authority Financial Markets (Autoriteit Financiële Markten) in the Netherlands. Copies of prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) and related regulatory documentation, including annual reports, can be obtained in France from HSBC France, 103, Avenue des Champs Elysées, 75008 Paris, in Germany from HSBC Trinkhaus & Burkhardt, AG, Konsortialgeschäft, Königsalle 21/23, 40212 Dusseldorf and in the Netherlands from Fortis Bank (Nederland) N.V., Rokin 55, 1012 KK Amsterdam. The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for each of the Issuers (apart from SCSL) may be distributed to investors in France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands.
This communication is not a financial analysis pursuant to Section 34b of the German Securities Trading Act (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz – WpHG) and consequently does not meet all legal requirements to warrant the objectivity of a financial analysis and is also not subject to the ban on trading prior to the publication of a financial analysis.
This communication is not addressed to or intended directly or indirectly, to (a) any persons who do not qualify as qualified investors (gekwalificeerde beleggers) within the meaning of section 1:1 of the Dutch Financial Supervision Act as amended from time to time; and/or (b) in circumstances where other exemptions or dispensations from the prohibition the Dutch Financial Supervision Act or the Exemption Regulation of the Act on Financial Supervision apply.
None of the Issuers is required to have a license pursuant to the Dutch Financial Supervision Act as it is exempt from any licensing requirements and is not regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets and consequently no prudential and conduct of business supervision will be exercised.
For Austrian, Danish, Finnish, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish Investors: The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for each of CSL, HCSL, HMSL, MSL, ESL and FXL have been passported from the United Kingdom into Austria, Denmark, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and have been filed with Österreichische Finanzmarktaufsicht (Austrian Financial Market Authority) in Austria, Finanstilsynet (Financial Supervisory Authority) in Denmark, Finanssivalvonta (Finnish Financial Supervisory Authority) in Finland, Comissão do Mercado de Valores Mobiliários (Portuguese Securities Market Commission) in Portugal, Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores (Securities Market Commission) in Spain and the Finansinspektionen (Financial Supervisory Authority) in Sweden. The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for these entities may be distributed to investors in Austria, Finland, Portugal, Spain, Denmark and Sweden.
For Belgian Investors: The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for GBS, CSL, MSL and FXL have been passported from the United Kingdom into Belgium and has been filed with the Commission Bancair, Financiére et des Assurances in Belgium. The prospectuses (and any supplements thereto) for GBS, CSL, MSL and FXL may be distributed to investors in Belgium.
For Swiss investors: The prospectus (and any supplements thereto) for SCSL may be distributed to investors in Switzerland. Securities in SCSL are not shares or units in collective investment schemes within the meaning of CISA. They have not been approved by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) and are not subject to its supervision. The Swiss Franc Currency-Hedged Commodity Securities are not issued or guaranteed by a supervised financial intermediary within the meaning of CISA.
This document does not constitute a prospectus under the Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 and is not an offer or an invitation to acquire securities in SCSL. This document does not constitute a Swiss listing prospectus under the SIX Listing Rules and the SIX Additional Rules for the listing of Exchange Traded Products. This document must be read in conjunction with the Swiss Listing Prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between this document and the Swiss Listing Prospectus, the Swiss Listing Prospectus shall prevail. Detailed information on the terms and conditions of the Swiss Franc Currency-Hedged Commodity Securities can be found in the Swiss Listing Prospectus under Part 6 – Trust Instrument and Swiss Franc Currency-Hedged Commodity Securities.
Other than as set out above investors may contact ETFS UK at +44 (0)20 7448 4330 or at info@etfsecurities.com to obtain copies of prospectuses and related regulatory documentation, including annual reports. Other than as separately indicated, this communication is being made on a ”private placement” basis and is intended solely for the professional / institutional recipient to which it is delivered.
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Funds
Austria: Investors should base their investment decision only on the relevant prospectus of the Company, the Key Investor Information Document, any supplements or addenda thereto, the latest annual reports and semi-annual reports and the memorandum of incorporation and the articles of association, which can be obtained free of charge upon request at the Paying and Information Agent in Austria, Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG, Graben 21, A1010 Wien, Österreich and on www.etfsecurities.com.
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None of the index providers of the Funds referred to herein nor their licensors make any warranty or representation whatsoever either as to the results obtained from use of the relevant indices and/or the figures at which such indices stand at any particular day or otherwise. None of the index providers shall be liable to any person for any errors or significant delays in the relevant indices nor shall be under any obligation to advise any person of any error or significant delay therein.
