Van Eck Global Lists Unique Wide Moat ETF in Switzerland

Van Eck Global Lists Unique Wide Moat ETF in SwitzerlandVan Eck Global Lists Unique Wide Moat ETF in Switzerland

Van Eck Global Lists Unique Wide Moat ETF in Switzerland ETF provides access to attractively priced US companies with structural competitive advantages

Van Eck Global Investments Ltd. has cross-listed the Market Vectors® Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF on SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker: MOAT). The exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracks the equally weighted Morningstar® Wide Moat Focus IndexTM developed by Morningstar Inc., a leading provider of independent investment research. Market Vectors Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF invests in the 20 most attractively priced companies that have the potential for long-term above average returns according to Morningstar’s moat analysis. The wide moat concept traces back to Warren Buffett’s theory about companies with sustainable competitive advantages.

“MOAT is a unique addition to the European ETF market which is in need of innovation and product differentiation. With MOAT, we wanted to give investors interested in exposure to US equity a true alternative to mainstream benchmark index strategies,” commented Lars Hamich, CEO of Van Eck Global (Europe). “MOAT seeks to leverage Morningstar’s proprietary economic moat rating and valuation research. It is this combination that we believe makes the index strategy successful. Since its inception in 2007, the ETF benchmark has outperformed the US equity market with a cumulative performance of 130.58 percent while that of the S&P 500 Index was 72.69 percent,” added Mr. Hamich.*

The Market Vectors Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF offers 100 percent exposure to US-based and US-traded companies. The top three ranks of the ETF basket as of 30 November are held by Autodesk Inc. (6.41%),  Applied Materials Inc. (5.66%) and Norfolk Southern Corp. (5.61%). The top three sector weightings were Industrials (24.76%), Consumer Discretionary (24.30%) and Information Technology (21.08%).

The ETF has a total expense ratio of 0.49 percent and mirrors the strategy of its successful US counterpart that currently has approximately USD 790 million in assets invested. With listings on the London Stock Exchange, Deutsche Börse and SIX Swiss Exchange, Market Vectors Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF can be traded in US Dollars, Euro and Swiss Francs. The ETF is currently registered for public distribution in nine European countries.

MOAT is the latest addition to Van Eck’s European ETF platform that launched in April 2015 with Market Vectors Gold Miners UCITS ETF and Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners UCITS ETF. The ETFs offer exposure to different spectra of the global gold mining industry.

Please consult www.marketvectors-europe.com for detailed ETF information. Further information about the underlying index is available at www.indexes.morningstar.com.

Contact

Isa Krupka
+49 (0)69 4056 695 20
Isa.krupka@vaneck.com

Bettina Hessler
+49 (0)69 4056 695 22
bettina.hessler@vaneck.com

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Note to the Editors

About Van Eck Global

Van Eck Global Investments Ltd., the management company of Market Vectors UCITS plc, is a subsidiary of Van Eck Associates Corporation, also known as Van Eck Global. The company is regulated under the law of Ireland and distributes the Market Vectors UCITS ETFs. Van Eck Global offers investors focused investment strategies that capitalise on specific market opportunities. Van Eck Global seeks to provide long-term competitive performance through active and index strategies based on optimal investment approaches and portfolio delivery.  The firm is driven by innovation, a hallmark of Van Eck Global since its founding in 1955.  Targeted investment strategies – including actively managed UCITS hard assets, gold and emerging markets fixed income funds – benefit from the combination of Van Eck Global’s experience and in-depth knowledge of emerging markets and natural resources.  Van Eck Global managed approximately USD 26.6 billion in investor assets as of 30 November 2015.

About Morningstar

Morningstar, Inc. is a leading provider of independent investment research in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. The company offers an extensive line of products and services for individual investors, financial advisors, asset managers, and retirement plan providers and sponsors. Morningstar provides data on more than 500,000 investment offerings, including stocks, mutual funds, and similar vehicles, along with real-time global market data on more than 17 million equities, indexes, futures, options, commodities, and precious metals, in addition to foreign exchange and Treasury markets. Morningstar also offers investment management services through its investment advisory subsidiaries, with more than 170 USD billion in assets under advisement and management as of Sept. 30, 2015. The company has operations in 27 countries.

Morningstar®Wide Moat Focus Index™ is a trade mark of Morningstar Inc. and has been licensed for use for certain purposes by Van Eck Global. Market Vectors Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morningstar and Morningstar makes no representation regarding the advisability in Market Vectors Morningstar US Wide Moat UCITS ETF.

Payrolls Data Highlights Policy Divergence

Payrolls Data Highlights Policy Divergence

ETFS Multi-Asset Weekly Payrolls Data Highlights Policy Divergence

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Freezing weather conditions support natural gas prices.

Confirmation of QE sends gold miners lower.

Divergent monetary paths pressures Euro.

This week will be dominated by the launch of the heavily anticipated quantitative easing program by the ECB. A strong US non-farm payroll reading on Friday underlined the stark contrast in circumstances for the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank. As demonstrated on Friday, European and American economies are likely to continue to diverge in line with prospects for monetary policy. However, after the official Chinese growth target was lowered this week attention may shift to Chinese lending data due next week.

Commodities

Freezing weather conditions support natural gas prices. Snowfall and frigid temperatures in the eastern half of the US boosted heating demand for natural gas. A larger-than-expected withdrawal from natural gas inventories last week sent prices higher, with Henry hub gas ending the week up 5.3%. Reports that US crude stocks rose to a record 444.4mn barrels last week failed to prevent WTI prices climbing higher. The US crude benchmark was supported by a release of the Federal Reserve’s beige book which detailed the likely cut in capital expenditures by US oil producers in 2015 as the plunge in oil prices impacts the industry. Carbon prices fell 4.4%, as coal-reliant members of the European parliament posed a potential roadblock to negotiations towards the relief of the current oversupply of allowances in the emissions market.

Equities

Confirmation of QE sends gold miners lower. After reaffirming the launch of quantitative easing, Mario Draghi delivered a relatively upbeat assessment of the Eurozone’s economic prospects. The positive tone sent European bourses rising with the DAX 30 and FTSE MIB climbing 1.6% and 1.1%, respectively. The prospect of stimulus in Europe boosted sentiment and dented safe haven demand for gold resulting in its decline through the psychological US$1,200/oz level. The fall in gold prices caused DAXglobal® Gold Miners Index to fall 4.8%. The strong performance of European stocks pushed volatility lower and the EURO STOXX 50® Investable Volatility Index to its lowest level this year at 15.3. The MSCI China A Index fell 0.9% as the Chinese premier Li Keqiang reduced the official growth target to 7.0% from 7.5% as the country tackles structural and economic reform.

Currencies

Divergent monetary paths pressures Euro. Last week the prospect of the ECB’s QE programme launch caused the Euro to fall to an eleven and a half year low against the US dollar. These losses were extended on Friday as a strong US non-farm payroll reading increased the likelihood of US rate normalisation starting at the Fed meeting in June. Recent indications that the US economy continues to strengthen brings the timeline for higher interest rates forward. While in Europe the ECB plans to loosen monetary policy and various central banks have put negative interest rates in place to combat deflation. The differing outlooks have sent the Dollar and Euro in opposite directions against other major global currencies, a trend which only looks set to continue.

For more information contact:

ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E  info@etfsecurities.com

Important Information

General

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (”FCA”).

Investments may go up or down in value and you may lose some or all of the amount invested.  Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. You should consult an independent investment adviser prior to making any investment in order to determine its suitability to your circumstances.

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 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 FSA 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 your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.

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.

Other than as set out above, investors may contact ETFS UK at +44 (0)20 7448 4330 or at retail@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.

Third Parties

Securities issued by each of the Issuers are direct, limited recourse obligations of the relevant Issuer alone and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any of UBS AG, Merrill Lynch Commodities Inc. (”MLCI”), Bank of America Corporation (”BAC) or any of their affiliates. UBS AG, MLCI and BAC, Shell Trading Switzerland, Shell Treasury, HSBC Bank USA N.A., JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG any of their affiliates or anyone else or any of their affiliates. Each of UBS AG, Merrill Lynch Commodities Inc. (”MLCI”), Bank of America Corporation (”BAC) or any of their affiliates. UBS AG, MLCI and BAC, Shell Trading Switzerland, Shell Treasury, HSBC Bank USA N.A., JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank AG disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might have in respect of this document or its contents otherwise arising in connection herewith.

”Dow Jones,” ”UBS”, DJ-UBS CISM,”, ”DJ-UBS CI-F3SM,” and any related indices or sub-indices are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (”Dow Jones”), CME Group Index Services LLC (”CME Indexes”), UBS AG (”UBS”) or UBS Securities LLC (”UBS Securities”), as the case may be, and have been licensed for use by the Issuer. The securities issued by CSL although based on components of the Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index 3 month ForwardSM are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME Indexes, UBS, UBS Securities or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, and none of Dow Jones, CME Indexes, UBS, UBS Securities, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product.

Gold in Focus as Swiss Gold Referendum Looms

Gold in Focus as Swiss Gold Referendum Looms

ETFS Multi-Asset Weekly Gold in Focus as Swiss Gold Referendum Looms

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Highlights

Natural gas surges on colder weather.

Swiss gold referendum key for CHF strength.

Gold miners rally as gold rebounds.

Cyclical assets broadly performed well last week as central banks reiterated economic support. But so did gold and it could continue, despite the strength in the US dollar, in a sign that its price has bottomed after weeks of de-rating, as the Swiss gold referendum looms. Sentiment was buoyed last week with the European Central Bank pledging once again “to do whatever it takes” to ward off deflation. The ECB commenced purchases of asset-backed securities, expanding its QE programme, while the People’s Bank of China cut interest rates to spur flagging demand.

Commodities

Natural gas surges on colder weather. Natural gas rebounded 13.7% as a cold snap ate into gas storage levels. Natural gas transportation is highly constrained during times of peak demand in New York and New England and last week’s cold weather led to a strong rally in the US North East region in particular. Gold and silver gained 2.4% and 2.9% last week, respectively. With both metals having fallen close to their marginal cost of production, it is increasingly likely that production will be cut, helping to tighten the supply of the metals. Soybeans and corn fell 3.2% each as the rising probability of an El Niño weather event bodes well for growing conditions for the crops in South America over the coming months. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology increased the odd of an El Niño to 70% from 50% previously. Nickel bounced up 6.2% as Indonesia reaffirmed its ore export ban.

Equities

Gold miners rally as gold rebounds. DAXglobal® Gold Miners Index continued its recovery from record lows this week, rallying 8.9%, tracking the performance of bullion, albeit in a more volatile manner. Miners initially outperformed gold this year, but in recent months gains have been erased following the tumble in the spot price of gold to the 1,200 $/oz level, slashing the profit margins for high cost producers. Meanwhile, in Europe stocks advanced after Mario Draghi’s dovish comments surrounding the ECB’s asset purchase program which suggested measures will extend to sovereign bond buying if inflation continues to remain depressed and well below the medium term target of below but near to 2%.The DAX 30 and FTSE MIB rose 2.55% and 2.27% respectively, as investors anticipate stimulus measures to be extended.

Currencies

Swiss gold referendum key for CHF strength. We expect the Swiss franc to lift and test the SNB commitment to maintaining its currency policy floor against the Euro if the ‘Save Our Swiss Gold’ referendum is passed. A ‘yes’ vote for the referendum would mean that the CHF would have a stronger gold backing, in turn increasing its attractiveness for investors looking for hard asset exposure in an uncertain period for European economies. While recent polls have indicated that an affirmative response from voters is waning, as the central back campaign against the proposition, a large proportion undecided voters will be the likely key for victory for either side. Nevertheless, the market does not appear to have priced in the chance of the referendum being passed and we expect the risks for the Swiss Franc (and gold) are skewed to the upside.

For more information contact:

ETF Securities Research team
ETF Securities (UK) Limited
T +44 (0) 207 448 4336
E  info@etfsecurities.com

Important Information

General

This communication has been issued and approved for the purpose of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 by ETF Securities (UK) Limited (”ETFS UK”) which is authorised and regulated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (”FCA”).

Investments may go up or down in value and you may lose some or all of the amount invested.  Past performance is not necessarily a guide to future performance. You should consult an independent investment adviser prior to making any investment in order to determine its suitability to your circumstances.

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 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 FSA 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 your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit.

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.

Other than as set out above, investors may contact ETFS UK at +44 (0)20 7448 4330 or at retail@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.

Third Parties

Securities issued by each of the Issuers are direct, limited recourse obligations of the relevant Issuer alone and are not obligations of or guaranteed by any of UBS AG, Merrill Lynch Commodities Inc. (”MLCI”), Bank of America Corporation (”BAC) or any of their affiliates. UBS AG, MLCI and BAC, Shell Trading Switzerland, Shell Treasury, HSBC Bank USA N.A., JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG any of their affiliates or anyone else or any of their affiliates. Each of UBS AG, Merrill Lynch Commodities Inc. (”MLCI”), Bank of America Corporation (”BAC) or any of their affiliates. UBS AG, MLCI and BAC, Shell Trading Switzerland, Shell Treasury, HSBC Bank USA N.A., JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank AG disclaims all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise (save as referred to above) which it might have in respect of this document or its contents otherwise arising in connection herewith.

”Dow Jones,” ”UBS”, DJ-UBS CISM,”, ”DJ-UBS CI-F3SM,” and any related indices or sub-indices are service marks of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (”Dow Jones”), CME Group Index Services LLC (”CME Indexes”), UBS AG (”UBS”) or UBS Securities LLC (”UBS Securities”), as the case may be, and have been licensed for use by the Issuer. The securities issued by CSL although based on components of the Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index 3 month ForwardSM are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME Indexes, UBS, UBS Securities or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, and none of Dow Jones, CME Indexes, UBS, UBS Securities, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates, makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product.