Etikett: USDA

Time to glean profits from grains

Time to glean profits from grains ETF SecuritiesTime to glean profits from grains

Time to glean profits from grains, by Aneeka Gupta, Associate Director of Research

The 2018 price gains staged by wheat, corn and soybeans of 18%, 14% and 6% respectively (as of 18 May 2018), display a turnaround in the grains market that has, in the recent past, been plagued by weak prices due to rising inventories. In its first outlook for the 2018/19 (September/August) cycle, released on 10 May 2018, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) was optimistic in its outlook for the grains market and this positive tone has recently been resonated in the futures market, with speculative positioning rising to its highest level since August 2017, according to commodity and futures trading commission data. Here’s a closer look at key agricultural commodity projections and the implications for investors.

Figure 1: Net positioning across grains turns positive

Source: USDA, Bloomberg, ETF Securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You cannot invest directly in an Index.

Corn deficit

In the case of corn, USDA estimated a further deficit of 35.8 million tons on the global market in 2018/19. If realised, this would be the lowest level of corn ending stocks since the 2012/13 season, as demand is expected to outpace the expected production increase. With oil prices surging higher, more corn is being used for fuel production than traditional feed purposes in 2018, due to the price incentives offered by cheaper corn-based ethanol.

Lower projected yields and harvested acreage are expected to be a drag on the US crop, resulting in an estimated decline of nearly 600 million bushels from the previous harvest. However, combined corn exports from Ukraine and Russia in 2018/19 worth 265 million bushels are likely to increase competition for the US. The reduction in corn cultivation in China, after it already cut back its stocks in 2016/17 and 2017/18, is likely to contribute to a more pronounced decrease in global corn stocks.

Based on USDA’s projections, the decline in world corn ending stocks puts the world stocks-to-usage ratio at 14.5%, compared to 21.8% last year. This would mark the second-tightest world stocks-to-usage ratio for corn since the 1973/74 season, rendering the new corn crop vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. Corn prices are trading at historically low levels relative to the stocks-to-usage ratio and given that corn prices are known to exhibit the most pronounced negative correlation (0.55) to the stocks-to-usage ratio among all grains, we expect to see a significant catch up in corn prices, similar to that witnessed in 2010. However, as corn enters the prime growing season of June to September, it remains exposed to significant price pressure.

The latest USDA crop progress report showed this spring’s corn planting pace improving to 62%, close to the five-year average of 63%. Corn emergence also advanced to 28% as of mid-May, in line with the five-year average of 27%.

Figure 2: Corn prices lag tightening stocks-to-usage ratio

Source: USDA, Bloomberg, ETFSecurities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You cannot invest directly in an Index.

Soybean plantings to exceed corn plantings

Low agricultural commodity prices are resulting in a paradigm shift in the US towards increased production of soybeans in lieu of resource-intensive corn and wheat. USDA expects soybean plantings to exceed corn plantings in 2018 by the greatest level ever. Despite USDA projecting global soybean production to rise on the back of a recovery from the drought in Argentina, higher soybean crush and exports are expected to offset most of the rise, with global soybean ending stock estimates declining by 5.5 million tons.

After the announcement of punitive tariffs on US soybean imports by China, China’s 2018/19 soybean imports are projected to decline for the first time in 15 years. At the same time, China’s soybean acreage is set to be expanded by around 9%, according to sources from the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture. While this will contribute to production, China will only be producing approximately 12% of the amount of soybeans it consumes. Considering China’s rising soybean demand, we do not expect the current developments to interfere with the country’s import requirements and expect to see a resolution to the ongoing trade disputes.

Figure 3: Soybeans ending stocks

Source: USDA, Bloomberg, ETFSecurities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You cannot invest directly in an Index.

Tough conditions for winter wheat

Wheat remained the weak link in USDA’s latest report. Since the start of 2018, a large part of wheat’s upward price momentum can be attributed to reports of tough conditions for winter wheat crop in Kansas, the most important US growing state, and other key regions. As it stands, 50% of Kansas winter wheat, 68% of Oklahoma winter wheat and 60% of Texas winter wheat is in poor or very poor condition. Planting progress shows winter wheat was 36% headed, falling behind the five-year average pace of 41%. However, USDA surprised investors by projecting a 5% increase in US wheat production due to a strong rise in spring wheat, despite poor winter wheat conditions.

Despite the 15% decline projected for Russian wheat crop, global wheat stocks are expected to be only 2% short of the 2017/18 all-time high. However, world ending stocks for 2018/19 are estimated to be lower at 955 million bushels, a positive development, which if realised would mark a four-year low.

How to gain exposure to agricultural commodities

Due to the strong performance of the grains market in 2018, the Continuous Commodity Futures Price Index (CCI Index), which has a high allocation to grains and agricultural commodities (47%), has risen 3.27% (as of 18 May 2018).

The distinctive feature of the CCI Index is its lower volatility, relative to other commodity indices, due to its lower weighting to the volatile energy sector. Additionally, index positions gravitate towards the near six months of the forward curve, thereby reducing volatility and mitigating negative roll yield. Unlike the major commodity indices, the CCI Index rebalances daily to keep weightings constant.

Figure 4: Cumulative contribution to spot return – year to date

Source: USDA, Bloomberg, ETF Securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You cannot invest directly in an Index.

Positive contributors to the spot return this year have been energy, grains and cocoa, as per the chart. For investors looking to gain exposure to grains and agricultural commodities, the CCI Index offers diversified exposure to commodities while maintaining a tilt to grain and agricultural commodities.

Related products

  • + ETFS 1x Daily Short Grains
  • + ETFS 2x Daily Long Grain

Aneeka Gupta, Equity & Commodities Strategist at ETF Securities

Aneeka Gupta is an Equity & Commodities Strategist at ETF Securities. Aneeka has 10 years of experience working as a Research Analyst across a wide range of asset classes. In her current role she is responsible for conducting analysis for all in-house commodity and macro publications and assisting the sales team with client queries around products and markets. Prior to ETF Securities, Aneeka worked as an Equity Sales Trader at Sunrise Brokers across US and Pan European Exchanges. Before that she worked as an Equity Derivatives Sales Manager at Mashreq Bank in Dubai.

Aneeka holds a Bsc in Mathematics from the University of Delhi and a Masters in Mathematics from Oxford University and is also a CFA Charterholder.

Disclaimer

This material is prepared by WisdomTree and its affiliates and is not intended to be relied upon as a forecast, research or investment advice, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities or to adopt any investment strategy. The opinions expressed are as of the date of production and may change as subsequent conditions vary. The information and opinions contained in this material are derived from proprietary and non-proprietary sources. As such, no warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no responsibility arising in any other way for errors and omissions (including responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by WisdomTree, nor any affiliate, nor any of their officers, employees or agents. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Correction potential builds for cotton

Correction potential builds for cotton

Weekly Investment Insights – Correction potential builds for cotton

Highlights

  • Cotton has experienced a strong rebound following years of decline.
  • The rally is supported by a record accumulation of speculative positioning and is vulnerable to a pullback.
  • A more robust supply picture could threaten recent gains as the cotton price trades at resistance levels.

Cotton rebounds

After plunging to seven year lows in late February 2016 cotton prices have staged a considerable rebound (up approximately 39%*) to currently sit at the USc 75.8/lb level. The recovery follows a multi–year decline from 2011 highs of over USc 200/lb as competition from low-cost manmade fibres (such as polyester) resulted in a 78% drop in cotton imports from China. The recent moves have been driven by a cotton market that, according to US Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimates, looks set to be in deficit for the second year in succession. The relatively strong fundamental situation has been helped by healthy and stable global demand and stalled output from India, historically a key cotton exporter responsible for almost a fifth of global exports. However, cotton prices appear increasingly vulnerable to a reversal from unwinding of record speculative futures positioning and more buoyant supply prospects in coming months, creating a potential attractive opportunity to acquire short exposure to the soft commodity.

Figure 1: Cotton rebounds from nadir

(click to enlarge)

Indian output to normalise

Recent estimates of the 2016/17 cotton market shortfall from the USDA and other organisations have been revised lower as US harvest forecasts have been upwardly adjusted. Some of the tightness in the market last year came from reduced Indian output as less cotton was able to reach the global market due to the government invalidating larger banknote denominations. This created a scarcity in cash and in turn payment problems and delivery delays, leading to what Commerzbank estimate to be 16% less Indian production available to the wider market between October and December last year. Once this issue abates, supply should return and place further pressure on an ever smaller looking cotton market deficit and in turn the cotton futures price.

Stretched positioning and resistance – tomorrow

Speculative long futures positioning towards cotton is currently sitting at a record high, at over double its previous high from August 2013 (when the price was above USc 90/lb), while shorts are half their five year average. This one sided nature of the market leaves the cotton price susceptible to a pullback if sentiment amongst speculators should shift, something that could be spurred by future reports of a more robust supply picture. The price has struggled to sustain a break higher than the USc 75.5/lb level and is likely to face resistance at the early February high of USc 77.4/lb. Should more bearish fundamentals emerge, then the price could fall to its recent low of USc 73/lb or further to its 100 daily moving average of near USc 71.4/lb. Investors wishing to express the investment views outlined above may consider using the following ETF Securities ETPs:
  • ETFS Cotton (COTN)
  • ETFS 2x Daily Long Cotton (LCTO)
  • ETFS 1x Daily Short Cotton (SCTO)
  • ETFS EUR Daily Hedged Cotton (ECTN)
  • Swiss Franc Daily Hedged Cotton (CCTN)

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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”). The products discussed in this document are issued by ETFS Commodity Securities Limited, ETFS Hedged Commodity Securities Limited and Swiss Commodity Securities Limited (together the ”Issuers”). The Issuers are regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission. This communication is only targeted at professional investors. In Switzerland, this communication is only targeted at Regulated Qualified Investors. 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 your own independent legal, investment and tax or other advice as you see fit. Short and/or leveraged exchange-traded products are only intended for investors who understand the risks involved in investing in a product with short and/or leveraged exposure and who intend to invest on a short term basis. Potential losses from short and leveraged exchange-traded products may be magnified in comparison to products that provide an unleveraged exposure. Please refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the relevant prospectus for further details of these and other risks. Securities issued by the Issuers are direct, limited recourse obligations of the relevant Issuer alone and are not obligations of or guaranteed by UBS AG (”UBS”), Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”), Merrill Lynch Commodities, Inc (”MLCI”), Bank of America Corporation (”BAC”) or any of their affiliates. Each of UBS, MLI, MLCI and BAC disclaim all and any liability whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise which they might have in respect of this document or its contents otherwise arising in connection herewith. Bloomberg® and the Bloomberg Commodity IndexesSM are service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively, “Bloomberg”) and have been licensed for use by the Issuers. Although the securities issued by the Issuers are based on the Bloomberg Commodity IndexesSM, neither Bloomberg nor UBS Securities LLC and its affiliates (collectively “UBS”) are affiliated with the Issuers and Bloomberg and UBS do not approve, endorse, review, or recommend such securities. Neither Bloomberg nor UBS guarantees the timeliness, accurateness, or completeness of any data or information relating to the Bloomberg Commodity IndexesSM and make no representation regarding the advisability of investing in such product(s).

Strong US output to cap Soybean gains

Strong US output to cap Soybean gains

Trade Idea Commodities – Strong US output to cap Soybean gains

Adverse weather hampers the South American harvest

Trade Idea Commodities – Strong US output to cap Soybean gains. On the 10th May, the release of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) monthly demand and supply estimates triggered a sharp rally in the price of soybeans, ending a downward trend that has lasted just over two years (see Figure 1). The move came as the report detailed the adverse impact of recent weather conditions on the ongoing soybean harvest in Brazil and Argentina, countries which together are responsible for approximately 54% of global soybean exports. The report also included the first projections for the next crop year (2016/17), with global soybean stocks estimated to fall to a three year low. While clearly the recent rally was somewhat grounded in tighter market fundamentals, we believe it to be overdone and have potential to correct lower in coming months. News of good progress with US plantings and strong production estimates should catalyse this move.

(click to enlarge)

Longs build to the highest on record

Indications of supply side tightening has caused soybean prices to rally 25%* this year, making the commodity the second strongest performer in the grain and seed complex. The price rise has been accompanied by a rapid accumulation of speculative long positions, which have now reached the highest level on record. The pace and extent to which these positions have amassed would suggest that the recent rally could be quickly undone should fundamentals wane.

Production remains robust

Currently, in the US the 2016/17 soybean crop is being planted. The latest USDA weather bulletin shows that as of 15th May, 36% of the process is complete (4% more than the five year average) and weather conditions are “favourable” for future progress. At this stage in the crop cycle it is difficult to estimate the future output from the US, which makes next year’s production estimates subject to significant variation. However, weather currently appears conducive to a strong yield and we believe that this will be reflected in USDA estimates in coming months. Furthermore, signs of an improving supply picture in the year ahead due to a favourable La Niña weather pattern, should override concerns of reduced stocks in the current year, placing soybean prices under pressure from current multi year highs.

Investors wishing to express the investment views outlined above may consider using the following ETF Securities ETPs:

•         ETFS Soybeans (SOYB)
•         ETFS 2x Daily Long Soybeans (LSOB)
•         ETFS 1x Daily Short Soybeans (SSOB)
•         ETFS EUR Daily Hedged Soybeans (ESOY)
•         Swiss Franc Daily Hedged Soybeans (CSOY)

The complete ETF Securities product list can be found here.
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Titta närmare på jordbruksråvarorna

Titta närmare på jordbruksråvarorna

PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSEArca: DBA), har under 2016 endast stigit med en procent, vilket är svag prestation jämfört med många andra av de börshandlade fonder (ETFer) eller certifikat (ETCer) som replikerar utvecklingen för råvaror. Det finns emellertid bedömare som anser att kan vara dags att titta närmare på jordbruksråvarorna eftersom det kan vara dags för denna undergrupp att bege sig in i råvarurallyt.

PowerShares DB Agriculture Fund (NYSEArca: DBA) försöker återspegla avkastningen för Diversified Agriculture Index Excess Return, ett index som består av terminskontrakt på de mest likvida och spårade jordbruksråvarorna.

En annan av Powershares råvaruprodukter, PowerShares DB Commodity Index Tracking Fund (NYSEArca: DBC), som äger terminskontrakt på en korg av olika råvaror visar röda siffror för året, men denna ETC har en tung energiexponering, vilket gör den beroende av oljepriserna. DBA saknar emellertid sådan exponering, men är däremot beroende av en positiv prisutveckling på Ags och Softs, de delar av råvarukomplexet som har försmäktat i år. DBA har för närvarande exponering mot åtta olika sorters råvaror, inklusive nötkreatur, kaffe, majs, sojabönor och vete.

Har dubblat sina positioner

De institutionella förvaltarna har ökat sina positioner kraftigt, i själva verket har de mer än fördubblat sina satsningar på att det kommer ett rally för jordbrukspriserna. Detta har gjort att inflödet till DBA har varit det högsta sedan juli 2015.

När det gäller spannmålsråvaror är det sojabönor som tilldragit störst fokus, där vi ser det största intresset maj 2014. Dessutom gör sig investerarna beredda på en ytterligare prisnedgång när det gäller majs som har gått ned under fem veckor av sex. Trots detta är Bloomberg Agriculture Subindex, ett index som består av åtta jordbruksprodukter, på väg mot det bästa rallyt sedan april 2010.

Teucrium Soybean Fund (NYSEArca: SOYB) har nyligen stigit kraftigt. SOYB är en börshandlad fond, mer korrekt en ETC då den endast erbjuder investerarna en direkt och obelånad exponering mot priset på sojabönor. SOYB äger tre olika sorters terminskontrakt på den underliggande råvaran sojabönor, månaden efter frontmånaden, den andra månaden efter frontmånaden samt det terminskontrakt som löper ut i den mars månad som följer på den tredje månaden efter frontmånaden.

I dagsläget kostar det mer att producera spannmål i den amerikanska mellanvästern än vad de handlas till på råvarubörserna. De amerikanska spannmålsodlarna ser fram mot den lägsta inkomsten på 14 år då de spås förlora 50 USD per tunnland de sått. Enligt USDA kommer nettojordbruksinkomsterna att sjunka till 54,8 miljarder dollar under 2016, den lägsta nivån sedan 2002 och hälften av inkomsterna under 2012.

Agriculture stocks on the cusp of recovery

Agriculture stocks on the cusp of recovery

ETF Securities Equity Research – Agriculture stocks on the cusp of recovery

Summary

  • Decline in overall production expenses (-2%) to cushion the fall in cash receipts
  • The expected increase in direct US government farm program payments in 2016 will benefit producers
  • The weaker US dollar will benefit US agricultural exports providing a strong catalyst for US farm income
  • The uptick in profitability coupled with the rising sentiment indicator appears favourable for agricultural producers

Download the complete report

Farm income outlook less bearish

A sustained period of high crop prices from 2008 to 2012 led to a bout of investment by agricultural producers, since then falling soft commodity prices have revealed high debt loads and narrowing margins. However the drop in input expenses coupled with a turnaround in sentiment is painting a more optimistic picture for agricultural producers heading into 2016.

Our analysis focusses on the S-net ITG agriculture index, which is diversified across Seeds Chemicals & Fertilizers (53%), Commodity Agricultural Products (30%), Equipment (13%) and Livestock (3%) with 70% of the constituents from the United States.

In the latest farm income outlook released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), US net farm income, a key indicator of U.S. farm well-being, is forecast to decline by 3% in 2016. While this will be the third consecutive year in decline, it is not as severe as the declines of -27% and -38% witnessed in the prior years 2014 and 2015 respectively. Cash receipts are forecast to fall 2.5%, falling prices being the key contributor to this price fall as highlighted in the accompanying chart.

Global nitrogen fertilizer supply is poised to grow as cheap energy prices fuel production increases, providing a boost to their bottom line. Although it is worth noting that the recent squeeze on farmers margins does not eliminate the risk of farmers skipping application of fertiliser or shifting acreage from chemical intensive corn to other crops. We believe the fall in fertiliser costs is likely to benefit both fertiliser producers and farmers.

(Click to enlarge) Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, Farm income and wealth statistics, ETF Securities

Lower expenses buffer slide in cash receipts

Overall farm production expenses are forecast (USDA) to decline for the second consecutive year. Occurrences of multiyear reductions in farm production expenses are rare, the last time being 1984-86. This drop in expenses for inputs such as feed, livestock/ poultry purchases and fuel are forecast to outweigh the increase in interest expenses and hired labour costs thereby alleviating falling cash receipts. More importantly input costs (currently in 2nd year of decline) tend to lag behind commodity price swings (that have been in decline for 4 years).

(Click to enlarge) Source: USDA, Economic Research Service, Farm income and wealth statistics, ETF Securities

In addition, US farmers are poised to benefit from a 31.4% ($13.9bn) increase in direct government farm payments in 2016. The 2014 farm bill eliminated direct payments worth $5bn annually and replaced them with a net suite of safety net programs that will be triggered in 2016 if farm prices continue to fall.

Lower US dollar to benefit exports

Agricultural exports have been a major catalyst for the strong U.S. farm income in prior years, accounting for more than 30% of gross cash farm income. As majority of commodities are priced in US dollars, the appreciation of the dollar against the local currency of non-US growers has made the commodities more expensive for the foreign based buyer. Although its difficult to quantify just how much buyers have been sourcing lower cost soft commodities we have seen anecdotal evidence of this behaviour. For example, Brazil’s soya bean exports surpassing US soya bean exports in 2015 are likely due to the Brazilian Real’s depreciation. We expect a continuation of US Dollar weakness in 2016 benefitting farm income which has been squeezed by recent USD strength.

Outlook for Agricultural commodities

The correlation of agricultural producers with livestock, grains and softs has depicted a cyclical relation over time. Current correlation with livestock remains high at 80%, followed by grains at 64% and lower for softs at 30%.

(click to enlarge)

Livestock related commodities account for approximately half of the farmer’s cash receipts while the other half comes from crops (namely corn), so farm income would benefit if these specific commodities rise.

  • Livestock sector ended 2015 as the worst performer among agricultural commodities despite the impact of avian influenza, market prices are expected lower in 2016 according to USDA.
  • The price outlook for grains – namely corn, wheat and soya bean prices remain subdued since their inventory levels remain are at record highs.
  • Sugar prices are expected higher owing to the reduced sugar supply from Brazil and India driving expectations for a larger world market deficit in 2015/16.
  • Dry conditions emanating from the El Nino coupled with a rebound in the real is lending buoyancy to Arabica coffee prices in 2016.
  • Cocoa is forecasted to be in a supply deficit in 2016.
  • While cotton has been negatively impacted from lower import demand into China, the crop is expected to remain in a deficit this year.

Shift in sentiment signals an opportunity

Despite the pessimism surrounding the agriculture industry, agricultural producers are currently trading at 20x earnings and 3x book value, in line with their respective 10-year average. Profitability of these companies has been volatile given their exposure to the vagaries of the weather. We are currently in one of the most extreme El Niño events on record, dating back to 1950. According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, out of the past 26 El Niño events since 1900 approximately 40% have been followed by a La Niña. If this came to pass, wheat, corn, soybeans, coffee and cocoa will benefit from favourable weather thereby negatively impacting prices while sugar prices will benefit on the upside.

Net profit margins have been in a downward trend since the slump in commodity prices ensued in 2011 but the last quarter in 2015 has seen an uptick of 3.1% over the prior year. Net debt to assets remains high at 31x. USDA has reported growth in farm real estate loan volumes throughout 2015, commercial banks and the farm credit system has remained cooperative and credit to the sector has not been curtailed until now.

Our sentiment indicator (based on consensus data) has been rising since 2014, highlighting a renewed sign of optimism in holding agriculture producer stocks.

(Click to enlarge)  Source: Bloomberg, ETF Securities

In summary we believe agricultural producers are modestly valued, with profitability starting to turn the corner in-line with shifting positive sentiment. Despite the pessimism that permeates through the farming industry, farm income credit has not been curtailed. While net farm income is forecast to decline for the third consecutive year, the lag in declining expenses is expected to catch up and help alleviate the decline. 2016 has seen a positive turnaround for majority of commodities and is lending support for the price outlook of agricultural commodities.

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 (the “FCA”).

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