fwp
Filed Pursuant To Rule 433
Registration No. 333-167132
August 4, 2010
A Case For...
Gold Preserving Wealth in an Age of Uncertainty
Goldit is unlike all other elements on earth. Virtually indestructible, this precious metal
has been the source of countless fables and has mobilized the growth of nations and financial
infrastructures worldwide. Human beings have been utilizing gold as both a form of currency and an
investment for thousands of years.
As an asset class, gold is unique. Gold is durable and highly liquid, and the economic forces that
determine the price of gold are different from the economic forces that determine the price of many
other asset classes such as equities, bonds or real estate. A potential safe haven from the
uncertainty of economic events, political unrest and high inflation, gold offers investors an
attractive opportunity to diversify their portfoliospotentially reducing overall portfolio risk and
ultimately preserving portfolio wealth.
AS GOOD AS GOLD: THE ENDURING ARCHETYPE
The history of gold is as old as time itself. With
references to gold in the text of Genesis, to the myths of
Jason and King Midas and the legend of King Solomons
mines, gold has long been a symbol of wealth, freedom and
power. Empires and nationsfrom Charlemagne to the Spanish
conquest of the New World and on through to the American
frontier movementall were mobilized by the pursuit of gold
or built upon its promise.
Though its first use appears to have been for
ornamentation, sculpture or jewelry, gold has been employed
most prominently through the ages as a store of financial
valueor as currency. From Ancient Egypt to modern day
Britain, gold became the standard medium of exchange for
trade and the standard measure upon which monetary systems
were based.
THE GOLD STANDARD
Eventually, various forms of currency and paper
monies emerged and most modern nations adopted a gold
standard (i.e., currency could be redeemed in gold). In
its most formal sense, the Gold Standard was a financial
system established with the aim of stabilizing the global
economy. It dictated that a nation could not issue
currency in excess of the amount of gold it held in
reserve. Great Britain was the first to officially adopt
the standard in 1821. The rest of Europe followed in the
1870s and the system remained intact until the end of
World War I. Following the war, the US was the only
country to keep the gold standard. After the war, other
countries were allowed to keep reserves of major
currencies instead of gold.
When in 1934, the US devalued the dollar by raising the
price of gold to $35 per ounce, holders of gold around the
world sold their holdings to the US. By the end of World
War II, US holdings of gold accounted for nearly 65% of
official world stocks. At their peak in the 1960s,
worldwide official gold stocks accounted for approximately
50% or more of all above-ground gold. Central banks were
keeping all of this gold as a result of the fixed dollar
price and the dollars convertibility to gold. Gold, in
essence, was still the foundation of the international
monetary system. Though there was no direct link between
gold holdings and national monetary supplies, gold was
still the primary reserve asset. Central banks could
convert dollar balances into gold at the official price.
Gradually, however, central banks created more money than
was consistent with stable prices and the fixed official
gold price became unrealistic. As the pivot of the world
financial system, the US was faced with the choice of
deflating, devaluing or abandoning the system. In 1971,
the US abandoned the system and the dollars
held by foreign central banks could no longer be converted
to gold. In 1973, the US abandoned the gold standard
altogether and gold prices were allowed to float freely.
USES FOR GOLD TODAY
Highly malleable, ductile and impervious to
tarnishing, gold is one of the most beautiful and useful
elements in the world. It can be hammered into sheets so
thin that light can pass through, and a single ounce can be
drawn into a wire fifty miles long. Golds chemical and
physical properties make it valuable in a wide array of
everyday applications. Though jewelry accounts for about
68% of the annual consumption of gold today, gold is also
used in telecommunications, information technology and
various industrial applications. Highly conductive, gold is
used in the manufacturing of millions of computers each
year, as well as millions of televisions, DVDs, video
cameras and mobile phones. Additionally, because it is
non-toxic and biologically benign, gold has proven to be a
valuable tool in the treatment of medical conditions from
heart disease and prostate cancer to bacterial diseases and
arthritis.1
SUPPLY & DEMAND
Ever since the gold standard was abandoned, gold
prices have been driven by supply and demand. Though it
can be found on nearly every continent in the world,
relative to many other metals, gold is scarce. In fact, if
we were to compress the worlds total above-ground stocks
of gold into one space, it would amount to a single cube
66 x 66 x 66 feet.2
Extracting gold is not easy or inexpensive. At average
grades, it takes about five tons of ore to yield even one
ounce of gold. New mine supply has remained relatively
constant for the past five years and grass roots
exploration spending has returned to the peak levels seen
in 1997. Global demand in 2007 reached 3,547 tons. Scrap
supply and central bank sales typically make up the
shortfall between mine production and global demand
(Figure 2).
Of note in 2007 was the sharp increase in the price of
gold, starting in September. Gold prices began the year
relatively stable, though after news of the financial
crisis struck in August investors rushed to purchase
gold, pushing up the price. Supply to the market was
constrained, falling approximately 3% below 2006 levels,
and thus demand for gold remained constrained as well.
Gold currently accounts for 10% of global foreign exchange
reserves, and central bank holdings of gold currently
account for about 20% of total above-ground stocks. Some
gold opponents may point to the risk that central banks
could dump their gold reserves back into the market,
thus drastically decreasing the price of gold. This fear
may stem from the behavior of some central banks during
the 1990s, when central banks engaged in broad selling and
lending, and the price of gold fell dramatically.
Today, however, the risk of such central bank sales has
lessened. In 1999, certain central banks agreed to abide by
the Central Bank Gold Agreement (CBGA), which limited the
amount of gold they could sell to 400 tons a year, and also
set a limit on the volume of gold loaned to the market.
Signatories of the CBGA represent roughly 49% of all
of-ficial sector gold holdings in the worldthis from a
mere 15 countries. Additionally, these central banks
reaffirmed their confidence in the future of gold as a
reserve asset. In 2004, the CBGA was renewed for another
five years, this time limiting sales of gold to 500 tons
per year. Since CBGA signatories historically have owned
large blocks of gold at one time, the agreement has acted
as a reassurance for the markets.
WHY INVEST IN GOLD BULLION?
WEALTH PRESERVATION
Unlike paper, gold is an imperishable asset. And
unlike equities or bonds, the value of which is dependent
on the issuers ability to pay in the future, gold
bulliona pure form of golddoes not depend on anyone
elses ability to pay.
Over time, gold has tended to maintain its purchasing
power, especially during periods of economic or political
upheaval. It has often been quoted that With an ounce of
gold a man could buy a fine suit of clothes in the time of
Shakespeare, in that of Beethoven and Jefferson, in the
Depression of the 1930s. In fact, analysis suggests that
the real value of gold may fluctuate in the short term, but
that it has consistently returned to its historic
purchasing power parity with respect to other commodities
over the very long term.3 Consequently, over a
long period of time, gold may be an effective tool for
preserving wealth.
During periods of economic and political instability, when
the value of many other assets may have fallen
dramatically, gold has commonly remained a store of value.
DIVERSIFICATION
Every investor knows that markets cycle over time
(Figure 3 below). These cycles of performance are
unpredictable, making timing the market a risk-laden
undertaking. Given this performance volatility, investors
should diversify among a variety of different asset
classes in order to protect their portfolios against the
short-term risks of being absent from top-performing asset
classes or of being too heavily concentrated in the lowest
performers. It is a prudent practice to build portfolios
that are well-diversified.
By building a broadly diversified portfolio that holds a
wide range of asset classesincluding gold investors can
pursue better downside protection against short term
underperformance risks, and potentially take advantage of
the best performers during any given time period.
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Source: Zephyr StyleADVISOR, SSgA Strategy & Research as of June 30, 2009. Gold: London PM
Fixing; US Equities: S&P 500 Index; Cash: Citigroup 3-Month T-Bill Index; US Fixed Income: Barclays
Capital Aggregate Bond Index; International Equities: MSCI EAFE Index; Real Estate: Dow Jones U.S.
Select REIT Index. |
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* As of 6/30/2009. |
RISK MANAGEMENT
Statistical analysis shows that the price movements
in gold bullion tend not to move in tandem with those of
traditional asset classes, such as equities and real
estate. Historically, gold has shown statistically
insignificant correlation with equities and other
conventional asset classes (Figure 4 above). Although the
aim of diversification is to hold a wide array of assets
that perform differently from one another under various
market conditions, studies have suggested that equity
markets tend to become more closely correlated during
periods of market turbulence. Conversely, commodities tend
to become less correlated with major asset classes during
such periods.4
Additionally, a 2003 study concluded that not only was
gold negatively or insignificantly correlated with major
asset classes, but that there was no statistically
significant correlation between returns on gold and
changes in macroeconomic variables such as GDP and
interest rates.5 In sum, including gold in a
portfolio potentially lowers overall risk without
necessarily decreasing returns. It may reduce the
likelihood of large losses during any period, including
during periods of market volatility.
ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE ASSET
As equity markets have grown more volatile, many
investors have increased their allocation to alternative
investments, in attempts to stabilize and enhance
portfolio performance. But many of these alternative
assets may be both expensive and risky.
As compared to other alternatives, gold bullion may
offer investors a greater diversification benefit, lower
risk and higher liquidity.6
CONCLUSION: GOLD DOESNT LOSE ITS LUSTER
A transcendent store of value, gold is accepted the
world over and has proven to be an effective wealth
preservation tool. Most importantly, due to its lack of
correlations with traditional asset classes as well as with
major economic variables, gold is a proven asset
diversifier. When used in the construction of diversified
portfolios, gold potentially helps reduce overall risk and
may ultimately help protect investor wealth.
In an age of increasing concerns about market
volatility and political upheaval, at a time when the
largest segment of the US population is approaching a
potentially prolonged and expensive retirement, the
preservation of wealth is paramount. A virtually
indestructible asset, gold offers investors a potential,
tangible hedge against unpredictability. Since time
immemorial, from the ancient Sumerian civilizations to the
present day, gold has shaped the evolution of humanity in
our quest for freedom, sustainability and wealth. As it has
been for thousands of years, so it remains today; gold, as
a store of value, is universal and enduring.
1 |
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Gold Uses: Medicine and Health Page.
The Gold Institute. September 2004.
www.goldinstitute.org |
|
2 |
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World Gold Council, October 2009. |
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3-4 |
|
Jastram, Roy. The Golden Constant: The English
and American Experience 1560-1976. New York, New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 1977. |
|
5 |
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Lawrence, Colin. Why is Gold Different from
Other Assets? An Empirical Investigation. London,
United Kingdom: World Gold Council, 2003. |
|
6 |
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Bienkowski, Nik. A Golden Rule in Risk Management. Jassa, Issue 3: Spring 2003. |
Bernstein, Peter L. The Power of Gold: The History of an
Obsession. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 2000.
Chow, G., et al. Optimal portfolios in good times and bad
times. Financial Analysts Journal. vol 55, no. 3,
(May/June): 65-73.
GFMS Limited. Gold Survey 2004. London, United Kingdom: GFMS Limited, April 2004.
Gold Uses: Medicine and Health Page. The Gold Institute.
September 2004. www.goldinstitute.org Goldman Sachs.
Commodity Price Analysis: US Metals & Mining Gold. New
York, NY: Goldman Sachs, January 28, 2004.
Green, Timothy. The New World of Gold. New York: Walker and Company, 1984.
Harmston, Stephen. Gold as a Store of Value. Research
Study No. 22. London, United Kingdom: World Gold Council,
November 1998.
Jastram, Roy. The Golden Constant: The English and American
Experience 1560-1976. New York, New York: John Wiley &
Sons, 1977.
Lawrence, Colin. Why is Gold Different from Other Assets?
An Empirical Investigation. London, United Kingdom: World
Gold Council, 2003.
The SPDR® trademark is used under license from
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Gold Trust is permitted to use the SPDR trademark
pursuent to a sublicence from the Marketing Agent. No
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`damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits),
even if notified of the possibility of damages.
This material must be delivered with a prospectus. The
prospectus contains material information about the
SPDR® Gold Trust (the Trust) and the
SPDR® Gold Shares (the Shares) which is
material and/or which may be important to you. You should
read the entire prospectus, including Risk Factors
before making an investment decision about the Shares.
The Trust has filed a registration statement (including a
prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this
communication relates. Before you invest, you should read
the prospectus in that registration statement and other
documents the Trust has filed with the SEC for more
complete information about the Trust and this offering. You
may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the
SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Trust or
any Authorized Participant will arrange to send you the
prospectus if you request it by calling toll free at
1-866-320-4053 or contacting State Street Global Markets,
LLC, One Lincoln Street, Attn: SPDR® Gold
Shares, 30th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.
STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document includes forward-looking statements which
generally relate to future events or future performance.
In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements
by terminology such as may, will, should, expect,
plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, predict,
potential or the negative of these terms or other
comparable terminology. All statements (other than
statements of historical fact) included in this document
that address activities, events or developments that will
or may occur in the future, including such matters as
changes in commodity prices and market conditions (for gold
and the Shares), the Trusts operations, the plans of the
World Gold Trust Services LLC (the Sponsor) and
references to the Trusts future success and other similar
matters are forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned that these statements are only projections.
Actual events or results may differ materially. These
statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses
the Sponsor made based on its perception of historical
trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors believed appropriate
in the circumstances. Whether or not actual results and
developments will conform to the Sponsors expectations and
predictions, however, is subject to a number of risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to fluctuations
in the price of gold; reductions in the amount of gold
represented by each Share due to the payment of Trust
expenses and the impact of the termination of the fee
reduction under the Trust Indenture; purchasing activity in
the gold market associated with the purchase of Baskets, or
blocks of 100,000 shares, from the Trust; unanticipated
operational or trading problems; the lack associated with
ownership of shares; the lack of a market for the Shares;
the level of support from the World Gold Council;
competition from other methods of investing in gold; the
impact of large-scale distress sales of gold in times of
crisis; the impact of substantial sales of gold by the
official sector; the effect of a widening of interest rate
differentials between the cost of money and the cost of
gold; the loss, damage, theft or restrictions on access to
the Trusts gold; the lack of adequate sources
of recovery if the Trusts gold is lost, damaged, stolen or
destroyed, including a lack of insurance; the failure of
gold bullion allocated to the Trust to meet the London Good
Delivery Standards; the failure of sub-custodians to
exercise due care in the safekeeping of the Trusts gold;
the limited ability of The Bank of New York Mellon (the
Trustee) and HSBC (the Custodian) to take legal action
against sub-custodians; the insolvency of the Custodian;
the Trusts obligation to reimburse the Purchaser and State
Street Global Markets, LLC (the Marketing Agent) for
certain liabilities in the event the Sponsor fails to
indemnify them; competing claims over ownership of
intellectual property rights related to the Trust; and
other factors identified in the Risk Factors section of
the Prospectus filed with the SEC and in other filings made
by the Trust from time to time with the SEC. Consequently,
all the forward-looking statements made in this material
are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can
be no assurance that the actual results or developments the
Sponsor or Marketing Agent anticipates will be realized or,
even if substantially realized, that they will result in
the expected consequences to, or have the expected effects
on, the Trusts operations or the value of the Shares.
Neither the Sponsor, Marketing Agent nor any other person
assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of
the forward-looking statements. Neither the Trust,
Marketing Agent nor the Sponsor is under a duty to update
any of the forward-looking statements to conform such
statements to actual results or to reflect a change in the
Sponsors or Marketing Agents expectation or projections.
The value of the Shares relates directly to the value of
the gold held by the Trust (less Trust expenses) and
fluctuations in the price of gold could materially
adversely affect an investment in the Shares.
Investors should be aware that 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 similarly decline
proportionately.
Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value
Shareholders of the Trust will not have the protections
associated with ownership of shares in an investment
company registered under the Investment Company Act of
1940 or the protections afforded by the Commodity Exchange
Act of 1936. The Trust is not registered as an investment
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is
not required to register under such act. Neither the
Sponsor nor the Trustee of the Trust is subject to
regulation by the CFTC. Shareholders will not have the
regulatory protections provided to investors in
CEA-regulated instruments or commodity pools.
For more complete information, please call 866.320.4053 or
visit www.spdrgoldshares.com today. State Street Global
Markets, LLC, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900
©
2010 State Street Corporation. IBG-0969 Exp. Date:
7/31/2010 IBG.GLD.CF.0210
First
issued: February 22, 2010. This Free Writing Prospectus is being filed in
reliance on Rule 164(b).
SPDR® GOLD TRUST has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC
for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the
prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for
more complete information about the Trust and this offering. You may get these documents for free
by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Trust or any Authorized
Participant will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll free at
1-866-320-4053 or contacting State Street Global Markets, LLC, One Lincoln Street, Attn: SPDR® Gold
Shares, 30th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.