485APOS 1 c62977_485apos.htm
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 15, 2010
Securities Act File No. 333-123257
Investment Company Act File No. 811-10325



United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM N-1A


 

 

 

 

Registration Statement Under the Securities Act of 1933

x

 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

o

 

Post Effective Amendment No. 200

x

 

and/or

 

 

Registration Statement Under the Investment Company Act of 1940

x

 

Amendment No. 204

x



MARKET VECTORS ETF TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10017
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(212) 293-2000
Registrant’s Telephone Number
Joseph J. McBrien, Esq.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Van Eck Associates Corporation

335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor
New York, New York 10017

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


Copy to:
Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.
Dechert LLP
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036


Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this registration statement.


IT IS PROPOSED THAT THIS FILING WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE (CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX)

 

 

o

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

o

On [date] pursuant to paragraph (b)

o

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

o

On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

x

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

o

On [date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485




The information in this Prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The Trust may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus dated October 15, 2010

 

 

 

(MARKET VECTORS ETFS LOGO)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(PROSPECTUS LOGO)

CHINA ETFs

 

 

 

[LOGOS]

 

[                    ], 2010

 

 

 

All China All-Cap ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Energy Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Financial Services Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Healthcare Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Industrials Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Information Technology Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Materials Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Utilities Sector ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

All China Small Cap ETF [     ]

 

 

 

 

 

Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for each Fund: NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares of the Funds (“Shares”) are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are Shares deposits or obligations of any bank. Such Shares in the Funds involve investment risks, including the loss of principal.

 

[LOGO]

 



Table of Contents

 

 

 

Summary Information

 

3

Market Vectors China All-Cap ETF

 

3

Market Vectors All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF

 

10

Market Vectors All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF

 

17

Market Vectors All China Energy Sector ETF

 

23

Market Vectors All China Financial Services Sector ETF

 

29

Market Vectors All China Healthcare ETF

 

35

Market Vectors All China Industrials Sector ETF

 

42

Market Vectors All China Information Technology Sector ETF

 

48

Market Vectors All China Materials Sector ETF

 

55

Market Vectors All China Utilities Sector ETF

 

61

Market Vectors All China Small Cap ETF

 

67

Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes

 

73

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks

 

74

Portfolio Holdings

 

91

Management of the Funds

 

91

Portfolio Managers

 

92

Shareholder Information

 

92

Index Provider

 

97

China All-Cap Index

 

98

China Consumer Discretionary Index

 

99

China Consumer Staples Index

 

100

China Energy Index

 

101

China Financials Index

 

102

China Health Care Index

 

103

China Industrials Index

 

104

China Information Technology Index

 

105

China Materials Index

 

106

China Utilities Index

 

107

China Small-Cap Index

 

108

License Agreements and Disclaimers

 

109

Financial Highlights

 

110

Premium/Discount Information

 

111

General Information

 

111



SUMMARY INFORMATION

MARKET VECTORS CHINA ALL-CAP ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China All-Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China All-Cap Index (the “China All-Cap Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [     ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]


 


Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

3


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the China All-Cap Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the China All-Cap Index. There are no limits on the market capitalizations of the companies in which the Fund may invest. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the China All-Cap Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the China All-Cap Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the China All-Cap Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The China All-Cap Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The China All-Cap Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the China All-Cap Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in China All-Cap Index. As of [     ], 2010, the China All-Cap Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in renminbi (“RMB”) on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the China All-Cap Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

4


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the China All-Cap Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The China All-Cap Index is comprised of A-shares, B-Shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the China All-Cap Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the China All-Cap Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the China All-Cap Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the China All-Cap

5


Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the China All-Cap Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the China All-Cap Index or on securities comprising the China All-Cap Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the China All-Cap Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in Chinese RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the China All-Cap Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets,

6


confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Emerging markets can experience high rates of inflation, deflation and currency devaluation. The value of the RMB may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation. The Fund’s assets will be invested primarily in securities of Chinese issuers and the income received by the Fund will be principally in RMB. The Fund’s exposure to the RMB and changes in value of the RMB versus the U.S. dollar may result in reduced returns for the Fund. Moreover, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between U.S. dollars and the RMS.

Risks of Investing in Foreign Securities. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political instability. Because the Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies and some of the income received by the Fund will be in foreign currencies, changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact the Fund’s returns. In addition, the Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the China All-Cap Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the China All-Cap Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the China All-Cap Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units (defined herein). Because the Fund bears the

7


costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the China All-Cap Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the China All-Cap Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the China All-Cap Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the China All-Cap Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value (“NAV”) based on fair value prices and the value of the China All-Cap Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the China All-Cap Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the China All-Cap Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the China All-Cap Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the China All-Cap Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

8



 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

9


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Consumer Discretionary Index (the “Consumer Discretionary Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [        ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

10


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Consumer Discretionary Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Consumer Discretionary Index. The Consumer Discretionary Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the consumer discretionary sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Consumer Discretionary Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Consumer Discretionary Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Consumer Discretionary Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Consumer Discretionary Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Consumer Discretionary Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the consumer discretionary sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Consumer Discretionary Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Consumer Discretionary Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Consumer Discretionary Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Consumer Discretionary Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

11


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Consumer Discretionary Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Consumer Discretionary Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Consumer Discretionary Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Consumer Discretionary Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Consumer Discretionary Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the

12


Consumer Discretionary Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Consumer Discretionary Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Discretionary Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the consumer discretionary sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the consumer discretionary sector. Companies engaged in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to fluctuations in supply and demand. These companies may also be adversely affected by changes in consumer spending as a result of world events, political and economic conditions, commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources and labor relations.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Consumer Discretionary Index or on securities comprising the Consumer Discretionary Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Consumer Discretionary Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Consumer Discretionary Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and

13


dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Consumer Discretionary Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Consumer Discretionary Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Consumer Discretionary Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Consumer Discretionary Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Consumer Discretionary Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Consumer Discretionary Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Consumer Discretionary Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on

14


fair value prices and the value of the Consumer Discretionary Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Consumer Discretionary Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Consumer Discretionary Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Consumer Discretionary Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Consumer Discretionary Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

15


For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

16


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA CONSUMER STAPLES SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Consumer Staples Index (the “Consumer Staples Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

17


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Consumer Staples Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Consumer Staples Index. The Consumer Staples Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the consumer staples sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Consumer Staples Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Consumer Staples Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Consumer Staples Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Consumer Staples Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Consumer Staples Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the consumer staples sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Consumer Staples Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Consumer Staples Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Consumer Staples Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Consumer Staples Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

18


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Consumer Staples Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Consumer Staples Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Consumer Staples Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Consumer Staples Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Consumer Staples Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Consumer

19


Staples Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Consumer Staples Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Consumer Staples Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the consumer staples sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the consumer staples sector. These companies may be adversely affected by changes in the worldwide economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preferences, exploration and production spending. Companies in this sector are also affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Consumer Staples Index or on securities comprising the Consumer Staples Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Consumer Staples Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Consumer Staples Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

20


Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Consumer Staples Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Consumer Staples Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Consumer Staples Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Consumer Staples Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Consumer Staples Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Consumer Staples Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Consumer Staples Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Consumer Staples Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Consumer Staples Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Consumer Staples Index may be adversely affected.

21


Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Consumer Staples Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Consumer Staples Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Title with Adviser

 

Date Began Managing the Fund






Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception






George Cao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

22


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA ENERGY SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Energy Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Energy Index (the “Energy Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

None

 

Management Fee

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [       ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

23


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Energy Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Energy Index. The Energy Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the energy sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Energy Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Energy Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Energy Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Energy Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Energy Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the energy sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Energy Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Energy Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Energy Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Energy Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

24


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Energy Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Energy Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Energy Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Energy Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Energy Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Energy Index or directly in

25


securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Energy Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Energy Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the energy sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the energy sector. The Fund is subject to the risks associated with such sector, including, but not limited to, economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the regions that the companies operate, government regulation stipulating rates charged by utilities, interest rate sensitivity, oil price volatility and the cost of providing the specific utility services. In addition, these companies are at risk of civil liability from accidents resulting in injury, loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental damage claims and risk of loss from terrorism and natural disasters.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Energy Index or on securities comprising the Energy Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Energy Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Energy Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and

26


dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Energy Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Energy Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Energy Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Energy Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Energy Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Energy Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Energy Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Energy Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local

27


foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Energy Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Energy Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Energy Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Energy Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

28


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Financial Services Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Financials Index (the “Financials Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, which are not reflected in the table.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

None

 

Management Fee

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

29


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Financials Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Financials Index. The Financials Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the financial sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Financials Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Financials Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Financials Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Financials Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Financials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the financial services sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Financials Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Financials Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Financials Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Financials Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

30


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Financials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Financials Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Financials Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Financials Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Financials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Financials Index or directly

31


in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Financials Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Financial Services Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the financial services sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the financial services sector. Companies in the financial services sector may be subject to extensive government regulation that affects the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. The profitability of companies in the financial services sector may be adversely affected by increases in interest rates. The profitability of companies in the financial services sector may be adversely affected by loan losses, which usually increase in economic downturns. In addition, the financial services sector is undergoing numerous changes, including continuing consolidations, development of new products and structures and changes to its regulatory framework. Furthermore, increased government involvement in the financial services sector, including measures such as taking ownership positions in such institutions, could result in a dilution in the value of such companies.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Financials Index or on securities comprising the Financials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Financials Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares

32


represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Financials Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Financials Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Financials Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Financials Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Financials Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Financials Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Financials Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Financials Index, due to legal and regulatory

33


rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Financials Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Financials Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Financials Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Financials Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Financials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

34


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA HEALTHCARE ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Healthcare ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Health Care Index (the “Health Care Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

None

 

Management Fee

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

[     ]%

 


 

 


(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

35


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Health Care Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Health Care Index. The Health Care Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the healthcare sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Health Care Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Health Care Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Health Care Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Health Care Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Health Care Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the health care sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Health Care Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Health Care Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Health Care Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.]

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Health Care Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

36


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Health Care Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Health Care Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Health Care Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Health Care Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Health Care Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Health Care Index or

37


directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Health Care Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Healthcare Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the healthcare sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the healthcare sector. Companies in the healthcare sector may be affected by extensive government regulation, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Many healthcare companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Many healthcare companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims. Healthcare companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the healthcare sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly. Companies in the healthcare sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product obsolescence.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Health Care Index or on securities comprising the Health Care Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Health Care Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability.

38


Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Health Care Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Health Care Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Health Care Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Health Care Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Health Care Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Health Care Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Health Care Index or

39


invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Health Care Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Health Care Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Health Care Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Health Care Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Health Care Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Health Care Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

 

 

 

40


For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

41


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA INDUSTRIALS SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Industrials Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Industrials Index (the “Industrials Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, which are not reflected in the table.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

 

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 


 

 

 


 

(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

42


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Industrials Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Industrials Index. The Industrials Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the industrials sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Industrials Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Industrials Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Industrials Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Industrials Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Industrials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the industrials sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Industrials Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Industrials Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Industrials Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Industrials Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-

43


shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Industrials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Industrials Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Industrials Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Industrials Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Industrials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Industrials Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Industrials Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines

44


that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Industrials Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the industrials sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the industrials sector. The industrials sector is characterized by increasing competition and regulation and companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. Technological innovations may make the products and services of manufacturing companies obsolete and government regulation, world events and economic conditions may negatively affect the performance of companies in the industrials sector. The industrials sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices and exchange rates, which may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors. In addition, companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by environmental damages and product liability claims.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Industrials Index or on securities comprising the Industrials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Industrials Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Industrials Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

45


Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Industrials Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Industrials Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Industrials Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Industrials Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Industrials Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Industrials Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Industrials Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Industrials Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Industrials Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Industrials Index may be adversely affected.

46


Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Industrials Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Industrials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

47


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Information Technology Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Information Technology Index (the “Information Technology Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund. When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, which are not reflected in the table.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

 

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 


 

 

 


 

(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may

48


affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Information Technology Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Information Technology Index. The Information Technology Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the information technology sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Information Technology Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Information Technology Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Information Technology Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Information Technology Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Information Technology Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the information technology sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Information Technology Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Information Technology Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Information Technology Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Information Technology Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

49


B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Information Technology Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Information Technology Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Information Technology Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the

50


Information Technology Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Information Technology Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Information Technology Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Information Technology Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Information Technology Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the information technology sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the information technology sector. Technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse affect on profit margins. Technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the technology sector are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Information Technology Index or on securities comprising the Information Technology Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Information Technology Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are

51


denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Information Technology Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Information Technology Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Information Technology Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Information Technology Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Information Technology Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Information Technology Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Information Technology Index or invest in them in the exact

52


proportions they represent of the Information Technology Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Information Technology Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Information Technology Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Information Technology Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Information Technology Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Information Technology Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

53


For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

54


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA MATERIALS SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Materials Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Materials Index (the “Materials Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

 

Management Fee

 

[     ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[     ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[     ]%

 


 

 

 


 

(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[     ]

3

 

$[     ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

55


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Materials Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Materials Index. The Materials Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the materials sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Materials Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Materials Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Materials Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Materials Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Materials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the basic materials sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Materials Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Materials Index. As of [          ], 2010, the Materials Index included [     ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Materials Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

56


H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Materials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Materials Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Materials Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Materials Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Materials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Materials Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

57


If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Materials Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Basic Materials Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the basic materials sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the basic materials sector. Companies engaged in the production and distribution of basic materials may be adversely affected by changes in world events, political and economic conditions, energy conservation, environmental policies, commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources and labor relations.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Materials Index or on securities comprising the Materials Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Materials Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Materials Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified

58


funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Materials Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Materials Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Materials Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Materials Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Materials Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Materials Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Materials Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Materials Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Materials Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Materials Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

59


Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Materials Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Materials Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund




Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception




George Cao

Portfolio Manager

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

60


MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA UTILITIES SECTOR ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Utilities Sector ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Utilities Index (the “Utilities Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

 

Management Fee

 

[    ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

 

[    ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[    ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[    ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[    ]%

 


 

 

 


 

(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [         ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[    ]

3

 

$[    ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

61


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the Utilities Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the Utilities Index. The Utilities Index measures the performance of securities of issuers in the utilities sector. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the Utilities Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Utilities Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the Utilities Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The Utilities Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The Utilities Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the utilities sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Utilities Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in Utilities Index. As of [    ], 2010, the Utilities Index included [    ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[    ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the Utilities Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

62


H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Utilities Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The Utilities Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the Utilities Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the Utilities Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the Utilities Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the Utilities Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

63


If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Utilities Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risks of Investing in the Utilities Sector. The Fund will invest in securities of issuers in the utilities sector. As such, the Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the utilities sector. Companies in the utilities sector may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates, domestic and international competition, and governmental limitation on rates charged to customers. The value of regulated utility debt securities (and, to a lesser extent, equity securities) tends to have an inverse relationship to the movement of interest rates. Deregulation is subjecting utility companies to greater competition and may adversely affect profitability. As deregulation allows utilities to diversify outside of their original geographic regions and their traditional lines of business, utilities may engage in riskier ventures.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the Utilities Index or on securities comprising the Utilities Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Utilities Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the Utilities Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

64


Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Utilities Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Utilities Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Utilities Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the Utilities Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Utilities Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the Utilities Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the Utilities Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the Utilities Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Utilities Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Utilities Index may be adversely affected.

65


Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the Utilities Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the Utilities Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Title with Adviser

 

Date Began Managing the Fund






Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception






George Cao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

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MARKET VECTORS ALL CHINA SMALL CAP ETF

Investment Objective

Market Vectors All China Small Cap ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the China Small Cap Index (the “China Small Cap Index”).

Fund Fees and Expenses

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Shares of the Fund.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholder Fees

 

None

 

Management Fee

 

[    ]%

 

Other Expenses(a)

 

[    ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(b)

 

[    ]%

 

Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[    ]%

 

 

 


 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement(b)

 

[    ]%

 


 

 

 


 

(a)

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

 

 

(b)

The Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [          ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least May 1, 2012. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

Expense Example

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. This example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you pay when purchasing or selling Shares of the Fund.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:

 

 

 

YEAR

 

EXPENSES

1

 

$[   ]

3

 

$[   ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, no portfolio turnover figures are available.

67


Principal Investment Strategies

The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of companies that comprise the China Small Cap Index and in investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the securities that comprise the China Small Cap Index. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and requires 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders before it can be changed.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach will attempt to approximate the investment performance of the China Small Cap Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the China Small Cap Index. The Adviser expects that, over time, the correlation between the Fund’s performance and that of the China Small Cap Index before fees and expenses will be 95% or better. A figure of 100% would indicate perfect correlation.

The China Small Cap Index is comprised of China A-shares (“A-shares”), China B-shares (“B-shares”), China H-shares (“H-shares”) and shares of companies with controlling Chinese shareholders that are incorporated outside mainland China and listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (“Red Chip Companies”). The China Small Cap Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded small capitalization companies that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the China Small Cap Index. Only companies with market capitalizations greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date that have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million and that have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months are eligible for inclusion in China Small Cap Index. As of [          ], 2010, the China Small Cap Index included [    ] securities with a total market capitalization in excess of $[     ] billion.

A-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. A-shares are traded in RMB on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. The A-share market in the People’s Republic of China (“China” or the “PRC”) is made available to domestic PRC investors and certain foreign investors who have been approved as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and obtained a QFII license. A QFII license may be obtained by application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission (“CSRC”) and China’s State Administration of Foreign Exchange (“SAFE”). Approval of such application includes a specific aggregate dollar amount investment quota (the “A-share Quota”) in which the QFII can invest in A-shares. Investment companies are not currently within the types of entities that are eligible for a QFII license. Therefore, in order for the Fund to invest directly in A-shares, the Adviser would need to apply for and obtain an A-share Quota.

The Adviser has submitted an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Risks of Investing in the Funds—Risk of Investing in China—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments. Investments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of the component securities of the China Small Cap Index will count towards the 80% investment policy discussed above.

B-shares are issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. B-shares are traded in foreign currency on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges. B-shares were intended to be available only to foreign investors or foreign institutions. However, since February 2001, B-shares have been available to domestic individual investors who trade through legal foreign currency accounts.

H-shares are shares issued by companies incorporated in mainland China. H-shares are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Companies must meet Hong Kong’s

68


listing and disclosure requirements in order to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. H-shares may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike and are often the vehicle for extending a Chinese privatization to foreign investors.

Shares of Red Chip Companies are traded in Hong Kong dollars on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Red Chip Companies are incorporated in Hong Kong, but often have a majority of their business interest in mainland China. Shares of Red Chip Companies also may be traded by foreigners and domestic residents alike.

The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the China Small Cap Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries.

Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risks of Fund’s Investment Strategy. The China Small Cap Index is comprised of A-shares, B-shares, H-shares and shares of Red Chip Companies. In seeking to replicate the A-share portion of the China Small Cap Index, the Fund does not invest directly in A-shares, but intends to gain exposure to the A-share market by investing in swaps that are linked to the performance of A-shares. The Adviser’s ability to manage the Fund will depend upon the availability of A-shares and the willingness of swap counterparties to engage in swaps with the Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the quota for A-shares (“A-share Quota”) of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with outer investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter in to swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

The Adviser intends to submit an application for a QFII license in order to allow the Fund to invest directly in A-shares. There is no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain a QFII license and, if so, when such license would be granted. Furthermore, there are significant legal and operational obstacles that will need to be resolved before the Fund can invest directly in the A-share market, including repatriation restrictions and A-share Quota limitations. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, and the significant legal and operational obstacles are resolved, the Fund will not invest directly in A-shares. See “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds—Investments in A-shares” and “—Investment and Repatriation Restrictions.”

Therefore, unless and until the Fund is able to invest directly in A-shares, the Fund intends to invest in swaps and other types of derivative instruments that have economic characteristics that are substantially identical to the economic characteristics of A-shares including swaps on the China Small Cap Index and/or the A-shares which comprise the China Small Cap Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on funds that seek to replicate the performance of the China Small Cap Index or directly in securities of such funds. Assets not invested in swaps and other derivatives will be invested primarily in money market instruments.

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the China Small Cap Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser

69


determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. The Fund will invest in swaps on the China Small Cap Index or on securities comprising the China Small Cap Index. The Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the China Small Cap Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. In addition, there is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII and may be passed on to and borne by the Fund. In addition, the Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares and may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the Fund. Also, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect and, as a result the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Because swaps on A-shares are denominated in U.S. dollars and the underlying A-shares represented by the swaps are denominated in RMB, the ability of the Fund to track the China Small Cap Index is in part subject to foreign exchange fluctuations as between the U.S. dollar and the RMB. The terms of the swaps require the payment of the U.S. dollar equivalent of the RMB distributions and dividends received by the QFII, meaning that the Fund is exposed to foreign exchange risk and fluctuations in value between the U.S. dollar and RMB.

Risks of Investing in China. The Fund’s investments are concentrated in China. As a result, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. Whether the Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations not typically associated with investing in the United States. Such heightened risks include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in China are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable.

70


The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States.

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control and the Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. In addition, the Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and the Fund’s investments. Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact the Fund’s investments.

Market Risk. The prices of the securities in the Fund are subject to the risks associated with investing in the stock market, including general economic conditions and sudden and unpredictable drops in value. An investment in the Fund may lose money.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the China Small Cap Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the China Small Cap Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the China Small Cap Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs are not factored in to the return of the China Small Cap Index, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the China Small Cap Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in the China Small Cap Index or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of the China Small Cap Index, due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations imposed by the Chinese Government. The Fund is expected to value some or all of its investments based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its NAV based on fair value prices and the value of the China Small Cap Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the China Small Cap Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the China Small Cap Index may be adversely affected.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF.

Replication Management Risk. An investment in the Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. However, because the Fund is not “actively” managed, unless a specific security is removed from the China Small Cap Index, the Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. Therefore, the Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

71


Risk of Investing in Small-Capitalization Companies. The Fund may invest in small-capitalization companies (i.e., companies that generally have market capitalizations ranging from approximately over $200 million to $1 billion). Small-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large- and medium-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. Returns on investments in stocks of small-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in stocks of larger companies.

Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single company. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent the China Small Cap Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. In addition, the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in China. To the extent that the Fund’s investments are concentrated in a particular sector, industry or geographic region, the Fund will be susceptible to loss due to adverse occurrences affecting that sector, industry or geographic region.

Performance

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a performance history. Once available, the Fund’s performance information will be accessible on the Fund’s website at vaneck.com/etf.

Portfolio Management

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Managers. The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

Title with Adviser

 

Date Began Managing the Fund






Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception






George Cao

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Since inception

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares and tax information, please turn to “Summary Information about Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares and Taxes” on page 73 of this Prospectus.

72


SUMMARY INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES OF FUND SHARES AND TAXES

Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

The Funds issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in a large specified number of Shares each called a “Creation Unit,” or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit consists of [600,000] Shares.

Individual Shares of a Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Funds are expected to be approved for listing, subject to notice of issuance, on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) and because Shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares of the Funds may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV.

Tax Information

Each Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

73


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

Additional Investment Strategies

The Adviser anticipates that, generally, each Fund will hold all of the securities that comprise its Index in proportion to their weightings in such Index. However, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of those securities in those weightings. In these circumstances, a Fund may purchase a sample of securities in its Index. There also may be instances in which the Adviser may choose to overweight a security in a Fund’s Index, purchase securities not in the Fund’s Index that the Adviser believes are appropriate to substitute for certain securities in such Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the a Fund’s Index. Each Fund may sell securities that are represented in its Index in anticipation of their removal from such Index or purchase securities not represented in its Index in anticipation of their addition to such Index.

Each Fund may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), and in swaps, options, futures contracts and currency forwards. Convertible securities, depositary receipts and derivative instruments such as swaps, options, warrants, futures contracts, currency forwards, structured notes and participation notes may be used by the Funds in seeking performance that corresponds to its respective Index, and in managing cash flows. The Funds will not invest in money market instruments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines. The Funds may also invest in, to the extent permitted by Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, other affiliated and unaffiliated funds, such as open-end or closed-end management investment companies, including other ETFs

Borrowing Money

Each Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of one-third of the market value of its assets for temporary or emergency purposes. To the extent that a Fund borrows money, it will be leveraged; at such times, the Fund will appreciate or depreciate in value more rapidly than its benchmark Index.

Fundamental and Non-Fundamental Policies

Each Fund’s investment objective and each of the other investment policies are non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval, except as noted in the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) under the section entitled “Investment Policies and Restrictions—Investment Restrictions.”

Lending Portfolio Securities

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, a Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being loaned. This collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis. Although a Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, a Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.

74


Risks of Investing in the Funds

The following section provides additional information regarding certain of the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in each Fund’s “Summary Information” section along with additional risk information. These risks listed below are applicable to all Funds unless otherwise noted.

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund.

Risk of Investing in China. There are significant legal and operational hurdles that must be resolved before a Fund can operate as an ETF that invests directly in A-shares. Because a Fund cannot invest in A-shares in excess of the A-share Quota, the size of a Fund’s investment in A-shares may be significantly limited. In addition, there are significant restrictions on the repatriation of gains and income that may affect a Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests.

Whether a Fund invests directly in China through A-shares or H-shares or indirectly through swaps or other means described in this Prospectus, investments in China involve certain risks and special considerations, including the following:

 

 

 

Political and Economic Risk. The economy of China, which has been in a state of transition from a planned economy to a more market oriented economy, differs from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including the level of government involvement, its state of development, its growth rate, control of foreign exchange, and allocation of resources. Although the majority of productive assets in China are still owned by the PRC government at various levels, in recent years, the PRC government has implemented economic reform measures emphasizing utilization of market forces in the development of the economy of China and a high level of management autonomy. The economy of China has experienced significant growth in the past 20 years, but growth has been uneven both geographically and among various sectors of the economy. Economic growth has also been accompanied by periods of high inflation. The PRC government has implemented various measures from time to time to control inflation and restrain the rate of economic growth.

 

 

 

For more than 20 years, the PRC government has carried out economic reforms to achieve decentralization and utilization of market forces to develop the economy of the PRC. These reforms have resulted in significant economic growth and social progress. There can, however, be no assurance that the PRC government will continue to pursue such economic policies or, if it does, that those policies will continue to be successful. Any such adjustment and modification of those economic policies may have an adverse impact on the securities market in the PRC as well as the underlying securities of the Index. Further, the PRC government may from time to time adopt corrective measures to control the growth of the PRC economy which may also have an adverse impact on the capital growth and performance of a Fund.

 

 

 

Political changes, social instability and adverse diplomatic developments in the PRC could result in the imposition of additional government restrictions including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxes or nationalization of some or all of the property held by the underlying issuers of the A-shares or H-shares in the Index.

75



 

 

 

The laws, regulations, including the Investment Regulations allowing QFIIs to invest in A-shares, government policies and political and economic climate in China may change with little or no advance notice. Any such change could adversely affect market conditions and the performance of the Chinese economy and, thus, the value of securities in a Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

 

Since 1949, the PRC has been a socialist state controlled by the Communist party. China has only recently opened up to foreign investment and has only begun to permit private economic activity. There is no guarantee that the Chinese government will not revert from its current open-market economy to the economic policy of central planning that it implemented prior to 1978.

 

 

 

The Chinese government continues to be an active participant in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in China is subject to a high level of government control. The Chinese government strictly regulates the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and sets monetary policy. Through its policies, the government may provide preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The policies set by the government could have a substantial effect on the Chinese economy and a Fund’s investments.

 

 

 

The Chinese economy is export-driven and highly reliant on trade. The performance of the Chinese economy may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, currency depreciation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Adverse changes to the economic conditions of its primary trading partners, such as the United States, Japan and South Korea, would adversely impact the Chinese economy and a Fund’s investments.

 

 

 

China has been transitioning to a market economy since the late seventies, reaffirming its economic policy reforms through five-year programs, the latest of which (for 2006 through 2010) was approved in March 2006. Under the economic reforms implemented by the Chinese government, the Chinese economy has experienced tremendous growth, developing into one of the largest and fastest growing economies in the world. There is no assurance, however, that such growth will be sustained in the future.

 

 

 

Moreover, the current major slowdown in other significant economies of the world, such as the United States, the European Union and certain Asian countries, may adversely affect economic growth in China. An economic downturn in China would adversely impact a Fund’s investments.

 

 

 

Inflation. Economic growth in China has also historically been accompanied by periods of high inflation. Beginning in 2004, the Chinese government commenced the implementation of various measures to control inflation, which included the tightening of the money supply, the raising of interest rates and more stringent control over certain industries. If these measures do not continue to be successful, and if inflation were to steadily increase, the performance of the Chinese economy and a Fund’s investments could be negatively impacted.

 

 

 

Tax Changes. The Chinese system of taxation is not as well settled as that of the United States. In addition, changes in the Chinese tax system may have retroactive effects.

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Nationalization and Expropriation. After the formation of the Chinese socialist state in 1949, the Chinese government renounced various debt obligations and nationalized private assets without providing any form of compensation. There can be no assurance that the Chinese government will not take similar actions in the future. Accordingly, an investment in a Fund involves a risk of a total loss.

 

 

 

Hong Kong Policy. As part of Hong Kong’s transition from British to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, China agreed to allow Hong Kong to maintain a high degree of autonomy with regard to its political, legal and economic systems for a period of at least 50 years. China controls matters that relate to defense and foreign affairs. Under the agreement, China does not tax Hong Kong, does not limit the exchange of the Hong Kong dollar for foreign currencies and does not place restrictions on free trade in Hong Kong. However, there is no guarantee that China will continue to honor the agreement, and China may change its policies regarding Hong Kong at any time. Any such change could adversely affect market conditions and the performance of the Chinese economy and, thus, the value of securities in a Fund’s portfolio.

 

 

 

Chinese Securities Markets. The securities markets in China have a limited operating history and are not as developed as those in the United States. These markets tend to be smaller in size, have less liquidity and historically have had greater volatility than markets in the United States and some other countries. In addition, there is less regulation and monitoring of Chinese securities markets and the activities of investors, brokers and other participants than in the United States. Accordingly, issuers of securities in China are not subject to the same degree of regulation as are U.S. issuers with respect to such matters as insider trading rules, tender offer regulation, stockholder proxy requirements and the requirements mandating timely disclosure of information. Stock markets in China are in the process of change and further development. This may lead to trading volatility, difficulty in the settlement and recording of transactions and difficulty in interpreting and applying the relevant regulations.

 

 

 

Available Disclosure About Chinese Companies. Disclosure and regulatory standards in emerging market countries, such as China, are in many respects less stringent than U.S. standards. There is substantially less publicly available information about Chinese issuers than there is about U.S. issuers. Therefore, disclosure of certain material information may not be made, and less information may be available to a Fund and other investors than would be the case if a Fund’s investments were restricted to securities of U.S. issuers. Chinese issuers are subject to accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements that differ, in some cases significantly, from those applicable to U.S. issuers. In particular, the assets and profits appearing on the financial statements of a Chinese issuer may not reflect its financial position or results of operations in the way they would be reflected had such financial statements been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.

 

 

 

Chinese Corporate and Securities Law. A Fund’s rights with respect to its investments generally will not be governed by U.S. law, and instead will generally be governed by Chinese law. China operates under a civil law system, in which court precedent is not binding. The law is controlled exclusively through written statutes. Because there is no binding precedent to interpret existing statutes, there is uncertainty regarding the implementation of existing law.

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Legal principles relating to corporate affairs and the validity of corporate procedures, directors’ fiduciary duties and liabilities and stockholders’ rights often differ from those that may apply in the United States and other countries. Chinese laws providing protection to investors, such as laws regarding the fiduciary duties of officers and directors, are undeveloped and will not provide investors, such as a Fund, with protection in all situations where protection would be provided by comparable law in the United States. China lacks a national set of laws that address all issues that may arise with regard to a foreign investor such as a Fund.

 

 

 

It may therefore be difficult for a Fund to enforce its rights as an investor under Chinese corporate and securities laws, and it may be difficult or impossible for a Fund to obtain a judgment in court. Moreover, as Chinese corporate and securities laws continue to develop, these developments may adversely affect foreign investors, such as a Fund.

 

 

 

Investments in A-shares. Currently, there are two stock exchanges in mainland China, the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges, and there is one stock exchange in Hong Kong. The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges are supervised by the CSRC and are highly automated with trading and settlement executed electronically. The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States. In comparison to the mainland Chinese securities markets, the securities markets in Hong Kong are relatively well developed and active.

 

 

 

The Shanghai Stock Exchange commenced trading on December 19, 1990, the Shenzhen Stock Exchange commenced trading on July 3, 1991 and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange commenced trading on April 2, 1986. The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges divide listed shares into two classes: A-shares and China B-shares (“B-shares”). Companies whose shares are traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges that are incorporated in mainland China may issue both A-shares and B-shares. In China, the A-shares and B-shares of an issuer may only trade on one exchange. A-shares and B-shares may both be listed on either the Shanghai or Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. Both classes represent an ownership interest comparable to a share of common stock and all shares are entitled to substantially the same rights and benefits associated with ownership. A-shares are traded on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges in Chinese currency. All repatriations of gains and income on A-shares require the approval of SAFE.

 

 

 

Foreign investors have historically been unable to participate in the A-share market. However, in late 2002, Investment Regulations promulgated by the CSRC came into effect that provided a legal framework for QFIIs to invest in A-shares on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges and certain other securities historically not eligible for investment by non-PRC investors, through quotas granted by SAFE to those QFIIs which have been approved by the CSRC. Pursuant to an administrative notice issued by the CSRC on implementing the Investment Regulations, a QFII may invest in stocks listed and traded on a stock exchange, bonds listed and traded on a stock exchange, investment companies, warrants listed and traded on a stock exchange, and other financial instruments approved by the CSRC (due to technical reasons, QFIIs currently cannot participate in the repurchase of government bonds and trading of corporate bonds on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange). Based on recent announcements by PRC officials, QFIIs may be permitted to trade stock index futures (within their quotas) upon the promulgation of new rules. However, there is no guarantee that the new rules will be drafted in such a

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manner as to permit such investments. Further, no single underlying foreign investor investing through a QFII (e.g., the Fund) may hold more than 10% of the total outstanding shares in one listed company and all foreign investors investing through QFIIs (e.g., the Fund) may not hold, in aggregate, more than 20% of the total outstanding shares in one listed company. Such limits may not apply where foreign investors make strategic investment in listed companies in accordance with the Measures for the Administration of Strategic Investments in Listed Companies by Foreign Investors. In September 2009, SAFE issued the Measures on the Foreign Exchange Administration of the Securities Investments of Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors in the PRC (the “SAFE Measures”), which regulates the foreign exchange activities of QFIIs.

 

 

 

As of the end of 2009, the CSRC had granted licenses to 86 QFIIs bringing total investment quotas to US$16.67 billion in A-shares and other permitted securities. Because restrictions continue to exist and capital therefore cannot flow freely into the A-share market, it is possible that in the event of a market disruption, the liquidity of the A-share market and trading prices of A-shares could be more severely affected than the liquidity and trading prices of markets where securities are freely tradable and capital therefore flows more freely. The Fund cannot predict the nature or duration of such a market disruption or the impact that it may have on the A-share market and the short-term and long-term prospects of its investments in the A-share market.

 

 

 

The Chinese government has in the past taken actions that benefited holders of A-shares. As A-shares become more available to foreign investors, such as a Fund, the Chinese government may be less likely to take action that would benefit holders of A-shares. In addition, there is no guarantee that the Adviser will continue to benefit from the A-share Quota if the A-share Quota is reduced or eliminated by the CSRC or SAFE at some point in the future. A Fund cannot predict what would occur if the Adviser’s A-share Quota, if granted, were reduced or eliminated, although such an occurrence would likely have a material adverse effect on a Fund.

 

 

 

From time to time, certain of the companies in which a Fund expects to invest may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. A company may suffer damage to its reputation if it is identified as a company which operates in, or has dealings with, countries subject to sanctions or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As an investor in such companies, a Fund will be indirectly subject to those risks.

 

 

 

Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. Investments by a Fund in A-shares, to the extent permitted, and other Chinese financial instruments regulated by the CSRC and SAFE, including Chinese government bonds, convertible bonds, corporate bonds, warrants and open- and closed-end investment companies, are subject to governmental pre-approval limitations on the quantity that a Fund may purchase or limits on the classes of securities in which a Fund may invest. The Chinese government limits foreign investment in the securities of certain Chinese issuers entirely, if foreign investment is banned in respect of the industry in which the relevant Chinese issuers are conducting their business. These restrictions may negatively affect a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

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To the extent a Fund invests directly in the A-share market, the Adviser, if licensed as a QFII, will be required to remit the entire investment principal for its A-share Quota into a local sub-custodian account within such time period as specified by SAFE after the Adviser obtains a foreign exchange registration certificate from SAFE, the Chinese government agency responsible for foreign exchange administration. Once remitted, investment capital may only be repatriated at certain designated times. Net realized profits for any financial year of a Fund may not currently be repatriated until the completion of an audit by a registered accountant in China, payment of all applicable taxes and approval by SAFE. If the Adviser, as the QFII, needs to purchase foreign currency with RMB for remitting the net realized after-tax profit, it shall apply to SAFE by presenting the requisite application.

 

 

 

To the extent a Fund does not distribute all of its net capital gain in a given year, requiring it to pay U.S. federal income tax on the retained gain, a Fund may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to stockholders. In that case, stockholders of record on the last day of a Fund’s taxable year will be required to include their attributable share of the retained gain in income for the year as a long-term capital gain despite not actually receiving the dividend, and will be entitled to a tax credit or refund for the tax deemed paid on their behalf by a Fund as well as an increase in the basis of their shares to reflect the difference between their attributable share of the gain and the related credit or refund.

 

 

 

Risk of Loss of Favorable U.S. Tax Treatment. The Fund intends to distribute annually all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gain. However, to the extent the Fund invests directly in the A-share market, if the Fund does not receive approval from SAFE to repatriate funds associated with such direct investment on a timely basis, may be unable to satisfy the distribution requirements required to qualify for the favorable tax treatment otherwise generally afforded to RICs under the Internal Revenue Code. If the Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, the Fund would be treated as a corporation subject to U.S. federal income tax, thereby subjecting any income earned by the Fund to tax at the corporate level currently at a 35% U.S. federal tax rate and, when such income is distributed, to a further tax at the stockholder level to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Fund would not be eligible for a deduction for dividends paid to shareholders.

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange Control. The Chinese government heavily regulates the domestic exchange of foreign currencies within China. Chinese law requires that all domestic transactions must be settled in RMB, places significant restrictions on the remittance of foreign currency and strictly regulates currency exchange from RMB. Under SAFE regulations, Chinese corporations may only purchase foreign currencies through government approved banks. In general, Chinese companies must receive approval from or register with the Chinese government before investing in certain capital account items, including direct investments and loans, and must thereafter maintain separate foreign exchange accounts for the capital items. Foreign investors may only exchange foreign currencies at specially authorized banks after complying with documentation requirements. These restrictions may adversely affect the Fund and its investments. The international community has requested that China ease its restrictions on currency exchange, but it is unclear whether the Chinese government will change its policy.

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Investment Regulations. To the extent the Fund invests directly in A-shares, the investment regulations under which the Fund will invest in China and which regulate repatriation and currency conversion are relatively new. The application and interpretation of those investment regulations are therefore relatively untested and there is no certainty as to how they will be applied. In addition, those investment regulations give CSRC and SAFE wide discretion and there is no precedent or certainty as to how this discretion may be exercised, either now or in the future. The A-share Quota is subject to review from time to time by the CSRC and SAFE and currently may be reduced or revoked by the Chinese regulators if, among other things, the Adviser fails to observe SAFE and other applicable Chinese regulations. The Fund cannot predict what would occur if the Adviser’s A-share Quota were reduced or eliminated, although such an occurrence would likely have a material adverse effect on the Fund.

 

 

 

Custody Risks of Investing in A-shares. A-shares that are traded on the Shanghai or Shenzhen Stock Exchange are dealt and held in book-entry form through the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited (“CDSCC”). To the extent a Fund invests directly in A-shares, securities purchased by the Adviser, if licensed and in its capacity as a QFII, on behalf of a Fund, can currently be received by the CDSCC as credited to a securities trading account maintained in the joint names of a Fund and the Adviser. A Fund will pay the cost of the account. The Adviser may not use the account for any other purpose than for maintaining a Fund’s assets. To the extent a Fund invests directly in A-shares, a Fund will obtain a legal opinion from a Fund’s Chinese counsel, confirming that, as a matter of Chinese law, the Adviser, as a QFII, will have no ownership interest in the securities and that a Fund will be ultimately and exclusively entitled to ownership of the securities. However, given that the securities trading account will be maintained in the joint names of the Adviser and a Fund, a Fund’s assets may not be as well protected as they would be if it were possible for them to be registered and held solely in the name of a Fund. In particular, there is a risk that creditors of the Adviser may assert, notwithstanding the legal opinion referred to above, that the securities are owned by the Adviser and not a Fund, and that a court would uphold such an assertion, in which case creditors of the Adviser could seize assets of a Fund. In addition, in the absence of any consent to service of process by a Fund’s Chinese counsel, it may be difficult for investors to have any legal recourse against such counsel in connection with its legal opinion.

 

 

 

Use of up to Three QFII Brokers per Exchange. To the extent a Fund invests directly in A-shares, regulations adopted by the CSRC and SAFE under which a Fund will invest in China specify that all securities traded by the Adviser, if licensed as a QFII, on behalf of a Fund must be executed through one of three specified brokers per exchange. Prior to the adoption of these regulations, QFIIs were required to execute trades of securities through a single specified broker for each of the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange. However, the recently adopted measures may not have been implemented by either the Shanghai Stock Exchange or the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and it is uncertain when these measures will be implemented or whether they will be effectuated in an efficient manner. As a result, if and when the Adviser is licensed as a QFII, it will have less flexibility to choose among brokers on behalf of a Fund than is typically the case for investment managers.

 

 

 

Foreign Currency Considerations. To the extent a Fund invests directly in A-shares, a Fund’s assets will be invested primarily in the equity securities of issuers in China and Hong Kong and the income received by a Fund will be principally in RMB. Meanwhile,

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a Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income will be made on the date that the income is earned by a Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. Therefore, if the value of the RMB falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the earning of the income and the time at which a Fund converts the RMB to U.S. dollars, a Fund may be required to liquidate certain positions in order to make distributions if a Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements under the Code. The liquidation of investments, if required, may also have an adverse impact on a Fund’s performance.

 

 

 

Furthermore, a Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between U.S. dollars and RMB. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to a Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should a Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. A Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

 

 

 

Currently, there is no market in China in which a Fund may engage in hedging transactions to minimize RMB foreign exchange risk, and there can be no guarantee that instruments suitable for hedging currency will be available to a Fund in China at any time in the future. In the event that in the future it becomes possible to hedge RMB currency risk in China, a Fund may seek to protect the value of some portion or all of its portfolio holdings against currency risks by engaging in hedging transactions. In that case, a Fund may enter into forward currency exchange contracts and currency futures contracts and options on such futures contracts, as well as purchase put or call options on currencies, in China. Currency hedging would involve special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the extent the Adviser’s view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of hedging could result in losses greater than if they had not been used. The use of currency transactions could result in a Fund’s incurring losses as a result of the imposition of exchange controls, suspension of settlements or the inability to deliver or receive a specified currency.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Interests and Short Swing Profit Rule. The Fund is subject to shareholder disclosure of interest regulations promulgated by the CSRC. These regulations currently require the Fund to make certain public disclosures when the Fund and parties acting in concert with the Fund acquire 5% or more of the issued securities of a listed company. If the reporting requirement is triggered, the Fund will be required to report information which includes, but is not limited to: (a) information about the Fund and the type and extent of its holdings in the company; (b) a statement of the Fund’s purposes for the investment and whether the Fund intends to increase its holdings over the following 12-month period; (c) a statement of the Fund’s historical investments in the company over the previous six months; and (d) other information that may be required by the CSRC or the stock exchange. Additional information may be required if the Fund and its concerted parties constitute the largest shareholder or actual controlling shareholder of the listed company. The report must be made to the CSRC, the stock exchange, the invested company, and the CSRC local representative office where the invested company is located. The Fund would also be required to make a public announcement through a media outlet designated by the CSRC. The public announcement must contain the same content as the official report.

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The relevant PRC regulations presumptively treat, inter alia, all affiliated investors and investors under common control as parties acting in concert. As such, under a conservative interpretation of these regulations, the Fund may be deemed as a “concerted party” of other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates and therefore may be subject to the risk that the Fund’s holdings may be required to be reported in the aggregate with the holdings of such other funds should the aggregate holdings trigger the reporting threshold under the PRC law.

 

 

 

If the 5% shareholding threshold is triggered by the Fund and parties acting in concert with the Fund, the Fund would be required to file its report within three days of the date the threshold is reached. During the time limit for filing the report, a trading freeze applies and the Fund would not be permitted to make subsequent trades in the invested company’s securities. Any such trading freeze may undermine the Fund’s performance, if the Fund would otherwise make trades during that period but is prevented from doing so by the regulation.

 

 

 

Once the Fund and parties acting in concert reach the 5% trading threshold as to any invested company, any subsequent incremental increase or decrease of 5% or more will trigger a further reporting requirement and an additional three-day trading freeze, and also an additional freeze on trading within two days of the Fund’s report and announcement of the incremental change. These trading freezes may undermine the Fund’s performance as described above. Also, Shanghai Stock Exchange requirements currently require the Fund and parties acting in concert, once they have reach the 5% threshold, to disclose whenever their shareholding drops below this threshold (even as a result of trading which is less than the 5% incremental change that would trigger a reporting requirement under the relevant CSRC regulation).

 

 

 

The shareholder disclosure of interest requirements described above may expose the Fund’s holdings and plans to the public with an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance, including by allowing third parties to trade based on information about the Fund’s holdings and intentions that the Fund would otherwise maintain as confidential.

 

 

 

CSRC regulations also contain additional disclosure (and tender offer) requirements that apply when an investor and parties acting in concert reach thresholds of 20% and greater than 30% shareholding in a company. Because no single underlying foreign investor investing through a QFII (e.g., the Fund) may currently hold more than 10% of the total outstanding shares in one listed company, it is currently unlikely that the Fund’s trading would trigger the more detailed reporting or tender offer requirements at the higher thresholds. Also, the disclosure requirements described herein assume that the Fund and concerted parties acquire their interest through stock exchange transactions. Slightly different disclosure requirements may apply for shareholders who acquire interests by other means.

 

 

 

Subject to the interpretation of PRC courts and PRC regulators, the operation of the PRC short swing profit rule may be applicable to the trading of the Fund with the result that where the holdings of the Fund (possibly with the holdings of other investors deemed as concert parties of the Fund) exceed 5% of the total issued shares of a PRC company, the Fund may not reduce its holdings in the company within six months of the last purchase of shares of the company. If the Fund violates the rule, it may be required by the listed company to return any profits realized from such trading to the listed company. Moreover, under PRC civil procedures, the Fund’s assets may be frozen to the extent of

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the claims made by the company in question. These risks may greatly impair the performance of the Fund.

 

 

 

Investments in B-shares. The B-share market commenced operations in April 1991 and was originally opened exclusively for foreign investors. In 2001, the B-share market opened to Chinese domestic individual investors as well. However, Chinese domestic individual investors must trade with legal foreign currency accounts. The B-share market is composed of the Shanghai Stock Exchange (which settles in U.S. dollars) and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (which settles in Hong Kong dollars). The B-share market is generally smaller, less liquid and has a smaller issuer base than the A-share market. The issuers that compose the B-share market include a broad range of companies, including companies with large, medium and small capitalizations.

Risk of Investing in Swaps. A Fund will invest in swaps on the Index or on securities comprising the Index. A Fund may also invest in swaps on other funds that track the Index or invest directly in the shares of such funds. The use of swap agreements entails certain risks, which may be different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the underlying asset for the swap agreement. These risks include:

 

 

 

Limited Availability of Swaps. The Adviser’s ability to manage a Fund in accordance with its stated investment objective will depend upon the continuing availability of A-shares and the willingness and ability of potential swap counterparties to engage in swaps with a Fund linked to the performance of A-shares. To the extent that the A-share Quota of a potential swap counterparty is reduced or eliminated due to actions by the Chinese government or as a result of transactions entered into by the counterparty with other investors, the counterparty’s ability to continue to enter into swaps or other derivative transactions with the Fund may be reduced or eliminated, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund. These risks are compounded by the fact that at present there are only a limited number of potential counterparties willing and able to enter into swap transactions linked to the performance of A-shares. Furthermore, swaps are of limited duration and there is no guarantee that swaps entered into with a counterparty will continue indefinitely. Accordingly, the duration of a swap depends on, among other things, the ability of the Fund to renew the expiration period of the relevant swap at agreed upon terms.

 

 

 

If the Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to the performance of the Index because of the limited availability of swaps linked to the performance of A-shares, the Fund could, among other things, as a defensive measure suspend creations until the Adviser determines that the requisite swap exposure is obtainable. During the period that creations are suspended, the Fund could trade at a significant premium or discount to the NAV and could experience substantial redemptions. To the extent that such events result in a termination event under the Fund’s swap agreements, the risks related to the limited availability of swaps would be compounded and the Fund may be adversely affected. Alternatively, the Fund could change its investment objective and could thus track an alternative index focused on Chinese-related stocks other than A-shares or other appropriate investments.

 

 

 

Counterparty Risk. Because a swap is an obligation of the counterparty rather than a direct investment in A-shares, the Fund may suffer losses potentially equal to, or greater than, the full value of the swap if the counterparty fails to perform its obligations under

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the swap as a result of bankruptcy or otherwise. Any loss would result in a reduction in the NAV of the Fund and will likely impair the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The counterparty risk associated with the Fund’s investments is expected to be greater than most other funds because there are only a limited number of counterparties that are willing and able to enter into swaps on A-shares and a Fund expects to use swaps as the principal means to gain exposure to the Index. In fact, because there are so few potential counterparties, a Fund, subject to applicable law, may enter into swap transactions with as few as one counterparty at any time.

 

 

 

Liquidity Risk. Swap agreements may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. If a swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses to a Fund. This is especially true given the limited number of potential counterparties willing and able to enter into swap transactions on A-shares. In addition, a swap transaction may be subject to a Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. Swap agreements may be subject to pricing risk, which exists when a particular swap agreement becomes extraordinarily expensive (or inexpensive) relative to historical prices or the prices of corresponding cash market instruments. The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Fund’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.

 

 

 

Risks of A-shares and the QFII System. Investments in swaps linked to the performance of A-shares are subject to general risks associated with A-shares and the QFII system. For example, although the CSRC may relax QFII eligibility requirements, making investment in A-shares easier and more widespread, this cannot be guaranteed. It is not possible to predict the future development of the QFII system and the CSRC may even impose restrictions on QFIIs’ operations. Such restrictions may adversely affect the ability of potential counterparties to enter into swaps linked to the performance of A-shares. In addition, the existence of a liquid trading market for the A-shares may depend on whether there is supply of, and demand for, such A-shares. The price at which the swaps on A-shares may be purchased or sold by a Fund upon any rebalancing activities or otherwise and the NAV of a Fund may be adversely affected if trading markets for the A-shares are limited or absent.

 

 

 

Tax Risk. There is a risk that PRC tax authorities may seek to collect tax on capital gains realized by QFIIs on the sale of A-shares without giving any prior warning. If such tax is collected, the tax liability will be payable by the QFII. In such event, under the terms of the swaps or as otherwise agreed between a Fund and a counterparty, any tax levied on and payable by the QFII in the PRC may be passed on to and borne by a Fund to the extent such tax is indirectly attributable to a Fund through its holdings of the relevant swaps. In addition, when a Fund sells a swap on A-shares, the sale price may take account of the QFII’s tax liability.

 

 

 

A Fund’s investments in swaps and other derivative instruments may be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. Investments in swaps and other derivatives may be subject to special U.S. federal income tax rules that could negatively affect the character, timing and amount of income earned by a Fund (e.g., by causing amounts that would be capital gain to be taxed as ordinary income or to be taken into income earlier than would otherwise be necessary). Also, a Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions

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in its swaps and derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. For example, swaps in which a Fund will invest may need to be reset on a regular basis in order to maintain compliance with the 1940 Act, which may increase the likelihood that a Fund will generate short-term capital gains. In addition, because the application of these special rules may be uncertain, it is possible that the manner in which they are applied by a Fund may be determined to be incorrect. In that event, a Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to be subject to additional U.S. tax liability. Moreover, a Fund may make investments, both directly and through swaps or other derivative positions, in companies classified as passive foreign investment companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“PFICs”). Investments in PFICs are subject to special tax rules which may result in adverse tax consequences to a Fund and its shareholders.

Risk of Investment in Foreign Securities. Investments in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political instability. Foreign issuers are often subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are U.S. issuers, and therefore, not all material information may be available or reliable. Securities exchanges or foreign governments may adopt rules or regulations that may negatively impact a Fund’s ability to invest in foreign securities or may prevent a Fund from repatriating its investments. In addition, a Fund may not receive shareholder communications or be permitted to vote the securities that it holds, as the issuers may be under no legal obligation to distribute shareholder communications.

To the extent a Fund invests in A-shares, a Fund will invest in securities denominated in RMB and the income received by a Fund in respect of such investments will be in RMB. In such circumstances, changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact a Fund’s returns. The value of the RMB may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies issued by the PRC, the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or other national or global political or economic developments. Therefore, a Fund’s exposure to RMB may result in reduced returns to a Fund. A Fund does not expect to hedge its currency risk. Moreover, a Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between U.S. dollars and RMB and, as noted below, will bear the risk of any inability to convert the RMB.

In addition, various PRC companies derive their revenues in RMB but have requirements for foreign currency, including for the import of materials, debt service on foreign currency denominated debt, purchases of imported equipment and payment of any cash dividends declared. The existing PRC foreign exchange regulations have significantly reduced government foreign exchange controls for certain transactions, including trade and service related foreign exchange transactions and payment of dividends. However, it is impossible to predict whether the PRC government will continue its existing foreign exchange policy and when the PRC government will allow free conversion of the RMB to foreign currency. Certain foreign exchange transactions, including principal payments in respect of foreign currency-denominated obligations, currently continue to be subject to significant foreign exchange controls and require the approval of the State Administration for Foreign Exchange. Since 1994, the conversion of RMB into U.S. dollars has been based on rates set by the People’s Bank of China, which are set daily based on the previous day’s PRC interbank foreign exchange market rate. It is not possible to predict nor give any assurance of any future stability of the RMB to United States dollar

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exchange rate. Fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect a Fund’s NAV. Furthermore, because dividends are declared in U.S. dollars and underlying payments are made in RMB, fluctuations in exchange rates may adversely affect dividends paid by a Fund.

In addition, the Fund may invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. The issuers of certain depositary receipts are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities.

Index Tracking Risk. Each Fund’s return may not match the return of its Index for a number of reasons. For example, a Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to its Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of its Index and raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. A Fund’s return may also deviate significantly from the return of its Index because the Fund bears the costs and risks associated with buying and selling securities while such costs and risks are not factored into the return of its Index. A Fund may not be fully invested at times either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and pay expenses. To the extent a Fund is unable to enter into swaps or other derivatives linked to the performance of the Index or securities comprising the Index, it may enter into swaps or other derivatives linked to the performance of other funds that seek to track the performance of the Index. These funds may trade at a premium or discount to NAV, which may result in additional tracking error for a Fund.

In addition, a Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities included in its Index, or invest in them in the exact proportions they represent of its Index, due to restrictions or limitations imposed by the Chinese Government or a lack of liquidity on stock exchanges in which such securities trade. In addition, a Fund may be delayed in purchasing or selling securities included in its Index. Moreover, any issues a Fund encounters with regard to currency convertibility (including the cost of borrowing funds, if any,) and repatriation may also increase the index tracking risk.

Relevant PRC laws and regulations may limit the ability of the QFII to acquire A-shares in certain PRC issuers from time to time and, in addition, a QFII may not be able to acquire A-shares to hedge the swaps in which a Fund invests. In such case, this may restrict the issuance, and therefore the purchase, of swaps linked to these A-shares by a Fund. This may occur in a number of circumstances, such as (i) where the QFII holds in the aggregate 10% of the total share capital of a listed PRC issuer (regardless of the fact that the QFII may hold its interest on behalf of a number of different ultimate clients), and (ii) where the aggregated holdings in A-shares of all QFIIs (whether or not connected in any way to a Fund) already equal 20% of the total share capital of a listed PRC issuer. In the event that these limits are exceeded, the relevant QFIIs will be required to dispose of the A-shares in order to comply with the relevant requirements and, in respect of (ii), each QFII will dispose of the relevant A-shares on a “last in first out” basis. As a consequence, in such circumstances, a Fund may need to adopt a representative sampling strategy in order to achieve its investment objective which may cause increased tracking error. Furthermore, the tracking error of a Fund may be increased by the overall costs of maintaining the swaps. As a result of such costs the value of the swaps may differ from the price of the A-shares to which such swaps are linked, leading to an increased tracking error.

Each Fund is expected to fair value the foreign securities it holds. See “Shareholder Information—Determination of NAV.” To the extent a Fund calculates its NAV based on fair

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value prices and the value of the Index is based on the securities’ closing price on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Index is not based on fair value prices), a Fund’s ability to track the Index may be adversely affected. The need to comply with the diversification and other requirements of the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code may also impact a Fund’s ability to replicate the performance of its Index. In addition, to the extent a Fund utilizes swaps and other derivative instruments, which it currently intends to use as its principal means to replicate the Index, its return may not correlate as well with the Index as would be the case if a Fund purchased all the securities in its Index directly.

Risk of Cash Transactions. Unlike most other ETFs, a Fund expects to effect creations and redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind securities. As a result, an investment in such Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF. Other ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid being taxed on gain on the distributed portfolio securities at the Fund level. Because a Fund currently intends to effect redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds, which involves transaction costs. If a Fund recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause a Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required. The Funds generally intend to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if a Fund sold and redeemed its shares principally in-kind, will be passed on to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” in the Funds’ SAI. China may also impose higher local tax rates on transactions involving certain companies. In addition, these factors may result in wider spreads between the bid and the offered prices of a Fund’s Shares than for more conventional ETFs.

Replication Management Risk. Unlike many investment companies, the Funds are not “actively” managed. Therefore, unless a specific security is removed from its Index, a Fund generally would not sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble. If a specific security is removed from a Fund’s Index, the Fund may be forced to sell such security at an inopportune time or for prices other than at current market values. An investment in a Fund involves risks similar to those of investing in any fund of equity securities traded on an exchange, such as market fluctuations caused by such factors as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices. Each Fund’s Index may not contain the appropriate or a diversified mix of securities for any particular economic cycle. The timing of changes in a Fund from one type of security to another in seeking to replicate its Index could have a negative effect on the Fund. Unlike with an actively managed fund, the Adviser does not use techniques or defensive strategies designed to lessen the effects of market volatility or to reduce the impact of periods of market decline. This means that, based on market and economic conditions, a Fund’s performance could be lower than other types of mutual funds that may actively shift their portfolio assets to take advantage of market opportunities or to lessen the impact of a market decline.

Non-Diversified Risk. Each Fund is a separate investment portfolio of Market Vectors ETF Trust (the “Trust”), which is an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act. Each

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Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” investment company under the 1940 Act. As a result, each Fund is subject to the risk that it will be more volatile than a diversified fund because the Fund may invest its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. As a result, the gains and losses on a single security may have a greater impact on a Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than diversified funds.

Concentration Risk. A Fund’s assets will be concentrated in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries to the extent that its respective Index concentrates in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries. The securities of many or all of the companies in the same sector or industry may decline in value due to developments adversely affecting such sector or industry. By concentrating its assets in a particular sector or sectors or industry or group of industries, a Fund is subject to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on that sector or industry will negatively impact the Fund to a greater extent than if the Fund’s assets were invested in a wider variety of sectors or industries. In addition, certain Funds’ assets will be concentrated in a particular country. Consequently, events affecting that country will have a greater impact on the Fund’s NAV and may make the Fund more volatile than if the Fund were invested in a more geographically diverse portfolio of investments.

Risk of Investing in Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies. Each Fund may invest in small- and medium-capitalization companies and, therefore will be subject to certain risks associated with small- and medium-capitalization companies. These companies are often subject to less analyst coverage and may be in early and less predictable periods of their corporate existences, with little or no record of profitability. In addition, these companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than larger more established companies. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources and less competitive strength than large-capitalization companies.

Risk of Investing in Micro-Capitalization Companies. Market Vectors All China All-Cap ETF may invest in micro-capitalization companies. These companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. Micro-capitalization companies may be newly formed or in the early stages of development, with limited product lines, markets or financial resources and may lack management depth. In addition, there may be less public information available about these companies. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell these securities. Also, it may take a long time before the Fund realizes a gain, if any, on an investment in a micro-capitalization company.

Risk of Investing in Derivatives. Derivatives are financial instruments, such as swaps, options, warrants, futures contracts, currency forwards and participation notes, whose values are based on the value of one or more indicators, such as a security, asset, currency, interest rate, or index. A Fund’s use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Moreover, although the value of a derivative is based on an underlying indicator, a derivative does not carry the same rights as would be the case if a Fund invested directly in the underlying securities.

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Derivatives are subject to a number of risks, such as potential changes in value in response to market developments or as a result of the counterparty’s credit quality and the risk that a derivative transaction may not have the effect the Adviser anticipated. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying indicator. Derivative transactions can create investment leverage, may be highly volatile, and a Fund could lose more than the amount it invests. The use of derivatives may increase the amount and affect the timing and character of taxes payable by shareholders of a Fund.

Many derivative transactions are entered into “over-the-counter” (not on an exchange or contract market); as a result, the value of such a derivative transaction will depend on the ability and the willingness of a Fund’s counterparty to perform its obligations under the transaction. If a counterparty were to default on its obligations, a Fund’s contractual remedies against such counterparty may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could affect a Fund’s rights as a creditor (e.g., a Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it is contractually entitled to receive). A liquid secondary market may not always exist for a Fund’s derivative positions at any time.

Additional Risks

Leverage Risk. To the extent that a Fund borrows money or utilizes certain derivatives, it will be leveraged. Leveraging generally exaggerates the effect on NAV of any increase or decrease in the market value of a Fund’s portfolio securities.

Absence of Prior Active Market. The Fund is a newly organized series of an investment company and thus has no operating history. While the Fund’s Shares are expected to be listed on NYSE Arca, there can be no assurance that active trading markets for the Shares will develop or be maintained. Van Eck Securities Corporation, the distributor of the Shares (the “Distributor”), does not maintain a secondary market in the Shares.

Trading Issues. Trading in Shares on NYSE Arca may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of NYSE Arca, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on NYSE Arca is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to NYSE Arca’s “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of a Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

Fluctuation of NAV. The NAV of the Shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of a Fund’s securities holdings. The market prices of Shares will fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV and supply and demand on NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of each Fund’s Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme market volatility may result in trading prices that differ significantly from NAV. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.

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PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

A description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Funds’ portfolio securities is available in the Funds’ SAI.

MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees of the Trust has responsibility for the general oversight of the management of the Funds, including general supervision of the Adviser and other service providers, but is not involved in the day-to-day management of the Trust. A list of the Trustees and the Trust officers, and their present positions and principal occupations, is provided in the Funds’ SAI.

Investment Adviser. Under the terms of an Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation with respect to the Funds (the “Investment Management Agreement”), Van Eck Associates Corporation serves as the adviser to each Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, will be responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds. As of September 30, 2010, the Adviser managed approximately $25.0 billion in assets. The Adviser has been an investment adviser since 1955 and also acts as adviser or sub-adviser to other ETFs, mutual funds, hedge funds, pension plans and other investment accounts. The Adviser’s principal business address is 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Management Agreement is available in the Trust’s semi-annual report for the period ended June 30, 2010.

For the services provided to each Fund under the Investment Management Agreement, each Fund will pay the Adviser monthly fees based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets at the annual rate of [     ]%. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee. Until at least May 1, 2012, 2011, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of each Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [     ]% of its average daily net assets per year. Offering costs excluded from the expense caps are: (a) legal fees pertaining to a Fund’s Shares offered for sale; (b) SEC and state registration fees; and (c) initial fees paid for Shares of a Fund to be listed on an exchange.

Each Fund is responsible for all of its expenses, including the investment advisory fees, costs of transfer agency, custody, legal, audit and other services, interest, taxes, any distribution fees or expenses, offering fees or expenses and extraordinary expenses.

Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Van Eck Associates Corporation is the administrator for the Funds (the “Administrator”), and The Bank of New York Mellon is the custodian of the Funds’ assets and provides transfer agency and fund accounting services to the Funds. The Administrator is responsible for certain clerical, recordkeeping and/or bookkeeping services which are provided pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement.

Distributor. Van Eck Securities Corporation is the distributor of the Shares. The Distributor will not distribute Shares in less than Creation Units, and does not maintain a secondary market in the Shares. As noted in the section entitled “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares,” the Shares are traded in the secondary market.

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PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

The portfolio managers who currently share joint responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio are Hao-Hung (Peter) Liao and George Cao. Mr. Liao has been employed by the Adviser since the summer of 2004. Mr. Liao also serves as a portfolio manager for certain other investment companies advised by the Adviser. Mr. Cao has been employed by the Adviser since December 2007. Prior to joining the Adviser, he served as a Senior Finance Associate followed by Controller of Operations Administrations Division and Corporate Safety for United Airlines. He also served as a Management Consultant to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as well as a Financial Analyst for SAM Distribution Co. Ltd. See the Funds’ SAI for additional information about the portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and their respective ownership of Shares of each Fund.

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Determination of NAV

The NAV per Share for each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined each business day as of the close of trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.

The values of each Fund’s portfolio securities are based on the securities’ closing prices on their local principal markets, where available. In the absence of a last reported sales price, or if no sales were reported, and for other assets for which market quotes are not readily available, values may be based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or by an outside independent pricing service. Prices obtained by an outside independent pricing service use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data related to investments or securities with similar characteristics and may use a computerized grid matrix of securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities. If a market quotation for a security is not readily available or it does not otherwise accurately reflect the market value of the security at the time the Fund calculates its NAV, the security will be fair valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Fund may also use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations where the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which the security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of a security) or trading in a security has been suspended or halted. In addition, each Fund currently expects that it will fair value most or all of the foreign equity securities held by the Fund each day the Fund calculates its NAV. Accordingly, a Fund’s NAV is expected to reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s NAV and the prices used by such Fund’s Index. This may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to track its respective Index. With respect to securities traded in foreign markets, the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.

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Buying and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares

The Shares of the Funds are expected to be approved for listing on NYSE Arca, subject to notice of issuance. If you buy or sell Shares in the secondary market, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. In times of severe market disruption or low trading volume in a Fund’s Shares, this spread can increase significantly. It is anticipated that the Shares will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to varying degrees from the NAV of the Shares.

The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) serves as securities depository for the Shares. (The Shares may be held only in book-entry form; stock certificates will not be issued.) DTC, or its nominee, is the record or registered owner of all outstanding Shares. Beneficial ownership of Shares will be shown on the records of DTC or its participants (described below). Beneficial owners of Shares are not entitled to have Shares registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificates in definitive form and are not considered the registered holder thereof. Accordingly, to exercise any rights of a holder of Shares, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of: (i) DTC; (ii) “DTC Participants,” i.e., securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC; and (iii) “Indirect Participants,” i.e., brokers, dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly, through which such beneficial owner holds its interests. The Trust understands that under existing industry practice, in the event the Trust requests any action of holders of Shares, or a beneficial owner desires to take any action that DTC, as the record owner of all outstanding Shares, is entitled to take, DTC would authorize the DTC Participants to take such action and that the DTC Participants would authorize the Indirect Participants and beneficial owners acting through such DTC Participants to take such action and would otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners owning through them. As described above, the Trust recognizes DTC or its nominee as the owner of all Shares for all purposes. For more information, see the section entitled “Book Entry Only System” in the Funds’ SAI.

The NYSE Arca is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Because non-U.S. exchanges may be open on days when a Fund does not price its Shares, the value of the securities in a Fund’s portfolio may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or sell a Fund’s Shares

Market Timing and Related Matters. The Funds impose no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. The Board of Trustees considered the nature of each Fund (i.e., a fund whose shares are expected to trade intra day), that each Fund fair values all or a substantial portion of its securities, that the Adviser monitors the trading activity of authorized participants for patterns of or abusive trading, and that the Funds reserve the right to reject orders that may be disruptive to the management of or otherwise not in the Funds’ best interests. Given this structure, the Board of Trustees determined that it is not necessary to impose restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions for the Funds at the present time.

Distributions

Net Investment Income and Capital Gains. As a shareholder of a Fund, you are entitled to your share of such Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its

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investments. Each Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

Each Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are typically passed along to Fund shareholders as dividends from net investment income. Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

Net investment income and net capital gains are typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, a Fund may determine to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities, as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period, in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital, which, for tax purposes, is treated as a return on your investment in Shares. You will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution which represents a return of capital.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional Shares of a Fund only if the broker through which you purchased Shares makes such option available.

Tax Information

As with any investment, you should consider how your Fund investment will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in a Fund, including the possible application of foreign, state and local taxes. Unless your investment in a Fund is through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when: (i) the Fund makes distributions, (ii) you sell Shares in the secondary market or (iii) you create or redeem Creation Units.

Taxes on Distributions. As noted above, each Fund expects to distribute net investment income at least annually, and any net realized long-term or short-term capital gains annually. Each Fund may also pay a special distribution at any time to comply with U.S. federal tax requirements.

In general, your distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in a Fund. Distributions of net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Shares. Distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long–term capital losses, if any, are generally taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, if any, that are properly designated as capital gain dividends are generally taxable as long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate shareholders are taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. Absent further legislation, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains of non-corporate shareholders will return to 20% for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2010.

For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011, the Funds may receive dividends, the distribution of which the Fund may designate as qualified dividends. In the event that a Fund receives such a dividend and designates the distribution of such dividend as a qualified dividend, the dividend may be taxed at the maximum capital gains rate, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and the Fund level.

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Distributions in excess of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits are treated as a tax-free return of your investment to the extent of your basis in the Shares, and generally as capital gain thereafter. A return of capital, which for tax purposes is treated as a return of your investment, reduces your basis in Shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition of Shares. A distribution will reduce a Fund’s NAV per Share and may be taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gain even though, from an economic standpoint, the distribution may constitute a return of capital.

Dividends, interest and gains from non-U.S. investments of a Fund may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may, in some cases, reduce or eliminate such taxes.

If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consist of foreign securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income), subject to certain limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes. It is expected that more than 50% of the Fund’s assets will consist of foreign securities.

If you are not a citizen or resident alien of the United States, a Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. Furthermore, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010 (or a later date if extended by the U.S. Congress), a Fund may, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend.” An interest-related dividend that is received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. A short term capital gain dividend that is received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless the foreign person is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year. The Funds do not expect to pay significant amounts of interest related dividends. Each Fund may also determine to not make designations of any interest related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends, which would result in withholding on such distributions. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax.

Each Fund may be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or otherwise established a basis for exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for individuals is currently 28%. This is not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided certain required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Taxes on the Sale or Cash Redemption of Exchange Listed Shares. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less. However, any capital loss on a sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long -term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to

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such Shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. A redemption of a shareholder’s Fund Shares for cash is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes.

Taxes on In-Kind Creations and In-Kind Redemptions of Creation Units. To the extent a person exchanges securities or securities and cash for Creation Units, such person generally will recognize a gain or loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of exchange and the sum of the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the amount of any cash paid for such Creation Units. A person who exchanges Creation Units for securities or securities and cash will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the sum of the aggregate market value of the securities received and the amount of any cash received for such Creation Units. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of primarily securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging primarily securities for Creation Units or redeeming Creation Units should consult their own tax adviser with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible and the tax treatment of any creation or redemption transaction.

Under current U.S. federal income tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption (or creation) of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares (or securities surrendered) have been held for one year or less.

If you create or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many Shares you created or sold and at what price.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current U.S. federal income tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your own tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in a Fund under all applicable tax laws.

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INDEX PROVIDER

Each Index is published by [     ] (the “Index Provider”). The Index Provider does not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Funds and bears no liability with respect to the Funds or any security.

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CHINA ALL-CAP INDEX

The China All-Cap Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the China All-Cap Index.

Constituent stocks of the China All-Cap Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the China All-Cap Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the China All-Cap Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the China All-Cap Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The China All-Cap Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. China All-Cap Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The China All-Cap Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The China All-Cap Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the China All-Cap Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the China All-Cap Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the China All-Cap Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the China All-Cap Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY INDEX

The Consumer Discretionary Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the consumer discretionary sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Consumer Discretionary Index.

Constituent stocks of the Consumer Discretionary Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Consumer Discretionary Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Consumer Discretionary Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Consumer Discretionary Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Consumer Discretionary Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Consumer Discretionary Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Consumer Discretionary Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Consumer Discretionary Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Consumer Discretionary Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Consumer Discretionary Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Consumer Discretionary Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Consumer Discretionary Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA CONSUMER STAPLES INDEX

The Consumer Staples Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the consumer staples sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Consumer Staples Index.

Constituent stocks of the Consumer Staples Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Consumer Staples Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Consumer Staples Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Consumer Staples Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Consumer Staples Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Consumer Staples Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Consumer Staples Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Consumer Staples Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Consumer Staples Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Consumer Staples Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Consumer Staples Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Consumer Staples Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA ENERGY INDEX

The Energy Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the energy sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Energy Index.

Constituent stocks of the Energy Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Energy Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Energy Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Energy Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Energy Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Energy Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Energy Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Energy Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Energy Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Energy Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Energy Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Energy Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA FINANCIALS INDEX

The Financials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the financials sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Financials Index.

Constituent stocks of the Financials Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Financials Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Financials Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Financials Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Financials Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Financials Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Financials Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Financials Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Financials Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Financials Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Financials Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Financials Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA HEALTH CARE INDEX

The Health Care Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the health care sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Health Care Index.

Constituent stocks of the Health Care Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Health Care Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Health Care Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Health Care Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Health Care Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Health Care Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Health Care Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Health Care Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Health Care Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Health Care Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Health Care Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Health Care Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

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CHINA INDUSTRIALS INDEX

The Industrials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the industrials sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Industrials Index.

Constituent stocks of the Industrials Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Industrials Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Industrials Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Industrials Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Industrials Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Industrials Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Industrials Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Industrials Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Industrials Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Industrials Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Industrials Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Industrials Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

104


CHINA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY INDEX

The Information Technology Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the information technology sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Information Technology Index.

Constituent stocks of the Information Technology Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Information Technology Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Information Technology Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Information Technology Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Information Technology Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Information Technology Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Information Technology Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Information Technology Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Information Technology Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Information Technology Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Information Technology Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Information Technology Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

105


CHINA MATERIALS INDEX

The Materials Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the basic materials sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Materials Index.

Constituent stocks of the Materials Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Materials Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Materials Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Materials Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Materials Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Materials Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Materials Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Materials Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Materials Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Materials Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Materials Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Materials Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

106


CHINA UTILITIES INDEX

The Utilities Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded companies in the utilities sector that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the Utilities Index.

Constituent stocks of the Utilities Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the Utilities Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the Utilities Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the Utilities Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The Utilities Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. Utilities Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The Utilities Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Utilities Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the Utilities Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the Utilities Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the Utilities Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the Utilities Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

107


CHINA SMALL-CAP INDEX

The China Small-Cap Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track the overall performance of publicly traded small-capitalization companies that are domiciled and primarily listed on an exchange in China or that generate at least 50% of their revenues in China. In exceptional cases, companies with less than 50% of their revenues derived from China may be eligible for inclusion in the China Small-Cap Index.

Constituent stocks of the China Small-Cap Index must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million on a rebalancing date to be eligible for the China Small-Cap Index. Stocks whose market capitalizations fall below $75 million as of any rebalancing date will no longer be eligible for the China Small-Cap Index. Stocks must have a three-month average daily trading volume of at least $1 million to be eligible for the China Small-Cap Index and issuers of such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months. Only shares that trade on a recognized domestic or international stock exchange may qualify (e.g., National Stock Market stocks must be “reported securities” under Rule 11Aa3-1 of the Exchange Act. Similar criteria and standards apply to stocks with foreign listings).

The China Small-Cap Index is calculated and maintained by [     ] on behalf of the Index Provider. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Fund. China Small-Cap Index values are calculated daily and are disseminated every 60 seconds between the hours of approximately 9:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. (Eastern time). The China Small-Cap Index is calculated using a capitalization weighting methodology, adjusted for float, which is modified so as to ensure compliance with the diversification requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The China Small-Cap Index is reconstituted quarterly, at the close of business on the third Friday in a quarter-end month (i.e., March, June, September and December) and companies are added and/or deleted based upon the China Small-Cap Index eligibility criteria. Companies with recent stock exchange listings, i.e., recent initial public offerings, may be added to the China Small-Cap Index on a quarterly basis, provided the companies meet all eligibility criteria and have been trading for more than 30 trading days. The share weights of the China Small-Cap Index components are adjusted also on a quarterly basis (every third Friday in a quarter-end month).

Rebalancing data, including constituent weights and related information, is posted on the Index Provider’s web site prior to the start of trading on the first business day following the third Friday of the calendar quarter. A press announcement identifying additions and deletions to the China Small-Cap Index is issued on the Wednesday prior to a rebalancing date. Share weights of the constituents remain constant between quarters except in the event of certain types of corporate actions, including stock splits and reverse stock splits.

108


LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

The Adviser has entered into a licensing agreement with the Index Provider to use the Indexes. The Funds are entitled to use their respective Index pursuant to a sub-licensing arrangement with the Adviser.

The Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Shares of the Fund particularly or the ability of the Indexes to track the performance of the relevant securities markets. The Index Provider’s only relationship to the Adviser is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names and of the Indexes that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Shares of the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the owners of the Shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indexes. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Shares of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the Fund are to be converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Shares of the Fund.

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, OWNERS OF THE SHARES OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

The Fund is not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by [     ] nor does [     ] offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Indexes and/or its trade mark or its price at any time or in any other respect. The Indexes are calculated and maintained by [     ]. [     ] uses its best efforts to ensure that the Indexes are calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the Index Provider, [     ] has no obligation to point out errors in the Indexes to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Indexes by [     ] nor the licensing of the Indexes or its trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by [     ] to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of [     ] with regard to any investment in the Fund. [     ] is not responsible for fulfilling the legal requirements concerning the accuracy and completeness of the Funds’ Prospectus.

109


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Funds had not yet commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus and therefore do not have a financial history.

110


PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION

The Funds have not yet commenced operations and, therefore, do not have information about the differences between a Fund’s daily market price on NYSE Arca and its NAV. Information regarding how often the Shares of each Fund traded on NYSE Arca at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past four calendar quarters, when available, can be found at vaneck.com/etf.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Continuous Offering

The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), may occur. Broker dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.

For example, a broker dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.

Broker dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with Shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker dealer firms should note that dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted with ordinary secondary market transactions) and thus dealing with the Shares that are part of an overallotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(A) of the Securities Act would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. Firms that incur a prospectus delivery obligation with respect to Shares are reminded that, under Rule 153 of the Securities Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on NYSE Arca is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at NYSE Arca upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.

Other Information

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 15, 2001. Its Declaration of Trust currently permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest. If shareholders are required to vote on any matters, each Share outstanding would be entitled to one vote. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and

111


other applicable law. See the Funds’ SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization. Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of a Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Funds.

Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Trust, including the Funds. [     ] serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and will audit the Fund’s financial statements annually.

112


Additional Information

This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Funds’ Shares. Information about the Funds can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1.202.551.8090. The Funds’ Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the Funds’ SAI and the exhibits may be examined at the offices of the SEC (100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549) or on the EDGAR database at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC’s Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-1520. These documents and other information concerning the Trust also may be inspected at the offices of NYSE Arca (20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005).

The SAI for the Funds, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Funds. The SAI for the Funds is incorporated herein by reference and is legally part of this Prospectus. Additional information about each Fund’s investments will be available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In each Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Funds at Van Eck Securities Corporation, the Funds’ distributor, at 335 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017 or by calling the distributor at the following number: Investor Information: 1.888.MKT.VCTR (658-8287).

Shareholder inquiries may be directed to the Funds in writing to 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017 or by calling 1.888.MKT.VCTR (658-8287).

The Funds’ SAI will be available at vaneck.com/etf.

(Investment Company Act file no. 811-10325)

113


The information in this Statement of Additional Information is not complete and may be changed. The Trust may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This Statement of Additional Information is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

Subject to Completion

Preliminary Statement of Additional Information dated October 15, 2010

MARKET VECTORS ETF TRUST

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Dated [     ], 2010

          This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated [     ], 2010 (the “Prospectus”) for the Market Vectors ETF Trust (the “Trust”), relating to the series of the Trust listed below, as it may be revised from time to time.

 

 

 

 

 

Fund

 

Principal U.S.
Listing Exchange

 

Ticker


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

Market Vectors All China All-Cap ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Energy Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Financial Services Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Healthcare Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Industrials Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Information Technology Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Materials Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Utilities Sector ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

Market Vectors All China Small Cap ETF

 

NYSE Arca, Inc.

 

 

          A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust or the Distributor. The Trust’s address is 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 


 

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

 

1

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

 

2

Repurchase Agreements

 

2

Futures Contracts and Options

 

2

Swaps

 

4

Warrants and Subscription Rights

 

4

Currency Forwards

 

5

Convertibles Securities

 

5

Structured Notes

 

5

Participation Notes

 

5

Future Developments

 

6

Investment Restrictions

 

6

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

 

9

General

 

9

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

 

11

BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST

 

13

Trustees and Officers of the Trust

 

13

Independent Trustees

 

13

Interested Trustee

 

14

Officer Information

 

15

Remuneration of Trustees

 

19

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

 

20

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE

 

20

CODE OF ETHICS

 

20

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

20

MANAGEMENT

 

22

Investment Adviser

 

22

The Administrator

 

22

Custodian and Transfer Agent

 

23

The Distributor

 

23

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

 

24

Portfolio Manager Compensation

 

24

- i -



 

 

 

Portfolio Manager Share Ownership

 

24

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

 

25

BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM

 

26

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

 

28

General

 

28

Fund Deposit

 

28

Procedures for Creation of Creation Units

 

29

Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process

 

30

Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Domestic Funds

 

31

Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds

 

31

Acceptance of Creation Order

 

32

Creation Transaction Fee

 

32

Redemption of Creation Units

 

33

Redemption Transaction Fee

 

33

Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process

 

34

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process—Domestic Funds

 

34

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds

 

34

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

36

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

37

General Policies

 

37

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT SERVICE

 

37

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

 

37

TAXES

 

38

Reportable Transactions

 

41

CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

 

41

COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

42

LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

 

43

APPENDIX A VAN ECK GLOBAL PROXY VOTING POLICIES

 

44

- ii -


GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST

          The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust currently consists of [ ] investment portfolios. This SAI relates to 11 investment portfolios, Market Vectors All China All-Cap ETF, Market Vectors All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Energy Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Financial Services Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Healthcare Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Industrials Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Information Technology Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Materials Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Utilities Sector ETF and Market Vectors All China Small Cap ETF (each, a “Fund” and, together, the “Funds”). The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The shares of each Fund are referred to herein as “Shares.”

          Each Fund will offer and issue Shares at their net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each, a “Creation Unit”), principally for cash. Similarly, Shares are redeemable by the Funds only in Creation Units, and generally in exchange for cash. The Shares of the Funds are expected to be approved for listing, subject to notice of issuance, on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca” or the “Exchange”), and will trade in the secondary market at market prices that may differ from the Shares’ NAV. A Creation Unit consists of [600,000] Shares of a Fund.

          In each instance of cash creations or redemptions, the Trust may impose transaction fees based on transaction expenses related to the particular exchange that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind purchases or redemptions.


INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

Repurchase Agreements

          The Funds may invest in repurchase agreements with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a money market instrument (generally a security issued by the U.S. Government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next business day). A repurchase agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by a Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.

          In these repurchase agreement transactions, the securities acquired by a Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value at least equal to the value of the repurchase agreement and are held by the Trust’s custodian bank until repurchased. In addition, the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) has established guidelines and standards for review of the creditworthiness of any bank, broker or dealer counterparty to a repurchase agreement with the Fund. No more than an aggregate of 15% of each Fund’s net assets will be invested in repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.

          The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Funds may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the Bankruptcy Code or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral not within the control of the Fund and, therefore, the Fund may incur delays in disposing of the security and/or may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.

Futures Contracts and Options

          Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified instrument, index or commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges. The Funds may use futures contracts and options on futures contracts based on other indexes or combinations of indexes that Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) believes to be representative of each Fund’s respective benchmark index (each, an “Index”).

          An option is a contract that provides the holder the right to buy or sell shares at a fixed price, within a specified period of time. A call option gives the option holder the right to buy the underlying security from the option writer at the option exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option. A put option gives the option holder the right to sell the underlying security to the option writer at the option exercise price at any time prior to the expiration of the option.

          Although futures contracts (other than cash settled futures contracts including most stock index futures contracts) by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of the underlying instrument or commodity, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the maturity date without the making or

2


taking of delivery. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold” or “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.

          Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying instrument or commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

          After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin will be required.

          Conversely, a change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. The Funds expect to earn interest income on their margin deposits.

          The Funds may use futures contracts and options thereon, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to simulate full investment in each Fund’s respective Index. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to each Fund’s respective Index components or a subset of the components. Liquid futures contracts are not currently available for the Index of each Fund.

          Positions in futures contracts and options may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market therefor. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or options position. In the event of adverse price movements, the Funds would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if a Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Funds may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts they have sold.

          The Funds will seek to minimize the risk that they will be unable to close out a futures or options contract by only entering into futures and options for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.

          The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Funds do not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Funds, however, intend to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to that which is comparable to what it would have incurred through direct investment in stocks.

          Utilization of futures transactions by the Funds involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to each Fund’s respective Index if the index underlying the futures contracts differs from the

3


Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Funds of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom a Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option.

          Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of future positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.

          Except as otherwise specified in the Funds’ Prospectus or this SAI, there are no limitations on the extent to which the Funds may engage in transactions involving futures and options thereon. The Funds will take steps to prevent their futures positions from “leveraging” its securities holdings. When a Fund has a long futures position, it will maintain with its custodian bank, cash or liquid securities having a value equal to the notional value of the contract (less any margin deposited in connection with the position). When a Fund has a short futures position, as part of a complex stock replication strategy the Fund will maintain with their custodian bank assets substantially identical to those underlying the contract or cash and liquid securities (or a combination of the foregoing) having a value equal to the net obligation of the Fund under the contract (less the value of any margin deposits in connection with the position).

Swaps

          Swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make payments to the other party based on the change in market value or level of a specified index or asset. In return, the other party agrees to make payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified index or asset. Although swap agreements entail the risk that a party will default on its payment obligations thereunder, each Fund seeks to reduce this risk by entering into agreements that involve payments no less frequently than quarterly. The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or high liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian bank.

          The use of swap agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the counterparty, under a swap agreement, defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Funds may lose such payments altogether or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delay. Each Fund intends to utilize swap agreements in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investments in stocks.

Warrants and Subscription Rights

          Warrants are equity securities in the form of options issued by a corporation which give the holder the right to purchase stock, usually at a price that is higher than the market price at the time the warrant is issued. A purchaser takes the risk that the warrant may expire worthless because the market price of the common stock fails to rise above the price set by the warrant.

4


Currency Forwards

          A currency forward transaction is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of currency at a specified date in the future at a specified price which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Currency forward contracts may be used to increase or reduce exposure to currency price movements.

          The use of currency forward transactions involves certain risks. For example, if the counterparty under the contract defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delay.

Convertibles Securities

          A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, right, warrant or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock or other security of the same or a different issuer or into cash within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security generally entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt securities or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities generally have characteristics similar to both debt and equity securities. The value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates rise and, because of the conversion feature, tends to vary with fluctuations in the market value of the underlying securities. Convertible securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stock of the same or similar issuers. Convertible securities generally rank senior to common stock in a corporation’s capital structure but are usually subordinated to comparable nonconvertible securities. Convertible securities generally do not participate directly in any dividend increases or decreases of the underlying securities although the market prices of convertible securities may be affected by any dividend changes or other changes in the underlying securities.

Structured Notes

          A structured note is a derivative security for which the amount of principal repayment and/or interest payments is based on the movement of one or more “factors.” These factors include, but are not limited to, currency exchange rates, interest rates (such as the prime lending rate or LIBOR), referenced bonds and stock indices. Some of these factors may or may not correlate to the total rate of return on one or more underlying instruments referenced in such notes. Investments in structured notes involve risks including interest rate risk, credit risk and market risk. Depending on the factor(s) used and the use of multipliers or deflators, changes in interest rates and movement of such factor(s) may cause significant price fluctuations. Structured notes may be less liquid than other types of securities and more volatile than the reference factor underlying the note.

Participation Notes

          Participation notes (“P-Notes”) are issued by banks or broker-dealers and are designed to offer a return linked to the performance of a particular underlying equity security or market. P-Notes can have the characteristics or take the form of various instruments, including, but not limited to, certificates or warrants. The holder of a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security is entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, the holder of a P-Note generally does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security. P-Notes constitute direct, general and unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them, which therefore subject a Fund to counterparty risk, as discussed below. Investments in P-Notes involve certain

5


risks in addition to those associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies or foreign securities markets whose return they seek to replicate. For instance, there can be no assurance that the trading price of a P-Note will equal the value of the underlying foreign company or foreign securities market that it seeks to replicate. As the purchaser of a P-Note, a Fund is relying on the creditworthiness of the counterparty issuing the P-Note and has no rights under a P-Note against the issuer of the underlying security. Therefore, if such counterparty were to become insolvent, a Fund would lose its investment. The risk that a Fund may lose its investments due to the insolvency of a single counterparty may be amplified to the extent the Fund purchases P-Notes issued by one issuer or a small number of issuers. P-Notes also include transaction costs in addition to those applicable to a direct investment in securities. In addition, a Fund’s use of P-Notes may cause the Fund’s performance to deviate from the performance of the portion of the Index to which the Fund is gaining exposure through the use of P-Notes.

          Due to liquidity and transfer restrictions, the secondary markets on which P-Notes are traded may be less liquid than the markets for other securities, which may lead to the absence of readily available market quotations for securities in a Fund’s portfolio. The ability of a Fund to value its securities becomes more difficult and the Adviser’s judgment in the application of fair value procedures (through fair value procedures adopted by the Trustees) may play a greater role in the valuation of a Fund’s securities due to reduced availability of reliable objective pricing data. Consequently, while such determinations will be made in good faith, it may nevertheless be more difficult for a Fund to accurately assign a daily value to such securities.

Future Developments

          The Funds may take advantage of opportunities in the area of options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options on the Funds, warrants, swaps and any other investments which are not presently contemplated for use or which are not currently available, but which may be developed, to the extent such investments are considered suitable for a Fund by the Adviser.

Investment Restrictions

          The Trust has adopted the following investment restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to each Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of each Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Under these restrictions:

 

 

 

 

1.

Each Fund may not make loans, except that the Fund may (i) lend portfolio securities, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of debt securities, bank loan or participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities and (iv) participate in an interfund lending program with other registered investment companies;

 

 

 

 

2.

Each Fund may not borrow money, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time;

6



 

 

 

 

3.

Each Fund may not issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act, and as interpreted or modified by regulation from time to time;

 

 

 

 

4.

Each Fund may not purchase or sell real estate, except that the Fund may (i) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein; (ii) invest in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein; and (iii) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Fund as a result of the ownership of securities;

 

 

 

 

5.

Each Fund may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that the Fund may be considered an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), in the disposition of restricted securities or in connection with its investments in other investment companies;

 

 

 

 

6.

Each Fund may not purchase or sell commodities, unless acquired as a result of owning securities or other instruments, but it may purchase, sell or enter into financial options and futures, forward and spot currency contracts, swap transactions and other financial contracts or derivative instruments and may invest in securities or other instruments backed by commodities; and

 

 

 

 

7.

Each Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result of that purchase, 25% or more of its total assets would be invested in securities of issuers having their principal business activities in the same industry, except that the Fund may invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries if the index that the Fund replicates concentrates in an industry or group of industries. This limit does not apply to securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

          In addition to the investment restrictions adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, each Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board without a shareholder vote. Each Fund will not:

 

 

 

 

1.

Invest in securities which are “illiquid” securities, including repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days and options traded over-the-counter, if the result is that more than 15% of a Fund’s net assets would be invested in such securities.

 

 

 

 

2.

Make short sales of securities.

 

 

 

 

3.

Purchase any security on margin, except for such short-term loans as are necessary for clearance of securities transactions. The deposit or payment by a Fund or initial or variation margin in connection with futures contracts or related options thereon is not considered the purchase of a security on margin.

 

 

 

 

4.

Participate in a joint or joint-and-several basis in any trading account in securities, although transactions for the Funds and any other account under common or affiliated management may be combined or allocated between the Fund and such account.

 

 

 

 

5.

Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act, although the Fund may not acquire any securities of registered open-end investment companies or registered unit investment trusts in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

7


          If a percentage limitation is adhered to at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing of money and illiquid securities will be continuously complied with.

          As long as the aforementioned investment restrictions are complied with, each Fund may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments or funds which reinvest exclusively in money market instruments, in stocks that are in the relevant market but not the Fund’s respective Index, and/or in combinations of certain stock index futures contracts, options on such futures contracts, stock options, stock index options, options on the Shares, and stock index swaps and swaptions, each with a view towards providing each Fund with exposure to the securities in its respective Index. These investments may be made to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions of Creation Units. Each Fund also will not invest in money market instruments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines.

8


SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

          A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in each Fund’s Prospectus under the headings “Summary Information—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund, and “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.

General

          Investment in each Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of securities generally and other factors.

          An investment in each Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic and banking crises.

          Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, will be subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.

          Although most of the securities in a Fund’s Index are listed on a national securities exchange, the principal trading market for some may be in the over-the-counter market. The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of a Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

          The Funds are not actively managed by traditional methods, and therefore the adverse financial condition of any one issuer will not result in the elimination of its securities from the securities held by the Fund unless the securities of such issuer are removed from its respective Index.

          An investment in each Fund should also be made with an understanding that the Fund will not be able to replicate exactly the performance of its respective Index because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities and other Fund expenses, whereas such transaction costs and expenses are not included in the calculation of its respective Index. It is also possible that for periods of time, a Fund may not fully replicate the

9


performance of its respective Index due to the temporary unavailability of certain Index securities in the secondary market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. Such events are unlikely to continue for an extended period of time because a Fund is required to correct such imbalances by means of adjusting the composition of the securities. It is also possible that the composition of a Fund may not exactly replicate the composition of its respective Index if the Fund has to adjust its portfolio holdings in order to continue to qualify as a “regulated investment company” under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).

          Shares are subject to the risk of an investment in a portfolio of equity securities in an economic sector or industry in which a Fund’s Index is highly concentrated. In addition, because it is the policy of each Fund to generally invest in the securities that comprise its respective Index, the portfolio of securities held by such Fund (“Fund Securities”) also will be concentrated in that economic sector or industry.

10


EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

          A discussion of exchange listing and trading matters associated with an investment in each Fund is contained in each Fund’s Prospectus under the headings “Summary Information—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” with respect to the applicable Fund, “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Funds,” “Shareholder Information—Determination of NAV” and “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares.” The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Funds’ Prospectus.

          The Shares of each Fund are expected to be approved for listing on NYSE Arca, subject to notice of issuance, and will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to some degree from their NAV. The Exchange may but is not required to remove the Shares of the Funds from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Funds, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days, (2) the value of a Fund’s respective Index or portfolio of securities on which the Funds is based is no longer calculated or available or (3) such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of the Funds will continue to be met.

          As in the case of other securities traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

          In order to provide investors with a basis to gauge whether the market price of the Shares on the Exchange are approximately consistent with the current value of the assets of the Funds on a per Share basis, an updated Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value is disseminated intra-day through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association’s Network B. Indicative Per Share Portfolio Values are disseminated every 15 seconds during regular Exchange trading hours based on the most recently reported prices of Fund Securities. As the respective international local markets close, the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value will continue to be updated for foreign exchange rates for the remainder of the U.S. trading day at the prescribed 15 second interval. The Funds are not involved in or responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value and make no warranty as to the accuracy of the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value.

          The Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value has an equity securities value component and a net other assets value component, each of which are summed and divided by the total estimated Fund Shares outstanding, including Shares expected to be issued by each Fund on that day, to arrive at an Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value.

          The equity securities value component of the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value represents the estimated value of the portfolio securities held by a Fund on a given day. While the equity securities value component estimates the current market value of a Fund’s portfolio securities, it does not necessarily reflect the precise composition or market value of the current portfolio of securities held by the Trust for the Fund at a particular point in time. Therefore, the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value disseminated during Exchange trading hours should be viewed only as an estimate of a Fund’s NAV per share, which is calculated at the close of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on each Business Day.

11


          In addition to the equity securities value component described in the preceding paragraph, the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value for each Fund includes a net other assets value component consisting of estimates of all other assets and liabilities of the Fund including, among others, current day estimates of dividend income and expense accruals.

12


BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TRUST

Trustees and Officers of the Trust

          The Board of the Trust consists of four Trustees, three of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act), of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”). Mr. David H. Chow, an Independent Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board. The Board is responsible for overseeing the management and operations of the Trust, including general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser and other service providers to the Trust. The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day administration and business affairs of the Trust.

          The Board believes that each Trustee’s experience, qualifications, attributes or skills on an individual basis and in combination with those of the other Trustees lead to the conclusion that the Board possesses the requisite skills and attributes to carry out its oversight responsibilities with respect to the Trust. The Board believes that the Trustees’ ability to review, critically evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and independent auditors, and to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties, support this conclusion. The Board also has considered the following experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills, among others, of its members in reaching its conclusion: such person’s character and integrity; length of service as a board member of the Trust; such person’s willingness to serve and willingness and ability to commit the time necessary to perform the duties of a Trustee; and as to each Trustee other than Mr. van Eck, his status as not being an “interested person” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust. In addition, the following specific experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills apply as to each Trustee: Mr. Chow, significant business and financial experience, particularly in the investment management industry, experience with trading and markets through his involvement with the Pacific Stock Exchange, and service as a chief executive officer, board member, partner or executive officer of various businesses and non-profit organizations; Mr. Short, business and financial experience, particularly in the investment management industry, and service as a president, board member or executive officer of various businesses; Mr. Stamberger, business and financial experience and service as the president, chief executive officer and board member of SmartBrief Inc., a media company; and Mr. van Eck, business and financial experience, particularly in the investment management industry, and service as a president, executive officer and/or board member of various businesses, including the Adviser, Van Eck Securities Corporation, and Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation. References to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of Trustees are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.

          The Trustees of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages, term of office and length of time served, principal occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Trustee and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustees, are set forth below.

Independent Trustees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address1 and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex3
Overseen

 

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee


 


 


 


 


 


David H. Chow, 52*†

 

Chairman Trustee

 

Since 2008
Since 2006

 

Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management

 

47

 

Director, Forward

13



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address1 and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex3
Overseen

 

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

LLC (strategy consulting firm), March 1999 to present.

 

 

 

Management, LLC; Director, ReFlow Management Co., LLC; Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Alastair Short, 57*†

 

Trustee

 

Since 2006

 

President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle), January 1988 to present; Vice Chairman, W.P. Stewart & Co., Inc. (asset management firm), September 2007 to September 2008; and Managing Director, The GlenRock Group, LLC (private equity investment firm), May 2004 to September 2007.

 

57

 

Director, Kenyon Review; Director, The Medici Archive Project.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Richard D. Stamberger, 51*†

 

Trustee

 

Since 2006

 

Director, President and CEO, SmartBrief, Inc. (media company).

 

57

 

None.


 

 


1

The address for each Trustee and officer is 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

2

Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or removal. Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.

3

The Fund Complex consists of the Van Eck Funds, Van Eck VIP Trust and the Trust.

*

Member of the Audit Committee.

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Interested Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address1 and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex3
Overseen

 

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee


 


 


 


 


 


Jan F. van Eck, 474

 

Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Trustee (Since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer (Since 2009)

 

Director, Executive Vice President and Owner of the Adviser, Van Eck Associates Corporation; Director and Executive Vice President, Van Eck Securities Corporation

 

47

 

None.

14



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address1 and Age

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s) During
Past Five Years

 

Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex3
Overseen

 

Other
Directorships
Held By
Trustee


 


 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

(“VESC”); Director and President, Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corp. (“VEARA”).

 

 

 

 


 

 


1

The address for each Trustee and officer is 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

2

Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or removal. Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.

3

The Fund Complex consists of the Van Eck Funds, Van Eck VIP Trust and the Trust.

4

“Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act. Mr. van Eck is an officer of the Adviser.

Officer Information

          The Officers of the Trust, their addresses, positions with the Trust, ages and principal occupations during the past five years are set forth below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and Age

 

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During The Past Five Years


 


 


 


Russell G. Brennan, 45

 

Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer

 

Since 2008

 

Assistant Vice President of the Adviser (Since 2008); Manager (Portfolio Administration) of the Adviser (September 2005-October 2008); Vice President, Robeco Investment Management (July1990-September 2005); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles T. Cameron, 50

 

Vice President

 

Since 2006

 

Director of Trading (Since 1995) and Portfolio Manager (Since 1997) for the Adviser; Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Crimmins, 53

 

Treasurer

 

Since 2009

 

Vice President of Portfolio Administration of the Adviser (Since 2009); Vice President of VESC and VEARA (Since 2009); Chief Financial, Operating and Compliance Officer, Kern Capital Management LLC (September 1997-February 2009); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan C. Lashley, 55

 

Vice President

 

Since 2006

 

Vice President of the Adviser and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas K. Lynch, 54

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Since 2007

 

Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser and VEARA (Since December 2006) and of VESC (Since August 2008); Vice President of the Adviser, VEARA and VESC; Treasurer (April 2005 – December 2006); Second Vice President of Investment Reporting, TIAA-CREF (January 1996-April 2005); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laura I. Martínez, 30

 

Assistant Vice

 

Since 2008

 

Assistant Vice President, Associate General

15



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and Age

 

Position(s) Held
with the Trust

 

Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served

 

Principal Occupation(s) During The Past Five Years


 


 


 


 

 

President and Assistant Secretary

 

 

 

Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser, VESC and VEARA (Since 2008); Associate, Davis Polk & Wardwell (October 2005-June 2008); Stanford Law School (September 2002- June 2005); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph J. McBrien, 62

 

Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

Since 2006

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Adviser, VESC and VEARA (Since December 2005); Managing Director, Chatsworth Securities LLC (March 2001-November 2005); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonathan R. Simon, 36

 

Vice President and Assistant Secretary

 

Since 2006

 

Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of the Adviser, VESC and VEARA (Since 2006); Associate, Schulte Roth & Zabel (July 2004-July 2006); Associate, Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP (September 2001-July 2004); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce J. Smith, 55

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Since 2006

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller of the Adviser, VESC and VEARA (Since 1997); Officer of other investment companies advised by the Adviser.


 

 


1

The address for each Officer is 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

2

Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.

          The Board of the Trust met five times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

          The Board has an Audit Committee consisting of three Trustees who are Independent Trustees. Messrs. Chow, Short and Stamberger currently serve as members of the Audit Committee and each has been designated as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under Item 407 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Mr. Short is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has the responsibility, among other things, to: (i) oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Trust and its internal control over financial reporting; (ii) oversee the quality and integrity of the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist the Board’s oversight of the Trust’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audit; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and, in connection therewith, to review and evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) act as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. The Audit Committee met four times during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

          The Board also has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of three Independent Trustees. Messrs. Chow, Short and Stamberger currently serve as members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Stamberger is the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the

16


responsibility, among other things, to: (i) evaluate, as necessary, the composition of the Board, its committees and sub-committees and make such recommendations to the Board as deemed appropriate by the Committee; (ii) review and define Independent Trustee qualifications; (iii) review the qualifications of individuals serving as Trustees on the Board and its committees; (iv) evaluate, recommend and nominate qualified individuals for election or appointment as members of the Board and recommend the appointment of members and chairs of each Board committee and subcommittee; and (v) review and assess, from time to time, the performance of the committees and subcommittees of the Board and report the results to the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met one time during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

          The Board has determined that its leadership structure is appropriate given the business and nature of the Trust. In connection with its determination, the Board considered that the Chairman of the Board is an Independent Trustee. The Chairman of the Board can play an important role in setting the agenda of the Board and also serves as a key point person for dealings between management and the other Independent Trustees. The Independent Trustees believe that the Chairman’s independence facilitates meaningful dialogue between the Adviser and the Independent Trustees. The Board also considered that the Chairman of each Board committee is an Independent Trustee, which yields similar benefits with respect to the functions and activities of the various Board committees. The Independent Trustees also regularly meet outside the presence of management and are advised by independent legal counsel. The Board has determined that its committees help ensure that the Trust has effective and independent governance and oversight. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from management of the Trust, including the Adviser. The Board reviews its structure on an annual basis.

          As an integral part of its responsibility for oversight of the Trust in the interests of shareholders, the Board, as a general matter, oversees risk management of the Trust’s investment programs and business affairs. The function of the Board with respect to risk management is one of oversight and not active involvement in, or coordination of, day-to-day risk management activities for the Trust. The Board recognizes that not all risks that may affect the Trust can be identified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Trust’s goals, and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover, reports received by the Trustees that may relate to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information.

          The Board exercises oversight of the risk management process primarily through the Audit Committee, and through oversight by the Board itself. The Trust faces a number of risks, such as investment-related and compliance risks. The Adviser’s personnel seek to identify and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder services, investment performance or reputation of the Trust. Under the overall supervision of the Board or the applicable Committee of the Board, the Trust, the Adviser, and the affiliates of the Adviser employ a variety of processes, procedures and controls to identify such possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Different processes, procedures and controls are employed with respect to different types of risks. Various personnel, including the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, as well as various personnel of the Adviser and other service providers such as the Trust’s independent accountants, may report to the Audit Committee and/or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management, as well as events and circumstances that have arisen and responses thereto.

          The officers and Trustees of the Trust, in the aggregate, own less than 1% of the Shares of each Fund.

17


          For each Trustee, the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by the Trustee in the Trust and in all registered investment companies advised by the Adviser (“Family of Investment Companies”) that are overseen by the Trustee is shown below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Trustee

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China All-
Cap ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Consumer
Discretionary Sector
ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Consumer Staples
Sector ETF (As of
December 31, 2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Energy Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

David H. Chow

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

R. Alastair Short

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

Richard D. Stamberger

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

Jan F. van Eck

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Trustee

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Financial Services
Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Healthcare Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Industrials Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Information
Technology Sector
ETF (As of December
31, 2009)

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

David H. Chow

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

R. Alastair Short

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

Richard D. Stamberger

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

Jan F. van Eck

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

18



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Trustee

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Materials Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Utilities Sector ETF
(As of December 31,
2009)

 

 

Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in Market
Vectors All China
Small Cap ETF (As of
December 31, 2009)

 

 

Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in all
Registered Investment
Companies Overseen
By Trustee In Family
of Investment
Companies (As of
December 31, 2009)

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

 


 

David H. Chow

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

Over $100,000

 

R. Alastair Short

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

$10,001-$50,000

 

Richard D. Stamberger

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

Over $100,000

 

Jan F. van Eck

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

None

 

 

Over $100,000

 

          As to each Independent Trustee and his immediate family members, no person owned beneficially or of record securities in an investment manager or principal underwriter of the Funds, or a person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment manager or principal underwriter of the Funds.

Remuneration of Trustees

          The Trust pays each Independent Trustee an annual retainer of $40,000, a per meeting fee of $15,000 for scheduled quarterly meetings of the Board and each special meeting of the Board and a per meeting fee of $7,500 for telephonic meetings. The Trust pays the Chairman of the Board an annual retainer of $42,875, the Chairman of the Audit Committee an annual retainer of $18,375 and the Chairman of the Governance Committee an annual retainer of $12,250. The Trust also reimburses each Trustee for travel and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending such meetings. No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of Trustee compensation

          The table below shows the estimated compensation that is contemplated to be paid to the Trustees by the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010. Annual Trustee fees may be reviewed periodically and changed by the Trust’s Board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Trustee

 

Aggregate
Compensation
From the Trust

 

Deferred
Compensation
From the Trust

 

Pension or
Retirement
Benefits Accrued
as Part of the
Trust’s Expenses(2)

 

Estimated Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement

 

Total
Compensation
From the Trust
and the Fund
Complex(1) Paid to
Trustee(2)

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

David H. Chow

 

$

0

 

$

165,375

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

$

165,375

 

R. Alastair Short

 

$

140,875

 

$

0

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

$

140,875

 

Richard D. Stamberger

 

$

67,375

 

$

67,375

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

$

134,750

 

Jan F. van Eck(3)

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

 

N/A

 

 

N/A

 

$

0

 


 

 


(1)

The “Fund Complex” consists of Van Eck Funds, Van Eck VIP Trust and the Trust.

(2)

Because the funds of the Fund Complex have different fiscal year ends, the amounts shown are presented on a calendar year basis.

(3)

“Interested person” under the 1940 Act.

19


PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE

          Each Fund’s portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Creation Units, together with estimates and actual cash components is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC. The basket represents one Creation Unit of each Fund. The Trust, Adviser, Custodian and Distributor will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

QUARTERLY PORTFOLIO SCHEDULE

          The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Funds’ portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. Form N-Q for the Funds will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Funds’ Form N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.551.8090. The Funds’ Form N-Q will be available through the Funds’ website, at www.vaneck.com or by writing to 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

CODE OF ETHICS

          The Funds, the Adviser and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, designed to monitor personal securities transactions by their personnel (the “Personnel”). The Code of Ethics requires that all trading in securities that are being purchased or sold, or are being considered for purchase or sale, by the Funds must be approved in advance by the Head of Trading, the Director of Research and the Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser. Approval will be granted if the security has not been purchased or sold or recommended for purchase or sale for a Fund on the day that the Personnel of the Adviser requests pre-clearance, or otherwise if it is determined that the personal trading activity will not have a negative or appreciable impact on the price or market of the security, or is of such a nature that it does not present the dangers or potential for abuses that are likely to result in harm or detriment to the Funds. At the end of each calendar quarter, all Personnel must file a report of all transactions entered into during the quarter. These reports are reviewed by a senior officer of the Adviser.

          Generally, all Personnel must obtain approval prior to conducting any transaction in securities. Independent Trustees, however, are not required to obtain prior approval of personal securities transactions. Personnel may purchase securities in an initial public offering or private placement, provided that he or she obtains preclearance of the purchase and makes certain representations.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

          The Funds’ proxy voting record will be available upon request and on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Proxies for each Fund’s portfolio securities are voted in accordance with the Adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures, which are set forth in Appendix A to this SAI.

          The Trust is required to disclose annually each Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for the Funds will be available through the Funds’ website, at www.vaneck.com, or by

20


writing to 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017. The Funds’ Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

21


MANAGEMENT

          The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ Prospectus entitled “Management of the Funds.”

Investment Adviser

          Van Eck Associates Corporation acts as investment adviser to the Trust and, subject to the general supervision of the Board, is responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds. The Adviser is a private company with headquarters in New York and manages other mutual funds and separate accounts.

          The Adviser serves as investment adviser to the Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement between the Trust and the Adviser (the “Investment Management Agreement”). Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of each Fund, manages the investment of the Funds’ assets. The Adviser is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous supervision of the investment portfolio of the Funds.

          Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Adviser for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties.

          Compensation. As compensation for its services under the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser is paid a monthly fee based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets at the annual rate of [     ]%. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fees. Until at least May 1, 2012, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of each Fund (excluding interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding [To be provided] of its average daily net assets per year. Offering costs excluded from the expense caps are: (a) legal fees pertaining to a Fund’s Shares offered for sale; (b) SEC and state registration fees; and (c) initial fees paid for Shares of a Fund to be listed on an exchange.

          Term. The Investment Management Agreement is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of each Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Management Agreement is terminable without penalty, on 60 days’ notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Fund’s outstanding voting securities. The Investment Management Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Adviser and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Administrator

          Van Eck Associates Corporation also serves as administrator for the Trust pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser is obligated on a continuous basis to provide such administrative services as the Board of the Trust reasonably deems necessary for the proper administration of the Trust and the Funds. The Adviser will generally assist in all aspects of the Trust’s and the Funds’ operations; supply and maintain office

22


facilities, statistical and research data, data processing services, clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services (including without limitation the maintenance of such books and records as are required under the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder, except as maintained by other agents), internal auditing, executive and administrative services, and stationery and office supplies; prepare reports to shareholders or investors; prepare and file tax returns; supply financial information and supporting data for reports to and filings with the SEC and various state Blue Sky authorities; supply supporting documentation for meetings of the Board; provide monitoring reports and assistance regarding compliance with the Declaration of Trust, by-laws, investment objectives and policies and with federal and state securities laws; arrange for appropriate insurance coverage; calculate NAVs, net income and realized capital gains or losses; and negotiate arrangements with, and supervise and coordinate the activities of, agents and others to supply services.

Custodian and Transfer Agent

          The Bank of New York Mellon (“The Bank of New York”), located at 101 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10286, serves as custodian for the Funds pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As Custodian, The Bank of New York holds the Funds’ assets. The Bank of New York serves as the Funds’ transfer agent pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. The Bank of New York may be reimbursed by each Fund for its out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, The Bank of New York provides various accounting services to each of the Funds pursuant to a fund accounting agreement.

The Distributor

          Van Eck Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and distributor of Shares. Its principal address is 335 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017 and investor information can be obtained by calling 1-888-MKT-VCTR. The Distributor has entered into an agreement with the Trust which will continue from its effective date unless terminated by either party upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the other party by the Trust and the Adviser, or by the Distributor, or until termination of the Trust or each Fund offering its Shares, and which is renewable annually thereafter (the “Distribution Agreement”), pursuant to which it distributes Shares. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation Units, as described below under “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units.” Shares in less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver a prospectus to persons purchasing Shares in Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.

          The Distributor may also enter into sales and investor services agreements with broker-dealers or other persons that are Participating Parties and DTC Participants (as defined below) to provide distribution assistance, including broker-dealer and shareholder support and educational and promotional services but must pay such broker-dealers or other persons, out of its own assets.

          The Distribution Agreement provides that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, on at least 60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

23


Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers

          As of the date of this SAI, in addition to 32 funds of the Trust, including the Funds, Messrs. Liao and Cao did not manage any other registered investment companies, pooled investment vehicles or other accounts.

          Although the funds in the Trust that are managed by Messrs. Liao and Cao may have different investment strategies, each has an investment objective of seeking to replicate, before fees and expenses, its respective underlying index. The Adviser does not believe that management of the various accounts presents a material conflict of interest for Messrs. Liao and Cao or the Adviser.

Portfolio Manager Compensation

          The portfolio managers are paid a fixed base salary and a bonus. The bonus is based upon the quality of investment analysis and the management of the funds. The quality of management of the funds includes issues of replication, rebalancing, portfolio monitoring and efficient operation, among other factors. Portfolio managers who oversee accounts with significantly different fee structures are generally compensated by discretionary bonus rather than a set formula to help reduce potential conflicts of interest. At times, the Adviser and its affiliates manage accounts with incentive fees.

Portfolio Manager Share Ownership

          As of the date of this SAI, Messrs. Liao and Cao do not beneficially own any Shares of the Funds.

24


BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

          When selecting brokers and dealers to handle the purchase and sale of portfolio securities, the Adviser looks for prompt execution of the order at a favorable price. Generally, the Adviser works with recognized dealers in these securities, except when a better price and execution of the order can be obtained elsewhere. The Funds will not deal with affiliates in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The Adviser owes a duty to its clients to provide best execution on trades effected. Since the investment objective of each Fund is investment performance that corresponds to that of an Index, the Adviser does not intend to select brokers and dealers for the purpose of receiving research services in addition to a favorable price and prompt execution either from that broker or an unaffiliated third party.

          The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Trust. The primary consideration is best execution.

          Portfolio turnover may vary from year to year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses and taxable distributions. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions is evaluated by the Adviser based upon its knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions paid by other institutional investors for comparable services.

25


BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM

          The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Buying and Selling Exchange-Traded Shares.”

          The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) acts as securities depositary for the Shares. Shares of the Funds are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC. Certificates will not be issued for Shares.

          DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

          Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of Shares.

          Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares holdings of each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

          Share distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall credit immediately DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

          The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for

26


maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

          DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to the Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action either to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.

27


CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS

General

          The Funds issue and sell Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without an initial sales load, at their NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined herein), of an order in proper form.

          A “Business Day” with respect to the Funds is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of the Prospectus, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, President’s Day (Washington’s Birthday), Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Fund Deposit

          The consideration for a purchase of Creation Units is principally cash. To the extent in-kind creations are effected for the Fund, Creation Units of the Fund will consist of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities (the “Deposit Securities”) that comprise the Fund’s Index and an amount of cash computed as described below (the “Cash Component”). The Cash Component together with the Deposit Securities, as applicable, are referred to as the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for Shares. The Cash Component represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of Deposit Securities and may include a Dividend Equivalent Payment. The “Dividend Equivalent Payment” enables the Fund to make a complete distribution of dividends on the next dividend payment date, and is an amount equal, on a per Creation Unit basis, to the dividends on all the securities held by the Fund (“Fund Securities”) with ex dividend dates within the accumulation period for such distribution (the “Accumulation Period”), net of expenses and liabilities for such period, as if all of the Fund Securities had been held by the Trust for the entire Accumulation Period. The Accumulation Period begins on the ex dividend date for the Fund and ends on the next ex dividend date.

          The Administrator, through the NSCC, makes available on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) as well as the Cash Component for each Fund. Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Units of each Fund until such time as the next-announced Fund Deposit composition is made available.

          The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for each Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of a Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the securities constituting each Fund’s respective Index. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to accept a basket of securities or cash that differs from Deposit Securities or to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash (i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount) to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may, among other reasons, not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Trust as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention or which may not be eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (described below), or which may not be eligible for trading by a Participating Party (defined below). In light of the foregoing, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase the Deposit Securities represented by the cash in lieu amount in the secondary market (“Market

28


Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases because a Deposit Security may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Trust as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), applicable registration fees and taxes. Brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the Trust’s acquisition of Deposit Securities will be at the expense of each Fund and will affect the value of all Shares of the Fund; but the Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the Deposit Securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. The adjustments described above will reflect changes, known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the relevant Index or resulting from stock splits and other corporate actions.

          In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Administrator, through the NSCC, also makes available (i) on each Business Day, the Dividend Equivalent Payment, if any, and the estimated Cash Component effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Shares of the Fund, and (ii) on a continuous basis throughout the day, the Indicative Per Share Portfolio Value.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Units

          To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create Creation Units of the Fund, an entity or person either must be (1) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC; or (2) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”); and, in either case, must have executed an agreement with the Trust and with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units outside the Clearing Process (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” All Creation Units of the Fund, however created, will be entered on the records of the Depository in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

          All orders to create Creation Units must be placed in multiples of [600,000] Shares (i.e., a Creation Unit). All orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process or outside the Clearing Process, must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on NYSE Arca (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of the Fund as determined on such date. A “Custom Order” may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting, or other relevant reason. The date on which a creation order (or order to redeem as discussed below) is placed is herein referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below (see “—Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process”). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, a Participating Party or a DTC Participant.

          Creation Units may be created in advance of the receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the Fund Deposit. In such cases, the Participating Party will remain liable for the full deposit of the missing portion(s) of the Fund Deposit and will be required to post collateral with the Trust consisting of cash at least equal to a percentage of the marked to market value of such missing portion(s) that is specified in

29


the Participant Agreement. The Trust may use such collateral to buy the missing portion(s) of the Fund Deposit at any time and will subject such Participating Party to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Trust of purchasing such securities and the value of such collateral. The Trust will have no liability for any such shortfall. The Trust will return any unused portion of the collateral to the Participating Party once the entire Fund Deposit has been properly received by the Distributor and deposited into the Trust.

          Orders to create Creation Units of the Funds shall be placed with a Participating Party or DTC Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Participating Party or DTC Participant. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement, and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of the Funds may have to be placed by the investor’s broker through a Participating Party or a DTC Participant who has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders to create Creation Units of the Funds through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.

          Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

          Orders to create Creation Units of a Funds may be placed through the Clearing Process utilizing procedures applicable to domestic funds for domestic securities (“Domestic Funds”) (see “—Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process”) or outside the Clearing Process utilizing the procedures applicable to either Domestic Funds or foreign funds for foreign securities (see “—Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Domestic Funds” and “—Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds”). In the event that a Fund includes both domestic and foreign securities, the time for submitting orders is as stated in the “Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds” and “Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds” sections below shall operate.

Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process

          Fund Deposits created through the Clearing Process, if available, must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor and with the Trust (as the same may be from time to time amended in accordance with its terms).

          The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit to NSCC on behalf of the Participating Party such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions from the Distributor to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to transfer the requisite Deposit Securities (or contracts to purchase such Deposit Securities that are expected to be delivered in a “regular way” manner by the third (3rd) Business Day) and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Units of the Funds through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

30


Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Domestic Funds

          Fund Deposits created outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor and with the Trust. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Units of the Funds to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Units will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Trust by no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Distributor through the Federal Reserve wire system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Distributor no later than 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Units of the Funds outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Distributor does not receive both the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component in a timely fashion on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the current NAV of the applicable Fund. The delivery of Creation Units so created will occur no later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the day on which the creation order is deemed received by the Distributor.

          Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC participant) and in circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. (See “Creation Transaction Fee” section below.)

Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds

          The Distributor will inform the Transfer Agent, the Adviser and the Custodian upon receipt of a Creation Order. The Custodian will then provide such information to the appropriate custodian. For each Fund, the Custodian will cause the subcustodian of such Fund to maintain an account into which the Deposit Securities (or the cash value of all or part of such securities, in the case of a permitted or required cash purchase or “cash in lieu” amount) will be delivered. Deposit Securities must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local custodian. The Trust must also receive, on or before the contractual settlement date, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Custodian to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after receipt in proper form of the purchase order, together with the creation transaction fee described below.

          Once the Trust has accepted a creation order, the Trust will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit of the Fund against receipt of payment, at such NAV as will have been calculated after receipt in proper form of such order. The Distributor will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance of such order.

          Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component have been completed. When the subcustodian has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Securities (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the relevant subcustodian, the Distributor and the Adviser will be notified of such delivery and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.

31


Acceptance of Creation Order

          The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor if, for any reason, (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the creator or creators, upon obtaining the Shares, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Funds; (c) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as specified by the Administrator, as described above; (d) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Funds; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (g) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include, without limitation, acts of God or public service or utility problems such as earthquakes, fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; wars; civil or military disturbances, including acts of civil or military authority or governmental actions; terrorism; sabotage; epidemics; riots; labor disputes; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, the NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Trust shall notify a prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

          All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation Transaction Fee

          A fixed creation transaction fee of $1,000 payable to the Custodian is imposed on each creation transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. In addition, a variable charge for cash creations or for creations outside the Clearing Process currently of up to four times the basic creation transaction fee may be imposed. In the case of cash creations or where the Trust permits or requires a creator to substitute cash in lieu of depositing a portion of the Deposit Securities, the creator may be assessed an additional variable charge to compensate the Funds for the costs associated with purchasing the applicable securities. (See “Fund Deposit” section above.) The Funds may adjust these fees from time to time based upon actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind creation order process, the Trust expects to purchase, in the secondary market or otherwise gain exposure to, the portfolio securities that could have been delivered as a result of an in-kind creation order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Purchases”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Purchases, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were purchased by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), the costs associated with a Fund’s swap transactions, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the creation securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Creators of Creation Units are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

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Redemption of Creation Units

          Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Distributor, only on a Business Day and only through a Participating Party or DTC Participant who has executed a Participant Agreement. The Trust will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial Owners also may sell Shares in the secondary market, but must accumulate enough Shares to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit. See, with respect to each Fund, the section entitled “Summary Information—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” and “Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks—Risks of Investing in the Fund” in each Fund’s Prospectus.

          Redemptions are effected principally for cash. To the extent redemptions are effected in-kind, the Administrator, through NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time) on each day that the Exchange is open for business, the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day. The redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of Fund Securities as announced by the Administrator on the Business Day of the request for redemption, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities, less the redemption transaction fee and variable fees described below. The redemption transaction fee of $1,000 is deducted from such redemption proceeds. Should the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to the Trust equal to the differential plus the applicable redemption transaction fee will be required to be arranged for by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder. Each Fund reserves the right to honor a redemption request by delivering a basket of securities or cash that differs from the Fund Securities.

Redemption Transaction Fee

          The basic redemption transaction fees are the same no matter how many Creation Units are being redeemed pursuant to any one redemption request. An additional charge up to four times the redemption transaction fee will be charged with respect to cash redemptions or redemptions outside of the Clearing Process. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions or partial cash redemptions may also be imposed to compensate the applicable Fund for the costs associated with selling the applicable securities. The Funds may adjust these fees from time to time based upon actual experience. As a result, in order to seek to replicate the in-kind redemption order process, the Trust expects to sell, in the secondary market, the portfolio securities or settle any financial instruments that may not be permitted to be re-registered in the name of the Participating Party as a result of an in-kind redemption order pursuant to local law or market convention, or for other reasons (“Market Sales”). In such cases where the Trust makes Market Sales, the Authorized Participant will reimburse the Trust for, among other things, any difference between the market value at which the securities and/or financial instruments were sold or settled by the Trust and the cash in lieu amount (which amount, at the Adviser’s discretion, may be capped), the costs associated with a Fund’s swap transactions, applicable registration fees, brokerage commissions and certain taxes. The Adviser may adjust the transaction fee to the extent the composition of the redemption securities changes or cash in lieu is added to the Cash Component to protect ongoing shareholders. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may be charged a fee for such services.

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Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process

          Orders to redeem Creation Units of the Funds through the Clearing Process, if available, must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement with the Distributor and with the Trust (as the case may be from time to time amended in accordance with its terms). An order to redeem Creation Units of the Funds using the Clearing Process is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the applicable Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Units of the Funds using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Fund after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date. The requisite Fund Securities (or contracts to purchase such Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered in a “regular way” manner) will be transferred by the third (3rd) NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received, and the applicable cash payment.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process—Domestic Funds

          Orders to redeem Creation Units of the Funds outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement with the Distributor and with the Trust. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Units of the Funds to be effected outside the Clearing Process need not be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Units of the Funds will instead be effected through transfer of Creation Units of the Funds directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Units of the Funds outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Administrator on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Administrator not later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is preceded or accompanied by the requisite number of Shares of Creation Units specified in such order, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Administrator no later than 11:00 a.m. Eastern time, on such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”); and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

          After the Administrator has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Administrator will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities (or contracts to purchase such Fund Securities) which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the cash redemption payment to the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Administrator. An additional variable redemption transaction fee of up to four times the basic transaction fee is applicable to redemptions outside the Clearing Process.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process—Foreign Funds

          Arrangements satisfactory to the Trust must be in place for the Participating Party to transfer the Creation Units through DTC on or before the settlement date. Redemptions of Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and the Funds (whether or not they otherwise permit or require cash redemptions) reserve the right to redeem Creation Units for cash to the extent that the Funds could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Deposit Securities under such laws.

          In connection with taking delivery of Shares of Fund Securities upon redemption of Creation Units, a redeeming shareholder or entity acting on behalf of a redeeming shareholder must maintain

34


appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each jurisdiction in which any of the Fund Securities are customarily traded, to which account such Fund Securities will be delivered. If neither the redeeming shareholder nor the entity acting on behalf of a redeeming shareholder has appropriate arrangements to take delivery of the Fund Securities in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities in such jurisdictions, the Trust may, in its discretion, exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming shareholder will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash.

          Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will be made within three business days. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received in proper form. In such cases, the local market settlement procedures will not commence until the end of the local holiday periods.

          The holidays applicable to the Funds are listed below. The proclamation of new holidays, the treatment by market participants of certain days as “informal holidays” (e.g., days on which no or limited securities transactions occur, as a result of substantially shortened trading hours), the elimination of existing holidays or changes in local securities delivery practices, could affect the information set forth herein at some time in the future. The dates in calendar year 2010 in which the regular holidays affecting the Chinese securities markets are as follows (the following holiday schedule is subject to potential changes in the securities market):

 

 

 

 

CHINA

 

 

 

January 1

April 2

July 1

September 29

January 18

April 5

July 5

September 30

February 15

April 6

September 6

October 1

February 16

May 3

September 22

October 11

February 17

May 21

September 23

November 11

February 18

May 31

September 27

November 25

February 19

June 16

September 28

December 27

          The longest redemption cycle for a Fund is a function of the longest redemption cycle among the countries whose securities comprise the Fund. In the calendar year 2010, the dates of regular holidays affecting the following securities markets present the worst-case redemption cycle* for a Fund as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SETTLEMENT PERIODS GREATER THAN
SEVEN DAYS FOR YEAR 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of Settlement
Period

 

End of Settlement
Period

 

Number of Days in
Settlement Period

 

 


 


 


China

 

02/10/10

 

02/22/10

 

12

 

 

02/11/10

 

02/23/10

 

12

 

 

02/12/10

 

02/24/10

 

12

 

 

03/29/10

 

04/07/10

 

  9

 

 

03/30/10

 

04/08/10

 

  9

 

 

04/01/10

 

04/09/10

 

  8

 

 

09/20/10

 

10/04/10

 

14

 

 

09/21/10

 

10/05/10

 

14

 

 

09/24/10

 

10/06/10

 

12


 

 

*

These worst-case redemption cycles are based on information regarding regular holidays, which may be out of date. Based on changes in holidays, longer (worse) redemption cycles are possible.

          The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (1) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Fund or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

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DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

          The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Determination of NAV.”

          The NAV per Share for each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined each business day as of the close of trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the NYSE. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources.

          The values of each Fund’s portfolio securities are based on the securities’ closing prices on their local principal markets, where available. In the absence of a last reported sales price, or if no sales were reported, and for other assets for which market quotes are not readily available, values may be based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or by an outside independent pricing service. Prices obtained by an outside independent pricing service use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data related to investments or securities with similar characteristics and may use a computerized grid matrix of securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities. If a market quotation for a security is not readily available or it does not otherwise accurately reflect the market value of the security at the time a Fund calculates its NAV, the security will be fair valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Fund may also use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations where the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which the security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of a security) or trading in a security has been suspended or halted. In addition, each Fund currently expects that it will fair value most or all of the foreign equity securities held by the Fund each day the Fund calculates its NAV. Accordingly, a Fund’s NAV is expected to reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s NAV and the prices used by the Fund’s respective Index. This may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to track its respective Index. With respect to securities traded in foreign markets, the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.

36


DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

          The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Funds’ Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Distributions.”

General Policies

          Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually by each Fund. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis for each Fund to improve its Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust may distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of the Funds, net of expenses of the Funds, as if each Fund owned such underlying portfolio securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital for tax purposes for certain shareholders.

          Dividends and other distributions on Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Trust. The Trust makes additional distributions to the minimum extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of each Fund as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT SERVICE

          No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Funds through DTC Participants for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. If this service is used, dividend distributions of both income and realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole Shares of the Funds. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

As of the date of this SAI, no entity beneficially owned any voting securities of the Funds.

37


TAXES

          The following information also supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Shareholder Information—Tax Information.”

          Each Fund intends to qualify for and to elect treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. As a RIC, a Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, a company must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements relating to the nature of its income and the diversification of its assets, among others. However, to the extent the Fund invests directly in the A-share market, if the Fund does not receive approval from SAFE to repatriate funds associated with such direct investment on a timely basis, it may be unable to meet the distribution requirements required to qualify for the favorable tax treatment otherwise generally afforded to regulated investment companies under the Code. To the extent the Fund invests significantly in swaps and other derivative instruments that are subject to special tax rules, it is possible that, because the application of the special rules may be uncertain, the manner in which these special rules are applied by the Fund may be determined to be incorrect, and the Fund may be found to have failed to maintain its qualification as a RIC. If a Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

          Each Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such years. Each Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

          As a result of U.S. federal income tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Funds, has the right to reject an order for a creation of Shares if the creator (or group of creators) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of a Fund and if, pursuant to Section 351 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Funds would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units—Procedures for Creation of Creation Units.”

          Dividends and interest received by a Fund from a non-U.S. investment may give rise to withholding and other taxes imposed by foreign countries. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consist of foreign stock or securities, that Fund may elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, as an additional dividend, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income), subject to certain limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes.

          Each Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends, if any, which may qualify for the dividends received deduction. For taxable years beginning before January 1,

38


2011, certain ordinary dividends paid to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at a lower tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level.

          In general, a sale of Shares results in capital gain or loss, and for individual shareholders, is taxable at a federal rate dependent upon the length of time the Shares were held. A redemption of a shareholder’s Fund Shares is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes. Fund Shares held for a period of one year or less at the time of such sale or redemption will, for tax purposes, generally result in short-term capital gains or losses, and those held for more than one year will generally result in long-term capital gains or losses. Under current law, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains available to non-corporate shareholders generally is 15%. Without future congressional action, the maximum tax rate on long-term capital gains will return to 20% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011.

          Special tax rules may change the normal treatment of gains and losses recognized by a Fund if the Fund makes certain investments such as investments in structured notes, swaps, options, futures transactions, and non-U.S. corporations classified as “passive foreign investment companies.” Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term and may result in ordinary income or loss rather than capital gain or loss and may accelerate when the Fund has to take these items into account for tax purposes. Until the Adviser obtains a QFII license, the Fund intends to invest significantly in swaps and other derivative instruments and will not invest directly in A-shares. This may generally be less tax-efficient than a direct investment in A-shares. Furthermore, the Fund may be required to periodically adjust its positions in these swaps or derivatives to comply with certain regulatory requirements which may further cause these investments to be less efficient than a direct investment in A-shares.

          The Fund may make investments, both directly and through swaps or other derivative positions, in companies classified as passive foreign investment companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“PFICs”). Investments in PFICs are subject to special tax rules which may result in adverse tax consequences to the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund generally intends to elect to “mark to market” these investments at the end of each taxable year. By making this election, the Fund will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares as of the close of the taxable year over their adjusted basis and as ordinary loss any decrease in such investment (but only to the extent of prior income from such investment under the mark to market rules). Gains realized with respect to a disposition of a PFIC that the Fund has elected to mark to market will be ordinary income. By making the mark to market election, the Fund may recognize income in excess of the distributions that it receives from its investments. Accordingly, the Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments in order to meet its distribution requirements. If the Fund does not make the mark to market election with respect to an investment in a PFIC, the Fund could become subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to certain distributions from, and gain on the dispositions of, the PFIC which cannot be avoided by distributing such amounts to the Fund’s shareholders.

          Gain or loss on the sale or redemption of Fund Shares is measured by the difference between the amount of cash received (or the fair market value of any property received) and the adjusted tax basis of the Shares. Shareholders should keep records of investments made (including Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and distributions) so they can compute the tax basis of their Shares.

          A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of a Fund may be disallowed if other Fund Shares or substantially identical shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date that the Shares are disposed of. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six

39


(6) months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders. Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to foreign, state and local taxes.

          Each Fund may make investments in which it recognizes income or gain prior to receiving cash with respect to such investment. For example, under certain tax rules, a Fund may be required to accrue a portion of any discount at which certain securities are purchased as income each year even though the Fund receives no payments in cash on the security during the year. To the extent that a Fund makes such investments, it generally would be required to pay out such income or gain as a distribution in each year to avoid taxation at the Fund level.

          Distributions reinvested in additional Fund Shares through the means of the service (see “Dividend Reinvestment Service”) will nevertheless be taxable dividends to Beneficial Owners acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.

          Distributions of ordinary income paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. Furthermore, for taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010 (or a later date if extended by the U.S. Congress), the Funds may, under certain circumstances, designate all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend.” An interest-related dividend that is received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met. A short term capital gain dividend that is received by a nonresident alien or foreign entity generally would be exempt from the 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless the foreign person is a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the taxable year. The Fund does not expect to pay significant amounts of interest related dividends. Each Fund may also determine to not make designations of any interest related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends, which would result in withholding on such distributions. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences discussed above.

          Some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on distributions of ordinary income, capital gains and any cash received on redemption of Creation Units (“backup withholding”). The backup withholding rate for individuals is currently 28% and is currently scheduled to increase to 31% in 2011. Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with a Fund or who, to the Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld will be allowed as a credit against shareholders’ U.S. federal income tax liabilities, and may entitle them to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

          The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares of the Trust should consult their own tax advisers as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, and such changes often occur.

40


Reportable Transactions

          Under promulgated Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Fund’s Shares of $2 million or more in any one taxable year (or $4 million or more over a period of six taxable years) for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more in any taxable year (or $20 million or more over a period of six taxable years) for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC that engaged in a reportable transaction are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. In addition, significant penalties may be imposed for the failure to comply with the reporting requirements. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.

CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS

          The Trust currently is comprised of 47 investment funds. The Trust issues Shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Board may designate additional funds of the Trust.

          Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro rata interest in the assets of the corresponding Fund. Shares have no pre-emptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the relevant Fund, and in the net distributable assets of such Fund on liquidation.

          Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder and each fractional Share has a proportional fractional vote. Shares of all funds vote together as a single class except that if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund it will be voted on only by that fund, and if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, that fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust have noncumulative voting rights for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.

          Under Delaware law, shareholders of a statutory trust may have similar limitations on liability as shareholders of a corporation.

          The Trust will issue through DTC Participants to its shareholders semi-annual reports containing unaudited financial statements and annual reports containing financial statements audited by an independent auditor approved by the Trust’s Trustees and by the shareholders when meetings are held and such other information as may be required by applicable laws, rules and regulations. Beneficial Owners also receive annually notification as to the tax status of the Trust’s distributions.

          Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing to the Trust, c/o Van Eck Associates Corporation, 335 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10017.

41


COUNSEL AND INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

          Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036, is counsel to the Trust and has passed upon the validity of each Fund’s Shares.

          [            ], [      ], is the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and audits the Funds’ financial statements and performs other related audit services.

42


LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

          The information contained herein regarding each of the China All-Cap Index, China Consumer Discretionary Index, China Consumer Staples Index, China Energy Index, China Financials Index, China Health Care Index, China Industrials Index, China Information Technology Index, China Materials Index, China Utilities Index and China Small-Cap Index (collectively, the “Indexes”) was provided by [     ] (“Licensor”), while the information contained herein regarding the securities markets and DTC was obtained from publicly available sources.

          The Shares of the Fund are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Licensor. Licensor makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Shares of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Shares of the Fund particularly or the ability of the Indexes to track the performance of the relevant securities markets. Licensor’s only relationship to the Adviser is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names and of the Indexes that is determined, composed and calculated by Licensor without regard to the Adviser or the Shares of the Fund. Licensor has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the owners of the Shares of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Indexes. Licensor is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Shares of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the Fund are to be converted into cash. Licensor has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Shares of the Fund.

          LICENSOR DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND LICENSOR SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, OWNERS OF THE SHARES OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. LICENSOR MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE INDEXES OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL LICENSOR HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

          The Fund is not sponsored, promoted, sold or supported in any other manner by [ ] nor does [ ] offer any express or implicit guarantee or assurance either with regard to the results of using the Indexes and/or its trade mark or its price at any time or in any other respect. The Indexes are calculated and maintained by [ ]. [ ] uses its best efforts to ensure that the Indexes are calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards Licensor, [ ] has no obligation to point out errors in the Indexes to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the Fund. Neither publication of the Indexes by [ ] nor the licensing of the Indexes or its trade mark for the purpose of use in connection with the Fund constitutes a recommendation by [ ] to invest capital in the Fund nor does it in any way represent an assurance or opinion of [ ] with regard to any investment in the Fund. [ ] is not responsible for fulfilling the legal requirements concerning the accuracy and completeness of the Funds’ Prospectus.

43


APPENDIX A

VAN ECK GLOBAL PROXY VOTING POLICIES

INTRODUCTION

Effective March 10, 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) adopted Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”), requiring each investment adviser registered with the Commission to adopt and implement written policies and procedures for voting client proxies, to disclose information about the procedures to its clients, and to inform clients how to obtain information about how their proxies were voted. The Commission also amended Rule 204-2 under the Advisers Act to require advisers to maintain certain proxy voting records. Both rules apply to all investment advisers registered with the Commission that have proxy voting authority over their clients’ securities. An adviser that exercises voting authority without complying with Rule 206(4)-6 will be deemed to have engaged in a “fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative” act, practice or course of business within the meaning of Section 206(4) of the Advisers Act.

When an adviser has been granted proxy voting authority by a client, the adviser owes its clients the duties of care and loyalty in performing this service on their behalf. The duty of care requires the adviser to monitor corporate actions and vote client proxies. The duty of loyalty requires the adviser to cast the proxy votes in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the client.

PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

 

 

 

 

Resolving Material Conflicts Of Interest

 

 

 

 

A “material conflict” means the existence of a business relationship between a portfolio company or an affiliate and Van Eck Associates Corporation, any affiliate or subsidiary (individually and together, as the context may require, “Adviser”), or an “affiliated person” of a Van Eck mutual fund in excess of $60,000. Examples of when a material conflict exists include the situation where the adviser provides significant investment advisory, brokerage or other services to a company whose management is soliciting proxies; an officer of the Adviser serves on the board of a charitable organization that receives charitable contributions from the portfolio company and the charitable organization is a client of the Adviser; a portfolio company that is a significant selling agent of Van Eck’s products and services solicits proxies; a broker-dealer or insurance company that controls 5% or more of the Adviser’s assets solicits proxies; the Adviser serves as an investment adviser to the pension or other investment account of the portfolio company; the Adviser and the portfolio company have a lending relationship. In each of these situations voting against management may cause the Adviser a loss of revenue or other benefit.

 

 

 

 

Conflict Resolution. When a material conflict exists proxies will be voted in the following manner:

 

 

 

 

 

Where the written guidelines set out a pre-determined voting policy, proxies will be voted in accordance with that policy, with no deviations (if a deviation is advisable, one of the other methods may be used);

44



 

 

 

 

 

Where the guidelines permit discretion and an independent third party has been retained to vote proxies, proxies will be voted in accordance with the predetermined policy based on the recommendations of that party; or

 

 

 

 

 

The potential conflict will be disclosed to the client (a) with a request that the client vote the proxy, (b) with a recommendation that the client engage another party to determine how the proxy should be voted or (c) if the foregoing are not acceptable to the client disclosure of how VEAC intends to vote and a written consent to that vote by the client.

 

 

 

 

 

Any deviations from the foregoing voting mechanisms must be approved by the Compliance Officer with a written explanation of the reason for the deviation.

 

 

 

 

Reasonable Research Efforts

 

 

 

 

When determining whether a vote is in the best interest of the client, the Adviser will use reasonable research efforts. Investment personnel may rely on public documents about the company and other readily available information, which is easily accessible to the investment personnel at the time the vote is cast. Information on proxies by foreign companies may not be readily available.

 

 

 

 

Voting Client Proxies

 

 

 

 

The Adviser generally will vote proxies on behalf of clients, unless clients instruct otherwise. There may be times when refraining from voting a proxy is in a client’s best interest, such as when the Adviser determines that the cost of voting the proxy exceeds the expected benefit to the client. (For example, casting a vote on a foreign security may involve additional costs such as hiring a translator or traveling to a foreign country to vote the security in person).

 

 

 

 

The portfolio manager or analyst covering the security is responsible for making voting decisions.

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Administration, in conjunction with the portfolio manager and the custodian, is responsible for monitoring corporate actions and ensuring that corporate actions are timely voted.

 

 

 

 

Client Inquiries

 

 

 

All inquiries by clients as to how Van Eck has voted proxies must immediately be forwarded to Portfolio Administration.

 

 

 

 

DISCLOSURE TO CLIENTS

 

 

 

 

Notification of Availability of Information Client Brochure.

The Client Brochure or Part II of Form ADV will inform clients that they can obtain information from VEAC on how their proxies were voted. The Client Brochure or Part II of Form ADV will be mailed to each client annually.

The Legal Department will be responsible for coordinating the mailing with Sales/Marketing Departments.

45



 

 

 

 

 

Availability of Proxy Voting Information at the client’s request or if the information is not available on VEAC’s website, a hard copy of the account’s proxy votes will be mailed to each client.

 

 

 

 

 

Recordkeeping Requirements

 

 

 

 

 

VEAC will retain the following documentation and information for each matter relating to a portfolio security with respect to which a client was entitled to vote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

proxy statements received;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

identifying number for the portfolio security;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

shareholder meeting date;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

whether the vote was cast on the matter and how the vote was cast;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

how the vote was cast (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding election of directors);

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

records of written client requests for information on how VEAC voted proxies on behalf of the client;

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

a copy of written responses from VEAC to any written or oral client request for information on how VEAC voted proxies on behalf of the client; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

any documents prepared by VEAC that were material to the decision on how to vote or that memorialized the basis for the decision, if such documents were prepared.

 

 

 

 

 

Copies of proxy statements filed on EDGAR, and proxy statements and records of proxy votes maintained with a third party (i.e., proxy voting service) need not be maintained. The third party must agree in writing to provide a copy of the documents promptly upon request.

 

 

 

 

 

If applicable, any document memorializing that the costs of voting a proxy exceed the benefit to the client or any other decision to refrain from voting, and that such abstention was in the client’s best interest.

 

 

 

 

 

Proxy voting records will be maintained in an easily accessible place for five years, the first two at the office of VEAC. Proxy statements on file with EDGAR or maintained by a third party and proxy votes maintained by a third party are not subject to these particular retention requirements.

46



 

 

 

 

 

Proxy Voting Guidelines

 

 

 

 

I.

General Information

 

 

 

 

Generally, the Adviser will vote in accordance with the following guidelines. Where the proxy vote decision maker determines, however, that voting in such a manner would not be in the best interest of the client, the investment personnel will vote differently.

 

 

 

 

If there is a conflict of interest on any management or shareholder proposals that are voted on a case by case basis, we will follow the recommendations of an independent proxy service provider.

 

 

 

 

II.

Officers and Directors

 

 

 

 

 

A.

The Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

Director Nominees in Uncontested Elections

 

 

 

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis for director nominees, examining factors such as:

 

 

 

 

 

long-term corporate performance record relative to a market index;

 

 

 

 

 

composition of board and key board committees;

 

 

 

 

 

nominee’s investment in the company;

 

 

 

 

 

whether a retired CEO sits on the board; and

 

 

 

 

 

whether the chairman is also serving as CEO.

 

 

 

 

In cases of significant votes and when information is readily available, we also review:

 

 

 

 

 

corporate governance provisions and takeover activity;

 

 

 

 

 

board decisions regarding executive pay;

 

 

 

 

 

director compensation;

 

 

 

 

 

number of other board seats held by nominee; and

 

 

 

 

 

interlocking directorships.

 

 

 

 

 

B.

Chairman and CEO are the Same Person

 

 

 

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder proposals that would require the positions of chairman and CEO to be held by different persons.

 

 

 

 

 

C.

Majority of Independent Directors

 

 

 

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals that request that the board be comprised of a majority of independent directors.

47


Vote for shareholder proposals that request that the board audit, compensation and/or nominating committees include independent directors exclusively.

 

 

 

 

D.

Stock Ownership Requirements

Vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals requiring directors to own a minimum amount of company stock in order to qualify as a director, or to remain on the board.

 

 

 

 

E.

Term of Office

Vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to limit the tenure of outside directors.

 

 

 

 

F.

Director and Officer Indemnification and Liability Protection

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals concerning director and officer indemnification and liability protection.

Generally, vote against proposals to eliminate entirely director and officer liability for monetary damages for violating the duty of care.

Vote for only those proposals that provide such expanded coverage in cases when a director’s or officer’s legal defense was unsuccessful if: (1) the director was found to have acted in good faith and in a manner that he reasonably believed was in the best interests of the company, AND (2) only if the director’s legal expenses would be covered.

 

 

 

 

G.

Director Nominees in Contested Elections

Vote on a case-by-case basis when the election of directors is contested, examining the following factors:

 

 

 

 

long-term financial performance of the target company relative to its industry;

 

 

 

 

management’s track record;

 

 

 

 

background to the proxy contest;

 

 

 

 

qualifications of director nominees (both slates);

 

 

 

 

evaluation of what each side is offering shareholders, as well as the likelihood that the proposed objectives and goals can be met; and

 

 

 

 

stock ownership positions.

 

 

 

 

H.

Board Structure: Staggered vs. Annual Elections

 

 

 

Generally, vote against proposals to stagger board elections.

 

 

 

Generally, vote for proposals to repeal classified boards and to elect all directors annually.

 

 

 

 

I.

Shareholder Ability to Remove Directors

 

 

 

Vote against proposals that provide that directors may be removed only for cause.

48


Vote for proposals to restore shareholder ability to remove directors with or without cause.

Vote against proposals that provide that only continuing directors may elect replacements to fill board vacancies.

Vote for proposals that permit shareholders to elect directors to fill board vacancies.

 

 

 

 

J.

Shareholder Ability to Alter the Size of the Board

Vote for proposals that seek to fix the size of the board.

Vote against proposals that give management the ability to alter the size of the board without shareholder approval.

 

 

 

III.

Proxy Contests

 

 

 

 

A.

Reimburse Proxy Solicitation Expenses

 

 

 

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to provide full reimbursement for dissidents waging a proxy contest.

 

 

 

IV.

Auditors

 

 

 

 

B.

Ratifying Auditors

Vote for proposals to ratify auditors, unless information that is readily available to the vote decision-maker demonstrates that an auditor has a financial interest in or association with the company, and is therefore clearly not independent; or such readily available information creates a reasonable basis to believe that the independent auditor has rendered an opinion which is neither accurate nor indicative of the company’s financial position.

Vote for shareholder proposals asking for audit firm rotation unless the rotation period is so short (less than five years) that it would be unduly burdensome to the company.

 

 

 

V.

Shareholder Voting and Control Issues

 

 

 

 

A.

Cumulative Voting

Generally, vote against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting.

Generally, vote for proposals to permit cumulative voting.

 

 

 

 

B.

Shareholder Ability to Call Special Meetings

Generally, vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to call special meetings.

Generally, vote for proposals that remove restrictions on the right of shareholders to act independently of management.

49



 

 

 

 

C.

Shareholder Ability to Act by Written Consent

Generally, vote against proposals to restrict or prohibit shareholder ability to take action by written consent.

Generally, vote for proposals to allow or make easier shareholder action by written consent.

 

 

 

 

D.

Poison Pills

Vote for shareholder proposals that ask a company to submit its poison pill for shareholder ratification. Vote on a case-by-case basis shareholder proposals to redeem a company’s poison pill.

Vote on a case-by-case basis management proposals to ratify a poison pill.

 

 

 

 

E.

Fair Price Provision

Vote on a case-by-case basis when examining fair price proposals, (where market quotations are not readily available) taking into consideration whether the shareholder vote requirement embedded in the provision is no more than a majority of disinterested Shares.

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals to lower the shareholder vote requirement in existing fair price provisions.

 

 

 

 

F.

Greenmail

Generally, vote for proposals to adopt anti-greenmail charter or bylaw amendments or otherwise restrict a company’s ability to make greenmail payments.

Generally, vote on a case-by-case basis anti-greenmail proposals when they are bundled with other charter or bylaw amendments.

 

 

 

 

G.

Unequal Voting Rights

Vote against dual class exchange offers.

Vote against dual class recapitalizations.

 

 

 

 

H.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Amend the Charter or Bylaws

Vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve charter and bylaw amendments.

Vote for shareholder proposals to lower supermajority shareholder vote requirements for charter and bylaw amendments.

 

 

 

 

I.

Supermajority Shareholder Vote Requirement to Approve Mergers

Vote against management proposals to require a supermajority shareholder vote to approve mergers and other significant business combinations.

50



 

 

 

 

J.

White Knight Placements

Vote for shareholder proposals to require approval of blank check preferred stock issues for other than general corporate purposes or similar corporate actions.

 

 

 

 

K.

Confidential Voting

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals that request corporations to adopt confidential voting, use independent tabulators and use independent inspectors of election as long as the proposals include clauses for proxy contests as follows: In the case of a contested election, management is permitted to request that the dissident group honor its confidential voting policy. If the dissidents agree, the policy remains in place. If the dissidents do not agree, the confidential voting policy is waived.

Generally, vote for management proposals to adopt confidential voting.

 

 

 

 

L.

Equal Access

Generally, vote for shareholders proposals that would allow significant company shareholders equal access to management’s proxy material in order to evaluate and propose voting recommendations on proxy proposals and director nominees, and in order to nominate their own candidates to the board.

 

 

 

 

M.

Bundled Proposals

Generally, vote on a case-by-case basis bundled or “conditioned” proxy proposals. In the case of items that are conditioned upon each other, we examine the benefits and costs of the packaged items. In instances when the joint effect of the conditioned items is not in shareholders’ best interests, we vote against the proposals. If the combined effect is positive, we support such proposals.

 

 

 

 

N.

Shareholder Advisory Committees

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to establish a shareholder advisory committee.

 

 

 

VI.

Capital Structure

 

 

 

 

A.

Common Stock Authorization

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase the number of Shares of common stock authorized for issue.

Generally, vote against proposed common stock authorizations that increase the existing authorization by more than 100% unless a clear need for the excess Shares is presented by the company.

 

 

 

 

B.

Stock Distributions: Splits and Dividends

Generally, vote for management proposals to increase common share authorization for a stock split, provided that the split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued Shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the Shares needed for the split.

51



 

 

 

 

C.

Reverse Stock Splits

Generally, vote for management proposals to implement a reverse stock split, provided that the reverse split does not result in an increase of authorized but unissued Shares of more than 100% after giving effect to the Shares needed for the reverse split.

 

 

 

 

D.

Blank Check Preferred Authorization

Generally, vote for proposals to create blank check preferred stock in cases when the company expressly states that the stock will not be used as a takeover defense or carry superior voting rights.

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals that would authorize the creation of new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend and distribution, and other rights.

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase the number of authorized blank check preferred Shares.

 

 

 

 

E.

Shareholder Proposals Regarding Blank Check Preferred Stock

Generally, vote for shareholder proposals to have blank check preferred stock placements, other than those Shares issued for the purpose of raising capital or making acquisitions in the normal course of business, submitted for shareholder ratification.

 

 

 

 

F.

Adjust Par Value of Common Stock

Vote on a case-by-case basis management proposals to reduce the par value of common stock.

 

 

 

 

G.

Preemptive Rights

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to create or abolish preemptive rights. In evaluating proposals on preemptive rights, we look at the size of a company and the characteristics of its shareholder base.

 

 

 

 

H.

Debt Restructurings

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to increase common and/or preferred Shares and to issue Shares as part of a debt restructuring plan. We consider the following issues:

 

 

 

 

Dilution - How much will ownership interest of existing shareholders be reduced, and how extreme will dilution to any future earnings be?

 

 

 

 

Change In Control - Will the transaction result in a change in control of the company?

 

 

 

 

Bankruptcy - Is the threat of bankruptcy, which would result in severe losses in shareholder value, the main factor driving the debt restructuring?

 

 

 

 

Generally, we approve proposals that facilitate debt restructurings unless there are clear signs of self-dealing or other abuses.

 

 

 

 

I.

Share Repurchase Programs

Vote for management proposals to institute open-market share repurchase plans in which all shareholders may participate on equal terms.

52



 

 

 

VII.

Executive Compensation

In general, we vote on a case-by-case basis on executive compensation plans, with the view that viable compensation programs reward the creation of stockholder wealth by having a high payout sensitivity to increases in shareholder value.

 

 

 

VIII.

Compensation Proposals

 

 

 

 

A.

Amendments That Place a Cap on Annual Grants

Vote for plans that place a cap on the annual grants any one participant may receive.

 

 

 

 

B.

Amend Administrative Features

Vote for plans that simply amend shareholder-approved plans to include administrative features.

 

 

 

 

C.

Amendments to Added Performance-Based Goals

Generally, vote for amendments to add performance goals to existing compensation plans.

 

 

 

 

D.

Amendments to Increase Shares and Retain Tax Deductions

Vote on amendments to existing plans to increase Shares reserved and to qualify the plan for favorable tax treatment should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

E.

Approval of Cash or Cash-and-Stock Bonus Plans

Vote for cash or cash-and-stock bonus plans to exempt the compensation from taxes.

 

 

 

 

F.

Shareholder Proposals to Limit Executive Pay

Vote on a case-by-case basis all shareholder proposals that seek additional disclosure of executive pay information.

Vote on a case-by-case basis all other shareholder proposals that seek to limit executive pay.

Vote for shareholder proposals to expense options, unless the company has already publicly committed to expensing options by a specific date.

 

 

 

 

G.

Golden and Tin Parachutes

Vote for shareholder proposals to have golden and tin parachutes submitted for shareholder ratification.

Vote on a case-by-case basis all proposals to ratify or cancel golden or tin parachutes.

 

 

 

 

H.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPS)

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals that request shareholder approval in order to implement an ESOP or to increase authorized Shares for existing ESOPs, except in cases when the number of Shares allocated to the ESOP is “excessive” (i.e., generally greater than 5% of outstanding Shares).

53



 

 

 

 

I.

401(k) Employee Benefit Plans

Generally, vote for proposals to implement a 401(k) savings plan for employees.

 

 

 

IX.

State Of Incorporation

 

 

 

 

A.

Voting on State Takeover Statutes

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to opt in or out of state takeover statutes (including control share acquisition statutes, control share cash-out statutes, freezeout provisions, fair price provisions, stakeholder laws, poison pill endorsements, severance pay and labor contract provisions, anti-greenmail provisions, and disgorgement provisions).

 

 

 

 

B.

Voting on Reincorporation Proposals

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals to change a company’s state of incorporation.

 

 

 

X.

Mergers and Corporate Restructurings

 

 

 

 

A.

Mergers and Acquisitions

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals related to mergers and acquisitions, taking into account at least the following:

 

 

 

 

anticipated financial and operating benefits;

 

 

 

 

offer price (cost vs premium);

 

 

 

 

prospects of the combined companies;

 

 

 

 

how the deal was negotiated; and

 

 

 

 

changes in corporate governance and their impact on shareholder rights.

 

 

 

 

B.

Corporate Restructuring

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals related to a corporate restructuring, including minority squeezeouts, leveraged buyouts, spin-offs, liquidations and asset sales.

 

 

 

 

C.

Spin-Offs

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals related to spin-offs depending on the tax and regulatory advantages, planned use of sale proceeds, market focus and managerial incentives.

 

 

 

 

D.

Asset Sales

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals related to asset sales after considering the impact on the balance sheet/working capital, value received for the asset, and potential elimination of diseconomies.

54



 

 

 

 

E.

Liquidations

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposals related to liquidations after reviewing management’s efforts to pursue other alternatives, appraisal value of assets, and the compensation plan for executives managing the liquidation.

 

 

 

 

F.

Appraisal Rights

Vote for proposals to restore, or provide shareholders with, rights of appraisal.

 

 

 

 

G.

Changing Corporate Name

Vote on a case-by-case basis proposal to change the corporate name.

 

 

 

XI.

Mutual Fund Proxies

 

 

 

 

A.

Election of Trustees

Vote on trustee nominees on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

B.

Investment Advisory Agreement

Vote on investment advisory agreements on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

C.

Fundamental Investment Restrictions

Vote on amendments to a fund’s fundamental investment restrictions on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

 

 

D.

Distribution Agreements

Vote on distribution agreements on a case-by-case basis.

 

 

XII.

Social and Environmental Issues

In general we vote on a case-by-case basis on shareholder social and environmental proposals, on the basis that their impact on share value can rarely be anticipated with any high degree of confidence.

In most cases, however, we vote for disclosure reports that seek additional information, particularly when it appears companies have not adequately addressed shareholders’ social and environmental concerns.

In determining our vote on shareholder social and environmental proposals, we analyze factors such as:

 

 

 

 

whether adoption of the proposal would have either a positive or negative impact on the company’s short-term or long-term share value;

 

 

 

 

the percentage of sales, assets and earnings affected;

 

 

 

 

the degree to which the company’s stated position on the issues could affect its reputation or sales, or leave it vulnerable to boycott or selective purchasing; whether the issues presented should be dealt with through government or company—specific action;

55



 

 

 

 

whether the company has already responded in some appropriate manner to the request embodied in a proposal;

 

 

 

 

whether the company’s analysis and voting recommendation to shareholders is persuasive;

 

 

 

 

what other companies have done in response to the issue;

 

 

 

 

whether the proposal itself is well framed and reasonable; whether implementation of the proposal would achieve the objectives sought in the proposal; and

 

 

 

 

whether the subject of the proposal is best left to the discretion of the board.

56


PART C: OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 28.

Exhibits:


 

 

(a)

Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust.‡‡‡‡

 

 

(b)

Bylaws of the Trust.‡‡‡‡

 

 

(c)

Not applicable.

 

 

(d)(1)

Form of Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation (with respect to Market Vectors—Gold Miners ETF).*

 

 

(d)(2)

Form of Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation (with respect to all portfolios except for Market Vectors—Gold Miners ETF).***

 

 

(d)(3)

Form of Investment Management Agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation (with respect to certain municipal portfolios). ###

 

 

(e)(1)

Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Securities Corporation.**

 

 

(e)(2)

Form of Participant Agreement.*

 

 

(f)

Not applicable.

 

 

(g)

Form of Custodian Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.*

 

 

(h)(1)

Form of Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.*

 

 

(h)(2)

Form of Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.*

 

 

(h)(3)

Form of Sub-License Agreement between the Trust and the Van Eck Associates Corp.*

 

 

(i)(1)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Environmental Services ETF, Market Vectors—Gold Miners ETF and Market Vectors—Steel ETF).***

 

 

(i)(2)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Global Alternative Energy ETF and Market Vectors—Russia ETF).****

 

 

(i)(3)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Global Agribusiness ETF and Market Vectors—Global Nuclear Energy ETF).*****

 

 

(i)(4)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers Intermediate Municipal ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers Long Municipal ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers 1-5 Year Municipal ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers Non-Investment Grade Municipal ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers California Municipal ETF and Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers New York Municipal ETF).******

 

 

(i)(5)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Coal ETF and Market Vectors—Gaming ETF).†




 

 

(i)(6)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers AMT-Free Massachusetts Municipal Index ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers AMT-Free New Jersey Municipal Index ETF, Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers AMT-Free Ohio Municipal Index ETF and Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers AMT-Free Pennsylvania Municipal Index ETF).††

 

 

(i)(7)

Opinion of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Hard Assets ETF and Market Vectors—Solar Energy ETF).†††

 

 

(i)(8)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP with respect to Market Vectors—Africa Index ETF, Market Vectors—Emerging Eurasia Index ETF, Market Vectors—Global Frontier Index ETF and Market Vectors—Gulf States Index ETF).††††

 

 

(i)(9)

Consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors—Lehman Brothers High-Yield Municipal Index ETF).†††††

 

 

(i)(10)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Indonesia Index ETF). ‡

 

 

(i)(11)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Vietnam ETF). ‡‡

 

 

(i)(12)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Pre-Refunded Municipal Index ETF). ‡‡‡

 

 

(i)(13)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Egypt Index ETF).^^^^

 

 

(i)(14)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Kuwait Index ETF).^^^^

 

 

(i)(15)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Fixed Income I ETF and Market Vectors Fixed Income II ETF).####

 

 

(i)(16)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Latin America Small-Cap Index ETF). ^^^^^

 

 

(i)(17)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors China ETF).^

 

 

(i)(18)

Opinion and consent of Clifford Chance US LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Brazil Small-Cap ETF).‡‡‡‡‡‡

 

 

(i)(19)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF).^^

 

 

(i)(20)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Poland ETF).^^^

 

 

(i)(21)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors India Small-Cap Index ETF).#

 

 

(i)(22)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Emerging Markets Local Currency Bond ETF).##




 

 

(i)(23)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors GDP – International Equity ETF and Market Vectors GDP – Emerging Markets Equity ETF).####

 

 

(i)(24)

Opinion and consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Investment Grade Floating Rate Bond ETF). ##

 

 

(i)(25)

Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors MLP ETF). ####

 

 

(i)(26)

Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors Strategic Metals ETF). ####

 

 

(i)(27)

Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors LatAm Aggregate Bond ETF and Market Vectors Asia ex-Japan Aggregate Bond ETF). ####

 

 

(i)(28)

Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP (with respect to Market Vectors All China All-Cap ETF, Market Vectors All China Consumer Discretionary Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Consumer Staples Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Energy Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Financial Services Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Healthcare Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Industrials Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Information Technology Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Materials Sector ETF, Market Vectors All China Utilities Sector ETF and Market Vectors All China Small Cap ETF). ####

 

 

(j)

Not applicable.

 

 

(k)

Not applicable.

 

 

(l)

Not applicable.

 

 

(m)

Not applicable.

 

 

(n)

Not applicable.

 

 

(o)

Not applicable.

 

 

(p)(1)

Code of Ethics. ‡‡‡‡‡


 

 


*

Incorporated by the reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 28, 2006.

**

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 11, 2006.

***

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on October 6, 2006.

****

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 9, 2007.

*****

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 30, 2007.

******

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 2, 2007.

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 31, 2007.

††

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 15, 2008.

†††

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 21, 2008.

††††

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on July 8, 2008.

†††††

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 8, 2008.

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 25, 2008.

‡‡

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on December 23, 2008.

‡‡‡

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on January 28, 2009.

‡‡‡‡

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 6, 2009.

‡‡‡‡‡

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 21, 2009.

‡‡‡‡‡‡

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on May 8, 2009.




 

 

^

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on September 4, 2009.

^^

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 9, 2009.

^^^

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on November 20, 2009.

^^^^

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on February 16, 2010.

^^^^^

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on March 29, 2010.

#

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on April 5, 2010.

##

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on June 28, 2010.

###

Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement filed on August 27, 2010.

####

To be filed by amendment.


 

 

Item 29.

Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant

 

 

          None.

 

 

Item 30.

Indemnification

          Pursuant to Section 10.2 of the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, all persons that are or have been a Trustee or officer of the Trust (collectively, the “Covered Persons”) shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit, or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been a Trustee or officer and against amounts paid or incurred by him in the settlement thereof. No indemnification will be provided to a Covered Person who shall have been adjudicated by a court or body before which the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office or not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his action was in the best interest of the Trust; or in the event of a settlement, unless there has been a determination that such Trustee or officer did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.

          Article XII of the Trust’s Bylaws, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law in effect from time to time, the Trust shall indemnify and, without requiring a preliminary determination of the ultimate entitlement to indemnification, shall pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (a) any individual who is a present or former trustee or officer of the Trust and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity or (b) any individual who, while a director of the Trust and at the request of the Trust, serves or has served as a trustee, officer, partner or trustee of another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise and who is made a party to the proceeding by reason of his or her service in that capacity. The Trust may, with the approval of its Board of Trustees, provide such indemnification and advance for expenses to a person who served a predecessor of the Trust in any of the capacities described in (a) or (b) above and to any employee or agent of the Trust or a predecessor of the Trust; provided that no provision of Article XII shall be effective to protect or purport to protect any trustee or officer of the Trust against liability to the Trust or its stockholders to which he or she would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

          The Trust has agreed to indemnify and hold harmless the Trustees against any and all expenses actually and reasonably incurred by the Trustee in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with the Trustee’s service to the Trust, to the fullest extent permitted by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust and Bylaws of the Fund and Title 12, Part V, Chapter 38 of the Delaware Code, and applicable law.



 

 

Item 31.

Business and Other Connections of Investment Manager

          See “Management” in the Statement of Additional Information. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser is included in its Form ADV filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

 

 

Item 32.

Principal Underwriters


 

 

 

 

(a)

Van Eck Securities Corporation is the Trust’s principal underwriter. Van Eck Securities Corporation also acts as a principal underwriter, depositor, or investment manager for the following other investment companies: Van Eck Funds (which is comprised of four series: Emerging Markets Fund, Global Hard Assets Fund Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund and International Investors Gold Fund) and Worldwide Insurance Trust (which is comprised of five series: Worldwide Multi-Manager Alternatives Fund, Worldwide Bond Fund, Worldwide Emerging Markets Fund, Worldwide Hard Assets Fund and Worldwide Real Estate Fund).

 

 

 

 

(b)

The following is a list of the executive officers, directors and partners of Van Eck Securities Corporation:


 

 

 

 

 

Name and Principal
Business Address

 

Positions and Offices
with Underwriter

 

Positions and Offices with
Trust


 


 


Thomas K. Lynch
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph McBrien
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Bruce J. Smith
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Controller

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

 

Director and Executive Vice President

 

President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee


 

 

Item 33.

Location of Accounts and Records

          All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the 1940 Act and the Rules thereunder will be maintained at the offices of The Bank of New York Mellon, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

 

Item 34.

Management Services

          Not applicable.

 

 

Item 35.

Undertakings

          Not applicable.


SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York on the 15th day of October 2010.

 

 

 

 

 

MARKET VECTORS ETF TRUST

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Jan F. van Eck*

 

 

 


 

 

 

Name: Jan F. van Eck

 

 

 

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following person in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ David H. Chow*

 

Trustee

 

October 15, 2010


 

 

 

 

David H. Chow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ R. Alastair Short*

 

Trustee

 

October 15, 2010


 

 

 

 

R. Alastair Short

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Richard D. Stamberger*

 

Trustee

 

October 15, 2010


 

 

 

 

Richard D. Stamberger

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Jan F. van Eck*

 

President, Chief
Executive Officer and Trustee

 

October 15, 2010


 

 

 

Jan F. van Eck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Bruce J. Smith*

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

October 15, 2010


 

 

 

 

Bruce J. Smith

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

*By: 

/s/ Jonathan R. Simon

 

 


 

Jonathan R. Simon

 

Attorney-in-Fact