N-CSR 1 c108367_ncsr.htm

UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT

 

INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number 811-10325

 

VANECK ETF TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Van Eck Associates Corporation
666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 293-2000

 

Date of fiscal year end: DECEMBER 31

 

Date of reporting period: DECEMBER 31, 2023

 

Item 1. Reports to Shareholders

   
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023
   

 

 

Agribusiness ETF MOO
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF CMCI
Future of Food ETF YUMY
Gold Miners ETF GDX®
Green Metals ETF GMET
Junior Gold Miners ETF GDXJ®
Low Carbon Energy ETF SMOG
Natural Resources ETF HAP
Oil Refiners ETF CRAK
Oil Services ETF OIH
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF REMX
Steel ETF SLX
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF NLR

 

     
  800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

President’s Letter 1
Management Discussion 3
Performance Comparison  
Agribusiness ETF 6
Future of Food ETF 7
Gold Miners ETF 8
Green Metals ETF 9
Junior Gold Miners ETF 10
Low Carbon Energy ETF 11
Natural Resources ETF 12
Oil Refiners ETF 13
Oil Services ETF 14
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF 15
Steel ETF 16
Uranium + Nuclear Energy ETF 17
About Fund Performance 18
Explanation of Expenses 19
Schedule of Investments  
Agribusiness ETF 21
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF 23
Future of Food ETF 24
Gold Miners ETF 26
Green Metals ETF 30
Junior Gold Miners ETF 33
Low Carbon Energy ETF 36
Natural Resources ETF 39
Oil Refiners ETF 47
Oil Services ETF 49
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF 50
Steel ETF 53
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF 54
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 56
Statements of Operations 60
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 64
Financial Highlights  
Agribusiness ETF 71
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF 72
Future of Food ETF 73
Gold Miners ETF 74
Green Metals ETF 75
Junior Gold Miners ETF 76
Low Carbon Energy ETF 77
Natural Resources ETF 78
Oil Refiners ETF 79
Oil Services ETF 80
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF 81
Steel ETF 82
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF 83
Notes to Financial Statements 84
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 96
Tax Information 98
Board of Trustees and Officers 100

 

 

Certain information contained in this report represents the opinion of the investment adviser which may change at any time. This information is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Funds’ holdings, the Funds’ performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of December 31, 2023.

 

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

Our outlook for financial markets in 2023 was “sideways” and “40/60” or overweight bonds. This strategy worked well until November 2023, when the market suddenly rallied aggressively and priced in U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate cuts which were to happen in 2024. It is one of the wonders of the market that it can price in its view of the future so quickly.

 

In this sense, it could be that 2024 has already happened. One could imagine that the three major factors—monetary policy, government spending and global economic growth—will not change much in 2024.

 

So, let’s review those three major forces on markets and some risks and trends worth noting.

 

Discussion

 

1. Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

To recap this cycle: stocks and bonds historically do not perform well when the Fed tightens monetary conditions. And that’s just what the Fed announced it would be doing at the end of 2021. This would include raising rates and changing its balance sheet actions, which doesn’t create a great environment for financial assets.

 

A second, modern component to monetary policy is the Fed balance sheet. After buying bonds during the pandemic, the Fed has now started shrinking the balance sheet—from a high of almost $9 trillion in early 2022, assets dropped to just under $7.8 trillion toward the end of December 2023.1

 

Our favorite inflation is wage inflation, not food or gas prices. That is the kind of inflation which is endemic and hard to manage once it takes hold. And wage inflation is above 4%, not near the Fed’s 2% target, so we don’t see a big Fed stimulus. And the silent Fed action of reducing its bond holdings (“quantitative tightening”), continues.

 

2. Government Spending: Also Muted

 

A second bearish factor is that government spending is unlikely to increase next year. The Republicans, in control of the House of Representatives, continue to look to slow government spending. While we probably didn’t sufficiently appreciate the amount of some of the Biden Administration’s spending, like with the environmental Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), any such upside surprises are very unlikely in 2024.

 

3. Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. and China have been the two main pillars of global growth. But while there are bright spots, China is remarkable now for its economic weakness. The property market recession has helped pull Chinese prices lower year over year and that deflationary force affects the world economy. Other centers of growth like India, Indonesia and Africa are not big enough yet to drive global growth.

 

Notable

 

1. Bonds

 

While interest rates whipsawed investors in 2023 with a net positive result, our outlook favoring bonds hasn’t changed, which is that they offer attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to equities, given the headwinds discussed above. Now, after the 2022 and 2023 losses, bond investments are offering attractive yields, this has been our favorite asset class to buy and remains our preference. (See What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now.2) As a reference, bonds offered attractive total returns in the 1970s even though that decade was the worst for interest rates in the last 100 years.

1

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2. Yield Curve

 

We like to look for market distortions and the most notable one is “yield curve inversion”—long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates. If, and it’s a big “if”, government entities like the Fed are stepping back from the bond markets, then it makes sense for long-term rates to be higher because with greater risk should come greater return. Yield curve inversion is present only about 10% of the time. It’s unusual.

 

3. India/Emerging Markets

 

With the new-found ubiquity and affordability of mobile phones in India, the Internet sector there is well primed to do as well as it has in the U.S., China and other major markets. Digital India seems like a good tactical play, despite higher price/earnings ratios. Emerging markets in general have lagged for so many years that most investors have given up. So many, that 2024 may be their year.

 

4. Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

In March 2023, I “pounded the table” on gold and Bitcoin in a CNBC interview. While those assets have rallied hard since then—again, the market likes to anticipate!—I don’t think this trend is over.

 

5. Value stocks

 

Growth stocks had a shockingly good 2023. Stocks in banks and financials have been beaten up. They are definitely worth a close look. This outlook is discussed in a recent podcast, The Compound & Friends,3 Episode 113, released on October 13, 2023.

 

We thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will find a performance discussion and financial statements for each of the funds for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

PS The investing outlook can change suddenly. To get our quarterly investment outlooks, please subscribe to “VanEck News & Insights”.4 Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.

 

1 U.S. Federal Reserve: FEDERAL RESERVE Statistical Release, December 28, 2023, https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/20231228/
   
2 VanEck: What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now., https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/investment-outlook/jan-van-eck-what-to-buy-bonds-when-now/
   
3 The Compound & Friends, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-kings-of-wall-street/id1456467014?i=1000631190860
   
4 VanEck: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/subscribe/
2

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Agribusiness

 

From its highest point towards the end of January 2023, the VanEck Agribusiness ETF fell for most of the rest of the year and the Fund lost 8.58% for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Period”). One sector contributed positively to the Fund’s performance—the healthcare sector, with companies in the pharmaceuticals segment of the contributing the most. The primary detractor from the Fund’s performance, however, was the materials sector. The greatest negative contribution to returns came from companies in the U.S. and Germany, while the greatest positive came from those in Japan and Norway.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Zoetis, Inc. (8.2% of Fund net assets), Salmar ASA (1.3% of Fund net assets), and Elanco Animal Health, Inc. (1.5% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Bayer AG (7.0% of Fund net assets), FMC Corp. (1.8% of Fund net assets) and Nutrien Ltd. (6.4% of Fund net assets).

 

Future of Food

 

With market sentiment continuing to show little favor to growth stocks, the VanEck Future of Food ETF had a disappointing year, losing 7.65% for the Period and underperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country World Index, by 29.85%. Only three sectors contributed positively to performance and then only minimally: utilities, healthcare and information technology. The greatest detractor from performance was the consumer staples sector. By far the greatest negative contribution to returns came from companies in the U.S., while the greatest positive contribution came from those in Switzerland.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Givaudan SA (5.1% of Fund net assets), Ingredion, Inc. (6.8% of Fund net assets) and Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV (4.4% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: FMC Corp. (2.8% of Fund net assets), Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (1.5% of Fund net assets) and Nutrien Ltd. (3.9% of Fund net assets).

 

Gold Miners

 

The stocks of both major gold miners and their junior peers had a roller-coaster year. While persistent inflation might usually have been propitious, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank’s raising of interest rates during the Period was not. Perhaps affected more than generally by the many uncertainties that abounded in the market and the rising cost of materials, the junior gold miners (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF) posted a gain of 7.78% and larger gold miners (VanEck Gold Miners ETF) posted a gain of 10.22% for the 12 month period.

 

Among the larger mining stocks, companies in South Africa and Australia contributed the most to performance. Companies in the U.S. and Burkina Faso detracted the most from performance. Among the juniors, Canada and Australia were the strongest contributors, while the U.S. detracted the most from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the VanEck Gold Miners ETF’s performance came from: Gold Fields Ltd. (4.3% of Fund net assets), Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (6.6% of Fund net assets) and Kinross Gold Corp. (3.0% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Franco-Nevada Corp. (6.3% of Fund net assets), SSR Mining, Inc. (0.9% of Fund net assets) and AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. (sold by Fund by period end).

 

The three top positive contributions to the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF’s performance came from: Kinross Gold Corp. (6.5% of Fund net assets), Alamos Gold, Inc. (5.6% of Fund net assets) and Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (3.3% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: SSR Mining, Inc. (1.9% of Fund net assets), First Majestic Silver Corp. (1.7% of Fund net assets) and Novagold Resources, Inc. (0.7% of Fund net assets).

 

Green Metals

 

The VanEck Green Metals ETF had another disappointing year, losing 12.13% for the Period, not least reflecting the market’s supply and demand imbalance among green metals. The greatest positive returns

3

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION (unaudited) (continued)

 

came from companies in the Mexico. However, their contributions were significantly counterbalanced by losses from Chinese and South African companies operating across much of the spectrum of green metals.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Grupo Mexico SAB de CV (6.5% of Fund net assets), Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. (8.4% of Fund net assets) and Southern Copper Corp. (3.5% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Anglo American Plc (5.6% of Fund net assets), Albemarle Corp. (6.0% of Fund net assets) and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (1.5% of Fund net assets).

 

Low Carbon Energy

 

While traditional energy stocks thrived in 2023, in contrast, reflecting amongst other things the market’s negative sentiment, despite the advantages conveyed by the Inflation Reduction Act, towards structural growth, the performance of low carbon energy stocks during the Period was both volatile and disappointing, with the VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF recording only a small gain of 1.34%. While companies in the consumer discretionary sector contributed by far the most positively to performance, their contributions, together with those in the other sectors contributing positively, were barely able to counterbalance significant losses from companies in the information technology sector. Italy and Spain were the top contributing countries. Companies from South Korea and the U.S. detracted the most from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Tesla, Inc. (7.7% of Fund net assets), Enel SpA (6.4% of Fund net assets) and Li Auto, Inc. (4.8% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Enphase Energy, Inc. (3.1% of Fund net assets), NextEra Energy, Inc. (7.5% of Fund net assets) and SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (1.1% of Fund net assets).

 

Natural Resources

 

Natural resources stocks had a volatile, but ultimately successful, year with the VanEck Natural Resources ETF gaining 2.32% over the Period under review. During the year, stocks were helped by commodity prices remaining relatively resilient. The energy and materials sectors contributed the most to performance, while the healthcare sector was the greatest detractor. Australian companies contributed the most to performance, while U.S. companies detracted the most.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: BHP Group Ltd. (2.8% of Fund net assets), Shell Plc (2.8% of Fund net assets) and Reliance Industries Ltd. (2.8% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Chevron Corp. (3.8% of Fund net assets), Bayer AG (1.6% of Fund net assets) and Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. (1.7% of Fund net assets).

 

Oil Refiners

 

Benefiting from high traditional energy prices, oil refining stocks had a good year with the VanEck Oil Refiners ETF recording a gain of 14.00% over the Period. Exposure to refiners in the U.S. contributed by far the most to the Fund’s total return. Finnish companies detracted the most from total return.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Marathon Petroleum Corp. (7.0% of Fund net assets), Phillips 66 (8.2% of Fund net assets) and Orlen SA (5.3% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Neste Oyj (5.5% of Fund net assets), S-Oil Corp. (1.6% of Fund net assets) and SK Innovation Co., Ltd. (4.6% of Fund net assets).

 

Oil Services

 

On the back of a strong traditional energy sector, but weaker crude oil prices than in 2022, oil services stocks performed positively in 2023 and the VanEck Oil Services ETF ended the Period up 3.21%. The oil service stocks in the UK contributed the most to performance and no countries detracted from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: TechnipFMC Plc (5.0% of Fund net assets), Noble Corporation Plc (4.8% of Fund net assets) and Transocean Ltd. (4.7% of Fund net assets). The

4

 

 

companies that detracted most from performance were: Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. (4.2% of Fund net assets), Helmerich & Payne, Inc. (3.1% of Fund net assets) and Nabors Industries Ltd. (0.8% of Fund net assets).

 

Rare Earth and Strategic Metals

 

The VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF had disappointing year in 2023, losing 18.99%. In addition to falling lithium prices during the year, the Fund suffered from the continuing rotation in the market out of growth and into value stocks. The majority of the companies in the Fund’s portfolio contributed negatively to returns, and of those few companies contributing positively, those involved in the mining of lithium and/or production of lithium contributed the most. The greatest detractors from performance were three companies with mining operations and/or production involving cobalt, rare earths and lithium.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Liontown Resources Limited (5.0% of Fund net assets), Arcadium Lithium Plc (7.6% of Fund net assets) and Pilbara Minerals Ltd. (8.2% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., Ltd. (sold by the Fund by period end), China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co., Ltd. (5.0% of Fund net assets) and Ganfeng Lithium Group Co., Ltd. (2.8% of Fund net assets).

 

Steel

 

Despite a particularly volatile 2023, a strong middle and end to the year for steel stocks resulted in the VanEck Steel ETF recording a gain of 31.23% for the Period. The U.S., was by far the greatest contributor to performance, followed a ways behind by South Korea. No country detracted from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: United States Steel Corp. (5.3% of Fund net assets), POSCO Holdings, Inc. (5.1% of Fund net assets) and Nucor Corp. (6.7% of Fund net assets). Only two companies detracted from performance: Worthington Steel, Inc. (sold by the Fund by period end) and Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. (0.7% of Fund net assets).

 

Uranium+Nuclear Energy

 

Having displayed increasing strength throughout 2023, stocks in the VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF recorded a gain of 36.02% for the Period. Energy companies were the greatest contributors to the Fund’s positive total return, with only the materials sector detracting from performance and then only minimally. Geographically, Canadian companies, followed closely by those in the U.S. contributed the most to performance, while those in Finland were the greatest detractors from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Cameco Corp. (6.1% of Fund net assets), Uranium Energy Corp. (4.4% of Fund net assets) and Constellation Energy Corp. (7.1% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Dominion Energy, Inc. (sold by Fund by period end), NuScale Power Corp. (sold by Fund by period end) and Global Atomic Corp. (1.1% of Fund net assets).

 

All Funds assets referenced are Total Net Assets as of December 31, 2023.

 

The mention of a specific security is not a recommendation to buy, or solicitation to sell such security.

5

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVMOOTR1    SPTR2    
One Year   (8.62)%    (8.58)%    (8.66)%     26.29% 
Five Year   7.85%    7.82%    8.01%    15.69% 
Ten Year   5.50%    5.53%    5.58%    12.03% 

 

 

  1 MVIS® Global Agribusiness Index (MVMOOTR) is a rules based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the companies in the global agribusiness segment which includes: agri-chemicals, animal health and fertilizers, seeds and traits, from farm/irrigation equipment and farm machinery, aquaculture and fishing, livestock, cultivation and plantations (including grain, oil palms, sugar cane, tobacco leafs, grapevines etc.) and trading of agricultural products.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

6

VANECK FUTURE OF FOOD ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MSCI ACWI1     
One Year        (7.89)%        (7.65)%        22.20%  
Life*  (16.20)%  (16.16)%  1.78%  

 

 

  * Inception of Fund: 11/30/21; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 11/31/21.  
       
  1 MSCI All Country World Index (MSCI ACWI), (NDUEACWF) represents large- and mid-cap companies across developed and emerging market countries. The index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.

 


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

7

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return  
   Share Price  NAV  GDMNTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  9.91%  10.22%  10.60%  26.29%  
Five Year  9.34%  9.44%  9.80%  15.69%  
Ten Year  4.86%  4.89%  5.25%  12.03%  

 

  1 NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (GDMNTR) is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of publicly traded companies involved in the mining for gold and silver.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

8

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVGMETTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  (12.35)%  (12.13)%  (11.76)%  26.29%  
Life*  (13.42)%  (13.45)%  (13.02)%  2.50%  

 

  * Inception of Fund: 11/9/21; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 11/10/21.  
       
  1 MVIS® Global Clean-Tech Metals Index is a global index (MVGMETTR) is a global index that tracks the performance of “Green Metals Companies” which are involved in the production, refining, processing and recycling of green metals. “Green metals” are metals used in the applications, products and processes that enable the energy transition from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources and technologies.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.

 


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

9

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVGDXJTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  7.09%  7.78%  8.59%  26.29%  
Five Year  5.68%  5.88%  6.48%  15.69%  
Ten Year  3.26%  3.37%  3.75%  12.03%  

 

 

  1 MVIS® Global Junior Gold Miners Index (MVGDXJTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of small-capitalization companies that are involved primarily in the mining for gold and/or silver.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

10

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVSMOGTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  1.41%  1.34%  1.42%  26.29%  
Five Year  15.96%  15.78%  16.34%  15.69%  
Ten Year  7.93%  7.96%  8.28%  12.03%  

 

  1 MVIS® Global Low Carbon Energy Index (MVSMOGTR) normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in stocks of low carbon energy companies.

Index data prior to April 26, 2021 reflects that of the Ardour Global IndexSM (Extra Liquid) (AGIXLT). From April 26, 2021 forward, the index data reflects that of MVSMOGTR. All Index history reflects a blend of the performance of the aforementioned Indexes.
 
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

11

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return  
   Share Price  NAV  RVEIT1  SPTR2       
One Year  2.39%  2.32%  2.42%  26.29%  
Five Year  11.66%  11.66%  11.69%  15.69%  
Ten Year  5.38%  5.36%  5.49%  12.03%  

 

  1 VanEck® Natural Resources Index (RVEIT) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of a global universe of listed companies engaged in the production and distribution of commodities and commodity-related products and services.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

12

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVCRAKTR1  SPTR2       
One Year  13.68%  14.00%  13.57%  26.29%  
Five Year  7.76%  7.72%  7.69%  15.69%  
Life*  9.47%  9.50%  9.50%  12.38%  

 

  * Inception of Fund: 8/18/15; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 8/19/15.  
       
  1 MVIS® Global Oil Refiners Index (MVCRAKTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in crude oil refining which may include: gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, fuel oil, naphtha, and other petrochemicals.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.

 

 


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

13

VANECK OIL SERVICES ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVOIHTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  3.18%  3.21%  3.39%  26.29%  
Five Year  3.34%  3.34%  3.32%  15.69%  
Ten Year  (9.15)%  (9.15)%  (9.26)%  12.03%  

 

  1 MVIS® US Listed Oil Services 25 Index (MVOIHTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the largest and the most liquid common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies involved in oil services to the upstream oil sector.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

14

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVREMXTR1  SPTR2  
One Year  (19.18)%  (18.99)%  (18.42)%  26.29%      
Five Year  10.65%  10.75%  10.13%  15.69%  
Ten Year  (2.29)%  (2.30)%  (2.73)%  12.03%  

 

  1 MVIS® Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index (MVREMXTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the rare earth and strategic metals segment.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

15

VANECK STEEL ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  STEEL1  SPTR2  
One Year  31.07%  31.23%  32.56%  26.29%      
Five Year  20.68%  20.67%  21.53%  15.69%  
Ten Year  7.93%  7.93%  8.37%  12.03%  

 

  1 NYSE Arca Steel Index (STEEL) is a modified market capitalization weighted index comprised of common stocks and ADRs of selected companies that are primarily involved in a variety of activities that are related to steel production.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

16

VANECK URANIUM+NUCLEAR ENERGY ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVNLRTR1  SPTR2      
One Year  36.59%  36.02%  35.80%  26.29%  
Five Year  10.52%  10.40%  10.34%  15.69%  
Ten Year  7.33%  7.29%  7.02%  12.03%  

 

  1 MVIS® Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index (MVNLRTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in uranium and nuclear energy. Index data prior to March 24, 2014 reflects that of the DAXglobal® Nuclear Energy Index (DXNE). From March 24, 2014, forward, the index data reflects that of MVNLRTR. All index history reflects a blend of the performance of the aforementioned Indexes.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 18 for more information.

17

VANECK ETF TRUST

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

The price used to calculate market return (Share Price) is determined by using the closing price listed on its primary listing exchange. Since the shares of each Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after each Fund’s commencement, for the period from commencement to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of each Fund, the NAV of each Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate market returns.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Performance information for each Fund reflects, if applicable, temporary waivers of expenses and/or fees. Had each Fund incurred all expenses, investment returns would have been reduced. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Investment return and value of the shares of each Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance may be lower or higher than performance data quoted. Fund returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Performance current to the most recent month-end is available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

All indices are unmanaged and include the reinvestment of all dividends, but do not reflect the payment of transaction costs, advisory fees or expenses that are associated with an investment in the Fund. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. An index’s performance is not illustrative of the Fund’s performance. Indices are not securities in which investments can be made.

 

The Gold Miners Index and Steel Index are published by ICE Data Indices, LLC (ICE Data). The Agribusiness Index, Green Metal Index, Junior Gold Miners Index, Low Carbon Energy, Oil Refiners Index, Oil Services Index, Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index and Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index are published by MarketVector Indexes GmbH (MarketVector), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, Van Eck Associates Corporation. The Natural Resources Index is published by S-Network Global Indexes, LLC (S-Network).

 

ICE Data, MarketVector and S-Network are referred to herein as the “Index Providers”. The Index Providers do not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Funds and bear no liability with respect to the Funds or any security.

18

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur operating expenses, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This disclosure is intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line in the table below provides information about account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
Agribusiness ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $962.50  0.53%  $2.62
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.53  0.53%  $2.70
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF            
Actual (c)  $1,000.00  $976.80  0.65%  $2.32
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.93  0.65%  $3.31
Future of Food ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $964.10  0.69%  $3.42
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.73  0.69%  $3.52
Gold Miners ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,052.50  0.51%  $2.64
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.63  0.51%  $2.60
Green Metals ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $916.70  0.66%  $3.19
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.88  0.66%  $3.36
Junior Gold Miners ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,081.00  0.51%  $2.68
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.63  0.51%  $2.60
Low Carbon Energy ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $915.50  0.57%  $2.75
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.33  0.57%  $2.91
19

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited) (continued)

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
Natural Resources ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,044.70  0.52%  $2.68
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.58  0.52%  $2.65
Oil Refiners ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,174.50  0.61%  $3.34
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.13  0.61%  $3.11
Oil Services ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,091.00  0.35%  $1.84
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,023.44  0.35%  $1.79
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $742.50  0.54%  $2.37
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.48  0.54%  $2.75
Steel ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,185.10  0.56%  $3.08
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.38  0.56%  $2.85
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,255.70  0.61%  $3.47
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.13  0.61%  $3.11

 

(a) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended December 31, 2023), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by the number of the days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b) Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses
(c) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the period from August 22, 2023 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2023) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since the commencement of operations divided by the number of days in the fiscal year.
20

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Australia: 2.4%          
Incitec Pivot Ltd.   4,680,919   $9,078,247 
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd. †   1,757,647    12,948,959 
         22,027,206 
Brazil: 3.5%          
Rumo SA   3,421,900    16,176,430 
Yara International ASA (NOK)   432,007    15,354,091 
         31,530,521 
Canada: 6.4%          
Nutrien Ltd. (USD)   1,042,864    58,744,529 
Chile: 1.0%          
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (ADR)   152,981    9,212,516 
China: 4.0%          
China Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd. (HKD) *   4,212,000    11,346,682 
Wilmar International Ltd. (SGD)   9,287,051    25,100,179 
         36,446,861 
Denmark: 1.1%          
Bakkafrost P/F (NOK)   133,935    7,004,960 
Schouw & Co. A/S   37,175    3,047,568 
         10,052,528 
Germany: 8.0%          
Bayer AG   1,715,529    63,693,180 
K+S AG   569,491    8,996,312 
         72,689,492 
Indonesia: 0.3%          
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd. (SGD)   13,584,145    2,675,575 
Israel: 0.9%          
ICL Group Ltd. (USD) †   1,534,632    7,688,506 
Japan: 5.3%          
Kubota Corp. †   2,213,630    33,226,843 
Maruha Nichiro Corp.   125,100    2,462,821 
NH Foods Ltd.   266,600    9,040,522 
Nissui Corp.   687,800    3,699,496 
         48,429,682 
Malaysia: 2.6%          
IOI Corp. Bhd   5,722,455    4,893,953 
Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd   1,347,970    6,397,286 
PPB Group Bhd   1,650,880    5,202,338 
Sime Darby Plantation Bhd   7,202,200    6,982,008 
         23,475,585 
Netherlands: 1.0%          
OCI NV   326,457    9,467,174 
Norway: 4.1%          
Leroy Seafood Group ASA   833,154    3,428,917 
Mowi ASA   1,215,505    21,775,972 
Salmar ASA   211,608    11,855,962 
         37,060,851 
Russia: 0.0%          
PhosAgro PJSC ∞   97,916    0 
PhosAgro PJSC (USD) (GDR) ∞   1,892    0 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Russia (continued)          
PhosAgro PJSC (USD) (GDR) ∞   1   $0 
         0 
Singapore: 0.8%          
Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT (IDR)   21,468,100    7,004,115 
Switzerland: 0.9%          
Bucher Industries AG   19,823    8,326,870 
Taiwan: 0.5%          
Taiwan Fertilizer Co. Ltd.   2,218,000    4,880,698 
Thailand: 0.8%          
Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (NVDR)   12,998,936    7,449,277 
United Kingdom: 3.9%          
CNH Industrial NV (USD)   2,612,762    31,823,441 
Genus Plc   123,774    3,419,223 
         35,242,664 
United States: 52.5%          
AGCO Corp.   147,049    17,853,219 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   702,220    50,714,328 
Balchem Corp.   55,638    8,276,152 
Bunge Global SA   326,614    32,971,683 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.   392,246    31,183,557 
Corteva, Inc.   1,067,098    51,135,336 
Darling Ingredients, Inc. *   370,246    18,453,061 
Deere & Co.   187,471    74,964,029 
Elanco Animal Health, Inc. *   923,754    13,763,935 
FMC Corp.   267,272    16,851,500 
Mosaic Co.   583,483    20,847,847 
Neogen Corp. * †   418,351    8,413,039 
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. *   119,774    3,312,949 
Toro Co. †   213,195    20,464,588 
Tyson Foods, Inc.   661,967    35,580,726 
Zoetis, Inc.   376,526    74,314,937 
         479,100,886 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $1,099,062,640)
        911,505,536 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 3.0%      
Money Market Fund: 3.0%
(Cost: $27,567,080)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   27,567,080    27,567,080 
Total Investments: 103.0%
(Cost: $1,126,629,720)
        939,072,616 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (3.0)%    (27,015,297) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $912,057,319 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 21 

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

 

Definitions:
 
ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
IDR Indonesian Rupiah
NOK Norwegian Krone
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
SGD Singapore Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $41,077,399.
* Non-income producing
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Consumer Staples        32.2%       $293,349,338 
Materials   26.6    242,503,950 
Industrials   23.3    212,047,935 
Health Care   17.9    163,604,313 
    100.0%  $911,505,536 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $22,027,206   $   $22,027,206 
Brazil       31,530,521        31,530,521 
Canada   58,744,529            58,744,529 
Chile   9,212,516            9,212,516 
China       36,446,861        36,446,861 
Denmark       10,052,528        10,052,528 
Germany       72,689,492        72,689,492 
Indonesia       2,675,575        2,675,575 
Israel   7,688,506            7,688,506 
Japan       48,429,682        48,429,682 
Malaysia   5,202,338    18,273,247        23,475,585 
Netherlands       9,467,174        9,467,174 
Norway       37,060,851        37,060,851 
Russia           0    0 
Singapore       7,004,115        7,004,115 
Switzerland       8,326,870        8,326,870 
Taiwan       4,880,698        4,880,698 
Thailand       7,449,277        7,449,277 
United Kingdom   31,823,441    3,419,223        35,242,664 
United States   479,100,886            479,100,886 
Money Market Fund   27,567,080            27,567,080 
Total Investments  $619,339,296   $319,733,320   $0   $939,072,616 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 22 

VANECK CMCI COMMODITY STRATEGY ETF

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31,2023

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
Short-Term Investments: 103.9%      
United States Treasury Obligations: 102.8%      
United States Treasury Bills          
5.30%, 03/21/24 (a)  $1,150   $1,136,911 
5.30%, 04/02/24 (a)   1,250    1,233,557 
5.33%, 01/11/24 (a)   50    49,935 
5.40%, 01/16/24   50    49,898 
         2,470,301 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Money Market Fund: 1.1%          
Invesco Treasury Portfolio - Institutional Class   26,217   $26,217 
Total Short-Term Investments: 103.9%
(Cost: $2,495,974)
    2,496,518 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (3.9)%    (93,679) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $2,402,839 


 

 

Total Return Swap Contracts

Long Exposure

 

Counterparty  Reference
Obligation
  Notional
Amount
  Rate paid by
the Fund (b)
  Payment
Frequency
  Termination
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
  % of Net
Assets
UBS  UBS Bloomberg
Constant
Maturity Index
Total Return
  $2,469,000  5.75%  Monthly  01/03/24  $(79,504)  3.3%

 

Definitions:

 

USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

(a) All or a portion of these securities are segregated for swap collateral. Total value of securities segregated is $469,402.
(b) The rate shown reflects the rate in effect at the end of the reporting period: Secured Overnight Financing Rate + 0.40%.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value 
Government      98.9%      $2,470,301 
Money Market Fund   1.1    26,217 
    100.0%  $2,496,518 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
United States Treasury Obligations  $   $2,470,301   $   $2,470,301 
Money Market Fund   26,217            26,217 
Total Investments  $26,217   $2,470,301   $   $2,496,518 
Other Financial Instruments:                    
Total Return Swap Contracts  $   $(79,504)   $   $(79,504) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 23 

VANECK FUTURE OF FOOD ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 96.8%          
Brazil: 2.0%          
Yara International ASA (NOK)   1,847   $65,645 
Canada: 5.3%          
Maple Leaf Foods, Inc.   2,200    42,111 
Nutrien Ltd. (USD)   2,280    128,432 
         170,543 
China: 1.5%          
Vitasoy International Holdings Ltd. (HKD)   48,000    47,841 
Denmark: 5.2%          
Novozymes A/S   3,091    170,033 
France: 3.3%          
Danone SA   1,628    105,689 
Germany: 3.6%          
Symrise AG   1,052    115,683 
Ireland: 3.3%          
Kerry Group Plc   1,228    107,300 
Isle of Man: 0.3%          
Agronomics Ltd. *   76,708    9,290 
Japan: 2.2%          
Kubota Corp.   4,800    72,049 
Mexico: 4.4%          
Orbia Advance Corp. SAB de CV   64,280    142,798 
Netherlands: 0.7%          
Corbion NV   1,060    22,716 
Philippines: 0.7%          
Monde Nissin Corp. 144A   147,600    22,337 
Sweden: 1.8%          
Oatly Group AB (ADR) * †   50,452    59,533 
Switzerland: 10.6%          
Bucher Industries AG   216    90,733 
Givaudan SA   40    165,750 
Nestle SA   768    88,963 
         345,446 
United States: 51.9%          
AppHarvest, Inc. *   39,524    40 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.   1,156   $83,486 
Atlantic Sapphire ASA (NOK) *   10,900    1,728 
Balchem Corp.   308    45,815 
Ball Corp.   1,844    106,067 
Berry Global Group, Inc.   696    46,903 
Beyond Meat, Inc. * †   1,589    14,142 
Bunge Global SA   1,652    166,770 
Conagra Brands, Inc.   1,584    45,397 
Corteva, Inc.   3,295    157,896 
Deere & Co.   500    199,936 
FMC Corp.   1,457    91,864 
Ingredion, Inc.   2,044    221,836 
International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.   1,016    82,266 
John Bean Technologies Corp.   532    52,907 
Kellanova   780    43,610 
Lindsay Corp.   664    85,762 
Local Bounti Corp. *   427    884 
Titan International, Inc. *   3,380    50,294 
Trimble, Inc. *   1,732    92,142 
Valmont Industries, Inc.   408    95,272 
WK Kellogg Co.   195    2,562 
         1,687,579 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $4,049,891)
        3,144,482 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 2.6%      
Money Market Fund: 2.6%
(Cost: $85,782)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   85,782    85,782 
Total Investments: 99.4%
(Cost: $4,135,673)
        3,230,264 
Other assets less liabilities: 0.6%     19,834 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $3,250,098 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
NOK Norwegian Krone
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $69,986.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $22,337, or 0.7% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 24 

 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Materials       42.7%       $1,341,869 
Consumer Staples   33.5    1,054,228 
Industrials   20.6    646,953 
Information Technology   2.9    92,142 
Financials   0.3    9,290 
    100.0%  $3,144,482 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Brazil  $   $65,645   $   $65,645 
Canada   170,543            170,543 
China       47,841        47,841 
Denmark       170,033        170,033 
France       105,689        105,689 
Germany       115,683        115,683 
Ireland   107,300            107,300 
Isle of Man   9,290            9,290 
Japan       72,049        72,049 
Mexico   142,798            142,798 
Netherlands       22,716        22,716 
Philippines   22,337            22,337 
Sweden   59,533            59,533 
Switzerland       345,446        345,446 
United States   1,687,539    40        1,687,579 
Money Market Fund   85,782            85,782 
Total Investments  $2,285,122   $945,142   $   $3,230,264 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 25 

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.8%          
Australia: 11.3%          
Capricorn Metals Ltd. * † ‡   20,050,051   $64,357,270 
Emerald Resources NL * † ‡   33,158,599    68,071,396 
Evolution Mining Ltd. ‡   105,079,094    283,073,281 
Genesis Minerals Ltd. * † ‡   58,231,049    71,007,737 
Gold Road Resources Ltd. † ‡   57,529,786    77,002,407 
Northern Star Resources Ltd. ‡   61,150,496    568,109,598 
Perseus Mining Ltd. ‡   73,086,967    92,052,113 
Ramelius Resources Ltd. ‡   60,479,560    69,387,841 
Red 5 Ltd. * † ‡   183,287,984    38,696,331 
Regis Resources Ltd. * † ‡   40,191,502    59,680,236 
Silver Lake Resources Ltd. * † ‡   49,737,568    40,301,500 
West African Resources Ltd. * † ‡   54,599,293    35,162,971 
         1,466,902,681 
Brazil: 6.6%          
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (USD) †   17,503,906    863,642,722 
Burkina Faso: 0.5%          
IAMGOLD Corp. (USD) * † ‡   25,609,846    64,792,910 
Canada: 41.5%          
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (USD) †   19,102,999    1,047,799,495 
Alamos Gold, Inc. (USD) ‡   21,090,479    284,088,752 
Aya Gold & Silver, Inc. * † ‡   6,510,989    47,946,082 
B2Gold Corp. (USD) ‡   69,199,440    218,670,230 
Barrick Gold Corp. (USD)   67,852,312    1,227,448,324 
Dundee Precious Metals, Inc. ‡   9,653,861    62,084,591 
Equinox Gold Corp. (USD) * † ‡   16,653,671    81,436,451 
First Majestic Silver Corp. (USD) † ‡   15,268,065    93,898,600 
Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. (USD) * † ‡   16,302,465    62,927,515 
Franco-Nevada Corp. (USD)   7,423,537    822,602,135 
K92 Mining, Inc. * † ‡   12,443,231    61,432,909 
Kinross Gold Corp. (USD) ‡   65,325,716    395,220,582 
MAG Silver Corp. (USD) * † ‡   5,477,884    57,024,772 
New Gold, Inc. (USD) * ‡   36,422,093    53,176,256 
OceanaGold Corp. ‡   37,639,378    72,504,186 
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (USD) † ‡   9,852,651    140,695,856 
Pan American Silver Corp. (USD) ‡   19,391,732    316,666,984 
Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (USD) ‡   15,759,817    79,271,880 
SilverCrest Metals, Inc. (USD) * † ‡   7,758,829    50,820,330 
SSR Mining, Inc. (USD) ‡   10,849,041    116,735,681 
Torex Gold Resources, Inc. * ‡   4,569,959    50,669,498 
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. * † ‡   7,925,699    46,342,438 
         5,389,463,547 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
China: 5.2%          
Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. (HKD) † ‡   138,861,000   $172,509,427 
Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. (HKD) ‡   305,276,000    497,648,143 
         670,157,570 
Egypt: 0.6%          
Centamin Plc (GBP) ‡   61,640,067    78,287,286 
Kyrgyzstan: 0.5%          
Centerra Gold, Inc. (CAD) † ‡   11,483,423    68,886,604 
Peru: 1.6%          
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (ADR) ‡   13,500,186    205,742,835 
South Africa: 9.4%          
Anglogold Ashanti Plc (USD) ‡   22,331,408    417,374,016 
DRDGOLD Ltd. (ADR) ‡   4,600,414    36,573,291 
Gold Fields Ltd. (ADR) †   39,006,177    564,029,319 
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (ADR) ‡   32,985,574    202,861,280 
         1,220,837,906 
Turkey: 1.1%          
Eldorado Gold Corp. (USD) * † ‡   10,794,577    140,005,664 
United Kingdom: 2.3%          
Endeavour Mining Plc (CAD) † ‡   13,073,337    295,156,410 
United States: 19.2%          
Coeur Mining, Inc. * † ‡   20,350,645    66,343,103 
Hecla Mining Co. † ‡   32,895,820    158,228,894 
Newmont Corp.   44,538,137    1,843,433,490 
Royal Gold, Inc. ‡   3,495,437    422,808,060 
         2,490,813,547 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $12,586,545,705)
        12,954,689,682 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 0.7%      
Money Market Fund: 0.7%
(Cost: $84,425,319)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   84,425,319    84,425,319 
Total Investments: 100.5%
(Cost: $12,670,971,024)
        13,039,115,001 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (0.5)%    (69,535,091) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $12,969,579,910 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 26 

 

 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
CAD Canadian Dollar
GBP British Pound
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $272,613,003.
Affiliated issuer – as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Gold       94.0%       $12,167,176,505 
Silver   5.6    736,692,847 
Precious Metals & Minerals   0.4    50,820,330 
    100.0%  $12,954,689,682 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 27 

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

Transactions in securities of affiliates for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

   Value
12/31/2022
  Purchases  Sales
Proceeds
  Realized Gain
(Loss)
  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Value
12/31/2023
  Dividend
Income
Alamos Gold, Inc.  $205,708,403  $97,926,113  $(91,787,173)  $33,411,396  $38,830,013  $284,088,752  $2,146,947
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.  421,250,192  128,016,893  (561,889,059)  31,552,774  (18,930,800)    4,654,974
Anglogold Ashanti Plc    486,741,198  (49,414,698)  (3,622,646)  (16,329,838)  417,374,016 
Aya Gold & Silver, Inc.  36,219,878  18,248,037  (11,816,801)  526,291  4,768,677  47,946,082 
B2Gold Corp.  198,829,515  119,981,082  (70,326,427)  482,828  (30,296,768)  218,670,230  10,379,842
Capricorn Metals Ltd.  60,639,778  23,350,554  (21,097,899)  3,471,143  (2,006,306)  64,357,270 
Centamin Plc  81,495,953  28,656,248  (26,961,602)  (2,301,373)  (2,601,940)  78,287,286  2,873,963
Centerra Gold, Inc.  59,014,494  27,024,446  (26,558,801)  (244,363)  9,650,828  68,886,604  2,437,098
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA  97,965,488  44,409,346  (43,257,323)  (3,652,217)  110,277,541  205,742,835  1,063,546
Coeur Mining, Inc.  48,923,959  30,342,505  (13,984,559)  1,131,689  (70,491)  66,343,103 
DRDGOLD Ltd.  33,159,785  15,773,278  (15,761,897)  1,202,596  2,199,529  36,573,291  1,999,972
Dundee Precious Metals, Inc.  47,434,105  26,014,258  (27,289,178)  6,481,418  9,443,988  62,084,591  1,624,035
Eldorado Gold Corp.  80,041,390  49,522,735  (39,175,181)  4,484,988  45,131,732  140,005,664 
Emerald Resources NL    55,364,751  (6,276,532)  658,280  18,324,897  68,071,396 
Endeavour Mining Plc  272,623,252  114,413,893  (111,896,252)  12,742,662  7,272,855  295,156,410  10,683,088
Endeavour Silver Corp.  31,843,407  11,754,771  (31,369,309)  (31,528,367)  19,299,498   
Equinox Gold Corp.  51,858,919  30,388,224  (26,291,911)  (3,695,026)  29,176,245  81,436,451 
Evolution Mining Ltd.  193,675,761  84,944,044  (68,220,726)  9,159,005  63,515,197  283,073,281  2,569,894
First Majestic Silver Corp.  113,580,650  41,521,793  (29,836,274)  (8,163,584)  (23,203,985)  93,898,600  307,792
Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc.  56,398,523  20,513,609  (16,244,329)  544,115  1,715,597  62,927,515 
Genesis Minerals Ltd.    65,207,080  (4,169,949)  357,149  9,613,457  71,007,737 
Gold Fields Ltd.  478,159,484  276,955,320  (426,044,022)  138,905,861  96,052,676  –(a)  17,340,162
Gold Road Resources Ltd.  64,292,600  24,682,733  (23,967,180)  3,752,802  8,241,452  77,002,407  639,132
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd.  108,915,631  53,575,115  (54,249,864)  8,894,320  85,726,078  202,861,280  1,300,978
Hecla Mining Co.  174,714,054  66,870,522  (60,052,795)  6,538,068  (29,840,955)  158,228,894  839,152
IAMGOLD Corp.  64,050,910  25,113,076  (23,948,361)  (2,968,750)  2,546,035  64,792,910 
K92 Mining, Inc.  68,361,763  24,588,986  (21,385,546)  (3,322,673)  (6,809,621)  61,432,909 
Kinross Gold Corp.  266,228,145  120,234,257  (126,991,039)  7,226,728  128,522,491  395,220,582  8,122,774
MAG Silver Corp.    77,139,851  (9,596,876)  (663,618)  (9,854,585)  57,024,772 
New Gold, Inc.  34,655,550  15,033,856  (15,464,128)  247,909  18,703,069  53,176,256 
Northern Star Resources Ltd.  447,846,466  179,271,785  (187,034,662)  25,293,628  102,732,381  568,109,598  10,561,194
OceanaGold Corp.  69,497,545  30,167,146  (27,165,338)  (2,192,786)  2,197,619  72,504,186  747,748
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.  115,363,105  53,556,728  (50,746,044)  7,789,593  14,732,474  140,695,856  1,768,652
Pan American Silver Corp.  178,290,511  257,877,807  (100,269,980)  (20,927,228)  1,695,874  316,666,984  7,274,981
Perseus Mining Ltd.  101,580,825  37,644,927  (33,876,938)  10,204,377  (23,501,078)  92,052,113  1,668,520
Ramelius Resources Ltd.    67,125,033  (7,787,713)  657,096  9,393,425  69,387,841  678,566

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 28 

 

 

Transactions in securities of affiliates for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows: (continued)

 

   Value
12/31/2022
  Purchases  Sales
Proceeds
  Realized Gain
(Loss)
  Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Value
12/31/2023
  Dividend
Income
Red 5 Ltd.    41,841,327  (456,348)  (14,900)  (2,673,748)  38,696,331 
Regis Resources Ltd.  54,855,943  19,070,648  (18,871,317)  (5,446,084)  10,071,046  59,680,236 
Royal Gold, Inc.  383,500,042  163,145,167  (152,561,261)  19,639,847  9,084,265  422,808,060  5,342,727
Sandstorm Gold Ltd.  81,298,870  32,289,919  (29,670,840)  (4,502,598)  (143,472)  79,271,879  964,895
Silver Lake Resources Ltd.  39,070,300  14,164,299  (13,179,663)  (3,408,546)  3,655,110  40,301,500 
SilverCrest Metals, Inc.  45,623,274  18,136,876  (17,186,358)  (250,076)  4,496,614  50,820,330 
SSR Mining, Inc.  167,794,658  58,604,650  (54,962,167)  (3,492,352)  (51,209,108)  116,735,681  3,113,773
Torex Gold Resources, Inc.  51,060,705  22,988,524  (21,484,811)  1,740,362  (3,635,282)  50,669,498 
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.  40,768,741  18,248,425  (15,552,316)  (3,918,962)  6,796,550  46,342,438 
West African Resources Ltd.  42,653,378  13,230,123  (12,023,851)  (1,661,490)  (7,035,189)  35,162,971 
Yamana Gold, Inc.  276,431,736  58,355,514  (351,105,117)  61,096,866  (44,778,999)   
Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd.  149,510,918  68,634,696  (67,178,503)  12,790,664  8,751,652  172,509,427  827,660
Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd.  399,648,130  184,635,144  (173,682,432)  95,514,237  (8,466,936)  497,648,143  11,399,383
     $5,994,836,736    $3,543,297,312    $(3,390,121,350)  $400,521,053  $601,229,764    $6,585,734,196    $113,331,448

 

(a) Security held by the Fund, however not classified as an affiliate at the end of the reporting period.

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $1,466,902,681   $   $1,466,902,681 
Brazil   863,642,722            863,642,722 
Burkina Faso   64,792,910            64,792,910 
Canada   5,389,463,547            5,389,463,547 
China       670,157,570        670,157,570 
Egypt       78,287,286        78,287,286 
Kyrgyzstan   68,886,604            68,886,604 
Peru   205,742,835            205,742,835 
South Africa   1,220,837,906            1,220,837,906 
Turkey   140,005,664            140,005,664 
United Kingdom   295,156,410            295,156,410 
United States   2,490,813,547            2,490,813,547 
Money Market Fund   84,425,319            84,425,319 
Total Investments  $10,823,767,464   $2,215,347,537   $   $13,039,115,001 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 29 

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Australia: 14.9%          
Glencore Plc (GBP)   339,498   $2,040,978 
IGO Ltd.   64,308    396,862 
Iluka Resources Ltd.   34,534    155,552 
Liontown Resources Ltd. *   202,045    226,908 
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. *   98,617    482,008 
Pilbara Minerals Ltd. †   259,437    697,280 
         3,999,588 
Canada: 12.6%          
Capstone Copper Corp. *   55,408    271,031 
Hudbay Minerals, Inc. (USD)   40,404    223,030 
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. *   62,819    612,183 
Lithium Americas Argentina Corp. (USD) * †   20,635    130,413 
Lithium Americas Corp. (USD) * †   16,680    106,752 
Sigma Lithium Corp. (USD) * †   7,889    248,740 
Teck Resources Ltd. (USD) †   42,311    1,788,487 
         3,380,636 
Chile: 3.3%          
Lundin Mining Corp. (CAD)   59,708    490,850 
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (ADR)   6,615    398,355 
         889,205 
China: 13.8%          
Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd.   18,900    101,339 
Chengxin Lithium Group Co. Ltd.   32,800    104,787 
China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co. Ltd.   139,568    378,877 
China Rare Earth Resources And Technology Co. Ltd.   37,900    147,206 
Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd.   46,620    280,167 
GEM Co. Ltd.   198,200    151,949 
Inner Mongolia Xingye Silver&Tin Mining Co. Ltd.   57,000    72,701 
Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd.   80,103    200,816 
MMG Ltd. (HKD) * †   356,000    105,266 
Ningbo Shanshan Co. Ltd.   67,800    129,649 
Shenghe Resources Holding Co. Ltd.   67,700    96,739 
Sichuan Yahua Industrial Group Co. Ltd.   40,600    74,614 
Tianqi Lithium Corp.   56,900    445,691 
Tongling Nonferrous Metals Group Co. Ltd.   406,300    187,109 
Western Mining Co. Ltd.   92,000    184,221 
Youngy Co. Ltd.   10,000    76,065 
Yunnan Chihong Zinc&Germanium Co. Ltd.   196,500    139,321 
Yunnan Copper Co. Ltd.   77,300    118,146 
Yunnan Tin Co. Ltd.   63,485    127,616 
Zangge Mining Co. Ltd.   61,000    217,068 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
China (continued)          
Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd.   66,030   $305,285 
         3,644,632 
Germany: 1.2%          
Aurubis AG   3,760    307,867 
Japan: 3.8%          
Mitsubishi Materials Corp.   12,700    220,005 
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.   27,300    810,866 
         1,030,871 
Jersey, Channel Islands: 2.0%          
Arcadium Lithium Plc (AUD) * †   72,389    553,714 
Liechtenstein: 4.0%          
Antofagasta Plc (GBP)   49,471    1,057,912 
Mexico: 10.0%          
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV   313,100    1,741,284 
Southern Copper Corp. (USD)   10,942    941,778 
         2,683,062 
Poland: 1.7%          
KGHM Polska Miedz SA   14,668    457,841 
Russia: 0.0%          
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ∞   4,405    0 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (ADR) *∞   2    0 
         0 
South Africa: 10.7%          
Anglo American Platinum Ltd. †   7,236    379,901 
Anglo American Plc (GBP)   60,317    1,509,712 
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.   85,745    425,924 
Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd.   23,673    179,423 
Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. (ADR) †   68,288    370,804 
         2,865,764 
Sweden: 3.9%          
Boliden AB   33,080    1,036,230 
United States: 16.6%          
Albemarle Corp.   11,095    1,603,006 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.   52,664    2,241,907 
Livent Corp. * †   15,270    274,555 
MP Materials Corp. * †   16,244    322,443 
         4,441,911 
Zambia: 1.5%          
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (CAD)   47,299    389,196 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $30,777,248)
        26,738,429 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

30

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 2.0%          
Money Market Fund: 2.0%
(Cost: $535,727)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   535,727   $535,727 
Total Investments: 102.0%
(Cost: $31,312,975)
        27,274,156 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (2.0)%        (525,819) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $26,748,337 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
AUD Australia Dollar
CAD Canadian Dollar
GBP British Pound
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $3,321,855.
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Diversified Metals & Mining   54.2%  $14,534,979 
Copper   25.0    6,664,453 
Specialty Chemicals   12.7    3,391,569 
Precious Metals & Minerals   5.1    1,356,052 
Electrical Components & Equipment   1.9    499,694 
Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals   0.8    217,068 
Commodity Chemicals   0.3    74,614 
    100.0%  $26,738,429 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

31

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $3,999,588   $   $3,999,588 
Canada   3,380,636            3,380,636 
Chile   889,205            889,205 
China       3,644,632        3,644,632 
Germany       307,867        307,867 
Japan       1,030,871        1,030,871 
Jersey, Channel Islands   553,714            553,714 
Liechtenstein   1,057,912            1,057,912 
Mexico   2,683,062            2,683,062 
Poland       457,841        457,841 
Russia           0    0 
South Africa   370,804    2,494,960        2,865,764 
Sweden       1,036,230        1,036,230 
United States   4,441,911            4,441,911 
Zambia   389,196            389,196 
Money Market Fund   535,727            535,727 
Total Investments  $14,302,167   $12,971,989   $0   $27,274,156 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

32

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.9%          
Australia: 18.4%          
Alkane Resources Ltd. * †   20,252,467   $9,025,170 
Aurelia Metals Ltd. * †   60,705,503    4,544,574 
Australian Strategic Materials Ltd. *   1    1 
Bellevue Gold Ltd. * †   35,303,922    40,266,433 
Capricorn Metals Ltd. * †   14,572,732    46,776,003 
De Grey Mining Ltd. * †   59,504,881    50,838,302 
Evolution Mining Ltd.   90,473,000    243,725,826 
Firefinch Ltd. * †∞   54,133,739    1,662,217 
Genesis Minerals Ltd. * †   25,702,539    31,342,027 
Gold Road Resources Ltd. †   42,931,228    57,462,544 
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd. * †   12,183,979    11,423,555 
Perseus Mining Ltd.   48,047,205    60,514,849 
Ramelius Resources Ltd.   45,675,411    52,403,128 
Red 5 Ltd. * †   132,563,311    27,987,180 
Regis Resources Ltd. * †   30,349,264    45,065,527 
Resolute Mining Ltd. *   67,429,230    20,380,778 
Silver Lake Resources Ltd. *   37,115,870    30,074,354 
Silver Mines Ltd. * †   63,063,922    6,859,547 
St Barbara Ltd. * †   34,799,067    4,965,298 
Tietto Minerals Ltd. *   42,720,562    17,780,091 
West African Resources Ltd. * †   34,438,252    22,178,882 
Westgold Resources Ltd. *   18,134,474    26,922,292 
         812,198,578 
Burkina Faso: 1.0%          
IAMGOLD Corp. (USD) *   17,967,938    45,458,883 
Canada: 53.8%          
Alamos Gold, Inc. (USD)   18,176,284    244,834,546 
Americas Gold & Silver Corp. (USD) * †   10,261,303    2,606,371 
Archer Exploration Corp. *   1,075,827    77,509 
Aris Mining Corp. * †   6,161,168    20,418,857 
Arizona Metals Corp. * †   5,211,056    9,642,785 
Artemis Gold, Inc. * †   6,738,845    32,299,030 
Aya Gold & Silver, Inc. * †   5,030,687    37,045,329 
B2Gold Corp. (USD) ‡   73,906,459    233,544,410 
Calibre Mining Corp. * †   14,903,823    15,371,757 
Dakota Gold Corp. (USD) *   3,198,177    8,379,224 
Discovery Silver Corp. * †   13,468,160    7,762,628 
Dundee Precious Metals, Inc.   6,011,658    38,661,353 
Endeavour Silver Corp. (USD) * †   8,786,426    17,309,259 
Equinox Gold Corp. (USD) * †   12,279,579    60,047,141 
Filo Corp. * †   3,501,378    56,054,975 
First Majestic Silver Corp. (USD) †   12,207,053    75,073,376 
Fortuna Silver Mines, Inc. (USD) * †   13,037,797    50,325,896 
Gold Royalty Corp. (USD) †   5,413,687    7,958,120 
GoldMining, Inc. (USD) * †   8,642,631    8,419,651 
K92 Mining, Inc. * †   8,418,120    41,560,717 
Karora Resources, Inc. * †   7,057,465    26,065,414 
Kinross Gold Corp. (USD)   47,305,155    286,196,188 
Lundin Gold, Inc. †   3,931,009    49,309,031 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Canada (continued)          
MAG Silver Corp. (USD) * †   2,919,843   $30,395,566 
Marathon Gold Corp. * †   17,963,719    11,443,595 
McEwen Mining, Inc. (USD) * †   1,863,310    13,434,465 
Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. (USD) † ‡   3,443,921    10,607,277 
New Found Gold Corp. * †   4,416,759    15,642,549 
New Gold, Inc. (USD) *   24,591,178    35,903,120 
New Pacific Metals Corp. * †   4,604,855    8,765,498 
Novagold Resources, Inc. (USD) * †   8,688,249    32,494,051 
OceanaGold Corp.   23,583,263    45,428,097 
Orla Mining Ltd. * †   8,174,509    26,781,343 
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd. (USD) †   6,739,682    96,242,659 
Osisko Mining, Inc. * †   13,184,564    26,697,092 
Pan American Silver Corp. (USD) † ‡   19,560,639    319,425,235 
Prime Mining Corp. * †   4,331,091    4,926,920 
Sandstorm Gold Ltd. (USD) †   10,360,447    52,113,048 
Seabridge Gold, Inc. (USD) * †   3,213,080    38,974,660 
Silvercorp Metals, Inc. (USD) †   8,358,316    21,982,371 
SilverCrest Metals, Inc. (USD) * †   5,789,608    37,921,932 
Skeena Resources Ltd. * †   2,901,575    14,193,204 
SSR Mining, Inc. (USD)   7,710,265    82,962,451 
Sulliden Mining Capital, Inc. *   1,689,990    44,858 
Torex Gold Resources, Inc. *   2,841,875    31,509,338 
Triple Flag Precious Metals Corp. (USD)   3,239,601    43,119,089 
Victoria Gold Corp. *    1,666,900    8,798,441 
Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. * †  5,491,961    32,112,103 
         2,370,882,529 
China: 1.5%          
Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. (HKD) †   54,276,200    67,428,264 
Egypt: 1.1%          
Centamin Plc (GBP)   39,426,732    50,074,765 
Indonesia: 0.9%          
Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk PT *   3,485,123,400    38,488,526 
Jersey, Channel Islands: 0.2%          
Caledonia Mining Corp. Plc (USD) †   598,637    7,303,372 
Kyrgyzstan: 1.0%          
Centerra Gold, Inc. (CAD)   7,038,860    42,224,619 
Mexico: 4.4%          
Fresnillo Plc (GBP)   8,708,273    65,946,026 
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV * †   8,830,563    129,445,745 
         195,391,771 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

33

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Peru: 3.8%          
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (ADR) †   9,615,639   $146,542,338 
Hochschild Mining Plc (GBP) *   15,077,503    20,559,889 
         167,102,227 
South Africa: 2.9%          
DRDGOLD Ltd. (ADR)   980,861    7,797,845 
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (ADR)   19,633,664    120,747,034 
         128,544,879 
Turkey: 2.8%          
Eldorado Gold Corp. (USD) *   7,344,113    95,253,146 
Koza Altin Isletmeleri AS   45,414,850    30,031,557 
         125,284,703 
United Kingdom: 3.7%          
Endeavour Mining Plc   6,089,574    136,277,415 
Greatland Gold Plc * †   221,373,295    27,825,570 
         164,102,985 
United States: 4.4%          
Argonaut Gold, Inc. (CAD) * †   30,659,071    10,928,078 
Aura Minerals, Inc. (BRL) (BDR)   1,522,965    10,949,495 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Coeur Mining, Inc. * †   12,479,362   $40,682,720 
Gatos Silver, Inc. * †   1,863,508    12,187,342 
GoGold Resources, Inc. (CAD) * †   14,044,191    14,378,627 
Hecla Mining Co. †   18,411,119    88,557,482 
i-80 Gold Corp. * †   10,006,477    17,611,400 
         195,295,144 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $4,627,336,428)
        4,409,781,245 
           
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 2.7%      
Money Market Fund: 2.7%
(Cost: $117,343,529)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   117,343,529    117,343,529 
Total Investments: 102.6%
(Cost: $4,744,679,957)
        4,527,124,774 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (2.6)%        (115,808,998) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $4,411,315,776 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
BDR Brazilian Depositary Receipt
BRL Brazilian Real
CAD Canadian Dollar
GBP British Pound
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $269,954,333.
* Non-income producing
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Affiliated issuer – as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
                Value 
Gold   76.2%  $3,359,405,591 
Silver   15.6    690,068,156 
Precious Metals & Minerals   5.5    243,965,837 
Diversified Metals & Mining   2.7    116,341,661 
    100.0%  $4,409,781,245 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

34

 

 

Transactions in securities of affiliates for the period ended December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

   Value
12/31/2022
   Purchases   Sales
Proceeds
   Realized Gain
(Loss)
   Net Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
   Value
12/31/2023
   Dividend
Income
 
B2Gold Corp.   $–(a)   $141,889,015   $(11,579,151)  $3,014,715   $(29,954,664)  $233,544,410   $8,866,174 
Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd.   –(a)   7,540,097    (1,802,471)   (2,632,628)   (2,008,082)   10,607,277    55,463 
Pan American Silver Corp.   –(a)   211,408,630    (25,510,171)   (9,947,888)   (2,973,828)   319,425,235    5,842,561 
    $–   $360,837,742   $(38,891,793)  $(9,565,801)  $(34,936,574)  $563,576,922   $14,764,198 

 

(a) Security held by the Fund, however not classified as an affiliate at the beginning of the reporting period.

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $810,536,361   $1,662,217   $812,198,578 
Burkina Faso   45,458,883            45,458,883 
Canada   2,370,882,529            2,370,882,529 
China       67,428,264        67,428,264 
Egypt       50,074,765        50,074,765 
Indonesia       38,488,526        38,488,526 
Jersey, Channel Islands   7,303,372            7,303,372 
Kyrgyzstan   42,224,619            42,224,619 
Mexico   129,445,745    65,946,026        195,391,771 
Peru   146,542,338    20,559,889        167,102,227 
South Africa   128,544,879            128,544,879 
Turkey   125,284,703            125,284,703 
United Kingdom   27,825,570    136,277,415        164,102,985 
United States   195,295,144            195,295,144 
Money Market Fund   117,343,529            117,343,529 
Total Investments  $3,336,151,311   $1,189,311,246   $1,662,217   $4,527,124,774 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

35

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.7%        
Austria: 0.7%        
Verbund AG   11,718   $1,086,613 
Brazil: 2.9%          
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA (ADR) †   447,979    3,861,579 
Cia Energetica de Minas Gerais (ADR) †   408,842    948,513 
         4,810,092 
Canada: 3.3%          
Ballard Power Systems, Inc. (USD) * †  91,958    340,245 
Boralex, Inc. †   29,786    760,801 
Brookfield Renewable Corp. (USD) †   44,260    1,274,245 
Canadian Solar, Inc. (USD) * †   16,631    436,231 
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc. †   48,117    335,352 
Northland Power, Inc. †   91,951    1,678,493 
TransAlta Corp. (USD)   74,095    615,730 
         5,441,097 
Chile: 0.5%          
Enel Americas SA *   6,996,206    780,567 
China: 18.0%          
BYD Co. Ltd. (HKD)   308,000    8,496,012 
China Everbright Environment Group Ltd. (HKD)   1,135,000    369,468 
China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. (HKD)   726,000    551,309 
Daqo New Energy Corp. (ADR) *   22,675    603,155 
GCL Technology Holdings Ltd. (HKD)   7,335,000    1,164,782 
JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (ADR) †   13,266    490,046 
Li Auto, Inc. (ADR) * †   212,674    7,960,388 
NIO, Inc. (ADR) *   536,774    4,868,540 
Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd. (HKD)   2,162,000    1,263,996 
XPeng, Inc. (ADR) *   197,640    2,883,568 
Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. (HKD) 144A * †  194,200    888,792 
         29,540,056 
Denmark: 9.2%          
Orsted AS 144A   68,537    3,801,904 
ROCKWOOL International A/S   2,787    815,925 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S *   330,715    10,471,133 
         15,088,962 
France: 0.6%          
Neoen SA 144A   28,108    941,833 
Germany: 0.8%          
Encavis AG *   43,756    753,116 
Nordex SE * †   45,403    521,332 
         1,274,448 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Ireland: 2.2%          
Kingspan Group Plc   41,552   $3,593,422 
Italy: 6.8%          
Enel SpA   1,406,257    10,468,915 
ERG SpA   20,151    643,265 
         11,112,180 
Japan: 0.6%          
Horiba Ltd. †   13,384    1,043,940 
New Zealand: 2.4%          
Contact Energy Ltd. †   268,189    1,360,139 
Mercury NZ Ltd. †   241,942    1,011,025 
Meridian Energy Ltd. †   459,214    1,610,575 
         3,981,739 
Norway: 0.2%          
NEL ASA *   605,526    409,119 
Portugal: 1.3%          
EDP Renovaveis SA *   107,587    2,203,843 
South Korea: 4.3%          
Hanwha Solutions Corp. *   34,252    1,041,050 
Samsung SDI Co. Ltd. *   16,692    6,077,399 
         7,118,449 
Spain: 7.9%          
Acciona SA †   8,944    1,317,788 
Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure Plc (USD)   22,303    479,515 
Iberdrola SA   850,471    11,162,516 
         12,959,819 
Sweden: 2.2%          
Nibe Industrier AB †   503,851    3,541,128 
Switzerland: 0.4%          
Landis+Gyr Group AG   7,751    700,271 
Taiwan: 0.5%          
Simplo Technology Co. Ltd.   60,000    819,943 
Thailand: 0.5%          
Energy Absolute PCL (NVDR)   674,800    872,579 
United Kingdom: 1.1%          
Drax Group Plc   128,186    800,226 
Johnson Matthey Plc   47,191    1,020,764 
         1,820,990 
United States: 33.3%          
Array Technologies, Inc. * †   40,542    681,106 
Badger Meter, Inc.   6,911    1,066,851 
Bloom Energy Corp. * †   54,386    804,913 
EnerSys   11,417    1,152,660 
Enphase Energy, Inc. *   38,589    5,099,150 
First Solar, Inc. *   25,161    4,334,737 
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. †   29,435    811,817 
Installed Building Products, Inc.   6,279    1,147,927 
Lucid Group, Inc. * †   331,787    1,396,823 
NextEra Energy, Inc.   203,149    12,339,270 
Ormat Technologies, Inc. †   14,213    1,077,203 
Owens Corning   25,116    3,722,945 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

36

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Plug Power, Inc. * †   162,338   $730,521 
QuantumScape Corp. * †   121,428    843,925 
Rivian Automotive, Inc. * †   172,074    4,036,856 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. * †   18,525    1,733,940 
Sunrun, Inc. *   55,257    1,084,695 
Tesla, Inc. *   51,091    12,695,092 
         54,760,431 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $198,757,993)
        163,901,521 
           
PREFERRED SECURITIES: 0.4%
(Cost: $686,397)
          
Brazil: 0.4%          
Companhia Paranaense de Energia  *   341,400    606,968 
           
Total Investments Before Collateral for Securities Loaned: 100.1%
(Cost: $199,444,390)
        164,508,489 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 6.1%     
Money Market Fund: 6.1%
(Cost: $10,097,243)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   10,097,243   $10,097,243 
Total Investments: 106.2%
(Cost: $209,541,633)
        174,605,732 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (6.2)%  (10,232,399) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $164,373,333 


 

   
Definitions:
 
ADR American Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar
 
Footnotes:
 
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $33,026,362.
* Non-income producing
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $5,632,529, or 3.4% of net assets.
   
Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Utilities   38.5%     $63,343,883 
Consumer Discretionary   27.5    45,217,923 
Industrials   17.1    28,238,610 
Information Technology   15.1    24,834,442 
Materials   1.3    2,061,814 
Financials   0.5    811,817 
    100.0%  $164,508,489 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

37

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Austria  $   $1,086,613   $   $1,086,613 
Brazil   4,810,092            4,810,092 
Canada   5,441,097            5,441,097 
Chile       780,567        780,567 
China   16,805,697    12,734,359        29,540,056 
Denmark       15,088,962        15,088,962 
France       941,833        941,833 
Germany       1,274,448        1,274,448 
Ireland       3,593,422        3,593,422 
Italy       11,112,180        11,112,180 
Japan       1,043,940        1,043,940 
New Zealand   1,011,025    2,970,714        3,981,739 
Norway       409,119        409,119 
Portugal       2,203,843        2,203,843 
South Korea       7,118,449        7,118,449 
Spain   479,515    12,480,304        12,959,819 
Sweden       3,541,128        3,541,128 
Switzerland       700,271        700,271 
Taiwan       819,943        819,943 
Thailand       872,579        872,579 
United Kingdom   800,226    1,020,764        1,820,990 
United States   54,760,431            54,760,431 
Preferred Securities *       606,968        606,968 
Money Market Fund   10,097,243            10,097,243 
Total Investments  $94,205,326   $80,400,406   $   $174,605,732 
   
* See Schedule of Investments for geographic sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

38

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 98.3%          
Argentina: 0.1%          
Cresud SACIF y A (ADR)   3,312   $31,396 
IRSA Inversiones y Representaciones SA (ADR)   132    1,135 
YPF SA (ADR) * †   6,557    112,715 
         145,246 
Australia: 7.6%          
Ampol Ltd.   3,972    98,020 
Bega Cheese Ltd. †   14,182    34,266 
BHP Group Ltd.   102,588    3,509,507 
BlueScope Steel Ltd.   9,022    144,023 
Costa Group Holdings Ltd.   20,124    42,782 
Elders Ltd. †   8,505    43,731 
Evolution Mining Ltd.   31,447    84,715 
Fortescue Ltd.   32,041    632,598 
Glencore Plc (GBP)   166,759    1,002,513 
GrainCorp Ltd.   12,330    61,392 
IGO Ltd. †   11,929    73,617 
Inghams Group Ltd.   19,427    52,524 
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. * †   18,206    88,985 
Mineral Resources Ltd. †   3,373    160,880 
Northern Star Resources Ltd.   19,886    184,748 
Nufarm Ltd.   17,529    62,504 
Origin Energy Ltd.   31,382    181,335 
Perseus Mining Ltd.   23,740    29,900 
Pilbara Minerals Ltd. †   54,171    145,593 
Rio Tinto Plc (GBP)   20,978    1,560,549 
Santos Ltd.   51,198    266,556 
South32 Ltd.   91,284    206,724 
Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Ltd. †   3,828    85,629 
Woodside Energy Group Ltd.   30,927    653,936 
Worley Ltd.   6,120    73,045 
         9,480,072 
Austria: 0.2%          
Mayr Melnhof Karton AG   213    29,819 
OMV AG   2,352    103,254 
Verbund AG   1,127    104,507 
voestalpine AG   2,146    67,612 
         305,192 
Brazil: 3.5%          
Adecoagro SA (USD)   5,959    66,145 
BrasilAgro - Co. Brasileira de Propriedades Agricolas   3,300    17,701 
BRF SA (ADR) * †   46,013    127,916 
Cia de Saneamento Basico do Estado de Sao Paulo SABESP (ADR) †   6,851    104,341 
Cia Siderurgica Nacional SA (ADR)   26,847    105,509 
Cosan SA   20,000    78,779 
CSN Mineracao SA   9,700    15,604 
Engie Brasil Energia SA   1,650    15,394 
Gerdau SA (ADR) †   23,415    113,563 
Minerva SA   14,800    22,750 
Neoenergia SA   5,700    25,033 
Petroleo Brasileiro SA (ADR)   62,092    991,609 
PRIO SA/Brazil   12,600    119,192 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Brazil (continued)          
Sao Martinho SA   8,900   $53,724 
SLC Agricola SA   10,562    40,921 
Suzano SA *   19,300    219,785 
Vale SA (ADR)   91,894    1,457,439 
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (USD)   7,873    388,454 
Yara International ASA (NOK)   9,066    322,217 
         4,286,076 
British Virgin Islands: 0.0%          
Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd. (HKD)   63,900    18,745 
Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd. (HKD) *   39,057    19,243 
         37,988 
Canada: 8.1%          
Ag Growth International, Inc.   1,050    40,229 
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. (USD)   8,589    471,107 
Alamos Gold, Inc.   6,867    92,803 
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. †   6,902    43,759 
AltaGas Ltd. †   4,661    98,338 
ARC Resources Ltd. †   10,046    149,860 
B2Gold Corp.   22,381    71,118 
Ballard Power Systems, Inc. * †   2,419    9,008 
Barrick Gold Corp. (USD)   30,361    549,231 
Boralex, Inc. †   1,014    25,900 
Cameco Corp. (USD)   8,744    376,866 
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (USD)   17,656    1,156,821 
Canadian Solar, Inc. (USD) * †   510    13,377 
Canadian Utilities Ltd.   2,063    49,893 
Canfor Corp. * †   1,433    19,399 
Cenovus Energy, Inc.   22,434    375,658 
Emera, Inc. †   4,566    174,177 
Enbridge, Inc. (USD)   35,412    1,275,540 
Filo Corp. * †   1,626    26,031 
First Majestic Silver Corp. †   4,878    30,076 
Franco-Nevada Corp.   3,321    369,652 
Innergex Renewable Energy, Inc. †   1,520    10,594 
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. * †   11,597    113,015 
Kinross Gold Corp. (USD)   21,163    128,036 
Lundin Gold, Inc.   2,773    34,783 
Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. †   4,031    77,159 
Northland Power, Inc. †   2,520    46,001 
Novagold Resources, Inc. (USD) * †   3,983    14,896 
Nutrien Ltd. (USD)   27,606    1,555,046 
Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd.   3,201    45,905 
Pan American Silver Corp. (USD)   6,333    103,418 
Pembina Pipeline Corp.   9,152    316,635 
Sandstorm Gold Ltd. †   4,258    21,506 
SSR Mining, Inc. (USD)   3,523    37,908 
Stella-Jones, Inc.   1,454    85,039 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

39

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Canada (continued)          
Suncor Energy, Inc. (USD)   21,595   $691,904 
TC Energy Corp. (USD) †   17,286    675,710 
Teck Resources Ltd. (USD) †    8,443    356,886 
Tourmaline Oil Corp. †   5,334    241,053 
West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.   1,368    117,607 
         10,091,944 
Chile: 0.6%          
Empresas CMPC SA   27,281    53,107 
Empresas Copec SA   6,228    45,714 
Lundin Mining Corp. (CAD)   13,190    108,433 
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (ADR)   7,972    480,074 
         687,328 
China: 2.0%          
Aluminum Corp. of China Ltd. (HKD)   77,100    38,545 
Angang Steel Co. Ltd. (HKD)   28,340    5,591 
Beijing Enterprises Water Group Ltd. (HKD)   39,300    8,760 
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd. (HKD)   32,600    29,673 
China Gas Holdings Ltd. (HKD)   44,600    44,065 
China Hongqiao Group Ltd. (HKD) †   52,700    43,151 
China Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. (HKD)   31,929    24,246 
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (HKD)   399,227    209,215 
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. (HKD)   14,800    48,575 
China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd. (HKD)   56,291    193,045 
CMOC Group Ltd. (HKD)   74,600    40,812 
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. (HKD)   12,600    93,043 
Guangdong Investment Ltd. (HKD)       27,600         20,089  
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd. (HKD)       180,805         138,637  
Jiangxi Copper Co. Ltd. (HKD)   21,600    30,553 
JinkoSolar Holding Co. Ltd. (ADR) †       523         19,320  
Kunlun Energy Co. Ltd. (HKD)   61,600    55,592 
PetroChina Co. Ltd. (HKD)   346,940    229,253 
Power Assets Holdings Ltd. (HKD)       22,800         132,187  
Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (HKD) 144A       12,050         22,863  
United Tractors Tbk PT (IDR)   23,400    34,383 
Wilmar International Ltd. (SGD)       267,264         722,336  
Xinyi Energy Holdings Ltd. (HKD) †       20,400         3,737  
Xinyi Solar Holdings Ltd. (HKD)       50,000         29,232  
Yankuang Energy Group Co. Ltd. (HKD)       36,099         68,662  
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
China (continued)          
Zhaojin Mining Industry Co. Ltd. (HKD)   22,000   $27,331 
Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. (HKD)   98,761    160,996 
         2,473,892 
Colombia: 0.3%          
Ecopetrol SA (ADR) †   34,302    408,880 
Czech Republic: 0.1%          
CEZ AS   2,693    115,494 
Denmark: 0.5%          
Bakkafrost P/F (NOK)   2,777    145,240 
Orsted AS 144A   1,888    104,732 
Vestas Wind Systems A/S *   9,769    309,307 
         559,279 
Egypt: 0.1%          
Abou Kir Fertilizers & Chemical Industries   12,783    34,462 
Centamin Plc (GBP)   20,129    25,565 
         60,027 
Finland: 0.8%          
Kemira Oyj   2,738    50,820 
Metsa Board Oyj †   3,938    31,356 
Neste Oyj   7,016    249,576 
Stora Enso Oyj †   14,436    200,146 
UPM-Kymmene Oyj   13,366    504,494 
         1,036,392 
France: 2.2%          
Aguas Andinas SA (CLP)   26,780    8,725 
Eramet SA   178    14,110 
Neoen SA 144A   795    26,639 
TotalEnergies SE   36,002    2,449,652 
Veolia Environnement SA   6,951    219,837 
Voltalia SA * †   329    3,792 
         2,722,755 
Germany: 2.2%          
Aurubis AG   601    49,210 
Bayer AG   54,860    2,036,811 
E.ON SE   22,188    298,286 
Encavis AG *   1,163    20,017 
K+S AG   10,348    163,468 
Nordex SE *   1,185    13,607 
Siemens Energy AG *   8,563    113,243 
SMA Solar Technology AG *    281    18,835 
Suedzucker AG   3,306    51,827 
Verbio Vereinigte Bioenergie AG   195    6,440 
         2,771,744 
Greece: 0.0%          
Terna Energy SA   549    9,638 
Hungary: 0.0%          
MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Plc   5,991    48,931 
India: 2.8%          
Reliance Industries Ltd. (USD) 144A (GDR)   56,449    3,525,208 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

40

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Indonesia: 0.2%          
Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk PT   233,900   $36,125 
Aneka Tambang Tbk   146,100    16,179 
Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk PT *   1,278,900    14,124 
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd. (SGD)   349,919    68,921 
Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT   58,500    31,619 
Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT *   212,947    37,329 
Vale Indonesia Tbk PT   42,800    11,981 
         216,278 
Ireland: 0.2%          
Dole Plc (USD)   3,440    42,277 
Smurfit Kappa Group Plc (GBP) †   6,592    261,658 
         303,935 
Israel: 0.2%          
Energix-Renewable Energies Ltd.   2,569    9,478 
Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. *   1,147    22,347 
ICL Group Ltd.   40,280    203,619 
         235,444 
Italy: 0.6%          
ACEA SpA †   354    5,414 
Eni SpA   34,378    583,468 
ERG SpA   556    17,749 
Snam SpA   34,138    175,749 
         782,380 
Japan: 2.4%          
Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.   10,300    133,006 
ENEOS Holdings, Inc.   47,700    189,216 
Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.   14,500    78,753 
Inpex Corp. †   15,300    204,770 
JFE Holdings, Inc.   10,764    166,556 
Kobe Steel Ltd.   7,200    92,817 
Kubota Corp.   51,300    770,019 
Kumiai Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. †   3,800    21,697 
Kurita Water Industries Ltd.   1,065    41,546 
Maruha Nichiro Corp.   2,236    44,020 
NH Foods Ltd.   4,300    145,815 
Nippon Sanso Holdings Corp. †   2,400    64,095 
Nippon Steel Corp.   15,800    360,983 
Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc.   10,250    138,058 
Nissui Corp.   15,014    80,756 
Oji Holdings Corp.   19,576    75,259 
Organo Corp.   300    12,380 
Sakata Seed Corp.   1,700    47,153 
Sumitomo Forestry Co. Ltd. †    3,383    100,527 
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.   4,500    133,659 
Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd.   5,900    135,357 
         3,036,442 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Kazakhstan: 0.2%          
NAC Kazatomprom JSC (USD) (GDR)   5,249   $214,684 
Liechtenstein: 0.1%          
Antofagasta Plc (GBP)   6,754    144,431 
Luxembourg: 0.4%          
ArcelorMittal SA   16,008    454,595 
Malaysia: 0.4%          
IOI Corp. Bhd   123,194    105,358 
Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd   23,478    111,424 
Petronas Dagangan Bhd   3,500    16,636 
Petronas Gas Bhd   11,700    44,313 
PPB Group Bhd   26,200    82,563 
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd   65,400    68,427 
QL Resources Bhd   55,800    69,340 
United Plantations BHD   7,300    28,259 
         526,320 
Mexico: 0.6%          
Fresnillo Plc (GBP)   3,094    23,431 
Gruma SAB de CV   10,085    185,293 
Grupo Mexico SAB de CV   62,464    347,389 
Industrias Penoles SAB de CV *   3,332    48,843 
Southern Copper Corp. (USD) †   1,728    148,729 
         753,685 
Netherlands: 0.6%          
OCI NV   6,626    192,152 
Tenaris SA (ADR)   11,933    414,791 
Ternium SA (ADR)   3,974    168,776 
         775,719 
Norway: 1.2%          
Aker BP ASA   5,081    147,652 
Austevoll Seafood ASA   4,761    34,734 
Equinor ASA   15,707    497,991 
Grieg Seafood ASA   2,556    17,190 
Mowi ASA   24,723    442,916 
NEL ASA *   16,676    11,267 
Norsk Hydro ASA   26,450    177,860 
Salmar ASA   3,589    201,084 
Var Energi ASA   5,736    18,153 
         1,548,847 
Peru: 0.1%          
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA (ADR)   4,414    67,269 
Philippines: 0.0%          
ACEN Corp.   99,400    7,858 
Poland: 0.2%          
KGHM Polska Miedz SA   2,763    86,243 
Orlen SA   9,703    161,658 
         247,901 
Portugal: 0.2%          
EDP Renovaveis SA *   2,948    60,388 
Galp Energia SGPS SA   7,952    117,077 
Navigator Co. SA   5,437    21,342 
         198,807 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

41

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Russia: 0.0%          
Evraz Plc (GBP) *∞   10,824   $0 
Gazprom PJSC *∞   125,520    0 
LUKOIL PJSC ∞   3,739    0 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ∞   1,284    0 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (ADR) *∞   17    0 
Novatek PJSC ∞   19,580    0 
Novolipetsk Steel PJSC *∞   26,910    0 
PhosAgro PJSC ∞   4,623    0 
PhosAgro PJSC (USD) (GDR) ∞   89    0 
PhosAgro PJSC (USD) (GDR) ∞   1    0 
Polyus PJSC (USD) (GDR) *∞    1,669    0 
Ros Agro Plc (USD) (GDR) *∞    4,076    0 
Rosneft Oil Co. PJSC ∞   13,000    0 
Severstal PAO (USD) (GDR) *∞   4,118    0 
Surgutneftegas PJSC ∞   371,430    0 
Tatneft PJSC (ADR) *∞   2,680    0 
         0 
Saudi Arabia: 0.0%          
S-Oil Corp. (KRW)   694    37,370 
Singapore: 0.2%          
Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT (IDR)   407,100    132,819 
First Resources Ltd.   24,000    26,000 
Keppel Infrastructure Trust   56,335    21,349 
Olam Group Ltd. †   48,209    37,918 
         218,086 
South Africa: 1.2%          
Anglo American Platinum Ltd. †   993    52,134 
Anglo American Plc (GBP)   24,792    620,535 
Anglogold Ashanti Plc (USD)   7,308    136,587 
Gold Fields Ltd. (ADR)   15,557    224,954 
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (ADR)   10,789    66,352 
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.   15,693    77,952 
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.   1,138    38,155 
Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd.   5,497    41,663 
Omnia Holdings Ltd.   9,217    33,136 
Sasol Ltd.   9,779    98,577 
Sibanye Stillwater Ltd.   49,078    65,818 
         1,455,863 
South Korea: 0.7%          
Coway Co. Ltd. *   543    24,017 
CS Wind Corp.   243    13,157 
Hyundai Steel Co. *   1,693    47,712 
Korea Zinc Co. Ltd.   179    68,903 
POSCO Holdings, Inc.   1,452    558,280 
SK Innovation Co. Ltd. *   997    107,893 
SK, Inc.   596    82,039 
         902,001 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Spain: 1.5%          
Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure Plc (USD)   1,161   $24,962 
Corp. ACCIONA Energias Renovables SA †   573    17,795 
Enagas SA †   3,785    63,891 
Iberdrola SA   105,296    1,382,020 
Repsol SA   20,431    303,264 
Solaria Energia y Medio Ambiente SA * †   666    13,714 
         1,805,646 
Sweden: 0.8%          
Billerud Aktiebolag   5,677    57,903 
Boliden AB   5,438    170,345 
Epiroc AB   10,372    208,947 
Holmen AB   2,221    93,884 
Husqvarna AB †   19,144    158,039 
SSAB AB   12,834    98,344 
Svenska Cellulosa AB SCA †   14,912    224,197 
         1,011,659 
Switzerland: 0.1%          
Bucher Industries AG   367    154,162 
Taiwan: 0.3%          
China Steel Corp.   235,672    207,249 
Formosa Petrochemical Corp.   18,520    48,670 
Sinon Corp.   21,600    27,041 
Taiwan Fertilizer Co. Ltd.   41,400    91,101 
         374,061 
Thailand: 0.5%          
B Grimm Power PCL (NVDR)   8,300    6,613 
Charoen Pokphand Foods PCL (NVDR)   255,300    146,304 
Energy Absolute PCL (NVDR)   21,100    27,284 
PTT Exploration & Production PCL (NVDR)   22,700    98,881 
PTT Oil & Retail Business PCL (NVDR)   45,600    25,478 
PTT PCL (NVDR)   226,900    237,207 
SCG Packaging PCL (NVDR)   29,500    31,049 
         572,816 
Turkey: 0.2%          
Eldorado Gold Corp. (USD) *    3,498    45,369 
Eregli Demir ve Celik Fabrikalari TAS *   30,298    42,025 
Gubre Fabrikalari TAS *   4,484    23,351 
Hektas Ticaret TAS *   57,267    38,899 
Koza Altin Isletmeleri AS   16,579    10,963 
Tekfen Holding AS   10,273    12,842 
Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS    14,689    70,981 
         244,430 
United Kingdom: 5.8%          
BP Plc   272,887    1,617,882 
Centrica Plc   88,187    158,111 
CNH Industrial NV (USD)   50,683    617,319 
DS Smith Plc   34,754    136,011 
Endeavour Mining Plc (CAD)   3,223    72,766 
Genus Plc   3,594    99,283 
Mondi Plc   12,190    238,522 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

42

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United Kingdom (continued)          
Pennon Group Plc   2,605   $24,984 
ReNew Energy Global Plc (USD) * †   1,316    10,080 
Severn Trent Plc   2,571    84,556 
Shell Plc   106,716    3,493,658 
SSE Plc   17,800    420,236 
TechnipFMC Plc (USD)   7,184    144,686 
United Utilities Group Plc   6,713    90,692 
         7,208,786 
United States: 48.2%          
A.O. Smith Corp.   1,208    99,588 
Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.   675    94,932 
AGCO Corp.   3,474    421,778 
Alcoa Corp.   3,580    121,720 
Ameresco, Inc. * †   320    10,134 
American States Water Co.   368    29,595 
American Water Works Co., Inc.   1,948    257,117 
Andersons, Inc.   1,779    102,364 
Antero Midstream Corp.   5,615    70,356 
Antero Resources Corp. *   4,626    104,918 
APA Corp.   5,093    182,737 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.    29,561    2,134,895 
ATI, Inc. * †   2,554    116,130 
Atmos Energy Corp.   2,472    286,505 
Baker Hughes Co.   16,769    573,164 
Boise Cascade Co.   993    128,454 
Bunge Global SA   8,045    812,143 
California Water Service Group   575    29,825 
Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.   2,264    129,931 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.   10,616    843,972 
ChampionX Corp.   3,227    94,261 
Cheniere Energy, Inc.   3,916    668,500 
Chesapeake Energy Corp. †    1,814    139,569 
Chevron Corp.   31,393    4,682,580 
Chord Energy Corp.   663    110,210 
Civitas Resources, Inc. †   1,354    92,587 
Clearway Energy, Inc. †   799    21,917 
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. *   10,024    204,690 
Commercial Metals Co.   2,346    117,394 
ConocoPhillips   19,795    2,297,606 
Corteva, Inc.   39,296    1,883,064 
Coterra Energy, Inc.   12,313    314,228 
Darling Ingredients, Inc. *   8,789    438,044 
Deere & Co.   14,954    5,979,656 
Devon Energy Corp.   10,621    481,131 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.   2,876    446,010 
Elanco Animal Health, Inc. *    27,140    404,386 
EnLink Midstream LLC   3,818    46,427 
EOG Resources, Inc.   9,695    1,172,610 
EQT Corp. †   6,409    247,772 
Essential Utilities, Inc.   2,730    101,965 
Exxon Mobil Corp.   66,737    6,672,365 
Farmland Partners, Inc. †   2,428    30,301 
First Solar, Inc. *   1,002    172,625 
FMC Corp.   6,922    436,432 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Franklin Electric Co., Inc.   396   $38,273 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.   28,562    1,215,884 
Fresh Del Monte Produce, Inc.   2,109    55,361 
Graphic Packaging Holding Co.   7,701    189,830 
Green Plains, Inc. *   577    14,552 
Halliburton Co.   14,880    537,912 
Hecla Mining Co.   9,996    48,081 
Hess Corp.   4,630    667,461 
HF Sinclair Corp.   2,613    145,204 
Howmet Aerospace, Inc.   8,283    448,276 
Imperial Oil Ltd.   2,788    159,446 
Ingredion, Inc.   3,606    391,359 
International Paper Co.   8,710    314,866 
Itron, Inc. *   451    34,055 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.   32,336    570,407 
Lindsay Corp.   610    78,788 
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.   1,809    128,131 
LSB Industries, Inc. *   2,731    25,426 
Marathon Oil Corp.   9,725    234,956 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   6,322    937,932 
Matador Resources Co.   1,828    103,940 
Mission Produce, Inc. *   2,389    24,105 
Mosaic Co.   18,141    648,178 
Murphy Oil Corp.   2,444    104,261 
Murphy USA, Inc.   327    116,595 
National Fuel Gas Co.   1,509    75,707 
New Fortress Energy, Inc. †   1,747    65,914 
Newmont Corp.   20,040    829,456 
NextEra Energy, Inc.   20,464    1,242,983 
NEXTracker, Inc. * †   486    22,769 
NiSource, Inc.   6,872    182,452 
Noble Corp. Plc   1,847    88,952 
NOV, Inc.   6,527    132,368 
Nucor Corp.   4,943    860,280 
Occidental Petroleum Corp.   14,652    874,871 
ONEOK, Inc.   9,681    679,800 
Ormat Technologies, Inc. †   603    45,701 
Ovintiv, Inc.   4,130    181,390 
Packaging Corp. of America   2,231    363,452 
Pentair Plc   1,652    120,117 
Permian Resources Corp.   6,605    89,828 
PG&E Corp.   33,509    604,167 
Phillips 66   7,319    974,452 
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. *   2,247    62,152 
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.   3,869    870,061 
Plug Power, Inc. * †   5,407    24,331 
PotlatchDeltic Corp.   1,969    96,678 
Primo Water Corp.   1,473    22,169 
Range Resources Corp.   3,905    118,868 
Rayonier, Inc.   3,741    124,987 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.   1,154    322,751 
Reliance Worldwide Corp. Ltd. (AUD)   6,749    20,415 
Royal Gold, Inc.   1,141    138,015 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

43

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Schlumberger NV   23,792   $1,238,136 
Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. †   2,344    149,430 
Seaboard Corp.   16    57,122 
Shoals Technologies Group, Inc. *   1,644    25,548 
SJW Group   290    18,951 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. * †   565    52,884 
Southern Co.   18,160    1,273,379 
Southwestern Energy Co. *   17,290    113,249 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   3,066    362,095 
Sunrun, Inc. *   2,120    41,616 
Sylvamo Corp.   886    43,511 
Targa Resources Corp.   3,651    317,162 
The Williams Companies, Inc.   20,219    704,228 
Toro Co.   5,772    554,054 
Tractor Supply Co. †   6,018    1,294,051 
Transocean Ltd. *   11,920    75,692 
Tyson Foods, Inc.   15,508    833,555 
UGI Corp.   3,495    85,977 
United States Steel Corp. †   4,455    216,736 
Valero Energy Corp.   5,653    734,890 
Vital Farms, Inc. *   1,456    22,845 
Watts Water Technologies, Inc.   272    56,668 
Weatherford International Plc *   1,151    112,602 
Westrock Co.   6,440    267,389 
Weyerhaeuser Co.   18,525    644,114 
Xylem, Inc.   2,409    275,493 
         59,846,330 
Zambia: 0.1%          
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (CAD)   11,274    92,768 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $118,132,375)
        122,204,659 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
PREFERRED SECURITIES: 0.1%
(Cost: $79,355)
          
Brazil: 0.1%          
Klabin SA   83,400   $75,725 
           
           
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS: 1.4% 
United States: 1.4%          
CVR Partners LP   363    23,776 
Energy Transfer LP   48,164    664,663 
Enterprise Products Partners LP   23,844    628,289 
MPLX LP   5,659    207,799 
Plains All American Pipeline LP   7,727    117,064 
Western Midstream Partners LP   3,199    93,603 
Total Master Limited Partnerships
(Cost: $1,718,582)
        1,735,194 
Total Investments Before Collateral for Securities Loaned: 99.8%
(Cost: $119,930,312)
        124,015,578 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 1.2%    
Money Market Fund: 1.2%
(Cost: $1,500,893)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   1,500,893    1,500,893 
Total Investments: 101.0%
(Cost: $121,431,205)
        125,516,471 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (1.0)%        (1,220,593) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $124,295,878 


 

   
Definitions:
 
ADR American Depositary Receipt
AUD Australia Dollar
CAD Canadian Dollar
CLP Chilean Peso
GBP British Pound
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
IDR Indonesian Rupiah
KRW Korean Won
NOK Norwegian Krone
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
SGD Singapore Dollar
USD United States Dollar
   
Footnotes:
 
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $6,898,496.
* Non-income producing

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

44

 

 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $3,679,442, or 3.0% of net assets.
 
         
Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Energy   44.3%    $54,981,189 
Materials   27.2    33,713,341 
Industrials   9.3    11,561,121 
Utilities   7.6    9,469,549 
Consumer Staples   7.2    8,866,059 
Health Care   2.1    2,540,480 
Consumer Discretionary   1.3    1,560,667 
Real Estate   0.7    897,215 
Information Technology   0.2    340,328 
Financials   0.1    85,629 
    100.0%  $124,015,578 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

45

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Argentina  $145,246   $   $   $145,246 
Australia       9,480,072        9,480,072 
Austria       305,192        305,192 
Brazil   3,354,976    931,100        4,286,076 
British Virgin Islands       37,988        37,988 
Canada   10,091,944            10,091,944 
Chile   687,328            687,328 
China   19,320    2,454,572        2,473,892 
Colombia   408,880            408,880 
Czech Republic   115,494            115,494 
Denmark       559,279        559,279 
Egypt       60,027        60,027 
Finland       1,036,392        1,036,392 
France       2,722,755        2,722,755 
Germany       2,771,744        2,771,744 
Greece       9,638        9,638 
Hungary   48,931            48,931 
India       3,525,208        3,525,208 
Indonesia   11,981    204,297        216,278 
Ireland   42,277    261,658        303,935 
Israel       235,444        235,444 
Italy       782,380        782,380 
Japan       3,036,442        3,036,442 
Kazakhstan       214,684        214,684 
Liechtenstein       144,431        144,431 
Luxembourg       454,595        454,595 
Malaysia   168,539    357,781        526,320 
Mexico   730,254    23,431        753,685 
Netherlands   583,567    192,152        775,719 
Norway   17,190    1,531,657        1,548,847 
Peru   67,269            67,269 
Philippines       7,858        7,858 
Poland       247,901        247,901 
Portugal       198,807        198,807 
Russia           0    0 
Saudi Arabia       37,370        37,370 
Singapore       218,086        218,086 
South Africa   427,893    1,027,970        1,455,863 
South Korea       902,001        902,001 
Spain   24,962    1,780,684        1,805,646 
Sweden       1,011,659        1,011,659 
Switzerland       154,162        154,162 
Taiwan       374,061        374,061 
Thailand   25,478    547,338        572,816 
Turkey   92,525    151,905        244,430 
United Kingdom   844,851    6,363,935        7,208,786 
United States   59,825,915    20,415        59,846,330 
Zambia   92,768            92,768 
Preferred Securities *       75,725        75,725 
Master Limited Partnerships *   1,735,194            1,735,194 
Money Market Fund   1,500,893            1,500,893 
Total Investments  $81,063,675   $44,452,796   $0   $125,516,471 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

46

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Australia: 4.0%          
Ampol Ltd. †   56,087   $1,384,097 
Austria: 4.6%          
OMV AG   35,891    1,575,634 
Finland: 5.5%          
Neste Oyj   53,068    1,887,753 
Greece: 1.6%          
Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refineries SA   20,859    548,029 
Hungary: 3.4%          
MOL Hungarian Oil & Gas Plc   144,003    1,176,144 
India: 8.2%          
Reliance Industries Ltd. (USD) 144A (GDR)   45,023    2,811,661 
Japan: 11.9%          
Cosmo Energy Holdings Co. Ltd.   20,000    801,622 
ENEOS Holdings, Inc.   453,800    1,800,132 
Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd.   271,340    1,473,710 
         4,075,464 
Poland: 5.3%          
Orlen SA   108,627    1,809,791 
Portugal: 4.4%          
Galp Energia SGPS SA   103,219    1,519,694 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Saudi Arabia: 1.6%          
S-Oil Corp. (KRW)   10,246   $551,725 
South Korea: 6.6%          
HD Hyundai Co. Ltd.   13,882    680,426 
SK Innovation Co. Ltd. *   14,555    1,575,109 
         2,255,535 
Taiwan: 4.1%          
Formosa Petrochemical Corp.   538,000    1,413,861 
Thailand: 2.8%          
Bangchak Corp. PCL (NVDR)   285,200    362,648 
Thai Oil PCL (NVDR)   385,600    604,387 
         967,035 
Turkey: 4.0%          
Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri AS    284,189    1,373,267 
United States: 32.0%          
Delek US Holdings, Inc.   13,643    351,989 
HF Sinclair Corp.   28,353    1,575,576 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.   16,234    2,408,476 
Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. *   12,531    455,753 
PBF Energy, Inc.   24,160    1,062,074 
Phillips 66   21,251    2,829,358 
Valero Energy Corp.   17,586    2,286,180 
         10,969,406 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $31,503,540)
        34,319,096 
Total Investments: 100.0%
(Cost: $31,503,540)
        34,319,096 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: 0.0%  (9,920) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $34,309,176 


 

   
Definitions:
 
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
KRW Korean Won
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar
   
Footnotes:
 
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $675,946.
* Non-income producing
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $2,811,661, or 8.2% of net assets.
         
Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value  
Energy   100.0%    $34,319,096 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

47

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $1,384,097      $1,384,097 
Austria       1,575,634        1,575,634 
Finland       1,887,753        1,887,753 
Greece       548,029        548,029 
Hungary   1,176,144            1,176,144 
India       2,811,661        2,811,661 
Japan       4,075,464        4,075,464 
Poland       1,809,791        1,809,791 
Portugal       1,519,694        1,519,694 
Saudi Arabia       551,725        551,725 
South Korea       2,255,535        2,255,535 
Taiwan       1,413,861        1,413,861 
Thailand   362,648    604,387        967,035 
Turkey       1,373,267        1,373,267 
United States   10,969,406            10,969,406 
Total Investments  $12,508,198   $21,810,898   $   $34,319,096 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

48

VANECK OIL SERVICES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Bermuda: 4.4%          
Valaris Ltd. (USD) *   1,408,659   $96,591,748 
Netherlands: 5.4%          
Core Laboratories, Inc. (USD) †   584,623    10,324,442 
Tenaris SA (ADR)   3,045,476    105,860,746 
         116,185,188 
United Kingdom: 5.0%          
TechnipFMC Plc (USD)   5,390,146    108,557,540 
United States: 85.2%          
Baker Hughes Co.   5,887,276    201,227,094 
Cactus, Inc.   1,535,032    69,690,453 
ChampionX Corp. †   3,237,520    94,567,959 
Dril-Quip, Inc. *   563,327    13,108,619 
Expro Group Holdings NV * †   1,756,310    27,960,455 
Halliburton Co.   6,284,127    227,171,191 
Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. *   2,897,643    29,787,770 
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. †   1,881,296    68,140,541 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Liberty Energy, Inc.   2,830,101   $51,338,032 
Nabors Industries Ltd. * †   213,754    17,448,739 
Noble Corp. Plc †   2,150,733    103,579,301 
NOV, Inc.   4,977,827    100,950,332 
Oceaneering International, Inc. *   2,059,554    43,827,309 
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.   8,386,106    90,569,945 
ProPetro Holding Corp. * †   1,412,991    11,840,865 
RPC, Inc. †   2,969,514    21,618,062 
Schlumberger NV   8,276,675    430,718,167 
Select Water Solutions, Inc.   2,473,656    18,775,049 
Transocean Ltd. * †   15,939,438    101,215,431 
US Silica Holdings, Inc. *   1,577,594    17,842,588 
Weatherford International Plc *   1,068,339    104,515,605 
         1,845,893,507 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $2,374,933,179)
        2,167,227,983 
Total Investments: 100.0%
(Cost: $2,374,933,179)
        2,167,227,983 
Other assets less liabilities: 0.0%   202,467 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $2,167,430,450 


 

 

Definitions:
   
ADR American Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:
   
* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $138,309,378.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value 
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services   78.0%      $1,689,682,278 
Oil & Gas Drilling   22.0    477,545,705 
    100.0%  $2,167,227,983 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks *  $2,167,227,983   $   $   $2,167,227,983 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for geographic sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

49

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Australia: 28.8%          
AVZ Minerals Ltd. *∞   52,906,510   $8,050,466 
Core Lithium Ltd. * †   23,561,117    4,014,408 
Iluka Resources Ltd.   3,115,042    14,031,171 
Liontown Resources Ltd. * †   18,224,673    20,467,297 
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. * †   5,802,188    28,359,245 
Piedmont Lithium, Inc. (USD) * †   169,437    4,783,207 
Pilbara Minerals Ltd. †   12,503,748    33,605,881 
Sayona Mining Ltd. * †   96,765,461    4,669,889 
         117,981,564 
Canada: 12.8%          
Lithium Americas Argentina Corp. (USD) *   1,861,269    11,763,220 
Lithium Americas Corp. (USD) * †   1,504,577    9,629,293 
Patriot Battery Metals, Inc. *   1,306,396    9,838,095 
Sigma Lithium Corp. (USD) * †   555,527    17,515,766 
Standard Lithium Ltd. (USD) * †   1,844,557    3,726,005 
         52,472,379 
Chile: 5.7%          
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile SA (ADR) †   388,828    23,415,222 
China: 19.2%          
Baoji Titanium Industry Co. Ltd.   1,663,480    7,330,862 
China Northern Rare Earth Group High-Tech Co. Ltd.   7,584,912    20,590,326 
Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. Ltd. (HKD) 144A †   3,044,440    11,501,644 
Jinduicheng Molybdenum Co. Ltd.   10,485,365    13,914,064 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
China (continued)          
Shenghe Resources Holding Co. Ltd.   6,102,987   $8,720,759 
Tianqi Lithium Corp. (HKD) †   838,200    4,631,156 
Xiamen Tungsten Co. Ltd.   4,938,124    11,914,419 
         78,603,230 
France: 2.3%          
Eramet SA   120,143    9,523,904 
Jersey, Channel Islands: 7.6%      
Arcadium Lithium Plc (AUD) * †   4,051,833    30,993,043 
Netherlands: 2.4%          
AMG Critical Materials NV   377,242    9,527,676 
United States: 21.2%          
Albemarle Corp. †   237,174    34,266,900 
Livent Corp. * †   1,128,933    20,298,215 
MP Materials Corp. * †   1,079,810    21,434,228 
Tronox Holdings Plc   764,291    10,822,361 
         86,821,704 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $473,211,239)
        409,338,722 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 4.5%     
Money Market Fund: 4.5%
(Cost: $18,517,532)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   18,517,532    18,517,532 
Total Investments: 104.5%
(Cost: $491,728,771)
        427,856,254 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (4.5)%   (18,441,344) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $409,414,910 


 

 

Definitions:
   
ADR American Depositary Receipt
AUD Australia Dollar
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:
   
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $112,696,331.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $11,501,644, or 2.8% of net assets.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

50

 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Materials   94.3%      $385,923,500 
Industrials   5.7    23,415,222 
    100.0%  $409,338,722 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $4,783,207   $105,147,891   $8,050,466   $117,981,564 
Canada   52,472,379            52,472,379 
Chile   23,415,222            23,415,222 
China       78,603,230        78,603,230 
France       9,523,904        9,523,904 
Jersey, Channel Islands   30,993,043            30,993,043 
Netherlands       9,527,676        9,527,676 
United States   86,821,704            86,821,704 
Money Market Fund   18,517,532            18,517,532 
Total Investments  $217,003,087   $202,802,701   $8,050,466   $427,856,254 

 

The following table reconciles the valuation of the Fund’s Level 3 investment securities and related transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023. Transfers in/out are assessed at the beginning of the year.

 

   Common Stock
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $22,081,219      
Realized gain (loss)   (5,253,560)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (4,996,096)
Purchases    
Sales   (3,781,097)
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $8,050,466 

 

The following table presents additional information about valuation methodologies and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2023:

 

    Value as of
December
31, 2023
  Valuation
Technique
    Unobservable
Input
Description(1)
  Weighted
Average used on
December 31,
2023(2)
  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input(3)
Common Stock                      
Australia   $8,050,466   Combination of recent transaction, discounted cash flow model and scenario analysis method     Minority ownership discount   20%   Decrease
            Discount rate   13.7%   Decrease
            Scenario Probabilities: Scenario A / Scenario B (4)   10% / 90%   Increase
            Recent transaction price   $0.27   Increase

 

(1) In determining certain of these inputs, management evaluates a variety of factors including economic condition, industry and market developments, market valuations of comparable companies and company specific developments.

 

(2) The weighted average and the range used on December 31, 2023 were the same.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

51

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

(3) This column represents the directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase to the corresponding unobservable input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

 

(4) Scenario A and Scenario B represent the potential outcomes as a result of pending litigation.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

52

VANECK STEEL ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.9%          
Australia: 11.4%          
Rio Tinto Plc (ADR) †   214,329   $15,958,937 
Brazil: 20.4%          
Cia Siderurgica Nacional SA (ADR)   1,676,587    6,588,987 
Gerdau SA (ADR) †   1,268,960    6,154,456 
Vale SA (ADR)   1,000,728    15,871,546 
         28,614,989 
Canada: 0.9%          
Algoma Steel Group, Inc. (USD) †   123,721    1,240,922 
Luxembourg: 5.0%          
ArcelorMittal SA (USD)   246,001    6,983,968 
Netherlands: 9.3%          
Tenaris SA (ADR)   195,403    6,792,208 
Ternium SA (ADR)   146,038    6,202,234 
         12,994,442 
South Korea: 5.0%          
POSCO Holdings, Inc. (ADR)   74,583    7,093,589 
United States: 47.9%          
ATI, Inc. * †   140,501    6,388,581 
Carpenter Technology Corp.   90,204    6,386,443 
Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. *   320,972    6,554,248 
Commercial Metals Co.   125,202    6,265,108 
Gibraltar Industries, Inc. *   36,346    2,870,607 
Nucor Corp.   54,201    9,433,142 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
United States (continued)          
Olympic Steel, Inc.   13,294   $886,710 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.   22,188    6,205,540 
Ryerson Holding Corp.   40,807    1,415,187 
Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.   32,616    983,699 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.   53,558    6,325,200 
SunCoke Energy, Inc.   100,020    1,074,215 
TimkenSteel Corp. *   51,534    1,208,472 
United States Steel Corp. †   152,611    7,424,525 
Warrior Met Coal, Inc.   62,120    3,787,456 
         67,209,133 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $132,067,484)
        140,095,980 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 0.5%     
Money Market Fund: 0.5%
(Cost: $680,060)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   680,060    680,060 
Total Investments: 100.4%
(Cost: $132,747,544)
        140,776,040 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (0.4)%    (576,812) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $140,199,228 


 

 

 

Definitions:
   
ADR American Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:
   
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $33,395,757.
* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Materials   93.1%       $130,433,165 
Energy   4.8    6,792,208 
Industrials   2.1    2,870,607 
    100.0%  $140,095,980 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks *  $140,095,980   $   $   $140,095,980 
Money Market Fund   680,060            680,060 
Total Investments  $140,776,040   $   $   $140,776,040 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for geographic sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

53

VANECK URANIUM+NUCLEAR ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.3%          
Australia: 11.1%          
Boss Energy Ltd. *   1,458,421   $4,000,445 
Deep Yellow Ltd. *   2,912,186    2,162,647 
Paladin Energy Ltd. *   8,835,455    5,928,261 
Silex Systems Ltd. * †   856,750    2,538,235 
         14,629,588 
Canada: 17.9%          
Cameco Corp. (USD)   187,085    8,063,363 
Denison Mines Corp. (USD) * †   3,230,095    5,717,268 
Fission Uranium Corp. * †   2,492,636    2,041,595 
Global Atomic Corp. * †   675,317    1,423,769 
NexGen Energy Ltd. (USD) * †   893,114    6,251,798 
         23,497,793 
China: 6.5%          
CGN Mining Co. Ltd. (HKD) * †   10,150,000    2,234,010 
CGN Power Co. Ltd. (HKD) 144A   24,285,000    6,347,157 
         8,581,167 
Czech Republic: 5.8%          
CEZ AS †   176,870    7,585,366 
Finland: 4.9%          
Fortum Oyj   449,111    6,491,138 
Italy: 5.2%          
Endesa SA †   336,672    6,872,831 
Jersey, Channel Islands: 4.6%      
Yellow Cake Plc 144A *   760,280    5,994,974 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Kazakhstan: 4.7%          
NAC Kazatomprom JSC (USD) (GDR)   150,822   $6,168,620 
South Korea: 1.6%          
KEPCO Engineering & Construction Co., Inc. *   43,070    2,073,206 
United States: 38.0%          
BWX Technologies, Inc.   72,136    5,534,995 
Centrus Energy Corp. *   52,531    2,858,212 
Constellation Energy Corp.   80,301    9,386,384 
Energy Fuels, Inc. * †   602,826    4,334,319 
PG&E Corp.   599,554    10,809,958 
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.   163,575    10,002,611 
Uranium Energy Corp. * †   894,488    5,724,723 
Ur-Energy, Inc. * †   921,382    1,418,928 
         50,070,130 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $105,712,749)
        131,964,813 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 9.3%     
Money Market Fund: 9.3%
(Cost: $12,307,731)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   12,307,731    12,307,731 
Total Investments: 109.6%
(Cost: $118,020,480)
        144,272,544 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (9.6)%   (12,622,535) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $131,650,009 


 

 

Definitions:
   
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:
   
* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $33,650,202.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $12,342,131, or 9.4% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Utilities   43.6%      $57,495,446 
Energy   43.1    56,904,190 
Industrials   12.2    16,141,409 
Materials   1.1    1,423,768 
    100.0%  $131,964,813 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

54

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $14,629,588   $   $14,629,588 
Canada   23,497,793            23,497,793 
China       8,581,167        8,581,167 
Czech Republic   7,585,366            7,585,366 
Finland       6,491,138        6,491,138 
Italy       6,872,831        6,872,831 
Jersey, Channel Islands       5,994,974        5,994,974 
Kazakhstan       6,168,620        6,168,620 
South Korea       2,073,206        2,073,206 
United States   50,070,130            50,070,130 
Money Market Fund   12,307,731            12,307,731 
Total Investments  $93,461,020   $50,811,524   $   $144,272,544 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

55

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Agribusiness ETF  CMCI Commodity
Strategy ETF (a)
  Future of Food
ETF
  Gold Miners ETF
Assets:                    
Investments, at value (1)                    
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $911,505,536   $2,496,518   $3,144,482   $6,368,955,486 
Affiliated issuers (3)               6,585,734,196 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (4)   27,567,080        85,782    84,425,319 
Cash   10,520    18,556    104,086    16,739,942 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (5)   389,594            761,625 
Receivables:                    
Investment securities sold                135,277,461 
Due from Adviser       7,653         
Dividends and interest   2,227,519    276    13,025    4,341,667 
Prepaid expenses   13,253            114,504 
Other assets               111,836 
Total assets    941,713,502    2,523,003    3,347,375    13,196,462,036 
Liabilities:                    
Total return swap contracts, at value       79,504         
Payables:                    
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed               135,389,313 
Collateral for securities loaned   27,567,080        85,782    84,425,319 
Line of credit   1,001,465             
Due to Adviser    389,188        1,882    5,532,192 
Due to custodian            9,613     
Deferred Trustee fees    633,201    3        1,535,302 
Accrued expenses    65,249    40,657         
Total liabilities    29,656,183    120,164    97,277    226,882,126 
NET ASSETS  $912,057,319   $2,402,839   $3,250,098   $12,969,579,910 
Shares outstanding   11,950,000    100,000    200,000    416,702,500 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share   $76.32   $24.03   $16.25   $31.12 
Net Assets consist of:                    
Aggregate paid in capital  $1,944,002,833   $2,481,798   $4,418,101   $24,869,757,070 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (1,031,945,514)   (78,959)   (1,168,003)   (11,900,177,160)
NET ASSETS  $912,057,319   $2,402,839   $3,250,098   $12,969,579,910 
(1) Value of securities on loan   $41,077,399   $   $69,986   $272,613,003 
(2) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $1,099,062,640   $2,495,974   $4,049,891   $6,108,906,063 
(3) Cost of investments - Affiliated issuers  $   $   $   $6,477,639,642 
(4) Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $27,567,080   $   $85,782   $84,425,319 
(5) Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $382,904   $   $   $752,466 
   
(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

56

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Green Metals ETF  Junior Gold
Miners ETF
  Low Carbon
Energy ETF
  Natural
Resources ETF
Assets:                    
Investments, at value (1)                    
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $26,738,429   $3,846,204,323   $164,508,489   $124,015,578 
Affiliated issuers (3)       563,576,922         
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (4)   535,727    117,343,529    10,097,243    1,500,893 
Cash       2,871,096         
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (5)   81,686    348,209    68    420,763 
Receivables:                    
Investment securities sold        19,975,019    678,539    36,074 
Dividends and interest   16,116    1,211,511    341,373    211,790 
Prepaid expenses       26,317    3,430     
Other assets               147 
Total assets    27,371,958    4,551,556,926    175,629,142    126,185,245 
Liabilities:                    
Payables:                    
Investment securities purchased        20,441,799    1,005,832     
Collateral for securities loaned   535,727    117,343,529    10,097,243    1,500,893 
Line of credit               198,872 
Due to Adviser    12,900    1,858,238    67,573    55,930 
Due to custodian    74,221        1,167    55,534 
Deferred Trustee fees        402,439    20,551    14,855 
Accrued expenses    773    195,145    63,443    63,283 
Total liabilities    623,621    140,241,150    11,255,809    1,889,367 
NET ASSETS  $26,748,337   $4,411,315,776   $164,373,333   $124,295,878 
Shares outstanding   1,100,000    115,687,446    1,483,298    2,550,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $24.32   $38.13   $110.82   $48.74 
Net Assets consist of:                    
Aggregate paid in capital  $36,319,623   $9,736,102,937   $277,783,750   $177,725,944 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (9,571,286)   (5,324,787,161)   (113,410,417)   (53,430,066)
NET ASSETS  $26,748,337   $4,411,315,776   $164,373,333   $124,295,878 
(1) Value of securities on loan   $3,321,855   $269,954,333   $33,026,362   $6,898,496 
(2) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $30,777,248   $3,959,078,495   $199,444,390   $119,930,312 
(3) Cost of investments - Affiliated issuers  $   $668,257,933   $   $ 
(4) Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $535,727   $117,343,529   $10,097,243   $1,500,893 
(5) Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $81,462   $345,141   $68   $417,412 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

57

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Oil Refiners ETF  Oil Services ETF  Rare Earth/
Strategic Metals
ETF
  Steel ETF
Assets:                    
Investments, at value (1)                    
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $34,319,096   $2,167,227,983   $409,338,722   $140,095,980 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (3)           18,517,532    680,060 
Cash       11,098    18,295    4,739 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (4)   407        980,063     
Receivables:                    
Investment securities sold        46,442,240    1,180    15,436,930 
Dividends and interest   124,326    2,002,540    437,817    143,972 
Prepaid expenses   819        7,370    2,074 
Total assets    34,444,648    2,215,683,861    429,300,979    156,363,755 
Liabilities:                    
Payables:                    
Investment securities purchased                9,587,857 
Shares of beneficial interest redeemed       46,441,035        5,577,934 
Collateral for securities loaned           18,517,532    680,060 
Line of credit       964,512    1,068,495    186,898 
Due to Adviser    13,690    636,987    165,919    65,332 
Due to custodian    83,748             
Deferred Trustee fees    1,085    206,442    19,387    22,074 
Accrued expenses    36,949    4,435    114,736    44,372 
Total liabilities    135,472    48,253,411    19,886,069    16,164,527 
NET ASSETS  $34,309,176   $2,167,430,450   $409,414,910   $140,199,228 
Shares outstanding   1,000,000    7,000,543    6,624,987    1,900,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $34.31   $309.61   $61.80   $73.79 
Net Assets consist of:                    
Aggregate paid in capital  $43,064,906   $4,484,852,932   $868,786,707   $303,627,618 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (8,755,730)   (2,317,422,482)   (459,371,797)   (163,428,390)
NET ASSETS  $34,309,176   $2,167,430,450   $409,414,910   $140,199,228 
(1) Value of securities on loan   $675,946   $138,309,378   $112,696,331   $33,395,757 
(2) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $31,503,540   $2,374,933,179   $473,211,239   $132,067,484 
(3) Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $   $   $18,517,532   $680,060 
(4) Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $405   $   $958,252   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

58

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Uranium+Nuclear
Energy ETF
Assets:     
Investments, at value (1)     
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $131,964,813 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (3)   12,307,731 
Cash   10,296 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (4)   387 
Receivables:     
Investment securities sold    1,708 
Dividends and interest   189,797 
Prepaid expenses   1,889 
Total assets    144,476,621 
Liabilities:     
Payables:     
Investment securities purchased   405,653 
Collateral for securities loaned   12,307,731 
Due to Adviser    62,725 
Deferred Trustee fees    14,402 
Accrued expenses    36,101 
Total liabilities    12,826,612 
NET ASSETS  $131,650,009 
Shares outstanding   1,841,632 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $71.49 
Net Assets consist of:     
Aggregate paid in capital  $195,820,337 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (64,170,328)
NET ASSETS  $131,650,009 
(1) Value of securities on loan   $33,650,202 
(2) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $105,712,749 
(3) Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $12,307,731 
(4) Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $386 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

59

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Agribusiness ETF  CMCI Commodity
Strategy ETF (a)
(b)
  Future of Food
ETF
  Gold Miners ETF
Income:                    
Dividends - unaffiliated issuers  $32,940,128   $959   $78,094   $186,521,193 
Dividends - affiliated issuers               113,331,448 
Interest   17,651    48,745    6,989    262,992 
Securities lending income   1,802,683    31    16,506    701,432 
Foreign taxes withheld   (2,275,518)       (8,226)   (23,746,162)
Total income   32,484,944    49,735    93,363    277,070,903 
Expenses:                    
Management fees   5,649,364    5,907    22,896    62,507,929 
Professional fees   44,255    30,388        54,565 
Custody and accounting fees   83,486    15,167        212,945 
Reports to shareholders   99,918    4,027        510,610 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   40,865    271        393,539 
Registration fees   5,977    1,659        20,120 
Insurance   26,071            122,562 
Interest   63,619            468,540 
Taxes   588        321    1,185 
Other   7,307            57,092 
Total expenses   6,021,450    57,419    23,217    64,349,087 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser       (51,512)        
Net expenses   6,021,450    5,907    23,217    64,349,087 
Net investment income   26,463,494    43,828    70,146    212,721,816 
                     
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments - unaffiliated issuers   (61,848,695)       (164,909)   (272,702,982)
Investments - affiliated issuers               (82,027,398)
In-kind redemptions - unaffiliated issuers   40,710,158            501,804,312 
In-kind redemptions - affiliated issuers               482,548,451 
Swaps       (22,530)        
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (93,251)       758    (539,973)
Net realized gain (loss)   (21,231,788)   (22,530)   (164,151)   629,082,410 
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments - unaffiliated issuers   (106,374,307)   545    (236,380)   (149,198,775)
Investments - affiliated issuers               601,229,764 
Swaps       (79,504)        
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   18,642        (633)   6,264 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (106,355,665)   (78,959)   (237,013)   452,037,253 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(101,123,959)  $(57,661)  $(331,018)  $1,293,841,479 
   
(a) Consolidated Statement of Operations
(b) For the period August 22, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

60

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Green Metals
ETF
  Junior Gold
Miners ETF
  Low Carbon
Energy ETF
  Natural
Resources ETF
Income:                    
Dividends - unaffiliated issuers  $799,850   $33,157,479   $3,514,665   $5,161,867 
Dividends - affiliated issuers       14,764,198         
Interest   1,273    327,239    7,372    3,311 
Securities lending income   10,521    2,380,734    615,017    62,291 
Foreign taxes withheld   (45,943)   (5,132,989)   (298,792)   (289,026)
                     
Total income   765,701    45,496,661    3,838,262    4,938,443 
                     
Expenses:                    
Management fees   149,115    19,836,611    938,357    667,955 
Professional fees       43,955    22,345     
Custody and accounting fees       215,786    56,871     
Reports to shareholders       149,840    24,800     
Trustees’ fees and expenses       130,638    6,988     
Registration fees       12,030    5,977     
Insurance       51,640    6,997     
Interest   18,339    108,845    75,847    36,664 
Taxes   58    588    243    58 
Other       7,278    10,987     
                     
Total expenses   167,512    20,557,211    1,149,412    704,677 
                     
Net investment income   598,189    24,939,450    2,688,850    4,233,766 
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments - unaffiliated issuers   (4,352,241)   (232,771,928)   (14,218,763)   (3,358,761)
Investments - affiliated issuers       (13,146,321)        
In-kind redemptions - unaffiliated issuers       58,601,907    5,690,782    13,231,668 
In-kind redemptions - affiliated issuers       3,580,520         
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (90,063)   (276,850)   59,041    (10,327)
                     
Net realized gain (loss)   (4,442,304)   (184,012,672)   (8,468,940)   9,862,580 
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments - unaffiliated issuers   171,565    505,004,253    7,981,669    (9,895,898)
Investments - affiliated issuers       (34,936,574)        
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   93,445    348,702    (6,080)   3,108 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   265,010    470,416,381    7,975,589    (9,892,790)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(3,579,105)  $311,343,159   $2,195,499   $4,203,556 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

61

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Oil Refiners ETF  Oil Services ETF  Rare Earth/
Strategic Metals
ETF
  Steel ETF
Income:                    
Dividends   $1,629,058   $36,650,383   $7,929,925   $4,666,183 
Interest   1,490    26,950    934    4,111 
Securities lending income   1,140    194,601    3,399,419    111,014 
Foreign taxes withheld   (150,280)   (1,466)   (621,275)   (166,000)
Total income   1,481,408    36,870,468    10,709,003    4,615,308 
                     
Expenses:                    
Management fees   172,536    8,385,442    2,821,557    609,918 
Professional fees   43,805        30,113    33,157 
Custody and accounting fees   46,730        83,341    9,438 
Reports to shareholders   11,288        91,843    17,880 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   904        16,157    3,928 
Registration fees   5,977        5,977    5,977 
Insurance   2,709        15,228    4,261 
Interest   8,541    96,593    57,832    11,748 
Taxes   243    58    588    358 
Other   739        16,763    169 
Total expenses   293,472    8,482,093    3,139,399    696,834 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser   (81,096)           (13,818)
Net expenses   212,376    8,482,093    3,139,399    683,016 
Net investment income   1,269,032    28,388,375    7,569,604    3,932,292 
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments    (816,107)   (94,058,752)   (49,999,971)   (9,127,828)
In-kind redemptions   1,056,086    381,221,728    37,147,242    8,005,821 
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (20,833)       (149,811)    
Net realized gain (loss)   219,146    287,162,976    (13,002,540)   (1,122,007)
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments - unaffiliated issuers   2,791,369    (272,010,944)   (90,312,990)   24,570,179 
Investments - affiliated issuers       (20,931,349)        
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   3,695        14,423     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,795,064    (292,942,293)   (90,298,567)   24,570,179 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $4,283,242   $22,609,058   $(95,731,503)  $27,380,464 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

62

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Uranium+
Nuclear Energy
ETF
Income:    
Dividends   $2,064,003 
Interest   4,202 
Securities lending income   143,436 
Foreign taxes withheld   (208,074)
      
Total income   2,003,567 
      
Expenses:     
Management fees   402,573 
Professional fees   39,020 
Custody and accounting fees   38,975 
Reports to shareholders   15,217 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   3,639 
Registration fees   5,977 
Insurance   2,782 
Interest   7,196 
Taxes   243 
Other   190 
      
Total expenses   515,812 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser   (25,286)
      
Net expenses   490,526 
      
Net investment income   1,513,041 
      
Net realized gain (loss) on:     
Investments    (964,174)
In-kind redemptions   4,173,317 
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (11,940)
      
Net realized gain   3,197,203 
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments    22,575,133 
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (1,105)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   22,574,028 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $27,284,272 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

63

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Agribusiness ETF   CMCI Commodity
Strategy ETF (a)
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Period Ended
December 31,
2023 (b)
 
                
Operations:               
Net investment income  $26,463,494   $27,997,715   $43,828 
Net realized gain (loss)   (21,231,788)   91,786,465    (22,530)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (106,355,665)   (320,314,104)   (78,959)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations   (101,123,959)   (200,529,924)   (57,661)
Distributions to shareholders from:               
Distributable earnings   (27,500,340)   (28,899,290)   (39,500)
                
Share transactions*:               
Proceeds from sale of shares       815,012,259    2,500,000 
Cost of shares redeemed   (300,341,391)   (427,267,809)    
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (300,341,391)   387,744,450    2,500,000 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (428,965,690)   158,315,236    2,402,839 
Net Assets, beginning of period   1,341,023,009    1,182,707,773     
Net Assets, end of period  $912,057,319   $1,341,023,009   $2,402,839 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)               
Shares sold       8,000,000    100,000 
Shares redeemed   (3,650,000)   (4,800,000)    
Net increase (decrease)   (3,650,000)   3,200,000    100,000 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets
(b) For the period August 22, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 64 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Future of Food ETF   Gold Miners ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                     
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $70,146   $37,285   $212,721,816   $194,459,737 
Net realized gain (loss)   (164,151)   (97,107)   629,082,410    (35,147,047)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (237,013)   (703,908)   452,037,253    (1,357,895,743)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (331,018)   (763,730)   1,293,841,479    (1,198,583,053)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (72,000)   (38,400)   (210,018,245)   (197,981,341)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   955,232    1,030,333    3,260,557,849    3,035,577,589 
Cost of shares redeemed           (3,308,844,771)   (2,978,056,133)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   955,232    1,030,333    (48,286,922)   57,521,456 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   552,214    228,203    1,035,536,312    (1,339,042,938)
Net Assets, beginning of year   2,697,884    2,469,681    11,934,043,598    13,273,086,536 
Net Assets, end of year  $3,250,098   $2,697,884   $12,969,579,910   $11,934,043,598 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   50,000    50,000    109,650,000    102,100,000 
Shares redeemed           (108,950,000)   (100,900,000)
Net increase   50,000    50,000    700,000    1,200,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 65 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Green Metals ETF   Junior Gold Miners ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                     
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $598,189   $531,803   $24,939,450   $24,814,523 
Net realized loss   (4,442,304)   (981,419)   (184,012,672)   (171,074,965)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   265,010    (4,556,176)   470,416,381    (486,420,375)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (3,579,105)   (5,005,792)   311,343,159    (632,680,817)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (539,990)   (580,000)   (31,501,605)   (19,233,209)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   8,277,006    14,040,492    679,836,394    674,457,723 
Cost of shares redeemed       (1,560,818)   (285,373,244)   (780,321,178)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   8,277,006    12,479,674    394,463,150    (105,863,455)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   4,157,911    6,893,882    674,304,704    (757,777,481)
Net Assets, beginning of year   22,590,426    15,696,544    3,737,011,072    4,494,788,553 
Net Assets, end of year  $26,748,337   $22,590,426   $4,411,315,776   $3,737,011,072 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   300,000    400,000    18,500,000    19,250,000 
Shares redeemed       (50,000)   (7,700,000)   (21,700,000)
Net increase (decrease)   300,000    350,000    10,800,000    (2,450,000)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 66 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Low Carbon Energy ETF   Natural Resources ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                     
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $2,688,850   $2,650,521   $4,233,766   $4,585,616 
Net realized gain (loss)   (8,468,940)   (7,306,893)   9,862,580    (79,726)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   7,975,589    (81,994,860)   (9,892,790)   (2,081,912)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,195,499    (86,651,232)   4,203,556    2,423,978 
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (2,600,073)   (2,600,048)   (4,474,960)   (4,599,900)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   5,969,931        33,575,832    74,958,129 
Cost of shares redeemed   (39,342,017)   (13,347,688)   (51,692,043)   (27,346,895)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (33,372,086)   (13,347,688)   (18,116,211)   47,611,234 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (33,776,660)   (102,598,968)   (18,387,615)   45,435,312 
Net Assets, beginning of year   198,149,993    300,748,961    142,683,493    97,248,181 
Net Assets, end of year  $164,373,333   $198,149,993   $124,295,878   $142,683,493 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   50,000        700,000    1,450,000 
Shares redeemed   (350,000)   (100,000)   (1,050,000)   (600,000)
Net increase (decrease)   (300,000)   (100,000)   (350,000)   850,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 67 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Oil Refiners ETF   Oil Services ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                     
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $1,269,032   $1,230,395   $28,388,375   $23,646,493 
Net realized gain   219,146    62,100    287,162,976    588,746,639 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,795,064    (745,083)   (292,942,293)   532,821,388 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   4,283,242    547,412    22,609,058    1,145,214,520 
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (1,250,000)   (1,200,000)   (28,299,743)   (23,400,039)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   3,381,127    41,125,018    4,514,195,234    4,621,472,112 
Cost of shares redeemed   (11,096,908)   (21,154,594)   (4,925,461,569)   (5,302,018,149)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (7,715,781)   19,970,424    (411,266,335)   (680,546,037)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (4,682,539)   19,317,836    (416,957,020)   441,268,444 
Net Assets, beginning of year   38,991,715    19,673,879    2,584,387,470    2,143,119,026 
Net Assets, end of year  $34,309,176   $38,991,715   $2,167,430,450   $2,584,387,470 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   100,000    1,250,000    14,800,000    17,300,000 
Shares redeemed   (350,000)   (725,000)   (16,300,000)   (20,400,000)
Net increase (decrease)   (250,000)   525,000    (1,500,000)   (3,100,000)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 68 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   Steel ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                     
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $7,569,604   $5,943,123   $3,932,292   $5,167,089 
Net realized gain (loss)   (13,002,540)   25,061,182    (1,122,007)   (2,138,152)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (90,298,567)   (338,277,114)   24,570,179    3,726,233 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (95,731,503)   (307,272,809)   27,380,464    6,755,170 
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings       (9,819,927)   (3,875,063)   (5,238,962)
Return of capital               (11,016)
Total distributions       (9,819,927)   (3,875,063)   (5,249,978)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   76,570,075    149,331,401    86,953,299    82,321,434 
Cost of shares redeemed   (202,630,630)   (214,892,139)   (69,956,651)   (95,953,186)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (126,060,555)   (65,560,738)   16,996,648    (13,631,752)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (221,792,058)   (382,653,474)   40,502,049    (12,126,560)
Net Assets, beginning of year   631,206,968    1,013,860,442    99,697,179    111,823,739 
Net Assets, end of year  $409,414,910   $631,206,968   $140,199,228   $99,697,179 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   1,100,000    1,500,000    1,300,000    1,300,000 
Shares redeemed   (2,750,000)   (2,300,000)   (1,125,000)   (1,675,000)
Net increase (decrease)   (1,650,000)   (800,000)   175,000    (375,000)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 69 

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
           
Operations:          
Net investment income  $1,513,041   $744,394 
Net realized gain   3,197,203    1,597,739 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   22,574,028    (941,706)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   27,284,272    1,400,427 
Distributions to shareholders from:          
Distributable earnings   (6,000,037)   (1,100,017)
           
Share transactions*:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   67,315,401    24,539,686 
Cost of shares redeemed   (11,431,512)   (5,585,128)
Increase in net assets resulting from share transactions   55,883,889    18,954,558 
Total increase in net assets   77,168,124    19,254,968 
Net Assets, beginning of year   54,481,885    35,226,917 
Net Assets, end of year  $131,650,009   $54,481,885 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)          
Shares sold   1,025,000    450,000 
Shares redeemed   (175,000)   (100,000)
Net increase   850,000    350,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 70 

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Agribusiness ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $85.96   $95.38   $77.82   $68.59   $57.11 
Net investment income (a)   1.94    1.71    1.14    0.90    0.83 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (9.34)   (9.28)   17.54    9.19    11.56 
Total from investment operations   (7.40)   (7.57)   18.68    10.09    12.39 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (2.24)   (1.85)   (1.12)   (0.86)   (0.91)
Net asset value, end of year  $76.32   $85.96   $95.38   $77.82   $68.59 
                          
Total return (b)   (8.58)%   (7.95)%   23.99%   14.73%   21.70%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Expenses   0.53%   0.53%   0.52%   0.55%   0.56%
Net investment income    2.34%   1.84%   1.25%   1.41%   1.29%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $912   $1,341   $1,183    $794    $717 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   12%   24%   17%   13%   21%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

71

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   CMCI
Commodity
Strategy
ETF(a)
    
   Period
Ended
December
31,
2023(b)
      
Net asset value, beginning of period    $25.00 
Net investment income (c)     0.44 
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments     (1.01)
Total from investment operations     (0.57)
Distributions from:       
Net investment income     (0.40)
Net asset value, end of period    $24.03 
        
Total return (d)     (2.32)%(e)
        
Ratios to average net assets       
Gross expenses      6.32%(f)
Net expenses     0.65%(f)
Net investment income      4.82%(f)
Supplemental data       
Net assets, end of period (in millions)     $2 
Portfolio turnover rate (g)     0%(e)

 

(a) Consolidated Financial Highlights
(b) For the period August 22, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.
(c) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) Not Annualized
(f) Annualized
(g) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

72

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   Future of Food ETF
          
   Year Ended December 31,  Period
Ended
December
31,
   2023  2022  2021(a)
                
Net asset value, beginning of period  $17.99   $24.70   $24.33 
Net investment income (b)   0.36    0.29    0.02 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (1.74)   (6.74)   0.35 
Total from investment operations   (1.38)   (6.45)   0.37 
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.36)   (0.26)    
Net asset value, end of period  $16.25   $17.99   $24.70 
                
Total return (c)   (7.66)%   (26.14)%   1.53%(d)
                
Ratios to average net assets               
Expenses   0.70%   0.69%   0.69%(e)
Expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.69%   0.69%   N/A(e)
Net investment income    2.11%   1.44%   0.93%(e)
Supplemental data               
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $3    $3    $2 
Portfolio turnover rate (f)   8%   4%   0%(d)

 

(a) For the period December 1, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

73

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Gold Miners ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year   $28.69    $32.00    $35.98    $29.34    $21.07 
Net investment income (a)   0.52    0.48    0.52    0.21    0.19 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   2.41    (3.31)   (3.97)   6.62    8.27 
Total from investment operations   2.93    (2.83)   (3.45)   6.83    8.46 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.50)   (0.48)   (0.53)   (0.19)   (0.19)
Net asset value, end of year   $31.12    $28.69    $32.00    $35.98    $29.34 
                          
Total return (b)   10.22%   (8.87)%   (9.56)%   23.30%   40.15%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Expenses   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.51%   0.52%
Expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.51%   0.51%   N/A    N/A    N/A 
Net investment income    1.70%   1.61%   1.53%   0.61%   0.76%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)   $12,970   $11,934   $13,273   $16,504   $12,999 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   13%   17%   15%   13%   14%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

74

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   Green Metals ETF
          
   Year Ended December 31,  Period
Ended
December
31,
   2023  2022  2021(a)
                
Net asset value, beginning of period   $28.24    $34.88    $34.67 
Net investment income (loss) (b)   0.63    0.73    (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (4.06)   (6.64)   0.22 
Total from investment operations   (3.43)   (5.91)   0.21 
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.49)   (0.73)    
Net asset value, end of period   $24.32   $28.24    $34.88 
                
Total return (c)   (12.13)%   (16.99)%   0.61%(d)
                
Ratios to average net assets               
Expenses   0.66%   0.63%   0.60%(e)
Expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%(e)
Net investment income (loss)    2.37%   2.33%   (0.30)%(e)
Supplemental data               
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $27    $23    $16 
Portfolio turnover rate (f)   28%   32%   10%(d)

 

(a) For the period November 10, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

75

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Junior Gold Miners ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $35.63       $41.88          $54.26      $42.39   $30.11 
Net investment income (a)   0.23    0.24    0.39    0.22    0.08 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   2.54    (6.31)   (12.02)   12.51    12.36 
Total from investment operations   2.77    (6.07)   (11.63)   12.73    12.44 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (0.27)   (0.18)   (0.75)   (0.86)   (0.16)
Net asset value, end of year  $38.13   $35.63   $41.88   $54.26   $42.39 
                          
Total return (b)   7.78%   (14.48)%   (21.44)%   30.07%   41.31%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Expenses   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.52%   0.53%
Net investment income    0.63%   0.64%   0.84%   0.46%   0.24%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)   $4,411    $3,737    $4,495   $6,315   $5,219 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   20%   27%   24%   34%   19%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

76

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Low Carbon Energy ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $111.11   $159.69   $165.41   $75.70   $55.10 
Net investment income (a)   1.64    1.45    0.78    0.16    0.05 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (0.18)   (48.57)   (5.79)   89.64    20.55 
Total from investment operations   1.46    (47.12)   (5.01)   89.80    20.60 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (1.75)   (1.46)   (0.71)   (0.09)    
Net asset value, end of year  $110.82   $111.11   $159.69   $165.41   $75.70 
                          
Total return (b)   1.34%   (29.52)%   (3.02)%   118.65%   37.38%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses    0.61%   0.61%   0.55%   0.64%   0.65%
Net expenses   0.61%   0.61%   0.55%   0.62%   0.62%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.57%   0.61%   0.55%   0.62%   0.62%
Net investment income    1.43%   1.13%   0.49%   0.16%   0.08%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $164    $198   $301    $270   $105 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   16%   16%   77%   84%   40%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

77

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Natural Resources ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $49.20   $47.44   $38.65   $37.10   $32.20 
Net investment income (a)   1.52    1.66    1.21    0.84    0.96 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (0.38)   1.71    8.60    1.65(b)   4.94 
Total from investment operations   1.14    3.37    9.81    2.49    5.90 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (1.60)   (1.61)   (1.02)   (0.94)   (1.00)
Net asset value, end of year  $48.74   $49.20   $47.44   $38.65   $37.10 
                          
Total return (c)   2.32%   7.10%   25.38%   6.73%   18.34%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses (d)   0.52%   0.50%   0.78%   0.90%   0.79%
Net expenses (d)   0.52%   0.50%   0.49%   0.49%   0.50%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes (d)   0.49%   0.49%   0.49%   0.49%   0.49%
Net investment income    3.11%   3.36%   2.63%   2.59%   2.70%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $124    $143    $97    $52    $70 
Portfolio turnover rate (e)   26%   37%   26%   26%   24%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Periods after December 31, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

78

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Oil Refiners ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $31.19   $27.14   $25.01   $29.01   $26.95 
Net investment income (a)   1.19    1.07    0.66    0.58    0.56 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   3.18    3.94    2.12    (3.92)   1.91 
Total from investment operations   4.37    5.01    2.78    (3.34)   2.47 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (1.25)   (0.96)   (0.65)   (0.64)   (0.41)
Return of capital               (0.02)    
Total distributions   (1.25)   (0.96)   (0.65)   (0.66)   (0.41)
Net asset value, end of year  $34.31   $31.19   $27.14   $25.01   $29.01 
                          
Total return (b)   14.00%   18.50%   11.10%   (11.50)%   9.19%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses    0.85%   0.78%   1.02%   1.29%   1.03%
Net expenses   0.62%   0.61%   0.59%   0.59%   0.60%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%
Net investment income    3.68%   3.54%   2.32%   2.56%   1.97%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $34    $39    $20    $18    $35 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   19%   40%   18%   37%   30%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

79

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Oil Services ETF(a)
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $304.03   $184.74   $153.90   $265.47   $280.60 
Net investment income (b)   3.65    2.14    2.41    2.26    6.60 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   6.15    120.04    30.24(c)   (111.94)   (15.93)(c)
Total from investment operations   9.80    122.18    32.65    (109.68)   (9.33)
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (4.22)   (2.89)   (1.81)   (1.89)   (5.80)
Net asset value, end of year  $309.61   $304.03   $184.74   $153.90   $265.47 
                          
Total return (d)   3.21%   66.14%   21.18%   (41.31)%   (3.35)%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses (e)   0.35%   0.35%   0.36%   0.40%   0.39%
Net expenses (e)   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%   0.35%
Net investment income    1.18%   0.83%   1.21%   1.68%   2.28%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $2,167    $2,584    $2,143    $723    $773 
Portfolio turnover rate (f)   17%   17%   28%   33%   29%

 

(a) On April 15, 2020, the Fund effected a 1 for 20 reverse share split (See Note 11). Per share data has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) Periods after December 31, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

80

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF(a)
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year   $76.28   $111.72    $65.41   $40.41   $40.68 
Net investment income (b)   1.02    0.68    0.08    0.58    0.90 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   (15.50)   (34.93)   52.12    24.95    (0.54)(c)
Total from investment operations   (14.48)   (34.25)   52.20    25.53    0.36 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income       (1.19)   (5.89)   (0.53)   (0.63)
Net asset value, end of year   $61.80    $76.28    $111.72   $65.41   $40.41 
                          
Total return (d)   (18.98)%   (30.68)%   80.09%   63.22%   0.91%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses    0.56%   0.54%   0.53%   0.63%   0.64%
Net expenses   0.56%   0.54%   0.53%   0.59%   0.60%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.55%   0.54%   0.53%   0.57%   0.57%
Net investment income    1.34%   0.70%   0.08%   1.44%   2.14%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $409    $631    $1,014    $322    $193 
Portfolio turnover rate (e)   41%   40%   74%   70%   64%

 

(a) On April 15, 2020, the Fund effected a 1 for 3 reverse share split (See Note 11). Per share data has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

81

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Steel ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $57.80   $53.25   $44.57   $37.74   $34.87 
Net investment income (a)   2.09    2.71    3.19    0.71    1.16 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments    15.97    4.72    9.25    6.95    2.75 
Total from investment operations   18.06    7.43    12.44    7.66    3.91 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (2.07)   (2.87)   (3.76)   (0.77)   (1.04)
Return of capital       (0.01)       (0.06)    
Total distributions   (2.07)   (2.88)   (3.76)   (0.83)   (1.04)
Net asset value, end of year  $73.79   $57.80   $53.25   $44.57   $37.74 
                          
Total return (b)   31.23%   13.88%   27.91%   20.57%   11.02%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses    0.57%   0.58%   0.56%   0.95%   0.71%
Net expenses   0.56%   0.56%   0.55%   0.56%   0.56%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%   0.55%
Net investment income    3.22%   4.72%   5.48%   2.31%   3.11%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $140    $100    $112    $77    $66 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   22%   20%   25%   34%   19%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

82

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

   Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF
   Year Ended December 31,
   2023  2022  2021  2020  2019
                
Net asset value, beginning of year  $54.94   $54.90   $49.35   $48.71   $49.67 
Net investment income (a)   1.19    0.86    1.44    0.89    1.07 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   18.62    0.29    5.20    0.85    (0.85)
Total from investment operations   19.81    1.15    6.64    1.74    0.22 
Distributions from:                         
Net investment income   (3.26)   (1.11)   (1.09)   (1.10)   (1.18)
Net asset value, end of year  $71.49   $54.94   $54.90   $49.35   $48.71 
                          
Total return (b)   36.02%   2.10%   13.48%   3.59%   0.44%
                          
Ratios to average net assets                         
Gross expenses    0.64%   0.67%   0.89%   1.25%   0.93%
Net expenses   0.61%   0.61%   0.60%   0.60%   0.61%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%   0.60%
Net investment income    1.88%   1.56%   2.70%   1.97%   2.13%
Supplemental data                         
Net assets, end of year (in millions)    $132    $54    $35    $18    $23 
Portfolio turnover rate (c)   41%   53%   25%   25%   15%

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

83

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was incorporated in Delaware as a statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The Trust operates as a series fund, and offers multiple investment portfolios, each of which represents a separate series of the Trust. These financial statements relate only to the investment portfolios listed in the diversification table below (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

Fund Diversification Classification
Agribusiness ETF Non-Diversified
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF Non-Diversified
Future of Food ETF Non-Diversified
Gold Miners ETF Non-Diversified
Green Metals ETF Non-Diversified
Junior Gold Miners ETF Non-Diversified
Low Carbon Energy ETF Non-Diversified
Natural Resources ETF Diversified
Oil Refiners ETF Non-Diversified
Oil Services ETF Non-Diversified
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF Non-Diversified
Steel ETF Non-Diversified
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF Non-Diversified

 

Each Fund’s investment objective (except for Future of Food ETF) is to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of its index which are listed in the table below.

 

Fund Index
Agribusiness ETF MVIS® Global Agribusiness Index
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF UBS Constant Maturity Commodity Total Return Index
Gold Miners ETF NYSE® Arca® Gold Miners Index®
Green Metals ETF MVIS® Global Clean-Tech Metals Index
Junior Gold Miners ETF MVIS® Global Junior Gold Miners Index
Low Carbon Energy ETF MVIS Global Low Carbon Energy Index
Natural Resources ETF VanEck® Natural Resources Index
Oil Refiners ETF MVIS® Global Oil Refiners Index
Oil Services ETF MVIS® US Listed Oil Services 25 Index
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF MVIS® Global Rare Earth/Strategic Metals Index
Steel ETF NYSE® Arca® Steel Index
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF MVIS® Global Uranium & Nuclear Energy Index

 

Each Fund, except for Future of Food ETF, was created to provide investors with the opportunity to purchase a security representing a proportionate undivided interest in a portfolio of securities consisting of substantially all of the common stocks in approximately the same weighting as their index. The Future of Food ETF is an actively managed ETF that seeks long-term capital appreciation and invests primarily in securities of companies engaged in Agri-Food technology and innovation.

 

Van Eck Associates Corporation (“VEAC”) serves as the investment adviser for the Funds, except for CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF. Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (“VEARA”), a wholly owned subsidiary of VEAC, serves as the investment adviser to Commodity Strategy ETF and its Subsidiary. VEAC and VEARA are collectively referred to as the “Adviser”.

 

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 84 

 

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

A. Security Valuation— The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis, which includes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 — Significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

Securities traded on national exchanges are valued at the closing price on the markets in which the securities trade. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Over-the-counter securities not included on NASDAQ and listed securities for which no sale was reported are valued at the mean of the bid and ask prices. To the extent these securities are actively traded they are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain foreign securities, whose values may be affected by market direction or events occurring before the Funds’ pricing time (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) but after the last close of the securities’ primary market, are fair valued using a pricing service and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The pricing service considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant ADR’s and futures contracts. The Funds may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. Debt securities are valued on the basis of evaluated prices furnished by an independent pricing service or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date and or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Short-term debt securities with sixty days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which with accrued interest approximates fair value. Money market fund investments are valued at net asset value and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Swap contracts are marked to market daily using either pricing vendor quotations, counterparty prices or model prices and the net change in value, if any, is regarded as an unrealized gain or loss and is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has designated the Adviser as valuation designee to perform the Funds’ fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset are not readily available, or if the Adviser believes they do not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value,

 85 

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

 

including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis.

 

Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be categorized either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments.

 

A summary of the inputs and the levels used to value the Funds’ investments are located in the Schedules of Investments. Additionally, tables that reconcile the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investments and that present additional information about valuation methodologies and unobservable inputs, if applicable, are located in the Schedules of Investments.

   
B. Basis for Consolidation— The CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF invests in certain commodity-linked derivative instruments through the Commodity Index Subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”), Cayman Islands exempted company. Consolidated financial statements of the Fund present the financial position and results of operations for the Fund and its wholly-owned Subsidiary. All interfund account balances and transactions between the Fund and Subsidiary have been eliminated in consolidation.
   
C. Federal Income Taxes— It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
   
D. Distributions to Shareholders— Dividends to shareholders from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually by each Fund. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. income tax regulations, which may differ from such amounts determined in accordance with GAAP.
   
E. Currency Translation— Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under foreign currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing prices of such currencies each business day as quoted by one or more sources. Purchases and sales of investments are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when such investments are acquired or sold. Foreign denominated income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when accrued. The portion of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that result from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed in the financial statements. Such amounts are included with the net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment securities in the Statements of Operations. Recognized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency fluctuations on foreign currency denominated assets, other than investments, and liabilities are recorded as net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities in the Statements of Operations.
   
F. Restricted Securities— The Funds may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities, if any, is included at the end of each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
   
G. Use of Derivative Instruments— Certain Funds may invest in derivative instruments. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as OTC derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount.
 86 

 

 

 

Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivative instruments also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures about the Fund’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. Details of this disclosure are found below as well as in the Schedule of Investments.

 

Total Return Swaps— The CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF invests in total return swaps in order take a “long” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty. Documentation governing the Fund’s total return swap transactions may contain provisions for early termination of a total return swap in the event the net assets of the Fund decline below specific levels set forth in the documentation (“net asset contingent features”). If these levels are triggered, the Fund’s counterparty has the right to terminate the total return swap and require the Fund to pay or receive a settlement amount in connection with the terminated total return swap transaction. The total return swap position held by the CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF at December 31, 2023 is reflected in the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF held total return swap contracts for five months with an average monthly notional amount of $2,505,400.

 

At December 31, 2023, the CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF held derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP):

 

   Liabilities
Derivatives
 
   Commodities
Futures Risk
 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF     
Swap contracts1  $79,504 

 

1 Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Total return swap contracts, at value

 

The impact of transactions in derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2023, was as follows:

 

   Commodities
Futures Risk
 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF       
Realized gain (loss):       
Swap contracts1  $(22,530)  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):       
Swap contracts2   (79,504)  

 

1 Consolidated Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on swap contracts
2 Consolidated Statement of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts

 

H. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities— In the ordinary course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting or other similar agreements. Generally, the right of offset in those agreements allows the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received
 87 

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. The Funds may pledge and receive cash and or securities as collateral for derivative instruments and securities lending. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds present derivatives and securities lending assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash collateral received for securities lending in the form of money market fund investments, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented in the Schedules of Investments and in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Non-cash collateral is disclosed in Note 9 (Securities Lending).

 

   Gross Amounts
of Recognized
Liabilities
  Gross Amounts
Offset in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
  Net Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
  Financial Instruments
and Cash Collateral
Pledged
  Net Amount
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF               
Total return swap contracts  $79,504  $—  $79,504  $—  $79,504

 

I. Other— Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized upon notification of the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and discounts, is accrued as earned.

 

The Funds earn interest income on uninvested cash balances held at the custodian bank. Such amounts, if any, are presented as interest income in the Statements of Operations.

 

In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

 

Note 3—Investment Management and Other Agreements— The Adviser is the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser receives a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed, until at least May 1, 2024, (for CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF until at least May 1, 2025), to waive fees and assume expenses to prevent each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding the expense limitations for the Funds listed in the table below.

 

The management fee rates and expense limitations for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

Fund  Management
Fees
  Expense
Limitations
Agribusiness ETF   0.50%      0.56%  
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF   0.65    0.65 
Gold Miners ETF   0.50    0.53 
Junior Gold Miners ETF   0.50    0.56 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   0.50    0.62 
Oil Refiners ETF   0.50    0.59 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   0.50    0.57 
Steel ETF   0.50    0.55 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   0.50    0.60 

 

Refer to the Statements of Operations for amounts waived/assumed by the Adviser.

 

The Future of Food ETF, Green Metals ETF, and effective January 1, 2022, Natural Resources ETF and Oil Services ETF utilize a unitary management fee structure where the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of the Fund, (excluding the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) until at least May 1, 2024.

 88 

 

 

The unitary management fee rates for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

Fund  Unitary
Management
Fee Rate
Future of Food ETF   0.69%  
Green Metals ETF   0.59 
Natural Resources ETF   0.49 
Oil Services ETF   0.35 

 

In addition, Van Eck Securities Corporation, an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ distributor (the “Distributor”). Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and Distributor.

 

Note 4—Capital Share Transactions—As of December 31, 2023 there were an unlimited number of capital shares of beneficial interest authorized by the Trust with no par value. Fund shares are not individually redeemable and are issued and redeemed at their net asset value per share only through certain authorized broker-dealers (“Authorized Participants”) in blocks of shares (“Creation Units”).

 

The consideration for the purchase or redemption of Creation Units of the Funds generally consists of the in-kind contribution or distribution of a designated portfolio of securities (“Deposit Securities”) plus a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may also be substituted in an amount equivalent to the value of certain Deposit Securities, generally as a result of market circumstances, or when the securities are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, or are not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant. The Funds may issue Creation Units in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including, for the benefit of the Funds, a requirement to maintain cash collateral on deposit at the custodian equal to at least 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities.

 

Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay transaction fees directly to the transfer agent. In addition, the Funds may impose variable fees on the purchase or redemption of Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, to defray certain transaction costs. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Note 5—Investments—For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments and in-kind capital share transactions) and the purchases and sales of investments resulting from in-kind capital share transactions (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

         In-Kind Capital Share Transactions
Fund  Purchases  Sales  Purchases  Sales
Agribusiness ETF  $132,664,997   $146,201,487   $   $287,360,913 
Future of Food ETF   296,375    244,734    906,105     
Gold Miners ETF   1,603,070,901    1,562,166,684    3,260,488,402    3,308,821,096 
Green Metals ETF   9,183,488    7,064,416    6,200,928     
Junior Gold Miners ETF   847,776,376    809,401,599    677,547,135    284,495,238 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   29,659,180    31,002,444    5,049,868    36,779,834 
Natural Resources ETF   35,355,825    36,468,299    32,784,522    50,495,784 
Oil Refiners ETF   6,538,336    7,594,618    2,897,422    9,399,576 
Oil Services ETF   409,001,334    403,482,178    4,514,468,572    4,931,302,088 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   227,964,079    250,954,181    55,796,340    151,087,842 
Steel ETF   28,838,326    26,837,319    87,006,242    72,171,905 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   33,367,246    36,249,535    65,776,486    11,229,534 
 89 

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Note 6—Income Taxes—As of December 31, 2023, for Federal income tax purposes, the identified cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments owned were as follows:

 

Fund  Tax Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Agribusiness ETF    $1,133,422,474   $49,499,864   $(243,849,722)  $(194,349,858)
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF   2,543,751    2,246    (116,247)   (114,001)
Future of Food ETF   4,135,715    131,283    (1,036,734)   (905,451)
Gold Miners ETF   12,739,284,719    1,326,957,915    (1,027,127,633)   299,830,282 
Green Metals ETF   31,510,040    2,277,545    (6,513,429)   (4,235,884)
Junior Gold Miners ETF   4,881,637,347    458,562,807    (813,075,380)   (354,512,573)
Low Carbon Energy ETF   211,015,301    26,350,179    (62,759,748)   (36,409,569)
Natural Resources ETF   121,740,156    14,303,999    (10,527,684)   3,776,315 
Oil Refiners ETF   31,880,186    4,285,728    (1,846,818)   2,438,910 
Oil Services ETF   2,375,577,122    29,297,399    (237,646,538)   (208,349,139)
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   503,250,271    54,666,558    (130,060,575)   (75,394,017)
Steel ETF   133,292,965    14,573,755    (7,090,680)   7,483,075 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   127,579,139    17,516,005    (822,600)   16,693,405 

 

At December 31, 2023, the components of total distributable earnings (losses) on a tax basis, for each Fund, were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  (Accumulated
Capital Losses)/
Undistributed
Capital Gains
  Other
Temporary
Differences
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Total
Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
Agribusiness ETF  $889,469   $(837,838,659)  $(633,201)  $(194,363,123)  $(1,031,945,514)
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF               (78,959)   (78,959)
Future of Food ETF   970    (263,088)       (905,885)   (1,168,003)
Gold Miners ETF   46,024,654    (12,244,506,621)   (1,535,302)   299,840,109    (11,900,177,160)
Green Metals ETF   109,231    (5,444,546)       (4,235,971)   (9,571,286)
Junior Gold Miners ETF   41,393,382    (5,011,610,159)   (402,438)   (354,167,946)   (5,324,787,161)
Low Carbon Energy ETF   208,261    (77,187,223)   (20,550)   (36,410,905)   (113,410,417)
Natural Resources ETF   8,630    (57,203,200)   (14,854)   3,779,358    (53,430,066)
Oil Refiners ETF   3,293    (11,197,878)   (1,085)   2,439,940    (8,755,730)
Oil Services ETF   335,087    (2,109,198,198)   (210,231)   (208,349,140)   (2,317,422,482)
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   5,608,484    (389,581,278)   (28,330)   (75,370,673)   (459,371,797)
Steel ETF   61,716    (170,951,107)   (22,074)   7,483,075    (163,428,390)
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   5,692,927    (86,540,437)   (14,403)   16,691,585    (64,170,328)

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders was follows:

 

   December 31,
2023
   December 31, 2022 
Fund  Ordinary
Income*
   Ordinary
Income*
   Return
of Capital
 
Agribusiness ETF  $27,500,340   $28,899,290   $– 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF   39,500         
Future of Food ETF   72,000    38,400     
Gold Miners ETF   210,018,245    197,981,341     
Green Metals ETF   539,990    580,000     
Junior Gold Miners ETF   31,501,605    19,233,209     
Low Carbon Energy ETF   2,600,073    2,600,048     
 90 

 

 

   December 31,
2023
   December 31, 2022 
Fund  Ordinary
Income*
   Ordinary
Income*
   Return
of Capital
 
Natural Resources ETF   4,474,960    4,599,900     
Oil Refiners ETF   1,250,000    1,200,000     
Oil Services ETF   28,299,743    23,400,039     
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF       9,819,927     
Steel ETF   3,875,063    5,238,962    11,016 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   6,000,037    1,100,017     

 

* Includes short-term capital gains (if any).

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

 

Fund  Short-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Long-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Total
Agribusiness ETF  $(232,266,052)  $(605,572,607)  $(837,838,659)
Future of Food ETF   (123,276)   (139,812)   (263,088)
Gold Miners ETF   (2,005,569,048)   (10,238,937,573)   (12,244,506,621)
Green Metals ETF   (1,545,956)   (3,898,590)   (5,444,546)
Junior Gold Miners ETF   (1,698,904,530)   (3,312,705,629)   (5,011,610,159)
Low Carbon Energy ETF   (11,064,350)   (66,122,873)   (77,187,223)
Natural Resources ETF   (10,960,628)   (46,242,572)   (57,203,200)
Oil Refiners ETF   (5,147,896)   (6,049,982)   (11,197,878)
Oil Services ETF   (384,200,583)   (1,724,997,615)   (2,109,198,198)
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   (94,077,070)   (295,504,208)   (389,581,278)
Steel ETF   (17,138,313)   (153,812,794)   (170,951,107)
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   (14,276,119)   (72,264,318)   (86,540,437)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to the tax treatment of gains/losses from securities redeemed in-kind and differences in the treatment of income and realized gains from controlled foreign corporation subsidiaries, the Funds incurred differences that affected distributable earnings and aggregate paid in capital by the amounts in the table below. Net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

 

Fund  Increase
(Decrease)
in Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
  Increase
(Decrease)
in Aggregate
Paid in Capital
Agribusiness ETF  $(36,860,234)  $36,860,234 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF   18,202    (18,202)
Future of Food ETF   124    (124)
Gold Miners ETF   (979,250,495)   979,250,495 
Junior Gold Miners ETF   (46,352,673)   46,352,673 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   (5,588,190)   5,588,190 
Natural Resources ETF   (13,046,303)   13,046,303 
Oil Refiners ETF   (1,003,673)   1,003,673 
Oil Services ETF   (380,868,154)   380,868,154 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   (31,672,164)   31,672,164 
Steel ETF   (6,820,210)   6,820,210 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   (3,937,415)   3,937,415 

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by applicable tax authorities. Management has analyzed the

 91 

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on return filings for all open tax years. The Funds do not have exposure for additional years that might still be open in certain foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. However, the Funds are subject to foreign taxes on the appreciation in value of certain investments. The Funds provide for such taxes on both realized and unrealized appreciation.

 

The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Note 7—Principal Risks— Non-diversified funds generally hold securities of fewer issuers than diversified funds (See Note 1) and may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers. The Funds may purchase securities on foreign exchanges. Securities of foreign issuers involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These risks include devaluation of currencies, currency controls, less reliable information about issuers, different securities transaction clearance and settlement practices, future adverse economic developments and political conflicts, or natural or other disasters, such as the recent coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, certain Funds may invest in securities of emerging market issuers, which are exposed to a number of risks that may make these investments volatile in price or difficult to trade. Political risks may include unstable governments, nationalization, restrictions on foreign ownership, laws that prevent investors from getting their money out of a country, sanctions and investment restrictions and legal systems that do not protect property risks as well as the laws of the United States. These and other factors can make emerging market securities more volatile and potentially less liquid than securities issued in more developed markets. Certain securities of Chinese issuers are, or may in the future become restricted, and the Funds may be forced to sell such restricted securities and incur a loss as a result.

 

The CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF may invest in commodity-linked derivative instruments, including commodity index-linked notes, swap agreements, commodity futures contracts and options on futures contracts that provide economic exposure to the investment returns of the commodities markets. The use of derivatives presents risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional securities. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of a particular industry or commodity, such as weather, disease, embargoes, or political and economic events and regulatory developments. Exposure to the commodities markets, such as precious metals, industrial metals, gas and other energy products and natural resources, may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Changes in laws or government regulations by the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could adversely affect the operations of the Fund.

 

Following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, governments of the United States and many other countries imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian governmental, corporate and banking entities. A number of jurisdictions also instituted broad sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. In response, the government of Russia imposed capital controls to restrict movements of capital entering and exiting the country. As a result, the value and liquidity of Russian securities and its currency experienced and may continue to experience significant declines. The Russian securities markets were closed for a period of time and were reopened on March 24, 2022, but significant trading limitations have remained. There is no assurance that these disruptions will not continue.

 

A more complete description of risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 92 

 

 

Note 8—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan— The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which a Trustee can elect to defer receipt of trustee fees until retirement, disability or termination from the Board of Trustees. The fees otherwise payable to the participating Trustees are deemed invested in shares of the Funds of the Trust as directed by the Trustees.

 

The expense for the Plan is included in “Trustees’ fees and expenses” in the Statements of Operations. The liability for the Plan is shown as “Deferred Trustee fees” in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Effective January 1, 2022, Natural Resources ETF and Oil Services ETF converted to a unitary management fee structure. For these Funds, the liability of the Plan shown as “Deferred Trustee fees” in the Statements of Asset and Liabilities represents amounts accrued through December 31, 2021. Future of Food ETF and Green Metals ETF commenced operations with a unitary management fee and therefore bear no costs or liabilities relative to the Plan.

 

Note 9—Securities Lending— To generate additional income, each of the Funds may lend its securities pursuant to a securities lending agreement with the securities lending agent. Each Fund may lend up to 33% of its investments requiring that the loan be continuously collateralized by cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or any combination of cash and such securities at all times equal to at least 102% (105% for foreign securities) of the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Funds will continue to receive any dividends, interest or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned while receiving a fee from the borrower and or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Such fees and interest are shared with the securities lending agent under the terms of the securities lending agreement. Securities lending income is disclosed as such in the Statements of Operations. Cash collateral is maintained on the Funds’ behalf by the lending agent and is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio. Non-cash collateral consists of U.S. Treasuries and U.S. Government Agency securities, and is not disclosed in the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the agent on behalf of the Funds. The Funds do not have the ability to re-hypothecate those securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Funds. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the securities loaned. The Funds bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The value of loaned securities and related cash collateral, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented on a gross basis in the Schedules of Investments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The following is a summary of the Funds’ securities on loan and related collateral as of December 31, 2023:

 

Fund  Market Value
of Securities
on Loan
  Cash
Collateral
  Non-Cash
Collateral
  Total
Collateral
Agribusiness ETF  $41,077,399   $27,567,080   $15,470,385   $43,037,465 
Future of Food ETF   69,986    85,782        85,782 
Gold Miners ETF   272,613,003    84,425,319    201,686,671    286,111,990 
Green Metals ETF   3,321,855    535,727    2,952,822    3,488,549 
Junior Gold Miners ETF   269,954,333    117,343,529    171,077,737    288,421,266 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   33,026,362    10,097,243    24,291,273    34,388,516 
Natural Resources ETF   6,898,496    1,500,893    5,707,485    7,208,378 
Oil Refiners ETF   675,946        705,926    705,926 
Oil Services ETF   138,309,378        143,217,716    143,217,716 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   112,696,331    18,517,532    100,697,437    119,214,969 
Steel ETF   33,395,757    680,060    35,752,976    36,433,036 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   33,650,202    12,307,731    22,525,682    34,833,413 
 93 

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

The following table presents money market fund investments held as collateral by type of security on loan as of December 31, 2023:

 

   Gross Amount of
Recognized Liabilities
for Securities Lending
Transactions* in the
Statements of Assets
and Liabilities
Fund  Equity Securities
Agribusiness ETF  $27,567,080 
Future of Food ETF   85,782 
Gold Miners ETF   84,425,319 
Green Metals ETF   535,727 
Junior Gold Miners ETF   117,343,529 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   10,097,243 
Natural Resources ETF   1,500,893 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   18,517,532 
Steel ETF   680,060 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   12,307,731 

 

* Remaining contractual maturity: overnight and continuous

 

Note 10—Bank Line of Credit—The Funds may participate in a $200 million committed credit facility (the “Facility”) to be utilized for temporary financing until the settlement of sales or purchases of portfolio securities, the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Funds at the request of the shareholders and other temporary or emergency purposes. The Funds have agreed to pay commitment fees, pro rata, based on the unused but available balance. Interest is charged to the Funds based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the following Funds borrowed under this Facility:

 

Fund  Days
Outstanding
   Average
Daily
Loan Balance
   Average
Interest Rate
Agribusiness ETF   288      $1,162,887    6.40%
Gold Miners ETF   181    11,864,771    6.24 
Green Metals ETF   329    302,501    6.34 
Junior Gold Miners ETF   62    8,830,693    6.13 
Low Carbon Energy ETF   276    1,547,117    6.28 
Natural Resources ETF   339    578,723    6.36 
Oil Refiners ETF   272    142,616    6.29 
Oil Services ETF   226    2,358,942    6.43 
Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF   242    1,059,895    6.33 
Steel ETF   195    327,405    6.22 
Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF   171    231,320    6.37 

 

Outstanding loan balances as of December 31, 2023, if any, are reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Note 11—Share Split— In 2020, the Board of Trustees approved a 1 for 20 reverse share split for Oil Services ETF, and 1 for 3 reverse share split for Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF. On April 15, 2020, shares began trading on a split-adjusted basis. The Financial Highlights prior to April 15, 2020 have been adjusted to reflect these reverse share splits.

 

Note 12— New Regulatory Requirements— On October 26, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule and form amendments that require mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are registered on Form N-1A to prepare and transmit tailored unaudited annual and semi-annual shareholder reports (TSRs), that highlight key information to investors, within 60 days of period-end. The new TSRs will be prepared separately for each fund.

 94 

 

 

In connection with these amendments, certain information that was previously disclosed in fund shareholder reports will instead be made available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR.

 

The SEC also amended Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act, to require mutual funds and ETFs to provide TSRs directly to investors by mail (unless an investor elects electronic delivery). These rules are effective January 24, 2023, and the compliance date is July 24, 2024.

 95 

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of VanEck ETF Trust and Shareholders of each of the funds listed in the table below.

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, (the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, for VanEck CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF) of each of the funds listed in the table below (thirteen of the funds constituting VanEck ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed in the table below as of December 31, 2023, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Funds  
   
VanEck Agribusiness ETF (1) VanEck Natural Resources ETF (1)
VanEck CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF (2) VanEck Oil Refiners ETF (1)
VanEck Future of Food ETF (1) VanEck Oil Services ETF (1)
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (1) VanEck Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF (1)
VanEck Green Metals ETF (1) VanEck Steel ETF (1)
VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (1) VanEck Uranium+Nuclear Energy ETF (1)
VanEck Low Carbon Energy ETF (1)  

 

(1) Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

(2) Consolidated statement of operations, consolidated statement of changes in net assets, and consolidated financial highlights for the period August 22, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

The financial statements of the Funds (other than VanEck CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF) as of and for the year or period ended December 31, 2021, and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant

96

 

 

estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2024

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the VanEck Funds complex since 2022.

97

VANECK ETF TRUST

TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information:

 

Fund Name  Ticker
Symbol
  Payable
Date
  Total
Distribution
Paid
Per Share
   Income
Dividends
   Foreign
Taxes
Paid (a)
   Total
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
   Foreign
Source
Income as
a % of Total
Ordinary
Income (a)
 
Agribusiness ETF  MOO  Annual   $2.2358    $2.2358    $-    $2.2358    -% 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF  CMCI  Annual   0.3950    0.3950    -    0.3950    - 
Future of Food ETF  YUMY  Annual   0.3600    0.3600    -    0.3600    - 
Gold Miners ETF  GDX  Annual   0.5001    0.5001    0.0529    0.5530    70.23 
Green Metals ETF  GMET  Annual   0.4909    0.4909    0.0318    0.5227    86.35 
Junior Gold Miners ETF  GDXJ  Annual   0.2736    0.2736    0.0816    0.3552    59.61 
Low Carbon Energy ETF  SMOG  Annual   1.7529    1.7529    0.1806    1.9335    68.84 
Natural Resources ETF  HAP  Annual   1.5982    1.5982    -    1.5982    - 
Oil Refiners ETF  CRAK  Annual   1.2500    1.2500    0.1295    1.3795    79.99 
Oil Services ETF  OIH  Annual   4.2235    4.2235    -    4.2235    - 
Steel ETF  SLX  Annual   2.0667    2.0667    -    2.0667    - 
Uranium+Nuclear ETF  NLR  Annual   3.2580    3.2580    0.0670    3.3250    10.81 

 

Fund Name  Ticker
Symbol
   Payable
Date
   Percent of
Total
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
that are
QDI Eligible (b)
    Percent of
Total
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
that are
DRD Eligible (c)
    Section 163(j)-
Interest
Dividends as a
% of the Total
Ordinary Income
Distribution (d)
    Qualified
Interest
Income
(QII) as a %
of the Total
Ordinary Income
Distribution (e)
    Federal
Obligation
Interest as a
Percentage
of the Total
Distribution (f)
 
Agribusiness ETF  MOO  Annual   99.59%    40.98%    -%    -%    -% 
CMCI Commodity Strategy ETF  CMCI  Annual   -    -    99.69    99.69    96.28 
Future of Food ETF  YUMY  Annual   90.08    38.31    -    -    - 
Gold Miners ETF  GDX  Annual   100.00    21.65    -    -    - 
Green Metals ETF  GMET  Annual   100.00    10.24    -    -    - 
Junior Gold Miners ETF  GDXJ  Annual   68.69    1.88    -    -    - 
Low Carbon Energy ETF  SMOG  Annual   88.34    15.75    -    -    - 
Natural Resources ETF  HAP  Annual   88.75    36.89    -    -    - 
Oil Refiners ETF  CRAK  Annual   98.52    23.59    -    -    - 
Oil Services ETF  OIH  Annual   100.00    71.57    -    -    - 
Steel ETF  SLX  Annual   88.71    16.93    -    -    - 
Uranium+Nuclear ETF  NLR  Annual   21.69    9.44    -    -    - 

 

(a) Funds with an amount in these columns have qualified to pass-through foreign taxes and foreign source income to their shareholders. Accordingly, shareholders may include their share of foreign source income on Form 1116 (Form 1118 for corporations) and may either deduct your portion of the taxes in computing your taxable income or take a credit for such taxes against your tax liability. To determine your portion of foreign source income, multiply the dollar amount of your total ordinary dividends by the percentage indicated.

 

(b) All or a portion of a shareholder’s total ordinary income dividend may be taxed at a reduced capital gains rate rather than the higher marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income. The amount of a dividend subject to this lower rate is known as Qualified Dividend Income or QDI and is reported in Box 1b of the Form 1099-DIV. Shareholders who received Form 1099-DIV should use the amounts reported to them on Form 1099-DIV when preparing their tax return. To treat a dividend as qualifying for lower rates, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(c) QDI information does not apply to shareholders that are corporations for U.S. tax purposes. Corporate shareholders should use the information regarding the Dividends Received Deduction or DRD. This data is being provided to corporate shareholders in order for them to compute their share of dividends qualifying

98

 

 

for the DRD for corporations. To determine your share of income eligible for the DRD, multiply the dollar amount of your total ordinary dividends by the percentage indicated.

 

(d) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that are eligible to be treated as interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) and the regulations thereunder. To treat a dividend as interest income, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 180 days during the 361-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(e) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that were considered to be Qualified Interest Income (“QII”) distributions. The QII distributions may be exempt from United States withholding tax when distributed to non-U.S. shareholders with proper documentation.

 

(f) Certain states may exempt the portion of dividends derived from assets backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

99

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  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 During Past Five Years
Independent                    
Trustees                    
                     
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.   72   Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.
                     
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2019   Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).   72   Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                     
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).   83   Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                     
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee   Since 2022 Since 2012   Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.   72   Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                     
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.   83   Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                     
Interested Trustee                    
                     
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President   Trustee (Since 2006); Chief Executive Officer and President (Since 2009)   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.   83   Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 

 

1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th 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 VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
100

 

 

4 The MainStay Fund Complex consists of MainStay Funds, MainStay Funds Trust, MainStay VP Funds Trust and MainStay MacKay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund.
5 “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. van Eck is an officer of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of Office2
And Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officer Information            
             
Matthew A. Babinsky,
1983
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2023); Assistant Secretary (Since 2016)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
             
Russell G. Brennan,
1964
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   Since 2008   Assistant Vice President of VEAC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Charles T. Cameron,
1960
  Vice President   Since 2006   Portfolio Manager of VEAC; Officer and/or Portfolio Manager of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Director of Trading of VEAC.
             
John J. Crimmins,
1957
  Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (Since 2012); Treasurer (Since 2009)   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Vice President of VESC.
             
Susan Curry,
1966
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc.
             
Eduardo Escario,
1975
  Vice President   Since 2012  

Regional Director, Business Development/Sales for Southern Europe and South America of VEAC.

             
F. Michael Gozzillo,
1965
  Chief Compliance Since 2018 Officer       Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of VEAC and VEARA; Chief Compliance Officer of VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of City National Rochdale, LLC and City National Rochdale Funds.
             
Laura Hamilton,
1977
  Vice President   Since 2019   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Operations Manager of Royce & Associates.
             
Nicholas Jackson,
1974
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Director, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Vice President, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Laura I. Martínez,
1980
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2016); Assistant Secretary (Since 2008)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Matthew McKinnon,
1970
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Head of Asia - Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Director, Intermediaries and Institutions of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Lisa A. Moss,
1965
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP.
             
Arian Neiron,
1979
  Vice President   Since 2018   CEO (since 2021) & Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
101

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

James Parker,
1969
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2014   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Manager, Portfolio Administration of VEAC and VEARA. Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Adam Phillips,
1970
  Vice President   Since 2018   ETF Chief Operating Officer of VEAC; Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC.
             
Philipp Schlegel,
1974
  Vice President   Since 2016   Managing Director of Van Eck Switzerland AG.
             
Jonathan R. Simon,
1974
  Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Senior Vice President (Since 2016); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (Since 2014)   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
             
Andrew Tilzer,
1972
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2021   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Vice President of Portfolio Administration of VEAC. Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Operations of VEAC.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
102

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by a VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) prospectus and summary prospectus, which includes more complete information. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Additional information about the Trust’s Board of Trustees/Officers and a description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ending June 30 is available, without charge, by calling 800.826.2333, or by visiting vaneck.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Trust’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.942.8090. The Funds’ complete schedules of portfolio holdings are also available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

 

 

Investment Adviser: VanEck Associates Corporation  
Distributor: VanEck Securities Corporation  
  666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017  
  vaneck.com  
Account Assistance: 800.826.2333 NRAR
 
   
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023
   

 

 

Africa Index ETF AFK
Brazil Small-Cap ETF BRF
ChiNext ETF CNXT
Digital India ETF DGIN
Egypt Index ETF EGPT
India Growth Leaders ETF GLIN
Indonesia Index ETF IDX
Israel ETF ISRA
Vietnam ETF VNM

 

     
  800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

President’s Letter 1
Management Discussion 3
Performance Comparison  
Africa Index ETF 6
Brazil Small-Cap ETF 7
ChiNext ETF 8
Digital India ETF 9
Egypt Index ETF 10
India Growth Leaders ETF 11
Indonesia Index ETF 12
Israel ETF 13
Vietnam ETF 14
About Fund Performance 15
Explanation of Expenses 16
Schedule of Investments  
Africa Index ETF 18
Brazil Small-Cap ETF 21
ChiNext ETF 25
Digital India ETF 28
Egypt Index ETF 30
India Growth Leaders ETF 32
Indonesia Index ETF 35
Israel ETF 37
Vietnam ETF 40
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 42
Statements of Operations 45
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 48
Financial Highlights  
Africa Index ETF 53
Brazil Small-Cap ETF 54
ChiNext ETF 55
Digital India ETF 56
Egypt Index ETF 57
India Growth Leaders ETF 58
Indonesia Index ETF 59
Israel ETF 60
Vietnam ETF 61
Notes to Financial Statements 62
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 72
Tax Information 74
Board of Trustees and Officers 75

 

 

Certain information contained in this report represents the opinion of the investment adviser which may change at any time. This information is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Funds’ holdings, the Funds’ performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of December 31, 2023.

 

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

Our outlook for financial markets in 2023 was “sideways” and “40/60” or overweight bonds. This strategy worked well until November 2023, when the market suddenly rallied aggressively and priced in U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate cuts which were to happen in 2024. It is one of the wonders of the market that it can price in its view of the future so quickly.

 

In this sense, it could be that 2024 has already happened. One could imagine that the three major factors—monetary policy, government spending and global economic growth—will not change much in 2024.

 

So, let’s review those three major forces on markets and some risks and trends worth noting.

 

Discussion

 

1. Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

To recap this cycle: stocks and bonds historically do not perform well when the Fed tightens monetary conditions. And that’s just what the Fed announced it would be doing at the end of 2021. This would include raising rates and changing its balance sheet actions, which doesn’t create a great environment for financial assets.

 

A second, modern component to monetary policy is the Fed balance sheet. After buying bonds during the pandemic, the Fed has now started shrinking the balance sheet—from a high of almost $9 trillion in early 2022, assets dropped to just under $7.8 trillion toward the end of December 2023.1

 

Our favorite inflation is wage inflation, not food or gas prices. That is the kind of inflation which is endemic and hard to manage once it takes hold. And wage inflation is above 4%, not near the Fed’s 2% target, so we don’t see a big Fed stimulus. And the silent Fed action of reducing its bond holdings (“quantitative tightening”), continues.

 

2. Government Spending: Also Muted

 

A second bearish factor is that government spending is unlikely to increase next year. The Republicans, in control of the House of Representatives, continue to look to slow government spending. While we probably didn’t sufficiently appreciate the amount of some of the Biden Administration’s spending, like with the environmental Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), any such upside surprises are very unlikely in 2024.

 

3. Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. and China have been the two main pillars of global growth. But while there are bright spots, China is remarkable now for its economic weakness. The property market recession has helped pull Chinese prices lower year over year and that deflationary force affects the world economy. Other centers of growth like India, Indonesia and Africa are not big enough yet to drive global growth.

 

Notable

 

1. Bonds

 

While interest rates whipsawed investors in 2023 with a net positive result, our outlook favoring bonds hasn’t changed, which is that they offer attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to equities, given the headwinds discussed above. Now, after the 2022 and 2023 losses, bond investments are offering attractive yields, this has been our favorite asset class to buy and remains our preference. (See What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now.2) As a reference, bonds offered attractive total returns in the 1970s even though that decade was the worst for interest rates in the last 100 years.

1

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2. Yield Curve

 

We like to look for market distortions and the most notable one is “yield curve inversion”—long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates. If, and it’s a big “if”, government entities like the Fed are stepping back from the bond markets, then it makes sense for long-term rates to be higher because with greater risk should come greater return. Yield curve inversion is present only about 10% of the time. It’s unusual.

 

3. India/Emerging Markets

 

With the new-found ubiquity and affordability of mobile phones in India, the Internet sector there is well primed to do as well as it has in the U.S., China and other major markets. Digital India seems like a good tactical play, despite higher price/earnings ratios. Emerging markets in general have lagged for so many years that most investors have given up. So many, that 2024 may be their year.

 

4. Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

In March 2023, I “pounded the table” on gold and Bitcoin in a CNBC interview. While those assets have rallied hard since then—again, the market likes to anticipate!—I don’t think this trend is over.

 

5. Value stocks

 

Growth stocks had a shockingly good 2023. Stocks in banks and financials have been beaten up. They are definitely worth a close look. This outlook is discussed in a recent podcast, The Compound & Friends,3 Episode 113, released on October 13, 2023.

 

We thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will find a performance discussion and financial statements for each of the funds for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

PS The investing outlook can change suddenly. To get our quarterly investment outlooks, please subscribe to “VanEck News & Insights”.4 Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.

 

1 U.S. Federal Reserve: FEDERAL RESERVE Statistical Release, December 28, 2023, https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/20231228/
   
2 VanEck: What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now., https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/investment-outlook/jan-van-eck-what-to-buy-bonds-when-now/
   
3 The Compound & Friends, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-kings-of-wall-street/id1456467014?i=1000631190860
   
4 VanEck: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/subscribe/
2

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Africa

 

While the materials and communication services sectors detracted from performance, both the financial sector, together with the consumer discretionary sector, were positive contributors to the performance of the VanEck Africa Index ETF, which lost 8.43% for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023 (the “Period”). Geographically, Morocco, was the top contributor to Fund returns. The greatest detractor from performance, by country, was Kenya. Additionally, the Fund’s position in Nigerian Naira detracted from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Attijariwafa Bank SA (6.1% of Fund net assets), Banque Centrale Populaire SA (5.0% of Fund net assets) and Airtel Africa Plc (3.6% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Safaricom PLC (2.5% of Fund net assets), Anglo American plc (4.0% of Fund net assets) and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (2.6% of Fund net assets).

 

Brazil

 

Brazilian small-cap stocks performed strongly in 2023, with the VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF gaining 36.14% over the Period under review.

 

The majority of positive contributions came from three sectors: industrial, consumer discretionary and utilities, with the industrial sector contributing the most. The two sectors detracting the most from performance most were: energy and communication services, but neither detracted significantly.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Cia de Saneamento do Parana SA (2.1% of Fund net assets), Allos S.A. (sold by period end) and Inter & Co., Inc. (2.3% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Petroreconcavo SA (1.8% of Fund net assets), Grupo de Moda Soma SA (1.6% of Fund net assets) and Marfrig Global Foods SA (2.0% of Fund net assets).

 

China

 

The VanEck ChiNext ETF lost 21.31%. The Fund suffered as a result of the continued weakness of the country’s recovery following COVID-19.

 

The VanEck ChiNext ETF offers exposure to more consumer, new economy sector names, many of which have also tended to be non-state owned enterprises. The communication services sector was the single sector to contribute positively to performance. The industrial sector detracted by far the most from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Zhongji Innolight Co., Ltd. (2.6% of Fund net assets), Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co., Ltd. (2.6% of Fund net assets) and Maxscend Microelectronics Company Limited (1.7% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (15.1% of Fund net assets), EVE Energy Co. Ltd. (2.0% of Fund net assets) and Sungrow Power Supply Co., Ltd. (3.2% of Fund net assets).

 

Egypt

 

The VanEck Egypt Index ETF ended 2023 gaining 24.78%.

 

The top performing sector by far was materials, with the largest average sector weighting during the Period. The three sectors detracting from performance were: healthcare, financial and energy. Mid cap companies, with the largest average weighting during the Period under review, contributed the most to performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Ezz Steel Company (S.A.E.) (7.1% of Fund net assets), Abou Kir Fertilizers & Chemical Industries Co. (8.8% of Fund net assets) and Eastern Company (8.4% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Capricorn Energy PLC (1.8% of Fund net assets), Cleopatra Hospital Company (1.8% of Fund net assets) and e-finance for Digital and Financial Investments S.A.E. (3.1% of Fund net assets).

3

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION (unaudited) (continued)

 

India

 

The VanEck Digital India ETF gained 30.07% in 2023. All sectors contributed positively to performance with the information technology sector, with the largest average sector weighting during the Period, contributing the most and the industrial sector the least.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Zomato (5.4% of Fund net assets), HCL Technologies Limited (6.3% of Fund net assets) and KPIT Technologies Limited (2.5% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: WNS (Holdings) Limited (1.7% of Fund net assets), Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Limited (2.1% of Fund net assets) and Indus Towers Limited (1.7% of Fund net assets).

 

The VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF gained 35.50% over the Period. The industrial sector contributed the most to performance and the materials sector was the only sector to detract from performance and then only minimally.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: Coal India Ltd. (6.2% of Fund net assets), Bharat Electronics Limited (5.2% of Fund net assets) and Varun Beverages Ltd. (4.6% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Hindalco Industries Limited (sold by the end of the period), Divi’s Laboratories Limited (sold by the end of the period) and Tata Steel Limited (sold by the end of the period).

 

Indonesia

 

Indonesian stocks only made incremental gains in 2023 with the VanEck Indonesia Index ETF registering a small gain of 1.91% for the Period. The greatest positive contribution to returns came from the financial sector. The greatest negative contribution to returns came from the energy sector.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk (3.1% of Fund net assets), PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (8.2% of Fund net assets) and PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk (7.1% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Banpu Public Co. Ltd. (1.6% of Fund net assets), PT Berkah Beton Sadaya Tbk (sold by period end) and PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk (1.9% of Fund net assets).

 

Israel

 

Despite the recent conflict in the Middle East, the VanEck Israel ETF made only a small loss of 0.22% in the Period under review.

 

The financial sector contributed most positively to performance over the Period under review. The healthcare sector detracted most from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: CyberArk Software Ltd. (5.0% of Fund net assets), Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (7.5% of Fund net assets) and Wix.com Ltd. (3.2% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. (2.8% of Fund net assets), NovoCure Ltd. (0.4% of Fund net assets) and InMode Ltd. (1.0% of Fund net assets).

 

Vietnam

 

The VanEck Vietnam ETF gained 15.95% in 2023.

 

The financial sector contributed by far the most to the Fund’s performance, and the consumer staples sector detracted the most from performance.

 

The three top positive contributions to the Fund’s performance came from: SSI Securities Corp. (5.4% of Fund net assets), Hoa Phat Group JSC (6.6% of Fund net assets) and VNDirect Securities Corp. (4.4% of Fund net assets). The companies that detracted most from performance were: Masan Group Corporation (4.2% of

4

 

 

Fund net assets), Vingroup Joint Stock Company (8.4% of Fund net assets) and Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp. (1.8% of Fund net assets).

 

All Fund assets referenced are Total Net Assets as of December 31, 2023.

 

The mention of a specific security is not a recommendation to buy, or solicitation to sell such security.

5

VANECK AFRICA INDEX ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVAFKTR1  SPTR2
One Year   (12.14)%    (8.43)%    (0.97)%    26.29% 
Five Year   (3.06)%    (2.96)%    (0.27)%    15.69% 
Ten Year   (4.82)%    (4.58)%    (2.55)%    12.03% 

 

  1 MVIS® GDP Africa (MVAFKTR) Index is a rules-based, modified-capitalization-weighted, float-adjusted index and is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the publicly traded companies in Africa.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

6

VANECK BRAZIL SMALL-CAP ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVBRFTR1  SPTR2
One Year   36.95%    36.14%    37.46%    26.29% 
Five Year   0.67%    0.70%    1.43%    15.69% 
Ten Year   (1.64)%    (1.58)%    (0.92)%    12.03% 

 

  1 MVIS® Brazil Small-Cap Index (MVBRFTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of publicly traded small-capitalization companies that are incorporated in or doing substantial business in Brazil.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

7

VANECK CHINEXT ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  SZ9881071  SPTR2
One Year   (21.47)%    (21.31)%    (20.22)%    26.29% 
Five Year   5.15%    5.20%    6.94%    15.69% 
Life*   0.94%    0.98%    3.15%    11.80% 

 

  * Inception of Fund: 7/23/14; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 7/24/14.  
       
  1 The ChiNext Index (SZ988107) is a free-float adjusted index intended to track the performance of the 100 largest and most liquid stocks listed and trading on the ChiNext Market of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The ChiNext Index is comprised of China A-shares.  
       
    Index data prior to December 10, 2021 reflects that of the SME-ChiNext Index (CNI6109). From December 10, 2021 forward, the index data reflects that of the SZ988107. All Index history reflects a blend of the performance of the aforementioned Indexes.  
       
    Index data as of October 1, 2015 for all periods presented reflect the CNI6109 stream of the Index which is denominated in USD and converted by the index provider using the “offshore” Renminbi (CNH) exchange rate.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

8

VANECK DIGITAL INDIA ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVDINDTR1  SPTR2
One Year   30.30%    30.07%    33.04%    26.29% 
Life*   0.58%    0.38%    2.22%    5.25% 

 

  * Inception of Fund: 2/15/22; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 2/16/22.  
       
  1 MVIS® Digital India Index (MVDIND) is a rules based, modified market capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the companies involved in and supporting the digitalization of India.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on 15 for more information.

9

VANECK EGYPT INDEX ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVEGPTTR1  SPTR2
One Year   27.19%    24.78%    31.83%    26.29% 
Five Year   0.16%    (0.44)%    2.57%    15.69% 
Ten Year   (5.53)%    (5.93)%    (2.24)%    12.03% 

 

  1 MVIS® Egypt Index (MVEGPTTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of publicly traded companies that are incorporated in or doing substantial business in Egypt.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

10

VANECK INDIA GROWTH LEADERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MGINGRNR1  SPTR2
One Year   36.11%    35.50%    39.24%    26.29% 
Five Year   1.62%    1.52%    3.17%    15.69% 
Ten Year   4.37%    4.44%    5.37%    12.03% 

 

  1 The MarketGrader India All-Cap Growth Leaders Index (MGINGRNR) is a modified market capitalization weighted, float adjusted index designed to track Indian companies that the index provider has determined exhibit favorable fundamental characteristics according to the index provider’s proprietary scoring methodology.  
       
    Index data prior to May 1, 2020 reflects that of the MVIS® India Small-Cap Index (MVSCIFTR). From May 1, 2020 forward, the index data reflects that of the MGINGRNR. All Index history reflects a blend of the performance of the aforementioned Indexes.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

11

VANECK INDONESIA INDEX ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVIDXTR1  SPTR2
One Year   1.90%    1.91%    2.11%    26.29% 
Five Year   (2.44)%    (2.55)%    (2.36)%    15.69% 
Ten Year   (0.03)%    0.09%    0.51%    12.03% 

 

  1 MVIS® Indonesia Index (MVIDXTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of publicly traded companies that are incorporated in or doing substantial business in Indonesia.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

12

VANECK ISRAEL ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  BLSNTR1  SPTR2
One Year   (0.16)%    (0.22)%    0.61%    26.29% 
Five Year   5.80%    5.78%    6.24%    15.69% 
Ten Year   2.90%    2.94%    3.38%    12.03% 

 

  1 Bluestar Israel Global Index® (BLSNTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization, float adjusted weighted index comprised of equity securities, which may include depositary receipts, of publicly traded companies that are generally considered by the index provider to be Israeli companies.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 15 for more information.

13

VANECK VIETNAM ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  MVVNMTR1  SPTR2
One Year   14.95%    15.95%    17.50%    26.29% 
Five Year   (1.08)%    (1.18)%    (0.21)%    15.69% 
Ten Year   (1.88)%    (1.78)%    (0.78)%    12.03% 

 

  1 MVIS® Vietnam Index (MVVNMTR) is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of publicly traded companies that are incorporated in or doing substantial business in Vietnam.  
       
  2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.  

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on 15 for more information.

14

VANECK ETFs

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

The price used to calculate market return (Share Price) is determined by using the closing price listed on its primary listing exchange. Since the shares of each Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after each Fund’s commencement, for the period from commencement to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of each Fund, the NAV of each Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate market returns.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Performance information for each Fund reflects, if applicable, temporary waivers of expenses and/or fees. Had each Fund incurred all expenses, investment returns would have been reduced. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Investment return and value of the shares of each Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance may be lower or higher than performance data quoted. Fund returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Performance current to the most recent month-end is available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

Index returns assume the reinvestment of all income and do not reflect any management fees or brokerage expenses associated with Fund returns. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in the Index. Returns for actual Fund investors may differ from what is shown because of differences in timing, the amount invested and fees and expenses.

 

The Africa Index, Brazil Small-Cap Index, Digital India Index, Egypt Index, Indonesia Index, Israel Index and Vietnam Index are published by MarketVector Indexes GmbH (MarketVector). MarketVector is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, Van Eck Associates Corporation. The India Growth Leaders Index is published by MarketGrader.com Corp. (MarketGrader). The ChiNext Index is published by the Shenzhen Securities Information Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen Securities), which is a subsidiary of the Shenzhen Stock Exchange.

 

MarketVector, MarketGrader, and Shenzhen Securities are “Index Providers.” The Index Providers do not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Funds and bear no liability with respect to the Funds or any security.

15

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur operating expenses, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This disclosure is intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line in the table below provides information about account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
Africa Index ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $982.20  1.41%  $7.04
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,018.10  1.41%  $7.17
Brazil Small-Cap ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,021.00  0.68%  $3.46
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.78  0.68%  $3.47
ChiNext ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $868.30  0.65%  $3.06
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.93  0.65%  $3.31
Digital India ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,161.30  0.78%  $4.25
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.27  0.78%  $3.97
Egypt Index ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,329.40  1.42%  $8.34
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,018.05  1.42%  $7.22
India Growth Leaders ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,214.70  0.81%  $4.52
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.12  0.81%  $4.13
Indonesia Index ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $976.10  0.58%  $2.89
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.28  0.58%  $2.96
16

 

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
Israel ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,010.50  0.59%  $2.99
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.23  0.59%  $3.01
Vietnam ETF            
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,023.70  0.63%  $3.21
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.03  0.63%  $3.21

 

(a) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended December 31, 2023), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by the number of the days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b) Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses
17

VANECK AFRICA INDEX ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.1%        
Australia: 4.6%          
AVZ Minerals Ltd. *∞   1,399,901   $213,014 
Paladin Energy Ltd. * †   1,036,938    695,747 
Perseus Mining Ltd.   815,701    1,027,365 
         1,936,126 
Canada: 7.5%          
B2Gold Corp. (USD)   31,861    100,681 
Barrick Gold Corp. (USD)   54,794    991,223 
Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. * †   207,349    2,020,654 
         3,112,558 
China: 2.8%          
CMOC Group Ltd. (HKD)   2,166,000    1,184,967 
Egypt: 4.7%          
Centamin Plc (GBP)   403,310    512,232 
Commercial International Bank - Egypt (CIB) (USD) (GDR) †   1,138,846    1,457,723 
         1,969,955 
India: 1.3%          
MakeMyTrip Ltd. (USD) *   11,267    529,324 
Indonesia: 0.5%          
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd. (SGD)   1,105,600    217,762 
Kenya: 4.4%          
Equity Group Holdings Plc   3,827,300    820,310 
Safaricom Plc   11,676,500    1,033,779 
         1,854,089 
Morocco: 14.5%          
Attijariwafa Bank   55,132    2,565,028 
Bank of Africa   39,946    726,556 
Banque Centrale Populaire   74,678    2,082,279 
Co. Sucrerie Marocaine et de Raffinage   34,706    685,757 
         6,059,620 
Nigeria: 4.9%          
Guaranty Trust Holding Co. Plc   18,872,637    654,253 
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc   3,586,289    812,687 
Zenith Bank Plc   17,693,175    584,780 
         2,051,720 
Norway: 0.2%          
Scatec ASA 144A   8,136    65,760 
South Africa: 37.6%          
Absa Group Ltd.   61,117    545,598 
African Rainbow Minerals Ltd.   7,676    83,948 
Anglo American Platinum Ltd. †   4,326    227,122 
Anglo American Plc (GBP)   66,461    1,663,495 
Anglogold Ashanti Plc (USD)   54,770    1,023,651 
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.   21,831    243,595 
AVI Ltd.   17,892    80,027 
Bid Corp. Ltd.   16,148    376,769 
Bidvest Group Ltd.   14,797    204,136 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
South Africa (continued)          
Capitec Bank Holdings Ltd.   4,868   $543,297 
Clicks Group Ltd.   13,310    237,058 
Discovery Ltd.   31,363    246,411 
Exxaro Resources Ltd.   11,392    127,932 
FirstRand Ltd.   365,898    1,468,378 
Gold Fields Ltd. (ADR) †   57,530    831,884 
Growthpoint Properties Ltd.   223,785    142,929 
Harmony Gold Mining Co. Ltd. (ADR)   32,219    198,147 
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd.   51,266    254,655 
Investec Plc (GBP)   32,530    220,024 
Kumba Iron Ore Ltd.   4,252    142,561 
Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd.   67,227    67,530 
Momentum Metropolitan Holdings   75,084    90,071 
Mr Price Group Ltd.   15,952    136,784 
MTN Group Ltd.   84,865    535,453 
MultiChoice Group *   13,058    57,852 
Naspers Ltd.   11,863    2,031,145 
Nedbank Group Ltd.   26,153    308,810 
Netcare Ltd.   74,872    58,301 
Northam Platinum Holdings Ltd.   14,154    107,277 
Old Mutual Ltd.   267,860    190,673 
OUTsurance Group Ltd.   53,582    122,928 
Pepkor Holdings Ltd. 144A   88,284    94,738 
Remgro Ltd.   31,232    276,288 
Sanlam Ltd.   106,059    422,206 
Sasol Ltd. (ADR) †   32,696    324,998 
Shoprite Holdings Ltd.   27,551    414,376 
Sibanye Stillwater Ltd. (ADR) †   41,170    223,553 
SPAR Group Ltd. * †   9,422    60,744 
Standard Bank Group Ltd.   85,885    979,426 
Thungela Resources Ltd.   9,600    80,737 
Tiger Brands Ltd. †   7,842    86,163 
Woolworths Holdings Ltd.   41,459    163,682 
         15,695,352 
Tanzania: 1.3%          
Helios Towers Plc (GBP) *   476,212    540,297 
United Arab Emirates: 3.5%          
Itissalat Al-Maghrib (MAD)   142,676    1,445,713 
United Kingdom: 6.4%          
Airtel Africa Plc 144A   909,500    1,508,849 
Endeavour Mining Plc   44,710    1,000,557 
Vodacom Group Ltd. (ZAR)   30,657    177,697 
         2,687,103 
United States: 3.3%          
Kosmos Energy Ltd. *   167,906    1,126,649 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. *   1,859    240,722 
         1,367,371 
Zambia: 2.6%          
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (CAD)   132,594    1,091,040 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

18

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Zimbabwe: 0.0%          
Delta Corp. Ltd.   15,980   $5,148 
Ecocash Holdings Zimbabwe Ltd. *   32,900    534 
         5,682 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $39,644,320)
        41,814,439 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 1.5%     
Money Market Fund: 1.5%
(Cost: $616,977)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   616,977   $616,977 
Total Investments: 101.6%
(Cost: $40,261,297)
        42,431,416 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (1.6)%        (649,295) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $41,782,121 


 

 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
CAD Canadian Dollar
GBP British Pound
GDR Global Depositary Receipt
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
MAD Moroccan Dirham
SGD Singapore Dollar
USD United States Dollar
ZAR South African Rand

 

Footnotes:

 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $4,000,181.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $1,669,347, or 4.0% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Financials       34.2 %      $14,305,573 
Materials    31.6     13,223,024 
Communication Services    14.6     6,112,327 
Consumer Discretionary    7.6     3,196,395 
Consumer Staples    5.2     2,163,804 
Energy    4.9     2,031,065 
Health Care    0.9     369,426 
Industrials    0.5     204,136 
Real Estate    0.3     142,929 
Utilities    0.2     65,760 
     100.0 %  $41,814,439 


See Notes to Financial Statements

19

VANECK AFRICA INDEX ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Australia  $   $1,723,112   $213,014   $1,936,126 
Canada   3,112,558            3,112,558 
China       1,184,967        1,184,967 
Egypt   1,457,723    512,232        1,969,955 
India   529,324            529,324 
Indonesia       217,762        217,762 
Kenya   1,854,089            1,854,089 
Morocco   1,412,313    4,647,307        6,059,620 
Nigeria   812,687    1,239,033        2,051,720 
Norway       65,760        65,760 
South Africa   4,978,927    10,716,425        15,695,352 
Tanzania   540,297            540,297 
United Arab Emirates   1,445,713            1,445,713 
United Kingdom   177,697    2,509,406        2,687,103 
United States   1,367,371            1,367,371 
Zambia   1,091,040            1,091,040 
Zimbabwe   5,682            5,682 
Money Market Fund   616,977            616,977 
Total Investments  $19,402,398   $22,816,004   $213,014   $42,431,416 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

20

VANECK BRAZIL SMALL-CAP ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 89.0%          
Automobiles & Components: 0.6%         
Mahle Metal Leve SA   23,100   $168,329 
Banks: 2.3%          
Inter & Co., Inc. (BDR) *   123,400    695,525 
Capital Goods: 3.3%          
Armac Locacao Logistica E Servicos SA *   54,050    189,643 
Iochpe Maxion SA   77,452    205,416 
Kepler Weber SA   70,200    157,889 
Mills Estruturas e Servicos de Engenharia SA   73,500    205,642 
Tupy SA   37,900    226,734 
         985,324 
Commercial & Professional Services: 1.4%      
Ambipar Participacoes e Empreendimentos SA   46,250    154,261 
Orizon Valorizacao de Residuos SA *   33,600    267,088 
         421,349 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 1.6% 
Grupo Casas Bahia SA *   56,736    132,859 
Grupo SBF SA   70,900    171,369 
Pet Center Comercio e Participacoes SA   223,350    181,616 
         485,844 
Consumer Durables & Apparel: 13.0%      
Cury Construtora e Incorporadora SA   80,800    299,338 
Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes   167,500    826,071 
Direcional Engenharia SA   81,300    374,223 
Ez Tec Empreendimentos e Participacoes SA   111,402    426,991 
Grendene SA   140,950    205,295 
Grupo de Moda Soma SA   306,500    469,509 
Guararapes Confeccoes SA *   60,300    81,053 
MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA *   251,400    580,270 
Vivara Participacoes SA   92,200    649,494 
         3,912,244 
Consumer Services: 9.6%          
Afya Ltd. *   13,369    293,182 
Anima Holding SA *   203,600    186,249 
Arcos Dorados Holdings, Inc.   72,700    922,563 
Cogna Educacao SA *   972,750    697,540 
Cruzeiro do Sul Educacional SA   44,350    48,357 
YDUQS Participacoes SA   140,450    647,656 
Zamp SA *   84,100    98,693 
         2,894,240 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail: 1.0%      
Cia Brasileira de Distribuicao (ADR) * †   101,665    81,332 
Dimed SA Distribuidora da Medicamentos   58,750    161,473 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail (continued)  
Empreendimentos Pague Menos SA *   61,557   $50,197 
         293,002 
Energy: 10.3%          
3R Petroleum Oleo e Gas SA *   127,801    690,217 
AES Brasil Energia SA *   175,272    444,616 
Enauta Participacoes SA   69,800    288,896 
Excelerate Energy, Inc.   9,510    147,025 
Karoon Energy Ltd. * †   536,328    743,143 
Modec, Inc. *   14,600    239,153 
Petroreconcavo SA   120,800    539,480 
         3,092,530 
Financial Services: 0.6%          
Vinci Partners Investments Ltd.   15,390    168,520 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 6.7%          
Adecoagro SA   32,103    356,343 
BrasilAgro - Co. Brasileira de Propriedades Agricolas   37,200    199,536 
Camil Alimentos SA *   84,500    146,751 
Jalles Machado SA   116,417    188,201 
Marfrig Global Foods SA *   311,013    615,431 
Minerva SA   181,100    278,381 
Tres Tentos Agroindustrial SA   88,500    219,204 
         2,003,847 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 6.0%      
Fleury SA *   217,587    807,933 
Hospital Mater Dei SA   29,900    51,367 
Odontoprev SA   164,740    394,111 
Oncoclinicas do Brasil Servicos Medicos SA *   206,000    552,072 
         1,805,483 
Insurance: 1.2%          
IRB-Brasil Resseguros SA *   39,673    362,227 
Materials: 5.0%          
Cia Brasileira de Aluminio   135,350    142,249 
Dexco SA *   233,100    387,514 
ERO Copper Corp. * †   50,922    804,059 
Irani Papel e Embalagem SA   76,950    172,591 
         1,506,413 
Media & Entertainment: 0.8%          
VTEX *   33,226    228,595 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences: 0.3%      
Blau Farmaceutica SA   22,950    77,436 
Real Estate Management & Development: 3.6%      
Iguatemi SA   155,850    778,010 
JHSF Participacoes SA   183,300    208,585 
LOG Commercial Properties e Participacoes SA   23,200    108,442 
         1,095,037 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.3%      
SMART Global Holdings, Inc. * †   20,277    383,844 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

21

VANECK BRAZIL SMALL-CAP ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software & Services: 1.3%          
Locaweb Servicos de Internet SA 144A   224,200   $277,652 
Sonda SA   284,519    124,185 
         401,837 
Technology Hardware & Equipment: 0.6%      
Ituran Location and Control Ltd.   3,814    103,893 
Multilaser Industrial SA *   145,700    62,663 
         166,556 
Telecommunication Services: 0.2%      
Unifique Telecomunicacoes SA   89,950    73,920 
Transportation: 9.6%          
Azul SA (ADR) *   69,183    670,383 
EcoRodovias Infraestrutura e Logistica SA   182,940    354,592 
Hidrovias do Brasil SA *   345,600    280,784 
Log-in Logistica Intermodal SA *   10,650    84,455 
Movida Participacoes SA   90,000    220,030 
Santos Brasil Participacoes SA   447,900    863,714 
SIMPAR SA   214,350    424,925 
         2,898,883 
Utilities: 8.7%          
Alupar Investimento SA   156,306    1,014,384 
Cia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais Copasa MG   134,988    569,751 
Cia De Sanena Do Parana *   103,150    619,879 
Light SA *   105,800    174,242 
Serena Energia SA *   119,402    251,109 
         2,629,365 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $22,502,299)
        26,750,350 
           
PREFERRED SECURITIES: 10.7%          
Banks: 3.6%          
Banco ABC Brasil SA*   52,756    271,620 
Banco do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul SA   144,750    397,885 
Banco Pan SA*   236,100    419,831 
         1,089,336 
Capital Goods: 2.9%          
Marcopolo SA   361,059    524,893 
Randon SA Implementos e Participacoes*   126,900    334,618 
         859,511 
Consumer; Cyclical: 0.8%          
Alpargatas SA*   109,750    228,467 
Energy: 2.2%          
Raizen SA   810,600    672,294 
Information Technology: 1.2%          
Cia de Ferro Ligas da Bahia FERBASA*   23,450    224,217 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Information Technology (continued)      
Taurus Armas SA   44,950   $140,633 
         364,850 
Total Preferred Securities
(Cost: $2,274,230)
        3,214,458 
Total Investments Before Collateral for Securities Loaned: 99.7%
(Cost: $24,776,529)
    29,964,808 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 2.4%  
Money Market Fund: 2.4%
(Cost: $710,626)
      
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   710,626    710,626 
Total Investments: 102.1%
(Cost: $25,487,155)
        30,675,434 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (2.1)%        (630,025) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $30,045,409 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

22

 


 

 

Definitions:
ADR American Depositary Receipt
BDR Brazilian Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $1,173,102.
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $277,652, or 0.9% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Consumer Discretionary      24.9%      $7,460,657 
Industrials   17.3    5,165,067 
Energy   11.1    3,320,208 
Utilities   10.3    3,073,981 
Consumer Staples   8.5    2,525,316 
Financials   7.7    2,315,609 
Health Care   6.3    1,882,919 
Materials   5.0    1,506,413 
Information Technology   4.3    1,317,087 
Real Estate   3.6    1,095,037 
Communication Services   1.0    302,514 
    100.0%  $29,964,808 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

23

VANECK BRAZIL SMALL-CAP ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Automobiles & Components  $   $168,329   $   $168,329 
Banks       695,525        695,525 
Capital Goods       985,324        985,324 
Commercial & Professional Services       421,349        421,349 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail       485,844        485,844 
Consumer Durables & Apparel       3,912,244        3,912,244 
Consumer Services   1,215,745    1,678,495        2,894,240 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail   81,332    211,670        293,002 
Energy   147,025    2,945,505        3,092,530 
Financial Services   168,520            168,520 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco   356,343    1,647,504        2,003,847 
Health Care Equipment & Services       1,805,483        1,805,483 
Insurance       362,227        362,227 
Materials   804,059    702,354        1,506,413 
Media & Entertainment   228,595            228,595 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences       77,436        77,436 
Real Estate Management & Development       1,095,037        1,095,037 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   383,844            383,844 
Software & Services       401,837        401,837 
Technology Hardware & Equipment   103,893    62,663        166,556 
Telecommunication Services       73,920        73,920 
Transportation   670,383    2,228,500        2,898,883 
Utilities       2,629,365        2,629,365 
Preferred Securities *       3,214,458        3,214,458 
Money Market Fund   710,626            710,626 
Total Investments  $4,870,365   $25,805,069   $   $30,675,434 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

24

VANECK CHINEXT ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.7%          
Capital Goods: 30.2%          
Beijing Easpring Material Technology Co. Ltd.   18,200   $97,586 
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.   113,700    2,606,997 
Dongguan Yiheda Automation Co. Ltd.   7,400    26,778 
East Group Co. Ltd.   46,800    41,844 
Eve Energy Co. Ltd.   57,100    338,605 
Gaona Aero Material Co. Ltd.   20,900    59,707 
Ginlong Technologies Co. Ltd.   10,000    98,081 
Guangzhou Great Power Energy & Technology Co. Ltd.   14,200    56,397 
Hunan Yuneng New Energy Battery Material Co. Ltd.   6,300    30,046 
JL Mag Rare-Earth Co. Ltd.   27,100    76,999 
Qingdao TGOOD Electric Co. Ltd.   30,000    84,704 
Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co. Ltd.   86,600    768,293 
Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd.   45,500    559,538 
Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd.   62,300    129,161 
Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd.   44,900    161,315 
Xi’an Triangle Defense Co. Ltd.   15,600    61,137 
         5,197,188 
Commercial & Professional Services: 0.8%  
Beijing Originwater Technology Co. Ltd.   90,900    63,725 
Centre Testing International Group Co. Ltd.   33,200    66,230 
         129,955 
Consumer Durables & Apparel: 0.3%  
Huali Industrial Group Co. Ltd.   6,900    51,013 
Consumer Services: 0.6%          
Songcheng Performance Development Co. Ltd.   72,400    100,355 
Financial Services: 8.2%          
Beijing Compass Technology Development Co. Ltd. *  11,200    94,845 
East Money Information Co. Ltd.   569,200    1,123,317 
Hithink RoyalFlush Information Network Co. Ltd.   9,000    198,432 
         1,416,594 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 4.7%          
Wens Foodstuffs Group Co. Ltd.   244,900    690,214 
Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co. Ltd.   25,500    119,600 
         809,814 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 12.6%  
Aier Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd.   194,400    432,301 
Dian Diagnostics Group Co. Ltd.   21,200    70,866 
Huaxia Eye Hospital Group Co. Ltd.   7,900    35,619 
Jafron Biomedical Co. Ltd.   19,300    60,241 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Health Care Equipment & Services (continued)  
Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co. Ltd.   55,500   $125,970 
Ovctek China, Inc.   22,100    70,081 
Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co. Ltd.   23,900    976,107 
Shenzhen New Industries Biomedical Engineering Co. Ltd.   14,600    160,340 
Sonoscape Medical Corp.   11,200    74,416 
Tofflon Science & Technology Group Co. Ltd.   17,200    43,477 
Winner Medical Co. Ltd.   8,800    46,034 
Winning Health Technology Group Co. Ltd.   79,400    80,077 
         2,175,529 
Household & Personal Products: 1.0%  
By-health Co. Ltd.   44,800    107,106 
Yunnan Botanee Bio- Technology Group Co. Ltd.   6,000    57,445 
         164,551 
Materials: 6.5%          
Canmax Technologies Co. Ltd.   26,400    93,934 
CNGR Advanced Material Co. Ltd.   13,500    93,120 
Hubei Dinglong Co. Ltd.   31,300    106,439 
Hubei Feilihua Quartz Glass Co. Ltd.   19,200    98,582 
Shandong Sinocera Functional Material Co. Ltd.   35,700    115,916 
Shandong Weifang Rainbow Chemical Co. Ltd.   4,200    41,305 
Shenzhen Capchem Technology Co. Ltd.   21,800    144,793 
Shenzhen Dynanonic Co. Ltd.   9,400    80,546 
Shenzhen Senior Technology Material Co. Ltd.   52,000    112,647 
Sinofibers Technology Co. Ltd.   16,100    67,425 
Sunresin New Materials Co. Ltd.   11,200    83,447 
Weihai Guangwei Composites Co. Ltd.   23,700    88,797 
         1,126,951 
Media & Entertainment: 2.1%          
Beijing Enlight Media Co. Ltd.   63,800    73,064 
Kunlun Tech Co. Ltd. *   36,900    193,772 
Mango Excellent Media Co. Ltd.   28,000    99,118 
         365,954 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences: 10.2% 
Anhui Anke Biotechnology Group Co. Ltd.   50,600    72,633 
Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd.   11,500    83,307 
BGI Genomics Co. Ltd.   10,500    70,762 
China Resources Boya Bio-pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd.   14,100    66,702 
Chongqing Zhifei Biological Products Co. Ltd.   51,400    440,973 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

25

VANECK CHINEXT ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences (continued) 
Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co. Ltd.   24,000   $185,110 
Hualan Biological Vaccine, Inc.   5,100    19,897 
Imeik Technology Development Co. Ltd.   4,500    185,829 
Pharmaron Beijing Co. Ltd.   41,600    169,130 
Porton Pharma Solutions Ltd.   15,100    53,305 
Shenzhen Kangtai Biological Products Co. Ltd.   27,900    106,382 
Walvax Biotechnology Co. Ltd.   73,700    243,237 
Zhejiang Wolwo Bio- Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.   12,400    50,475 
         1,747,742 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 6.4% 
Hangzhou Chang Chuan Technology Co. Ltd.   17,500    93,380 
Ingenic Semiconductor Co. Ltd.   12,600    114,340 
Konfoong Materials International Co. Ltd.   8,100    66,616 
Risen Energy Co. Ltd.   40,200    99,696 
SG Micro Corp.   13,600    169,908 
Shenzhen SC New Energy Technology Corp.   11,200    116,393 
Suzhou Maxwell Technologies Co. Ltd.   6,400    116,405 
Wuhan DR Laser Technology Corp. Ltd.   6,000    50,775 
Yangling Metron New Material, Inc.   7,100    33,187 
Yangzhou Yangjie Electronic Technology Co. Ltd.   13,000    66,982 
Zhejiang Jingsheng Mechanical & Electrical Co. Ltd.   27,700    171,480 
         1,099,162 
Software & Services: 4.4%          
Beijing Sinnet Technology Co. Ltd. *   62,000    84,601 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software & Services (continued)    
Empyrean Technology Co. Ltd.   8,000   $118,852 
Isoftstone Information Technology Group Co. Ltd. *   27,200    176,313 
Longshine Technology Group Co. Ltd.   25,700    59,155 
Sangfor Technologies, Inc. *   10,600    107,587 
Semitronix Corp.   3,500    36,696 
Thunder Software Technology Co. Ltd.   15,800    177,459 
         760,663 
Technology Hardware & Equipmen: 0.7%    
Shenzhen Sunway Communication Co. Ltd.   36,500    120,898 
Technology Hardware & Equipment: 11.0%    
Anker Innovations Technology Co. Ltd.   7,100    88,303 
Chaozhou Three-Circle Group Co. Ltd.   55,700    230,264 
Eoptolink Technology, Inc. Ltd.   28,200    194,748 
Lens Technology Co. Ltd.   87,800    162,655 
Leyard Optoelectronic Co. Ltd.   91,600    77,183 
Maxscend Microelectronics Co. Ltd.   15,200    300,747 
Shenzhen Longsys Electronics Co. Ltd. *   4,100    52,926 
Suzhou TFC Optical Communication Co. Ltd.   9,800    125,545 
Wuhan Jingce Electronic Group Co. Ltd.   8,600    105,841 
Yealink Network Technology Corp. Ltd.   20,600    85,464 
Zhongji Innolight Co. Ltd.   28,500    450,630 
Zhuzhou Hongda Electronics Corp. Ltd.   6,000    25,433 
         1,899,739 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $17,638,256)
        17,166,108 
Total Investments: 99.7%
(Cost: $17,638,256)
        17,166,108 
Other assets less liabilities: 0.3%     59,547 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $17,225,655 


 

 

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector         % of
Investments
  Value 
Industrials       31.0%      $5,327,143 
Health Care   22.9    3,923,271 
Information Technology   22.6    3,880,462 
Financials   8.2    1,416,594 
Materials   6.6    1,126,951 
Consumer Staples   5.7    974,365 
Communication Services   2.1    365,954 
Consumer Discretionary   0.9    151,368 
    100.0%  $17,166,108 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

26

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Advanced Materials  $   $2,606,997   $   $2,606,997 
Capital Goods       2,590,191        2,590,191 
Commercial & Professional Services       129,955        129,955 
Consumer Durables & Apparel       51,013        51,013 
Consumer Services       100,355        100,355 
Financial Services       1,416,594        1,416,594 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco       809,814        809,814 
Health Care Equipment & Services   160,340    2,015,189        2,175,529 
Household & Personal Products       164,551        164,551 
Materials       1,126,951        1,126,951 
Media & Entertainment       365,954        365,954 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences       1,747,742        1,747,742 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment       1,099,162        1,099,162 
Software & Services       760,663        760,663 
Technology Hardware & Equipmen       120,898        120,898 
Technology Hardware & Equipment       1,899,739        1,899,739 
Total Investments  $160,340   $17,005,768   $   $17,166,108 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

27

VANECK DIGITAL INDIA ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.4%          
Capital Goods: 0.8%          
IndiaMart InterMesh Ltd. 144A   2,216   $72,443 
Commercial & Professional Services: 3.8%  
Computer Age Management Services Ltd.   2,742    87,298 
L&T Technology Services Ltd. 144A   1,595    100,602 
WNS Holdings Ltd. (ADR) *   2,411    152,375 
         340,275 
Consumer Durables & Apparel: 2.3%  
Dixon Technologies India Ltd.   2,661    209,847 
Consumer Services: 7.2%          
MakeMyTrip Ltd. *   3,521    165,417 
Zomato Ltd. *   329,533    489,119 
         654,536 
Energy: 8.1%          
Reliance Industries Ltd. 144A (GDR)   11,631    726,350 
Financial Services: 4.3%          
ICICI Securities Ltd. 144A   6,093    52,573 
IIFL Finance Ltd.   13,517    97,133 
Indian Energy Exchange Ltd. 144A   32,953    66,474 
One 97 Communications Ltd. *    22,497    171,592 
         387,772 
Insurance: 2.7%          
PB Fintech Ltd. *   25,490    243,179 
Media & Entertainment: 3.3%          
Info Edge India Ltd.   4,879    301,142 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software & Services: 53.2%          
Coforge Ltd.   3,113   $234,471 
Cyient Ltd.   5,179    142,629 
HCL Technologies Ltd.   32,149    565,782 
Infosys Ltd. (ADR)   38,788    712,923 
KPIT Technologies Ltd.   12,612    229,186 
LTIMindtree Ltd. 144A   5,684    429,507 
Mphasis Ltd.   5,550    182,491 
Oracle Financial Services Software Ltd.   1,764    89,235 
Persistent Systems Ltd.   4,004    355,155 
Tanla Platforms Ltd.   4,969    65,320 
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.   13,836    630,145 
Tata Elxsi Ltd.   2,631    276,606 
Tech Mahindra Ltd.   29,072    444,104 
Wipro Ltd. (ADR)   77,662    432,577 
         4,790,131 
Technology Hardware & Equipment: 1.6%  
Redington Ltd.   39,501    83,864 
Tejas Networks Ltd. 144A *   5,639    58,911 
         142,775 
Telecommunication Services: 11.3%  
Bharti Airtel Ltd.   45,200    560,347 
Indus Towers Ltd. *   63,009    150,596 
Tata Communications Ltd.   8,813    187,402 
Vodafone Idea Ltd. *   587,430    112,789 
         1,011,134 
Transportation: 1.8%          
Delhivery Ltd. *   34,902    163,147 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $8,406,314)
        9,042,731 
Total Investments: 100.4%
(Cost: $8,406,314)
        9,042,731 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (0.4)%    (32,560) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $9,010,171 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $1,506,860, or 16.7% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector         % of
Investments
  Value 
Information Technology       54.6%      $4,932,907 
Communication Services   14.5    1,312,276 
Consumer Discretionary   9.5    864,382 
Energy   8.0    726,350 
Financials   7.0    630,950 
Industrials   6.4    575,866 
    100.0%  $9,042,731 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

28

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Capital Goods  $   $72,443   $   $72,443 
Commercial & Professional Services   152,375    187,900        340,275 
Consumer Durables & Apparel       209,847        209,847 
Consumer Services   165,417    489,119        654,536 
Energy       726,350        726,350 
Financial Services   52,573    335,199        387,772 
Insurance       243,179        243,179 
Media & Entertainment       301,142        301,142 
Software & Services   1,145,500    3,644,631        4,790,131 
Technology Hardware & Equipment       142,775        142,775 
Telecommunication Services       1,011,134        1,011,134 
Transportation       163,147        163,147 
Total Investments  $1,515,865   $7,526,866   $   $9,042,731 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

29

VANECK EGYPT INDEX ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 94.4%          
Automobiles & Components: 1.4%  
GB Corp. *   1,145,393   $300,219 
Banks: 6.2%          
Commercial International Bank - Egypt (GDR)   1,068,154    1,367,237 
Capital Goods: 6.7%          
ElSewedy Electric Co.   1,600,739    1,480,910 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 1.2% 
MM Group for Industry & International Trade SAE *   1,180,716    274,758 
Consumer Durables & Apparel: 2.2%  
Oriental Weavers   892,926    489,990 
Consumer Services: 1.7%          
Cairo For Investment And Real Estate Developments - CIRA Education   871,832    376,361 
Energy: 1.8%          
Capricorn Energy Plc *   186,617    402,863 
Financial Services: 15.6%          
EFG Holding SAE. *   1,678,941    904,594 
EFG Holding SAE. (GDR) *   450,931    270,559 
E-Finance for Digital & Financial Investments   1,203,917    681,495 
Egypt Kuwait Holding Co. SAE   739,456    934,931 
Fawry for Banking & Payment Technology Services SAE *   3,738,617    664,597 
         3,456,176 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 8.4%          
Eastern Co. SAE   2,049,587   $1,859,333 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 1.8%  
Cleopatra Hospital *   2,700,402    404,285 
Materials: 26.1%          
Abou Kir Fertilizers & Chemical Industries   721,884    1,946,105 
Alexandria Mineral Oils Co.   1,839,940    585,449 
Centamin Plc   559,849    711,048 
Egyptian Chemical Industries KIMA *   548,258    235,742 
Ezz Steel Co. SAE *   541,802    1,578,609 
Sidi Kerir Petrochemicals Co.   815,057    743,991 
         5,800,944 
Real Estate Management & Development: 16.9%  
Emaar Misr for Development SAE *   2,267,178    273,334 
Heliopolis Housing   1,439,378    480,625 
Madinet Masr For Housing & Development   4,608,946    611,049 
Palm Hills Developments SAE *   4,692,156    406,347 
Talaat Moustafa Group   2,551,035    1,967,411 
         3,738,766 
Telecommunication Services: 4.4%  
Telecom Egypt Co.   831,975    985,643 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $15,312,517)
        20,937,485 
Total Investments: 94.4%
(Cost: $15,312,517)
        20,937,485 
Other assets less liabilities: 5.6%    1,249,402 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $22,186,887 


 

 

 

Definitions:

 

GDR Global Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector         % of
Investments
  Value 
Materials        27.7%      $5,800,944 
Financials   23.0    4,823,413 
Real Estate   17.9    3,738,766 
Consumer Staples   8.9    1,859,333 
Industrials   7.1    1,480,910 
Consumer Discretionary   6.9    1,441,328 
Communication Services   4.7    985,643 
Health Care   1.9    404,285 
Energy   1.9    402,863 
    100.0%  $20,937,485 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

30

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Automobiles & Components  $   $300,219   $   $300,219 
Banks   1,367,237            1,367,237 
Capital Goods   1,480,910            1,480,910 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail       274,758        274,758 
Consumer Durables & Apparel   489,990            489,990 
Consumer Services   376,361            376,361 
Energy       402,863        402,863 
Financial Services   1,205,490    2,250,686        3,456,176 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco       1,859,333        1,859,333 
Health Care Equipment & Services       404,285        404,285 
Materials   585,449    5,215,495        5,800,944 
Real Estate Management & Development   2,578,460    1,160,306        3,738,766 
Telecommunication Services       985,643        985,643 
Total Investments  $8,083,897   $12,853,588   $   $20,937,485 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

31

VANECK INDIA GROWTH LEADERS ETF

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.2%          
Automobiles & Components: 5.5%       
Eicher Motors Ltd.   86,390   $4,299,635 
Pricol Ltd. *   26,329    120,127 
UNO Minda Ltd.   106,200    876,876 
         5,296,638 
Banks: 13.7%          
Bank of Baroda   1,191,465    3,305,858 
CSB Bank Ltd. *   54,112    272,041 
ICICI Bank Ltd.   346,823    4,144,465 
Karnataka Bank Ltd.   200,279    562,907 
State Bank of India   586,143    4,518,376 
Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Ltd. 144A   334,703    228,682 
         13,032,329 
Capital Goods: 16.2%          
Action Construction Equipment Ltd.   21,990    218,852 
AIA Engineering Ltd.   19,730    874,475 
Apar Industries Ltd.   9,904    720,140 
Bharat Electronics Ltd.   2,247,024    4,971,001 
Confidence Petroleum India Ltd.   61,032    65,426 
Cummins India Ltd.   88,991    2,099,128 
Data Patterns India Ltd.   12,287    274,545 
Elecon Engineering Co. Ltd.   23,979    266,951 
Elgi Equipments Ltd.   121,160    792,461 
Force Motors Ltd.   3,075    133,574 
HBL Power Systems Ltd.   141,805    742,867 
Ingersoll Rand India Ltd.   4,543    169,922 
Jupiter Wagons Ltd.   43,087    165,148 
Kirloskar Brothers Ltd.   17,719    188,953 
Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd.   44,909    353,511 
Man Infraconstruction Ltd.   67,824    176,474 
Polycab India Ltd.   33,564    2,211,064 
Praj Industries Ltd.   67,012    447,548 
Shanthi Gears Ltd.   11,675    84,199 
Voltamp Transformers Ltd.   5,454    427,132 
         15,383,371 
Commercial & Professional Services: 1.4%  
BLS International Services Ltd.   69,501    266,571 
L&T Technology Services Ltd. 144A   17,230    1,086,758 
         1,353,329 
Consumer Services: 0.1%          
Aptech Ltd.   19,369    60,589 
           
Energy: 8.1%          
Coal India Ltd.   1,315,294    5,939,338 
Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd.   52,802    619,311 
Hindustan Oil Exploration Co. Ltd. *   40,331    88,211 
Oil India Ltd.   233,045    1,041,108 
         7,687,968 
Financial Services: 6.3%          
Angel One Ltd.   20,026    838,949 
Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.   23,464    349,604 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Financial Services (continued)          
Nippon Life India Asset Management Ltd. 144A   90,876   $488,846 
Shriram Finance Ltd.   175,520    4,329,680 
         6,007,079 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 5.0%          
Godfrey Phillips India Ltd.   9,330    236,375 
KRBL Ltd.   36,533    164,519 
Varun Beverages Ltd.   292,039    4,338,349 
         4,739,243 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 0.4%  
Narayana Hrudayalaya Ltd.   23,842    344,217 
Materials: 6.9%          
Andhra Paper Ltd.   5,691    41,703 
Archean Chemical Industries Ltd.   24,546    191,519 
Bayer CropScience Ltd.   7,264    484,639 
Fine Organic Industries Ltd.   5,063    302,675 
Gravita India Ltd.   13,525    177,972 
JK Paper Ltd.   46,846    228,862 
JTL Industries Ltd.   28,028    80,087 
Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd. *   46,891    337,142 
NMDC Ltd.   635,675    1,599,872 
PI Industries Ltd.   54,608    2,306,431 
Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd.   35,297    307,534 
Usha Martin Ltd.   119,298    424,554 
West Coast Paper Mills Ltd.   16,578    145,266 
         6,628,256 
Media & Entertainment: 2.9%          
Affle India Ltd. *   31,726    497,506 
Brightcom Group Ltd. *   969,856    225,524 
Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd. *∞ ø  1,298,085    1,595,195 
Sun TV Network Ltd.   55,113    471,456 
         2,789,681 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences: 7.3% 
Caplin Point Laboratories Ltd.   12,540    204,242 
Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd.   60,201    4,195,888 
Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd.   13,315    105,098 
Marksans Pharma Ltd.   136,396    263,861 
Natco Pharma Ltd.   60,202    586,699 
Neuland Laboratories Ltd.   4,040    256,819 
Zydus Lifesciences Ltd.   161,509    1,337,075 
         6,949,682 
Software & Services: 26.2%          
Happiest Minds Technologies Ltd.   47,277    508,657 
HCL Technologies Ltd.   271,829    4,783,851 
Infosys Ltd. (ADR)   227,457    4,180,660 
KPIT Technologies Ltd.   99,144    1,801,649 
LTIMindtree Ltd. 144A   57,397    4,337,163 
Newgen Software Technologies Ltd.   17,073    320,246 
Nucleus Software Exports Ltd.   4,457    78,582 
Persistent Systems Ltd.   29,659    2,630,755 
Route Mobile Ltd.   17,034    327,030 
Sonata Software Ltd.   105,000    936,662 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

32

 

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software & Services (continued)          
Tanla Platforms Ltd.   41,079   $540,008 
Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.   97,935    4,460,339 
         24,905,602 
Technology Hardware & Equipment: 0.2%  
Zen Technologies Ltd.   21,332    203,458 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $73,057,547)
        95,381,442 
Total Investments: 100.2%
(Cost: $73,057,547)
        95,381,442 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (0.2)%        (182,500) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $95,198,942 


 

 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

* Non-income producing
Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
ø Restricted Security – the aggregate value of restricted securities is $1,595,195, or 1.7% of net assets
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $6,141,449, or 6.5% of net assets.

 

Restricted securities held by the Fund as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

Security  Acquisition
Date
  Number of
Shares
   Acquisition
Cost
   Value   % of
Net Assets
 
Chennai Super Kings Cricket Ltd.  10/08/2015   1,298,085   $35,108   $1,595,195    1.7%

 

Summary of Investments by Sector          % of
Investments
  Value 
Information Technology      26.3%     $25,109,059 
Financials   20.0    19,039,409 
Industrials   17.5    16,736,700 
Energy   8.1    7,687,966 
Health Care   7.7    7,293,900 
Materials   6.9    6,628,257 
Consumer Discretionary   5.6    5,357,226 
Consumer Staples   5.0    4,739,243 
Communication Services   2.9    2,789,682 
    100.0%  $95,381,442 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

33

VANECK INDIA GROWTH LEADERS ETF

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Automobiles & Components  $   $5,296,638   $   $5,296,638 
Banks       13,032,329        13,032,329 
Capital Goods   165,148    15,218,223        15,383,371 
Commercial & Professional Services       1,353,329        1,353,329 
Consumer Services       60,589        60,589 
Energy       7,687,968        7,687,968 
Financial Services       6,007,079        6,007,079 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco       4,739,243        4,739,243 
Health Care Equipment & Services       344,217        344,217 
Materials   821,781    5,806,475        6,628,256 
Media & Entertainment   225,524    968,962    1,595,195    2,789,681 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences       6,949,682        6,949,682 
Software & Services   4,180,660    20,724,942        24,905,602 
Technology Hardware & Equipment       203,458        203,458 
Total Investments  $5,393,113   $88,393,134   $1,595,195   $95,381,442 

 

The following table reconciles the valuation of the Fund’s Level 3 investment securities and related transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023:

 

   Common Stock  
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $1,526,697 
Realized gain (loss)    
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   68,498 
Purchases    
Sales    
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $1,595,195 

 

The following table presents additional information about valuation methodologies and inputs used for investments that are measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 as of December 31, 2023:

 

    Value as of
December
31, 2023
  Valuation
Technique
  Unobservable
Input
Description(1)
  Unobservable
Input
  Impact to
Valuation from an
Increase in Input(2)
Common Stock                    
                     
Media & Entertainment   $1,595,195   Market Approach   Revenue Multiple   18.5x – 20.5x   Increase
            Illiquidity Discount   35%   Decrease

 

(1) In determining certain of these inputs, management evaluates a variety of factors including economic condition, industry and market developments, market valuations of comparable companies and company specific developments.

 

(2) This column represents the directional change in the fair value of the Level 3 investments that would result from an increase to the corresponding unobservable input. A decrease to the unobservable input would have the opposite effect. Significant increases or decreases in these inputs in isolation could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

34

VANECK INDONESIA INDEX ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.0%          
Banks: 29.2%          
Bank Aladin Syariah Tbk PT *   1,486,900   $119,748 
Bank Central Asia Tbk PT   3,951,500    2,413,179 
Bank Jago Tbk PT *   948,900    178,554 
Bank Mandiri Persero Tbk PT   5,246,004    2,060,827 
Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   3,743,564    1,306,278 
Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   6,409,833    2,382,328 
         8,460,914 
Capital Goods: 7.6%          
Astra International Tbk PT   4,555,400    1,670,562 
Jardine Cycle & Carriage Ltd.   23,088    520,601 
         2,191,163 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 5.8%      
Bukalapak.com PT Tbk *   13,860,000    194,281 
GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk PT *   224,767,600    1,253,036 
Mitra Adiperkasa Tbk PT   2,063,200    239,871 
         1,687,188 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail: 3.2%      
Sumber Alfaria Trijaya Tbk PT   4,950,300    942,003 
Energy: 8.4%          
Adaro Energy Indonesia Tbk PT   3,488,600    538,809 
Banpu PCL (NVDR)   2,312,529    459,681 
Bukit Asam Tbk PT   993,500    157,492 
Bumi Resources Tbk PT *   32,964,500    181,756 
Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk PT   100,300    167,085 
Petrindo Jaya Kreasi Tbk PT *   427,700    372,921 
United Tractors Tbk PT   378,469    556,110 
         2,433,854 
Financial Services: 0.6%          
BFI Finance Indonesia Tbk PT   2,106,000    164,820 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 7.4%          
Charoen Pokphand Indonesia Tbk PT   1,830,100    597,083 
First Pacific Co. Ltd.   517,250    206,111 
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.   1,158,000    228,083 
Gudang Garam Tbk PT   117,100    154,554 
Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk PT   562,000    385,548 
Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT   1,113,600    466,535 
Japfa Comfeed Indonesia Tbk PT   1,338,500    102,584 
         2,140,498 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 0.9%          
Mitra Keluarga Karyasehat Tbk PT   1,373,097    254,161 
Household & Personal Products: 1.1%          
Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT   1,451,500    332,722 
Materials: 14.9%          
Aneka Tambang Tbk   2,133,400    236,252 
Avia Avian Tbk PT   3,928,600    127,577 
Barito Pacific Tbk PT   6,924,843    597,815 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Materials (continued)          
Bumi Resources Minerals Tbk PT *   18,700,800   $206,525 
Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk PT   2,633,236    897,476 
Indah Kiat Pulp & Paper Tbk PT   652,200    352,508 
Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa Tbk PT   392,200    239,404 
Merdeka Battery Materials Tbk PT *   7,669,900    278,960 
Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk PT *    3,118,995    546,758 
Nickel Industries Ltd.   369,607    175,194 
Pabrik Kertas Tjiwi Kimia Tbk PT   315,900    149,774 
Semen Indonesia Persero Tbk PT   839,162    348,759 
Vale Indonesia Tbk PT   529,300    148,164 
         4,305,166 
Media & Entertainment: 0.5%          
Elang Mahkota Teknologi Tbk PT   4,038,800    154,667 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences: 1.8%      
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT   4,993,700    522,356 
Real Estate Management & Development: 1.8%      
Bumi Serpong Damai Tbk PT *    1,879,500    131,864 
Ciputra Development Tbk PT   2,209,695    167,912 
Pakuwon Jati Tbk PT   3,786,800    111,621 
Summarecon Agung Tbk PT   2,763,600    103,201 
         514,598 
Telecommunication Services: 9.6%          
Indosat Tbk PT   327,200    199,227 
PT Tower Bersama Infrastructure Tbk   862,000    117,009 
Sarana Menara Nusantara Tbk PT   5,305,300    340,722 
Smartfren Telecom Tbk PT *   32,326,600    105,007 
Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT (ADR)   72,569    1,869,377 
XL Axiata Tbk PT   1,075,275    139,602 
         2,770,944 
Transportation: 1.0%          
Jasa Marga Persero Tbk PT   552,250    174,589 
Transcoal Pacific Tbk PT   253,600    121,499 
         296,088 
Utilities: 6.2%          
Barito Renewables Energy Tbk PT   3,320,400    1,612,002 
Perusahaan Gas Negara Tbk PT   2,644,000    193,987 
         1,805,989 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $35,973,658)
        28,977,131 
Total Investments: 100.0%
(Cost: $35,973,658)
        28,977,131 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: 0.0%        (4,231) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $28,972,900 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

35

VANECK INDONESIA INDEX ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

 

Definitions:
ADR American Depositary Receipt
NVDR Non-Voting Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:
* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector               % of
Investments
  Value 
Financials   29.8%  $8,625,734 
Materials   14.9    4,305,166 
Consumer Staples   11.7    3,415,223 
Communication Services   10.1    2,925,611 
Industrials   8.6    2,487,251 
Energy   8.4    2,433,854 
Utilities   6.2    1,805,989 
Consumer Discretionary   5.8    1,687,188 
Health Care   2.7    776,517 
Real Estate   1.8    514,598 
    100.0%  $28,977,131 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Banks  $119,748   $8,341,166   $   $8,460,914 
Capital Goods       2,191,163        2,191,163 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail       1,687,188        1,687,188 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail       942,003        942,003 
Energy       2,433,854        2,433,854 
Financial Services   164,820            164,820 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco       2,140,498        2,140,498 
Health Care Equipment & Services   254,161            254,161 
Household & Personal Products       332,722        332,722 
Materials   704,475    3,600,691        4,305,166 
Media & Entertainment       154,667        154,667 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences       522,356        522,356 
Real Estate Management & Development   167,912    346,686        514,598 
Telecommunication Services   2,185,613    585,331        2,770,944 
Transportation       296,088        296,088 
Utilities   1,612,002    193,987        1,805,989 
Total Investments  $5,208,731   $23,768,400   $   $28,977,131 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

36

VANECK ISRAEL ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.8%          
Automobiles & Components: 0.6%          
Mobileye Global, Inc. * †   8,789   $380,739 
Banks: 17.4%          
Bank Hapoalim BM   317,340    2,866,404 
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM   377,094    3,051,346 
FIBI Holdings Ltd.   5,852    256,361 
First International Bank Of Israel Ltd.   15,528    638,170 
Israel Discount Bank Ltd.   340,347    1,713,391 
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.   46,122    1,795,215 
         10,320,887 
Capital Goods: 4.6%          
Ashtrom Group Ltd.   9,051    141,197 
Elbit Systems Ltd. †   7,796    1,662,497 
Electra Ltd.   238    101,518 
Kornit Digital Ltd. *   13,099    250,977 
Shapir Engineering and Industry Ltd.   25,804    166,555 
Shikun & Binui Ltd. *   60,192    171,227 
Stratasys Ltd. *   17,841    254,769 
         2,748,740 
Commercial & Professional Services: 0.9%          
Danel Adir Yeoshua Ltd.   925    76,915 
Fiverr International Ltd. * †   11,439    311,370 
Hilan Ltd.   3,234    171,093 
         559,378 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 1.9%      
Global-e Online Ltd. *   28,810    1,141,740 
Consumer Durables & Apparel: 0.6%          
Delta Galil Ltd.   3,804    170,526 
Maytronics Ltd.   13,583    154,861 
         325,387 
Consumer Services: 0.4%          
888 Holdings Plc *   98,839    120,393 
Fattal Holdings 1998 Ltd. *   1,242    137,847 
         258,240 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail: 0.5%      
Rami Levy Chain Stores          
Hashikma Marketing 2006 Ltd.   2,843    159,261 
Shufersal Ltd. *   33,806    162,026 
         321,287 
Energy: 2.2%          
Delek Group Ltd.   3,310    428,690 
Energean Plc   32,639    434,207 
Oil Refineries Ltd.   822,627    279,167 
Paz Oil Co. Ltd.   1,683    141,635 
         1,283,699 
Financial Services: 2.0%          
Isracard Ltd.   64,767    230,656 
Payoneer Global, Inc. *   75,905    395,465 
Plus500 Ltd.   19,100    405,664 
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Ltd.   23,209    124,487 
         1,156,272 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 0.4%          
Strauss Group Ltd. *   11,622    219,807 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Health Care Equipment & Services: 1.9%          
Inmode Ltd. * †   26,859   $597,344 
Nano-X Imaging Ltd. * †   18,664    118,890 
Novocure Ltd. *   15,068    224,965 
OPKO Health, Inc. * †   132,935    200,732 
         1,141,931 
Insurance: 2.9%          
Clal Insurance Enterprises Holdings Ltd. *   20,113    322,091 
Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd.   37,327    293,860 
Lemonade, Inc. * †   15,150    244,369 
Menora Mivtachim Holdings Ltd.   7,875    203,613 
Migdal Insurance & Financial Holdings Ltd.   108,738    124,397 
Phoenix Holdings Ltd.   53,967    549,797 
         1,738,127 
Materials: 2.1%          
ICL Group Ltd.   177,385    888,699 
Israel Corp. Ltd. *   1,294    329,438 
         1,218,137 
Media & Entertainment: 1.6%          
Perion Network Ltd. *   14,398    444,466 
Playtika Holding Corp. *   23,997    209,254 
Taboola.com Ltd. * †   62,568    270,920 
         924,640 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences: 7.0%      
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. *   2,844    118,822 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR) *   385,525    4,024,881 
         4,143,703 
Real Estate Management & Development: 4.5%      
Airport City Ltd. *   11,066    189,968 
Alony Hetz Properties & Investments Ltd.   34,614    284,319 
Amot Investments Ltd.   53,375    289,097 
Azrieli Group Ltd.   12,512    813,701 
Big Shopping Centers Ltd. *   3,109    321,451 
Melisron Ltd.   5,718    445,454 
Mivne Real Estate KD Ltd.   72,694    217,419 
Summit Real Estate Holdings Ltd.   7,370    111,204 
         2,672,613 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 7.0%      
Camtek Ltd. * †   8,181    567,598 
CEVA, Inc. * †   5,267    119,613 
Nova Ltd. *   5,971    820,356 
SolarEdge Technologies, Inc. * †   17,585    1,645,956 
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. *   33,814    1,032,003 
         4,185,526 
Software & Services: 35.2%          
Amdocs Ltd.   33,158    2,914,257 
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. *   29,373    4,487,901 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

37

VANECK ISRAEL ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Software & Services (continued)          
CyberArk Software Ltd. *   13,646   $2,989,156 
Formula Systems 1985 Ltd.   1,898    122,462 
JFrog Ltd. *   29,580    1,023,764 
Matrix IT Ltd.   8,957    169,836 
Monday.com Ltd. *   8,373    1,572,533 
Nice Ltd. (ADR) * †   16,989    3,389,475 
One Software Technologies Ltd.   8,609    110,544 
Radware Ltd. *   7,521    125,450 
Sapiens International Corp. NV   9,584    277,361 
SentinelOne, Inc. *   66,729    1,831,044 
Wix.com Ltd. *   15,531    1,910,624 
         20,924,407 
Technology Hardware & Equipment: 0.5%          
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. * †    15,190    92,811 
Nano Dimension Ltd. (ADR) * †    72,775    174,660 
         267,471 
Telecommunication Services: 1.7%          
Bezeq The Israeli Telecommunication Corp. Ltd.   694,645    951,125 
Partner Communications Co. Ltd. *   16,654    82,868 
         1,033,993 
Transportation: 0.5%          
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. †   32,663    322,384 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Utilities: 3.4%          
Energix-Renewable Energies Ltd.   79,141   $291,985 
Enlight Renewable Energy Ltd. *   22,698    442,291 
Kenon Holdings Ltd.   6,117    148,672 
OPC Energy Ltd. *   19,297    125,979 
Ormat Technologies, Inc. †   13,492    1,022,558 
         2,031,485 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $51,593,327)
        59,320,593 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS
COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 2.4%
  
Money Market Fund: 2.4%
(Cost: $1,427,364)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   1,427,364    1,427,364 
Total Investments: 102.2%
(Cost: $53,020,691)
        60,747,957 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (2.2)%        (1,294,584) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $59,453,373 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is $9,870,360.
* Non-income producing

 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Information Technology   42.9%  $25,377,404 
Financials   22.3    13,215,286 
Health Care   8.9    5,285,634 
Industrials   6.0    3,630,502 
Real Estate   4.5    2,672,613 
Consumer Discretionary   3.5    2,106,106 
Utilities   3.4    2,031,485 
Communication Services   3.3    1,958,633 
Energy   2.2    1,283,699 
Materials   2.1    1,218,137 
Consumer Staples   0.9    541,094 
    100.0%  $59,320,593 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

38

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Automobiles & Components  $380,739   $   $   $380,739 
Banks       10,320,887        10,320,887 
Capital Goods   2,168,243    580,497        2,748,740 
Commercial & Professional Services   311,370    248,008        559,378 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail   1,141,740            1,141,740 
Consumer Durables & Apparel       325,387        325,387 
Consumer Services   120,393    137,847        258,240 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail       321,287        321,287 
Energy   279,167    1,004,532        1,283,699 
Financial Services   395,465    760,807        1,156,272 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco       219,807        219,807 
Health Care Equipment & Services   1,141,931            1,141,931 
Insurance   244,369    1,493,758        1,738,127 
Materials   888,699    329,438        1,218,137 
Media & Entertainment   924,640            924,640 
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences   4,143,703            4,143,703 
Real Estate Management & Development       2,672,613        2,672,613 
Renewable Energy   2,668,514            2,668,514 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment   2,539,570            2,539,570 
Software & Services   20,521,565    402,842        20,924,407 
Technology Hardware & Equipment   267,471            267,471 
Telecommunication Services       1,033,993        1,033,993 
Transportation   322,384            322,384 
Utilities       1,008,927        1,008,927 
Money Market Fund   1,427,364            1,427,364 
Total Investments  $39,887,327   $20,860,630   $   $60,747,957 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

39

VANECK VIETNAM ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 99.9%          
Banks: 9.6%          
Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam JSC *   9,013,105   $29,820,046 
Saigon - Hanoi Commercial Joint Stock Bank *   24,608,956    10,941,441 
Vietnam Export Import Commercial JSB *   13,317,840    10,063,332 
         50,824,819 
Capital Goods: 8.9%          
Development Investment Construction JSC *   7,430,186    8,164,769 
Gelex Group JSC *   8,926,664    8,668,830 
Ha Do Group JSC *   2,252,400    2,558,055 
Hoang Huy Investment Financial Services JSC   9,087,920    4,933,042 
IDICO Corp. JSC   3,085,510    6,623,451 
Tasco JSC *   12,138,300    10,112,010 
Vietnam Construction and Import-Export JSC *   5,754,519    5,848,575 
         46,908,732 
Energy: 2.0%          
PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services JSC *   4,095,088    4,767,900 
PetroVietnam Technical Services Corp.   3,656,500    5,725,244 
         10,493,144 
Financial Services: 16.1%          
Sai Gon-Ha Noi Securities JSC *    8,063,950    6,281,785 
SSI Securities Corp.   21,122,308    28,512,620 
Vietcap Securities JSC   8,181,350    14,392,060 
VIX Securities JSC *   17,450,417    12,276,698 
VNDirect Securities Corp. *   25,534,480    23,368,857 
         84,832,020 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 19.4%          
HAGL JSC *   12,087,300    6,563,743 
Hoang Anh Gia Lai International Agriculture JSC *    15,076,600    2,917,779 
KIDO Group Corp. *   2,477,930    6,434,325 
Masan Group Corp. *   8,108,276    22,368,283 
Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.   3,634,000    9,425,924 
Thanh Thanh Cong - Bien Hoa JSC *   8,812,099    4,788,980 
Vietnam Dairy Products JSC   15,070,141    41,953,491 
Vinh Hoan Corp. *   2,649,800    8,117,191 
         102,569,716 
Insurance: 0.8%          
Bao Viet Holdings   2,734,296    4,449,507 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Materials: 11.9%          
Duc Giang Chemicals JSC   3,228,132   $12,544,214 
Hoa Phat Group JSC *   30,389,397    34,975,863 
Hoa Sen Group *   4,712,301    4,419,712 
PetroVietNam Ca Mau Fertilizer JSC   3,600,000    4,801,936 
Petrovietnam Fertilizer & Chemicals JSC   4,324,300    5,926,052 
         62,667,777 
Real Estate Management & Development: 28.4%      
CEO Group JSC *   6,416,400    5,993,175 
Dat Xanh Group JSC *   4,663,400    3,709,371 
Khang Dien House Trading and Investment JSC *   2,717,724    3,511,875 
Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corp. *   5,872,300    7,669,810 
Novaland Investment Group Corp. *   25,416,758    17,805,130 
Phat Dat Real Estate Development Corp. *   7,745,300    8,870,296 
Van Phu - Invest Investment JSC   3,016,960    6,839,281 
Vincom Retail JSC *   11,589,022    11,119,328 
Vingroup JSC *   24,119,249    44,337,586 
Vinhomes JSC 144A *   22,330,467    39,729,772 
         149,585,624 
Transportation: 1.6%          
Vietjet Aviation JSC *   1,841,540    8,193,654 
Utilities: 1.2%          
PetroVietnam Power Corp. *   13,270,810    6,147,184 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $440,106,357)
        526,672,177 
           
RIGHTS: 0.1%
(Cost: $0)
          
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.1%          
Dat Xanh Group JSC, VND 12,000, exp. 01/15/24 *   5,850,400    291,371 
           
EXCHANGE TRADED FUND: 0.0%
(Cost: $42,157)
          
DCVFMVN Diamond ETF   62,610    68,180 
           
Total Investments: 100.0%
(Cost: $440,148,514)
        527,031,728 
Other assets less liabilities: 0.0%        226,421 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $527,258,149 


 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

40

 

 

Footnotes:
* Non-income producing
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted. These securities have an aggregate value of $39,729,772, or 7.5% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector               % of
Investments
  Value 
Real Estate   28.4%       $149,876,995 
Financials   26.5    140,106,346 
Consumer Staples   19.5    102,569,716 
Materials   11.9    62,667,777 
Industrials   10.5    55,102,386 
Energy   2.0    10,493,144 
Utilities   1.2    6,147,184 
Exchange Traded Fund   0.0    68,180 
    100.0%  $527,031,728 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks                    
Banks  $   $50,824,819   $   $50,824,819 
Capital Goods       46,908,732        46,908,732 
Energy       10,493,144        10,493,144 
Financial Services   6,281,785    78,550,235        84,832,020 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco   6,434,325    96,135,391        102,569,716 
Insurance       4,449,507        4,449,507 
Materials       62,667,777        62,667,777 
Real Estate Management & Development   44,337,586    105,248,038        149,585,624 
Transportation       8,193,654        8,193,654 
Utilities       6,147,184        6,147,184 
Rights *       291,371        291,371 
Exchange Traded Fund       68,180        68,180 
Total Investments  $57,053,696   $469,978,032   $   $527,031,728 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

41

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Africa Index ETF   Brazil Small-Cap
ETF
   ChiNext ETF   Digital India ETF 
Assets:                
Investments, at value (1)                
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $41,814,439   $29,964,808   $17,166,108   $9,042,731 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (3)   616,977    710,626         
Cash       23,004        6,849 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (4)   2,587,111    45,734    98,488(a)   694,992 
Receivables:                    
Shares of beneficial interest sold   22,540            900,927 
Due from Adviser           15,125     
Dividends and interest   17,525    115,644    12,319    199 
Prepaid expenses   849    780    743     
Total assets   45,059,441    30,860,596    17,292,783    10,645,698 
Liabilities:                    
Payables:                    
Investment securities purchased               894,184 
Collateral for securities loaned   616,977    710,626         
Line of credit   1,995,613            658,056 
Due to Adviser   5,447    1,745        3,860 
Due to custodian   522,658        6,336     
Deferred Trustee fees   15,778    41,322    1,532     
Accrued expenses   120,847    61,494    59,260    186 
Accrued foreign taxes               79,241 
Total liabilities   3,277,320    815,187    67,128    1,635,527 
NET ASSETS  $41,782,121   $30,045,409   $17,225,655   $9,010,171 
Shares outstanding   2,950,000    1,700,000    700,000    250,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $14.16   $17.67   $24.61   $36.04 
Net Assets consist of:                    
Aggregate paid in capital  $117,916,069   $192,594,809   $23,567,281   $8,637,723 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (76,133,948)   (162,549,400)   (6,341,626)   372,448 
NET ASSETS  $41,782,121   $30,045,409   $17,225,655   $9,010,171 
(1)  Value of securities on loan  $4,000,181   $1,173,102   $   $ 
(2)  Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $39,644,320   $24,776,529   $17,638,256   $8,406,314 
(3)  Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $616,977   $710,626   $   $ 
(4)  Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $5,308,426   $45,768   $99,187   $695,326 

 

   
(a) Includes $14,443 on foreign investor minimum settlement reserve funds (see Note 2H).

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

42

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Egypt Index ETF   India Growth
Leaders ETF (a)
   Indonesia Index
ETF
   Israel ETF 
Assets:                    
Investments, at value (1)                    
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $20,937,485   $95,381,442   $28,977,131   $59,320,593 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (3)               1,427,364 
Cash       120,871    112,638    168,938 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (4)   1,318,934    235,153         
Receivables:                    
Dividends and interest   67,279    4,756    121    35,792 
Prepaid expenses   733    1,849    791    1,880 
Total assets   22,324,431    95,744,071    29,090,681    60,954,567 
Liabilities:                    
Payables:                    
Collateral for securities loaned               1,427,364 
Due to Adviser   10,350    35,469    9,914    22,030 
Due to custodian   71,405             
Deferred Trustee fees   6,955    17,823    35,019    5,616 
Accrued expenses   48,834    491,837    72,848    46,184 
Total liabilities   137,544    545,129    117,781    1,501,194 
NET ASSETS  $22,186,887   $95,198,942   $28,972,900   $59,453,373 
Shares outstanding   924,974    2,174,967    1,700,000    1,700,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $23.99   $43.77   $17.04   $34.97 
Net Assets consist of:                    
Aggregate paid in capital  $61,838,696   $154,473,484   $159,645,307   $63,810,266 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (39,651,809)   (59,274,542)   (130,672,407)   (4,356,893)
NET ASSETS  $22,186,887   $95,198,942   $28,972,900   $59,453,373 
(1)  Value of securities on loan  $   $   $   $9,870,360 
(2)  Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $15,312,517   $73,057,547   $35,973,658   $51,593,327 
(3)  Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $   $   $   $1,427,364 
(4)  Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $1,319,818   $235,217   $   $ 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

43

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Vietnam ETF 
Assets:    
Investments, at value     
Unaffiliated issuers (1)  $527,031,728 
Cash   801 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (2)   742,080 
Receivables:     
Investment securities sold   1,269,538 
Dividends and interest   724,285 
Prepaid expenses   5,117 
Total assets   529,773,549 
Liabilities:     
Payables:     
Line of credit   2,031,737 
Due to Adviser   229,205 
Deferred Trustee fees   63,971 
Accrued expenses   190,487 
Total liabilities   2,515,400 
NET ASSETS  $527,258,149 
Shares outstanding   40,750,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $12.94 
Net Assets consist of:     
Aggregate paid in capital  $843,087,741 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (315,829,592)
NET ASSETS  $527,258,149 
(1)  Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $440,148,514 
(2)  Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $739,897 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

44

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Africa Index ETF   Brazil Small-Cap
ETF
   ChiNext ETF   Digital India ETF 
Income:                
Dividends  $1,851,007   $1,062,877   $172,359   $34,401 
Interest   112    5,019    50,611    720 
Securities lending income   26,092    55,005         
Foreign taxes withheld   (222,020)   (70,230)   (17,522)   (6,565)
Total income   1,655,191    1,052,671    205,448    28,556 
Expenses:                    
Management fees   226,942    145,838    103,333    19,501 
Professional fees   46,535    44,811    50,678     
Custody and accounting fees   112,742    80,212    125,747     
Reports to shareholders   20,270    5,467    10,602     
Trustees’ fees and expenses   1,628    2,243    552     
Registration fees   5,977    5,977    8,587     
Insurance   1,951    1,785    1,788     
Interest   242,517    25,197    89,839    1,610 
Taxes   243    243        58 
Other   7,490    186    285     
Total expenses   666,295    311,959    391,411    21,169 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser   (69,506)   (114,419)   (257,078)    
Net expenses   596,789    197,540    134,333    21,169 
Net investment income   1,058,402    855,131    71,115    7,387 
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments (1)   (4,044,080)   (5,236,754)   (1,978,278)   (99,635)
In-kind redemptions   755,523    141,097         
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (690,573)   6,276    (7,211)   (11,753)
Net realized loss   (3,979,130)   (5,089,381)   (1,985,489)   (111,388)
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                    
Investments (2)   725,723    13,206,686    (3,214,177)   914,783 
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (1,942,651)   (3,529)   2,307    (334)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (1,216,928)   13,203,157    (3,211,870)   914,449 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $(4,137,656)  $8,968,907   $(5,126,244)  $810,448 
(1) Net of foreign taxes  $(57,813)  $   $   $ 
(2) Net of foreign taxes  $   $   $   $(79,241)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

45

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Egypt Index ETF   India Growth
Leaders ETF (a)
   Indonesia Index
ETF
   Israel ETF 
Income:                
Dividends  $1,205,005   $1,312,030   $1,510,474   $1,242,166 
Interest   4,392    18,431    4,046    2,933 
Securities lending income           4,736    109,610 
Foreign taxes withheld   (33,876)   (276,084)   (237,702)   (287,381)
Total income   1,175,521    1,054,377    1,281,554    1,067,328 
Expenses:                    
Management fees   90,887    297,274    154,887    284,753 
Professional fees   38,351    77,060    39,387    49,926 
Custody and accounting fees   63,213    120,605    82,219    82,369 
Reports to shareholders   8,855    14,460    14,752    12,899 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   674    16,103    2,713    1,968 
Registration fees   5,977    5,977    5,977    5,977 
Insurance   1,690    2,929    2,839    3,908 
Interest   122,766    86,503    3,379    2,000 
Taxes   243    243    243    243 
Other   278    25,473    195    224 
Total expenses   332,934    646,627    306,591    444,267 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser   (39,057)   (131,971)   (126,398)   (106,015)
Net expenses   293,877    514,656    180,193    338,252 
Net investment income   881,644    539,721    1,101,361    729,076 
                     
Contribution from Adviser                    
Increase from payment from Adviser (See Note 3)   71,119             
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on:                    
Investments   (3,640,523)   1,400,164    (4,843,103)   (1,237,710)
In-kind redemptions   257,944    39,246    1,008,941    1,124,488 
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (529,300)   (223,768)   (1,247)   2,459 
Net realized gain (loss)   (3,911,879)   1,215,642    (3,835,409)   (110,763)
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                   
Investments (1)   5,743,271    18,079,847    3,242,202    (800,538)
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   6,172    (289)   145    35 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   5,749,443    18,079,558    3,242,347    (800,503)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $2,790,327   $19,834,921   $508,299   $(182,190)
(1)  Net of foreign taxes  $   $(385,171)  $   $ 

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

46

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Vietnam ETF 
Income:    
Dividends  $6,979,439 
Interest   27,285 
Securities lending income   13,279 
Foreign taxes withheld   (6,180)
Total income   7,013,823 
Expenses:     
Management fees   2,714,061 
Professional fees   68,773 
Custody and accounting fees   458,397 
Reports to shareholders   51,781 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   16,051 
Registration fees   4,041 
Insurance   11,012 
Interest   456,044 
Taxes   243 
Other   5,125 
Total expenses   3,785,528 
Net investment income   3,228,295 
      
Net realized gain (loss) on:     
Investments .   (29,038,735)
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (792,070)
Net realized loss   (29,830,805)
      
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:     
Investments   96,025,794 
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (1,026)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   96,024,768 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $69,422,258 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

47

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Africa Index ETF   Brazil Small-Cap ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                 
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $1,058,402   $1,748,437   $855,131   $799,907 
Net realized loss   (3,979,130)   (4,065,150)   (5,089,381)   (1,502,110)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (1,216,928)   (8,524,292)   13,203,157    (2,563,731)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (4,137,656)   (10,841,005)   8,968,907    (3,265,934)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (925,120)   (1,670,110)   (1,500,080)   (971,850)
Return of capital               (3,075)
Total distributions   (925,120)   (1,670,110)   (1,500,080)   (974,925)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   3,822,667        661,038    1,379,038 
Cost of shares redeemed   (2,837,820)   (817,849)   (3,309,211)   (3,800,241)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   984,847    (817,849)   (2,648,173)   (2,421,203)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (4,077,929)   (13,328,964)   4,820,654    (6,662,062)
Net Assets, beginning of year   45,860,050    59,189,014    25,224,755    31,886,817 
Net Assets, end of year  $41,782,121   $45,860,050   $30,045,409   $25,224,755 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   250,000        50,000    100,000 
Shares redeemed   (200,000)   (50,000)   (200,000)   (200,000)
Net increase (decrease)   50,000    (50,000)   (150,000)   (100,000)

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

48

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   ChiNext ETF   Digital India ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Period Ended
December 31,
2022 (a)
 
                 
Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $71,115   $(56,012)  $7,387   $7,222 
Net realized loss   (1,985,489)   (3,640,884)   (111,388)   (61,964)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (3,211,870)   (9,389,260)   914,449    (357,607)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   (5,126,244)   (13,086,156)   810,448    (412,349)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings           (12,151)   (13,500)
Return of capital           (1,094)    
Total distributions           (13,245)   (13,500)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   7,981,519        6,823,351    1,815,466 
Cost of shares redeemed   (5,954,336)   (7,788,438)        
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   2,027,183    (7,788,438)   6,823,351    1,815,466 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (3,099,061)   (20,874,594)   7,620,554    1,389,617 
Net Assets, beginning of period   20,324,716    41,199,310    1,389,617     
Net Assets, end of period  $17,225,655   $20,324,716   $9,010,171   $1,389,617 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   250,000        200,000    50,000 
Shares redeemed   (200,000)   (200,000)        
Net increase (decrease)   50,000    (200,000)   200,000    50,000 

 

(a) For the period February 16, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

49

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

   Egypt Index ETF   India Growth Leaders ETF (a) 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                 
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $881,644   $492,176   $539,721   $925,759 
Increase from payment from Adviser (See Note 3)   71,119             
Net realized gain (loss)   (3,911,879)   (1,746,927)   1,215,642    1,561,588 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   5,749,443    (4,003,163)   18,079,558    (19,324,974)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   2,790,327    (5,257,914)   19,834,921    (16,837,627)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (1,350,000)   (300,031)   (899,924)   (875,052)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   23,531,608    9,835,882    26,523,384    8,391,562 
Cost of shares redeemed   (25,741,866)   (2,992,178)   (1,630,348)   (17,649,066)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (2,210,258)   6,843,704    24,893,036    (9,257,504)
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (769,931)   1,285,759    43,828,033    (26,970,183)
Net Assets, beginning of year   22,956,818    21,671,059    51,370,909    78,341,092 
Net Assets, end of year  $22,186,887   $22,956,818   $95,198,942   $51,370,909 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   1,150,000    475,000    650,000    250,000 
Shares redeemed   (1,350,000)   (150,000)   (50,000)   (500,000)
Net increase (decrease)   (200,000)   325,000    600,000    (250,000)

 

(a) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

50

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Indonesia Index ETF   Israel ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
                 
Operations:                    
Net investment income  $1,101,361   $1,257,707   $729,076   $1,004,850 
Net realized loss   (3,835,409)   (1,042,453)   (110,763)   (2,180,753)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   3,242,347    (4,318,333)   (800,503)   (19,705,800)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   508,299    (4,103,079)   (182,190)   (20,881,703)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (1,049,920)   (1,200,040)   (1,110,023)   (799,920)
                     
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares   10,037,236    37,473,208    4,523,437    1,155,251 
Cost of shares redeemed   (13,460,281)   (53,056,741)   (2,698,980)   (1,016,637)
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (3,423,045)   (15,583,533)   1,824,457    138,614 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   (3,964,666)   (20,886,652)   532,244    (21,543,009)
Net Assets, beginning of year   32,937,566    53,824,218    58,921,129    80,464,138 
Net Assets, end of year  $28,972,900   $32,937,566   $59,453,373   $58,921,129 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold   550,000    1,800,000    125,000    25,000 
Shares redeemed   (750,000)   (2,600,000)   (75,000)   (25,000)
Net increase (decrease)   (200,000)   (800,000)   50,000     

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

51

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Vietnam ETF 
  

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

  

Year Ended

December 31,

2022

 
         
Operations:          
Net investment income  $3,228,295   $4,773,570 
Net realized loss   (29,830,805)   (56,186,826)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   96,024,768    (200,784,552)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   69,422,258    (252,197,808)
Distributions to shareholders from:          
Distributable earnings   (27,453,275)   (3,867,660)
           
Share transactions*:          
Proceeds from sale of shares   124,377,897    130,365,153 
Cost of shares redeemed   (52,158,268)   (51,914,363)
Increase in net assets resulting from share transactions   72,219,629    78,450,790 
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   114,188,612    (177,614,678)
Net Assets, beginning of year   413,069,537    590,684,215 
Net Assets, end of year  $527,258,149   $413,069,537 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)          
Shares sold   9,800,000    10,700,000 
Shares redeemed   (4,200,000)   (3,200,000)
Net increase   5,600,000    7,500,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

52

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Africa Index ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                    
Net asset value, beginning of year    $15.81   $20.06   $20.17   $20.50   $20.08   
Net investment income (a)     0.35    0.60    0.53    0.52    1.09   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (1.69)   (4.27)   0.20(b)   (0.05)   0.62   
Total from investment operations     (1.34)   (3.67)   0.73    0.47    1.71   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.31)   (0.58)   (0.84)   (0.80)   (1.29)  
Net asset value, end of year    $14.16   $15.81   $20.06   $20.17   $20.50   
Total return (c)     (8.45)%  (18.34)%   3.69%   2.29%   8.52%  
                              
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      1.47%   0.98%   0.77%   0.92%   0.90%  
Net expenses     1.31%   0.98%   0.77%   0.79%   0.79%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.78%   0.75%   0.77%   0.78%   0.78%  
Net investment income      2.33%   3.29%   2.50%   3.00%   5.13%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $42    $46    $59    $52    $50   
Portfolio turnover rate (d)     34%   33%   37%   37%   46%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

53

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Brazil Small-Cap ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                    
Net asset value, beginning of year    $13.64   $16.35   $21.44   $27.50   $20.09   
Net investment income (a)     0.46    0.44    0.48    0.33    0.58   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     4.45    (2.59)   (5.08)   (6.04)   7.42   
Payment from Adviser                     0.11(b)  
Total from investment operations     4.91    (2.15)   (4.60)   (5.71)   8.11   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.88)   (0.56)   (0.49)   (0.35)   (0.70)  
Return of capital         (c)              
Total distributions     (0.88)   (0.56)   (0.49)   (0.35)   (0.70)  
Net asset value, end of year    $17.67   $13.64   $16.35   $21.44   $27.50   
Total return (d)     36.14%  (13.30)%  (21.38)%  (20.75)%   40.81%(b)  
                              
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      1.07%   0.83%(e)   0.84%(e)   0.84%   0.73%  
Net expenses     0.68%   0.59%(e)   0.59%(e)   0.60%   0.63%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.59%   0.59%(e)   0.59%(e)   0.59%   0.59%  
Net investment income      2.93%   2.71%(e)   2.32%(e)   1.73%   2.52%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $30    $25    $32    $55    $98   
Portfolio turnover rate (f)     43%   42%   56%   31%   38%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) For the year ended December 31, 2019, 0.55% of total return, representing $0.11 per share, consisted of a payment from the Adviser (See Note 3).
(c) Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) The ratios presented do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of income and expenses from the Fund’s investment in underlying funds.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

54

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     ChiNext ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $31.27   $48.47   $48.95   $29.81   $20.97   
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.10    (0.08)   (0.06)   0.03    0.10   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (6.76)  (17.12)   4.03    19.09    8.88   
Payment from Adviser             0.02(b)   0.02(c)      
Total from investment operations     (6.66)  (17.20)   3.99    19.14    8.98   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income                 (d)   (0.14)  
Net realized capital gains             (3.74)          
Return of capital             (0.73)          
Total distributions             (4.47)       (0.14)  
Net asset value, end of year    $24.61   $31.27   $48.47   $48.95   $29.81   
Total return (e)    (21.31)%  (35.49)%   8.21%(b)   64.23%(c)   42.80%  
                              
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      1.89%   1.25%   0.89%   1.15%   1.08%  
Net expenses     0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%  
Net investment income (loss)      0.34%   (0.22)%   (0.12)%   0.07%   0.39%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $17    $20    $41    $49    $30   
Portfolio turnover rate (f)     123%   10%   59%   96%   43%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) For the year ended December 31, 2021, 0.04% of total return, representing $0.02 per share, consisted of a payment from the Adviser (See Note 3).
(c) For the year ended December 31, 2020, 0.07% of total return, representing $0.02 per share, consisted of a payment from the Adviser (See Note 3).
(d) Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.
(e) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

55

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

     Digital India ETF  
     Year Ended
December
31, 2023
  Period
Ended
December
31,
2022(a)
 
               
Net asset value, beginning of period        $27.79   $36.25   
Net investment income (b)     0.09    0.14   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     8.25    (8.33)  
Total from investment operations     8.34    (8.19)  
Distributions from:              
Net investment income     (0.08)   (0.27)  
Return of capital     (0.01)      
Total distributions     (0.09)   (0.27)  
Net asset value, end of period    $36.04   $27.79   
Total return (c)    30.00%  (22.56)%(d)  
             
Ratios to average net assets              
Expenses     0.77%   0.76%(e)  
Expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.71%   0.75%(e)  
Net investment income      0.27%   0.53%(e)  
Supplemental data              
Net assets, end of period (in millions)     $9    $1   
Portfolio turnover rate (f)     22%   22%(d)  

 

(a) For the period February 16, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

56

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Egypt Index ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $20.41   $27.09   $25.62   $29.20   $28.28   
Net investment income (a)     0.98    0.61    0.75    0.61    0.59   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     3.98   (7.02)   1.38   (3.56)   0.93(b)  
Payment from Adviser     0.08(c)                  
Total from investment operations     5.04    (6.41)   2.13    (2.95)   1.52   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (1.46)   (0.27)   (0.66)   (0.63)   (0.60)  
Net asset value, end of year    $23.99   $20.41   $27.09   $25.62   $29.20   
Total return (d)     24.78%(c)  (23.67)%   8.36%  (10.09)%   5.42%  
                            
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      1.83%   1.35%   1.10%   1.11%   1.11%  
Net expenses     1.62%   1.24%   1.02%   0.98%   1.01%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.94%   0.94%   0.94%   0.94%   0.94%  
Net investment income      4.85%   2.92%   2.92%   2.43%   1.88%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $22    $23    $22    $19    $31   
Portfolio turnover rate (e)     91%   66%   73%   27%   76%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(c) For the year ended December 31, 2023, 0.39% of total return, representing $0.08 per share, consisted of a payment from the Adviser (See Note 3).
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

57

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     India Growth Leaders ETF(a)  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $32.62   $42.93   $32.94   $32.76   $42.36   
Net investment income (b)     0.33    0.59    0.08    0.15    0.50   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     11.24   (10.34)   9.91    0.11(c)   (9.68)  
Total from investment operations     11.57    (9.75)   9.99    0.26    (9.18)  
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.42)   (0.56)       (0.08)   (0.42)  
Net asset value, end of year    $43.77   $32.62   $42.93   $32.94   $32.76   
Total return (d)     35.48%  (22.67)%   30.30%   0.80%   (21.65)%  
                             
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      1.09%   0.80%   1.00%   1.24%   0.86%  
Net expenses     0.87%   0.80%   0.90%   1.05%   0.86%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.72%   0.73%   0.83%   0.85%   0.83%  
Net investment income      0.91%   1.64%   0.22%   0.55%   1.35%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $95    $51    $78    $68    $122   
Portfolio turnover rate (e)     79%   102%   67%   133%   51%  

 

(a) Consolidated Financial Highlights
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.
(d) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

58

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Indonesia Index ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $17.34   $19.93   $20.49   $22.68   $21.85   
Net investment income (a)     0.63    0.45    0.27    0.36    0.40   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.31)   (2.41)   (0.61)   (2.21)   0.90   
Total from investment operations     0.32    (1.96)   (0.34)   (1.85)   1.30   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.62)   (0.63)   (0.22)   (0.34)   (0.47)  
Net asset value, end of year    $17.04   $17.34   $19.93   $20.49   $22.68   
Total return (b)     1.91%   (9.88)%   (1.65)%   (8.20)%   5.97%  
                              
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      0.99%   0.67%   0.82%   0.97%   0.80%  
Net expenses     0.58%   0.57%   0.57%   0.57%   0.57%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.57%   0.57%   N/A     N/A     N/A   
Net investment income      3.56%   2.24%   1.38%   2.03%   1.78%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $29    $33    $54    $36    $41   
Portfolio turnover rate (c)     21%   25%   36%   13%   10%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

59

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Israel ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $35.71   $48.77   $44.82   $35.03   $28.05   
Net investment income (a)     0.45    0.61    0.27    0.08    0.19   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     (0.53)  (13.19)   4.30    9.79    7.27   
Total from investment operations     (0.08)  (12.58)   4.57    9.87    7.46   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.66)   (0.48)   (0.62)   (0.08)   (0.48)  
Net asset value, end of year    $34.97   $35.71   $48.77   $44.82   $35.03   
Total return (b)     (0.22)%  (25.79)%   10.20%   28.14%   26.64%  
                             
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses      0.78%   0.64%   0.71%   0.80%   0.94%  
Net expenses     0.59%   0.59%   0.59%   0.60%   0.62%  
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.59%   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%   0.59%  
Net investment income      1.28%   1.48%   0.57%   0.24%   0.60%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $59    $59    $80    $75    $58   
Portfolio turnover rate (c)     13%   12%   32%   22%   14%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

60

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Vietnam ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $11.75   $21.36   $17.52   $16.05   $14.84   
Net investment income (a)     0.08    0.18    0.11    0.08    0.14   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     1.78    (9.68)   3.83    1.46    1.19   
Total from investment operations     1.86    (9.50)   3.94    1.54    1.33   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income     (0.67)   (0.11)   (0.10)   (0.06)   (0.12)  
Return of capital                 (0.01)      
Total distributions     (0.67)   (0.11)   (0.10)   (0.07)   (0.12)  
Net asset value, end of year    $12.94   $11.75   $21.36   $17.52   $16.05   
Total return (b)     15.95%  (44.47)%   22.52%   9.72%   8.86%  
                             
Ratios to average net assets                             
Expenses     0.70%(c)   0.66%(c)   0.59%(c)   0.61%   0.66%  
Expenses excluding interest and taxes     0.61%(c)   0.60%(c)   0.58%(c)   0.60%   0.63%  
Net investment income      0.59%(c)   1.13%(c)   0.58%(c)   0.55%   0.89%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)      $527    $413    $591    $457    $443   
Portfolio turnover rate (d)     55%   57%   57%   33%   33%  

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) The ratios presented do not reflect the Fund’s proportionate share of income and expenses from the Fund’s investment in underlying funds.
(d) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

61

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was incorporated in Delaware as a statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The Trust operates as a series fund, and offers multiple investment portfolios, each of which represents a separate series of the Trust. These financial statements relate only to the investment portfolios listed in the diversification table below (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

Fund Diversification Classification
   
Africa Index ETF Diversified
Brazil Small-Cap ETF Diversified
ChiNext ETF Diversified
Digital India ETF Non-Diversified
Egypt Index ETF Non-Diversified
India Growth Leaders ETF Diversified
Indonesia Index ETF Non-Diversified
Israel ETF Non-Diversified
Vietnam ETF Non-Diversified

 

Each Fund’s investment objective is to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of its index which are listed in the table below.

 

Fund Index
   
Africa Index ETF MVIS® GDP Africa Index
Brazil Small-Cap ETF MVIS® Brazil Small-Cap Index
ChiNext ETF ChiNext Index
Digital India ETF MVIS® Digital India Index
Egypt Index ETF MVIS® Egypt Index
India Growth Leaders ETF MarketGrader India All-Cap Growth Leaders Index
Indonesia Index ETF MVIS® Indonesia Index
Israel ETF Bluestar Israel Global Index®
Vietnam ETF MVIS® Vietnam Index

 

Each Fund was created to provide investors with the opportunity to purchase a security representing a proportionate undivided interest in a portfolio of securities consisting of substantially all of the common stocks in approximately the same weighting as their index. India Growth Leaders ETF makes its investments through MV SCIF Mauritius (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly owned subsidiary organized in the Republic of Mauritius. China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”) is the sub-adviser to ChiNext ETF. ChiNext ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by primarily investing directly in A-shares through the Shanghai and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect Programs (the “Programs”) and via the A-share quota granted to the Sub-Adviser. In connection with the change described in Note 12, during the year ended December 31, 2023, ChiNext ETF transitioned its investments held in the A-share quota granted to the Sub-Adviser to A-shares traded through the Programs.

 

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

A. Security Valuation— The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis, which includes a hierarchy
62

 

 

  that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
   
  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
   
  Level 2 — Significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
   
  Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
   
  Securities traded on national exchanges are valued at the closing price on the markets in which the securities trade. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Over-the-counter securities not included on NASDAQ and listed securities for which no sale was reported are valued at the mean of the bid and ask prices. To the extent these securities are actively traded they are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Money market fund investments are valued at net asset value and are considered as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain foreign securities, whose values may be affected by market direction or events occurring before the Funds’ pricing time (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) but after the last close of the securities’ primary market, are fair valued using a pricing service and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The pricing service considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant ADR’s and futures contracts. The Funds may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. Short-term debt securities with sixty days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which with accrued interest approximates fair value. The Funds’ Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has designated Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) as valuation designee to perform the Funds’ fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements. The Pricing Committee of the Adviser provides oversight of the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures, which are approved by the Trustees. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset are not readily available, or if the Adviser believes they do not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value, including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis.
   
  Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be categorized either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  A summary of the inputs and the levels used to value the Funds’ investments are located in the Schedules of Investments. Additionally, tables that reconcile the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investments and that present additional information about valuation methodologies and unobservable inputs, if applicable, are located in the Schedules of Investments.
63

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

B. Basis for Consolidation—The Subsidiary, an Indian exempted company, was incorporated on February 25, 2010 and acts as an investment vehicle for the India Growth Leaders ETF (the “Fund”) in order to effect certain investments on behalf of the Fund. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary, and it is intended that the Fund will remain the sole shareholder and will continue to control the Subsidiary. The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the financial results of its wholly owned subsidiary. All material interfund account balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
   
C. Federal Income Taxes—It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
   
D. Distributions to Shareholders— Dividends to shareholders from net investment income and distributions from net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and paid annually by each Fund. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. income tax regulations, which may differ from such amounts determined in accordance with GAAP.
   
E. Currency Translation— Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under foreign currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing prices of such currencies each business day as quoted by one or more sources. Purchases and sales of investments are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when such investments are acquired or sold. Foreign denominated income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when accrued. The portion of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that result from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed in the financial statements. Such amounts are included with the net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment securities in the Statements of Operations. Recognized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency fluctuations on foreign currency denominated assets, other than investments, and liabilities are recorded as net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities in the Statements of Operations.
   
  Foreign governments and their agencies may enact monetary policies that delay, place limits or restrict repatriation of local currency to U.S. dollars. Market quoted rates for immediate currency settlement may have access or transaction volume restrictions that significantly delay repatriation of local currency denominated assets and liabilities to U.S. dollars. When these events occur, the rates utilized to translate a foreign currency to U.S. dollars may be determined by the Adviser.
   
F. Restricted Securities—The Funds may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities, if any, is included at the end of each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
   
G. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities— In the ordinary course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting or other similar agreements. Generally, the right of offset in those agreements allows the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. The Funds may receive cash and or securities as collateral for securities lending. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds present securities lending assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash collateral received for securities lending in the form of money market fund investments, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented in the Schedules of Investments and in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Non-cash collateral is disclosed in Note 9 (Securities Lending).
   
H. Other— Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized upon notification of the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and discounts, is accrued as earned.
64

 

 

  The Funds earn interest income on uninvested cash balances held at the custodian bank. Such amounts, if any, are presented as interest income in the Statements of Operations.
   
  In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.
   
  ChiNext ETF is required to hold foreign investor minimum settlement reserve funds by the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited. Refer to cash denominated in foreign currency, at value on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the amount held at December 31, 2023.

 

Note 3—Investment Management and Other Agreements—The Adviser is the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser receives a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed, until at least May 1, 2024, to waive fees and assume expenses to prevent each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding the expense limitations for the Funds listed in the table below. Effective January 10, 2019, ChiNext ETF no longer excludes interest expense from their expense limitations. Refer to the Statements of Operations for the amounts waived/assumed by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

The management fee rates and expense limitations for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

Fund  Management
Fees
  Expense
Limitations
Africa Index ETF   0.50%   0.78%
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   0.50    0.59 
ChiNext ETF   0.50    0.65 
Egypt Index ETF   0.50    0.94 
India Growth Leaders ETF*   0.50    0.70 
Indonesia Index ETF   0.50    0.57 
Israel ETF   0.50    0.59 
Vietnam ETF   0.50    0.76 

 

*Prior to June 20, 2023, the expense limitation was 0.75%.

 

Digital India ETF utilizes a unitary management fee presented below, where the Adviser will pay all Fund expenses, except for the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses.

 

Fund Unitary
Management
Fee Rate
Digital India ETF* 0.70%

 

*Prior to June 20, 2023, the expense limitation was 0.75%.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Adviser reimbursed the Brazil Small-Cap ETF $372,975 for an investment loss. The per share and total return impact to the Fund is reflected in the Financial Highlights.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Adviser reimbursed the ChiNext ETF $17,518 for transactional losses. The per share and total return impact to the Fund is reflected in the Financial Highlights.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser reimbursed the ChiNext ETF $19,569 for an investment loss. The per share and total return impact to the Fund is reflected in the Financial Highlights.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Adviser voluntarily reimbursed the Egypt Index ETF $71,119 for interest expense. This reimbursement is reflected in the Statements of Operations and Statements of Changes in Net Assets as a net increase from payment from Adviser. The per share and total return impact to the Fund is reflected in the Financial Highlights.

65

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

In addition, Van Eck Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ distributor. Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and Distributor.

 

As of December 31, 2023, the Adviser owned approximately 19% of Egypt Index ETF.

 

Note 4—Capital Share Transactions—As of December 31, 2023, there were an unlimited number of capital shares of beneficial interest authorized by the Trust with no par value. Fund shares are not individually redeemable and are issued and redeemed at their net asset value per share only through certain authorized broker-dealers (“Authorized Participants”) in blocks of shares (“Creation Units”).

 

The consideration for the purchase or redemption of Creation Units of the Funds generally consists of the in-kind contribution or distribution of a designated portfolio of securities (“Deposit Securities”) plus a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may also be substituted in an amount equivalent to the value of certain Deposit Securities, generally as a result of market circumstances, or when the securities are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, or are not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant. The Funds may issue Creation Units in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including, for the benefit of the Funds, a requirement to maintain cash collateral on deposit at the custodian equal to at least 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities.

 

Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay transaction fees directly to the transfer agent. In addition, the Funds may impose variable fees on the purchase or redemption of Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, to defray certain transaction costs. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Note 5—Investments—For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments and in-kind capital share transactions) and the purchases and sales of investments resulting from in-kind capital share transactions (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

           In-Kind Capital Share Transactions
Fund  Purchases  Sales  Purchases  Sales
Africa Index ETF   15,576,390    17,542,683    2,563,205    2,021,582 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   12,497,741    15,085,719    131,462    553,047 
ChiNext ETF   27,450,541    25,441,398         
Digital India ETF   5,769,812    649,734    1,650,376     
Egypt Index ETF   16,295,579    19,711,253    4,098,072    5,076,689 
India Growth Leaders ETF   70,475,855    47,412,510    1,176,540    82,141 
Indonesia Index ETF   6,492,088    6,367,193    10,009,273    13,451,455 
Israel ETF   7,252,381    7,750,036    4,522,462    2,697,921 
Vietnam ETF   339,098,096    293,594,248    3,562,323     

 

Note 6—Income Taxes—As of December 31, 2023, for Federal income tax purposes, the identified cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments owned were as follows:

 

Fund  Tax Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
Africa Index ETF   42,205,126    5,153,850    (4,927,560)   226,290 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   27,892,803    7,544,420    (4,761,789)   2,782,631 
ChiNext ETF   17,245,819    4,711,290    (4,791,001)   (79,711)
Digital India ETF   8,488,200    801,275    (246,744)   554,531 
Egypt Index ETF   20,629,763    5,946,451    (5,638,729)   307,722 
India Growth Leaders ETF   74,541,962    21,738,057    (898,577)   20,839,480 
Indonesia Index ETF   36,260,502    2,450,644    (9,734,015)   (7,283,371)
Israel ETF   54,390,364    15,235,721    (8,878,128)   6,357,593 
Vietnam ETF   497,641,414    92,299,495    (62,909,181)   29,390,314 
66

 

 

At December 31, 2023, the components of total distributable earnings (losses) on a tax basis, for each Fund, were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  (Accumulated
Capital Losses)/
Undistributed
Capital Gains
  Qualified
Late-Year
Losses*
  Other
Temporary
Differences
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Total
Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
Africa Index ETF   597,479    (74,220,588)       (15,778)   (2,495,061)   (76,133,948)
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   47,943    (165,338,277)       (41,321)   2,782,255    (162,549,400)
ChiNext ETF   41,491    (6,301,482)       (1,309)   (80,326)   (6,341,626)
Digital India ETF       (94,458)   (8,050)       474,956    372,448 
Egypt Index ETF   29,550    (39,980,776)       (6,955)   306,372    (39,651,809)
India Growth Leaders ETF   732,762    (80,442,640)       (17,821)   20,453,157    (59,274,542)
Indonesia Index ETF   139,389    (123,493,403)       (35,019)   (7,283,374)   (130,672,407)
Israel ETF   377,865    (11,086,770)       (5,616)   6,357,628    (4,356,893)
Vietnam ETF   20,942,922    (366,103,854)       (63,970)   29,395,310    (315,829,592)

 

*Qualified late year losses incurred after October 31, 2023 are deemed to arise on January 1, 2024.

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders was as follows:

 

   December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022
Fund  Ordinary
Income*
  Return
of Capital
  Ordinary
Income*
  Return
of Capital
Africa Index ETF   $925,120    $–    $1,670,110    $– 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   1,500,080        971,850    3,075 
Digital India ETF   12,151    1,094    13,500     
Egypt Index ETF   1,350,000        300,031     
India Growth Leaders ETF   899,924        875,052     
Indonesia Index ETF   1,049,920        1,200,040     
Israel ETF   1,110,023        799,920     
Vietnam ETF   27,453,275        3,867,660     

 

*Includes short-term capital gains (if any).

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

 

Fund  Short-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Long-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Total
Africa Index ETF   $(13,284,459)   $(60,936,129)   $(74,220,588)
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   (22,115,483)   (143,222,794)   (165,338,277)
ChiNext ETF   (4,017,632)   (2,283,850)   (6,301,482)
Digital India ETF   (62,744)   (31,714)   (94,458)
Egypt Index ETF   (14,867,494)   (25,113,282)   (39,980,776)
India Growth Leaders ETF   (15,496,956)   (64,945,684)   (80,442,640)
Indonesia Index ETF   (40,243,860)   (83,249,543)   (123,493,403)
Israel ETF   (2,640,766)   (8,446,004)   (11,086,770)
Vietnam ETF   (114,672,076)   (251,431,778)   (366,103,854)

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, India Growth Leaders ETF utilized $853,411 of its capital loss carryovers available from prior years.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to earnings attributable to the redemption of shares, tax net operating losses and the tax treatment of gains/

67

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

losses from securities redeemed in-kind, the Funds incurred differences that affected distributable earnings and aggregate paid in capital by the amounts in the table below. Net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

 

Fund  Increase
(Decrease)
in Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
  Increase
(Decrease)
in Aggregate
Paid in Capital
Africa Index ETF   (649,774)   649,774 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   (131,521)   131,521 
Egypt Index ETF   (429,549)   429,549 
India Growth Leaders ETF   (39,246)   39,246 
Indonesia Index ETF   (758,497)   758,497 
Israel ETF   (1,009,647)   1,009,647 

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by applicable tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on return filings for all open tax years. The Funds do not have exposure for additional years that might still be open in certain foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. However, the Funds are subject to foreign taxes on the appreciation in value of certain investments. The Funds provide for such taxes on both realized and unrealized appreciation.

 

The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Investments in China: Uncertainties in the Chinese tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments in A-Shares could result in unexpected tax liabilities for ChiNext ETF (the “Fund”). China generally imposes withholding income tax (“WHT”) at a rate of 10% on dividends derived by non-People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) resident enterprises (including a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and a Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“RQFII”)) from issuers resident in China. China imposes WHT at a rate of 10% on capital gains derived by non-PRC resident enterprises from the disposal in shares of PRC enterprises. Effective November 17, 2014, investments through the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect program, QFIIs and RQFIIs, which includes this Fund, were exempted temporarily from WHT with respect to gains derived from the trading of equity investments (including A-shares). However, uncertainties remain regarding the taxation of capital gains in China. PRC rules for taxation of RQFIIs (and QFIIs) and the PRC tax regulations to be issued by the PRC State Administration of Taxation and/or the PRC Minister of Finance to clarify the subject matter may apply retrospectively, even if such rules are adverse to the nonresident investors. If the PRC tax authorities were to issue differing formal guidance or tax rules regarding the taxation of capital gains derived by QFIIs, RQFIIs and other nonresident investors WHT on gains from such investments the Fund could be subject to additional tax liabilities.

 

Investments in India: As a result of renegotiation of the India Mauritius Tax treaty, India commenced taxation on capital gains arising from disposition of shares acquired on or after April 1, 2017 in a company resident in India, with shares acquired on or before March 31, 2017 being grandfathered as exempt from capital gains taxation subject to treaty relief. India currently assesses a capital gains tax on shares sold on the exchange of 15% on short term capital gains and 10% on long term capital gains (plus applicable surcharge and cess). Further, long-term capital gains on certain shares that were held as of January 31, 2018, may be eligible for a step up in cost basis which may reduce realized taxable gains. Existing Indian capital loss carryforwards may be utilized to offset capital gains realized on securities sold.

68

 

 

Note 7—Principal Risks—Non-diversified funds generally hold securities of fewer issuers than diversified funds (See Note 1) and may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers. The Funds may purchase securities on foreign exchanges. Securities of foreign issuers involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These risks include devaluation of currencies, currency controls, less reliable information about issuers, different securities transaction clearance and settlement practices, future adverse economic developments and political conflicts, or natural or other disasters, such as the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, certain Funds may invest in securities of emerging market issuers, which are exposed to a number of risks that may make these investments volatile in price or difficult to trade. Political risks may include unstable governments, nationalization, restrictions on foreign ownership, laws that prevent investors from getting their money out of a country, sanctions and investment restrictions and legal systems that do not protect property risks as well as the laws of the United States. These and other factors can make emerging market securities more volatile and potentially less liquid than securities issued in more developed markets. Certain securities of Chinese issuers are, or may in the future become restricted, and the Funds may be forced to sell such restricted securities and incur a loss. There may be limitations or delays in the convertibility or repatriation of certain African currencies, which would adversely affect the U.S. dollar value and/or liquidity of a Fund’s investments denominated in such African currencies. This may impair a Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective and/or may impede a Fund’s ability to satisfy redemption requests in timely manner.

 

Monetary policies put in place by the Nigerian and Egyptian governments and their respective agencies, have limited the ability of the Africa Index ETF and Egypt Index ETF, respectively, to convert assets and liabilities denominated in the local currencies into US dollars using the quoted prices for such currencies. As a result, opportunities to repatriate these currencies into US dollars at have been limited and subject to delays. Such quoted prices are currently materially disconnected from market settlement rates and these Funds have not been able to access transactions at market settlement rates. As a result, the values of the assets and liabilities denominated in Nigerian naira and Egyptian pounds in the Africa Index ETF and Egypt Index ETF, respectively, which may ultimately be realized could be materially different from those reported in these Funds’ statements of assets and liabilities.

 

Should the Chinese government impose restrictions on the ability of ChiNext ETF to repatriate funds associated with direct investment in A-Shares, the Fund may be unable to satisfy distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies (“RICs”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Fund may therefore be subject to Fund-level U.S. federal taxes.

 

A more complete description of risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Note 8—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan—The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which a Trustee can elect to defer receipt of their trustee fees until retirement, disability or termination from the Board. The fees otherwise payable to the participating Trustees are deemed invested in shares of the Funds of the Trust as directed by the Trustees.

 

The expense for the Plan is included in “Trustees’ fees and expenses” in the Statements of Operations. The liability for the Plan is shown as “Deferred Trustee fees” in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Digital India ETF commenced operations with a unitary management fee and therefore bears no costs or liabilities relative to the Plan.

 

Note 9—Securities Lending—To generate additional income, each of the Funds may lend its securities pursuant to a securities lending agreement with the securities lending agent. Each Fund may lend up to 33% of its investments requiring that the loan be continuously collateralized by cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or any combination of cash and such securities at all times equal to at least 102% (105% for foreign securities) of the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Funds will

69

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

continue to receive any dividends, interest or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned while receiving a fee from the borrower and or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Such fees and interest are shared with the securities lending agent under the terms of the securities lending agreement. Securities lending income is disclosed as such in the Statements of Operations. Cash collateral is maintained on the Funds’ behalf by the lending agent and is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio. Non-cash collateral consists of U.S. Treasuries and U.S. Government Agency securities, and is not disclosed in the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the agent on behalf of the Funds. The Funds do not have the ability to re-hypothecate those securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Funds. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the securities loaned. The Funds bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The value of loaned securities and related cash collateral, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented on a gross basis in the Schedules of Investments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The following is a summary of the Funds’ securities on loan and related collateral as of December 31, 2023:

 

Fund  Market Value
of Securities
on Loan
  Cash
Collateral
  Non-Cash
Collateral
  Total
Collateral
Africa Index ETF   $4,000,181    $616,977    $3,641,558    $4,258,535 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF   1,173,102    710,626    536,243    1,246,869 
Israel ETF   9,870,360    1,427,364    8,819,223    10,246,587 

 

The following table presents money market fund investments held as collateral by type of security on loan as of December 31, 2023:

 

  Gross Amount of
Recognized Liabilities
for Securities Lending
Transactions* in the
Statements of Assets
and Liabilities
Fund Equity Securities
Africa Index ETF  $616,977  
Brazil Small-Cap ETF  710,626 
Israel ETF  1,427,364 

 

* Remaining contractual maturity: overnight and continuous

 

Note 10—Bank Line of Credit—The Funds may participate in a $200 million committed credit facility (the “Facility”) to be utilized for temporary financing until the settlement of sales or purchases of portfolio securities, the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Funds at the request of the shareholders and other temporary or emergency purposes. The Funds have agreed to pay commitment fees, pro rata, based on the unused but available balance. Interest is charged to the Funds based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the following Funds borrowed under this Facility:

 

Fund  Days
Outstanding
  Average
Daily
Loan Balance
  Average
Interest Rate
Africa Index ETF   359    $2,376,810    6.37
ChiNext ETF   23    1,275,323    6.68 
Digital India ETF   26    396,959    6.62 
Egypt Index ETF   316    1,747,880    6.34 
India Growth Leaders ETF   221    1,186,997    6.35 
Indonesia Index ETF   17    141,023    6.33 
Israel ETF   23    252,481    6.01 
Vietnam ETF   304    4,222,982    6.40 

 

Outstanding loan balances as of December 31, 2023, if any, are reflected in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

70

 

 

Note 11—New Regulatory Requirements—On October 26, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule and form amendments that require mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are registered on Form N-1A to prepare and transmit tailored unaudited annual and semi-annual shareholder reports (TSRs), that highlight key information to investors, within 60 days of period-end. The new TSRs will be prepared separately for each fund.

 

In connection with these amendments, certain information that was previously disclosed in fund shareholder reports will instead be made available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR.

 

The SEC also amended Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act, to require mutual funds and ETFs to provide TSRs directly to investors by mail (unless an investor elects electronic delivery).

 

These rules are effective January 24, 2023, and the compliance date is July 24, 2024.

 

Note 12—Subsequent Event Review— Effective January 12, 2024, China Asset Management (Hong Kong) Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”) will no longer serve as a sub-adviser to ChiNext ETF.

71

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of VanEck ETF Trust and Shareholders of each of the funds listed in the table below.

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, (the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, for VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF) of each of the funds listed in the table below (nine of the funds constituting VanEck ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed in the table below as of December 31, 2023, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Funds  
   
VanEck Africa Index ETF (1) VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF (2)
VanEck Brazil Small-Cap ETF (1) VanEck Indonesia Index ETF (1)
VanEck ChiNext ETF (1) VanEck Israel ETF (1)
VanEck Digital India ETF (3) VanEck Vietnam ETF (1)
VanEck Egypt Index ETF (1)  

 

(1) Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

(2) Consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 and consolidated statement of changes in net assets and consolidated financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

(3) Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period February 16, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022

 

The financial statements of the Funds (other than VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF) as of and for the year or period ended December 31, 2021, and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

The financial statements of VanEck India Growth Leaders ETF as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the financial highlights for each of the years ended on or prior to December 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated March 10, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

72

 

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York
February 27, 2024

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the VanEck Funds complex since 2022.

73

VANECK ETF TRUST

TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information:

 

Fund Name  Ticker
Symbol
  Payable
Date
  Total
Distribution
Paid
Per Share
   Return of
Capital (a)
   Income
Dividends
   Foreign
Taxes
Paid (b)
   Total
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
   Foreign
Source
Income as
a % of Total
Ordinary
Income (b)
 
Africa Index ETF  AFK  Annual   $0.3136    $-    $0.3136    $0.0704    $0.3840    73.73% 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF  BRF  Annual   0.8824    -    0.8824    0.0401    0.9225    74.59 
Digital India ETF  DGIN  Annual   0.0883    0.0073    0.0810    0.0435    0.1245    86.18 
Egypt Index ETF  EGPT  Annual   1.4595    -    1.4595    0.0365    1.4960    77.81 
India Growth Leaders ETF  GLIN  Annual   0.4235    -    0.4235    0.1260    0.5495    53.74 
Indonesia Index ETF  IDX  Annual   0.6176    -    0.6176    0.1351    0.7527    99.28 
Israel ETF  ISRA  Annual   0.6627    -    0.6627    0.1355    0.7982    78.00 
Vietnam ETF  VNM  Various   0.6737    -    0.6737    -    0.6737    26.18 

 

Fund Name  Ticker
Symbol
  Payable
Date
  Percent of Total
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
that are
QDI Eligible (c)
   Percent of
Total Ordinary
Income Dividends
that are
DRD Eligible (d)
 
Africa Index ETF  AFK  Annual   36.47%    -% 
Brazil Small-Cap ETF  BRF  Annual   1.01    - 
Digital India ETF  DGIN  Annual   100.00    - 
Egypt Index ETF  EGPT  Annual   53.53    - 
India Growth Leaders ETF  GLIN  Annual   63.09    - 
Indonesia Index ETF  IDX  Annual   100.00    - 
Israel ETF  ISRA  Annual   84.21    0.22 
Vietnam ETF  VNM  Various   2.27    - 

 

(a) A return of capital is not considered taxable income to shareholders. Shareholders who received these distributions should not include these amounts in taxable income and should treat them as a reduction of the cost basis of the applicable shares upon which these distributions were paid. In order to compute the required adjustment to cost basis, a shareholder should use the more detailed information provided on Form 8937 - Organizational Actions Affecting Basis provided on the funds’ website at www.vaneck.com.

 

(b) Funds with an amount in these columns have qualified to pass-through foreign taxes and foreign source income to their shareholders. Accordingly, shareholders may include their share of foreign source income on Form 1116 (Form 1118 for corporations) and may either deduct your portion of the taxes in computing your taxable income or take a credit for such taxes against your tax liability. To determine your portion of foreign source income, multiply the dollar amount of your total ordinary dividends by the percentage indicated.

 

(c) All or a portion of a shareholder’s total ordinary income dividend may be taxed at a reduced capital gains rate rather than the higher marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income. The amount of a dividend subject to this lower rate is known as Qualified Dividend Income or QDI and is reported in Box 1b of the Form 1099-DIV. Shareholders who received Form 1099-DIV should use the amounts reported to them on Form 1099-DIV when preparing their tax return.

 

To treat a dividend as qualifying for lower rates, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(d) QDI information does not apply to shareholders that are corporations for U.S. tax purposes. Corporate shareholders should use the information regarding the Dividends Received Deduction or DRD. This data is being provided to corporate shareholders in order for them to compute their share of dividends qualifying for the DRD for corporations. To determine your share of income eligible for the DRD, multiply the dollar amount of your total ordinary dividends by the percentage indicated.

74

VANECK ETFs

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  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 During Past Five Years
Independent Trustees                    
                     
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.   72   Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.
                     
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2019   Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).   72   Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                     
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).   83   Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                     
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee   Since 2022 Since 2012   Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.   72   Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                     
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.   83   Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                     
Interested Trustee                    
                     
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President   Trustee (Since 2006); Chief Executive Officer and President (Since 2009)   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.   83   Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 

 

1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th 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 VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
75

VANECK ETFs

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

4 The MainStay Fund Complex consists of MainStay Funds, MainStay Funds Trust, MainStay VP Funds Trust and MainStay MacKay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund.
5 “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. van Eck is an officer of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of Office2
And Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officer Information            
             
Matthew A. Babinsky,
1983
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2023); Assistant Secretary (Since 2016)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
             
Russell G. Brennan,
1964
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   Since 2008   Assistant Vice President of VEAC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Charles T. Cameron,
1960
  Vice President   Since 2006   Portfolio Manager of VEAC; Officer and/or Portfolio Manager of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Director of Trading of VEAC.
             
John J. Crimmins,
1957
  Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (Since 2012); Treasurer (Since 2009)   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Vice President of VESC.
             
Susan Curry, 1966   Assistant Vice President   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc.
             
Eduardo Escario,
1975
  Vice President   Since 2012   Regional Director, Business Development/Sales for Southern Europe and South America of VEAC.
             
F. Michael Gozzillo,
1965
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2018   Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of VEAC and VEARA; Chief Compliance Officer of VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of City National Rochdale, LLC and City National Rochdale Funds.
             
Laura Hamilton,
1977
  Vice President   Since 2019   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Operations Manager of Royce & Associates.
             
Nicholas Jackson,
1974
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Director, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Vice President, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Laura I. Martínez,
1980
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2016); Assistant Secretary (Since 2008)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Matthew McKinnon,
1970
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Head of Asia - Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Director, Intermediaries and Institutions of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Lisa A. Moss, 1965   Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP.
             
Arian Neiron,
1979
  Vice President   Since 2018   CEO (since 2021) & Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
76

 

 

James Parker,
1969
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2014   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Manager, Portfolio Administration of VEAC and VEARA. Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Adam Phillips,
1970
  Vice President   Since 2018   ETF Chief Operating Officer of VEAC; Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC.
             
Philipp Schlegel,
1974
  Vice President   Since 2016   Managing Director of Van Eck Switzerland AG.
             
Jonathan R. Simon,
1974
  Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Senior Vice President (Since 2016); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (Since 2014)   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
             
Andrew Tilzer,
1972
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2021   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Vice President of Portfolio Administration of VEAC. Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Operations of VEAC.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
77

This report is intended for the Funds’ shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by a VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) prospectus and summary prospectus, which includes more complete information. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Additional information about the Trust’s Board of Trustees/Officers and a description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ending June 30 is available, without charge, by calling 800.826.2333, or by visiting vaneck.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Trust’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.942.8090. The Funds’ complete schedules of portfolio holdings are also available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

 
   
Investment Adviser:
Distributor:
VanEck Associates Corporation
VanEck Securities Corporation
666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
vaneck.com
 
Account Assistance:      800.826.2333 INTLAR
 
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023

 

CLO ETF CLOI
Office and Commercial REIT ETF DESK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

President’s Letter 1
Management Discussion 3
Performance Comparison 4
CLO ETF 4
About Fund Performance 5
Explanation of Expenses 6
Schedule of Investments 7
CLO ETF 7
Office and Commercial REIT ETF 10
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 11
Statements of Operations 12
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 13
Financial Highlights 14
CLO ETF 14
Office and Commercial REIT ETF 15
Notes to Financial Statements 16
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 22
Tax Information 23
Board of Trustees and Officers 24
Approval of Investment Management Agreements 27

 

 

 

Certain information contained in this report represents the opinion of the investment adviser which may change at any time. This information is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Fund’s holdings, the Fund’s performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of December 31, 2023.

 

VANECK ETF TRUST

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

Our outlook for financial markets in 2023 was “sideways” and “40/60” or overweight bonds. This strategy worked well until November 2023, when the market suddenly rallied aggressively and priced in U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate cuts which were to happen in 2024. It is one of the wonders of the market that it can price in its view of the future so quickly.

 

In this sense, it could be that 2024 has already happened. One could imagine that the three major factors—monetary policy, government spending and global economic growth—will not change much in 2024.

 

So, let’s review those three major forces on markets and some risks and trends worth noting.

 

Discussion

 

1.      Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

To recap this cycle: stocks and bonds historically do not perform well when the Fed tightens monetary conditions. And that’s just what the Fed announced it would be doing at the end of 2021. This would include raising rates and changing its balance sheet actions, which doesn’t create a great environment for financial assets.

 

A second, modern component to monetary policy is the Fed balance sheet. After buying bonds during the pandemic, the Fed has now started shrinking the balance sheet—from a high of almost $9 trillion in early 2022, assets dropped to just under $7.8 trillion toward the end of December 2023.1

 

Our favorite inflation is wage inflation, not food or gas prices. That is the kind of inflation which is endemic and hard to manage once it takes hold. And wage inflation is above 4%, not near the Fed’s 2% target, so we don’t see a big Fed stimulus. And the silent Fed action of reducing its bond holdings (“quantitative tightening”), continues.

 

2.      Government Spending: Also Muted

 

A second bearish factor is that government spending is unlikely to increase next year. The Republicans, in control of the House of Representatives, continue to look to slow government spending. While we probably didn’t sufficiently appreciate the amount of some of the Biden Administration’s spending, like with the environmental Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), any such upside surprises are very unlikely in 2024.

 

3.      Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. and China have been the two main pillars of global growth. But while there are bright spots, China is remarkable now for its economic weakness. The property market recession has helped pull Chinese prices lower year over year and that deflationary force affects the world economy. Other centers of growth like India, Indonesia and Africa are not big enough yet to drive global growth.

 

Notable

 

1.      Bonds

 

While interest rates whipsawed investors in 2023 with a net positive result, our outlook favoring bonds hasn’t changed, which is that they offer attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to equities, given the headwinds discussed above. Now, after the 2022 and 2023 losses, bond investments are offering attractive yields, this has been our favorite asset class to buy and remains our preference. (See What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now.2) As a reference, bonds offered attractive total returns in the 1970s even though that decade was the worst for interest rates in the last 100 years.

1

VANECK ETF TRUST

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2.      Yield Curve

 

We like to look for market distortions and the most notable one is “yield curve inversion”—long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates. If, and it’s a big “if”, government entities like the Fed are stepping back from the bond markets, then it makes sense for long-term rates to be higher because with greater risk should come greater return. Yield curve inversion is present only about 10% of the time. It’s unusual.

 

3.      India/Emerging Markets

 

With the new-found ubiquity and affordability of mobile phones in India, the Internet sector there is well primed to do as well as it has in the U.S., China and other major markets. Digital India seems like a good tactical play, despite higher price/earnings ratios. Emerging markets in general have lagged for so many years that most investors have given up. So many, that 2024 may be their year.

 

4.      Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

In March 2023, I “pounded the table” on gold and Bitcoin in a CNBC interview. While those assets have rallied hard since then—again, the market likes to anticipate!—I don’t think this trend is over.

 

5.      Value stocks

 

Growth stocks had a shockingly good 2023. Stocks in banks and financials have been beaten up. They are definitely worth a close look. This outlook is discussed in a recent podcast, The Compound & Friends,3 Episode 113, released on October 13, 2023.

 

We thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will find a performance discussion and financial statements for each of the funds for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.

 

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

PS The investing outlook can change suddenly. To get our quarterly investment outlooks, please subscribe to “VanEck News & Insights”.4 Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.

 

1 U.S. Federal Reserve: FEDERAL RESERVE Statistical Release, December 28, 2023, https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/20231228/
   
2 VanEck: What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now., https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/investment-outlook/jan-van-eck-what-to-buy-bonds-when-now/
   
3 The Compound & Friends, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-kings-of-wall-street/id1456467014?i=1000631190860
   
4 VanEck: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/subscribe/
2

VANECK ETF TRUST

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

CLO ETF

 

Collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) are securitized, actively managed portfolios of leveraged loans. Because of the subordination and other built-in risk protections they provide, CLOs allow investors to gain investment grade credit exposure with a yield pickup versus similarly rated bonds and loans. The CLO market has grown significantly over the past 20 years and is now valued at over $1 trillion globally.

 

The VanEck CLO ETF returned 9.37% for the 12 month period ended December 31,2023 (the “Period”). The Fund invests primarily in investment grade CLOs and is actively managed by PineBridge Investments, the Fund’s sub-adviser. During this Period, the Fund underperformed the J.P. Morgan Collateralized Loan Obligation Index1 by 1.17%. The Fund’s portfolio had an average weight of approximately 95% in AAA and AA rated CLOs during the year (versus 82% in the benchmark) and no exposure to BBB or below CLOs (versus 11% in the benchmark). The Fund’s relatively conservative positioning drove underperformance, as lower quality assets outperformed during the Period amid a strong rally in risk-assets. Selection within rating categories, however, contributed positively to returns and helped to offset the impact of the Fund’s higher quality positioning.

 

1 J.P. Morgan Collateralized Loan Obligation Index (CLOIE) (JCLOAGTR) is comprised of US dollar denominated broadly syndicated arbitrage CLOs.

3

VANECK CLO ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
    Share Price   NAV   JCLOAGTR1  
One Year   8.93%   9.37%   10.54%  
Life*   8.20%   8.28%   8.65%  

 

* Inception of Fund: 6/21/22; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 6/22/22.
   
1  J.P. Morgan Collateralized Loan Obligation Index (CLOIE) (JCLOAGTR) is comprised of US dollar denominated broadly syndicated arbitrage CLOs.

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)
     
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.  

 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 5 for more information.

4

VANECK ETF TRUST

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

The price used to calculate market return (Share Price) is determined by using the closing price listed on its primary listing exchange. Since the shares of the Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after the Fund’s commencement, for the period from commencement to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the Fund, the NAV of the Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate market returns.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Investment return and value of the shares of the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance may be lower or higher than performance data quoted. Fund returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Performance current to the most recent month-end is available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

Index returns assume the reinvestment of all income and do not reflect any management fees or brokerage expenses associated with Fund returns. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in the Index. Returns for actual Fund investors may differ from what is shown because of differences in timing, the amount invested and fees and expenses.

 

JCLOAGTR is published by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. (J.P. Morgan).

 

J.P. Morgan does not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Fund and bears no liability with respect to the Fund or any security.

5

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur operating expenses, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This disclosure is intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line in the table below provides information about account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

    Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
 
CLO ETF                  
Actual   $1,000.00   $1,045.90   0.40%   $2.06  
Hypothetical (b)   $1,000.00   $1,023.19   0.40%   $2.04  
Office and Commercial REIT ETF                  
Actual (c)   $1,000.00   $1,117.00   0.50%   $1.49  
Hypothetical (b)   $1,000.00   $1,022.68   0.50%   $2.55  

 

(a) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended December 31, 2023), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by the number of the days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b) Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses
(c) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the period from September 20, 2023 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2023) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since the commencement of operations divided by the number of days in the fiscal year.
6

VANECK CLO ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS: 98.6%          

AIMCO CLO Series 2018-B 144A

6.76% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.36%), 01/15/32

  $1,250   $1,250,936 

Apidos CLO XVIII 144A

7.07% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.66%), 10/22/30

   1,000    998,298 

Ares LXI CLO Ltd. 144A

7.33% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.91%), 10/20/34

   2,500    2,487,755 

Bain Capital Credit CLO 2020-2 Ltd. 144A

6.83% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.43%), 07/19/34

   5,500    5,506,782 

Bain Capital Credit CLO 2021-4 Ltd. 144A

7.33% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.91%), 10/20/34

   1,750    1,737,881 

Barings CLO Ltd. 2016-II 144A

6.75% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.33%), 01/20/32

   7,680    7,689,154 

Canyon Capital CLO 2012-1 R Ltd. 144A

7.41% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.01%), 07/15/30

   10,600    10,626,340 
Canyon Capital CLO 2016-1 Ltd. 144A          
6.73% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.33%), 07/15/31   3,928    3,933,227 
7.36% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.96%), 07/15/31   10,000    10,024,609 

Canyon Capital CLO 2016-2 Ltd. 144A

7.41% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.01%), 10/15/31

   6,000    5,993,694 

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO 2012-4 Ltd. 144A

6.75% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 04/22/32

   6,075    6,080,838 

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO 2015-4 Ltd. 144A

7.02% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.60%), 07/20/32

   1,010    1,010,587 

Carlyle US Clo 2017-2 Ltd. 144A

6.73% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.31%), 07/20/31

   3,789    3,793,389 

Cedar Funding VII Clo Ltd. 144A

6.68% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.26%), 01/20/31

   1,414    1,416,155 

Cedar Funding VIII Clo Ltd. 144A

7.31% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.91%), 10/17/34

   1,750    1,736,387 
   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS: 98.6% (continued)          

CIFC Funding 2014-III Ltd. 144A

7.12% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.71%), 10/22/31

  $1,250   $1,250,653 
Columbia Cent CLO 31 Ltd. 144A          
6.88% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.46%), 04/20/34   6,000    5,983,662 
7.23% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.81%), 04/20/34   8,380    8,224,902 

Crestline Denali CLO XIV Ltd. 144A

6.81% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.40%), 10/23/31

   3,934    3,938,756 

Denali Capital Clo XII Ltd. 144A

6.71% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.31%), 04/15/31

   1,635    1,637,111 

Dryden 109 CLO Ltd. 144A

7.42% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.00%), 04/20/35

   1,250    1,245,906 

Dryden 45 Senior Loan Fund 144A

7.06% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.66%), 10/15/30

   1,250    1,245,028 

Dryden 64 CLO Ltd. 144A

6.63% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.23%), 04/18/31

   968    968,158 
Dryden 80 CLO Ltd. 144A          
7.15% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.75%), 01/17/33   1,250    1,233,343 
7.55% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.15%), 01/17/33   1,250    1,223,481 

Dryden 83 CLO Ltd. 144A

6.88% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.48%), 01/18/32

   4,000    4,005,132 

Dryden 93 CLO Ltd. 144A

7.26% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.86%), 01/15/34

   1,750    1,733,307 

Elmwood CLO 15 Ltd. 144A

6.75% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 04/22/35

   1,250    1,249,941 

Generate CLO 2 Ltd. 144A

6.82% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.41%), 01/22/31

   3,787    3,791,798 

GoldenTree Loan Management US CLO 16 Ltd. 144A

8.26% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.90%), 01/20/34

   2,050    2,057,669 

GoldenTree Loan Opportunities IX Ltd. 144A

6.95% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.56%), 10/29/29

   1,250    1,251,799 

HPS Loan Management 11- 2017 Ltd. 144A

6.67% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.28%), 05/06/30

   1,290    1,292,549 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

7

VANECK CLO ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS: 98.6% (continued)          

KKR CLO 20 Ltd. 144A

6.79% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.39%), 10/16/30

  $995   $996,463 

KKR CLO 21 Ltd. 144A

6.66% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.26%), 04/15/31

   3,713    3,712,521 

KKR Clo 24 Ltd. 144A

6.76% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 04/20/32

   3,760    3,761,899 

LCM 26 Ltd. 144A

6.75% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.33%), 01/20/31

   3,817    3,821,149 

LCM 29 Ltd. 144A

6.73% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.33%), 04/15/31

   5,500    5,469,717 

LCM Loan Income Fund I Income Note Issuer Ltd. 144A

6.74% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 07/16/31

   9,034    9,042,461 

LCM XIII LP 144A

6.53% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.13%), 07/19/27

   191    191,361 

LCM XIV LP 144A

6.72% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.30%), 07/20/31

   2,341    2,341,725 

LCM XV LP 144A

6.68% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.26%), 07/20/30

   1,164    1,165,092 

Madison Park Funding XXI Ltd. 144A

6.74% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 10/15/32

   4,500    4,505,486 

Myers Park CLO Ltd. 144A

7.08% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.66%), 10/20/30

   1,250    1,248,824 

OCP CLO 2020-19 Ltd. 144A

7.38% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.96%), 10/20/34

   1,750    1,751,747 

OCP CLO 2021-22 Ltd. 144A

6.86% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.44%), 12/02/34

   1,250    1,251,539 

Octagon Investment Partners XXI Ltd. 144A

6.64% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.26%), 02/14/31

   5,500    5,492,322 

OZLM Funding II Ltd. 144A

7.40% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.01%), 07/30/31

   12,500    12,484,862 

OZLM IX Ltd. 144A

7.23% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.81%), 10/20/31

   2,000    1,994,290 

OZLM XXI Ltd. 144A

6.83% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.41%), 01/20/31

   2,407    2,410,015 

OZLM XXII Ltd. 144A

6.73% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.33%), 01/17/31

   939    940,356 
   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS: 98.6% (continued)          

RR 12 Ltd. 144A

7.02% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.62%), 01/15/36

  $4,600   $4,605,893 

RRX 4 Ltd. 144A

6.86% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.46%), 07/15/34

   1,750    1,752,191 

Signal Peak CLO 10 Ltd. 144A

7.72% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.31%), 07/21/34

   1,250    1,250,609 

Signal Peak CLO 5 Ltd. 144A

6.75% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.37%), 04/25/31

   1,702    1,703,907 

Sounds Point CLO IV-R LTD 144A

6.81% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.41%), 04/18/31

   6,950    6,945,190 

Southwick Park CLO LLC 144A

6.74% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.32%), 07/20/32

   2,000    1,996,664 

TCI-Symphony CLO 2016-1 Ltd. 144A

6.68% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.28%), 10/13/32

   5,000    4,997,435 

TCI-Symphony CLO 2017-1 Ltd. 144A

6.59% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.19%), 07/15/30

   2,647    2,647,562 

TCW CLO 2018-1 Ltd. 144A

6.61% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.23%), 04/25/31

   2,566    2,566,474 

TCW CLO 2019-1 AMR Ltd. 144A

7.40% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.01%), 08/16/34

   2,575    2,568,048 

THL Credit Wind River 2014- 2 CLO Ltd. 144A

6.80% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.40%), 01/15/31

   1,556    1,557,755 

THL Credit Wind River 2019- 3 Clo Ltd. 144A

6.74% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.34%), 07/15/31

   5,500    5,468,859 

TIAA CLO I Ltd. 144A

6.88% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.46%), 07/20/31

   3,821    3,825,939 

Trinitas CLO XXV Ltd. 144A

7.18% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.85%), 01/23/37

   6,800    6,799,768 

Voya CLO 2018-3 Ltd. 144A

7.06% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.66%), 10/15/31

   5,200    5,132,702 

Voya CLO 2019-2 Ltd. 144A

6.95% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.53%), 07/20/32

   2,727    2,730,022 


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

8

 

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS: 98.6% (continued)          
           

Warwick Capital CLO 2 Ltd. 144A

8.08% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+2.70%), 01/15/37

  $4,000   $4,005,772 

Wind River 2014-1 CLO Ltd. 144A

6.71% (Term SOFR USD 3 Month+1.31%), 07/18/31

   1,810    1,812,479 
         231,568,325 
Total Collateralized Loan Obligations
(Cost: $229,229,403)
    231,568,325 
Total Investments: 98.6%
(Cost: $229,229,403)
        231,568,325 
Other assets less liabilities: 1.4%        3,304,409 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $234,872,734 


 

 

Definitions:

 

SOFR Secured Overnight Financing Rate
USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted, and the value amounted $231,568,325, or 98.6% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value 
Collateralized Loan Obligations        100.0%       $231,568,325 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Collateralized Loan Obligations  $   $231,568,325   $   $231,568,325 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

9

VANECK OFFICE AND COMMERCIAL REIT ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 100.3%          
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): 100.3%      
American Assets Trust, Inc.   865   $19,471 
Boston Properties, Inc.   1,703    119,501 
Brandywine Realty Trust   3,504    18,922 
COPT Defense Properties   2,841    72,815 
Cousins Properties, Inc.   2,657    64,698 
Douglas Emmett, Inc.   3,462    50,199 
Easterly Government Properties, Inc.   2,442    32,821 
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc.      3,090    29,942 
Equity Commonwealth *   3,085    59,232 
Highwoods Properties, Inc.   2,152    49,410 
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.      3,041    28,312 
JBG SMITH Properties   1,364    23,202 
Kilroy Realty Corp.   2,912    116,014 
Kimco Realty Corp.   1,272    27,106 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (continued)          
Net Lease Office Properties *   51   $942 
Office Properties Income Trust      1,370    10,028 
Orion Office REIT, Inc.   999    5,714 
Paramount Group, Inc.   4,779    24,707 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc.   3,375    23,996 
Prologis, Inc.   362    48,255 
Realty Income Corp.   788    45,247 
Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.   404    22,664 
Simon Property Group, Inc.   327    46,643 
SL Green Realty Corp.   1,547    69,878 
Vornado Realty Trust   3,965    112,011 
WP Carey, Inc.   601    38,951 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $1,032,484)
        1,160,681 
Total Investments: 100.3%
(Cost: $1,032,484)
        1,160,681 
Liabilities in excess of other assets: (0.3)%           (3,108) 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $1,157,573 


 

 

Footnotes:

* Non-income producing

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value 
Real Estate        100.0%       $1,160,681 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks *  $1,160,681   $   $   $1,160,681 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

10

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   CLO ETF   Office and
Commercial REIT
ETF
 
Assets:          
Investments, at value Unaffiliated issuers (1)   $231,568,325   $1,160,681 
Cash   241,893     
Receivables:          
Dividends and interest   3,144,795    6,670 
Total assets    234,955,013    1,167,351 
Liabilities:          
Payables:          
Due to Adviser    82,279    497 
Due to custodian        9,281 
Total liabilities    82,279    9,778 
NET ASSETS  $234,872,734   $1,157,573 
Shares outstanding   4,500,000    30,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share   $52.19   $38.59 
Net Assets consist of:          
Aggregate paid in capital  $232,085,909   $1,025,359 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   2,786,825    132,214 
NET ASSETS  $234,872,734   $1,157,573 
(1) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $229,229,403   $1,032,484 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

11

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   CLO ETF   Office and
Commercial REIT
ETF (a)
 
Income:          
Dividends   $   $15,271 
Interest   7,556,940     
Total income   7,556,940    15,271 
Expenses:          
Management fees   445,735    1,293 
Interest   949     
Taxes   486     
Total expenses   447,170    1,293 
Net investment income   7,109,770    13,978 
           
Net realized gain (loss) on:          
Investments    229,751    7,277 
In-kind redemptions       34,158 
Capital gain distributions from investment companies        2,763 
Net realized gain   229,751    44,198 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments    2,076,833    128,197 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,076,833    128,197 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $9,416,354   $186,373 

 

(a) For the period September 20, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

12

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   CLO ETF   Office and
Commercial REIT
ETF
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Period Ended
December 31,
2022 (a)
   Period Ended
December 31,
2023 (b)
 
Operations:               
Net investment income  $7,109,770   $586,929   $13,978 
Net realized gain (loss)   229,751    (42,600)   44,198 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   2,076,833    262,090    128,197 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   9,416,354    806,419    186,373 
Distributions to shareholders from:               
Distributable earnings   (6,825,240)   (564,150)   (20,001)
                
Share transactions*:               
Proceeds from sale of shares   222,706,530    25,000,000    1,390,933 
Cost of shares redeemed   (15,667,179)       (399,732)
Increase in net assets resulting from share transactions   207,039,351    25,000,000    991,201 
Total increase in net assets   209,630,465    25,242,269    1,157,573 
Net Assets, beginning of period   25,242,269         
Net Assets, end of period  $234,872,734   $25,242,269   $1,157,573 
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)               
Shares sold   4,300,000    500,000    40,000 
Shares redeemed   (300,000)       (10,000)
Net increase   4,000,000    500,000    30,000 

 

(a) For the period June 22, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.
(b) For the period September 20, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

13

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   CLO ETF
   Year Ended
December
31, 2023
  Period
Ended
December
31,
2022(a)
       
Net asset value, beginning of period   $50.48    $50.00 
Net investment income (b)   3.32    1.18 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   1.32    0.43 
Total from investment operations   4.64    1.61 
Distributions from:          
Net investment income   (2.93)   (1.13)
Net asset value, end of period   $52.19    $50.48 
Total return (c)   9.40%   3.26%(d)
           
Ratios to average net assets          
Expenses   0.40%   0.40%(e)
Net investment income    6.38%   4.43%(e)
Supplemental data          
Net assets, end of period (in millions)    $235    $25 
Portfolio turnover rate (f)   59%   15%(d)

 

(a) For the period June 22, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

14

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   Office and
Commercial
REIT ETF
    
   Period
Ended
December
31,
2023(a)
    
Net asset value, beginning of period   $35.14 
Net investment income (b)   0.51 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   3.61 
Total from investment operations   4.12 
Distributions from:     
Net investment income   (0.58)
Net realized capital gains   (0.09)
Total distributions   (0.67)
Net asset value, end of period   $38.59 
Total return (c)   11.70%(d)
      
Ratios to average net assets     
Expenses   0.50%(e)
Net investment income    5.40%(e)
Supplemental data     
Net assets, end of period (in millions)    $1 
Portfolio turnover rate (f)   1%(d)

 

 

(a) For the period September 20, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

15

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was incorporated in Delaware as a statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The Trust operates as a series fund, and offers multiple investment portfolios, each of which represents a separate series of the Trust. These financial statements relate only to the investment portfolios listed in the diversification table below (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

Fund Diversification Classification
   
CLO ETF Non-Diversified
Office and Commercial REIT ETF Non-Diversified

 

The CLO ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund that seeks capital preservation and current income by primarily investing in investment-grade debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”).

 

The Office and Commercial REIT ETF seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of MarketVectorUS Listed Office and Commercial REITs Index.

 

Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for the Funds. PineBridge Investments LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”) is a Sub-Adviser for the CLO ETF.

 

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

  A.     Security Valuation— The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis, which includes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
   
  Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
   
  Level 2 — Significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
   
  Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
   
  Securities traded on national exchanges are valued at the closing price on the markets in which the securities trade. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Over-the-counter securities not included on NASDAQ and listed securities for which no sale was reported are valued at the mean of the bid and ask prices. To the extent these securities are actively traded, they are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Money market fund investments are valued at net asset value and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Debt securities are valued on the basis of evaluated prices furnished by an independent pricing service or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating,
16

 

 

  interest rate and maturity date and or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value, and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Short-term debt securities with sixty days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which with accrued interest approximates fair value. The Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) has designated the Adviser as valuation designee to perform the Funds’ fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset are not readily available, or if the Adviser believes they do not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value, including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis.
   
  Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be categorized either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  A summary of the inputs and the levels used to value the Funds’ investments are located in the Schedules of Investments. Additionally, tables that reconcile the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investments and that present additional information about valuation methodologies and unobservable inputs, if applicable, are located in the Schedules of Investments.
   
B. Federal Income Taxes—It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
   
C. Distributions to Shareholders— Dividends to shareholders from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly by the CLO ETF and quarterly by the Office and Commercial REIT ETF. Distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. Income dividends and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with U.S. income tax regulations, which may differ from such amounts determined in accordance with GAAP.
   
D. Other— Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and discounts, is accrued as earned.
   
  The Funds earn interest income on uninvested cash balances held at the custodian bank. Such amounts, if any, are presented as interest income in the Statements of Operations.
   
  The character of distributions received from certain investments may be comprised of net investment income, capital gains, and return of capital. It is the Funds’ policy to estimate the character of distributions received from these investments based on historical data if actual amounts are not available. After each calendar year end, these investments report the actual tax character of distributions. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts are reflected in the Funds’ records in the year in which they are reported by adjusting the related cost basis of investments, capital gains and income, as necessary.
   
  In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would
17

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

  involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

 

Note 3—Investment Management and Other Agreements—The Adviser receives a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of the Funds except for the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes, and extraordinary expenses, until at least May 1, 2024 for CLO ETF and until May 1, 2025 for Office and Commercial REIT ETF. The unitary management fee rates for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

Fund  Unitary
Management
Fee Rate
CLO ETF       0.40%     
Office and Commercial REIT ETF   0.50 

 

In addition, Van Eck Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ distributor. Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and Distributor.

 

Note 4—Capital Share Transactions—As of December 31, 2023, there were an unlimited number of capital shares of beneficial interest authorized by the Trust with no par value. Fund shares are not individually redeemable and are issued and redeemed at their net asset value per share only through certain authorized broker-dealers (“Authorized Participants”) in blocks of shares (“Creation Units”).

 

The consideration for the purchase or redemption of Creation Units of the Funds generally consists of the in-kind contribution or distribution of a designated portfolio of securities (“Deposit Securities”) plus a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may also be substituted in an amount equivalent to the value of certain Deposit Securities, generally as a result of market circumstances, or when the securities are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, or are not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant. The Funds may issue Creation Units in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including, for the benefit of the Funds, a requirement to maintain cash collateral on deposit at the custodian equal to at least 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities.

 

Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay transaction fees directly to the transfer agent. In addition, the Funds may impose variable fees on the purchase or redemption of Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, to defray certain transaction costs. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Note 5—Investments—For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments and in-kind capital share transactions) and the purchases and sales of investments resulting from in-kind capital share transactions (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

         In-Kind Capital Share Transactions
Fund  Purchases  Sales  Purchases  Sales
CLO ETF  $269,823,286   $65,476,826   $   $ 
Office and Commercial REIT ETF   7,905    259,653    1,390,831    147,148 

 

Note 6—Income Taxes—As of December 31, 2023, for Federal income tax purposes, the identified cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments owned were as follows:

18

 

 

Fund  Tax Cost of
Investments
  Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
  Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CLO ETF  $229,229,402  $2,377,333  $(38,410)  $2,338,923  
Office and Commercial REIT ETF  1,032,484  130,335  (2,138)  128,197  

 

At December 31, 2023, the components of total distributable earnings (losses) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  (Accumulated
Capital Losses)/
Undistributed
Capital Gains
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Total
Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
 
CLO ETF  $414,439  $33,463  $2,338,923  $2,786,825  
Office and Commercial REIT ETF  4,017    128,197  132,214  

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders were as follows:

 

   December 31, 2023  December 31, 2022
Fund  Ordinary
Income*
  Long-Term
Capital
Gains
  Ordinary
Income*
CLO ETF  $6,825,240  $–  $564,150
Office and Commercial REIT ETF  17,238  2,763 

 

*Includes distributions from short-term capital gains, if any.

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds had no capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains. During the year ended December 31, 2023, CLO ETF utilized $42,600 of its capital loss carryover available from the prior year.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of permanent book to tax differences, primarily due to excise tax paid, and the tax treatment of gains/losses from securities redeemed in-kind and earnings attributable to the redemption of shares, the Funds incurred differences that affected distributable earnings and aggregate paid in capital by the amounts in the table below. Net assets were not affected by these reclassifications.

 

Fund  Increase
(Decrease)
in Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
  Increase
(Decrease)
in Aggregate
Paid in Capital
CLO ETF  $(46,558)  $46,558 
Office and Commercial REIT ETF   (34,158)   34,158 

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by applicable tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on return filings for all open tax years. The Funds may be subject to foreign taxes on the appreciation in value of certain investments. The Funds provide for such taxes, if any, on both realized and unrealized appreciation.

 

The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Note 7—Principal Risks— Non-diversified funds generally hold securities of fewer issuers than diversified funds and may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers. Investments in debt instruments involve

19

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

risks, including market fluctuations caused by factors such as economic and political developments, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in security prices.

 

The CLO ETF’s assets are concentrated in CLO securities, organized as trusts or other special purpose vehicles that are typically collateralized by a pool of loans which may include, among others, domestic and foreign senior secured loans, senior unsecured loans and subordinate corporate loans, including loans that may be rated below investment grade or equivalent unrated loans, and including “covenant lite” loans, which have few or no financial maintenance covenants. CLOs include both the economic risks of the underlying loans combined with the risks associated with the CLO structure governing the priority of payments. The degree of such risk will generally correspond to the specific tranche in which the Fund is invested. The Fund invests primarily in investment grade-rated tranches of CLOs; however, the rating does not constitute a guarantee of credit quality and may be downgraded, and in stressed market environments it is possible that even senior CLO debt tranches could experience losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to defaults due to collateral default and the disappearance of the subordinated/ equity tranches, market anticipation of defaults, as well as negative market sentiment with respect to CLO securities as an asset class. The Fund’s portfolio managers may not be able to accurately predict how specific CLOs or the portfolio of underlying loans for such CLO securities will react to changes or stresses in the market, including changes in interest rates. The most common risks associated with investing in CLO securities are liquidity risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, call risk, and the risk of default of the underlying asset.

 

Securities with floating or variable interest rates can be less sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with fixed interest rates, but may decline in value if their interest rates do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. A decline in interest rates may result in a reduction of income received from floating rate securities held by the Fund and may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s shares. Generally, floating rate securities carry lower yields than fixed notes of the same maturity.

 

Office and Commercial REIT ETF invests in Office and Commercial Real Estate Companies and is exposed to the risks of owning real estate directly, as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way in which REITs are organized and operated. REITs generally invest directly in real estate, in mortgages or in some combination of the two. Individual REITs may own a limited number of properties and may concentrate in a particular region or property type. REITs may also be subject to heavy cash flow dependency, default by borrowers or tenants and self-liquidation. REITs also must satisfy specific requirements of the Internal Revenue Code in order to qualify for tax-free pass-through income. The failure of a company to qualify as a REIT could have adverse consequences for the Fund, including significantly reducing the return to the Fund on its investment in such company. In addition, REITs, like mutual funds, have expenses, including management and administration fees, that are paid by their shareholders. As a result, shareholders will absorb their proportionate share of duplicate levels of fees when the Fund invests in REITs.

 

Equity REITs that invest in commercial real estate may be adversely affected by conditions in the real estate market, failure of tenants to renew leases and decline in rental values.

 

A more complete description of risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Note 8—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan—The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which a Trustee can elect to defer receipt of trustee fees until retirement, disability or termination from the Board of Trustees. The fees otherwise payable to the participating Trustees are deemed invested in shares of the Funds of the Trust as directed by the Trustees. The Adviser is responsible for paying the expenses associated with the Plan.

 

Note 9—Securities Lending—To generate additional income, the Office and Commercial REIT ETF may lend its securities pursuant to a securities lending agreement with the securities lending agent. The Fund may lend up to 33% of its investments requiring that the loan be continuously collateralized by cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or any combination of cash and such securities at all times equal to at least 102% (105% for foreign securities) of the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations

20

 

 

could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Fund will continue to receive any dividends, interest or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned while receiving a fee from the borrower and or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Such fees and interest are shared with the securities lending agent under the terms of the securities lending agreement. Securities lending income is disclosed as such in the Statement of Operations. Cash collateral is maintained on the Fund’s behalf by the lending agent and is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio. Non-cash collateral consists of U.S. Treasuries and U.S. Government Agency securities, and is not disclosed in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments or Statement of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the agent on behalf of the Fund. The Fund does not have the ability to re-hypothecate those securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Fund. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the securities loaned. The Fund bears the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The value of loaned securities and related cash collateral, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented on a gross basis in the Schedule of Investments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities. As of December 31, 2023, the Fund had no outstanding securities on loan.

 

Note 10—Bank Line of Credit— The Funds may participate in a $200 million committed credit facility (the “Facility”) to be utilized for temporary financing until the settlement of sales or purchases of portfolio securities, the repurchase or redemption of shares of the Fund at the request of the shareholders and other temporary or emergency purposes. The Funds have agreed to pay commitment fees, pro rata, based on the unused but available balance. Interest is charged to the Funds based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowings. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the following Funds borrowed under the Facility.

 

Fund  Days
Outstanding
  Average
Daily
Loan Balance
  Average
Interest Rate
CLO ETF  24  $232,867  6.10%

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds had no outstanding borrowings under the Facility.

 

Note 10—New Regulatory Requirements— On October 26, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule and form amendments that require mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are registered on Form N-1A to prepare and transmit tailored unaudited annual and semi-annual shareholder reports (TSRs), that highlight key information to investors, within 60 days of period-end. The new TSRs will be prepared separately for each fund.

 

In connection with these amendments, certain information that was previously disclosed in fund shareholder reports will instead be made available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR.

 

The SEC also amended Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act, to require mutual funds and ETFs to provide TSRs directly to investors by mail (unless an investor elects electronic delivery).

 

These rules are effective January 24, 2023, and the compliance date is July 24, 2024.

21

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of VanEck ETF Trust and Shareholders of VanEck CLO ETF and VanEck Office and Commercial REIT ETF

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (two of the funds constituting VanEck ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed in the table below as of December 31, 2023, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Funds  
VanEck CLO ETF (1)  
VanEck Office and Commercial REIT ETF (2)  

 

(1) Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the period June 22, 2022 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2022.

(2) Statement of operations, statement of changes in net assets, and financial highlights for the period September 20, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2024

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the VanEck Funds complex since 2022.

22

VANECK ETF TRUST

TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information:

 

Fund Name  Ticker Symbol  Payable
Date
  Total
Distribution
Paid
Per Share
   Ordinary Income
Paid Per Share
   Long-Term Capital Gains Per
Share
CLO ETF  CLOI  Monthly  $2.9262   $2.9262     $    
Office and Commercial REIT ETF  DESK  Quarterly   0.6667    0.5746    0.0921*

 

 

*$0.0145 of this amount represents Section 1250 gains taxed at a 25% rate

 

Fund Name  Ticker Symbol  Payable
Date
  Percent of
Ordinary
Income
Dividends
that are
QDI Eligible (a)
   Section 199A
QBI as a
Percent of
Ordinary
Income
Dividends (b)
   Section 163(j)-
Interest
Dividends as
a % of the
Total Ordinary
Income
Distribution (c)
   Qualified
Short-Term
Capital Gains
Per Share (d)
 
CLO ETF  CLOI  Monthly   %   %   97.12%  $ 
Office and Commercial REIT ETF  DESK  Quarterly   0.59    42.45        0.1087 

 

(a) All or a portion of a shareholder’s ordinary income dividend may be taxed at a reduced capital gains rate rather than the higher marginal tax rates applicable to ordinary income. The amount of a dividend subject to this lower rate is known as Qualified Dividend Income or QDI and is reported in Box 1b of the Form 1099-DIV. Shareholders who received Form 1099-DIV should use the amounts reported to them on Form 1099-DIV when preparing their tax return.

 

To treat a dividend as qualifying for lower rates, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(b) The Section 199A amount represents the percentage of each Fund’s ordinary income distributions that represent Qualified Business Income (QBI) for purposes of the Internal Revenue Code Section 199A deduction. Section 199A allows a deduction of up to 20% on QBI for non-corporate taxpayers.

 

To treat a dividend as qualifying for the QBI, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 46 days during the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(c) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that are eligible to be treated as interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) and the regulations thereunder. To treat a dividend as interest income, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 180 days during the 361-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(d) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that were considered to be Qualified Short-Term Capital Gains (“QSTG”) distributions. The QSTG distributions may be exempt from United States withholding tax when distributed to non-U.S. shareholders with proper documentation.

23

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  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 During Past Five Years
Independent Trustees               
                
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee  Since 2006  Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/ strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.  72  Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.
                
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee  Since 2019  Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).  72  Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee  Since 2006  President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).  83  Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee  Since 2022
Since 2012
  Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.  72  Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee  Since 2006  Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.  83  Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                
Interested Trustee               
                
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President  Trustee (Since 2006); Chief Executive Officer and President (Since 2009)  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.  83  Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 

 

1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th 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 VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
24

 

 

4 The MainStay Fund Complex consists of MainStay Funds, MainStay Funds Trust, MainStay VP Funds Trust and MainStay MacKay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund.
5 “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. van Eck is an officer of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
  Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of Office2
And Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officer Information         
          
Matthew A. Babinsky,
1983
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary  Vice President (Since 2023); Assistant Secretary (Since 2016)  Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
          
Russell G. Brennan,
1964
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer  Since 2008  Assistant Vice President of VEAC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
          
Charles T. Cameron,
1960
  Vice President  Since 2006  Portfolio Manager of VEAC; Officer and/or Portfolio Manager of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Director of Trading of VEAC.
          
John J. Crimmins,
1957
  Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (Since 2012); Treasurer (Since 2009)  Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Vice President of VESC.
          
Susan Curry, 1966  Assistant Vice President  Since 2022  Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc.
          
Eduardo Escario,
1975
  Vice President  Since 2012  Regional Director, Business Development/Sales for Southern Europe and South America of VEAC.
          
F. Michael Gozzillo,
1965
  Chief Compliance Officer  Since 2018  Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of VEAC and VEARA; Chief Compliance Officer of VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of City National Rochdale, LLC and City National Rochdale Funds.
          
Laura Hamilton,
1977
  Vice President  Since 2019  Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Operations Manager of Royce & Associates.
          
Nicholas Jackson,
1974
  Assistant Vice President  Since 2018  Director, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Vice President, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
          
Laura I. Martínez,
1980
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary  Vice President (Since 2016); Assistant Secretary (Since 2008)  Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
          
Matthew McKinnon,
1970
  Assistant Vice President  Since 2018  Head of Asia - Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Director, Intermediaries and Institutions of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
          
Lisa A. Moss, 1965  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary  Since 2022  Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP.
          
Arian Neiron,
1979
  Vice President  Since 2018  CEO (since 2021) & Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
25

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

James Parker,
1969
  Assistant Treasurer  Since 2014  Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Manager, Portfolio Administration of VEAC and VEARA. Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
          
Adam Phillips,
1970
  Vice President  Since 2018  ETF Chief Operating Officer of VEAC; Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC.
          
Philipp Schlegel,
1974
  Vice President  Since 2016  Managing Director of Van Eck Switzerland AG.
          
Jonathan R. Simon,
1974
  Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer  Senior Vice President (Since 2016); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (Since 2014)  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
          
Andrew Tilzer,
1972
  Assistant Vice President  Since 2021  Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Vice President of Portfolio Administration of VEAC. Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Operations of VEAC.

 

 

 

1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
26

VANECK ETF TRUST

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Office and Commercial REIT ETF

 

At a meeting held on September 7, 2023 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of VanEck® ETF Trust (the “Trust”), including all of the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), considered and approved the investment management agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with respect to the VanEck Office and Commercial REIT ETF (the “Fund”).

 

The Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all of the information available to the Trustees and was not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations and how the Trustees considered those factors are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently, giving different weights to various factors.

 

In advance of the Meeting, the Trustees received materials from the Adviser, including expense information for other funds. The Adviser provided the Trustees with information regarding, among other things, the various aspects of the Fund’s proposed investment programs, fee arrangements and service provider arrangements. The Independent Trustees’ consideration of the Investment Management Agreement was based, in part, on their review of information obtained through discussions with the Adviser at the Meeting regarding the proposed management of the Fund and information obtained at other meetings of the Trustees and/or based on their review of the materials provided by the Adviser, including the background and experience of the portfolio managers and others proposed to be involved in the management and administration of the Fund. The Trustees also considered the terms of, and scope of services that the Adviser would provide under, the Investment Management Agreement, including the Adviser’s agreement to pay all of the direct expenses of the Fund, excluding the fee payment under the Investment Management Agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. The Trustees concluded that the Adviser and its personnel have the requisite expertise and skill to manage the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Trustees considered the benefits, other than the fees under the Investment Management Agreement, that the Adviser would receive from serving as adviser to the Fund. The Trustees did not consider historical information about the cost of the services provided by the Adviser or the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser because the Fund had not yet commenced operations. The Trustees could not consider the historical performance or actual management fees or operating expenses of, or the quality of services previously provided to, the Fund by the Adviser, although they concluded that the nature, quality, and extent of the services to be provided by the Adviser were appropriate based on the Trustees’ knowledge of the Adviser and its personnel and the operations of the other series of the Trust.

 

The Independent Trustees were advised by and met in executive session with their independent counsel at the Meeting as part of their consideration of the Investment Management Agreement.

 

In voting to approve the Investment Management Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Management Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable judgment. The Trustees further concluded that, at the time of their considerations, the Investment Management Agreement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

27

This report is intended for the Fund’s shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by a VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) prospectus and summary prospectus, which includes more complete information. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Additional information about the Trust’s Board of Trustees/Officers and a description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ending June 30 is available, without charge, by calling 800.826.2333, or by visiting vaneck.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Trust’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.942.8090. The Fund’s complete schedules of portfolio holdings are also available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

 

Investment Adviser: VanEck Associates Corporation  
Distributor: VanEck Securities Corporation  
  666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017  
  vaneck.com  
Account Assistance: 800.826.2333 CLOIDESKAR
 
   
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023
   

 

Bitcoin Strategy ETF XBTF
Ethereum Strategy ETF EFUT

 

     
  800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

President’s Letter 3
Management Discussion 5
Performance Comparison 6
Bitcoin Strategy ETF 6
About Fund Performance 7
Explanation of Expenses 8
Schedule of Investments 9
Bitcoin Strategy ETF 9
Ethereum Strategy ETF 10
Statements of Assets and Liabilities 11
Statements of Operations 12
Statements of Changes in Net Assets 13
Financial Highlights 14
Bitcoin Strategy ETF 14
Ethereum Strategy ETF 15
Notes to Financial Statements 16
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 23
Board of Trustees and Officers 25
Approval of Investment Management Agreements 28

 

 

Certain information contained in this report represents the opinion of the investment adviser which may change at any time. This information is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Funds’ holdings, the Funds’ performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of December 31, 2023.

 

VANECK ETF TRUST

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

Our outlook for financial markets in 2023 was “sideways” and “40/60” or overweight bonds. This strategy worked well until November 2023, when the market suddenly rallied aggressively and priced in U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate cuts which were to happen in 2024. It is one of the wonders of the market that it can price in its view of the future so quickly.

 

In this sense, it could be that 2024 has already happened. One could imagine that the three major factors—monetary policy, government spending and global economic growth—will not change much in 2024.

 

So, let’s review those three major forces on markets and some risks and trends worth noting.

 

Discussion

 

1. Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

To recap this cycle: stocks and bonds historically do not perform well when the Fed tightens monetary conditions. And that’s just what the Fed announced it would be doing at the end of 2021. This would include raising rates and changing its balance sheet actions, which doesn’t create a great environment for financial assets.

 

A second, modern component to monetary policy is the Fed balance sheet. After buying bonds during the pandemic, the Fed has now started shrinking the balance sheet—from a high of almost $9 trillion in early 2022, assets dropped to just under $7.8 trillion toward the end of December 2023.1

 

Our favorite inflation is wage inflation, not food or gas prices. That is the kind of inflation which is endemic and hard to manage once it takes hold. And wage inflation is above 4%, not near the Fed’s 2% target, so we don’t see a big Fed stimulus. And the silent Fed action of reducing its bond holdings (“quantitative tightening”), continues.

 

2. Government Spending: Also Muted

 

A second bearish factor is that government spending is unlikely to increase next year. The Republicans, in control of the House of Representatives, continue to look to slow government spending. While we probably didn’t sufficiently appreciate the amount of some of the Biden Administration’s spending, like with the environmental Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), any such upside surprises are very unlikely in 2024.

 

3. Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. and China have been the two main pillars of global growth. But while there are bright spots, China is remarkable now for its economic weakness. The property market recession has helped pull Chinese prices lower year over year and that deflationary force affects the world economy. Other centers of growth like India, Indonesia and Africa are not big enough yet to drive global growth.

 

Notable

 

1. Bonds

 

While interest rates whipsawed investors in 2023 with a net positive result, our outlook favoring bonds hasn’t changed, which is that they offer attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to equities, given the headwinds discussed above. Now, after the 2022 and 2023 losses, bond investments are offering attractive yields, this has been our favorite asset class to buy and remains our preference. (See What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now.2) As a reference, bonds offered attractive total returns in the 1970s even though that decade was the worst for interest rates in the last 100 years.

3

VANECK ETF TRUST

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2. Yield Curve

 

We like to look for market distortions and the most notable one is “yield curve inversion”—long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates. If, and it’s a big “if”, government entities like the Fed are stepping back from the bond markets, then it makes sense for long-term rates to be higher because with greater risk should come greater return. Yield curve inversion is present only about 10% of the time. It’s unusual.

 

3. India/Emerging Markets

 

With the new-found ubiquity and affordability of mobile phones in India, the Internet sector there is well primed to do as well as it has in the U.S., China and other major markets. Digital India seems like a good tactical play, despite higher price/earnings ratios. Emerging markets in general have lagged for so many years that most investors have given up. So many, that 2024 may be their year.

 

4. Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

In March 2023, I “pounded the table” on gold and Bitcoin in a CNBC interview. While those assets have rallied hard since then—again, the market likes to anticipate!—I don’t think this trend is over.

 

5. Value stocks

 

Growth stocks had a shockingly good 2023. Stocks in banks and financials have been beaten up. They are definitely worth a close look. This outlook is discussed in a recent podcast, The Compound & Friends,3 Episode 113, released on October 13, 2023.

 

We thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will find a performance discussion and financial statements for each of the funds for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

PS The investing outlook can change suddenly. To get our quarterly investment outlooks, please subscribe to “VanEck News & Insights”.4 Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.

 

1 U.S. Federal Reserve: FEDERAL RESERVE Statistical Release, December 28, 2023, https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/20231228/
   
2 VanEck: What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now., https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/investment-outlook/jan-van-eck-what-to-buy-bonds-when-now/
   
3 The Compound & Friends, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-kings-of-wall-street/id1456467014?i=1000631190860
   
4 VanEck: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/subscribe/
4

VANECK ETF TRUST

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

The VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF the (“Fund”) seeks capital appreciation by investing in bitcoin futures contracts. The Fund is actively managed and offers exposure to bitcoin-linked investments through an accessible exchange traded vehicle.

 

Over the 12 month period under review, the Fund gained 131.21% due to a significant gain in bitcoin futures prices. This significant growth was fueled by a variety of factors, including increased dominance of bitcoin in the crypto market as well as the easing of the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes, which created a more attractive case for riskier assets. Furthermore, anticipation of bitcoin’s halving event in April 2024 played a key role, historically known to trigger bull runs in the market. These factors collectively contributed to the strong performance of our Bitcoin Strategy ETF.

 

Subsequently, the Fund adopted a plan of liquidation which will be highlighted in the financial footnotes as a subsequent event.

5

VANECK BITCOIN STRATEGY ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   Share Price  NAV  BBR1  SPTR2
One Year   131.22%   131.21%   153.81%   26.29%
Life*   (20.80)%   (20.78)%   (17.87)%   2.53%

 

* Inception of Fund: 11/15/21; First Day of Secondary Market Trading: 11/16/21.
   
1 MVIS® CryptoCompare Bitcoin Benchmark Rate (BBR) is designed to be a robust price for Bitcoin in USD, based on one hour median weighted prices.
   
2 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since inception)

 

This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV since inception. The result is compared with the Fund’s benchmark and a broad-based index.

 


 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 7 for more information.

6

VANECK ETF TRUST

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

The price used to calculate market return (Share Price) is determined by using the closing price listed on its primary listing exchange. Since the shares of the Fund did not trade in the secondary market until after the Fund’s commencement, for the period from commencement to the first day of secondary market trading in shares of the Fund, the NAV of the Fund is used as a proxy for the secondary market trading price to calculate market returns.

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Investment return and value of the shares of the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance may be lower or higher than performance data quoted. Fund returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Performance current to the most recent month-end is available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

Index returns assume the reinvestment of all income and do not reflect any management fees, interest expense, brokerage expenses or income tax benefit/(expense) associated with Fund returns. Investors cannot invest directly in the Index. Returns for actual Fund investors may differ from what is shown because of differences in timing, the amount invested and fees and expenses.

 

BBR is published by MarketVector Indexes GmbH (MarketVector), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, Van Eck Associates Corporation.

 

MarketVector does not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Fund and bears no liability with respect to the Fund or any security.

7

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur operating expenses, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This disclosure is intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line in the table below provides information about account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
 
Bitcoin Strategy ETF              
Actual  $1,000.00  $1,293.90  0.63%  $3.64  
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,022.03  0.63%  $3.21  
Ethereum Strategy ETF              
Actual (c)  $1,000.00  $1,267.60  0.65%  $1.82  
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00  $1,021.93  0.65%  $3.31  

 

(a) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended December 31, 2023), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by the number of the days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b) Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses
(c) Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the period from October 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2023) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since the commencement of operations divided by the number of days in the fiscal year.
8

VANECK BITCOIN STRATEGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
Short-Term Investments: 90.9%          
United States Treasury Obligations: 90.9%      
United States Treasury Bills          
5.24%, 04/11/24 (a)  $6,000   $5,913,650 
5.30%, 03/21/24 (a)   6,000    5,931,708 
5.30%, 04/02/24 (a)   6,000    5,921,076 
5.31%, 03/12/24 (a)   5,000    4,949,513 
5.32%, 05/02/24 (a)   5,000    4,913,414 
5.32%, 02/06/24 (a)   1,000    994,872 
5.33%, 03/07/24 (a)   5,000    4,953,044 
5.38%, 02/20/24 (a)   6,000    5,957,012 
5.39%, 03/28/24 (a)   5,000    4,937,987 
5.41%, 02/13/24 (a)   5,000    4,969,238 
         49,441,514 
Total Short-Term Investments: 90.9%
(Cost: $49,427,562)
      49,441,514 
Other assets less liabilities: 9.1%        4,923,529 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $54,365,043 

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

  Reference Entity    Type  Number of
Contracts
  Expiration Date  Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
CME Bitcoin  Long  260  01/26/24  $55,230,500   $(1,264,699) 

 

(a) All or a portion of these securities are held at the broker for futures collateral. Total value of securities held at the broker is $40,037,124.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector           % of
Investments
   Value 
Government   100.0%   $49,441,514 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
United States Treasury Obligations  $   $49,441,514   $   $49,441,514 
                     
Other Financial Instruments:                    
Futures Contracts  $(1,264,699)   $   $   $(1,264,699) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

9

VANECK ETHEREUM STRATEGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Par  
(000’s
)  Value 
Short-Term Investments: 56.7%          
United States Treasury Obligations: 56.7%      
United States Treasury Bills          
5.31%, 03/12/24  $3,000   $2,969,708 
5.41%, 01/23/24   2,500    2,492,324 
5.41%, 02/13/24   1,000    993,848 
5.42%, 01/30/24   2,000    1,991,774 
         8,447,654 
Total Short-Term Investments: 56.7%
(Cost: $8,445,943)
      8,447,654 
Other assets less liabilities: 43.3%        6,459,442 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $14,907,096 

 

 

 

Futures Contracts

 

  Reference Entity    Type  Number of
Contracts
  Expiration Date  Notional
Amount
   Value and
Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
CME Ether  Long  134  01/26/24  $15,661,250   $(58,559) 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
   Value 
Government   100.0%   $8,447,654 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
United States Treasury Obligations  $   $8,447,654   $   $8,447,654 
                     
Other Financial Instruments:                    
Futures Contracts  $(58,559)   $   $   $(58,559) 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

10

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
   Ethereum
Strategy ETF
 
Assets:          
Investments, at value
Unaffiliated issuers (1)
  $49,441,514   $8,447,654 
Cash   3,756,015    1,617,126 
Cash on deposit with broker for futures contracts   3,499,038    5,600,949 
Receivables:          
Investment securities sold   2,602     
Total assets   56,699,169    15,665,729 
           
Liabilities:          
Payables:          
Due to Adviser   34,889    5,467 
Federal and State income taxes   1,036,496    695,937 
Net variation margin on futures contracts   1,259,650    56,850 
Net deferred tax   3,091    379 
Total liabilities   2,334,126    758,633 
NET ASSETS  $54,365,043   $14,907,096 
Shares outstanding   1,400,000    700,000 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $38.83   $21.30 
           
Net Assets consist of:          
Aggregate paid in capital  $46,895,970   $12,284,657 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   7,469,073    2,622,439 
NET ASSETS  $54,365,043   $14,907,096 
(1) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $49,427,562   $8,445,943 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

11

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Bitcoin
Strategy ETF
   Ethereum
Strategy ETF (a)
 
Income:          
Interest  $2,036,634   $87,254 
Total income   2,036,634    87,254 
Expenses:          
Management fees   282,245    18,152 
Futures commission merchant fees       3,844 
Total expenses   282,245    21,996 
Reimbursement by the Adviser       (3,844)
Net expenses   282,245    18,152 
Net investment income, before income taxes   1,754,389    69,102 
Net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) (See Note 6)   (388,209)   (15,443)
Net investment income, net of income taxes   1,366,180    53,659 
           
Net realized gain (loss) on:          
Investments   849     
Futures contracts   35,869,321    3,356,501 
Current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) (See Note 6)   (2,042,391)   (743,465)
Net realized gain, net of income taxes   33,827,779    2,613,036 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments   10,153    1,711 
Futures contracts   (1,380,880)   (58,559)
Current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) (See Note 6)   302,774    12,592 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation), net of income taxes   (1,067,953)   (44,256)
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $34,126,006   $2,622,439 

 

(a) For the period October 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

12

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Bitcoin Strategy ETF   Ethereum
Strategy ETF
 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Period
Ended
December 31,
2023 (a)
 
Operations:               
Net investment income  $1,366,180   $85,663   $53,659 
Net realized gain (loss)   33,827,779    (23,056,218)   2,613,036 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   (1,067,953)   1,160,667    (44,256)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   34,126,006    (21,809,888)   2,622,439 
                
Distributions to shareholders from:               
Distributable earnings   (85,625)        
Total distributions   (85,625)        
                
Share transactions*:               
Proceeds from sale of shares   19,408,348    27,850,090    12,284,657 
Cost of shares redeemed   (20,119,157)   (816,592)    
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from share transactions   (710,809)   27,033,498    12,284,657 
                
Total increase in net assets   33,329,572    5,223,610    14,907,096 
Net Assets, beginning of period   21,035,471    15,811,861     
Net Assets, end of period  $54,365,043   $21,035,471   $14,907,096 
                
* Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value):               
Shares sold   650,000    950,000    700,000 
Shares redeemed   (500,000)   (50,000)    
Net increase   150,000    900,000    700,000 

 

(a) For the period October 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

13

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   Bitcoin Strategy ETF
          
         Period
         Ended
         December
   Year Ended December 31,  31,
   2023  2022  2021(a)
                
Net asset value, beginning of period   $16.83    $45.18    $63.91 
Net investment income (loss) (b)   1.15    0.12    (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   20.92    (28.47)   (18.69)
Total from investment operations   22.07    (28.35)   (18.73)
Distributions from:               
Net investment income   (0.07)        
Net asset value, end of period   $38.83    $16.83    $45.18 
Total return (c)   131.42%   (62.75)%   (29.31)%(d)
                
Ratios to average net assets               
Gross expenses   0.65%(e)   0.73%(f)   0.65%(g)
Net expenses   0.65%(e)   0.66%(f)   0.65%(g)
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes   0.65%   0.65%   0.65%(g)
Net investment income   4.04%(e)   0.49%(f)   0.62%(g)
Supplemental data               
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $54    $21    $16 
Portfolio turnover rate (h)   %   %   %(d)

 

 

 

(a) For the period November 16, 2021 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2021.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Excludes the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense). If the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) was included the gross expense, net expense, and net investment income ratios would be 1.54%, 1.54% and 3.15%, respectively.
(f) Excludes the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense). If the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) was included the gross expense, net expense, and net investment income ratios would be 0.83%, 0.76% and 0.39%, respectively.
(g) Annualized
(h) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

14

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

   Ethereum
Strategy
ETF
    
   Period
Ended
December
31,
2023(a)
      
Net asset value, beginning of period   $16.80 
Net investment income (b)   0.12 
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments   4.38 
Total from investment operations   4.50 
Net asset value, end of period   $21.30 
Total return (c)   26.76%(d)
      
Ratios to average net assets     
Gross expenses   0.79%(e)(f)
Net expenses   0.65%(e)(f)
Net investment income   2.47%(e)(f)
Supplemental data     
Net assets, end of period (in millions)   $15 
Portfolio turnover rate (g)   —%(d)

 

 

 

(a) For the period October 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023.
(b) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(c) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(d) Not Annualized
(e) Annualized
(f) Excludes the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense). If the net current and deferred tax benefit/(expense) was included the gross expense, net expense, and net investment income ratios would be 1.34%, 1.20% and 1.92%, respectively.
(g) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

15

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was incorporated in Delaware as a statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The Trust operates as a series fund, and offers multiple investment portfolios, each of which represents a separate series of the Trust. These financial statements relate only to the investment portfolios listed in the diversification table below (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

Fund   Diversification Classification
     
Bitcoin Strategy ETF   Non-Diversified
Ethereum Strategy ETF   Non-Diversified

 

Bitcoin Strategy ETF and Ethereum Strategy ETF are actively managed and seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing in standardized, cash-settled Bitcoin futures contracts (“Bitcoin Futures”) and Ether futures contracts (“Ether Futures”), respectively, traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for the Funds and is subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees (the “Trustees”).

 

Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

A. Security Valuation— The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis, which includes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
   
  Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
   
  Level 2 - Significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
   
  Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
   
  Futures contracts are generally valued at the official settlement price on the primary exchange on which they trade and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Debt securities are valued on the basis of evaluated prices furnished by an independent pricing service approved by the Trustees or provided by securities dealers. The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider: (i) yield or price with respect to bonds that are considered comparable in characteristics such as rating, interest rate and maturity date and or (ii) quotations from bond dealers to determine current value, and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Short-term debt securities with sixty days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which with accrued interest approximates fair value. The Trustees have designated the Adviser as valuation designee to perform the Funds’ fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from
16

 

 

  securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset are not readily available, or if the Adviser believes they do not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value, including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis.
   
  Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be categorized either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  A summary of the inputs and the levels used to value the Funds’ investments are located in the Schedules of Investments. Additionally, tables that reconcile the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investments and that present additional information about the valuation methodologies and unobservable inputs, if applicable, are located in the Schedules of Investments.
   
B. Federal and Other Income Taxes— The Funds intend to invest primarily in Bitcoin Futures and Ether Futures, which generally are treated as futures contracts on property for federal income tax purposes. As such, they do not generate qualifying income for the purpose of qualifying as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) for tax purposes. Accordingly, the Funds do not intend to qualify, and will not qualify as a RIC pursuant to Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and will be taxed as a C-corporation. As a C-corporation, the Funds are obligated to pay federal, state and local income tax on their taxable income. The amount of taxes currently payable by the Funds will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and such taxes will reduce the return on an investment in the Funds. Since the Funds will be subject to taxation on its taxable income, the NAV of each Fund’s shares will be reduced by the accrual of any current or deferred tax liabilities.
   
  The tax expense or benefit attributable to certain components of income will be included in the Statements of Operations. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for federal income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated utilizing effective tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are realized or settled. A valuation allowance will be recognized if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realizable. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability, the duration of statutory carryforward and carryback periods and the associated risk that operating and capital loss carryforwards may expire unused. It is the Funds’ policy to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on the Statements of Operations.
   
C. Distributions to Shareholders— Distributions to shareholders, if any, are declared and paid annually. Because the Funds are taxed as a C corporation, all of the distributions paid by the Funds will be treated as dividend income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Unlike a RIC, the Funds will not pay capital gain dividends.
   
D. Use of Derivative Instruments— The Funds invest in futures contracts, which are derivative instruments. A derivative is an instrument whose value is derived from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Derivative instruments may be privately negotiated contracts (often referred to as over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives) or they may be listed and traded on an exchange. Derivative
17

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

  contracts may involve future commitments to purchase or sell financial instruments or commodities at specified terms on a specified date, or to exchange interest payment streams or currencies based on a notional or contractual amount. Derivative instruments may involve a high degree of financial risk. The use of derivative instruments also involves the risk of loss if the investment adviser is incorrect in its expectation of the timing or level of fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency prices. Investments in derivative instruments also include the risk of default by the counterparty, the risk that the investment may not be liquid and the risk that a small movement in the price of the underlying security or benchmark may result in a disproportionately large movement, unfavorable or favorable, in the price of the derivative instrument. GAAP requires enhanced disclosures about the Funds’ derivative instruments and hedging activities. Details of this disclosure are found below as well as in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  Futures Contracts— Futures contracts are financial contracts, the value of which depends on, or is derived from, the underlying reference asset. In the case of cash-settled Bitcoin Futures and Ether Futures, the underlying reference asset is bitcoin or ether. “Cash-settled” means that when the relevant futures contract expires, if the value of the underlying asset exceeds the futures contract price, the seller pays to the purchaser cash in the amount of that excess, and if the futures contract price exceeds the value of the underlying asset, the purchaser pays to the seller cash in the amount of that excess. In a cash-settled futures contract on bitcoin or ether, the amount of cash to be paid is equal to the difference between the value of the bitcoin or ether underlying the futures contract at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the futures contract price specified in the agreement.
   
  Upon entering into a futures contract, the Funds are required to deliver to a broker an amount of cash and/or government securities equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount. This amount is known as the “initial margin”. Subsequent payments, known as “variation margin”, are generally made or received by the Funds each day depending on the fluctuations in the value of the futures. Such variation margin is recorded for financial statement purposes on a daily basis as an unrealized gain or loss on futures, until the futures contract is closed or expires, at which time the net gain or loss is reclassified to realized gain or loss on futures. Bitcoin Strategy ETF and Ethereum Strategy ETF held futures contracts for 12 and 3 months, respectively, during the period ended December 31, 2023, of which the average notional amount for the period was $44,935,963 and $12,955,717, respectively. Futures contracts held by the Funds at December 31, 2023 are reflected in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  At December 31, 2023, the Funds held the following derivatives (not designated as hedging instruments under GAAP):

 

   Liabilities
Derivatives
 
   Digital Assets
Risk
 
Bitcoin Strategy ETF  $1,264,699 
Futures contracts1     
Ethereum Strategy ETF     
Futures contracts1   58,559 
   
1 Reflects unrealized depreciation as disclosed in the Schedule of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

 

The impact of transactions in derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2023, was as follows:

18

 

 

   Digital Assets
Risk
 
Bitcoin Strategy ETF     
Realized gain (loss):     
Futures contracts1  $35,869,321 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):     
Futures contracts2  $(1,380,880)
Ethereum Strategy ETF     
Realized gain (loss):     
Futures contracts1  $3,356,501 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):     
Futures contracts2  $(58,559)
   
1 Statements of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts
2 Statements of Operations location: Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

 

E. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities— In the ordinary course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements or other similar agreements. Generally, the right of offset in those agreements allows the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. The Funds may pledge or receive cash and/or securities as collateral for derivative instruments. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds presents derivative instruments on a gross basis in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
   
  Futures contracts held by the Funds are not subject to a master netting agreement or other similar arrangements. In general, collateral received or pledged exceeds the net amount of the unrealized gain/ loss or market value of financial instruments. Refer to the Schedules of Investments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities for collateral received or pledged as of December 31, 2023.
   
F. Other— Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and discounts, is accrued as earned. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
   
  The Funds earn interest income on uninvested cash balances held at the custodian bank. Such amounts, if any, are presented as interest income in the Statements of Operations.
   
  In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

 

Note 3—Investment Management and Other Agreements— The Adviser is the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser receives a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate of 0.65% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Funds except for the advisory fee, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses (except that the Adviser will pay any net account or similar fees charged by futures commission merchants), taxes, and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser has agreed to pay the offering costs and trading expenses that are net account or similar fees charged by futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) until at least May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2025, for Bitcoin Strategy ETF and Ethereum Strategy ETF, respectively.

 

Van Eck Securities Corporation, an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ distributor. Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and distributor.

 

At December 31, 2023, the Adviser owned approximately 64% of Ethereum Strategy ETF.

19

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Note 4—Capital Share Transactions— As of December 31, 2023, there were an unlimited number of capital shares of beneficial interest authorized by the Trust with no par value. Fund shares are not individually redeemable and are issued and redeemed at their net asset value per share only through certain authorized broker-dealers (“Authorized Participants”) in blocks of shares (“Creation Units”). Due to various legal and operational constraints, Creation Units of the Funds are issued principally for cash.

 

Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay transaction fees directly to the transfer agent. In addition, the Funds may impose variable fees on the purchase or redemption of Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, to defray certain transaction costs. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Note 5—Investments— During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds had no purchases and sales of investments, other than U.S. government securities and short-term obligations.

 

Note 6—Income Taxes— The income tax expense/(benefit) for the respective categories on the Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 

Bitcoin Strategy ETF   Net Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Gain
    Change in Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
    Total  
Current tax expense (benefit)     $388,209       $2,042,391       $(305,865)       $2,124,735  
Deferred tax expense (benefit)           5,902,852       2,249       5,905,101  
Change in Valuation Allowance           (5,902,852)       842       (5,902,010)  
Total     $388,209       $2,042,391       $(302,774)       $2,127,826  
                                 
Ethereum Strategy ETF   Net Investment
Income
    Net Realized
Gain
    Change in Net
Unrealized
Appreciation
    Total  
Current tax expense (benefit)     $15,443       $743,465       $(12,971)       $745,937  
Deferred tax expense (benefit)                 379       379  
Change in Valuation Allowance                        
Total     $15,443       $743,465       $(12,592)       $746,316  
                                 
The Funds are currently using an estimated 22.15% tax rate for federal, state and local tax which is composed of a 21% federal tax rate and an assumed 1.15% rate attributable to state taxes (net of federal benefit). The Funds’ federal and state income tax expense / (benefit) consists of the following:
 
Bitcoin Strategy ETF   Federal     State     Total          
Current income tax expense (benefit)     $1,984,685       $140,050       $2,124,735          
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)     5,515,871       389,230       5,905,101          
Change in Valuation Allowance     (5,512,984)       (389,026)       (5,902,010)          
Total     $1,987,572       $140,254       $2,127,826          
                                 
Ethereum Strategy ETF   Federal     State     Total          
Current income tax expense (benefit)     $696,750       $49,187       $745,937          
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)     359       20       379          
Change in Valuation Allowance                          
Total     $697,109       $49,207       $746,316          

 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes.

20

 

 

The differences between the Funds’ income tax expense/(benefit) (current and deferred) calculated by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to net investment income/(loss) and realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments and the effective tax rate are as follows:

 

   For the Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Bitcoin Strategy ETF  Amount  Rate
           
Income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates   $7,613,306    21.00%
State income tax, net of federal benefit   416,530    1.15 
Change in Valuation Allowance   (5,902,010)   (16.28)
Net income tax expense/(benefit)   $2,127,826    5.87%
           
   For the Period Ended
December 31, 2023
Ethereum Strategy ETF  Amount  Rate
           
Income tax expense/(benefit) at statutory rates   $707,443    21.00%
State income tax, net of federal benefit   38,873    1.15 
Change in Valuation Allowance       0.00 
Net income tax expense/(benefit)   $746,316    22.15%

 

Components of the Funds’ deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

   For the Year Ended December 31,
2023
   Bitcoin Strategy
ETF
  Ethereum
Strategy ETF
Deferred Tax Assets:          
Unrealized gain on investments  $(3,091)  $(379)
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability) before valuation allowance   (3,091)   (379)
           
Less: Valuation Allowance        
           
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability)  $(3,091)  $(379)

 

The Funds review the recoverability of their deferred tax assets based upon the weight of the available evidence. When assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, management considers available carrybacks, reversing temporary taxable differences, projections of future taxable income and tax planning (if any). As of December 31, 2023, the Funds did not have any deferred tax assets. The Funds may be required to modify the estimates or assumptions they use regarding the deferred tax asset or liability as new information becomes available. Since the Funds will be subject to taxation on their taxable income, the NAVs of the Funds’ shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities.

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on U.S. and State tax returns filed or expected to be filed since inception of the Funds. The Funds’ tax years are open for examination by U.S. and state tax authorities for all applicable years. The Funds

21

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next year.

 

During the year ended December 31, 2023, Bitcoin Strategy ETF utilized $26,649,445 of its capital loss carryforward available from the prior year and released the valuation allowance previously recorded on this amount.

 

There are no differences between the book and tax unrealized appreciation / depreciation on the investments.

 

Note 7—Principal Risks— The Funds’ assets are concentrated in Bitcoin Futures and Ether Futures. By concentrating the Funds’ assets, the Funds are subject to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on bitcoin, ether or the digital asset industry will negatively impact the Funds to a greater extent than if the Funds’ net assets were invested in a wider variety of sectors or industries.

 

Bitcoin, Ether, and their Futures are relatively new asset classes and therefore the Funds’ investments in Bitcoin and Ether Futures are subject to unique and substantial risks, including the risk that the value of the Funds’ investments could decline rapidly, including to zero. Bitcoin, Ether, and their Futures have historically been more volatile than traditional asset classes.

 

The rules dealing with U.S. federal income taxation and the rates themselves are constantly under review in the legislative process and by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the U.S. Treasury Department. Changes in tax laws or regulations or future interpretations of such laws or regulations could adversely affect the Funds and/or the Funds’ shareholders. Changes in the laws or regulations of the United States, including any changes to applicable tax laws and regulations, could impair the ability of the Funds to achieve their investment objectives and could increase the operating expenses of the Funds.

 

A more complete description of risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Note 8—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan— The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which a Trustee can elect to defer receipt of trustee fees until retirement, disability or termination from the Board. The fees otherwise payable to the participating Trustees are deemed invested in shares of the Funds as directed by the Trustees. The Adviser is responsible for paying the expenses associated with the Plan.

 

Note 9—New Regulatory Requirements— On October 26, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule and form amendments that require mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are registered on Form N-1A to prepare and transmit tailored (unaudited) annual and semi-annual shareholder reports (TSRs), that highlight key information to investors, within 60 days of period-end. The new TSRs will be prepared separately for each fund.

 

In connection with these amendments, certain information that was previously disclosed in fund shareholder reports will instead be made available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR.

 

The SEC also amended Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act, to require mutual funds and ETFs to provide TSRs directly to investors by mail (unless an investor elects electronic delivery).

 

These rules are effective January 24, 2023, and the compliance date is July 24, 2024.

 

Note 10—Subsequent Event Review— On January 16, 2024, the Trustees approved the liquidation of the Bitcoin Strategy ETF. The Fund liquidated on February 6, 2024.

22

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of VanEck ETF Trust and Shareholders of VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF and VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (two of the funds constituting VanEck ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed in the table below as of December 31, 2023, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Funds  
VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF (1)  
VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (2)  

 

(1) Statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

(2) Statement of operations, statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the period October 3, 2023 (commencement of operations) through December 31, 2023

 

The financial statements of VanEck Bitcoin Strategy ETF as of and for the period ended December 31, 2021, and the financial highlights for the period ended December 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

23

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2024

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the VanEck Funds complex since 2022.

24

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
     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 During Past Five Years
Independent Trustees                    
                     
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.   72  

Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund

 

Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.

                     
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2019   Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).   72   Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                     
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).   83   Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                     
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee   Since 2022
Since 2012
  Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.   72   Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                     
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.   83   Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                     
Interested Trustee                    
                     
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President   Trustee
(Since 2006);

Chief Executive Officer and President
(Since 2009)
  Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.   83   Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th 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 VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
25

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

4 The MainStay Fund Complex consists of MainStay Funds, MainStay Funds Trust, MainStay VP Funds Trust and MainStay MacKay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund.
5 “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. van Eck is an officer of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of Office2
And Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officer Information            
             
Matthew A. Babinsky,
1983
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2023); Assistant Secretary (Since 2016)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
             
Russell G. Brennan,
1964
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   Since 2008   Assistant Vice President of VEAC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Charles T. Cameron,
1960
  Vice President   Since 2006   Portfolio Manager of VEAC; Officer and/or Portfolio Manager of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Director of Trading of VEAC.
             
John J. Crimmins,
1957
  Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (Since 2012); Treasurer (Since 2009)   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Vice President of VESC.
             
Susan Curry,
1966
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc.
             
Eduardo Escario,
1975
  Vice President   Since 2012   Regional Director, Business Development/Sales for Southern Europe and South America of VEAC.
             
F. Michael Gozzillo,
1965
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2018   Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of VEAC and VEARA; Chief Compliance Officer of VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of City National Rochdale, LLC and City National Rochdale Funds.
             
Laura Hamilton,
1977
  Vice President   Since 2019   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Operations Manager of Royce & Associates.
             
Nicholas Jackson,
1974
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Director, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Vice President, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Laura I. Martínez,
1980
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2016); Assistant Secretary (Since 2008)   Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Matthew McKinnon,
1970
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Head of Asia - Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Director, Intermediaries and Institutions of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Lisa A. Moss,
1965
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP.
             
Arian Neiron,
1979
  Vice President   Since 2018   CEO (since 2021) & Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
26

 

 

James Parker,
1969
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2014   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Manager, Portfolio Administration of VEAC and VEARA. Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Adam Phillips,
1970
  Vice President   Since 2018   ETF Chief Operating Officer of VEAC; Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC.
             
Philipp Schlegel,
1974
  Vice President   Since 2016   Managing Director of Van Eck Switzerland AG.
             
Jonathan R. Simon,
1974
  Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Senior Vice President (Since 2016); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer (Since 2014)   Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
             
Andrew Tilzer,
1972
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2021   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Vice President of Portfolio Administration of VEAC. Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Operations of VEAC.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
27

VANECK ETF TRUST

APPROVAL OF INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

At a meeting held on June 8, 2023 (the “Renewal Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of VanEck® ETF Trust (the “Trust”), including all of the Trustees that are not interested persons of the Trust (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the continuation of the investment management agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (the “Adviser”) (the “Investment Management Agreement”) with respect to the VanEck Ethereum Strategy ETF (the “Fund”).

 

The Board’s approval of the Investment Management Agreement was based on a comprehensive consideration of all of the information available to the Trustees and was not the result of any single factor. Some of the factors that figured particularly in the Trustees’ deliberations and how the Trustees considered those factors are described below, although individual Trustees may have evaluated the information presented differently, giving different weights to various factors.

 

In preparation for the Renewal Meeting, the Trustees held a meeting on May 5, 2023. At that meeting, the Trustees received materials from the Adviser. The Independent Trustees’ consideration of the Investment Management Agreement was based, in part, on their review of information obtained through discussions with the Adviser at the Renewal Meeting and with the Adviser at the May 5, 2023 meeting regarding the proposed management of the Fund and information obtained at other meetings of the Trustees and/or based on their review of the materials provided by the Adviser, including the background and experience of the portfolio managers and others proposed to be involved in the management and administration of the Fund. The Trustees considered the terms of, and scope of services that the Adviser would provide under, the Investment Management Agreement, including the Adviser’s agreement to pay all of the direct expenses of the Fund excluding the fee payment under the Investment Management Agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. The Trustees concluded that the Adviser and its personnel have the requisite expertise and skill to manage the Fund’s portfolio.

 

The Trustees did not consider historical information about the cost of the services provided by the Adviser or the profitability of the Fund to the Adviser because the Fund had not yet commenced operations. The Trustees could not consider the historical performance or actual management fees or operating expenses of, or the quality of services previously provided to the Fund by the Adviser, although they concluded that the nature, quality and extent of the services to be provided by the Adviser were appropriate based on the Trustees’ knowledge of the Adviser and its personnel and the operations of the other series of the Trust.

 

The Independent Trustees were advised by and met in executive session with their independent counsel at the Renewal Meeting and at their May 5, 2023 meeting as part of their consideration of the Investment Management Agreement.

 

In voting to approve the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Management Agreement are reasonable and fair in light of the services to be performed, expenses to be incurred and such other matters as the Trustees considered relevant in the exercise of their reasonable judgment. The Trustees further concluded that, at the time of their considerations, the Investment Management Agreement is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders.

28

 

This report is intended for the Fund’s shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by a VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) prospectus and summary prospectus, which includes more complete information. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Additional information about the Trust’s Board of Trustees/Officers and a description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ending June 30 is available, without charge, by calling 800.826.2333, or by visiting vaneck.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Trust’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.942.8090. The Fund’s complete schedules of portfolio holdings are also available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

 

Investment Adviser: VanEck Associates Corporation  
Distributor: VanEck Securities Corporation  
  666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017  
  vaneck.com  
Account Assistance:   800.826.2333 CRYPTOAR
 
  ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023

 

Russia ETF RSX
Russia Small-Cap ETF RSXJ

 

   
800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

President’s Letter   1
Management Discussion   3
Performance Comparison    
Russia ETF   4
Russia Small-Cap ETF   5
About Fund Performance   6
Explanation of Expenses   7
Schedule of Investments    
Russia ETF   8
Russia Small-Cap ETF   10
Statements of Assets and Liabilities   12
Statements of Operations   13
Statements of Changes in Net Assets   14
Statements of Cash Flows   15
Financial Highlights    
Russia ETF   16
Russia Small-Cap ETF   17
Notes to Financial Statements   18
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   25
Tax Information   27
Board of Trustees and Officers   28

 

 

Certain information contained in this report represents the opinion of the investment adviser which may change at any time. This information is not intended to be a forecast of future events, a guarantee of future results or investment advice. Current market conditions may not continue. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Fund’s holdings, the Fund’s performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of December 31, 2023.

 

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

Our outlook for financial markets in 2023 was “sideways” and “40/60” or overweight bonds. This strategy worked well until November 2023, when the market suddenly rallied aggressively and priced in U.S. Federal Reserve (“Fed”) interest rate cuts which were to happen in 2024. It is one of the wonders of the market that it can price in its view of the future so quickly.

 

In this sense, it could be that 2024 has already happened. One could imagine that the three major factors—monetary policy, government spending and global economic growth—will not change much in 2024.

 

So, let’s review those three major forces on markets and some risks and trends worth noting.

 

Discussion

 

1. Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

To recap this cycle: stocks and bonds historically do not perform well when the Fed tightens monetary conditions. And that’s just what the Fed announced it would be doing at the end of 2021. This would include raising rates and changing its balance sheet actions, which doesn’t create a great environment for financial assets.

 

A second, modern component to monetary policy is the Fed balance sheet. After buying bonds during the pandemic, the Fed has now started shrinking the balance sheet—from a high of almost $9 trillion in early 2022, assets dropped to just under $7.8 trillion toward the end of December 2023.1

 

Our favorite inflation is wage inflation, not food or gas prices. That is the kind of inflation which is endemic and hard to manage once it takes hold. And wage inflation is above 4%, not near the Fed’s 2% target, so we don’t see a big Fed stimulus. And the silent Fed action of reducing its bond holdings (“quantitative tightening”), continues.

 

2. Government Spending: Also Muted

 

A second bearish factor is that government spending is unlikely to increase next year. The Republicans, in control of the House of Representatives, continue to look to slow government spending. While we probably didn’t sufficiently appreciate the amount of some of the Biden Administration’s spending, like with the environmental Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”), any such upside surprises are very unlikely in 2024.

 

3. Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

Over the last 20 years, the U.S. and China have been the two main pillars of global growth. But while there are bright spots, China is remarkable now for its economic weakness. The property market recession has helped pull Chinese prices lower year over year and that deflationary force affects the world economy. Other centers of growth like India, Indonesia and Africa are not big enough yet to drive global growth.

 

Notable

 

1. Bonds

 

While interest rates whipsawed investors in 2023 with a net positive result, our outlook favoring bonds hasn’t changed, which is that they offer attractive risk-adjusted returns compared to equities, given the headwinds discussed above. Now, after the 2022 and 2023 losses, bond investments are offering attractive yields, this has been our favorite asset class to buy and remains our preference. (See What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now.2) As a reference, bonds offered attractive total returns in the 1970s even though that decade was the worst for interest rates in the last 100 years.

1

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2. Yield Curve

 

We like to look for market distortions and the most notable one is “yield curve inversion”—long-term interest rates lower than short-term rates. If, and it’s a big “if”, government entities like the Fed are stepping back from the bond markets, then it makes sense for long-term rates to be higher because with greater risk should come greater return. Yield curve inversion is present only about 10% of the time. It’s unusual.

 

3. India/Emerging Markets

 

With the new-found ubiquity and affordability of mobile phones in India, the Internet sector there is well primed to do as well as it has in the U.S., China and other major markets. Digital India seems like a good tactical play, despite higher price/earnings ratios. Emerging markets in general have lagged for so many years that most investors have given up. So many, that 2024 may be their year.

 

4. Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

In March 2023, I “pounded the table” on gold and Bitcoin in a CNBC interview. While those assets have rallied hard since then—again, the market likes to anticipate!—I don’t think this trend is over.

 

5. Value stocks

 

Growth stocks had a shockingly good 2023. Stocks in banks and financials have been beaten up. They are definitely worth a close look. This outlook is discussed in a recent podcast, The Compound & Friends,3 Episode 113, released on October 13, 2023.

 

We thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will find a performance discussion and financial statements for each of the funds for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2023. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

PS The investing outlook can change suddenly. To get our quarterly investment outlooks, please subscribe to “VanEck News & Insights”.4 Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.

 

1 U.S. Federal Reserve: FEDERAL RESERVE Statistical Release, December 28, 2023, https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h41/20231228/ .
   
2 VanEck: What to Buy? Bonds. When? Now., https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/blogs/investment-outlook/jan-van-eck-what-to-buy-bonds-when-now/ .
   
3 The Compound & Friends, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-new-kings-of-wall-street/id1456467014?i=1000631190860
   
4 VanEck: https://www.vaneck.com/us/en/subscribe/ .
2

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Performance Overview

 

The VanEck Russia ETF (RSX) and the VanEck Russia Small-Cap ETF (RSXJ) (together, the “Funds”) returned 296.65% and 5.73%, respectively, for the 12 month period ending December 31, 2023.

 

Market and Fund Review

 

The large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022 resulted in a significant decline in the value of Russian securities and currency. The effect of geopolitical affairs and sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries on transactions in Russian equities, and on related clearance and payment systems, have rendered a substantial number of the Funds’ positions illiquid, including many depositary receipts. The Funds’ inability to buy, sell, and take or make delivery of Russian securities has made it impossible to manage the Funds consistent with their investment objectives.

 

On September 29, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Trust approved a Plan of Liquidation and Termination of the Funds, contingent on obtaining regulatory relief which was received on December 28, 2022. The Funds were delisted by Cboe BZX Exchange on January 12, 2023, following a prior halting from trading in March 2022. On January 12, 2023, the Funds made an initial liquidating distribution of a portion of their liquid assets, less a reserve to cover operating and liquidation expenses for an extended period of time. In addition, RSX made further liquidating distributions on July 27, 2023 and September 29, 2023. Please see the Notes to the Financial Statements for more information.

 

In 2023, both RSX and RSXJ earned income on cash reserves maintained by the Funds. For RSX, Fund performance was primarily driven by the ability to exit out of a handful of positions that had been valued at zero or close to zero through negotiated sales and a corporate action event.

3

VANECK RUSSIA ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   NAV  SPTR1
One Year  296.65%  26.29%
Five Year  (38.26)%  15.69%
Ten Year  (23.27)%  12.03%

 

  1 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.

 

    Hypothetical Growth of $10,000
     
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with a broad-based index.  

 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 6 for more information.

4

VANECK RUSSIA SMALL-CAP ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Average Annual Total Return
   NAV  SPTR1
One Year  5.73%  26.29%
Five Year  (54.44)%  15.69%
Ten Year  (34.39)%  12.03%

 

  1 The S&P 500 Index (SPTR) is a market-value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the index proportionate to its market value.

 

    Hypothetical Growth of $10,000
     
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the Fund at NAV over the past 10 years. The result is compared with a broad-based index.  

 

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Performance results do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the redemption or sale of fund shares.

 

See “About Fund Performance” on page 6 for more information.

5

VANECK ETFs

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

The performance data quoted represents past performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Performance information for the Fund reflects temporary waivers of expenses and/or fees. Had the Fund incurred all expenses, investment returns would have been reduced. These returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends and distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

 

Investment return and value of the shares of the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance may be lower or higher than performance data quoted. Fund returns reflect reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. Performance current to the most recent month-end is available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

Index returns assume the reinvestment of all income and do not reflect any management fees or brokerage expenses associated with Fund returns. Certain indices may take into account withholding taxes. Investors cannot invest directly in the Index. Returns for actual Fund investors may differ from what is shown because of differences in timing, the amount invested and fees and expenses. The Funds are in the process of liquidating their assets and winding up their business pursuant to a plan of liquidation (See Note 2).

6

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur operating expenses, including management fees and other Fund expenses. This disclosure is intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

 

Actual Expenses

The first line in the table below provides information about account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During the Period.”

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The second line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

   Beginning
Account
Value
July 1, 2023
  Ending
Account
Value
December 31, 2023
  Annualized
Expense
Ratio
During Period
  Expenses Paid
During the Period
July 1, 2023 -
December 31, 2023(a)
Russia ETF                    
Actual   $1,000.00      $1,946.00     0.33%    $2.45   
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00   $1,023.54    0.33%   $1.68 
Russia Small-Cap ETF                    
Actual  $1,000.00   $1,056.10    (4.93)% (c)   $(25.55) 
Hypothetical (b)  $1,000.00   $1,050.06    (4.93)% (c)   $(25.47) 

 

(a)  Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended December 31, 2023), multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent fiscal half year divided by the number of the days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period).
(b)  Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses
(c) Significant expenses accrued outside of its expense cap in the first six months of the fiscal year were reversed out in the second six months of the fiscal year, resulting in an expense ratio of (4.93)% for the period July 1, 2023 through December 31,2023. The net expense ratio for the second six months would have been 0.67% excluding the reversal of the significant expense.
7

VANECK RUSSIA ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 0.0%          
Banks: 0.0%          
Sberbank of Russia PJSC ∞   46,050,016   $0 
TCS Group Holding Plc (GDR) *∞   1,390,470    0 
VTB Bank PJSC *∞   66,877,350,000    0 
         0 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 0.0%      
Ozon Holdings Plc (ADR) * †∞   479,481    0 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail: 0.0%          
X5 Retail Group NV (GDR) *∞   1,970,269    0 
Energy: 0.0%          
Gazprom PJSC *∞   45,772,138    0 
LUKOIL PJSC ∞   2,063,982    0 
Novatek PJSC ∞   7,452,940    0 
Rosneft Oil Co. PJSC ∞   16,922,345    0 
Surgutneftegas PJSC ∞   125,211,510    0 
Surgutneftegas PJSC (ADR) *∞   1,364,815    0 
Tatneft PJSC (ADR) *∞   3,393,156    0 
         0 
Financial Services: 0.0%          
Moscow Exchange MICEX-RTS PJSC ∞   17,946,312    0 
Materials: 0.0%          
Alrosa PJSC ∞   33,188,190    0 
Evraz Plc *∞   266,000    0 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC ∞   529,178    0 
MMC Norilsk Nickel PJSC (ADR) *∞   4    0 
Novolipetsk Steel PJSC *∞   22,272,460    0 
PhosAgro PJSC ∞   705,974    0 
PhosAgro PJSC (GDR) ∞   13,644    0 
Polyus PJSC (GDR) *∞   1,155,875    0 
Raspadskaya OJSC *∞   730,890    0 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Materials (continued)          
Severstal PAO (GDR) *∞   3,405,164   $0 
         0 
Media & Entertainment: 0.0%          
VK IPJSC (GDR) *∞   2,338,938    0 
Telecommunication Services: 0.0%          
Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ∞   14,853,038    0 
Rostelecom PJSC ∞   13,944,591    0 
         0 
Utilities: 0.0%          
Inter RAO UES PJSC ∞   482,502,010    0 
Irkutsk Electronetwork Co. JSC *∞   7,410,870    0 
         0 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $1,571,215,216)
        0 
           
PREFERRED SECURITIES: 0.0%
(Cost: $46,034,628)
          
Energy: 0.0%          
Transneft PJSC ∞   20,972    0 
           
Total Investments Before Collateral for Securities Loaned: 0.0%
(Cost: $1,617,249,844)
    0 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT HELD AS COLLATERAL FOR SECURITIES ON LOAN: 6.6%    
Money Market Fund: 6.6%
(Cost: $2,122,500)
          
State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio   2,122,500    2,122,500 
Total Investments: 6.6%
(Cost: $1,619,372,344)
        2,122,500 
Other assets less liabilities: 93.4%        30,264,537 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $32,387,037 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
* Non-income producing
Security fully or partially on loan. Total market value of securities on loan is 0.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

8

 

 

Summary of Investments by Sector
Excluding Collateral for Securities Loaned
  % of
Investments
  Value 
Materials      0.0%      $0 
Financials   0.0    0 
Energy   0.0    0 
Communication Services   0.0    0 
Utilities   0.0    0 
Consumer Discretionary   0.0    0 
Consumer Staples   0.0    0 
    0.0%  $0 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks *  $   $   $0   $0 
Preferred Securities *           0    0 
Money Market Fund   2,122,500            2,122,500 
Total Investments  $2,122,500   $   $0   $2,122,500 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry sector breakouts.

 

The Adviser has elected to apply a 100% discount for lack of marketability to all Level 3 investments due to the political conditions surrounding Russia. The following tables reconcile the valuation of the Fund’s Level 3 investment securities and related transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023. Transfers in/out of levels are assessed at the beginning of the year (See Note 2):

 

   Common Stock
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $0 
Realized gain (loss)   (192,682,375)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   255,469,604 
Purchases   0 
Sales   (62,787,229)
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $0 
      
   Preferred Securities
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $0 
Realized gain (loss)    
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    
Purchases    
Sales    
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $0 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

9

VANECK RUSSIA SMALL-CAP ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

   Number
of Shares
   Value 
COMMON STOCKS: 0.0%          
Banks: 0.0%          
Credit Bank of Moscow PJSC *∞   21,005,200   $0 
Commercial & Professional Services: 0.0%          
HeadHunter Group Plc (ADR) *∞   31,919    0 
Consumer Discretionary Distribution & Retail: 0.0%          
Detsky Mir PJSC 144A *∞   1,155,798    0 
M.Video PJSC *∞   110,194    0 
         0 
Consumer Staples Distribution & Retail: 0.0%          
Lenta International Co. PJSC (GDR) *∞   263,199    0 
Energy: 0.0%          
Sovcomflot PJSC ∞   989,960    0 
Financial Services: 0.0%          
SFI PJSC ∞   2,663    0 
Food, Beverage & Tobacco: 0.0%          
NovaBev Group PJSC ∞   11,235    0 
Ros Agro Plc (GDR) *∞   77,690    0 
         0 
Materials: 0.0%          
Mechel PJSC *∞   438,883    0 
Raspadskaya OJSC *∞   703,205    0 
Segezha Group PJSC 144A *∞   8,945,900    0 
         0 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.0%          
Etalon Group Plc (GDR) *∞   394,873    0 
   Number
of Shares
   Value 
Real Estate Management & Development (continued)      
LSR Group PJSC ∞   103,574   $0 
Samolet Group *∞   16,988    0 
         0 
Telecommunication Services: 0.0%          
Sistema AFK PAO ∞   6,612,640    0 
Transportation: 0.0%          
Aeroflot PJSC *∞   1,885,382    0 
Globaltrans Investment Plc (GDR) *∞   182,773    0 
Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port PJSC ∞   8,972,400    0 
         0 
Utilities: 0.0%          
Mosenergo PJSC ∞   19,492,800    0 
OGK-2 PJSC ∞   51,450,600    0 
TGC-1 PJSC *∞   1,701,100,000    0 
Unipro PJSC *∞   24,734,000    0 
         0 
Total Common Stocks
(Cost: $24,435,670)
        0 
           
PREFERRED SECURITIES: 0.0%
(Cost: $341,612)
          
Utilities: 0.0%          
Rosseti Lenenergo PJSC ∞   171,506    0 
           
Total Investments: 0.0%
(Cost: $24,777,282)
        0 
Other assets less liabilities: 100.0%        340,045 
NET ASSETS: 100.0%       $340,045 


 

 

Definitions:

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
GDR Global Depositary Receipt

 

Footnotes:

 

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs that factor in discount for lack of marketability and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
* Non-income producing
   
144A Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or otherwise restricted. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, unless otherwise noted, and the value amounted $0, or 0.0% of net assets.

 

Summary of Investments by Sector  % of
Investments
  Value 
Real Estate   0.0%  $0 
Materials   0.0    0 
Industrials   0.0    0 
Utilities   0.0    0 
Consumer Discretionary   0.0    0 
Financials   0.0    0 
Energy   0.0    0 
Consumer Staples   0.0    0 
Communication Services   0.0    0 
    0.0%  $0 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

10

 

 

The summary of inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:

 

   Level 1
Quoted
Prices
   Level 2
Significant
Observable
Inputs
   Level 3
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
   Value 
Common Stocks *  $   $   $0   $0 
Preferred Securities *           0    0 
Total Investments  $   $   $0   $0 

 

* See Schedule of Investments for industry sector breakouts.

 

The Adviser has elected to apply a 100% discount for lack of marketability to all Level 3 investments due to the political conditions surrounding Russia. The following tables reconcile the valuation of the Fund’s Level 3 investment securities and related transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023. Transfers in/out of levels are assessed at the beginning of the year (See Note 2):

 

   Common Stock
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $0 
Realized gain (loss)    
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    
Purchases    
Sales    
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $0 
      
   Preferred Securities
Balance as of December 31, 2022  $0 
Realized gain (loss)    
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)    
Purchases    
Sales    
Transfers in/out of level 3    
Balance as of December 31, 2023  $0 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

11

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

   Russia ETF   Russia Small-Cap
ETF
 
Assets:          
Investments, at value (1)          
Unaffiliated issuers (2)  $   $ 
Short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned (3)   2,122,500     
Cash   32,546,825    394,505 
Cash denominated in foreign currency, at value (4)   18,058    596 
Receivables:          
Due from Adviser       7,135 
Dividends and interest   102,249    1,252 
Prepaid expenses   1,370    648 
Total assets   34,791,002    404,136 
Liabilities:          
Payables:          
Collateral for securities loaned   2,122,500     
Deferred Trustee fees    220,449    4,179 
Accrued expenses    61,016    59,912 
Total liabilities   2,403,965    64,091 
NET ASSETS  $32,387,037   $340,045 
Shares outstanding   95,900,000    883,318 
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share  $0.34   $0.38 
Net Assets consist of:          
Aggregate paid in capital  $3,547,337,970   $43,511,742 
Total distributable earnings (loss)   (3,514,950,933)   (43,171,697)
NET ASSETS  $32,387,037   $340,045 
(1) Value of securities on loan   $   $ 
(2) Cost of investments - Unaffiliated issuers  $1,617,249,844   $24,777,282 
(3) Cost of short-term investments held as collateral for securities loaned  $2,122,500   $ 
(4) Cost of cash denominated in foreign currency  $17,346   $612 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

12

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Russia ETF   Russia Small-Cap
ETF
 
Income:          
Dividends   $63,595   $ 
Interest   2,069,893    20,979 
Securities lending income   27,883     
Total income   2,161,371    20,979 
Expenses:          
Professional fees   55,006    49,902 
Custody and accounting fees   24,001    24,001 
Reports to shareholders   71,000    8,999 
Trustees’ fees and expenses   18,441    334 
Insurance   6,595    1,630 
Interest   27,412     
Taxes   243    243 
Other   995    995 
Total expenses   203,693    86,104 
Expenses assumed by the Adviser       (83,536)
Net expenses   203,693    2,568 
Net investment income   1,957,678    18,411 
           
Net realized gain (loss) on:          
Investments   (196,757,808)    
Foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   (3)    
Net realized loss   (196,757,811)    
           
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments   259,547,221     
Foreign currency translations and foreign denominated assets and liabilities   626    34 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   259,547,847    34 
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations  $64,747,714   $18,445 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

13

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

   Russia ETF   Russia Small-Cap ETF 
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
   Year Ended
December 31,
2023
   Year Ended
December 31,
2022
 
Operations:                    
Net investment income (loss)  $1,957,678   $4,092,150   $18,411   $(77,781)
Net realized loss   (196,757,811)   (115,514,580)       (2,278,349)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   259,547,847    (1,868,384,607)   34    (25,639,542)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   64,747,714    (1,979,807,037)   18,445    (27,995,672)
Distributions to shareholders from:                    
Distributable earnings   (2,002,429)       (19,314)    
Return of capital   (65,731,741)       (50,910)    
Total distributions   (67,734,170)       (70,224)    
Share transactions*:                    
Proceeds from sale of shares       761,823,584        4,207,920 
Cost of shares redeemed       (122,926,443)        
Increase in net assets resulting from share transactions       638,897,141        4,207,920 
Total decrease in net assets   (2,986,456)   (1,340,909,896)   (51,779)   (23,787,752)
Net Assets, beginning of year   35,373,493    1,376,283,389    391,824    24,179,576 
Net Assets, end of year  $32,387,037   $35,373,493   $340,045   $391,824 
                     
*Shares of Common Stock Issued (no par value)                    
Shares sold       49,250,000        150,000 
Shares redeemed       (4,800,000)        
Net increase       44,450,000        150,000 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

14

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

   Russia ETF   Russia Small-Cap
ETF
 
Cash Flows from Operating Activities          
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  $64,747,714   $18,445 
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:          
Investment securities sold   66,394,121     
Net realized loss on investments in securities   196,761,785     
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments   (259,547,221)     
(Increase) decrease in assets:          
Dividends and interest receivable   (99,950)    (1,252) 
Due from Adviser       (7,134) 
Prepaid expenses   3,141    354 
Investment securities sold   2,428,322     
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:          
Due to Adviser       (1,158) 
Accrued expenses   (80,856)    (22,032) 
Deferred trustee fees   44,754    903 
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities   70,651,810    (11,874) 
           
Cash Flows from Financing Activities          
Cash dividends paid to shareholders   (67,734,170)    (70,224) 
Net cash used for financing activities   (67,734,170)    (70,224) 
Net change in cash   2,917,640    (82,098) 
Cash at beginning of year   29,647,243    477,199 
Cash at end of year  $32,564,883   $395,101 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Interest expense paid during the period  $27,412   $ 

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

15

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Russia ETF 
     Year Ended December 31, 
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019 
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $0.37   $26.75   $23.82   $24.96   $18.79   
Net investment income (a)     0.02    0.05    1.39    0.97    1.20   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     0.66   (26.43)   3.06    (1.31)   6.39   
Total from investment operations     0.68   (26.38)   4.45    (0.34)   7.59   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income    (0.02)       (1.52)   (0.79)   (1.42 ) 
Return of capital    (0.69)           (0.01)      
Total distributions    (0.71)       (1.52)   (0.80)   (1.42 ) 
Net asset value, end of year    $0.34   $0.37   $26.75   $23.82   $24.96   
Total return (b)    296.65%  (98.62)%   18.74%   (1.38)%   40.40 % 
                            
Ratios to average net assets                             
Expenses     0.47%   0.60%(c)   0.56%   0.61%   0.67 % 
Expenses excluding interest, a portion of depositary receipt fees and taxes (d)     0.41%   0.59%(c)   0.56%   0.60%   0.65 % 
Net investment income     4.55%   1.67%   4.99%   4.45%   5.40 % 
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $32    $35   $1,376   $1,621   $1,282   
Portfolio turnover rate (e)     0%   4%   20%   25%   15 % 

 

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) During the period the fund incurred significant expenses outside of its expense cap. Effective March 11, 2022, the Adviser implemented a voluntary waiver of its management fee for the Fund (See Note 4).
(d) Prior to May 1, 2023, the ratio excludes depositary receipt fees in excess of 0.10% of average daily net assets.
(e) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

16

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

     Russia Small-Cap ETF  
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2023  2022  2021  2020  2019  
                              
Net asset value, beginning of year    $0.44   $32.97   $36.22   $35.94   $27.61   
Net investment income (loss) (a)     0.02    (0.09)   1.12    1.12    1.53   
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments        (32.44)   (2.29)   0.74    8.45   
Total from investment operations     0.02   (32.53)   (1.17)   1.86    9.98   
Distributions from:                             
Net investment income    (0.02)       (2.00)   (1.58)   (1.65)  
Return of capital    (0.06)       (0.08)          
Total distributions    (0.08)       (2.08)   (1.58)   (1.65)  
Net asset value, end of year    $0.38   $0.44   $32.97   $36.22   $35.94   
Total return (b)    5.73%  (98.66)%   (3.29)%   5.23%  36.17%  
                            
Ratios to average net assets                             
Gross expenses    24.81%   5.34%(c)   1.08%   1.31%   1.20%  
Net expenses     0.74%   4.50%(c)   0.75%   0.75%   0.77%  
Net expenses excluding interest, a portion of depositary receipt fees and taxes (d)     0.67%   4.49%(c)   0.75%   0.75%   0.75%  
Net investment income (loss)     5.30%  (1.77)%   3.01%   3.45%   4.67%  
Supplemental data                             
Net assets, end of year (in millions)     $—(e)   $—(e)   $24    $32    $35   
Portfolio turnover rate (f)     0%   68%   47%   47%   30%  

 

 

(a) Calculated based upon average shares outstanding
(b) Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.
(c) During the period the fund incurred significant expenses outside of its expense cap. Effective March 11, 2022, the Adviser implemented a voluntary waiver of its management fee for the Fund (See Note 4).
(d) Prior to May 1, 2023, the ratio excludes depositary receipt fees in excess of 0.08% of average daily net assets.
(e) Amount is less than $500,000.
(f) Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

17

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as an open-end management investment company. The Trust was incorporated in Delaware as a statutory trust on March 15, 2001. The Trust operates as a series fund, and offers multiple investment portfolios, each of which represents a separate series of the Trust. These financial statements relate only to the investment portfolios listed in the diversification table below (each a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”).

 

Fund Diversification Classification
   
Russia ETF Non-Diversified
Russia Small-Cap ETF Non-Diversified

 

Prior to the Funds’ plan of liquidation (See Note 2), the Funds sought to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of their index. Effective July 31, 2023, the MVIS Russia Index and the MVIS Russia Small-Cap Index were decommissioned. The Fund is in the process of liquidating its assets and winding up its business pursuant to a plan of liquidation.

 

Note 2—Plan of Liquidation—Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and the geo-political events that followed have significantly adversely impacted the Funds’ operations since March 2022. The governments of the United States and many other countries imposed economic sanctions on certain Russian individuals and Russian governmental, corporate and banking entities. A number of jurisdictions also instituted broad sanctions on Russia, including banning Russia from global payments systems that facilitate cross-border payments. In response, the government of Russia imposed capital controls to restrict movements of capital entering and exiting the country. As a result, the value and liquidity of Russian securities and its currency have experienced significant declines and increased volatility. The Russian securities markets were closed for a period of time and were reopened on March 24, 2022, but significant trading limitations have remained. There is no assurance that these disruptions will not continue.

 

As a result, the fair value of Russian securities held by the Funds were valued near or at zero since shortly after the invasion and have rendered virtually all of the Funds’ investments in equity securities, including depositary receipts, illiquid.

 

On September 29, 2022, the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Trustees”) unanimously voted to approve a Plan of Liquidation and Termination of the Funds, contingent on receiving any necessary relief from the SEC. On December 28, 2022, the SEC granted exemptive relief to each Fund permitting them to suspend the right of redemption with respect to shares of each Fund and, if necessary, postpone the date of payment of redemption proceeds with respect to redemption orders received but not yet paid until the Funds complete the liquidation of their portfolios and distribute all of their assets to remaining shareholders. Furthermore, because the Funds have been delisted by Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. in connection with the liquidation of the Funds, the Funds are no longer exchange-traded funds and we do not anticipate that there will be a trading market for your shares. Upon payment of the final liquidating distribution, the Funds will be terminated.

 

The Funds will not engage in any business or investment activities except for the purposes of winding up their affairs. It is expected that the liquidation of the Funds will take an extended period of time, if circumstances involving Russian securities markets do not improve.

 

While certain Russian securities held by the Funds have declared dividends, there is no assurance these dividends can be collected by the Funds. As a result, all such dividend receivables related to these Russian securities are valued at $0 as of December 31, 2023.

 

The Funds may be terminated at any time on a date determined by the Board, even if the Russian securities and depositary receipts have not been sold. Due to the uncertainty involved, there can be no assurance that shareholders will receive any additional liquidating distributions relating to the Russian securities and depositary receipts. The distribution to shareholders of sale proceeds of Russian securities and depositary receipts, if any, will be reduced by expenses related to the sale.

18

 

 

Note 3—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Funds are investment companies and follow accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services-Investment Companies.

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

A. Security Valuation— The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities at fair value daily. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis, which includes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods used to measure fair value. The fair value hierarchy gives highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

 

Level 2 — Significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs (including each Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

 

Securities traded on national exchanges are valued at the closing price on the markets in which the securities trade. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Over-the-counter securities not included on NASDAQ and listed securities for which no sale was reported are valued at the mean of the bid and ask prices. To the extent these securities are actively traded they are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain foreign securities, whose values may be affected by market direction or events occurring before the Funds’ pricing time (4:00 p.m. Eastern Time) but after the last close of the securities’ primary market, are fair valued using a pricing service and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The pricing service considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant ADR’s and futures contracts. The Funds may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. Short-term debt securities with sixty days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which with accrued interest approximates fair value. Money market fund investments are valued at net asset value and are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

The Board has designated Van Eck Associates Corp. (the “Adviser”) as valuation designee to perform the Funds’ fair value determinations, subject to board oversight and certain reporting and other requirements. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to comply with the requirements. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset are not readily available, or if the Adviser believes they do not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value, including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis.

19

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

  Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be categorized either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments.
   
  The holdings of the Funds at December 31, 2023 are restricted from trading and any currency denominated in Rubles cannot be repatriated, therefore the Pricing Committee is currently fair valuing these investments as represented in the Schedule of Investments and deeming all these holdings as a Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
   
  A summary of the inputs and the levels used to value the Funds’ investments are located in the Schedules of Investments. Additionally, tables that reconcile the valuation of the Funds’ Level 3 investments and that present additional information about valuation methodologies and unobservable inputs, if applicable, are located in the Schedules of Investments.
   
B. Federal Income Taxes—It is each Fund’s policy to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.
   
C. Distributions to Shareholders— In accordance with the Plan of Liquidation and Termination, the Funds may make a series of liquidating distributions at various times. Additionally, until termination, each of the Funds may declare taxable distributions of income (if any) and/or net capital gains, (if any after reduction for capital loss carryforwards) to continue to satisfy the Federal income and excise tax distribution requirements for regulated investment companies.
   
D. Currency Translation— Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies and commitments under foreign currency contracts are translated into U.S. dollars at the closing prices of such currencies each business day as quoted by one or more sources. Purchases and sales of investments are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when such investments are acquired or sold. Foreign denominated income and expenses are translated at the exchange rates prevailing when accrued. The portion of realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that result from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed in the financial statements. Such amounts are included with the net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investment securities in the Statements of Operations. Recognized gains or losses attributable to foreign currency fluctuations on foreign currency denominated assets, other than investments, and liabilities are recorded as net realized gain (loss) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency transactions and foreign denominated assets and liabilities in the Statements of Operations. Any currency denominated in Rubles cannot be repatriated and such currency was valued at $0 as of December 31, 2023.
   
E. Restricted Securities—The Funds may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. These securities generally may be resold in transactions exempt from registration or to the public if the securities are registered. Disposal of these securities may involve time-consuming negotiations and expense, and prompt sale at an acceptable price may be difficult. Information regarding restricted securities, if any, is included at the end of each Fund’s Schedule of Investments.
   
F. Offsetting Assets and Liabilities— In the ordinary course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting or other similar agreements. Generally, the right of offset in those agreements allows the Funds to offset any exposure to a specific counterparty with any collateral received or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the agreements. The Funds may receive cash and or securities as collateral for securities lending. For financial reporting purposes, the Funds present securities lending assets and liabilities on a gross basis in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Cash collateral received for securities lending in the form of money market fund investments, if any, at
20

 

 

  December 31, 2023 is presented in the Schedules of Investments and in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Non-cash collateral is disclosed in Note 9 (Securities Lending).
   
G. Other— Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are determined based on the specific identification method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recognized upon notification of the ex-dividend date.
   
  The Funds earn interest income on uninvested cash balances held at the custodian bank. Such amounts, if any, are presented as interest income in the Statements of Operations.
   
  In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote.

 

Note 4—Investment Management and Other Agreements—Prior to March 11, 2022, the Adviser received a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Effective March 11, 2022, the Adviser has implemented a waiver of the Funds’ management fee, which will continue to be in effect while the Funds liquidate. The Adviser may eliminate such management fee waiver in its sole discretion as any time. In addition, the Adviser has temporarily agreed to waive and assume expenses to prevent each Fund’s total annual operating expenses (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, depositary receipt fees, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding the expense limitations listed in the table below. Refer to the Statements of Operations for the amounts waived/assumed by the Adviser for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

The management fee rates and expense limitations for the year ended December 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

Fund  Management
Fees*
                Expense
Limitations
Russia ETF   0.50%     0.62%  
Russia Small-Cap ETF   0.50    0.67 

 

* Fee rates reflected are those in effect before voluntary waivers.

 

In connection with the Plan of Liquidation (Note 2), the Funds shall bear the expenses incurred in connection with carrying out liquidation, including, but not limited to, printing and legal expenses, audit and tax services fees, and the expenses of reports to shareholders. All such expenses will be considered extraordinary expenses for purposes of any expense limitation in effect with respect to the Fund.

 

In addition, Van Eck Securities Corporation (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ distributor. Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and Distributor.

 

Note 5—Capital Share Transactions—As of December 31, 2022, there were an unlimited number of capital shares of beneficial interest authorized by the Trust with no par value. Since March 2, 2022, VanEck Russia Small-Cap ETF had temporarily suspended new creations of its shares and since March 3, 2022, VanEck Russia ETF had temporarily suspended new creations of its shares. Such suspensions became permanent on December 28, 2022, when the Plan of Liquidation and Termination of the Funds became effective. Prior to December 28, 2022, Fund shares were not individually redeemable and were issued and redeemed at their net asset value per share only through certain authorized broker-dealers (“Authorized Participants”) in blocks of shares (“Creation Units”).

 

The consideration for the purchase or redemption of Creation Units of the Funds generally consisted of the in-kind contribution or distribution of securities constituting the Funds’ underlying index (“Deposit Securities”) plus a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may have also been substituted in an amount equivalent to the value of certain Deposit Securities, generally as a result of market circumstances, or when the securities were not available in

21

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

sufficient quantity for delivery, or were not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant. The Funds could have issued Creation Units in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including, for the benefit of the Funds, a requirement to maintain cash collateral on deposit at the custodian equal to at least 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities.

 

Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may have paid transaction fees directly to the transfer agent. In addition, the Funds could have imposed variable fees on the purchase or redemption of Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, to defray certain transaction costs. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

Note 6—Investments—For the year ended December 31, 2023, purchases and sales of investments (excluding short-term investments) were as follows:

 

Fund  Purchases  Sales
Russia ETF  $   $66,394,121 

 

Note 7—Income Taxes—As of December 31, 2023, for Federal income tax purposes, the identified cost, gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments owned were as follows:

 

Fund  Tax Cost of
Investments
   Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
   Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
   Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Russia ETF  $1,621,009,983    $–   $(1,618,887,483)  $(1,618,887,483)
Russia Small-Cap ETF   25,328,758        (25,328,758)   (25,328,758)

 

At December 31, 2023, the components of total distributable earnings (losses) on a tax basis, for each Fund, were as follows:

 

Fund  Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  (Accumulated
Capital Losses)/
Undistributed
Capital Gains
  Other
Temporary
Differences
  Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Total
Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
Russia ETF   $–   $(1,895,843,713)  $(220,450)  $(1,618,886,770)  $(3,514,950,933)
Russia Small-Cap ETF       (17,838,747)   (4,176)   (25,328,774)   (43,171,697)

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders was as follows:

 

   December 31, 2023 
Fund  Ordinary
Income*
   Return
of Capital
 
Russia ETF  $2,002,429   $65,731,741 
Russia Small-Cap ETF   19,314    50,910 

 

* Includes distributions from short-term capital gains, if any.

 

At December 31, 2023, the Funds had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

 

Fund  Short-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Long-Term
Capital Losses
with No Expiration
  Total
Russia ETF  $(303,977,219)  $(1,591,866,494)  $(1,895,843,713)
Russia Small-Cap ETF   (5,643,438)   (12,195,309)   (17,838,747)
22

 

 

Each year, the Funds assess the need for any reclassifications due to permanent book to tax differences that affect distributable earnings (losses) and aggregate paid in capital. Net assets are not affected by these reclassifications. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not have any reclassifications.

 

The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained assuming examination by applicable tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on return filings for all open tax years. The Funds do not have exposure for additional years that might still be open in certain foreign jurisdictions. Therefore, no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. However, the Funds are subject to foreign taxes on the appreciation in value of certain investments. The Funds provide for such taxes on both realized and unrealized appreciation.

 

The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

Note 8—Principal Risks—Non-diversified funds generally hold securities of fewer issuers than diversified funds (See Note 1) and may be more susceptible to the risks associated with these particular issuers, or to a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence affecting these issuers. The Funds may purchase securities on foreign exchanges. Securities of foreign issuers involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These risks include devaluation of currencies, currency controls, less reliable information about issuers, different securities transaction clearance and settlement practices, future adverse economic developments and political conflicts, or natural or other disasters, such as the coronavirus outbreak. Additionally, certain Funds may invest in securities of emerging market issuers, which are exposed to a number of risks that may make these investments volatile in price or difficult to trade. Political risks may include unstable governments, nationalization, restrictions on foreign ownership, laws that prevent investors from getting their money out of a country, sanctions and investment restrictions and legal systems that do not protect property risks as well as the laws of the United States. These and other factors can make emerging market securities more volatile and potentially less liquid than securities issued in more developed markets.

 

As a result of the current conditions related to Russian securities and Russian markets as outlined in the Plan of Liquidation (Note 2), the Fund is unable to dispose of the Russian securities in its portfolio and the Fund’s portfolio has become illiquid. It is unknown when current restrictions will be lifted. In the event that it becomes possible to dispose of Russian securities, other market participants may attempt to liquidate holdings at the same time as the Fund, and the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.

 

A more complete description of risks is included in each Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.

 

Note 9—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan—The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which a Trustee can elect to defer receipt of their trustee fees until retirement, disability or termination from the Board. The fees otherwise payable to the participating Trustees are deemed invested in shares of the Funds of the Trust as directed by the Trustees.

 

The expense for the Plan is included in “Trustees’ fees and expenses” in the Statements of Operations. The liability for the Plan is shown as “Deferred Trustee fees” in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Note 10—Securities Lending—To generate additional income, each of the Funds may lend its securities pursuant to a securities lending agreement with the securities lending agent. Each Fund may lend up to 33% of its investments requiring that the loan be continuously collateralized by cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, or any combination of cash and such securities at all times equal to at least 102% (105% for foreign securities) of the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs,

23

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

the collateral is adjusted and settled on the next business day. During the term of the loan, the Funds will continue to receive any dividends, interest or amounts equivalent thereto, on the securities loaned while receiving a fee from the borrower and or earning interest on the investment of the cash collateral. Such fees and interest are shared with the securities lending agent under the terms of the securities lending agreement. Securities lending income is disclosed as such in the Statements of Operations. Cash collateral is maintained on the Funds’ behalf by the lending agent and is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio. Non-cash collateral consists of U.S. Treasuries and U.S. Government Agency securities, and is not disclosed in the Funds’ Schedules of Investments or Statements of Assets and Liabilities as it is held by the agent on behalf of the Funds. The Funds do not have the ability to re-hypothecate those securities. Loans are subject to termination at the option of the borrower or the Funds. Upon termination of the loan, the borrower will return to the Fund securities identical to the securities loaned. The Funds bear the risk of delay in recovery of, or even loss of rights in, the securities loaned should the borrower of the securities fail financially. The value of loaned securities and related cash collateral, if any, at December 31, 2023 is presented on a gross basis in the Schedules of Investments and Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The following is a summary of the Funds’ remaining securities on loan and related collateral as of December 31, 2023:

 

Fund  Market Value
of Securities
on Loan
  Cash
Collateral
  Non-Cash
Collateral
  Total
Collateral
Russia ETF  $   $2,122,500   $6,159,597   $8,282,097 

 

The following table presents money market fund investments held as collateral by type of security on loan as of December 31, 2023:

 

   Gross Amount of
Recognized Liabilities
for Securities Lending
Transactions* in the
Statements of Assets
and Liabilities
Fund  Equity Securities
Russia ETF  $2,122,500 
* Remaining contractual maturity: overnight and continuous     

 

Note 11—New Regulatory Requirements— On October 26, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted rule and form amendments that require mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that are registered on Form N-1A to prepare and transmit tailored unaudited annual and semi-annual shareholder reports (TSRs), that highlight key information to investors, within 60 days of period-end. The new TSRs will be prepared separately for each fund.

 

In connection with these amendments, certain information that was previously disclosed in fund shareholder reports will instead be made available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semi-annual basis on Form N-CSR.

 

The SEC also amended Rule 30e-3 under the Investment Company Act, to require mutual funds and ETFs to provide TSRs directly to investors by mail (unless an investor elects electronic delivery). These rules are effective January 24, 2023, and the compliance date is July 24, 2024.

24

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Board of Trustees of VanEck ETF Trust and Shareholders of VanEck Russia ETF and VanEck Russia Small-Cap ETF

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statements of assets and liabilities, including the schedules of investments, of each of the funds listed in the table below (two of the funds constituting VanEck ETF Trust, hereafter collectively referred to as the “Funds”) as of December 31, 2023, the related statements of operations, of changes in net assets and of cash flows for each of the periods indicated in the table below, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of each of the Funds listed in the table below as of December 31, 2023, the results of each of their operations, the changes in each of their net assets, each of their cash flows and each of the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated in the table below, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Funds
VanEck Russia ETF (1)
VanEck Russia Small-Cap ETF (1)

 

(1) Statement of operations and statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 and statement of changes in net assets and financial highlights for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

The financial statements of the Funds as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the financial highlights for each of the periods ended on or prior to December 31, 2021 (not presented herein, other than the financial highlights) were audited by other auditors whose report dated February 28, 2022, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial highlights.

 

Basis for Opinions

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds’ management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Funds’ financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Funds in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

25

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (continued)

 

Emphasis of Matter

 

As discussed in Note 2 to the financial statements, due to the Russia invasion of Ukraine, the Board unanimously voted to close and liquidate the Funds, and management is in process of executing its liquidation plan.

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 27, 2024

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the VanEck Funds complex since 2022.

26

VANECK ETF TRUST

TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

The following information is provided with respect to the distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023. Please consult your tax advisor for proper treatment of this information:

 

Fund  Ticker  Payable  Ordinary Income
Amount Paid
Per Share
  Return of
Capital (a)
  Total
Distribution
Per Share
Russia ETF  RSX  Various   $0.0209    $0.6854    $0.7063 
Russia Small-Cap ETF  RSXJ  Various   0.0219    0.0576    0.0795 

 

Fund  Ticker  Payable  Section 163(j) -
Interest
Dividends as a % of
the Total Ordinary
Income
Distribution (b)
  Qualified Interest
Income (QII) as a %
of the Total Ordinary
Income Distribution (c)
  Federal
Obligation
Interest as a
Percentage
of
the Total
Distribution
(d)
Russia ETF  RSX  Various   98.67%   98.67%   22.08%
Russia Small-Cap ETF  RSXJ  Various   100.00%   100.00%   23.91%

 

(a) A return of capital is not considered taxable income to shareholders. Shareholders who received these distributions should not include these amounts in taxable income and should treat them as a reduction of the cost basis of the applicable shares upon which these distributions were paid. In order to compute the required adjustment to cost basis, a shareholder should use the more detailed information provided on Form 8937 - Organizational Actions Affecting Basis provided on the funds’ website at www.vaneck.com.

 

(b) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that are eligible to be treated as interest income for purposes of Section 163(j) and the regulations thereunder. To treat a dividend as interest income, shareholders must have held shares on which the dividend was paid for at least 180 days during the 361-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date of the distribution.

 

(c) These amounts represent distributions paid during the taxable year ended December 31, 2023 that were considered to be Qualified Interest Income (“QII”) distributions. The QII distributions may be exempt from United States withholding tax when distributed to non-U.S. shareholders with proper documentation.

 

(d) Certain states may exempt the portion of dividends derived from assets backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

27

VANECK ETFs

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  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 During Past Five Years
Independent Trustees                
                 
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.   72   Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.
                     
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2019   Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).   72   Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                     
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).   83   Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                     
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee   Since 2022
Since 2012
  Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.   72   Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                     
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.   83   Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                     
Interested Trustee                    
                     
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President   Trustee (Since 2006); Chief Executive Officer and President (Since 2009)   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.   83   Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th 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 VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
28

 

 

4 The MainStay Fund Complex consists of MainStay Funds, MainStay Funds Trust, MainStay VP Funds Trust and MainStay MacKay Defined Term Municipal Opportunities Fund.
5 “Interested person” of the Trust within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. Mr. van Eck is an officer of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
* Member of the Audit Committee.
Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Officer’s Name,
Address1 and
Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of Office2
And Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
Officer Information            
             
Matthew A. Babinsky,
1983
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2023); Assistant Secretary
(Since 2016)
  Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC.
             
Russell G. Brennan,
1964
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer   Since 2008   Assistant Vice President of VEAC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Charles T. Cameron,
1960
  Vice President   Since 2006   Portfolio Manager of VEAC; Officer and/or Portfolio Manager of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Director of Trading of VEAC.
             
John J. Crimmins,
1957
  Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer   Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer (Since 2012); Treasurer
(Since 2009)
  Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Vice President of VESC.
             
Susan Curry,
1966
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Managing Director, Legg Mason, Inc.
             
Eduardo Escario,
1975
  Vice President   Since 2012   Regional Director, Business Development/Sales for Southern Europe and South America of VEAC.
             
F. Michael Gozzillo,
1965
  Chief Compliance Officer   Since 2018   Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of VEAC and VEARA; Chief Compliance Officer of VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Chief Compliance Officer of City National Rochdale, LLC and City National Rochdale Funds.
             
Laura Hamilton,
1977
  Vice President   Since 2019   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA. Formerly, Operations Manager of Royce & Associates.
             
Nicholas Jackson,
1974
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Director, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Vice President, Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Laura I. Martínez,
1980
  Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Vice President (Since 2016); Assistant Secretary
(Since 2008)
  Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Matthew McKinnon,
1970
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2018   Head of Asia - Business Development of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd. Formerly, Director, Intermediaries and Institutions of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.
             
Lisa A. Moss,
1965
  Assistant Vice President and Assistant Secretary   Since 2022   Assistant Vice President of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Formerly, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie LLP.
             
Arian Neiron,
1979
  Vice President   Since 2018   CEO (since 2021) & Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific of VanEck Australia Pty Ltd.; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
29

VANECK ETFs

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

James Parker,
1969
  Assistant Treasurer   Since 2014   Assistant Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Manager, Portfolio Administration of VEAC and VEARA. Officer of other investment companies advised by VEAC and VEARA.
             
Adam Phillips,
1970
  Vice President   Since 2018   ETF Chief Operating Officer of VEAC; Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC.
             
Philipp Schlegel,
1974
  Vice President   Since 2016   Managing Director of Van Eck Switzerland AG.
             
Jonathan R. Simon,
1974
  Senior Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer   Senior Vice President (Since 2016); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer
(Since 2014)
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of VEAC, VEARA and VESC; Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.
             
Andrew Tilzer,
1972
  Assistant Vice President   Since 2021   Vice President of VEAC and VEARA; Vice President of Portfolio Administration of VEAC. Formerly, Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Operations of VEAC.

 

 
1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
30

 

This report is intended for the Fund’s shareholders. It may not be distributed to prospective investors unless it is preceded or accompanied by a VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”) prospectus and summary prospectus, which includes more complete information. Investing involves substantial risk and high volatility, including possible loss of principal. An investor should consider the investment objective, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contains this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.

 

Additional information about the Trust’s Board of Trustees/Officers and a description of the policies and procedures the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities are provided in the Statement of Additional Information. The Statement of Additional Information and information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ending June 30 is available, without charge, by calling 800.826.2333, or by visiting vaneck.com, or on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Trust’s Form N-PORT filings are available on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202.942.8090. The Fund’s complete schedules of portfolio holdings are also available by calling 800.826.2333 or by visiting vaneck.com.

 

 

Investment Adviser: VanEck Associates Corporation  
Distributor: VanEck Securities Corporation  
  666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017  
  vaneck.com  
Account Assistance: 800.826.2333 RUSSIAAR
 
Item 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
   
(a) The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) that applies to the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.
   
(b) The Registrant’s code of ethics is reasonably described in this Form N-CSR.
   
(c) The Registrant has not amended its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto.
   
(d) The Registrant has not granted a waiver or an implicit waiver from a provision of its Code of Ethics during the period covered by the shareholder report presented in Item 1 hereto.
   
(e) Not applicable.
   
(f) The Registrant’s Code of Ethics is attached as an Exhibit hereto.
   
Item 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
   
  The Registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that David Chow, Laurie A. Hesslein, R. Alastair Short, Peter Sidebottom and Richard Stamberger, members of the Audit Committee, are “audit committee financial experts” and “independent” as such terms are defined in the instructions to Form N-CSR Item 3(a)(2).
   
Item 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
   
  The principal accountant fees disclosed in Item 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), 4(d) and 4(g) are for the Funds of the Registrant for which the fiscal year end is December 31.
   
(a) Audit Fees. The aggregate Audit Fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services billed for the audits of the financial statements, or services that are normally provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $564,525 and $544,095, respectively.
   
(b) Audit-Related Fees. Not applicable.
   
(c) Tax Fees. The aggregate Tax Fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services billed for the review of Federal, state and excise tax returns and other tax compliance consultations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $243,000 and $243,500 respectively.
   
(d) All Other Fees
   
  None.
   
(e) The Audit Committee will pre-approve all audit and non-audit services, to be provided to the Funds, by the independent accountants as required by Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee has authorized the Chairman of the Audit Committee to approve, between meeting dates, appropriate non-audit services.
   
  The Audit Committee after considering all factors, including a review of independence issues, will recommend to the Board of Trustees the independent auditors to be selected to audit the financial statements of the Funds.

 

(f) Not applicable.
   
(g) Non-audit fees. The aggregate non-audit fees of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for professional services rendered and billed to the registrant’s investment adviser, and entities controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provide ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were $47,365 and $0 respectively.
   
(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entities controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provide ongoing services to the Registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
   
Item 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
   
  The Registrant’s Board has an Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(58)(A)) consisting of five Independent Trustees. Ms. Hesslein and Messrs. Chow, Short, Sidebottom and Stamberger currently serve as members of the Audit Committee. Ms. Hesslein is the Chairwoman of the Audit Committee.
   
Item 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
   
  Information included in Item 1.
   
Item 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGER OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 9. PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.
   
  Not applicable.
   
Item 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
   
  None.
   
Item 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
   
(a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3 (c)) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15 (b)).
   
(b) There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
   
Item 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
   
(a) Not applicable.
   
(b) Not applicable.
   
Item 13. EXHIBITS.
   
(a)(1) The code of ethics is attached as EX-99.CODE ETH
   
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2) is attached as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
(b) Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is furnished as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant) VANECK ETF TRUST

 

By (Signature and Title)  /s/ John J. Crimmins, Treasurer and CFO  
     
Date March 7, 2024  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)  /s/ Jan F. van Eck, CEO  
     
Date March 7, 2024  
     
By (Signature and Title)  /s/ John J. Crimmins, Treasurer and CFO  
     
Date March 7, 2024