10-Q 1 d515520d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number:                     001-33244

 

 

POWERSHARES DB PRECIOUS METALS FUND

(A Series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust)

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   87-0778065

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

c/o DB Commodity Services LLC

60 Wall Street

New York, New York

  10005
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 250-5883

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, an Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  þ    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large Accelerated Filer   ¨    Accelerated Filer   x
Non-Accelerated Filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  þ

Indicate the number of outstanding Shares as of March 31, 2013: 5,600,000 Shares.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

POWERSHARES DB PRECIOUS METALS FUND

(A SERIES OF POWERSHARES DB MULTI-SECTOR COMMODITY TRUST)

QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

            Page  

PART I.

    

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     1   

ITEM 1.

    

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

     1   
    

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

     8   

ITEM 2.

    

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

     15   

ITEM 3.

    

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

     24   

ITEM 4.

    

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

     26   

PART II.

    

OTHER INFORMATION

     27   

Item 1.

    

Legal Proceedings.

     27   

Item 1A.

    

Risk Factors.

     27   

Item 2.

    

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

     27   

Item 3.

    

Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

     27   

Item 4.

    

Mine Safety Disclosures.

     27   

Item 5.

    

Other Information.

     27   

Item 6.

    

Exhibits.

     30   

SIGNATURES

     31   

 

i


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Statements of Financial Condition

March 31, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, 2012

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

Assets

    

Equity in broker trading accounts:

    

United States Treasury Obligations, at fair value (cost $297,982,458 and $277,480,954 respectively)

   $ 297,990,679      $ 277,495,828   

Cash held by broker

     27,482,544        85,390,111   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

     (23,168,315     (8,628,985
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deposits with broker

     302,304,908        354,256,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 302,304,908      $ 354,256,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

    

Management fee payable

   $ 188,930      $ 234,540   

Brokerage fee payable

     1,210        406   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     190,140        234,946   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

    
    

Equity

    

Shareholders’ equity—General Shares

     2,158        2,284   

Shareholders’ equity—Shares

     302,112,610        354,019,724   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    

Total shareholders’ equity

     302,114,768        354,022,008   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
    
    

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 302,304,908      $ 354,256,954   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

General Shares outstanding

     40        40   

Shares outstanding

     5,600,000        6,200,000   

Net asset value per share

    

General Shares

   $ 53.95      $ 57.10   

Shares

   $ 53.95      $ 57.10   

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

1


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Unaudited Schedule of Investments

March 31, 2013

 

Description

   Percentage of
Net Assets
    Fair
Value
     Face
Value
 

United States Treasury Obligations

       

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.085% due April 4, 2013

     1.32   $ 3,999,996       $ 4,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.1% due April 11, 2013

     3.97        11,999,904         12,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.08% due April 18, 2013

     20.85        62,999,055         63,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due April 25, 2013

     58.92        177,996,084         178,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.11% due June 6, 2013

     10.59        31,997,056         32,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.095% due June 13, 2013

     0.33        999,888         1,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due June 27, 2013

     2.65        7,998,696         8,000,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total United States Treasury Obligations (cost $297,982,458)

     98.63   $ 297,990,679      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

A portion of the above United States Treasury Obligations are held as initial margin against open futures contracts, as described in Note 4(e).

 

Description

   Percentage of
Net Assets
    Fair
Value
    Notional
Value
 

Unrealized Depreciation on Futures Contracts

      

Gold (1,556 contracts, settlement date August 28, 2013)

     (5.49 )%    $ (16,569,410   $ 265,124,850   

Silver (416 contracts, settlement date December 27, 2013)

     (2.18     (6,598,905     65,908,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Depreciation on Futures Contracts

     (7.67 )%    $ (23,168,315   $ 331,032,875   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation is comprised of unrealized losses of $23,487,285 and unrealized gains of $318,970

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2012

 

Description

   Percentage of
Net Assets
    Fair
Value
     Face
Value
 

United States Treasury Obligations

       

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.06% due January 3, 2013

     1.13   $ 4,000,000       $ 4,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.05% due January 10, 2013

     3.39        11,999,928         12,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.015% due January 17, 2013

     3.25        11,499,920         11,500,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.045% due January 24, 2013

     59.88        211,997,668         212,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due January 31, 2013

     2.82        9,999,800         10,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.105% due February 14, 2013

     2.54        8,999,703         9,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.1% due February 28, 2013

     1.13        3,999,840         4,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 7, 2013

     0.85        2,999,841         3,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 14, 2013

     1.13        3,999,744         4,000,000   

U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.085% due March 28, 2013

     2.26        7,999,384         8,000,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

Total United States Treasury Obligations (cost $277,480,954)

     78.38   $ 277,495,828      
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

A portion of the above United States Treasury Obligations are held as initial margin against open futures contracts, as described in Note 4(e).

 

Description

   Percentage of
Net Assets
    Fair
Value
    Notional
Value
 

Unrealized Depreciation on Futures Contracts

      

Gold (1,722 contracts, settlement date August 28, 2013)

     (1.49 )%    $ (5,263,760   $ 294,904,160   

Silver (460 contracts, settlement date December 27, 2013)

     (0.95     (3,365,225     73,322,025   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Depreciation on Futures Contracts

     (2.44 )%    $ (8,628,985   $ 368,226,185   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized depreciation is comprised entirely of unrealized losses of $8,628,985.

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Unaudited Statements of Income and Expenses

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,     March 31,  
     2013     2012  

Income

    

Interest Income

   $ 53,342      $ 25,463   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

    

Management Fee

     555,029        829,305   

Brokerage Commissions and Fees

     7,602        31,130   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     562,631        860,435   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

     (509,289     (834,972
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Realized and Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

    

Net Realized Gain (Loss) on

    

United States Treasury Obligations

     1,625        66   

Futures

     (435,745     (16,973,390
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized gain (loss)

     (434,120     (16,973,324
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on

    

United States Treasury Obligations

     (6,653     5,842   

Futures

     (14,539,330     52,830,920   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gain (loss)

     (14,545,983     52,836,762   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

     (14,980,103     35,863,438   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (15,489,392   $ 35,028,466   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Unaudited Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

 

     General Shares     Shares        
     Shares      Total
Equity
    Shares     Total
Equity
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2013

     40       $ 2,284        6,200,000      $ 354,019,724      $ 354,022,008   

Sale of Shares

          600,000        32,123,334        32,123,334   

Redemption of Shares

          (1,200,000     (68,541,182     (68,541,182

Net Income (Loss)

           

Net investment income (loss)

        (4       (509,285     (509,289

Net realized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

        (4       (434,116     (434,120

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

        (118       (14,545,865     (14,545,983
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

        (126       (15,489,266     (15,489,392
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2013

     40       $ 2,158        5,600,000      $ 302,112,610      $ 302,114,768   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Unaudited Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

 

     General Shares     Shares        
     Shares      Total
Equity
    Shares     Total
Equity
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 

Balance at January 1, 2012

     40       $ 2,163        8,400,000      $ 454,146,055      $ 454,148,218   

Redemption of Shares

          (1,200,000     (68,613,424     (68,613,424

Net Income (Loss)

           

Net investment income (loss)

        (4       (834,968     (834,972

Net realized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

        (84       (16,973,240     (16,973,324

Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

        261          52,836,501        52,836,762   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

        173          35,028,293        35,028,466   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2012

     40       $ 2,336        7,200,000      $ 420,560,924      $ 420,563,260   
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Unaudited Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,     March 31,  
     2013     2012  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (15,489,392   $ 35,028,466   

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

    

Cost of securities purchased

     (298,945,646     (409,456,463

Proceeds from securities sold and matured

     278,499,115        437,499,342   

Net accretion of discount on United States Treasury Obligations

     (53,348     (26,691

Net realized (gain) loss on United States Treasury Obligations

     (1,625     (66

Net change in unrealized (gain) loss on United States Treasury Obligations and futures

     14,545,983        (52,836,762

Change in operating receivables and liabilities:

    

Receivable for securities sold

     —          10,999,933   

Management fee payable

     (45,610     (55,589

Brokerage fee payable

     804        3,385   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

     (21,489,719     21,155,555   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Proceeds from sale of Shares

     32,123,334        —     

Payments for redemption of Shares

     (68,541,182     (79,426,426
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

     (36,417,848     (79,426,426
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net change in cash held by broker

     (57,907,567     (58,270,871

Cash held by broker at beginning of period

     85,390,111        65,165,354   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash held by broker at end of period

   $ 27,482,544      $ 6,894,483   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited financial statements.

 

7


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

March 31, 2013

(1) Organization

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund (the “Fund”), a separate series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized in seven separate series, was formed on August 3, 2006. DB Commodity Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“DBCS” or the “Managing Owner”), seeded the Fund with a capital contribution of $1,000 in exchange for 40 General Shares of the Fund. The fiscal year end of the Fund is December 31st. The term of the Fund is perpetual (unless terminated earlier in certain circumstances) as provided for in the Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement of the Trust (the “Trust Agreement”).

The Fund offers common units of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) only to certain eligible financial institutions (the “Authorized Participants”) in one or more blocks of 200,000 Shares, called a Basket. The Fund commenced investment operations on January 3, 2007. The Fund commenced trading on the American Stock Exchange (now known as the NYSE Alternext US LLC (the “NYSE Alternext”)) on January 5, 2007 and, as of November 25, 2008, is listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”).

This report covers the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the “Three Months Ended March 31, 2013” and the “Three Months Ended March 31, 2012”, respectively).

(2) Fund Investment Overview

The Fund invests with a view to tracking the changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index Excess Return™ (“DBIQ-OY Precious Metals ER™”, or the “Index”) plus the excess, if any, of the Fund’s income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund.

The Fund also holds United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities for deposit with the Fund’s commodity broker as margin.

The Index is intended to reflect the change in market value of the precious metals sector. The commodities comprising the Index are gold and silver (the “Index Commodities”).

The CFTC and/or commodity exchanges, as applicable, impose position limits on market participants trading in certain commodities included in the Index. The Index is comprised of futures contracts on the Index Commodities that expire in a specific month and trade on a specific exchange (the “Index Contracts”). If the Managing Owner determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it has become impracticable or inefficient for any reason for the Fund to gain full or partial exposure to any Index Commodity by investing in a specific Index Contract, the Fund may invest in a futures contract referencing the particular Index Commodity other than the Index Contract or, in the alternative, invest in other futures contracts not based on the particular Index Commodity if, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Managing Owner, such futures contracts tend to exhibit trading prices that correlate with such Index Commodity. The Fund does not employ leverage. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Fund had $302,304,908 (or 100%) and $354,256,954 (or 100%), respectively, of its holdings of cash, United States Treasury Obligations and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts on deposit with its Commodity Broker. Of this, $13,589,840 (or 4.50%) and $18,351,850 (or 5.18%), respectively, of the Fund’s holdings of cash and United States Treasury Obligations are required to be deposited as margin in support of the Fund’s long futures positions as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. For additional information, please see the unaudited Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2013 and the audited Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2012 for details of the Fund’s portfolio holdings.

DBIQ™ is a trademark of Deutsche Bank AG London (the “Index Sponsor”). Trademark applications in the United States are pending with respect to both the Trust and aspects of the Index. The Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner have been licensed by the Index Sponsor to use the above noted trademark. Deutsche Bank AG London is an affiliate of the Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner.

(3) Service Providers and Related Party Agreements

The Trustee

Under the Trust Agreement, Wilmington Trust Company, the trustee of the Fund (the “Trustee”) has delegated to the Managing Owner the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Trust and the Fund. The Trustee will have no duty or liability to supervise or monitor the performance of the Managing Owner, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Managing Owner.

 

8


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

The Managing Owner

The Managing Owner serves the Fund as commodity pool operator, commodity trading advisor and managing owner, and is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund incurred Management Fees of $555,029 and $829,305, respectively. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Management Fees payable to the Managing Owner were $188,930 and $234,540, respectively.

The Commodity Broker

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a Delaware corporation, serves as the Fund’s clearing broker (the “Commodity Broker”). The Commodity Broker is also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG and is an affiliate of the Managing Owner. In its capacity as clearing broker, the Commodity Broker executes and clears the Fund’s futures transactions and performs certain administrative and custodial services for the Fund. As custodian of the Fund’s assets, the Commodity Broker is responsible, among other things, for providing periodic accountings of all dealings and actions taken by the Trust on behalf of the Fund during the reporting period, together with an accounting of all securities, cash or other indebtedness or obligations held by it or its nominees for or on behalf of the Fund. During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund incurred brokerage fees of $7,602 and $31,130, respectively. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, brokerage fees payable were $1,210 and $406, respectively.

The Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent

The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Administrator”) has been appointed by the Managing Owner as the administrator, custodian and transfer agent of the Fund, and has entered into separate administrative, custodian, transfer agency and service agreements (collectively referred to as the “Administration Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs or supervises the performance of services necessary for the operation and administration of the Fund (other than making investment decisions), including receiving and processing orders from Authorized Participants to create and redeem Baskets, net asset value calculations, accounting and other fund administrative services. The Administrator retains certain financial books and records, including: Basket creation and redemption books and records, fund accounting records, ledgers with respect to assets, liabilities, capital, income and expenses, the registrar, transfer journals and related details, and trading and related documents received from futures commission merchants. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no fund assets held by the Administrator.

The Distributor

ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) provides certain distribution services to the Fund. Pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement among the Managing Owner in its capacity as managing owner of the Fund and the Distributor, the Distributor assists the Managing Owner and the Administrator with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the Fund including reviewing and approving marketing materials.

Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC

Under the License Agreement among Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (the “Licensor”) and the Managing Owner in its own capacity and in its capacity as managing owner of the Fund (the Fund and the Managing Owner, collectively, the “Licensees”), the Licensor granted to each Licensee a non-exclusive license to use the “PowerShares®” trademark (the “Trademark”) anywhere in the world, solely in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Fund and to use or refer to the Trademark in connection with the issuance and trading of the Fund as necessary.

Invesco Distributors, Inc.

Through a marketing agreement between the Managing Owner and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (“Invesco Distributors”), an affiliate of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC, the Managing Owner, on behalf of the Fund, has appointed Invesco Distributors as a marketing agent. Invesco Distributors assists the Managing Owner and the Administrator with certain functions and duties such as providing various educational and marketing activities regarding the Fund, primarily in the secondary trading market, which activities include, but are not limited to, communicating the Fund’s name, characteristics, uses, benefits, and risks, consistent with the prospectus. Invesco Distributors will not open or maintain customer accounts or handle orders for the Fund. Invesco Distributors engages in public seminars, road shows, conferences, media interviews, and distributes sales literature and other communications (including electronic media) regarding the Fund.

(4) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a) Basis of Presentation

The financial statements of the Fund have been prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

9


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

The presentation of Shareholders’ Equity in prior years has been updated to conform to the December 31, 2012 presentation. Total Shareholders’ Equity was not affected by these changes.

(b) Use of Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

(c) Financial Instruments and Fair Value

United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are recorded in the statements of financial condition on a trade date basis at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in each period. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price).

Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification fair value measurement and disclosure guidance requires a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the 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 three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Basis of Fair Value Measurement

Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;

Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly;

Level 3: Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

In determining fair value of United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets. United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Fund does not adjust the quoted prices for United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts.

(d) Deposits with Broker

The Fund deposits cash and United States Treasury Obligations with its Commodity Broker subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. The combination of the Fund’s deposits with its Commodity Broker of cash and United States Treasury Obligations and the unrealized profit or loss on open futures contracts (variation margin) represents the Fund’s overall equity in its broker trading account. To meet the Fund’s initial margin requirements, the Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations. The Fund uses its cash held by the Commodity Broker to satisfy variation margin requirements. The Fund earns interest on its cash deposited with the Commodity Broker.

(e) United States Treasury Obligations

The Fund records purchases and sales of United States Treasury Obligations on a trade date basis. These holdings are marked to market based on quoted market closing prices. The Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations for deposit with the Fund’s Commodity Broker to meet margin requirements and for trading purposes. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis when earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the United States Treasury Obligations. Included in the United States Treasury Obligations as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were holdings of $13,589,840 and $18,351,850, respectively, which were restricted and held as initial margin of the open futures contracts.

(f) Cash Held by Broker

The Fund’s arrangement with the Commodity Broker requires the Fund to meet its variation margin requirement related to the price movements, both positive and negative, on futures contracts held by the Fund by keeping cash on deposit with the Commodity Broker. The Fund defines cash and cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less

 

10


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

when purchased. As of March 31, 2013, the Fund had cash held by the Commodity Broker of $27,482,544, of which $23,168,315 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative margin on futures contracts. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund had cash held by the Commodity Broker of $85,390,111, of which $8,628,985 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative margin on futures contracts. There were no cash equivalents held by the Fund as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

(g) Income Taxes

The Fund is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund will not incur U.S. federal income taxes. No provision for federal, state, and local income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements, as investors are individually liable for income taxes, if any, on their allocable share of the Fund’s income, gain, loss, deductions and other items.

The major tax jurisdiction for the Fund and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States 2009.

(h) Futures Contracts

All commodity futures contracts are held and used for trading purposes. The commodity futures are recorded on a trade date basis and open contracts are recorded in the statement of financial condition at fair value on the last business day of the period, which represents market value for those commodity futures for which market quotes are readily available. However, when market closing prices are not available, the Managing Owner may value an asset of the Fund pursuant to policies the Managing Owner has adopted, which are consistent with normal industry standards. Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open positions are determined on a specific identification basis and recognized in the statement of income and expenses in the period in which the contract is closed or the changes occur, respectively. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the futures contracts held by the Fund were in a net unrealized depreciation position of $23,168,315 and $8,628,985, respectively.

(i) Management Fee

The Fund pays the Managing Owner a management fee (the “Management Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 0.75% per annum of the daily net asset value of the Fund. The Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Managing Owner’s commodity futures trading advisory services.

(j) Brokerage Commissions and Fees

The Fund incurs all brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities by the Commodity Broker. These costs are recorded as brokerage commissions and fees in the statement of income and expenses as incurred. The Commodity Broker’s brokerage commissions and trading fees are determined on a contract-by-contract basis. On average, total charges paid to the Commodity Broker were less than $10.00 per round-turn trade for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.

(k) Routine Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses

The Managing Owner assumes all routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund, including, but not limited to, computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax preparation expenses, filing fees and printing, mailing and duplication costs. Accordingly, all such expenses are not reflected in the statement of income and expenses of the Fund.

(l) Organizational and Offering Costs

All organizational and offering expenses of the Fund are incurred and assumed by the Managing Owner. The Fund is not responsible to the Managing Owner for the reimbursement of organizational and offering costs. Expenses incurred in connection with the continuous offering of Shares also will be paid by the Managing Owner.

(m) Non-Recurring and Unusual Fees and Expenses

The Fund pays all fees and expenses which are non-recurring and unusual in nature. Such expenses include legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such fees and expenses, by their nature, are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount. For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund did not incur such expenses.

 

11


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

(5) Fair Value Measurements

The Fund’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 4(c).

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value were as follows:

 

     March 31,
2013
    December 31,
2012
 

United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1)

   $ 297,990,679      $ 277,495,828   

Commodity Futures Contracts (Level 1)

   $ (23,168,315   $ (8,628,985

There were no Level 2 or Level 3 holdings during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and the Year Ended December 31, 2012.

(6) Financial Instrument Risk

In the normal course of its business, the Fund is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in a future obligation or loss. The financial instruments used by the Fund are commodity futures, whose values are based upon an underlying asset and generally represent future commitments that have a reasonable possibility of being settled in cash or through physical delivery. The financial instruments are traded on an exchange and are standardized contracts.

Market risk is the potential for changes in the value of the financial instruments traded by the Fund due to market changes, including fluctuations in commodity prices. In entering into these futures contracts, there exists a market risk that such futures contracts may be significantly influenced by adverse market conditions, resulting in such futures contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the futures contracts at the same time, the Fund could experience substantial losses.

Credit risk is the possibility that a loss may occur due to the failure of an exchange clearinghouse to perform according to the terms of a futures contract. Credit risk with respect to exchange-traded instruments is reduced to the extent that an exchange or clearing organization acts as a counterparty to the transactions. The Fund’s risk of loss in the event of counterparty default is typically limited to the amounts recognized in the statement of financial condition and not represented by the futures contract or notional amounts of the instruments.

The Fund has not utilized, nor does it expect to utilize in the future, special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has no loan guarantee arrangements or off-balance sheet arrangements of any kind, other than agreements entered into in the normal course of business noted above.

(7) Share Purchases and Redemptions

(a) Purchases

Shares may be purchased from the Fund only by Authorized Participants in one or more blocks of 200,000 Shares, called a Basket. The Fund issues Shares in Baskets only to Authorized Participants continuously as of noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the date on which a valid order to create a Basket is accepted by the Fund, at the net asset value of 200,000 Shares as of the closing time of the NYSE Arca or the last to close of the exchanges on which the Fund’s assets are traded, whichever is later, on the date that a valid order to create a Basket is accepted by the Fund.

(b) Redemptions

On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Managing Owner to redeem one or more Baskets. Redemption orders must be placed by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. The day on which the Managing Owner receives a valid redemption order is the redemption order date. Redemption orders are irrevocable. The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem Baskets. Individual shareholders may not redeem directly from the Fund.

By placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Baskets to be redeemed through The Depository Trust Company’s (the “DTC”) book-entry system to the Fund not later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date. By placing a redemption order, and prior to receipt of the redemption proceeds, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order.

The redemption proceeds from the Fund consist of the cash redemption amount. The cash redemption amount is equal to the net asset value of the number of Basket(s) requested in the Authorized Participant’s redemption order as of the closing time of the NYSE

 

12


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

Arca or the last to close of the exchanges on which the Fund’s assets are traded, whichever is later, on the redemption order date. The Fund will distribute the cash redemption amount at noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date through DTC to the account of the Authorized Participant as recorded on DTC’s book-entry system.

The redemption proceeds due from the Fund are delivered to the Authorized Participant at noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date if, by such time on such business day immediately following the redemption order date, the Fund’s DTC account has been credited with the Baskets to be redeemed. If the Fund’s DTC account has not been credited with all of the Baskets to be redeemed by such time, the redemption proceeds are delivered to the extent of whole Baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption proceeds are delivered on the next business day to the extent of remaining whole Baskets received if the Managing Owner receives the fee applicable to the extension of the redemption distribution date which the Managing Owner may, from time-to-time, determine and the remaining Baskets to be redeemed are credited to the Fund’s DTC account by noon, Eastern Standard Time, on such next business day. Any further outstanding amount of the redemption order will be canceled. The Managing Owner is also authorized to deliver the redemption proceeds notwithstanding that the Baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Fund’s DTC account by noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized its obligation to deliver the Baskets through DTC’s book-entry system on such terms as the Managing Owner may from time-to-time agree upon.

(c) Share Transactions

Summary of Share Transactions for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

     Shares
Three Months Ended
    Shareholders’ Equity
Three Months Ended
 
     March 31,
2013
    March 31,
2012
    March 31,
2013
    March 31,
2012
 

Shares Sold

     600,000        —        $ 32,123,334      $ —     

Shares Redeemed

     (1,200,000     (1,200,000     (68,541,182     (68,613,424
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase/(Decrease)

     (600,000     (1,200,000   $ (36,417,848   $ (68,613,424
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

(8) Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions

Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, income and expenses are allocated pro rata to the Managing Owner as holder of the General Shares and to the Shareholders monthly based on their respective percentage interests as of the close of the last trading day of the preceding month. Any losses allocated to the Managing Owner (as the owner of the General Shares) which are in excess of the Managing Owner’s capital balance are allocated to the Shareholders in accordance with their respective interest in the Fund as a percentage of total shareholders’ equity. Distributions (other than redemption of units) may be made at the sole discretion of the Managing Owner on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective capital balances of the shareholders.

No distributions were paid for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 or 2012.

(9) Commitments and Contingencies

The Managing Owner, either in its own capacity or in its capacity as the Managing Owner and on behalf of the Fund, has entered into various service agreements that contain a variety of representations, or provide indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers undertake in performing services which are in the best interests of the Fund. As of March 31, 2013, no claims had been received by the Fund and it was therefore not possible to estimate the Fund’s potential future exposure under such indemnification provisions.

(10) Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights

The Fund is presenting the following net asset value and financial highlights related to investment performance for a Share outstanding for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. The net investment income and total expense ratios are calculated using average net asset value. The net asset value presentation is calculated using daily Shares outstanding. The net investment income and total expense ratios have been annualized. The total return is based on the change in net asset value of the Shares during the period. An individual investor’s return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions.

Net asset value per Share is the net asset value of the Fund divided by the number of outstanding Shares.

 

13


Table of Contents

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements—(Continued)

March 31, 2013

 

     Three Months Ended  
     March 31,
2013
    March 31,
2012
 

Net Asset Value

    

Net asset value per Share, beginning of period

   $ 57.10      $ 54.07   

Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures

     (3.06     4.45   

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.09     (0.11
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (3.15     4.34   

Net asset value per Share, end of period

   $ 53.95      $ 58.41   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market value per Share, beginning of period

   $ 57.09      $ 53.88   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Market value per Share, end of period

   $ 53.95      $ 58.33   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio to average Net Assets*

    

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.69 )%      (0.76 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

     0.76     0.78
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return, at net asset value **

     (5.52 )%      8.03
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return, at market value **

     (5.50 )%      8.26
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

* Percentages are annualized.
** Percentages are not annualized.

(11) Subsequent Events

The Fund evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. This evaluation did not result in any subsequent events that necessitated disclosures and/or adjustments.

 

14


Table of Contents
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

This information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report (the “Report”). The discussion and analysis which follows may contain trend analysis and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial results. Words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “outlook” and “estimate,” as well as similar words and phrases, signify forward-looking statements. PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund’s forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and conditions and important factors, risks and uncertainties may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements.

You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the Federal securities laws, DB Commodity Services LLC (the “Managing Owner”), undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or the risks, uncertainties or other factors described in this Report, as a result of new information, future events or changed circumstances or for any other reason after the date of this Report.

Overview/Introduction

The Fund seeks to track changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index Excess Return™ (“DBIQ-OY Precious Metals ER™”, or the “Index”), over time, plus the excess, if any, of the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund. The Shares are designed for investors who want a cost-effective and convenient way to invest in a group of commodity futures on U.S. and non-U.S. markets.

The Fund pursues its investment objective by investing in a portfolio of exchange-traded futures contracts that expire in a specific month and trade on a specific exchange (the “Index Contracts”), in the commodities comprising the Index (the “Index Commodities”). The Index Commodities are gold and silver. The Index is composed of notional amounts of each of the Index Commodities. The Fund also holds United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities for deposit with the Fund’s Commodity Broker as margin.

DBIQ™ is a trademark of Deutsche Bank AG London (the “Index Sponsor”). Trademark applications in the United States are pending with respect to both the Trust and aspects of the Index. The Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner have been licensed by the Index Sponsor to use the above noted trademark. Deutsche Bank AG London is an affiliate of the Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner.

The Index is composed of notional amounts of each of the underlying Index Commodities. The notional amount of each Index Commodity included in the Index is intended to reflect the changes in market value of each such Index Commodity within the Index. The closing level of the Index is calculated on each business day by the Index Sponsor based on the closing price of the futures contracts for each of the underlying Index Commodities and the notional amounts of such Index Commodities.

The Index is rebalanced annually in November to ensure that each of the Index Commodities is weighted in the same proportion that such Index Commodities were weighted on June 4, 1990 (the “Base Date”). The following table reflects the index base weights (the “Index Base Weights”) of each Index Commodity on the Base Date:

 

 

Index Commodity

   Index Base Weight (%)  

Gold

     80.00   

Silver

     20.00   
  

 

 

 

Closing Level on Base Date:

     100.00   
  

 

 

 

The following table reflects the Fund weights of each Index Commodity as of March 31, 2013:

 

Index Commodity

   Fund Weight (%)  

Gold

     80.73   

Silver

     19.27   
  

 

 

 

Closing Level as at March 31, 2013:

     100.00   
  

 

 

 

 

15


Table of Contents

The composition of the Index may be adjusted in the event that the Index Sponsor is not able to calculate the closing prices of the Index Commodities.

The Index includes provisions for the replacement of futures contracts as they approach maturity. This replacement takes place over a period of time in order to lessen the impact on the market for the futures contracts being replaced. With respect to each Index Commodity, the Fund employs a rule-based approach when it “rolls” from one futures contract to another. Rather than select a new futures contract based on a predetermined schedule (e.g., monthly), each Index Commodity rolls to the futures contract which generates the best possible “implied roll yield.” The futures contract with a delivery month within the next thirteen months which generates the best possible implied roll yield will be included in each Index. As a result, each Index Commodity is able to potentially maximize the roll benefits in backwardated markets and minimize the losses from rolling in contangoed markets.

In general, as a futures contract approaches its expiration date, its price will move towards the spot price in a contangoed market. Assuming the spot price does not change, this would result in the futures contract price decreasing and a negative implied roll yield. The opposite is true in a backwardated market. Rolling in a contangoed market will tend to cause a drag on an Index Commodity’s contribution to the Fund’s return while rolling in a backwardated market will tend to cause a push on an Index Commodity’s contribution to the Fund’s return.

The DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index is calculated in USD on both an excess return (unfunded) and total return (funded) basis.

The futures contract price for each Index Commodity will be the exchange closing price for such Index Commodity on each weekday when banks in New York, New York, are open (the “Index Business Days”). If a weekday is not an Exchange Business Day (as defined in the following sentence) but is an Index Business Day, the exchange closing price from the previous Index Business Day will be used for each Index Commodity. “Exchange Business Day” means, in respect of an Index Commodity, a day that is a trading day for such Index Commodity on the relevant exchange (unless either an Index disruption event or force majeure event has occurred).

On the first New York business day (the “Verification Date”) of each month, each Index Commodity futures contract will be tested in order to determine whether to continue including it in the Index. If the Index Commodity futures contract requires delivery of the underlying commodity in the next month, known as the Delivery Month, a new Index Commodity futures contract will be selected for inclusion in the Index. For example, if the first New York business day is October 1, 2013, and the Delivery Month of the Index Commodity futures contract currently in such Index is November 2013, a new Index Commodity futures contract with a later Delivery Month will be selected.

For each underlying Index Commodity of the Index, the new Index Commodity futures contract selected will be the Index Commodity futures contract with the best possible “implied roll yield” based on the closing price for each eligible Index Commodity futures contract. Eligible Index Commodity futures contracts are any Index Commodity futures contracts having a Delivery Month (i) no sooner than the month after the Delivery Month of the Index Commodity futures contract currently in such Index, and (ii) no later than the 13th month after the Verification Date. For example, if the first New York business day is October 1, 2013 and the Delivery Month of an Index Commodity futures contract currently in the Index is November 2013, the Delivery Month of an eligible new Index Commodity futures contract must be between December 2013 and October 2014. The implied roll yield is then calculated and the futures contract on the Index Commodity with the best possible implied roll yield is then selected. If two futures contracts have the same implied roll yield, the futures contract with the minimum number of months prior to the Delivery Month is selected.

After the futures contract selection, the monthly roll for each Index Commodity subject to a roll in that particular month unwinds the old futures contract and enters a position in the new futures contract. This takes place between the 2nd and 6th Index Business Day of the month.

On each day during the roll period, new notional holdings are calculated. The calculations for the futures contracts on the old Index Commodities that are leaving the Index and the futures contracts on the new Index Commodities are then calculated.

On all days that are not monthly index roll days, the notional holdings of each Index Commodity future remains constant.

The Index is re-weighted on an annual basis on the 6th Index Business Day of each November.

The calculation of the Index is expressed as the weighted average return of the Index Commodities.

The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and/or commodity exchanges, as applicable, impose position limits on market participants trading in certain commodities included in the Index. If the Managing Owner determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it has become impracticable or inefficient for any reason for the Fund to gain full or partial exposure to any Index Commodity by investing in a specific Index Contract, the Fund may invest in a futures contract referencing the particular Index Commodity other than the Index Contract or, in the alternative, invest in other futures contracts not based on the particular Index Commodity if, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Managing Owner, such futures contracts tend to exhibit trading prices that correlate with such Index Commodity. Please see http://www.dbxus.com with respect to the most recently available weighted composition of the Fund and the composition of the Index on the Base Date.

 

16


Table of Contents

Under the Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement of the Trust (the “Trust Agreement”), Wilmington Trust Company, the Trustee of the Trust, has delegated to the Managing Owner the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Trust and the Fund. The Trustee will have no duty or liability to supervise or monitor the performance of the Managing Owner, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Managing Owner.

The Index Sponsor obtains information for inclusion in, or for use in the calculation of, the Index from sources the Index Sponsor considers reliable. None of the Index Sponsor, the Managing Owner, the Trust, the Fund, or any of their respective affiliates accepts responsibility for or guarantees the accuracy and/or completeness of the Index or any data included in the Index.

The Shares are intended to provide investment results that generally correspond to the changes, positive or negative, in the levels of the Index over time. The value of the Shares is expected to fluctuate in relation to changes in the value of the Fund’s portfolio. The market price of the Shares may not be identical to the net asset value per Share, but these two valuations are expected to be very close.

Margin Calls

Like other futures and derivatives traders, the Fund will be subject to margin calls from time-to-time. The term “margin” has a different meaning in the context of futures contracts and other derivatives than it does in the context of securities. In particular, “margin” on a futures position does not constitute a borrowing of money or the collateralization of a loan. The Fund does not borrow money.

To establish a position in an exchange-traded futures contract, the Fund makes a deposit of “initial margin.” The amount of initial margin required to be deposited in order to establish a position in an exchange-traded futures contract varies from instrument to instrument depending, generally, on the historical volatility of the futures contract in question. Determination of the amount of the required initial margin deposit in respect of a particular contract is made by the exchange on which the contract is listed. To establish a long position in an over-the-counter instrument, the counterparty may require an analogous deposit of collateral, depending upon the anticipated volatility of the instrument and the creditworthiness of the person seeking to establish the position. The deposit of initial margin provides assurance to futures commission merchants and clearing brokers involved in the settlement process that sufficient resources are likely to be on deposit to enable a client’s position to be closed by recourse to the initial margin deposit should the client fail to meet a demand for variation margin, even if changes in the value of the contract in question, which are marked to market from day to day, continue to reflect the contract’s historical volatility. Collateral deposited in support of an over-the-counter instrument serves a similar purpose.

Once a position has been established on a futures exchange, “variation margin” generally is credited or assessed at least daily to reflect changes in the value of the position. In contrast to “initial margin,” “variation margin” represents a system of marking to market the futures contract’s value. Thus, traders in exchange-traded futures contracts are assessed daily in an amount equal to that day’s accumulated losses in respect of any open position (or are credited daily with accumulated gains in respect of such position). Collateral may move between the parties to an over-the-counter instrument in a similar manner as gains or losses accumulate in the instrument. As with initial margin, variation margin serves to secure the obligations of the investor under the contract and to protect those involved in the settlement process against the possibility that a client will have insufficient resources to meet its contractual obligations. Collateral deposited in support of an over-the-counter instrument serves a similar purpose. Like initial margin (or an equivalent deposit of collateral), variation margin (or an equivalent deposit of collateral) does not constitute a borrowing of money, is not considered to be part of the contract purchase price and is returned upon the contract’s termination unless it is used to cover a loss in the contract position. United States Treasury Obligations are used routinely to collateralize OTC derivative positions, and are deposited routinely as margin to collateralize futures positions. The Fund may liquidate United States Treasury Obligations to meet an initial or variation margin requirement.

Performance Summary

This Report covers the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the “Three Months Ended March 31, 2013” and the “Three Months Ended March 31, 2012”, respectively). The Fund commenced trading on the American Stock Exchange (now known as the NYSE Alternext US LLC (the “NYSE Alternext”)) on January 5, 2007, and, as of November 25, 2008, is listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”).

Performance of the Fund and the exchange traded Shares are detailed below in “Results of Operations”. Past performance of the Fund is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

 

17


Table of Contents

The Index is intended to reflect the change in market value of the Index Commodities. In turn, the Index is intended to reflect the precious metals sector. The DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index Total Return™ (the “DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™”), consists of the Index plus 3-month United States Treasury Obligations returns. Past Index results are not necessarily indicative of future changes, positive or negative, in the Index closing levels.

The section “Summary of DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ and Underlying Index Commodity Returns for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012” below provides an overview of the changes in the closing levels of DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ by disclosing the change in market value of each underlying component Index Commodity through a “surrogate” (and analogous) index plus 3-month United States Treasury Obligations returns. Please note also that the Fund’s objective is to track the Index (not DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™) and the Fund does not attempt to outperform or underperform the Index. The Index employs the optimum yield roll method with the objective of mitigating the negative effects of contango, the condition in which distant delivery prices for futures exceed spot prices, and maximizing the positive effects of backwardation, a condition opposite of contango.

Summary of DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ and Underlying Index Commodity

Returns for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012

 

     Aggregate returns for indices in the
DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™
 

Underlying Index

   Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2013
    Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2012
 

DB Gold Indices

     (5.01 )%      6.32

DB Silver Indices

     (6.23 )%      16.36
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

AGGREGATE RETURN

     (5.25 )%      8.19
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

If the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of fixed income securities were to exceed the Fund’s fees and expenses, the aggregate return on an investment in the Fund is expected to outperform the Index and underperform the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™. The only difference between (i) the Index and (ii) the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ is that the Index does not include interest income from a hypothetical basket of fixed income securities while the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ does include such a component. The difference between the Index and the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™ is attributable entirely to the hypothetical interest income from this hypothetical basket of fixed income securities. If the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of fixed income securities exceeds the Fund’s fees and expenses, then the amount of such excess is expected to be distributed periodically. The market price of the Shares is expected to closely track the Index. The aggregate return on an investment in the Fund over any period is the sum of the capital appreciation or depreciation of the Shares over the period, plus the amount of any distributions during the period. Consequently, the Fund’s aggregate return is expected to outperform the Index by the amount of the excess, if any, of its interest income over its fees and expenses but, as a result of the Fund’s fees and expenses, the aggregate return on the Fund is expected to underperform the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™. If the Fund’s fees and expenses were to exceed the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of fixed income securities, the aggregate return on an investment in the Fund is expected to underperform the Index.

Net Asset Value

Net asset value means the total assets of the Fund, including, but not limited to, all futures, cash and investments less total liabilities of the Fund, each determined on the basis of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied under the accrual method of accounting. In particular, net asset value includes any unrealized appreciation or depreciation on open commodity futures contracts, and any other credit or debit accruing to the Fund but unpaid or not received by the Fund. All open commodity futures contracts will be calculated at their then current market value, which will be based upon the settlement price for that particular commodity futures contract traded on the applicable exchange on the date with respect to which net asset value is being determined; provided, that if a commodity futures contract could not be liquidated on such day, due to the operation of daily limits or other rules of the exchange upon which that position is traded or otherwise, the Managing Owner may value such futures contract pursuant to policies the Managing Owner has adopted, which are consistent with normal industry standards. The Managing Owner may in its discretion (and only under circumstances, including, but not limited to, periods during which a settlement price of a futures contract is not available due to exchange limit orders or force majeure type events such as systems failure, natural or man-made disaster, act of God, armed conflict, act of terrorism, riot or labor disruption or any similar intervening circumstance) value any asset of the Fund pursuant to such other principles as the Managing Owner deems fair and equitable so long as such principles are consistent with normal industry standards. Interest earned on the Fund’s brokerage account is accrued monthly. The amount of any distribution is a liability of the Fund from the day when the distribution is declared until it is paid.

 

18


Table of Contents

Critical Accounting Policies

The Fund’s critical accounting policies are as follows:

Preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the application of appropriate accounting rules and guidance, as well as the use of estimates, and requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expense and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period of the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Fund’s application of these policies involve judgments and actual results may differ from the estimates used.

The Fund holds a significant portion of its assets in futures contracts and United States Treasury Obligations, both of which are recorded on a trade date basis and at fair value in the financial statements, with changes in fair value reported in the statement of income and expenses.

The use of fair value to measure financial instruments, with related unrealized gains or losses recognized in earnings in each period is fundamental to the Fund’s financial statements. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price).

In determining fair value of United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets. Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification fair value measurement and disclosure guidance requires a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. See Note 4(c) within the financial statements in Item 1 for further information.

When market closing prices are not available, the Managing Owner may value an asset of the Fund pursuant to policies the Managing Owner has adopted, which are consistent with normal industry standards.

Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized gain (loss) on open positions are determined on a specific identification basis and recognized in the statement of income and expenses in the period in which the contract is closed or the changes occur, respectively.

Interest income on United States Treasury Obligations is recognized on an accrual basis when earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the United States Treasury Obligations.

Market Risk

Trading in futures contracts involves the Fund entering into contractual commitments to purchase a particular commodity at a specified date and price. The market risk associated with the Fund’s commitments to purchase commodities is limited to the gross or face amount of the contracts held.

The Fund’s exposure to market risk is also influenced by a number of factors including the volatility of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, the liquidity of the markets in which the contracts are traded and the relationships among the contracts held. The inherent uncertainty of the Fund’s trading as well as the development of drastic market occurrences could ultimately lead to a loss of all or substantially all of the investors’ capital.

Credit Risk

When the Fund enters into futures contracts, the Fund is exposed to credit risk that the counterparty to the contract will not meet its obligations. The counterparty for futures contracts traded on United States and on most foreign futures exchanges is the clearing house associated with the particular exchange. In general, clearing houses are backed by their corporate members who may be required to share in the financial burden resulting from the nonperformance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases where the clearing house is not backed by the clearing members (i.e., some foreign exchanges), it may be backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions. There can be no assurance that any counterparty, clearing member or clearinghouse will meet its obligations to the Fund.

The Commodity Broker, when acting as the Fund’s futures commission merchant in accepting orders for the purchase or sale of domestic futures contracts, is required by CFTC regulations to separately account for and segregate as belonging to the Fund all assets of the Fund relating to domestic futures trading and the Commodity Broker is not allowed to commingle such assets with other assets of the Commodity Broker. In addition, CFTC regulations also require the Commodity Broker to hold in a secure account assets of the Fund related to foreign futures trading.

 

19


Table of Contents

Liquidity

All of the Fund’s source of capital is derived from the Fund’s offering of Shares to Authorized Participants. The Fund in turn allocates its net assets to commodities trading. A significant portion of the net asset value is held in United States Treasury Obligations and cash, which is used as margin for the Fund’s trading in commodities. The percentage that United States Treasury Obligations bear to the total net assets will vary from period to period as the market values of the Fund’s commodity interests change. The balance of the net assets is held in the Fund’s commodity trading account. Interest earned on the Fund’s interest-bearing funds is paid to the Fund.

The Fund’s commodity contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations or for other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges generally have the ability to limit fluctuations in certain commodity futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a particular futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity futures contract can neither be taken nor liquidated unless the traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Commodity futures prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Fund from promptly liquidating its commodity futures positions.

Because the Fund trades futures contracts, its capital is at risk due to changes in the value of futures contracts (market risk) or the inability of counterparties (including exchange clearinghouses) to perform under the terms of the contracts (credit risk).

Authorized Participants may also redeem their Baskets of Shares. On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Managing Owner to redeem one or more Baskets. Redemption orders must be placed by 10:00 a.m., Eastern Standard Time. The day on which the Managing Owner receives a valid redemption order is the redemption order date. Redemption orders are irrevocable. The redemption procedures allow only Authorized Participants to redeem Baskets. Individual Shareholders may not redeem directly from the Fund. By placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system to the Fund no later than noon, Eastern Standard Time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date. By placing a redemption order, and prior to receipt of the redemption proceeds, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order.

Cash Flows

The primary cash flow activity of the Fund is to raise capital from Authorized Participants through the issuance of Shares. This cash is used to invest in United States Treasury Obligations and to meet margin requirements as a result of the positions taken in futures contracts to match the fluctuations of the Index the Fund is tracking.

Operating Activities

Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities was $(21.5) million and $21.2 million for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This amount primarily includes net purchases and sales of United States Treasury Obligations which are held at fair value on the statement of financial condition.

During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013, $298.9 million was paid to purchase United States Treasury Obligations and $278.5 million was received from sales and maturing contracts. During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, $409.5 million was paid to purchase United States Treasury Obligations and $437.5 million was received from sales and maturing contracts. Unrealized appreciation on United States Treasury Obligations and futures decreased by $14.5 and increased $52.8 million during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Financing Activities

The Fund’s net cash flow used for financing activities was $36.4 million and $79.4 million during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. This included $32.1 million from the sale of Shares to Authorized Participants during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013. There were no sales of Shares to Authorized Participants during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012.

 

20


Table of Contents

Results of Operations

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

The Fund was launched on January 3, 2007 at $25.00 per Share. The Shares of the Fund traded on the NYSE Alternext from January 5, 2007 to November 25, 2008 and have been trading on the NYSE Arca since November 25, 2008.

The Fund seeks to track changes in the closing levels of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index Excess Return™ (“DBIQ-OY Precious Metals ER™”, or the “Index”), over time, plus the excess, if any, of the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund. The following graphs illustrate changes in (i) the price of the Shares (as reflected by the graph “DBP”), (ii) the Fund’s NAV (as reflected by the graph “DBPNV”), and (iii) the closing levels of the Index (as reflected by the graph “DBPMIX”). Whenever the interest income earned by the Fund exceeds Fund expenses, the price of the Shares generally has exceeded the levels of the Index primarily because the Share price reflects interest income from the Fund’s collateral holdings whereas the Index does not consider such interest income. There can be no assurances that the price of the Shares will exceed the Index levels.

The Index is a set of rules applied to a body of data and does not represent the results of actual investment or trading. The Index is frictionless, in that it does not take into account fees or expenses associated with investing in the Fund. Also, because it does not represent actual futures positions, the Index is not subject to, and does not take into account the impact of, speculative position limits or certain other similar limitations on the ability of the Fund to trade the Index Commodities. The “TR” version of the Index includes an assumed amount of interest income based on prevailing rates that is adjusted from time to time. The Fund, by contrast, invests actual money and trades actual futures contracts. As a result, the performance of the Fund involves friction, in that fees and expenses impose a drag on performance. The Fund may be subject to speculative position limits and certain other limitations on its ability to trade the Index Commodities, which may compel the Fund to trade futures or other instruments that are not Index Commodities as proxies for the Index Commodities. The interest rate actually earned by the Fund over any period may differ from the assumed amount of interest income factored into the “TR” version of the Index over the same period. All of these factors can contribute to discrepancies between changes in net asset value per Share and changes in the level of the Index over any period of time. Fees and expenses always will tend to cause changes in the net asset value per Share to underperform changes in the value of the Index over any given period, all other things being equal. Actual interest income could be higher or lower than the assumed interest income factored into the “TR” version of the Index, and therefore could cause changes in the net asset value per Share to outperform or underperform changes in the value of the “TR” version of the Index over any given period, all other things being equal. Similarly, trading futures or other instruments that are not the Index Commodities as proxies for the Index Commodities could cause changes in the net asset value per Share to outperform or underperform changes in the value of the Index over any given period, all other things being equal.

[Remainder of page left blank intentionally.]

 

21


Table of Contents

COMPARISON OF DBP, DBPNV AND DBPMIX FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED

MARCH 31, 2013 AND 2012

 

LOGO

NEITHER THE PAST PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND NOR THE PRIOR INDEX LEVELS AND CHANGES, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, SHOULD BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATION OF THE FUND’S FUTURE PERFORMANCE.

 

LOGO

NEITHER THE PAST PERFORMANCE OF THE FUND NOR THE PRIOR INDEX LEVELS AND CHANGES, POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE, SHOULD BE TAKEN AS AN INDICATION OF THE FUND’S FUTURE PERFORMANCE.

See Additional Legends below.

 

22


Table of Contents

Additional Legends

DBIQ Optimum Yield Precious Metals Index Excess Return™ is an index and does not reflect (i) actual trading and (ii) any fees or expenses.

WHILE THE FUND’S OBJECTIVE IS NOT TO GENERATE PROFIT THROUGH ACTIVE PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, BUT IS TO TRACK THE INDEX, BECAUSE THE INDEX WAS ESTABLISHED IN JULY 2006 (RENAMED OCTOBER 2010), CERTAIN INFORMATION RELATING TO THE INDEX CLOSING LEVELS MAY BE CONSIDERED TO BE “HYPOTHETICAL.” HYPOTHETICAL INFORMATION MAY HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. WITH RESPECT TO INDEX DATA, NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT THE INDEX WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE ANNUAL OR CUMULATIVE CLOSING LEVELS CONSISTENT WITH OR SIMILAR TO THOSE SET FORTH HEREIN. SIMILARLY, NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT THE FUND WILL GENERATE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THE FUND’S PAST PERFORMANCE OR THE HISTORICAL ANNUAL OR CUMULATIVE CHANGES IN THE INDEX CLOSING LEVELS. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HYPOTHETICAL RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS SUBSEQUENTLY ACHIEVED BY INVESTMENT METHODOLOGIES, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE.

WITH RESPECT TO INDEX DATA, ONE OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL INFORMATION IS THAT IT IS GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. TO THE EXTENT THAT INFORMATION PRESENTED HEREIN RELATES TO THE PERIOD DECEMBER 1988 THROUGH JUNE 2006, THE INDEX CLOSING LEVELS REFLECT THE APPLICATION OF THE INDEX’S METHODOLOGY, AND SELECTION OF INDEX COMMODITIES, IN HINDSIGHT.

NO HYPOTHETICAL RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING. FOR EXAMPLE, THERE ARE NUMEROUS FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE DESCRIBED UNDER ITEM 1A: “RISK FACTORS” SET FORTH IN THE FUND’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, RELATED TO THE COMMODITIES MARKETS IN GENERAL OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FUND’S EFFORTS TO TRACK THE INDEX OVER TIME WHICH CANNOT BE, AND HAVE NOT BEEN, ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF THE INDEX INFORMATION SET FORTH ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES, ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS FOR THE FUND. FURTHERMORE, THE INDEX INFORMATION DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK OR ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT OF FEES AND COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUND.

THE MANAGING OWNER, AN INDIRECT WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF DEUTSCHE BANK AG, COMMENCED OPERATIONS IN JANUARY 2006. AS MANAGING OWNER, THE MANAGING OWNER AND ITS TRADING PRINCIPALS HAVE BEEN MANAGING THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS FOR THE FUND AND RELATED PRODUCTS AND MANAGING FUTURES ACCOUNTS. BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS TO COMPARE TO THE INDEX CLOSING LEVELS SET FORTH HEREIN, PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD BE PARTICULARLY WARY OF PLACING UNDUE RELIANCE ON THE ANNUAL OR CUMULATIVE INDEX RESULTS.

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

Fund Share Price Performance

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013, the NYSE Arca market value of each Share decreased 5.50% from $57.09 per Share to $53.95 per Share. The Share price high and low for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and related change from the Share price on December 31, 2012 was as follows: Shares traded from a high of $58.18 per Share (+1.91%) on January 22, 2013 to a low of $53.20 per Share (-6.81%) on February 20, 2013.

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, the NYSE Arca market value of each Share increased 8.26% from $53.88 per Share to $58.33 per Share. The Share price low and high for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and related change from the Share price on December 31, 2011 was as follows: Shares traded from a low of $55.59 per Share (+3.17%) on January 9, 2012 to a high of $63.42 per Share (+17.71%) on February 28, 2012.

 

23


Table of Contents

Fund Share Net Asset Performance

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013, the net asset value of each Share decreased 5.52% from $57.10 per Share to $53.95 per Share. Falling prices of gold and silver futures contracts during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 contributed to an overall 5.25% decrease in the level of the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™.

Net loss for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 was $15.5 million, resulting from $0.1 million of interest income, net realized loss of $0.4 million, net change in unrealized loss of $14.6 million and operating expenses of $0.6 million.

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, the net asset value of each Share increased 8.03% from $54.07 per Share to $58.41 per Share. Rising prices of gold and silver futures contracts during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 contributing to an overall 8.19% increase in the level of the DBIQ-OY Precious Metals TR™.

Net income for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 was $35.0 million, resulting from $0.1 million of interest income, net realized loss of $17.0 million, net change in unrealized gain of $52.8 million and operating expenses of $0.9 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

In the normal course of its business, the Fund is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in a future obligation or loss. The financial instruments used by the Fund are commodity futures, whose values are based upon an underlying asset and generally represent future commitments which have a reasonable possibility to be settled in cash or through physical delivery. The financial instruments are traded on an exchange and are standardized contracts.

The Fund has not utilized, nor does it expect to utilize in the future, special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have no loan guarantee arrangements or off-balance sheet arrangements of any kind, other than agreements entered into in the normal course of business noted above, which may include indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers undertake in performing services which are in the best interests of the Fund. While the Fund’s exposure under such indemnification provisions cannot be estimated, these general business indemnifications are not expected to have a material impact on the Fund’s financial position.

The Fund’s contractual obligations are with the Managing Owner and the Commodity Broker. Management Fee payments made to the Managing Owner are calculated as a fixed percentage of the Fund’s net asset value. Commission payments to the Commodity Broker are on a contract-by-contract, or round-turn, basis. As such, the Managing Owner cannot anticipate the amount of payments that will be required under these arrangements for future periods as net asset values are not known until a future date. These agreements are effective for one-year terms, renewable automatically for additional one-year terms unless terminated. Additionally, these agreements may be terminated by either party for various reasons.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

INTRODUCTION

The Fund is designed to replicate positions in a commodity index. The market sensitive instruments held by it are subject to the risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to the Fund’s main line of business.

Market movements can produce frequent changes in the fair market value of the Fund’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash flow. The Fund’s market risk is primarily influenced by changes in the price of commodities.

Standard of Materiality

Materiality as used in this section, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the effects of margin, and any other multiplier features, as applicable, of the Fund’s market sensitive instruments.

QUANTIFYING THE FUND’S TRADING VALUE AT RISK

Quantitative Forward-Looking Statements

The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Fund’s market risk exposures contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). All quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor, except for statements of historical fact (such as the dollar amount of maintenance margin required for market risk sensitive instruments held at the end of the reporting period).

 

24


Table of Contents

Value at risk (VaR), is a statistical measure of the value of losses that would not be expected to be exceeded over a given time horizon and at a given probability level arising from movement of underlying risk factors. Loss is measured as a decline in the fair value of the portfolio as a result of changes in any of the material variables by which fair values are determined. VaR is measured over a specified holding period (1 day) and to a specified level of statistical confidence (99th percentile). However, the inherent uncertainty in the markets in which the Fund trades and the recurrence in the markets traded by the Fund of market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated VaR or the Fund’s experience to date (i.e., “risk of ruin”). In light of this, as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification included in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that the Fund’s losses in any market sector will be limited to VaR or by the Fund’s attempts to manage its market risk.

THE FUND’S TRADING VALUE AT RISK

The Fund calculates VaR using the actual historical market movements of the Fund’s total assets.

The following table indicates the trading VaR associated with the Fund’s total assets as of March 31, 2013.

 

Description

   Total Assets    Daily Volatility     VaR* (99
Percentile)
     Number of times
VaR Exceeded
 

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

   $302,304,908      1.05   $ 7,404,096         4   

The following table indicates the trading VaR associated with the Fund’s total assets as of December 31, 2012.

 

Description

   Total Assets    Daily Volatility     VaR* (99
Percentile)
     Number of times
VaR Exceeded
 

PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund

   $354,256,954      1.17   $ 9,670,362         0   

 

* The VaR represents the one day downside risk, under normal market conditions, with a 99% confidence level. It is calculated using historical market moves of the Fund’s total assets and uses a one year look-back.

NON-TRADING RISK

The Fund has non-trading market risk as a result of investing in short-term United States Treasury Obligations. The market risk represented by these investments is expected to be immaterial.

QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES REGARDING PRIMARY TRADING RISK EXPOSURES

The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Fund’s market risk exposures — except for those disclosures that are statements of historical fact — constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. The Fund’s primary market risk exposures are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation and many other factors could result in material losses as well as in material changes to the risk exposures of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s current market exposure will not change materially. Investors may lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Fund.

The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the Fund as of March 31, 2013 by Index Commodity:

Gold

The price of gold is volatile and is affected by numerous factors. Gold prices float freely in accordance with supply and demand. The price movement of gold may be influenced by a variety of factors, including announcements from central banks regarding reserve gold holdings, agreements among central banks, purchases and sales of gold by central banks, other governmental agencies that hold large supplies of gold, political uncertainties, economic concerns such as an increase or decrease in confidence in the global monetary system, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, interest rates and numerous other factors. Gold prices may also be affected by industry factors such as industrial and jewelry demand.

 

25


Table of Contents

Silver

The price of silver is volatile and is affected by numerous factors. The largest industrial users of silver (e.g., photographic, jewelry, and electronic industries) may influence its price. A change in economic conditions, such as a recession, can adversely affect industries which are dependent upon the use of silver. In turn, such a negative economic impact may decrease demand for silver, and, consequently, its price. Worldwide speculation and hedging activity by silver producers may also impact its price.

QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-TRADING RISK EXPOSURE

General

The Fund is unaware of any (i) anticipated known demands, commitments or capital expenditures; (ii) material trends, favorable or unfavorable, in its capital resources; or (iii) trends or uncertainties that will have a material effect on operations.

QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES REGARDING MEANS OF MANAGING RISK EXPOSURE

Under ordinary circumstances, the Managing Owner’s discretionary power is limited to determining whether the Fund will make a distribution. Under emergency or extraordinary circumstances, the Managing Owner’s discretionary powers increase, but remain circumscribed. These special circumstances, for example, include the unavailability of the Index or certain natural or man-made disasters. The Managing Owner does not apply risk management techniques. The Fund initiates positions only on the “long” side of the market and does not employ “stop-loss” techniques.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of the Managing Owner, including Martin Kremenstein, its Chief Executive Officer and Michael Gilligan, its Chief Financial Officer, the Fund carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, and, based upon that evaluation, Martin Kremenstein, the Chief Executive Officer and Michael Gilligan, the Chief Financial Officer of the Managing Owner, concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information the Fund is required to disclose in the reports that it files or submits with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management of the Managing Owner, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in the Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Fund’s last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

26


Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Not applicable.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There are no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed March 1, 2013.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

(a) There have been no unregistered sales of the Fund’s securities. No Fund securities are authorized for issuance by the Fund under equity compensation plans.

(b) Not Applicable.

(c) The following table summarizes the redemptions by Authorized Participants during the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012:

 

Period of Redemption

   Total Number of
Shares  Redeemed
     Average Price
Paid per  Share
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2013

     1,200,000       $ 57.12   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2012

     1,200,000       $ 57.18   

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information.

Disclosures Under Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (“ITRA”)

Our affiliate Deutsche Bank AG, has provided us the disclosure set forth below describing the ITRA-relevant affiliates of it and its affiliates for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. All references in the disclosure set forth below to “we,” “us” and “our” are to Deutsche Bank AG and its affiliates. None of the disclosed activities or transactions were conducted by the Registrant.

Disclosures Under Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012

Under Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012, which added Section 13(r) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, an issuer of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is are required to disclose in its periodic reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 certain of its activities and those of its affiliates relating to Iran and to other persons sanctioned by the U.S. under programs relating to terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction that occurred during the period covered by the report. Described below are a number of potentially disclosable activities of Deutsche Bank AG and its affiliates. Disclosure is generally required regardless of whether the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law.

Legacy Financing Arrangements. Despite having ceased entering into new business in or with Iran in 2007, we continue to be engaged as lender, sponsoring bank and/or facility agent in several long-term financing agreements relating to the construction or acquisition of plant or equipment for the petroleum and petrochemical industries, under which Iranian entities were the direct or indirect borrowers. Before 2007, as part of a number of banking consortia, we entered into a number of financing arrangements, six of which remained outstanding as of January 1, 2013, with the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), the National Petrochemical Company (NPC), Bank Melli Iran and their respective group entities as borrowers. The latest final maturity under these loan facilities is in 2019. These loan facilities are guaranteed by national export credit agencies representing two European national governments and one Asian national government. The obligations of the borrowers under these loan facilities are secured by assignments of

 

27


Table of Contents

receivables from oil and oil products exported by NIOC, NPC and/or their trading subsidiaries to buyers, mostly in Asia. These delivery obligations, however, are waived for 2013, due to the current sanctions environment. For some of these arrangements, we act as escrow agent, holding escrow accounts for the Iranian borrowers mentioned above or for the former borrower NIOC, into which receivables are in principle paid by the buyers of the oil and oil products. During the first quarter of 2013, however, no receivables were paid to the said escrow accounts. Such accounts are pledged in favor of the relevant banking consortium. We have no involvement in the contractual arrangements related to, or in the physical settlement of, the oil and oil product exports mentioned above. The Iranian entities in whose names the escrow accounts are held are not permitted to draw on these accounts, either because they are sanctioned parties or, where this is not the case, due to our business decision to freeze the accounts in light of the overall sanctions environment.

During the first quarter of 2013, € 5.67 million was paid into the escrow accounts, caused by a partial refund of the premium originally paid to the German export credit agency, due to the prepayment of the covered financing in 2012, and we, in our role as escrow agent, distributed to the participants in the banking consortia approximately € 4,200 including portions attributable to us totalling approximately € 400.

Without being either agent or arranger and in our role as mere lender participant we received approximately € 1.1 million of repayments in principal and approximately € 70,000 interest in the first quarter of 2013.

We generated revenues in the first quarter of 2013 of approximately € 1.1 million in respect of these financing arrangements, of which approximately € 1.0 million consisted of escrow account revenues, approximately € 40,000 consisted of loan interest revenues and approximately € 50,000 consisted of fee revenues. The net profits were less than these amounts.

Our portion of the remaining loan facilities amounted to approximately € 35 million as of March 31, 2013. We intend to continue pursuing repayment and fulfilling our administrative role under these agreements, but we do not intend to engage in any new extensions of credit to these or other Iranian entities.

As of March 31, 2013, we have an undrawn commitment under one of the financing agreements referred to above under which the NPC is borrower of approximately € 1.3 million. Due to the export credit agency coverage, this remainder cannot be cancelled without German government approval, for which we have applied but have not yet received. We do not intend to make further disbursements upon this undrawn commitment.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of ours, BHF-BANK AG, which we acquired as part of the acquisition of the Sal. Oppenheim Group in March 2010 and which we intend to sell pending regulatory approvals, was a lender participant in a number of similar arrangements, the borrowers of which were Bank Saderat, Bank Melli, Bank Sepah, Bank Tejarat and NPC. In that capacity, it received approximately € 0.4 million in repayments of principal and interest in the first quarter of 2013, part of which was paid by us to BHF-BANK in our capacity as agent or arranger, almost all of which it passed on to participants in such arrangements. In the first quarter of 2013, BHF-BANK’s gross revenues from this business were approximately € 23,000 and its net profits were less than this amount.

Legacy Contractual Obligations Related to Guarantees. Prior to 2007, we provided guarantees to a number of Iranian entities. In almost all of these cases, we issued counter-indemnities in support of guarantees issued by Iranian banks because the Iranian beneficiaries of the guarantees required that they be backed directly by Iranian banks. In 2007, we made a decision to refrain from issuing new guarantees to Iranian or Iran-related beneficiaries. Although these pre-existing guarantees stipulate that they must be either extended or honored if we receive such a demand and we are legally not able to terminate these guarantees, we decided in 2011 to reject any “extend or pay” demands under such guarantees. In 2012, we exited many of these guarantees, but a number are still outstanding, having an aggregate face amount of approximately € 8.5 million as of March 31, 2013. We paid approximately € 2,500 in cancellation fees in the first quarter of 2013 in respect of these guarantees into frozen accounts of the relevant Iranian banks at European financial institutions. The gross revenues from this business in the first quarter of 2013 were approximately € 16,000 and the net profit we derived from these activities was less than this amount.

We also have outstanding legacy guarantees in relation to a Syrian bank sanctioned by the U.S. under its non-proliferation programs. The aggregate face amount of these legacy guarantees was approximately € 9.0 million as of March 31, 2013, the gross revenues received from non-Syrian parties for these guarantees in the first quarter of 2013 were approximately € 20,000 and the net profit we derived from these activities was less than this amount. In one case we paid cancellation fees of € 385 to the frozen account of the Syrian bank.

BHF-BANK, based on similar legacy guarantees issued before 2012, paid commissions and charges in the first quarter of 2013 of approximately € 1,000 to accounts of relevant Iranian banks frozen under applicable EU law. BHF-BANK received in the first quarter of 2013 approximately € 35,000 in fees from the non-Iranian parties for which the guarantees were issued and their net profits were

 

28


Table of Contents

less than this amount. No new guarantees were issued relating to such business in the first quarter of 2013, nor were existing guarantees extended or paid. The aggregate face amount of these legacy guarantees was approximately € 22.5 million as of March 31, 2013.

BHF-BANK also has outstanding legacy guarantees in relation to a Syrian bank sanctioned by the U.S. under its non-proliferation programs. The aggregate face amount of these legacy guarantees was approximately € 0.5 million, the gross revenues received from non-Syrian parties for these guarantees were less than € 1,500 and the net profit derived from these activities was less than this amount.

We intend to exit these arrangements in the coming years as soon as possible.

Payments. We received one payment of less than € 13,000 in favor of a non-Iranian client in Germany, which payment was subsequently found to have stemmed from a relevant Iranian entity. Revenue for this incoming payment was less than € 250. In line with applicable law, we intend to continue to execute incoming payments such as this for our corporate or private clients.

Operations of Iranian Bank Branches and Subsidiaries in Germany and/or France. Several Iranian banks, including Bank Melli Iran, Bank Saderat, Bank Tejarat and Europäisch-Iranische Handelsbank, have branches or offices in Germany and/or France, even though their funds and other economic resources are frozen under European law. As part of the payment clearing system in Germany and other European countries, when these branches or offices need to make payments in Germany or Europe to cover their day-to-day operations such as rent, taxes, insurance premia and salaries for their remaining staff, or for any other kind of banking-related operations necessary to wind down their legacy trade business, the German Bundesbank and French Central Bank accept fund transfers from these Iranian banks and disburse them to the applicable (mainly German) payees, some of whom hold accounts with us. In the first quarter of 2013, we received approximately € 36 million in such disbursements in less than 400 transactions via the German and French Central Banks in respect of payments from the above-mentioned Iranian banks, and the net profits derived from these payments were negligible (less than one euro per transaction). Relevant transactions of our subsidiary Postbank are included in these figures. In general we intend to continue this business.

The German Bundesbank also accepts fund transfers in favor of the above-mentioned Iranian banks and freezes the relevant amounts under applicable law. By using this avenue, we on behalf of one of our clients transferred to one of the Iranian banks mentioned above one payment of € 13,300 (revenues were less than one euro). We do not seek to execute such payments.

At the request of the German Bundesbank, BHF-BANK maintains accounts for Bank Sepah’s Frankfurt branch, which accounts are frozen under European sanctions law. In the first quarter of 2013, the total volume of outgoing payments from these accounts was approximately € 3 million, which payments were made with the consent of the competent authorities in Germany under applicable law. In the first quarter of 2013, the gross revenues from this activity were approximately € 3,000 and the net profits were less than this amount.

Maintaining of Accounts for Iranian Consulates and Embassies. Iranian embassies and consulates in Germany and the Netherlands also hold accounts with us as well as with Postbank. This includes the provision by a subsidiary of Postbank to the Iranian Consulate of girocard (debit card/ATM) terminals as well as the processing of transactions of cardholders using those terminals; the terminals are used to facilitate the payment of fees for the issuance of visas and other administrative measures by the consulate. The accounts maintained exist to fund the day-to-day operational costs of the embassies and consulates, such as salaries, rent, and electricity. Additionally, Deutsche Bank Netherlands N.V. has a relationship with the Agent Bureau of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in The Hague (which is responsible for all Iran-U.S. Claims Tribunal activities). The total volume of outgoing payments from these accounts was approximately € 4.7 million in the first quarter of 2013, which payments were made with the consent of the competent authorities in the relevant European countries under applicable law. We derived gross revenues of approximately € 11,000 and net profits which were less than this amount from these activities. The relevant European governments have requested that we continue to provide these services in the future to enable the Government of Iran to conduct its diplomatic relations with various European countries and the United Nations. We intend to continue these activities.

Activities of Entities in Which We Have Interests. Section 13(r) requires us to provide the specified disclosure with respect to ourselves and our “affiliates,” as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2. Although we have minority equity interests in certain entities that could arguably result in these entities being deemed “affiliates,” we do not have the authority or the legal ability to acquire in every instance the information from these entities that would be necessary to determine whether they are engaged in any disclosable activities under Section 13(r). In some cases, legally independent entities are not permitted to disclose the details of their activities to us because of German privacy and data protection laws or the applicable banking laws and regulations. In such cases, voluntary disclosure of such details could violate such legal and/or regulatory requirements and subject the relevant entities to criminal prosecution or regulatory investigations.

 

29


Table of Contents
Item 6. Exhibits.

 

  31.1    Certification required under Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 (filed herewith)
  31.2    Certification required under Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 (filed herewith)
  32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
  32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith)
101    Interactive data file pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Statements of Financial Condition - March 31, 2013 (unaudited) and December 31, 2012, (ii) the Unaudited Schedule of Investments of - March 31, 2013, (iii) the Schedule of Investments– December 31, 2012, (iv) the Unaudited Statements of Income and Expenses - Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, (v) the Unaudited Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity – Three Months Ended March 31, 2013, (vi) the Unaudited Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity– Three Months Ended March 31, 2012, (vii) the Unaudited Statement of Cash Flows– Three Months Ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, (viii) Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

 

30


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust with respect to PowerShares DB Precious Metals Fund
By:  

DB Commodity Services LLC,

its Managing Owner

 

By:   /S/    MARTIN KREMENSTEIN        
Name: Title:  

Martin Kremenstein

Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: May 3, 2013             By:   /S/    MICHAEL GILLIGAN        
            Name: Title:  

Michael Gilligan

Chief Financial Officer

 

31