cik0001137360-20220930


						PROSPECTUS
						February 1, 2023

Biotech ETF BBH

Digital Transformation ETF DAPP

Energy Income ETF EINC

Environmental Services ETF EVX

Gaming ETF BJK

Pharmaceutical ETF PPH

Retail ETF RTH

Semiconductor ETF SMH

Video Gaming and eSports ETF ESPO


Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for EVX and EINC: NYSE Arca, Inc.
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange for BBH, DAPP, BJK, PPH, RTH, SMH and ESPO:
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

800.826.2333 vaneck.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Summary Information

VanEck Biotech ETF (BBH)

VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (DAPP)

VanEck Energy Income ETF (EINC)

VanEck Environmental Services ETF (EVX)

VanEck Gaming ETF (BJK)

VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (PPH)

VanEck Retail ETF (RTH)

VanEck Semiconductor ETF (SMH)

VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO)

Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Taxes and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries

Additional Information About the Funds’ Investment Strategies and Risks

Tax Advantaged Product Structure

102

Portfolio Holdings

103

Management of the Funds

103

Portfolio Manager

105

Shareholder Information

105

Index Providers

109

MVIS® US Listed Biotech 25 Index

110

MVIS® Global Digital Assets Equity Index

111

MVIS® North America Energy Infrastructure Index

112

NYSE® Arca Environmental Services Index

113

MVIS® Global Gaming Index

114

MVIS® US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index

115

MVIS® US Listed Retail 25 Index

116

MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index

117

MVIS® Global Video Gaming & eSports Index

118

License Agreements and Disclaimers

119

Financial Highlights

121

Premium/Discount Information

130

General Information

130


VANECK® BIOTECH ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Biotech ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® US Listed Biotech 25 Index (the “Biotech Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES

The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.35	%
Other Expenses(a)	0.00	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.35	%

(a) Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) will pay all expenses of the Fund, except for the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser has agreed to pay the offering costs until at least February 1, 2024.

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

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

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



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$36
			3			$113
			5			$197
			10			$443

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, may affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 24% of the average value of its portfolio.

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. The Biotech Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies in the biotechnology industry. Such companies may include medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange. To be initially eligible for the Biotech Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from biotechnology. Biotechnology includes companies engaged primarily in research (including research contractors) and development as well as production, marketing and sales of drugs based on genetic analysis and diagnostic equipment (excluding pharmacies). Of the largest 50 stocks in the biotechnology industry by full market capitalization, the top 25 by free-float market capitalization (i.e., includes only shares that are readily available for trading in the market) and three month average daily trading volume are included in the Biotech Index. As of December 31, 2022, the Biotech Index included 25 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between


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approximately $2.7 billion and $140.1 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $53.7 billion. These amounts are subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Biotech Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Biotech Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Biotech Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Biotech Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Biotech Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, each of the biotechnology and life sciences tools & services industries represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Investors in the Fund should be willing to accept a high degree of volatility in the price of the Fund’s Shares and the possibility of significant losses. An investment in the Fund involves a substantial degree of risk. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. Therefore, you should consider carefully the following risks before investing in the Fund, each of which could significantly and adversely affect the value of an investment in the Fund.

Biotechnology Industry Risk. The success of biotechnology companies is highly dependent on the development, procurement and/or marketing of drugs. The values of biotechnology companies are also dependent on the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights and other proprietary information, and the profitability of biotechnology companies may be affected significantly by such things as the expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights. The research and development and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs, products or technologies and the related intellectual property rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable and may not necessarily lead to commercially successful products. In addition, the potential for an increased amount of required disclosure or proprietary scientific information could negatively impact the competitive position of these companies. Governmental regulation may delay or inhibit the release of new products. The process for obtaining regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and there can be no assurance that the necessary approvals will be obtained or maintained. Companies in the biotechnology industry may also be subject to expenses and losses from expensive insurance costs due to the risk of product liability lawsuits, and extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims. Companies in the biotechnology industry may be adversely affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. Health care providers, principally hospitals, that transact with companies in the biotechnology industry often rely on third-party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations to reimburse all or a portion of the cost of health care related products or services.

Life Sciences Tools and Services Industry Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to, and its performance may depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the life sciences tools and services industry. The profitability of life sciences tools and services companies may be adversely affected by the loss or impairment of patent or intellectual property rights, the advent of new technologies or competitors, large expenditures on research and development of products or services that may not prove commercially successful or may become obsolete quickly, and the imposition of regulations and restrictions by the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, state and local governments, and foreign regulatory authorities. In addition, stock prices of these companies are at times extremely volatile, particularly when their products are subject to regulatory approval and/or under regulatory scrutiny. Life sciences tools and services companies may also be particularly affected by risks that affect the broader health care sector, including heavy dependence on patent protection, competition that may make it difficult to raise prices or may result in price discounts, and thin capitalization and limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. Companies that make medical equipment and supplies may be subject to extensive litigation based on product liability claims. Meanwhile, healthcare providers and services companies are particularly subject to the risks of restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, rising costs of medical products, and public health conditions.


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Depositary Receipts Risk. The Fund may invest in depositary receipts (including American Depositary Receipts), which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. Depositary receipts are receipts listed on U.S. or foreign exchanges issued by banks or trust companies that entitle the holder to all dividends and capital gains that are paid out on the underlying foreign shares. The issuers of certain depositary receipts are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. The issuers of depositary receipts may discontinue issuing new depositary receipts and withdraw existing depositary receipts at any time, which may result in costs and delays in the distribution of the underlying assets to the Fund and may negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk. Medium-capitalization companies may be more volatile and more likely than large-capitalization companies to have narrower product lines, fewer financial resources, less management depth and experience and less competitive strength. In addition, these companies often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume and less liquidity than larger more established companies. Returns on investments in securities of medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of large-capitalization companies.

Issuer-Specific Changes Risk. The value of individual securities in the Fund’s portfolio can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole, which may have a greater impact if the Fund’s portfolio is concentrated in a country, region, market, industry, sector or asset class. A change in the financial condition, market perception or the credit rating of an issuer of securities included in the Fund’s Index may cause the value of its securities to decline.

Market Risk. The prices of securities are subject to the risks associated with investing in the securities market, including general economic conditions, sudden and unpredictable drops in value, exchange trading suspensions and closures and public health risks. These risks may be magnified if certain social, political, economic and other conditions and events (such as natural disasters, epidemics and pandemics, terrorism, conflicts and social unrest) adversely interrupt the global economy; in these and other circumstances, such events or developments might affect companies world-wide. Overall securities values could decline generally or underperform other investments. An investment may lose money.

Operational Risk. The Fund is exposed to operational risk arising from a number of factors, including human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or system failures.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses, including taxes, not applicable to the Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities and entering into derivatives transactions (if applicable), especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Index or (to the extent the Fund effects creations and redemptions in cash) raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease the Fund’s net asset value to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by an Authorized Participant.

Market disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track the Index. Errors in the Index data, the Index computations and/or the construction of the Index in accordance with its methodology may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index provider, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund and its shareholders. Shareholders should understand that any gains from the Index provider’s or others’ errors will be kept by the Fund and its shareholders and any losses or costs resulting from the Index provider’s or others’ errors will be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. Additionally, when the Index is rebalanced and the Fund in turn rebalances its portfolio to attempt to increase the correlation between the Fund’s portfolio and the Index, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio rebalancing will be borne directly by the Fund and its shareholders. Apart from scheduled rebalances, the Index provider or its agents may carry out additional ad hoc rebalances to the Index. Therefore, errors and additional ad hoc rebalances carried out by the Index provider or its agents to the Index may increase the costs to and the tracking error risk of the Fund.

The Fund may not be fully invested at times either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to pay expenses or to meet redemptions. In addition, the Fund may not invest in certain securities included in the Index, or invest in them in the exact proportions in which they are represented in the Index. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the return of the Index for various reasons, including legal restrictions or limitations imposed by the governments of certain countries, certain exchange listing standards, a lack of liquidity in markets in which such securities trade, potential adverse tax consequences or other regulatory reasons (such as diversification requirements). To the extent the Fund utilizes depositary receipts, the purchase of depositary receipts may negatively affect the Fund’s ability to track the performance of the Index and increase tracking error, which may be exacerbated if the issuer of the depositary receipt discontinues issuing new depositary receipts or withdraws existing depositary receipts.


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adversely affected. In addition, any issues the Fund encounters with regard to currency convertibility (including the cost of borrowing funds, if any), repatriation or economic sanctions may also increase the index tracking risk. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the performance of the Index due to the impact of withholding taxes, late announcements relating to changes to the Index and high turnover of the Index. When markets are volatile, the ability to sell securities at fair value prices may be adversely impacted and may result in additional trading costs and/or increase the index tracking risk. The Fund may also need to rely on borrowings to meet redemptions, which may lead to increased expenses. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities, and such sale may cause the Fund to realize a loss and deviate from the performance of the Index. In light of the factors discussed above, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Index. Changes to the composition of the Index in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index may cause the Fund to experience increased volatility, during which time the Fund’s index tracking risk may be heightened.

Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. The Fund may have a limited number of Authorized Participants, none of which are obligated to engage in creation and/or redemption transactions. To the extent that those Authorized Participants exit the business, or do not process creation and/or redemption orders, there may be a significantly diminished trading market for Shares or Shares may trade like closed-end funds at a discount (or premium) to net asset value and possibly face trading halts and/or de-listing. This can be reflected as a spread between the bid-ask prices for the Fund. The Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened in cases where Authorized Participants have limited or diminished access to the capital required to post collateral.

No Guarantee of Active Trading Market Risk. There can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Shares will develop or be maintained, as applicable. Further, secondary markets may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods in times of market stress because market makers and Authorized Participants may step away from making a market in the Shares and in executing creation and redemption orders, which could cause a material deviation in the Fund’s market price from its net asset value.

Trading Issues Risk. Trading in shares on the exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in shares on the exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the relevant exchange’s “circuit breaker” rules. If a trading halt or unanticipated early close of the exchange occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell Shares of the Fund. There can be no assurance that requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

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

Fund Shares Trading, Premium/Discount Risk and Liquidity of Fund Shares. The market price of the Shares may fluctuate in response to the Fund’s net asset value, the intraday value of the Fund’s holdings and supply and demand for Shares. Shares may trade above, below, or at their most recent net asset value. Factors including disruptions to creations and redemptions, the existence of market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares (including through a trading halt), may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to net asset value or to the intraday value of the Fund’s holdings. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value, the shareholder may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Shares. The securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the exchange on which the Shares are traded. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid/ask spreads on the exchange and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares’ net asset value may widen. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s Shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings and a shareholder may be unable to sell his or her Shares.


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losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s net asset value and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds. The Fund may be particularly vulnerable to this risk if its Index is comprised of securities of a limited number of companies.

Industry Concentration Risk. The Fund’s assets are concentrated in an industry or group of industries. As such, the Fund will be subject to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on such groups of industries may negatively impact the Fund to a greater extent than if the Fund’s assets were invested in a wider variety of groups of industries.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart that follows shows how the Fund performed for the calendar years shown. The table below the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual returns (before and after taxes). The bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by comparing the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the one year, five year, ten year and/or since inception periods, as applicable, compared with the Fund’s benchmark index and a broad measure of market performance. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.vaneck.com.

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	27.58%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-18.19%	1Q 2016

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022

The after-tax returns presented in the table below are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your specific tax situation and may differ from those shown below. After-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold Shares of the Fund through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Biotech ETF (return before taxes)	-15.11%	5.51%	11.91%
VanEck Biotech ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-15.20%	5.42%	11.83%
VanEck Biotech ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-8.88%	4.30%	9.95%
MVIS® US Listed Biotech 25 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	-15.03%	5.68%	12.08%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.


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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

December 2011

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

For important information about the purchase and sale of Fund Shares, tax information and payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries, please turn to the “Summary Information About Purchases and Sales of Fund Shares, Taxes and Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries” section of this Prospectus.


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VANECK® DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Digital Transformation ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to track as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® Global Digital Assets Equity Index (the “Digital Transformation Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.50	%
Other Expenses(a)	0.00	%


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.50	%

(a)Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) will pay all expenses of the Fund, except for the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser has agreed to pay the offering costs until at least February 1, 2024.

EXPENSE EXAMPLE



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$51
			3			$160
			5			$280
			10			$628

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities of Digital Transformation Companies. The Digital Transformation Index is a global index that tracks the performance of Digital Transformation Companies. “Digital Transformation Companies” are companies (i) that operate digital asset exchanges, operate payment gateways (i.e., a merchant service that authorizes direct payments processing for businesses), engage in and/or assist with the digital asset mining operations, provide software services, equipment and technology or services to digital asset operations, operate digital asset infrastructure businesses, or facilitate commerce with the use of digital assets (these items are collectively referred to herein as “digital asset projects”) and/or (ii) that own a material amount of digital assets or otherwise generate revenues related to digital asset projects.


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The Fund will not invest in digital assets (including cryptocurrencies) (i) directly or (ii) indirectly through the use of digital asset derivatives. The Fund also will not invest in initial coin offerings. Therefore the Fund is not expected to track the price movement of any digital asset. The Fund may, however, have indirect exposure to digital assets by virtue of its investments in Digital Transformation Companies that use one or more digital assets as part of their business activities or that hold digital assets as proprietary investments.

To be initially eligible for inclusion in the Digital Transformation Index, a company must (i) generate at least 50% of its revenues from digital asset projects; (ii) generate at least 50% of its revenues from projects that, when developed, have the potential to generate at least 50% of their revenues from digital assets or digital asset projects; and/or (iii) have at least 50% of its assets invested in direct digital asset holdings or digital asset projects. Companies that are current components of the Digital Transformation Index must generate at least 25% of their revenues from digital assets projects and/or have at least 25% of their assets invested in direct digital asset holdings or digital asset projects in order to remain in the Digital Transformation Index. The Digital Transformation Index currently includes a minimum of 20 Digital Transformation Index components.

“Digital assets” are assets issued and transferred using distributed ledger or blockchain technology. As used herein, “digital assets” refers to all digital assets, including both digital asset securities (i.e., digital assets that are securities under U.S. securities laws) and cryptocurrencies. Many digital assets and, consequently, many Digital Transformation Companies, rely on “blockchain” technologies. A “blockchain” is a peer-to-peer shared, distributed ledger that facilitates the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network. A blockchain stores transaction data in “blocks” that are linked together to form a “chain.” As the number of transactions grow, so does the blockchain. Blocks record and confirm the time and sequence of transactions, which are then logged into the blockchain, within a discrete network governed by rules agreed on by the network participants. Although initially associated with digital commodities, it can be used to track tangible, intangible and digital assets and companies in all business sectors.

Digital Transformation Companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies and foreign and emerging market issuers, and the Fund may invest in depositary receipts and securities denominated in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2022, the Digital Transformation Index included 20 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $49.4 million and $33.7 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $3.9 billion. These amounts are subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Digital Transformation Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Digital Transformation Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to track the Digital Transformation Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Digital Transformation Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, each of the information technology and financials sectors represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND


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disruption of Internet connectivity affecting large numbers of users or geographic areas could impede the functionality of digital asset technologies and adversely affect companies included in the Index. Digital Transformation Companies may be subject to the risks posed by conflicting intellectual property claims, which may reduce confidence in the viability of a digital asset. There may be risks posed by the lack of regulation for digital assets and any future regulatory developments could affect the viability and expansion of the use of digital assets. Because digital asset platforms may operate across many national boundaries and regulatory jurisdictions, it is possible that digital asset platforms may be subject to widespread and inconsistent regulation. Digital asset systems built using third party products may be subject to technical defects or vulnerabilities beyond a company’s control. Because many digital assets do not have a standardized exchange, like a stock market, there is less liquidity for such assets and greater possibility of volatility, fraud or manipulation.

Certain of the Fund’s investments, including investments in companies that hold material amounts of digital assets, may be subject to the risks associated with investing in digital assets, including cryptocurrencies and crypto tokens. Such companies may be subject to the risk that: the technology that facilitates the transfer of a digital asset could fail; the decentralized, open source protocol of the applicable blockchain network could be affected by internet connectivity disruptions, fraud, consensus failures or cybersecurity attacks; such network may not be adequately maintained by its participants; because digital assets are a new technological innovation with a limited history, they are highly speculative assets and may experience extreme price volatility; future regulatory actions or policies may limit the ability to sell, exchange or use a digital asset; the price of a digital asset may be impacted by the transactions of a small number of holders of such digital asset; and that a digital asset will decline in popularity, acceptance or use, thereby impairing its price.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in European Issuers. Investments in securities of European issuers involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. The Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union requires member countries to comply with restrictions on inflation rates, deficits, interest rates, debt levels and fiscal and monetary controls, each of which may significantly affect every country in Europe. Decreasing imports or exports, changes in governmental or European Union regulations on trade, changes in the exchange rate of the euro, the default or threat of default by a European Union member country on its sovereign debt, and/or an economic recession in an European Union member country may have a significant adverse effect on the economies of other European Union countries and on major trading partners outside Europe. If any member country exits the Economic and Monetary Union, the departing country would face the risks of currency devaluation and its trading partners and banks and others around the world that hold the departing country’s debt would face the risk of significant losses. The European financial markets have previously experienced, and may continue to experience, volatility and have been adversely affected, and may in the future be affected, by concerns about economic downturns, credit rating downgrades, rising government debt levels and possible default on or restructuring of government debt in several European countries. These events have adversely affected, and may in the future affect, the value and exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including European Union member countries that do not use the euro and non-European Union member countries. In a referendum held on June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, creating economic and political uncertainty in its wake. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union and the United Kingdom entered a transition period which ended on December 31, 2020. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, following the transition period, there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition framework.

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


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continuing consolidations, development of new products and structures and changes to its regulatory framework. Furthermore, some companies in the financials sector perceived as benefiting from government intervention in the past may be subject to future government-imposed restrictions on their businesses or face increased government involvement in their operations. Increased government involvement in the financials sector, including measures such as taking ownership positions in financial institutions, could result in a dilution of the Fund’s investments in financial institutions.

Information Technology Sector Risk. Information technology companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which may have an adverse effect on profit margins. Information technology companies may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources or personnel. The products of information technology companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction, unpredictable changes in growth rates and competition for the services of qualified personnel. Companies in the information technology sector are heavily dependent on patent protection and the expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies.

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in the securities of foreign issuers involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities. These additional risks include greater market volatility, the availability of less reliable financial information, higher transactional and custody costs, taxation by foreign governments, decreased market liquidity and political instability. Because certain foreign securities markets may be limited in size, the activity of large traders may have an undue influence on the prices of securities that trade in such markets. The Fund invests in securities of issuers located in countries whose economies are heavily dependent upon trading with key partners. Any reduction in this trading may have an adverse impact on the Fund’s investments.

Emerging Market Issuers Risk. Investments in securities of emerging market issuers involve risks not typically associated with investments in securities of issuers in more developed countries that may negatively affect the value of your investment in the Fund. Such heightened risks may include, among others, expropriation and/or nationalization of assets, restrictions on and government intervention in international trade, confiscatory taxation, political instability, including authoritarian and/or military involvement in governmental decision making, armed conflict, the impact on the economy as a result of civil war, crime (including drug violence) and social instability as a result of religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. Issuers in certain emerging market countries are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable. Emerging markets are also more likely than developed markets to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades, as well as the holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories. Low trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets may make trades harder to complete and settle, and governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that may not be subject to independent evaluation. Local agents are held only to the standards of care of their local markets. In general, the less developed a country’s securities markets are, the greater the likelihood of custody problems. The Adviser may be limited in its ability to assess the Index provider’s due diligence process over Index data prior to its use in Index computation, construction and/or rebalancing. Additionally, each of the factors described below could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of the Fund.

Securities Markets. Securities markets in emerging market countries are underdeveloped and are often considered to be less correlated to global economic cycles than those markets located in more developed countries. Securities markets in emerging market countries are subject to greater risks associated with market volatility, lower market capitalization, lower trading volume, illiquidity, inflation, greater price fluctuations, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets, governmental control and heavy regulation of labor and industry. These factors, coupled with restrictions on foreign investment and other factors, limit the supply of securities available for investment by the Fund. This will affect the rate at which the Fund is able to invest in emerging market countries, the purchase and sale prices for such securities and the timing of purchases and sales. Emerging markets can experience high rates of inflation, deflation and currency devaluation. The prices of certain securities listed on securities markets in emerging market countries have been subject to sharp fluctuations and sudden declines, and no assurance can be given as to the future performance of listed securities in general. Volatility of prices may be greater than in more developed securities markets. Moreover, securities markets in emerging market countries may be closed for extended periods of time or trading on securities markets may be suspended altogether due to political or civil unrest. Market volatility may also be heightened by the actions of a small number of investors. Brokerage firms in emerging market countries may be fewer in number and less established than brokerage firms in more developed markets. Since the Fund may need to effect securities transactions through these brokerage firms, the Fund is subject to the risk that these brokerage firms will not be able to fulfill their obligations to the Fund. This risk is magnified to the extent the Fund effects securities transactions through a single brokerage firm or a small number of brokerage firms. In addition, the infrastructure for the safe custody of securities and for purchasing and selling securities, settling trades, collecting dividends, initiating corporate actions, and following corporate activity is not as well developed in emerging market countries as is the case in certain more developed markets.

Political and Economic Risk. Certain emerging market countries have historically been subject to political instability and their prospects are tied to the continuation of economic and political liberalization in the region. Instability may result from factors such as government or military intervention in decision making, terrorism, civil unrest, extremism or hostilities between neighboring countries. Any of these factors, including an outbreak of hostilities could negatively impact the Fund’s


10

returns. Limited political and democratic freedoms in emerging market countries might cause significant social unrest. These factors may have a significant adverse effect on an emerging market country’s economy.

Many emerging market countries may be heavily dependent upon international trade and, consequently, may continue to be negatively affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which it trades. They also have been, and may continue to be, adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade.

In addition, commodities (such as oil, gas and minerals) represent a significant percentage of certain emerging market countries’ exports and these economies are particularly sensitive to fluctuations in commodity prices. Adverse economic events in one country may have a significant adverse effect on other countries of this region. In addition, most emerging market countries have experienced, at one time or another, severe and persistent levels of inflation, including, in some cases, hyperinflation. This has, in turn, led to high interest rates, extreme measures by governments to keep inflation in check, and a generally debilitating effect on economic growth.

Although inflation in many countries has lessened, there is no guarantee it will remain at lower levels. The political history of certain emerging market countries has been characterized by political uncertainty, intervention by the military in civilian and economic spheres, and political corruption. Such events could reverse favorable trends toward market and economic reform, privatization, and removal of trade barriers, and result in significant disruption in securities markets in the region.

Also, from time to time, certain issuers located in emerging market countries in which the Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer which operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. The Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks.

The economies of one or more countries in which the Fund may invest may be in various states of transition from a planned economy to a more market oriented economy. The economies of such countries differ from the economies of most developed countries in many respects, including levels of government involvement, states of development, growth rates, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Economic growth in these economies may be uneven both geographically and among various sectors of their economies and may also be accompanied by periods of high inflation. Political changes, social instability and adverse diplomatic developments in these countries could result in the imposition of additional government restrictions, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxes or nationalization of some or all of the property held by the underlying issuers of securities included in the Fund’s Index. There is no guarantee that the governments of these countries will not revert back to some form of planned or non-market oriented economy, and such governments continue to be active participants in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in such countries is subject to a high level of government control. Such countries’ governments may strictly regulate the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and set monetary policy. Through their policies, these governments may provide preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The policies set by the government of one of these countries could have a substantial effect on that country’s economy.

Investment and Repatriation Restrictions. The government in an emerging market country may restrict or control to varying degrees the ability of foreign investors to invest in securities of issuers located or operating in such emerging market countries. These restrictions and/or controls may at times limit or prevent foreign investment in securities of issuers located or operating in emerging market countries and may inhibit the Fund’s ability to track its Index. In addition, the Fund may not be able to buy or sell securities or receive full value for such securities. Moreover, certain emerging market countries may require governmental approval or special licenses prior to investments by foreign investors and may limit the amount of investments by foreign investors in a particular industry and/or issuer; may limit such foreign investment to a certain class of securities of an issuer that may have less advantageous rights than the classes available for purchase by domiciliaries of such emerging market countries; and/or may impose additional taxes on foreign investors. A delay in obtaining a required government approval or a license would delay investments in those emerging market countries, and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to invest in certain securities while approval is pending. The government of certain emerging market countries may also withdraw or decline to renew a license that enables the Fund to invest in such country. These factors make investing in issuers located or operating in emerging market countries significantly riskier than investing in issuers located or operating in more developed countries, and any one of them could cause a decline in the value of the Fund’s Shares.

Additionally, investments in issuers located in certain emerging market countries may be subject to a greater degree of risk associated with governmental approval in connection with the repatriation of investment income, capital or the proceeds of sales of securities by foreign investors. Moreover, there is the risk that if the balance of payments in an emerging market country declines, the government of such country may impose temporary restrictions on foreign capital remittances. Consequently, the Fund could be adversely affected by delays in, or a refusal to grant, required governmental approval for repatriation of capital, as well as by the application to the Fund of any restrictions on investments. Furthermore, investments


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in emerging market countries may require the Fund to adopt special procedures, seek local government approvals or take other actions, each of which may involve additional costs to the Fund.

Available Disclosure About Emerging Market Issuers. Issuers located or operating in emerging market countries are not subject to the same rules and regulations as issuers located or operating in more developed countries. Therefore, there may be less financial and other information publicly available with regard to issuers located or operating in emerging market countries and such issuers are not subject to the uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards applicable to issuers located or operating in more developed countries.

Foreign Currency Considerations. The Fund’s assets that are invested in securities of issuers in emerging market countries will generally be denominated in foreign currencies, and the proceeds received by the Fund from these investments will be principally in foreign currencies. The value of an emerging market country’s currency may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation. This fluctuation may be due to changes in interest rates, the effects of monetary policies issued by the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or other national or global political or economic developments. The economies of certain emerging market countries can be significantly affected by currency devaluations. Certain emerging market countries may also have managed currencies which are maintained at artificial levels relative to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market. This type of system can lead to sudden and large adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors.

The Fund’s exposure to an emerging market country’s currency and changes in value of such foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar may reduce the Fund’s investment performance and the value of your investment in the Fund. Meanwhile, the Fund will compute and expects to distribute its income in U.S. dollars, and the computation of income will be made on the date that the income is earned by the Fund at the foreign exchange rate in effect on that date. Therefore, if the value of the respective emerging market country’s currency falls relative to the U.S. dollar between the earning of the income and the time at which the Fund converts the relevant emerging market country’s currency to U.S. dollars, the Fund may be required to liquidate certain positions in order to make distributions if the Fund has insufficient cash in U.S. dollars to meet distribution requirements under the Internal Revenue Code. The liquidation of investments, if required, could be at disadvantageous prices or otherwise have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance.

Certain emerging market countries also restrict the free conversion of their currency into foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. There is no significant foreign exchange market for many such currencies and it would, as a result, be difficult for the Fund to engage in foreign currency transactions designed to protect the value of the Fund’s interests in securities denominated in such currencies. Furthermore, if permitted, the Fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between U.S. dollars and an emerging market country’s currency. Foreign exchange dealers realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer normally will offer to sell a foreign currency to the Fund at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Fund desire immediately to resell that currency to the dealer. The Fund will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or through entering into forward, futures or options contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies.

Operational and Settlement Risk. In addition to having less developed securities markets, emerging market countries have less developed custody and settlement practices than certain developed countries. Rules adopted under the Investment Company Act of 1940 permit the Fund to maintain its foreign securities and cash in the custody of certain eligible non-U.S. banks and securities depositories. Banks in emerging market countries that are eligible foreign sub-custodians may be recently organized or otherwise lack extensive operating experience. In addition, in certain emerging market countries there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. Because settlement systems in emerging market countries may be less organized than in other developed markets, there may be a risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of the Fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. Under the laws in many emerging market countries, the Fund may be required to release local shares before receiving cash payment or may be required to make cash payment prior to receiving local shares, creating a risk that the Fund may surrender cash or securities without ever receiving securities or cash from the other party. Settlement systems in emerging market countries also have a higher risk of failed trades and back to back settlements may not be possible.

The Fund may not be able to convert a foreign currency to U.S. dollars in time for the settlement of redemption requests. In the event of a redemption request from an Authorized Participant, the Fund will be required to deliver U.S. dollars to the Authorized Participant on the settlement date. In the event that the Fund is not able to convert the foreign currency to U.S. dollars in time for settlement, which may occur as a result of the delays described above, the Fund may be required to liquidate certain investments and/or borrow money in order to fund such redemption. The liquidation of investments, if required, could be at disadvantageous prices or otherwise have an adverse impact on the Fund’s performance (e.g., by causing the Fund to overweight foreign currency denominated holdings and underweight other holdings which were sold to


12

fund redemptions). In addition, the Fund will incur interest expense on any borrowings and the borrowings will cause the Fund to be leveraged, which may magnify gains and losses on its investments.

In certain emerging market countries, the marketability of investments may be limited due to the restricted opening hours of trading exchanges, and a relatively high proportion of market value may be concentrated in the hands of a relatively small number of investors. In addition, because certain emerging market countries’ trading exchanges on which the Fund’s portfolio securities may trade are open when the relevant Exchanges are closed, the Fund may be subject to heightened risk associated with market movements. Trading volume may be lower on certain emerging market countries’ trading exchanges than on more developed securities markets and securities may be generally less liquid. The infrastructure for clearing, settlement and registration on the primary and secondary markets of certain emerging market countries are less developed than in certain other markets and under certain circumstances this may result in the Fund experiencing delays in settling and/or registering transactions in the markets in which it invests, particularly if the growth of foreign and domestic investment in certain emerging market countries places an undue burden on such investment infrastructure. Such delays could affect the speed with which the Fund can transmit redemption proceeds and may inhibit the initiation and realization of investment opportunities at optimum times.

Certain issuers in emerging market countries may utilize share blocking schemes. Share blocking refers to a practice, in certain foreign markets, where voting rights related to an issuer’s securities are predicated on these securities being blocked from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a period of time around a shareholder meeting. These restrictions have the effect of barring the purchase and sale of certain voting securities within a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders will be taken. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities for a period of time. During the time that shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. The process for having a blocking restriction lifted can be quite onerous with the particular requirements varying widely by country. In addition, in certain countries, the block cannot be removed. As a result of the ramifications of voting ballots in markets that allow share blocking, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, reserves the right to abstain from voting proxies in those markets.

Corporate and Securities Laws. Securities laws in emerging market countries are relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and securityholders rights. Accordingly, foreign investors may be adversely affected by new or amended laws and regulations. In addition, the systems of corporate governance to which emerging market issuers are subject may be less advanced than those systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, securityholders of issuers located in emerging market countries may not receive many of the protections available to securityholders of issuers located in more developed countries. In circumstances where adequate laws and securityholders rights exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law. In addition, the enforcement of systems of taxation at federal, regional and local levels in emerging market countries may be inconsistent and subject to sudden change. The Fund has limited rights and few practical remedies in emerging markets and the ability of U.S. authorities to bring enforcement actions in emerging markets may be limited.


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transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio rebalancing will be borne directly by the Fund and its shareholders. Apart from scheduled rebalances, the Index provider or its agents may carry out additional ad hoc rebalances to the Index. Therefore, errors and additional ad hoc rebalances carried out by the Index provider or its agents to the Index may increase the costs to and the tracking error risk of the Fund.

The Fund may value certain of its investments, underlying currencies and/or other assets based on fair value prices. To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value based on fair value prices and the value of the Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Index is not based on fair value prices), the Fund’s ability to track the Index may be adversely affected. In addition, any issues the Fund encounters with regard to currency convertibility (including the cost of borrowing funds, if any), repatriation or economic sanctions may also increase the index tracking risk. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the performance of the Index due to the impact of withholding taxes, late announcements relating to changes to the Index and high turnover of the Index. When markets are volatile, the ability to sell securities at fair value prices may be adversely impacted and may result in additional trading costs and/or increase the index tracking risk. The Fund may also need to rely on borrowings to meet redemptions, which may lead to increased expenses. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities, and such sale may cause the Fund to realize a loss and deviate from the performance of the Index. In light of the factors discussed above, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Index. Changes to the composition of the Index in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index may cause the Fund to experience increased volatility, during which time the Fund’s index tracking risk may be heightened.


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Non-Diversified Risk. The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund is subject to the risk that it will be more volatile than a diversified fund because the Fund may invest a relatively high percentage of its assets in a smaller number of issuers or may invest a larger proportion of its assets in a single issuer. Moreover, the gains and losses on a single investment may have a greater impact on the Fund’s net asset value and may make the Fund more volatile than more diversified funds. The Fund may be particularly vulnerable to this risk if its Index is comprised of securities of a limited number of companies.

PERFORMANCE

The bar chart that follows shows how the Fund performed for the calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual returns (before and after taxes). The bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by comparing the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the one year, five year, ten year and/or since inception periods, as applicable, compared with the Fund’s benchmark index and a broad measure of market performance. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.vaneck.com.

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Year


Best Quarter:	13.31%	3Q 2022
Worst Quarter:	-70.98%	2Q 2022

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022


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	Past One Year	Since Inception (4/9/2021)
VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (return before taxes)	-85.36%	-76.32%
VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-85.36%	-76.80%
VanEck Digital Transformation ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-50.53%	-49.64%
MVIS Global Digital Assets Equity Total Return Net Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	-85.89%	-77.00%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	-2.64%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

April 2021

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


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VANECK® ENERGY INCOME ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Energy Income ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® North America Energy Infrastructure Index (the “Energy Income Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



			Management Fee			0.45%
			Other Expenses(a)			0.03%
			Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)			0.48%

EXPENSE EXAMPLE



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$49
			3			$154
			5			$269
			10			$604

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. The Energy Income Index is a rules-based index designed to give investors a means to track the overall performance of North American companies involved in the midstream energy segment, which includes master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) and corporations involved in oil and gas storage and transportation. The Energy Income Index is entirely comprised of companies involved in the midstream energy segment and includes common stock of corporations and equity securities of MLPs and MLP affiliates. “Oil and gas storage and transportation” companies may include those involved in oil and gas pipelines, storage facilities, and other activities associated with transporting, storing, and gathering natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products. To be initially eligible for the Energy Income Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from oil and gas storage and transportation (as defined above). Such companies may include medium- and large-capitalization companies and North American


			17

issuers, including Canadian issuers. As of December 31, 2022, the Energy Income Index included 29 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of approximately $1.2 billion and $79.1 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $27.6 billion. The Energy Income Index is rebalanced quarterly. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Energy Income Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Energy Income Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Energy Income Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Energy Income Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”), and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, the energy sector represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Oil and Gas Companies Risk. The profitability of oil and gas companies is related to worldwide energy prices, including all sources of energy, and exploration and production costs. The price of oil and gas, the earnings of oil and gas companies, and the value of such companies’ securities can be extremely volatile. Such companies are also subject to risks of changes in commodity prices, changes in the global supply of and demand for oil and gas interest rates, exchange rates, the price of oil and gas, the prices of competitive energy services, the imposition of import controls, world events, friction with certain oil-producing countries and between the governments of the United States and other major exporters of oil to the United States, actions of OPEC, negative perception and publicity, depletion of resources, development of alternative energy sources, energy conservation, technological developments, labor relations and general economic conditions, as well as market, economic and political risks of the countries where oil and gas companies are located or do business, fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, including political instability, expropriation, social unrest and acts of war, acts of terrorism, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Oil and gas companies operate in a highly competitive and cyclical industry, with intense price competition. A significant portion of their revenues may depend on a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities.

Oil and gas companies are exposed to significant and numerous operating hazards. Oil and gas equipment and services, as well as oil and gas exploration and production, can be significantly affected by natural disasters and adverse weather conditions in the regions in which they operate. The revenues of oil and gas companies may be negatively affected by contract termination and renegotiation. Oil and gas companies are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations. Oil and gas exploration and production companies may also be adversely affected by environmental damage claims and other types of litigation. Laws and regulations protecting the environment may expose oil and gas companies to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that complied with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. The international operations of oil and gas companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, social unrest and acts of war, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations and other risks inherent to international business. Such companies may also have significant capital investments or operations in, or engage in transactions involving, emerging market countries, which may increase these risks.

Midstream. Midstream energy companies that provide crude oil, refined product and natural gas services are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors, including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, increasing operating expenses and economic conditions.

Geopolitical Risk. Global political and economic instability could affect the operations of energy companies and MLPs in unpredictable ways, including through disruptions of natural resource supplies and markets and the resulting volatility in


18

commodity prices. Market disruptions arising out of geopolitical events could also prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Canadian Issuers. Investments in securities of Canadian issuers, including issuers located outside of Canada that generate significant revenue from Canada, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. The Canadian economy is very dependent on the demand for, and supply and price of, natural resources. The Canadian market is relatively concentrated in issuers involved in the production and distribution of natural resources. There is a risk that any changes in natural resources sectors could have an adverse impact on the Canadian economy. Additionally, the Canadian economy is heavily dependent on relationships with certain key trading partners, including the United States, countries in the European Union and China. Because the United States is Canada’s largest trading partner and foreign investor, the Canadian economy is dependent on and may be significantly affected by the U.S. economy. Reduction in spending on Canadian products and services or changes in the U.S. economy may adversely impact the Canadian economy. Trade agreements may further increase Canada’s dependency on the U.S. economy, and uncertainty as to the future of such trade agreements may cause a decline in the value of the Fund’s Shares. Past periodic demands by the Province of Quebec for sovereignty have significantly affected equity valuations and foreign currency movements in the Canadian market and such demands may have this effect in the future. In addition, certain sectors of Canada’s economy may be subject to foreign ownership limitations. This may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to invest in Canadian issuers and to track the Fund’s Index.

MLP Risk. Investments in common units of MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock including risks inherent in the structure of MLPs, including (i) tax risks (described further below), (ii) risk related to limited control of management or the general partner or managing member, (iii) limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP, except with respect to extraordinary transactions, (iv) conflicts of interest between the general partner or managing member and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the limited partners or members, on the other hand, including those arising from incentive distribution payments or corporate opportunities, (v) dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price, resulting from regulatory changes or other reasons and (vi) cash flow risks.

Certain MLP securities may trade in relatively low volumes due to their smaller capitalizations or other factors, which may cause them to have a high degree of volatility and lack sufficient market liquidity to enable the Fund to effect a sale at an advantageous time or price. Because many MLPs pay out most of their operating cash flows, the MLPs rely on capital markets for access to equity and debt financing to fund growth through organization. If market conditions limit an MLP’s access to capital markets, the MLP’s growth prospects could diminish and its costs of capital increase, which would decrease the value of the common units held by the Fund.

MLP Tax Risk. MLPs are generally being treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Partnerships generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner is allocated a share of the partnership’s income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses, and takes that share into account in calculating its own U.S. federal income tax liability. A change in current tax law, or a change in the business of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, reducing the distributions, after-tax returns, and value of the investment to the Fund.

Changes in tax laws or regulations could adversely affect the Fund or the MLPs in which the Fund invests and could also negatively impact the amount and tax characterization of dividends received by the Fund’s shareholders. For example, Congress could take actions which would eliminate the tax benefits of depreciation, depletion and amortization deductions realized by MLPs. Alternatively, Congress could impose a tax on pass- through entities such as MLPs or eliminate the use of pass-through taxation entirely. The tax benefits of depreciation, depletion and amortization deductions realized by MLPs effectively defer the income of the MLPs and, in turn, the taxable income of the Fund. Without these benefits the Fund would be subject to current U.S. federal, state and local corporate income taxes on a greater proportion of its allocable share of the income and gains of MLPs in which it invests, and the Fund’s ability to pay distributions treated as return-of-capital distributions (for tax purposes).

Individuals and certain other non-corporate entities are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to certain taxable income from MLPs. However, the Fund (which is taxable as a regulated investment company) will not be eligible to pass through such certain taxable income, if any, from MLPs or the related 20% deduction to Fund shareholders. As a result, in comparison, investors investing directly in MLPs would be eligible for the 20% deduction for any such taxable income from these investments, while investors investing in MLPs held indirectly through the Fund would not. An MLP’s distributions to the Fund generally will not be taxable unless the cash amount (or, in certain cases, the value of marketable securities) distributed exceeds the Fund’s basis in its interest in the MLP. Distributions received by the Fund from an MLP will reduce the Fund’s adjusted basis in its interest in the


			19

MLP, but not below zero. A reduced basis will generally result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the Fund for tax purposes on the sale of its interest in the MLP. Cash distributions from an MLP to the Fund (and, in certain cases, the value of marketable securities distributed by an MLP to the Fund) in excess of the Fund’s basis in the MLP will generally be taxable to the Fund as capital gain.

The tax treatment of all items allocated to the Fund each year by the MLPs will not be known until the Fund receives a schedule K-1 for that year with respect to each of its MLP investments.

Energy Sector Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the energy sector. Companies operating in the energy sector are subject to risks including, but not limited to, economic growth, worldwide demand, political instability in the regions that the companies operate, government regulation stipulating rates charged by utilities, interest rate sensitivity, oil price volatility, energy conservation, environmental policies, depletion of resources, and the cost of providing the specific utility services and other factors that they cannot control.

The energy sector is cyclical and is highly dependent on commodity prices; prices and supplies of energy may fluctuate significantly over short and long periods of time due to, among other things, national and international political changes, OPEC policies, changes in relationships among OPEC members and between OPEC and oil-importing nations, the regulatory environment, taxation policies, and the economy of the key energy-consuming countries. Commodity prices have recently been subject to increased volatility and declines, which may negatively affect companies in which the Fund invests.

Companies in the energy sector may be adversely affected by terrorism, natural disasters or other catastrophes. Companies in the energy sector are at risk of civil liability from accidents resulting in injury, loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental damage claims and risk of loss from terrorism and natural disasters. Disruptions in the oil industry or shifts in fuel consumption may significantly impact companies in this sector. Significant oil and gas deposits are located in emerging markets countries where corruption and security may raise significant risks, in addition to the other risks of investing in emerging markets.

Companies in the energy sector may also be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates, tax treatment, government regulation and intervention, negative perception, efforts at energy conservation and world events in the regions in which the companies operate (e.g., expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and repatriation of capital, military coups, social unrest, violence or labor unrest). Because a significant portion of revenues of companies in this sector is derived from a relatively small number of customers that are largely comprised of governmental entities and utilities, governmental budget constraints may have a significant impact on the stock prices of companies in this sector. The energy sector is highly regulated. Entities operating in the energy sector are subject to significant regulation of nearly every aspect of their operations by federal, state and local governmental agencies. Such regulation can change rapidly or over time in both scope and intensity. Stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be enacted in the future which would likely increase compliance costs and may materially adversely affect the financial performance of companies in the energy sector.

A downturn in the energy sector of the economy, adverse political, legislative or regulatory developments or other events could have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not invest a substantial portion of its assets in the energy sector. At times, the performance of securities of companies in the energy sector may lag the performance of other sectors or the broader market as a whole. The price of oil, natural gas and other fossil fuels may decline and/or experience significant volatility, which could adversely impact companies operating in the energy sector.

Return of Capital Risk. A portion of the Fund’s distributions are expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes. Return of capital distributions are not taxable income to you but reduce your tax basis in your Fund Shares. Such a reduction in tax basis will generally result in larger taxable gains and/or lower tax losses on a subsequent sale of Fund Shares. The Fund’s return of capital distributions are not derived from the net income or earnings and profits of the Fund. Shareholders should not assume that all Fund distributions are derived from the net income or earnings and profits of the Fund.

Liquidity Risk Related to MLPs. Although energy companies and MLPs trade on national securities exchanges, certain MLP securities may trade less frequently than those of larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations. At times, due to limited trading volumes of certain MLPs, the prices of such MLPs may display abrupt or erratic movements. Moreover, it may be more difficult for the Fund to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. The Fund’s investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable to do so. This also may affect adversely the Fund’s ability to make dividend distributions.


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listing. This can be reflected as a spread between the bid-ask prices for the Fund. The Authorized Participant concentration risk may be heightened in cases where Authorized Participants have limited or diminished access to the capital required to post collateral.

PERFORMANCE

Pursuant to an agreement and plan of reorganization between the VanEck ETF Trust (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Fund, and Exchange Traded Concepts Trust, on behalf of Yorkville High Income MLP ETF (the “Predecessor Fund”), on February 22, 2016, the Fund acquired all of the assets and liabilities of the Predecessor Fund in exchange for shares of beneficial interest of the Fund (the “Reorganization”). As a result of the Reorganization, the Fund is the accounting successor of the Predecessor Fund. The historical performance information shown below reflects, for the period prior to the Reorganization, the historical performance of the Predecessor Fund.


22

The bar chart that follows shows how the Fund performed for the calendar years shown. The table below the bar chart shows the Fund’s average annual returns (before and after taxes). The bar chart and table provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by comparing the Fund’s performance from year to year and by showing how the Fund’s average annual returns for the one year, five year, ten year and/or since inception periods, as applicable, compared with the Fund’s benchmark index and a broad measure of market performance. Prior to December 2, 2019, the Fund sought to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the Solactive High Income MLP Index (the “Prior Index”). Therefore, performance information prior to December 2, 2019 reflects the performance of the Fund while seeking to track the Prior Index. All returns assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. The Fund’s past performance (before and after taxes) is not necessarily indicative of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available online at www.vaneck.com.

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	39.94%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-49.42%	1Q 2020

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Energy Income ETF (return before taxes)	19.18%	4.22%	-5.70%
VanEck Energy Income ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	18.84%	3.83%	-7.15%
VanEck Energy Income ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	11.60%	3.21%	-4.30%
MVIS® North America Energy Infrastructure Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)*	20.14%	4.05%	-5.54%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

*Prior to December 2, 2019, the Fund sought to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the Prior Index. Therefore, performance information prior to December 2, 2019 reflects the performance of the Fund while seeking to track the Prior Index. Prior to December 2, 2019, index data reflects that of the Prior Index. From December 2, 2019, the index data will reflect that of the MVIS® North America Energy Infrastructure Index.

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.


			23

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

February 2016

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


24


VANECK® ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Environmental Services ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the NYSE® Arca Environmental Services Index (the “NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.50	%

Other Expenses	0.12	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.62	%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	-0.07	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	0.55	%

(a) Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.55% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least February 1, 2024. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$56
			3			$191
			5			$339
			10			$768

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in common stocks and American depositary receipts (“ADRs”) of companies involved in the environmental services industry. The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is designed to measure the performance of widely held, highly capitalized companies engaged in business activities that may benefit from the global increase in demand for consumer waste disposal, removal and storage of industrial by-products, and the management of


			25

associated resources. Such companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies. As of December 31, 2022, the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index included 24 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $382 million and $64.3 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $20.6 billion. These amounts are subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index. The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its assets in securities that comprise the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, each of the industrials, basic materials and environmental services industry sectors represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Environmental Services Industry Risk. Companies in the environmental services industry are engaged in a variety of activities related to environmental services and consumer and industrial waste management. These companies may be adversely affected by a global decrease in demand for consumer waste disposal, removal and storage of industrial by-products, and the management of associated resources. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of such companies. These prices may fluctuate substantially over short periods of time so the Fund may be more volatile than other types of investments. Environmental services companies must comply with various regulations and the terms of their operating permits and licenses. Failure to comply, failure to renew permits and licenses or changes in government regulations can adversely impact their operations. Waste management companies are also affected by demand cycles, world events, increased outsourcing and economic conditions. In addition, these companies are subject to liability for environmental damage claims.

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

Industrials Sector Risk. The industrials sector comprises companies who produce capital goods used in construction and manufacturing, such as companies that make and sell machinery, equipment and supplies that are used to produce other goods. Companies in the industrials sector may be adversely affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions. In addition, companies in the industrials sector be adversely affected by environmental damages, product liability claims and exchange rates.


26

underlying foreign shares. The issuers of certain depositary receipts are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market. The issuers of depositary receipts may discontinue issuing new depositary receipts and withdraw existing depositary receipts at any time, which may result in costs and delays in the distribution of the underlying assets to the Fund and may negatively impact the Fund’s performance.

Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk. Micro-capitalization companies are subject to substantially greater risks of loss and price fluctuations because their earnings and revenues tend to be less predictable (and some companies may be experiencing significant losses), and their share prices tend to be more volatile and their markets less liquid than companies with larger market capitalizations. The shares of micro-capitalization companies tend to trade less frequently than those of larger, more established companies, which can adversely affect the pricing of these securities and the future ability to sell those securities.


			27

which may be exacerbated if the issuer of the depositary receipt discontinues issuing new depositary receipts or withdraws existing depositary receipts.


28

stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s Shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings and a shareholder may be unable to sell his or her Shares.

PERFORMANCE

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	21.29%	4Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-27.52%	1Q 2020

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022


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	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Environmental Services ETF (return before taxes)	-10.77%	9.88%	11.05%
VanEck Environmental Services ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-10.86%	9.79%	10.86%
VanEck Environmental Services ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-6.32%	7.83%	9.13%
NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-10.46%	10.29%	11.52%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

October 2006

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


30


VANECK® GAMING ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Gaming ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® Global Gaming Index (the “Gaming Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.50	%

Other Expenses	0.15	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.65	%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	0.00	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	0.65	%

(a) Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets per year until at least February 1, 2024. During such time, the expense limitation is expected to continue until the Fund’s Board of Trustees acts to discontinue all or a portion of such expense limitation.

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$66
			3			$208
			5			$362
			10			$810

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. To be initially eligible for the Gaming Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from gaming. Gaming includes casinos and casino hotels, sports betting (including internet gambling and racetracks) and lottery services as well as gaming services, gaming technology and gaming equipment. Such companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. or foreign exchanges. As of December 31, 2022, the Gaming Index included 36 securities of


			31

companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $1.1 billion and $36.7 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $16.2 billion. These amounts are subject to change. As of September 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets was invested in securities of Australian issuers. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Gaming Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Gaming Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Gaming Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Gaming Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Gaming Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, the consumer discretionary and real estate sectors represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Gaming Industry Risk. Companies in the gaming industry include those engaged in casino operations, race track operations, sports and horse race betting operations, online gaming operations and/or the provision of related equipment and technologies. Companies in the gaming industry face intense competition, both domestically and internationally. Companies in the gaming industry are also highly regulated, and state and Federal legislative or regulatory changes and licensing issues (as well as the laws of other countries) can significantly impact their ability to operate in certain jurisdictions, the activities in which such companies are allowed to engage and the profitability of companies in the industry. Certain companies in the gaming industry are highly leveraged and have recently experienced financial difficulty. As a result, the securities of gaming companies owned by the Fund may react similarly to, and move in unison with, one another. The gaming industry may also be negatively affected by changes in economic conditions, consumer tastes and discretionary income levels, intense competition, technological developments that may cause these companies to become obsolete quickly, financial resources, markets or personnel. In addition, the gaming industry is characterized by the use of various forms of intellectual property, which are dependent upon patented technologies, trademarked brands and proprietary information. Companies operating in the gaming industry are subject to the risk of significant litigation regarding intellectual property rights, which may adversely affect and financially harm companies in which the Fund may invest. Furthermore, certain jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions on securities issued by gaming companies organized or operated in such jurisdictions that may be held by the Fund.

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk. The consumer discretionary sector comprises companies whose businesses are sensitive to economic cycles, such as manufacturers of high-end apparel and automobile and leisure companies. Companies in the consumer discretionary sector are subject to fluctuations in supply and demand. These companies may also be adversely affected by changes in consumer spending as a result of world events, political and economic conditions, commodity price volatility, changes in exchange rates, imposition of import controls, increased competition, depletion of resources and labor relations.

Real Estate Sector Risk. Companies in the real estate sector include companies that invest in real estate, such as REITs and real estate management and development companies. The Fund will be sensitive to changes in, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the real estate sector. Companies that invest in real estate are subject to the risks of owning real estate directly as well as to risks that relate specifically to the way that such companies operate, including management risk (such companies are dependent upon the management skills of a few key individuals and may have limited financial resources). Adverse economic, business or political developments affecting real estate could have a major effect on the values of the Fund’s investments. Investing in real estate is subject to such risks as decreases in real estate values, overbuilding, increased competition and other risks related to local or general economic conditions, increases in operating costs and property taxes, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, possible environmental liabilities, regulatory limitations on rent, possible lack of availability of mortgage financing, market saturation, fluctuations in rental income and the value of underlying


32

properties and extended vacancies of properties. Certain real estate securities have a relatively small market capitalization, which may tend to increase the volatility of the market price of these securities. Real estate securities have limited diversification and are, therefore, subject to risks inherent in operating and financing a limited number of projects. Real estate securities are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency and defaults by borrowers or tenants.


			33


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			35

developed than in certain other markets and under certain circumstances this may result in the Fund experiencing delays in settling and/or registering transactions in the markets in which it invests, particularly if the growth of foreign and domestic investment in certain emerging market countries places an undue burden on such investment infrastructure. Such delays could affect the speed with which the Fund can transmit redemption proceeds and may inhibit the initiation and realization of investment opportunities at optimum times.

Foreign Currency Risk. The Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies and changes in the value of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar may result in reduced returns for the Fund, and the value of certain foreign currencies may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation. The Fund may also incur costs in connection with conversions between U.S. dollars and foreign currencies.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Asian Issuers. Investments in securities of Asian issuers involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. Certain Asian economies have experienced over-extension of credit, currency devaluations and restrictions, high unemployment, high inflation, decreased exports and economic recessions. Economic events in any one Asian country can have a significant effect on the entire Asian region as well as on major trading partners outside Asia, and any adverse effect on some or all of the Asian countries and regions in which the Fund invests. The securities markets in some Asian economies are relatively underdeveloped and may subject the Fund to higher action costs or greater uncertainty than investments in more developed securities markets. Such risks may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Australian Issuers. Investments in securities of Australian issuers involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on exports from the agricultural and mining sectors. As a result, the Australian economy is susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. The Australian economy is also dependent on trading with key trading partners.


36

2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union and the United Kingdom entered a transition period which ended on December 31, 2020. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, following the transition period, there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition framework.

Cash Transactions Risk. Unlike other ETFs, the Fund expects to effect its creations and redemptions at least partially for cash, rather than wholly for in-kind securities. Therefore, it may be required to sell portfolio securities and subsequently incur brokerage costs and/or recognize gains or losses on such sales that the Fund might not have recognized if it were to distribute portfolio securities in kind. As such, investments in Shares may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a conventional ETF. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease the Fund’s net asset value to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by an Authorized Participant.


			37

them in the exact proportions in which they are represented in the Index. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the return of the Index for various reasons, including legal restrictions or limitations imposed by the governments of certain countries, certain exchange listing standards, a lack of liquidity in markets in which such securities trade, potential adverse tax consequences or other regulatory reasons (such as diversification requirements). To the extent the Fund utilizes depositary receipts, the purchase of depositary receipts may negatively affect the Fund’s ability to track the performance of the Index and increase tracking error, which may be exacerbated if the issuer of the depositary receipt discontinues issuing new depositary receipts or withdraws existing depositary receipts.


38

when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value, the shareholder may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Shares. The securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the exchange on which the Shares are traded. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid/ask spreads on the exchange and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares’ net asset value may widen. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s Shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings and a shareholder may be unable to sell his or her Shares.

PERFORMANCE

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	29.22%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-38.32%	1Q 2020

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022


			39



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Gaming ETF (return before taxes)	-12.63%	-2.12%	3.12%
VanEck Gaming ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-12.72%	-2.55%	2.45%
VanEck Gaming ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-7.41%	-1.66%	2.30%
MVIS® Global Gaming Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	-12.13%	-1.72%	3.64%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

January 2008

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


40


VANECK® PHARMACEUTICAL ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Pharmaceutical ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index (the “Pharmaceutical Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.35	%

Other Expenses(a)	0.01	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.36	%

EXPENSE EXAMPLE



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$37
			3			$116
			5			$202
			10			$456

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. The Pharmaceutical Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies in the pharmaceutical industry. Such companies may include medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange. To be initially eligible for the Pharmaceutical Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals include companies engaged primarily in research (including research contractors) and development as well as production, marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals (excluding pharmacies). Of the largest 50 stocks in the pharmaceutical industry by full market capitalization, the top 25 by free-float market capitalization (i.e., includes only shares that are readily available for trading in the market) and three month average daily trading volume are included in the Pharmaceutical Index. As of December 31, 2022, the Pharmaceutical Index included 25 securities of companies with a market


			41

capitalization range of between approximately $2.2 billion and $461.8 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $164.8 billion. These amounts are subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Pharmaceutical Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Pharmaceutical Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Pharmaceutical Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Pharmaceutical Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Pharmaceutical Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, the pharmaceutical industry represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Pharmaceutical Industry Risk. The success of companies in the pharmaceutical industry is highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs. The values of pharmaceutical companies are also dependent on the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights and other proprietary information, and the profitability of pharmaceutical companies may be significantly affected by such things as the limited number of products, expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights. The research and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs and the related intellectual property rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable. In addition, pharmaceutical companies may be susceptible to product obsolescence. Many pharmaceutical companies face intense competition from new products and less costly generic products. Moreover, the process for obtaining regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and there can be no assurance that the necessary approvals will be obtained or maintained.

Companies in the pharmaceutical industry may also be subject to expenses and losses from extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims. Companies in the pharmaceutical industry may be adversely affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. The ability of many pharmaceutical companies to commercialize current and any future products depends in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the cost of such products and related treatments are available from third party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations.

The international operations of many pharmaceutical companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations and other risks inherent to international business. Such companies also may be characterized by thin capitalization and limited markets, financial resources or personnel, as well as dependence on wholesale distributors. A pharmaceutical company’s valuation can be adversely affected if one of its products proves unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. The stock prices of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile, in part due to the prevalence of merger and acquisition activity in the pharmaceutical industry. Some pharmaceutical companies are engaged in other lines of business unrelated to pharmaceuticals, and they may experience problems with these lines of business which could adversely affect their operating results. The operating results of these companies may fluctuate as a result of these additional risks and events in the other lines of business. In addition, a company’s ability to engage in new activities may expose it to business risks with which it has less experience than it has with the business risks associated with its traditional businesses. Despite a company’s possible success in traditional pharmaceutical activities, there can be no assurance that the other lines of business in which these companies are engaged will not have an adverse effect on a company’s business or financial condition.

Certain companies in which the Fund may invest are non-U.S. issuers whose securities are listed on U.S. exchanges. These securities involve risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities, including greater market volatility, higher transactional costs, the possibility that the liquidity of such securities could be impaired because of future political and/or economic developments, taxation by foreign governments, political instability, the possibility that foreign governmental restrictions may be adopted which might adversely affect such securities and that the selection of such securities may be more difficult because there may be less publicly available information concerning such non-U.S. issuers or the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to non-U.S. issuers may differ from those applicable to U.S. issuers.


42

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in United Kingdom Issuers. Investments in securities of United Kingdom issuers, including issuers located outside of the United Kingdom that generate significant revenues from the United Kingdom, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. Investments in United Kingdom issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security and economic risks specific to the United Kingdom. The British economy relies heavily on the export of financials to the United States and other European countries. The British economy, along with the United States and certain other European Union economies, experienced a significant economic slowdown during the recent financial crisis. In a referendum held on June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, creating economic and political uncertainty in its wake. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, following the transition period, there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition framework.


			43


44

factors discussed above, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Index. Changes to the composition of the Index in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index may cause the Fund to experience increased volatility, during which time the Fund’s index tracking risk may be heightened.


			45

PERFORMANCE

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	16.46%	4Q 2022
Worst Quarter:	-15.01%	1Q 2020

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (return before taxes)	2.64%	7.50%	8.99%
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	2.26%	7.03%	8.48%
VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	1.82%	5.82%	7.25%
MVIS® US Listed Pharmaceutical 25 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	2.54%	7.24%	8.89%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.


46

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

December 2011

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


			47


VANECK® RETAIL ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Retail ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® US Listed Retail 25 Index (the “Retail Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.35	%

Other Expenses(a)	0.00	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.35	%

a) Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) will pay all expenses of the Fund, except for the fee payment under the investment management agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser has agreed to pay the offering costs until at least February 1, 2024.

EXPENSE EXAMPLE



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$36
			3			$113
			5			$197
			10			$443

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. To be initially eligible for the Retail Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from retail. Retail includes companies engaged primarily in retail distribution; wholesalers; online, direct mail and TV retailers; multi-line retailers; specialty retailers, such as apparel, automotive, computer and electronics, drug, home improvement and home furnishing retailers; and food and other staples retailers. Of the largest 50 stocks in the retail industry by full market capitalization, the top 25 by free-float market capitalization (i.e., includes only shares that are readily available for trading in the market) and three month average daily trading volume are included in the Retail Index. Such companies may include foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange. As of December 31, 2022, the Retail Index included 25 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $2.6 billion and $856.9 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $268.8 billion. These amounts are


48

subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Retail Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Retail Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Retail Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Retail Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Retail Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, each of the consumer discretionary, consumer staples and health care sectors represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Retail Companies Risk. Companies involved in retail may be affected by the performance of the domestic and international economy, interest rates, rates of inflation, exchange rates, competition, consumer confidence and reputational damage. The success of companies involved in retail depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending, and changes in demographics and consumer preferences can affect the success of retail companies. Certain retail companies have historically been subject to significant seasonal and quarterly variations. The success of retail companies may be strongly affected by fads, marketing campaigns and other factors affecting supply and demand and a retail company’s success can be tied to its ability to anticipate changing consumer tastes. These companies may be subject to severe competition, which may have an adverse impact on their profitability.

Certain business segments of retail companies are highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of such retail companies to vary significantly. Retail companies may be dependent on outside financing, which may be difficult to obtain. Many of these companies are dependent on third party suppliers and distribution systems and purchase merchandise both directly from brand owners and indirectly from retailers and third party suppliers. Such companies may also be dependent upon suppliers for the products used for their own brand name merchandise. Reliance on third party suppliers subjects retail companies to risks of delivery delays, price increases and receipt of nonconforming or poor quality merchandise. Retail companies may be unable to protect their intellectual property rights and may be liable for infringing the intellectual property rights of others. Changes in labor laws and other labor issues, such as increased labor costs, could adversely affect the financial performance of retail companies. If retail companies do not maintain the security of customer-related information, they could damage their reputations with customers, incur substantial costs and become subject to litigation, all of which could adversely affect the financial performance of such companies. The international operations of certain retail companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, tariffs and trade disputes and other risks inherent to international business. Some of the companies in the Retail Index are engaged in other lines of business unrelated to retail, and they may experience problems with these lines of business which could adversely affect their operating results. The operating results of these companies may fluctuate as a result of these additional risks and events in the other lines of business. In addition, a company’s ability to engage in new activities may expose it to business risks with which it has less experience than it has with the business risks associated with its traditional businesses. Despite a company’s possible success in traditional retail activities, the other lines of business in which these companies are engaged may have an adverse effect on a company’s business or financial condition.

Retail companies may also be exposed to online retail risk. Companies that operate in the online marketplace are subject to fluctuating consumer demand. Unlike traditional brick and mortar retailers, online marketplaces and retailers must assume shipping costs or pass such costs to consumers. Consumer access to price information for the same or similar products may cause companies that operate in the online marketplace to reduce profit margins in order to compete. Due to the nature of their business models, companies that operate in the online marketplace may also be subject to heightened cybersecurity risk, including the risk of theft or damage to vital hardware, software and information systems. The loss or public dissemination of sensitive customer information or other proprietary data may negatively affect the financial performance of such companies to a greater extent than traditional brick and mortar retailers. As a result of such companies being web-based and the fact that they process, store and transmit large amounts of data, including personal information, for their customers, failure to prevent or mitigate data loss or other security breaches, including breaches of vendors’ technology and systems, could expose companies that operate in the online marketplace or their customers to a risk of loss or misuse of such information, adversely affect their operating results, result in litigation or potential liability and otherwise harm their businesses.


			49

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The consumer staples sector comprises companies whose businesses are less sensitive to economic cycles, such as manufacturers and distributors of food and beverages and producers of non-durable household goods and personal products. Companies in the consumer staples sector may be adversely affected by changes in the worldwide economy, consumer spending, competition, demographics and consumer preferences, exploration and production spending. Companies in this sector are also affected by changes in government regulation, world events and economic conditions.

Health Care Sector Risk. Companies in the health care sector may be affected by extensive government regulation, restrictions on government reimbursement for medical expenses, rising costs of medical products and services, pricing pressure, an increased emphasis on outpatient services, limited number of products, industry innovation, changes in technologies and other market developments. Many health care companies are heavily dependent on patent protection. The expiration of patents may adversely affect the profitability of these companies. Many health care companies are subject to extensive litigation based on product liability and similar claims.


50


			51

unanticipated early close of the exchange occurs, a shareholder may be unable to purchase or sell Shares of the Fund. There can be no assurance that requirements of the exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

PERFORMANCE


52

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	25.61%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-15.72%	2Q 2022

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Retail ETF (return before taxes)	-17.54%	12.69%	15.06%
VanEck Retail ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-17.76%	12.45%	14.75%
VanEck Retail ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-10.22%	10.15%	12.70%
MVIS® US Listed Retail 25 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	-17.55%	12.63%	14.95%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

December 2011

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


			53


VANECK® SEMICONDUCTOR ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Semiconductor ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index (the “Semiconductor Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.35	%

Other Expenses(a)	0.00	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.35	%

EXPENSE EXAMPLE



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$36
			3			$113
			5			$197
			10			$443

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. The Semiconductor Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies in the semiconductor industry. Such companies may include medium-capitalization companies and foreign companies that are listed on a U.S. exchange. To be initially eligible for the Semiconductor Index, companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from semiconductors. Semiconductors include companies engaged primarily in the production of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment. Of the largest 50 stocks in the semiconductor industry by full market capitalization, the top 25 by free-float market capitalization (i.e., includes only shares that are readily available for trading in the market) and three month average daily trading volume are included in the Semiconductor Index. As of December 31, 2022, the Semiconductor Index included 25 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $5.1 billion and $386.3 billion and a weighted average


54

market capitalization of $144.7 billion. These amounts are subject to change. As of September 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Fund’s assets was invested in securities of Taiwanese issuers. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the Semiconductor Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the Semiconductor Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the Semiconductor Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the Semiconductor Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”) and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the Semiconductor Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, the semiconductor industry, including semiconductor equipment, represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Semiconductor Industry Risk. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the semiconductor industry. The Fund is subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor industry may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Moreover, they may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor industry are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results. The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs, tariffs and trade disputes, and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor industry also may be subject to competition from new market entrants. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor industry have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market.


			55

economic recessions. Economic events in any one Asian country can have a significant effect on the entire Asian region as well as on major trading partners outside Asia, and any adverse effect on some or all of the Asian countries and regions in which the Fund invests. The securities markets in some Asian economies are relatively underdeveloped and may subject the Fund to higher action costs or greater uncertainty than investments in more developed securities markets. Such risks may adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Taiwanese Issuers. Investments in securities of Taiwanese issuers, including issuers located outside of Taiwan that generate significant revenues from Taiwan, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. To the extent the Fund continues to invest in securities issued by Taiwanese issuers, the Fund may be subject to the risk of investing in such issuers. Investments in Taiwanese issuers may subject the Fund to legal, regulatory, political, currency and economic risks that are specific to Taiwan. Specifically, Taiwan’s geographic proximity and history of political contention with China have resulted in ongoing tensions between the two countries. These tensions may materially affect the Taiwanese economy and its securities market. Taiwan’s economy is export-oriented, so it depends on an open world trade regime and remains vulnerable to fluctuations in the world economy.


56

emerging market countries are subject to greater risks associated with market volatility, lower market capitalization, lower trading volume, illiquidity, inflation, greater price fluctuations, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets, governmental control and heavy regulation of labor and industry. These factors, coupled with restrictions on foreign investment and other factors, limit the supply of securities available for investment by the Fund. This will affect the rate at which the Fund is able to invest in emerging market countries, the purchase and sale prices for such securities and the timing of purchases and sales. Emerging markets can experience high rates of inflation, deflation and currency devaluation. The prices of certain securities listed on securities markets in emerging market countries have been subject to sharp fluctuations and sudden declines, and no assurance can be given as to the future performance of listed securities in general. Volatility of prices may be greater than in more developed securities markets. Moreover, securities markets in emerging market countries may be closed for extended periods of time or trading on securities markets may be suspended altogether due to political or civil unrest. Market volatility may also be heightened by the actions of a small number of investors. Brokerage firms in emerging market countries may be fewer in number and less established than brokerage firms in more developed markets. Since the Fund may need to effect securities transactions through these brokerage firms, the Fund is subject to the risk that these brokerage firms will not be able to fulfill their obligations to the Fund. This risk is magnified to the extent the Fund effects securities transactions through a single brokerage firm or a small number of brokerage firms. In addition, the infrastructure for the safe custody of securities and for purchasing and selling securities, settling trades, collecting dividends, initiating corporate actions, and following corporate activity is not as well developed in emerging market countries as is the case in certain more developed markets.


			57


58


			59


60


			61

PERFORMANCE

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	30.65%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-24.40%	2Q 2022

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022



	Past One Year	Past Five Years	Past Ten Years
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (return before taxes)	-33.46%	17.08%	21.74%
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-33.65%	16.71%	21.28%
VanEck Semiconductor ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-19.68%	13.76%	18.72%
MVIS® US Listed Semiconductor 25 Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes, except withholding taxes)	-33.44%	17.10%	21.73%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.42%	12.56%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.


62

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

December 2011

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


			63


VANECK® VIDEO GAMING AND ESPORTS ETF

SUMMARY INFORMATION

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

VanEck® Video Gaming and eSports ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the MVIS® Global Video Gaming & eSports Index (the “eSports Index” or the “Index”).

FUND FEES AND EXPENSES


Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)			None

Annual Fund Operating Expenses

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



Management Fee	0.50	%

Other Expenses	0.06	%

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(a)	0.56	%
Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	0.00	%
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and Expense Reimbursement(a)	0.56	%

EXPENSE EXAMPLE

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% annual return and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the example incorporates the fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangement for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



			YEAR			EXPENSES
			1			$57
			3			$179
			5			$313
			10			$701

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its total assets in securities that comprise the Fund’s benchmark index. The eSports Index is a global index that tracks the performance of the global video gaming and eSports (also known as electronic sports) segment. To be initially eligible for the eSports Index, a company is generally considered by the Index provider to be part of the global video gaming and eSports segment if the company generates at least 50% of its revenues from video gaming and/or eSports. These companies may include those that develop video games and related software or hardware such as computer processors and graphics cards used in video gaming systems and related hardware such as controllers, headsets, and video


64

gaming consoles. They may also include those that offer streaming services, develop video games and/or hardware for use in eSports events and are involved in eSports events such as league operators, teams, distributors and platforms.

Video gaming and eSports companies may include small- and medium-capitalization companies and foreign and emerging market issuers, and the Fund may invest in depositary receipts and securities denominated in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2022, the eSports Index included 25 securities of companies with a market capitalization range of between approximately $2.9 billion and $410 billion and a weighted average market capitalization of $88.9 billion. As of September 30, 2022, a significant portion of the Fund's assets was invested in securities of Asian issuers, which included Chinese and Japanese issuers. These amounts are subject to change. The Fund’s 80% investment policy is non-fundamental and may be changed without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ prior written notice to shareholders.

The Fund, using a “passive” or indexing investment approach, attempts to approximate the investment performance of the eSports Index by investing in a portfolio of securities that generally replicates the eSports Index. Unlike many investment companies that try to “beat” the performance of a benchmark index, the Fund does not try to “beat” the eSports Index and does not seek temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its investment objective of seeking to replicate the eSports Index.

The Fund is classified as a non-diversified fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act of 1940”), and, therefore, may invest a greater percentage of its assets in a particular issuer. The Fund may concentrate its investments in a particular industry or group of industries to the extent that the eSports Index concentrates in an industry or group of industries. As of September 30, 2022, each of the communication services and information technology sectors represented a significant portion of the Fund.

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND

Video Gaming and eSports Companies Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to, and its performance may depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of video gaming and eSports companies. Video gaming and eSports companies face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, may have limited product lines, markets, financial resources, or personnel, may have products that face rapid obsolescence, and are heavily dependent on the protection of patent and intellectual property rights. Pure-play companies (i.e., companies that focus only on a particular product or activity) may be dependent on one or a small number of product or product franchises for a significant portion of their revenue and profits. They may also be subject to shifting consumer preferences, including preferences with respect to gaming console platforms, and changes in consumer discretionary spending. Such factors may adversely affect the profitability and value of video gaming and eSports companies. These companies are also subject to increasing regulatory constraints, particularly with respect to cybersecurity and privacy. In addition to the costs of complying with such constraints, the unintended disclosure of confidential information, whether because of an error or a cybersecurity event, could adversely affect the profitability and value of these companies. Video gaming and eSports companies may be subject to sophisticated intellectual property infringement schemes and piracy efforts, particularly in foreign markets, which may limit the revenue potential in such markets, and combatting such infringement or piracy schemes may require significant expenses. Such antipiracy programs may not be effective.

Software Industry Risk. Companies in the software industry are subject to significant competitive pressures, such as aggressive pricing, new market entrants, competition for market share, short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments and the potential for limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. Software companies also face the risks that new services, equipment or technologies are not accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. These factors can affect the profitability of software companies and, as a result, the value of their securities.

Internet Software & Services Industry Risk. The prices of the securities of companies in the internet software and services industry may fluctuate widely due to competitive pressures, increased sensitivity to short product cycles and aggressive pricing, heavy expenses incurred for research and development of products or services that prove unsuccessful, problems related to bringing products to market, and rapid obsolescence of products. Many internet software and software services companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by internet software and software services companies to protect their proprietary rights will sufficiently prevent misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies’ technology. Legislative or regulatory changes and increased government supervision also may affect companies in the internet software and services industry.


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companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Moreover, they may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor industry are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results. The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs, tariffs and trade disputes, and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor industry also may be subject to competition from new market entrants. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor industry have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market.

Communication Services Sector Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to, and its performance will depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the communication services sector. Companies in the communication services sector may be affected by industry competition, substantial capital requirements, government regulations and obsolescence of communications products and services due to technological advancement.


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competitive strength than large-capitalization companies. Returns on investments in securities of small- and medium-capitalization companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of larger companies.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Chinese Issuers. Investments in securities of Chinese issuers, including issuers outside of China, involve certain risks and considerations not typically associated with investments in U.S securities. These risks include among others (i) more frequent (and potentially widespread) trading suspensions and government interventions with respect to Chinese issuers resulting in a lack of liquidity and in price volatility, (ii) currency revaluations and other currency exchange rate fluctuations or blockage, (iii) the nature and extent of intervention by the Chinese government in the Chinese securities markets, whether such intervention will continue and the impact of such intervention or its discontinuation, (iv) the risk of nationalization or expropriation of assets, (v) the risk that the Chinese government may decide not to continue to support economic reform programs, (vi) limitations on the use of brokers, (vii) higher rates of inflation, (viii) greater political, economic and social uncertainty, (ix) market volatility caused by any potential regional or territorial conflicts or natural or other disasters, and (x) the risk of increased trade tariffs, embargoes, sanctions investment restrictions and other trade limitations. Certain securities are, or may in the future become restricted, and the Fund may be forced to sell such securities and incur a loss as a result. In addition, the economy of China differs, often unfavorably, from the U.S. economy in such respects as structure, general development, government involvement, wealth distribution, rate of inflation, growth rate, interest rates, allocation of resources and capital reinvestment, among others. The Chinese central government has historically exercised substantial control over virtually every sector of the Chinese economy through administrative regulation and/or state ownership and actions of the Chinese central and local government authorities continue to have a substantial effect on economic conditions in China. In addition, the Chinese government has from time to time taken actions that influence the prices at which certain goods may be sold, encourage companies to invest or concentrate in particular industries, induce mergers between companies in certain industries and induce private companies to publicly offer their securities to increase or continue the rate of economic growth, control the rate of inflation or otherwise regulate economic expansion. The Chinese government may do so in the future as well, potentially having a significant adverse effect on economic conditions in China.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Japanese Issuers. Investments in securities of Japanese issuers, including issuers located outside of Japan that generate significant revenues from Japan, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. The Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within Japan and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The risks of investing in the securities of Japanese issuers include lack of natural resources, fluctuations or shortages in the commodity markets, new trade regulations, decreasing U.S. imports and changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rates. Japan is located in a part of the world that has historically been prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis and is economically sensitive to environmental events. Any such event could result in a significant adverse impact on the Japanese economy. In addition, such disasters, and the resulting damage, could impair the long-term ability of issuers in which the Fund invests to conduct their businesses in the manner normally conducted.


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countries are subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are issuers in more developed markets, and therefore, all material information may not be available or reliable. Emerging markets are also more likely than developed markets to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades, as well as the holding of securities by local banks, agents and depositories. Low trading volumes and volatile prices in less developed markets may make trades harder to complete and settle, and governments or trade groups may compel local agents to hold securities in designated depositories that may not be subject to independent evaluation. Local agents are held only to the standards of care of their local markets. In general, the less developed a country’s securities markets are, the greater the likelihood of custody problems. The Adviser may be limited in its ability to assess the Index provider’s due diligence process over Index data prior to its use in Index computation, construction and/or rebalancing. Additionally, each of the factors described below could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of the Fund.


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developed countries in many respects, including levels of government involvement, states of development, growth rates, control of foreign exchange and allocation of resources. Economic growth in these economies may be uneven both geographically and among various sectors of their economies and may also be accompanied by periods of high inflation. Political changes, social instability and adverse diplomatic developments in these countries could result in the imposition of additional government restrictions, including expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxes or nationalization of some or all of the property held by the underlying issuers of securities included in the Fund’s Index. There is no guarantee that the governments of these countries will not revert back to some form of planned or non-market oriented economy, and such governments continue to be active participants in many economic sectors through ownership positions and regulation. The allocation of resources in such countries is subject to a high level of government control. Such countries’ governments may strictly regulate the payment of foreign currency denominated obligations and set monetary policy. Through their policies, these governments may provide preferential treatment to particular industries or companies. The policies set by the government of one of these countries could have a substantial effect on that country’s economy.


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advanced than those systems to which issuers located in more developed countries are subject, and therefore, securityholders of issuers located in emerging market countries may not receive many of the protections available to securityholders of issuers located in more developed countries. In circumstances where adequate laws and securityholders rights exist, it may not be possible to obtain swift and equitable enforcement of the law. In addition, the enforcement of systems of taxation at federal, regional and local levels in emerging market countries may be inconsistent and subject to sudden change. The Fund has limited rights and few practical remedies in emerging markets and the ability of U.S. authorities to bring enforcement actions in emerging markets may be limited.


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may also deviate from the performance of the Index due to the impact of withholding taxes, late announcements relating to changes to the Index and high turnover of the Index. When markets are volatile, the ability to sell securities at fair value prices may be adversely impacted and may result in additional trading costs and/or increase the index tracking risk. The Fund may also need to rely on borrowings to meet redemptions, which may lead to increased expenses. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities, and such sale may cause the Fund to realize a loss and deviate from the performance of the Index. In light of the factors discussed above, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Index. Changes to the composition of the Index in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index may cause the Fund to experience increased volatility, during which time the Fund’s index tracking risk may be heightened.


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more diversified funds. The Fund may be particularly vulnerable to this risk if its Index is comprised of securities of a limited number of companies.

PERFORMANCE

Annual Total Returns (%)—Calendar Years


Best Quarter:	34.23%	2Q 2020
Worst Quarter:	-18.50%	2Q 2022

Average Annual Total Returns for the Periods Ended December 31, 2022



	Past One Year	Since Inception (10/16/18)
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (return before taxes)	-34.43%	9.40%
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (return after taxes on distributions)	-34.49%	9.07%
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund Shares)	-20.21%	7.41%
MVIS® Global Video Gaming and eSports Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-33.60%	10.40%
S&P 500® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)	-18.11%	9.59%

See “License Agreements and Disclaimers” for important information.


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PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

Investment Adviser. Van Eck Associates Corporation.

Portfolio Manager. The following individual is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund’s portfolio:

Name

Title with Adviser

Date Began Managing the Fund

Peter H. Liao

Portfolio Manager

October 2018

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES


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SUMMARY INFORMATION ABOUT PURCHASES AND SALES OF FUND SHARES, TAXES AND PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES

Individual Shares of a Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through a broker or dealer at a market price. Shares of the Funds are listed on the Exchange, and because Shares trade at market prices rather than net asst value, Shares of the Funds may trade at a price greater than net asset (i.e., a “premium”) or less than net asset (i.e., a “discount”).

An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares of a Fund (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (ask) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market (the “bid/ask spread”).

Recent information, including information about each Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid/ask spreads, is included on the Fund’s website at www.vaneck.com.

TAX INFORMATION

Each Fund’s distributions (other than return of capital distributions) are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES

The Adviser and its related companies may pay broker-dealers or other financial intermediaries (such as a bank) for the sale of the Fund Shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing your broker-dealer or other intermediary or its employees or associated persons to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS’ INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISKS

PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Adviser anticipates that, generally, each Fund will hold or gain exposure to all of the securities that track and/or comprise its Index in proportion to their weightings in such Index. However, to the extent it is not possible or practicable to purchase all of those securities in those weightings, the Fund may purchase a sample of securities in its Index. The Adviser may also choose to underweight or overweight a security in a Fund’s Index, purchase securities not in the Fund’s Index that the Adviser believes are appropriate to substitute for certain securities in such Index, or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to replicate/track (as applicable) as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the price and yield performance of the Fund’s Index. Each Fund may sell securities that are represented in its Index in anticipation of their removal from its Index or purchase securities not represented in its Index in anticipation of their addition to such Index. Each Fund may also, in order to comply with tax diversification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, temporarily invest in securities not included in its Index that are expected to be highly correlated with the securities included in its Index.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT MLPs (Only with respect to VanEck Energy Income ETF)

MLPs are publicly traded partnerships engaged in the transportation, storage, processing, refining, marketing, exploration, production and mining of minerals and natural resources. By confining their operations to these specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. Partnerships eligible for inclusion in an Index are subject to further liquidity screens before they may be included in an Index.

MLPs’ disclosures are regulated by the SEC and MLPs must file Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and notices of material changes like any publicly traded corporation. MLPs also must comply with certain requirements applicable to public companies under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

To qualify as an MLP and to avoid being taxed as a corporation, a partnership must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code. These qualifying sources include natural resource-based activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and marketing of mineral or natural resources. An MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners (or in the case of MLPs organized as limited liability companies, a managing member and members). The general partner or managing member typically controls the operations and management of the MLP and has an ownership stake in the MLP. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and management of the entity, and receive cash distributions. The MLPs themselves generally do not pay United States federal income taxes, but investors (like the Fund) that hold interests in MLPs are generally subject to tax on their allocable shares of the income and gains of the MLPs. Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). Currently, most MLPs operate in the energy and/or natural resources sectors.

General partner or managing member interests receive cash distributions, typically in an amount of up to 2% of available cash, which is contractually defined in the partnership or limited liability company agreement. In addition, holders of general partner or managing member interests typically receive incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”), which provide them with an increasing share of the entity’s aggregate cash distributions upon the payment of per common unit distributions that exceed specified threshold levels above the minimum quarterly distribution. Due to the IDRs, general partners of MLPs have higher distribution growth prospects than their underlying MLPs, but quarterly incentive distribution payments would also decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common and subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLP’s quarterly distribution. In addition, some MLPs permit the holder of IDRs to reset, under specified circumstances, the incentive distribution levels and receive compensation in exchange for the distribution rights given up in the reset.

FUNDAMENTAL AND NON-FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES

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

RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUNDS

The following section provides additional information regarding the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund’s “Summary Information” section, and a number of additional (non-principal) risks. The risks checked in the chart below apply to the Fund as indicated. For a description of the risks listed in the chart, please see "Glossary – Investment Risks" below the chart. See also the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information for information on certain other investments in which the Fund may invest and other investment techniques in which the Fund may engage from time to time and related risks.


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Risk

Biotech ETF (BBH)

Digital Transformation ETF
(DAPP)

Energy
Income
ETF
(EINC)

Environmental Services ETF (EVX)

Gaming ETF (BJK)

Pharmaceutical ETF
(PPH)

Retail ETF (RTH)

Semiconductor
ETF
(SMH)

Video
Gaming
and
eSports
ETF
(ESPO)

√ Principal Risk | X Additional Non-Principal Risk

Authorized Participant Concentration Risk

√

Basic Materials Sector Risk

√

Biotechnology Industry Risk

√

Cash Transactions Risk

√

Communication Services Sector Risk

√

Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk

√

Consumer Staples Sector Risk

√

Depositary Receipts Risk

√

Derivatives Risk

Digital Transformation Companies Risk

√

Emerging Market Issuers Risk

√

Energy Sector Risk

√

Environmental Services Industry Risk

√

Equity Securities Risk

√

Financials Sector Risk

√

Foreign Currency Risk

√

Foreign Securities Risk

√

Fund Shares Trading, Premium/Discount Risk and Liquidity of Fund Shares

√

Gaming Industry Risk

√

Health Care Sector Risk

√

Index Tracking Risk

√

Industrials Sector Risk

√

Industry Concentration Risk

√

Information Technology Sector Risk

√

Internet Software & Services Industry Risk

√

Issuer-Specific Changes Risk

√

Leverage Risk

Life Sciences Tools and Services Industry Risk

√

Liquidity Risk Related to MLPs

√

Market Risk

√

Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk

√

Micro-Capitalization Companies Risk

√

MLP Industry Specific Risks


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Risk

Biotech ETF (BBH)

Digital Transformation ETF
(DAPP)

Energy
Income
ETF
(EINC)

Environmental Services ETF (EVX)

Gaming ETF (BJK)

Pharmaceutical ETF
(PPH)

Retail ETF (RTH)

Semiconductor
ETF
(SMH)

Video
Gaming
and
eSports
ETF
(ESPO)

√ Principal Risk | X Additional Non-Principal Risk

MLP Risk

√

MLP Tax Risk

√

No Guarantee of Active Trading Market Risk

√

Non-Diversified Risk

√

Oil and Gas Companies Risk

√

Operational Risk

√

Passive Management Risk

√

Pharmaceutical Industry Risk

√

Real Estate Sector Risk

√

Retail Companies Risk

√

Return of Capital Risk

√

Semiconductor Industry Risk

√

Shareholder Risk

Small- and Medium-Capitalization Companies Risk

√

Software Industry Risk

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Asian Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Australian Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Canadian Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Chinese Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in European Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Japanese Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Taiwanese Issuers

√

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in United Kingdom Issuers

√

Trading Issues Risk

√

Video Gaming and esports Companies Risk

√


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GLOSSARY – INVESTMENT RISKS

Biotechnology Industry Risk. The Fund will be sensitive to, and its performance may depend to a greater extent on, the overall condition of the biotechnology industry. The success of biotechnology companies is highly dependent on the development, procurement and/or marketing of drugs. The values of biotechnology companies are also dependent on the development, protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights and other proprietary information, and the profitability of biotechnology companies may be affected significantly by such things as the expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights.The research and development and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs, products or technologies and the related intellectual property rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable and may not necessarily lead to commercially successful products. In addition, the potential for an increased amount of required disclosure of proprietary scientific information could negatively impact the competitive position of these companies. Governmental regulation may delay or inhibit the release of new products. There can be no assurance that those efforts or costs will result in the development of a profitable drug, product or technology. Moreover, the process for obtaining regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and there can be no assurance that the necessary approvals will be obtained or maintained.

The biotechnology industry is also subject to rapid and significant technological change and competitive forces that may make drugs, products or technologies obsolete or make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Companies in the biotechnology industry may also be subject to expenses and losses from expensive insurance costs due to the risk of product liability lawsuits, and extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims. Failure of biotechnology companies to comply with applicable laws and regulations can result in the imposition of civil and/or criminal fines, penalties and, in some instances, exclusion of participation in government sponsored programs such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Companies in the biotechnology industry may be adversely affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. Health care providers, principally hospitals that transact with companies in the biotechnology industry, often rely on third party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations to reimburse all or a portion of the cost of health care related products or services. Biotechnology companies will continue to be affected by the efforts of governments and third party payors to contain or reduce health care costs. For example, certain foreign markets control pricing or profitability of biotechnology products and technologies. In the United States, there have been, and there will likely to continue to be, a number of federal and state proposals to implement similar controls.

A biotechnology company’s valuation can often be based largely on the potential or actual performance of a limited number of products. A biotechnology company’s valuation can also be greatly affected if one of its products proves unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. Such companies may also be characterized by thin capitalization and limited markets, financial resources or personnel. The stock prices of companies involved in the biotechnology industry, especially those of smaller, less-seasoned companies, have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile, particularly when their products are up for regulatory approval and/or under regulatory scrutiny. Some of the companies in the biotechnology industry are engaged in other lines of business unrelated to biotechnology, and they may experience problems with these lines of business which could adversely affect their operating results. The operating results of these companies may fluctuate as a result of these additional risks and events in the other lines of business. In addition, a company’s ability to engage in new activities may expose it to business risks with which it has less experience than it has with the business risks associated with its traditional businesses. Despite a company’s possible success in traditional biotechnology activities, the other lines of business in which these companies are engaged may have an adverse effect on a company’s business or financial condition.


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because there may be less publicly available information concerning such non-U.S. issuers or the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to non-U.S. issuers may differ from those applicable to U.S. issuers.

Cash Transactions Risk. Unlike other ETFs, the Fund effects its creations and redemptions at least partially for cash, rather than wholly for in-kind securities. Because the Fund currently intends to effect all or a portion of redemptions for cash, rather than in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds, which involves transaction costs that the Fund may not have incurred had it effected redemptions entirely in-kind. These costs may include brokerage costs and/or taxable gains or losses, which may be imposed on the Fund and decrease the Fund’s net asset value to the extent such costs are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an Authorized Participant. If the Fund recognizes a gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize a gain its might not otherwise have recognized if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind, or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required. As a result, an investment in the Fund may be less tax-efficient than an investment in a more conventional ETF. Other ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid realizing gains in connection with transactions designed to raise cash to meet redemption requests. The Fund generally intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF. Additionally, transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable transaction fees and taxes.

Derivatives Risk. Derivatives and other similar instruments (referred to collectively as “derivatives”) are financial instruments whose values are based on the value of one or more reference assets or indicators, such as a security, currency, interest rate, or index. The Fund’s use of derivatives involves risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other more traditional investments. Moreover, although the value of a derivative is based on an underlying asset or indicator, a derivative typically does not carry the same rights as would be the case if the Fund invested directly in the underlying securities, currencies or other assets.

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

Many derivative transactions are entered into “over-the-counter” without a central clearinghouse; as a result, the value of such a derivative transaction will depend on, among other factors, the ability and the willingness of the Fund’s counterparty to perform its


80

obligations under the transaction. If a counterparty were to default on its obligations, the Fund’s contractual remedies against such counterparty may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor (e.g., the Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it is contractually entitled to receive). Counterparty risk also refers to the related risks of having concentrated exposure to such a counterparty. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivative positions at any time, and the Fund may not be able to initiate or liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. The Fund may also face the risk that it may not be able to meet margin and payment requirements and maintain a derivatives position.

Derivatives are also subject to operational and legal risks. Operational risk generally refers to risk related to potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, system failures, inadequate controls, and human errors. Legal risk generally refers to insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract.

Under Rule 18f-4 (the “derivatives rule”), funds need to trade derivatives and other transactions that create future fund payment or delivery obligations subject to a value-at-risk (“VaR”) leverage limit, and certain derivatives risk management program and reporting requirements. Generally, these requirements apply unless a fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined in the derivatives rule. Under the derivatives rule, when a fund trades reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions, including certain tender option bonds, it needs to aggregate the amount of indebtedness associated with the reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions with the aggregate amount of any other senior securities representing indebtedness when calculating the fund’s asset coverage ratio or treat all such transactions as derivatives transactions. Reverse repurchase agreements or similar financing transactions aggregated with other indebtedness do not need to be included in the calculation of whether a fund is a limited derivatives user, but for funds subject to the VaR testing, reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions must be included for purposes of such testing whether treated as derivatives transactions or not. The Securities and Exchange Commission also provided guidance in connection with the derivatives rule regarding use of securities lending collateral that may limit a fund's securities lending activities. In addition, under the derivatives rule, the Fund is permitted to invest in a security on a when-issued or forward-settling basis, or with a non-standard settlement cycle, and the transaction will be deemed not to involve a senior security under the Investment Company Act of 1940, provided that (i) the Fund intends to physically settle the transaction and (ii) the transaction will settle within 35 days of its trade date (the “Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision”). The Fund may otherwise engage in such transactions that do not meet the conditions of the Delayed-Settlement Securities Provision so long as the Fund treats any such transaction as a “derivatives transaction” for purposes of compliance with the derivatives rule. Furthermore, under the derivatives rule, the Fund will be permitted to enter into an unfunded commitment agreement, and such unfunded commitment agreement will not be subject to the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, if the Fund reasonably believes, at the time it enters into such agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all such agreements as they come due.

Digital Transformation Companies Risk. The technology relating to digital assets, including blockchain, is new and developing and the risks associated with digital assets may not fully emerge until the technology is widely used. Digital asset technologies are used by companies to optimize their business practices, whether by using the technology within their business or operating business lines involved in the operation of the technology. The cryptographic keys necessary to transact a digital asset may be subject to theft, loss, or destruction, which could adversely affect a company’s business or operations. Competing platforms and technologies may be developed, allowing consumers or investors use an alternative to digital assets. Currently, there are relatively few companies for which digital assets represents an attributable and significant revenue stream. Therefore, the values of the companies included in the Index may not reflect their connection to digital assets, but may be based on other business operations. In addition, these companies may engage in other lines of business unrelated to digital assets that could adversely affect their operating results. These companies may not be able to develop digital asset technology applications or may not be able to capitalize on those applications. Digital asset technologies may never be fully implemented, which could adversely affect an investment in the Fund. Companies that use digital asset technologies may be subject to cybersecurity risk. In addition, certain features of digital asset technologies, such as decentralization, open source protocol, and reliance on peer-to-peer connectivity, may increase the risk of fraud or cyber-attack by potentially reducing the likelihood of a coordinated response. A significant disruption of Internet connectivity affecting large numbers of users or geographic areas could impede the functionality of digital asset technologies and adversely affect companies included in the Index. Digital Transformation Companies may be subject to the risks posed by conflicting intellectual property claims, which may reduce confidence in the viability of a digital asset. There may be risks posed by the lack of regulation for digital assets and any future regulatory developments could affect the viability and expansion of the use of digital assets. Because digital asset platforms may operate across many national boundaries and regulatory jurisdictions, it is possible that digital asset platforms may be subject to widespread and inconsistent regulation. Digital asset systems built using third party products may be subject to technical defects or vulnerabilities beyond a company’s control. Because many digital assets do not have a standardized exchange, like a stock market, there is less liquidity for such assets and greater possibility of volatility, fraud or manipulation.


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protocol of the applicable blockchain network could be affected by internet connectivity disruptions, fraud, consensus failures or cybersecurity attacks; such network may not be adequately maintained by its participants; because digital assets are a new technological innovation with a limited history, they are highly speculative assets and may experience extreme price volatility; future regulatory actions or policies may limit the ability to sell, exchange or use a digital asset; the price of a digital asset may be impacted by the transactions of a small number of holders of such digital asset; and that a digital asset will decline in popularity, acceptance or use, thereby impairing its price.


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artificial levels relative to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market. This type of system can lead to sudden and large adjustments in the currency which, in turn, can have a disruptive and negative effect on foreign investors.


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from trading at the custodian or sub-custodian level for a period of time around a shareholder meeting. These restrictions have the effect of barring the purchase and sale of certain voting securities within a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting where a vote of shareholders will be taken. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities for a period of time. During the time that shares are blocked, trades in such securities will not settle. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. The process for having a blocking restriction lifted can be quite onerous with the particular requirements varying widely by country. In addition, in certain countries, the block cannot be removed. As a result of the ramifications of voting ballots in markets that allow share blocking, the Adviser, on behalf of the Fund, reserves the right to abstain from voting proxies in those markets.


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their operations. Waste management companies are also affected by demand cycles, world events, increased outsourcing and economic conditions. In addition, these companies are subject to liability for environmental damage claims.

Equity Securities Risk. The value of the equity securities held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the markets in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or factors relating to specific issuers in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may result in a decline in the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of the equity securities of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the securities markets; or a drop in the securities markets may depress the price of most or all of the equities securities held by the Fund. In addition, the equity securities of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments. Equity securities are subordinated to preferred securities and debt in a company’s capital structure with respect to priority to a share of corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred securities or debt instruments. In addition, while broad market measures of equity securities have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, equity securities have generally also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

Financials Sector Risk. Companies in the financials sector may be subject to extensive government regulation that affects the scope of their activities, the prices they can charge and the amount of capital they must maintain. The profitability of companies in the financials sector may be adversely affected by increases in interest rates, by loan losses, which usually increase in economic downturns, and by credit rating downgrades. In addition, the financials sector is undergoing numerous changes, including continuing consolidations, development of new products and structures and changes to its regulatory framework. Furthermore, some companies in the financials sector perceived as benefiting from government intervention in the past may be subject to future government-imposed restrictions on their businesses or face increased government involvement in their operations. Increased government involvement in the financials sector, including measures such as taking ownership positions in financial institutions, could result in a dilution of the Fund’s investments in financial institutions.

Several factors may affect the price of euros and the British pound sterling, including the debt level and trade deficit of the Economic and Monetary Union and the United Kingdom, inflation and interest rates of the Economic and Monetary Union and the United Kingdom and investors’ expectations concerning inflation and interest rates and global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. The European financial markets have experienced, and may continue to experience, volatility and have been adversely affected by concerns about economic downturns, credit rating downgrades, rising government debt levels and possible default on or restructuring of government debt in several European countries. These events have adversely affected, and may in the future affect, the value and exchange rate of the euro and may continue to significantly affect the economies of every country in Europe, including European Union member countries that do not use the euro and non-European Union member countries. In a referendum held on June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, creating economic and political uncertainty in its wake. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union and the United Kingdom entered a transition period which ended on December 31, 2020. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, following the transition period, there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition framework. Significant uncertainty exists regarding the effects such withdrawal will have on the euro, European economies and the global markets. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and the impact of these actions, especially if conducted in a disorderly manner, may have significant and far-reaching consequences on the euro.

The value of certain emerging market countries’ currencies may be subject to a high degree of fluctuation. This fluctuation may be due to changes in interest rates, investors’ expectations concerning inflation and interest rates, the emerging market country’s debt levels and trade deficit, the effects of monetary policies issued by the United States, foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, the imposition of currency controls or other national or global political or economic developments. For example, certain emerging market countries have experienced economic challenges and liquidity issues with respect to their currency. The economies of certain emerging market countries can be significantly affected by currency devaluations. Certain emerging market countries may also have managed currencies which are maintained at artificial levels relative to the U.S. dollar rather than at levels determined by the market. This type of system could lead to sudden and large adjustments in the currency, which in turn, may have a negative effect on the Fund and its investments.


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Certain foreign markets that have historically been considered relatively stable may become volatile in response to changed conditions or new developments. Increased interconnectivity of world economies and financial markets increases the possibility that adverse developments and conditions in one country or region will affect the stability of economies and financial markets in other countries or regions. Because the Fund may invest in securities denominated in foreign currencies and some of the income received by the Fund may be in foreign currencies, changes in currency exchange rates may negatively impact the Fund’s return.

Foreign issuers are often subject to less stringent requirements regarding accounting, auditing, financial reporting and record keeping than are U.S. issuers, and therefore, not all material information may be available or reliable. Securities exchanges or foreign governments may adopt rules or regulations that may negatively impact the Fund’s ability to invest in foreign securities or may prevent the Fund from repatriating its investments. The Fund may also invest in depositary receipts which involve similar risks to those associated with investments in foreign securities. In addition, the Fund may not receive shareholder communications or be permitted to vote the securities that it holds, as the issuers may be under no legal obligation to distribute shareholder communications.

Certain foreign markets may rely heavily on particular industries or foreign capital and are more vulnerable to diplomatic developments, the imposition of economic sanctions against a particular country or countries, organizations, entities and/or individuals, changes in international trade patterns, trade barriers, and other protectionist or retaliatory measures. The United States and other nations or international organizations may impose economic sanctions or take other actions that may adversely affect issuers of specific countries. Economic sanctions could, among other things, effectively restrict or eliminate the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell securities or groups of securities for a substantial period of time, and may make the Fund’s investments in such securities harder to value. These sanctions, any future sanctions or other actions, or even the threat of further sanctions or other actions, may negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund.

Also, certain issuers located in foreign countries in which the Fund invests may operate in, or have dealings with, countries subject to sanctions and/or embargoes imposed by the U.S. Government and the United Nations and/or countries identified by the U.S. Government as state sponsors of terrorism. As a result, an issuer may sustain damage to its reputation if it is identified as an issuer which operates in, or has dealings with, such countries. The Fund, as an investor in such issuers, will be indirectly subject to those risks.

Fund Shares Trading, Premium/Discount Risk and Liquidity of Fund Shares. Disruptions to creations and redemptions, the existence of market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for Shares (including through a trading halt), as well as other factors, may result in Shares trading at a significant premium or discount to net asset value or to the intraday value of the Fund’s holdings. The net asset value of the Shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s securities holdings. The market price of Shares may fluctuate, in some cases materially, in accordance with changes in net asset value and the intraday value of the Fund’s holdings, as well as supply and demand on the Exchange. Shares may trade below, at or above their net asset value. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that Shares normally will trade close to the value of the Fund’s holdings, market prices are not expected to correlate exactly to the Fund’s net asset value due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors. The price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for Shares may be closely related to, but not necessarily identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the securities of the Fund’s portfolio of investments trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time. If a shareholder purchases Shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the net asset value or sells Shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the net asset value, the shareholder may pay significantly more or receive significantly less than the underlying value of the Shares that were bought or sold or the shareholder may be unable to sell his or her Shares. Any of these factors, discussed above and further below, may lead to the Shares trading at a premium or discount to the Fund’s net asset value. In addition, because certain of the Fund’s underlying securities trade on exchanges that are closed when the exchange that Shares of the Fund trade on is open, there are likely to be deviations between the expected value of an underlying security and the closing security’s price (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to net asset value that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs. In addition, the securities held by the Fund may be traded in markets that close at a different time than the Exchange. Liquidity in those securities may be reduced after the applicable closing times. Accordingly, during the time when the Exchange is open but after the applicable market closing, fixing or settlement times, bid/ask spreads and the resulting premium or discount to the Shares’ net asset value may widen. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Fund’s Shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings.

When you buy or sell Shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers. In addition, the market price of Shares, like the price of any exchange-traded security, includes a bid/ask spread


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charged by the market makers or other participants that trade the particular security. The spread of the Fund’s Shares varies over time based on the Fund’s trading volume and market liquidity and may increase if the Fund’s trading volume, the spread of the Fund’s underlying securities, or market liquidity decrease. In times of severe market disruption, including when trading of the Fund’s holdings may be halted, the bid/ask spread may increase significantly. This means that Shares may trade at a discount to the Fund’s net asset value, and the discount is likely to be greatest during significant market volatility.

Health care companies are subject to competitive forces that may make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Many new products in the health care sector may be subject to regulatory approvals. The process of obtaining such approvals may be long and costly. Companies in the health care sector may be thinly capitalized and may be susceptible to product obsolescence.

Index Tracking Risk. The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses, including taxes, not applicable to the Index and incurs costs associated with buying and selling securities and entering into derivatives transactions (if applicable), especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Index, or (to the extent the Fund effects creations and redemptions in cash) raising cash to meet redemptions or deploying cash in connection with newly created Creation Units. Transaction costs, including brokerage costs, will decrease the Fund’s net asset value to the extent not offset by the transaction fee payable by an Authorized Participant.

Market disruptions and regulatory restrictions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to adjust its exposure to the required levels in order to track the Index. Unusual market conditions may cause the Index provider to postpone a scheduled rebalance, which could cause the Index to vary from its normal or expected composition. There is no assurance that the Index provider or any agents that may act on its behalf will compile the Index accurately, or that the Index will be determined, composed or calculated accurately. Errors in respect of the quality, accuracy and completeness of the data used to compile the Index may occur from time to time and may not be identified and corrected by the Index provider, particularly where the indices are less commonly used as benchmarks by funds or managers. Therefore, gains, losses or costs associated with errors of the Index provider or its agents will generally be borne by the Fund and its shareholders. For example, during a period where the Index contains incorrect constituents, the Fund would have market exposure to such constituents and would be underexposed to the Index’s other constituents. Such errors may negatively or positively impact the Fund and its shareholders.

When the Index is rebalanced and the Fund in turn rebalances its portfolio to attempt to increase the correlation between the Fund’s portfolio and the Index, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio rebalancing will be borne directly by the Fund and its shareholders. The Fund may not be fully invested at times either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to pay expenses or to meet redemptions. The Fund may accept cash in connection with a purchase of Creation Units or effect its redemptions in cash rather than in-kind and, as a result, the Fund’s ability to match the return of the Index will be affected. In addition, the Fund may not invest in certain securities and/or other assets included in the Index, or invest in them in the exact proportions in which they are represented in the Index. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the return of the Index for a variety of reasons, including legal restrictions or limitations imposed by the governments of certain countries, certain exchange listing standards, a lack of liquidity in markets in which such securities trade, potential adverse tax consequences or other regulatory reasons (such as diversification requirements). A lack of liquidity may be due to various events, including market events, economic conditions or investor perceptions. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value


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and their value may be lower than the market price of comparable liquid securities, which would negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Moreover, the Fund may be delayed in purchasing or selling securities included in the Index. When markets are volatile, the ability to sell securities at fair value prices may be adversely impacted and may result in additional trading costs and/or increase the index tracking risk. To the extent the Fund encounters any issues with regard to currency convertibility (including the cost of borrowing funds, if any), repatriation or economic sanctions, such issues may also increase index tracking risk. The Fund may also need to rely on borrowings to meet redemptions, which may lead to increased expenses. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities, and such sale may cause the Fund to realize a loss and deviate from the performance of the Index. The Fund’s performance may also deviate from the performance of the Index due to the impact of withholding taxes, late announcements relating to changes to the Index and high turnover of the Index.

The Fund may fair value certain of its investments, underlying currencies and/or other assets. To the extent the Fund calculates its net asset value based on fair value prices and the value of the Index is based on securities’ closing prices on local foreign markets (i.e., the value of the Index is not based on fair value prices) or if the Fund otherwise calculates its net asset value based on prices that differ from those used in calculating the Index, the Fund’s ability to track the Index may be adversely affected. The need to comply with the tax diversification and other requirements of the Internal Revenue Code may also impact the Fund’s ability to track the performance of the Index. In addition, if the Fund utilizes depositary receipts or other derivative instruments, its return may not correlate as well with the return of the Index as would be the case if the Fund purchased all the securities in the Index directly. To the extent the Fund utilizes depositary receipts, the purchase of depositary receipts may negatively affect the Fund’s ability to track the performance of the Index and increase tracking error, which may be exacerbated if the issuer of the depositary receipt discontinues issuing new depositary receipts or withdraws existing depositary receipts. Actions taken in response to proposed corporate actions could also result in increased tracking error. In light of the factors discussed above, the Fund’s return may deviate significantly from the return of the Index.

Apart from scheduled rebalances, the Index provider or its agents may carry out additional ad hoc rebalances to the Index in order, for example, to correct an error in the selection of index constituents. When the Index is rebalanced and the Fund in turn rebalances its portfolio to attempt to increase the correlation between the Fund’s portfolio and the Index, any transaction costs and market exposure arising from such portfolio rebalancing will be borne directly by the Fund and its shareholders. Therefore, errors and additional ad hoc rebalances carried out by the Index provider to the Index may increase the costs to and the tracking error risk of the Fund.

Index tracking risk may be heightened during times of increased market volatility or other unusual market conditions. Changes to the composition of the Index in connection with a rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index may cause the Fund to experience increased volatility, during which time the Fund’s index tracking risk may be heightened.

The stock prices of companies in the industrials sector are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. The products of information manufacturing companies may face product obsolescence due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. In addition, the industrials sector may also be adversely affected by changes or trends in commodity prices, which may be influenced or characterized by unpredictable factors.


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independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies’ technology. Legislative or regulatory changes and increased government supervision also may affect companies in the internet software and services industry.

Leverage Risk. To the extent that the Fund borrows money or utilizes certain derivatives, it may be leveraged. Leveraging generally exaggerates the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of the Fund’s portfolio securities. The Fund is required to comply with the derivatives rule when it engages in transactions that create future Fund payment or delivery obligations. The Fund is required to comply with the asset coverage requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940 when it engages in borrowings and/or transactions treated as borrowings.

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

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


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MLP Industry Specific Risks. Energy companies and MLPs can be negatively impacted by market perception that energy companies’ and MLPs’ performance and distributions are directly tied to commodity prices. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the production of natural gas, oil or other energy commodities, due to a decline in production from existing facilities, import supply disruption or otherwise, would reduce revenue and operating income of energy companies and MLPs and, therefore, the ability of energy companies and MLPs to make distributions to partners. Changes in demand for transportation of commodities over longer distances and supply of vessels to carry those commodities may materially affect revenues, profitability and cash flows. MLPs and other companies operating in the energy sector are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.

Midstream. Energy companies and MLPs that operate midstream assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve which may be impacted by a wide range of factors including fluctuating commodity prices, weather, increased conservation, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, rising interest rates, declines in domestic or foreign production, accidents or catastrophic events, increasing operating expenses and economic conditions, among others. Further, energy companies and MLPs that operate gathering and processing assets are subject to natural declines in the production of the oil and gas fields they serve. In addition, some gathering and processing contracts subject the owner of such assets to direct commodity price risk. The development of, demand for and/or supply of competing forms of energy may negatively impact the revenues of midstream companies.

Downstream. Downstream companies are businesses engaged in refining, marketing and other “end-customer” distribution activities relating to refined energy sources, such as: customer-ready natural gas, propane and gasoline; the production and manufacturing of petrochemicals including olefins, polyolefins, ethylene and similar co-products as well as intermediates and derivatives; and the generation, transmission and distribution of power and electricity. In addition to the other risks described herein, downstream companies may be more susceptible to risks associated with reduced customer demand for the products and services they provide.

Exploration and Production. Exploration and production energy companies and MLPs are particularly vulnerable to declines in the demand for and prices of crude oil and natural gas. Reductions in prices for crude oil and natural gas can cause a given reservoir to become uneconomic for continued production earlier than it would if prices were higher, resulting in the plugging and abandonment of, and cessation of production from, that reservoir. In addition, lower commodity prices not only reduce revenues but also can result in substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data, the accuracy of assumptions regarding future commodity prices and future exploration and development costs and engineering and geological interpretations and judgments. Different reserve engineers may make different estimates of reserve quantities and related revenue based on the same data. Actual oil and gas prices, development expenditures and operating expenses will vary from those assumed in reserve estimates, and these variances may be significant. Any significant variance from the assumptions used could result in the actual quantity of reserves and future net cash flow being materially different from those estimated in reserve reports. In addition, results of drilling, testing and production and changes in prices after the date of reserve estimates may result in downward revisions to such estimates. Substantial downward adjustments in reserve estimates could have a material adverse effect on a given exploration and production company’s financial position and results of operations. In addition, due to natural declines in reserves and production, exploration and production companies must economically find or acquire and develop additional reserves in order to maintain and grow their revenues and distributions. Exploration and production energy companies and MLPs seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with commodity prices by executing multiyear hedging strategies that fix the price of gas and oil produced. There can be no assurance that the hedging strategies currently employed by these energy companies and MLPs are currently effective or will remain effective.

Marine Shipping. Marine shipping energy companies and MLPs are primarily marine transporters of natural gas, crude oil or refined petroleum products. Marine shipping companies are exposed to many of the same risks as other energy companies. In addition, the highly cyclical nature of the marine transportation industry may lead to volatile changes in charter rates and vessel values, which may adversely affect the revenues, profitability and cash flows of such companies. Fluctuations in charter rates result from changes in the supply and demand for vessel capacity and changes in the supply and demand for certain energy commodities. Changes in demand for transportation of commodities over longer distances and supply of vessels to carry those commodities may materially affect revenues, profitability and cash flows. The value of marine transportation vessels may fluctuate and could adversely affect the value of shipping company securities in the Fund’s portfolio. Declining marine transportation values could affect the ability of shipping companies to raise cash by limiting their ability to refinance their vessels, thereby adversely impacting such company’s liquidity. Shipping company vessels are at risk of damage or loss because of events such as mechanical failure, collision, human error, war, terrorism, piracy, cargo loss and bad weather. In addition, changing economic, regulatory and political conditions in some countries, including political and military conflicts, have from time to time resulted in attacks on vessels, mining of waterways, piracy, terrorism, labor strikes, boycotts and government requisitioning of vessels. These sorts of events could interfere with shipping lanes and result in market disruptions and a significant reduction in cash flow for the shipping companies.

Propane. Propane energy companies and MLPs are distributors of propane to homeowners for space and water heating. Energy companies and MLPs with propane assets are subject to earnings variability based upon weather conditions in the


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markets they serve, fluctuating commodity prices, customer conservation and increased use of alternative fuels, increased governmental or environmental regulation, and accidents or catastrophic events, among others.

Natural Resource. Energy companies and MLPs with coal, timber, fertilizer and other mineral assets are subject to supply and demand fluctuations in the markets they serve, which will be impacted by a wide range of domestic and foreign factors including fluctuating commodity prices, the level of their customers’ coal stockpiles, weather, increased conservation or use of alternative fuel sources, increased governmental or environmental regulation, depletion, declines in production, mining accidents or catastrophic events, health claims and economic conditions, among others. In light of increased state and federal regulation, it has been increasingly difficult to obtain and maintain the permits necessary to mine coal. Further, such permits, if obtained, have increasingly contained more stringent, and more difficult and costly to comply with, provisions relating to environmental protection.

Geopolitical Risk. Global political and economic instability could affect the operations of MLPs and energy companies in unpredictable ways, including through disruptions of natural resource supplies and markets and the resulting volatility in commodity prices. Market disruptions arising out of geopolitical events could also prevent the Fund from executing advantageous investment decisions in a timely manner. Energy infrastructure companies and MLPs are also subject to risks that are specific to the industry they serve.

Pipeline. Pipeline energy companies and MLPs are not subject to direct commodity price exposure because they do not own the underlying energy commodity. However, the energy sector can be hurt by market perception that energy companies’ and MLPs’ performance and distributions are directly tied to commodity prices. Also, a significant decrease in the production of natural gas, oil, or other energy commodities, due to a decline in production from existing facilities, import supply disruption, or otherwise, would reduce revenue and operating income of energy companies and MLPs and, therefore, the ability of energy companies and MLPs to make distributions to partners.

A sustained decline in demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products could adversely affect energy company and MLP revenues and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market demand include a recession or other adverse economic conditions, an increase in the market price of the underlying commodity, higher taxes or other regulatory actions that increase costs, or a shift in consumer demand for such products. Demand may also be adversely impacted by consumer sentiment with respect to global warming and/ or by any state or federal legislation intended to promote the use of alternative energy sources, such as bio-fuels.

A significant slowdown in large energy companies’ disposition of energy infrastructure assets and other merger and acquisition activity in the energy industry could reduce the growth rate of cash flows received by the Fund from energy companies and MLPs that grow through acquisitions.

MLP Risk. An investment in MLP units involves risks that differ from a similar investment in equity securities, such as common stock, of a corporation. Holders of MLP units have the rights typically afforded to limited partners in a limited partnership. Holders of MLP units are subject to certain risks inherent in the structure of MLPs, including (i) tax risks (described further below), (ii) the limited ability to elect or remove management or the general partner or managing member, (iii) limited voting rights, except with respect to extraordinary transactions, (iv) conflicts of interest between the general partner or managing member and its affiliates, on the one hand, and the limited partners or members, on the other hand, including those arising from incentive distribution payments or corporate opportunities, (v) dilution risks and risks related to the general partner’s right to require unit-holders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price, resulting from regulatory changes or other reasons and (vi) cash flow risks, as described in more detail in this Prospectus. General partners typically have limited fiduciary duties to an MLP, which could allow a general partner to favor its own interests over the MLP’s interests. In addition, general partners of MLPs often have limited call rights that may require unitholders to sell their common units at an undesirable time or price. MLPs may issue additional common units without unitholder approval, which would dilute the interests of existing unitholders, including the Fund’s ownership interest.

MLP common units and other equity securities can be affected by factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the energy sector, changes in a particular issuer’s financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). MLPs holding credit-related investments are subject to interest rate risk and the risk of default on payment obligations by debt issuers. Certain MLP securities may trade in lower volumes due to their smaller capitalizations, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements and lower market liquidity. MLP securities are generally considered interest-rate sensitive investments. During periods of interest rate volatility, these investments may not provide attractive returns. Prices of common units of individual MLPs and other equity securities also can be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including cash flow growth, cash generating power and distribution coverage.

The Fund derives a significant portion of its cash flow from investments in equity securities of MLPs. Therefore, the amount of cash that the Fund will have available to pay or distribute will depend on the ability of the MLPs that the Fund owns to make distributions to their partners and the tax character of those distributions. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser has control over the actions of underlying MLPs. MLPs are subject to various risks related to the underlying operating companies they control, including dependence upon specialized management skills and the risk that such companies may lack or have limited operating


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histories. Certain MLPs in which the Fund may invest depend upon their parent or sponsor entities for the majority of their revenues. If the parent or sponsor entities fail to make payments or satisfy their obligations to an MLP, the revenues and cash flows of that MLP and ability of that MLP to make distributions to unit holders such as the Fund would be adversely affected. The amount of cash that each individual MLP can distribute to its partners will depend on the amount of cash it generates from operations, which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors affecting the energy infrastructure market generally and on factors affecting the particular business lines of the MLP. Available cash will also depend on the MLPs’ level of operating costs (including incentive distributions to the general partner), level of capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in working capital needs and other factors. The Fund expects to generate significant investment income, and the Fund’s investments may not distribute the expected or anticipated levels of cash, resulting in the risk that the Fund may not have the ability to make cash distributions as investors expect from MLP- focused investments.

MLP Tax Risk. MLPs are generally being treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Partnerships generally do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level. Rather, each partner of the MLP, in computing its U.S. federal income tax liability, must include its allocable share of the MLP’s income, gains, losses, deductions and tax credits. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLP’s underlying business mix, an MLP were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the MLP would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate, reducing the distributions, after-tax returns, and value of the investment to the Fund.

Changes in tax laws or regulations, or future interpretations of such laws or regulations, could adversely affect the Fund or the MLPs in which the Fund invests and could also negatively impact the amount and tax characterization of dividends received by the Fund’s shareholders. For example, Congress could take actions which would eliminate the tax benefits of depreciation, depletion and amortization deductions realized by MLPs. Alternatively, Congress could impose a tax on pass- through entities such as MLPs or eliminate the use of pass-through taxation entirely.

Individuals and certain other non-corporate entities are generally eligible for a 20% deduction with respect to certain taxable income from MLPs. However, the Fund (which is taxable as a regulated investment company) will not be eligible for the 20% deduction and will not pass through the 20% deduction to Fund shareholders. As a result, in comparison, investors investing directly in MLPs would be eligible for the 20% deduction for any such taxable income from these investments, while investors investing in MLPs held indirectly through the Fund would not. An MLP’s distributions to the Fund generally will not be taxable unless the cash amount (or, in certain cases, the value of marketable securities) distributed exceeds the Fund’s basis in its interest in the MLP. Distributions received by the Fund from an MLP will reduce the Fund’s adjusted basis in its interest in the MLP, but not below zero. A reduced basis will generally result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the Fund for tax purposes on the sale of its interest in the MLP.

U.S. federal income tax audit rules for partnerships such as the MLPs in which the Fund invests generally require that underpayments of tax be determined and paid at the partnership level following any adjustment to the partnership’s items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit. If the Internal Revenue Service makes audit adjustments, it may assess and collect any taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from such audit adjustments directly from the partnership. A partnership such as an MLP may elect to either pay the taxes directly to the Internal Revenue Service or pass through such tax liability to unitholders including former unitholders, if eligible. Although MLPs generally are accorded an election to require unitholders and former unitholders to take such Internal Revenue Service audit adjustment into account and to pay any resulting taxes (including applicable penalties or interest) therefrom in accordance with their interests in the MLP during the tax year under audit, there can be no assurance that such election would be made or would be practical, permissible or effective in all circumstances. Both current and past MLP unitholders, which may include the Fund, may bear some or all of any tax liability resulting from such an audit adjustment relating to current or prior years, plus additional tax, interest and penalties as well as incremental accounting and legal expenses, whether or not such unitholders held units in the partnership during the tax year actually under audit. If as a result of any such audit adjustment an MLP in which the Fund was or is invested is required to recognize taxable income or make payments of taxes, penalties and interest or the Fund is so required, the Fund’s returns may be materially negatively affected.

Van Eck Securities Corporation, the distributor of the Shares, does not maintain a secondary market in the Shares. Investors purchasing and selling Shares in the secondary market may not experience investment results consistent with those experienced by those Authorized Participants creating and redeeming directly with the Fund.

Decisions by market makers or Authorized Participants to reduce their role or “step away” from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of the Fund’s portfolio securities and the Fund’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Fund Shares trading at a price which differs materially from net asset value and also in greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads for Fund Shares.


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Oil and Gas Companies Risk. The profitability of oil and gas companies is related to worldwide energy prices, including all sources of energy, and exploration and production costs. The price of oil and gas, the earnings of oil and gas companies, and the value of such companies’ securities can be extremely volatile. Such companies are also subject to risks of changes in commodity prices, changes in the global supply of and demand for oil and gas (including reduced demand as a result of increases in energy efficiency and energy conservation efforts), interest rates, exchange rates, the prices of competitive energy services, the imposition of import controls, world events, friction with certain oil-producing countries and between the governments of the United States and other major exporters of oil to the United States, actions of OPEC, negative perception and publicity, depletion of resources, development of alternative energy sources, technological developments, labor relations and general economic conditions, as well as market, economic and political risks of the countries where oil and gas companies are located or do business, fluctuations caused by events relating to international politics, including political instability, expropriation, social unrest and acts of war, acts of terrorism, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects and tax and other governmental regulatory policies. Oil and gas companies may have significant capital investments in, or engage in transactions involving, emerging market countries, which may heighten these risks. These companies may also be subject to contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of business and limit these companies’ earnings. Oil and gas companies operate in a highly competitive and cyclical industry, with intense price competition. Additionally, the price of oil may fluctuate on a seasonal basis. A significant portion of their revenues may depend on a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities.

Oil and gas companies are exposed to significant and numerous operating hazards. Oil and gas companies’ operations are subject to hazards inherent in the oil and gas industry, such as fire, explosion, blowouts, loss of well control and oil spills. Companies that own or operate gas pipelines are subject to certain risks, including pipeline and equipment leaks and ruptures, explosions, fires, unscheduled downtime, transportation interruptions, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous gases and other environmental risks. Oil and gas equipment and services, as well as oil and gas exploration and production, can be significantly affected by natural disasters and adverse weather conditions in the regions in which they operate. The revenues of oil and gas companies may be negatively affected by contract termination and renegotiation. Oil and gas companies are subject to, and may be adversely affected by, extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations. Oil and gas exploration and production companies may also be adversely affected by environmental damage claims and other types of litigation. Laws and regulations protecting the environment may expose oil and gas companies to liability for the conduct of or conditions caused by others or for acts that complied with all applicable laws at the time they were performed. Changes to environmental protection laws, including the implementation of policies with less stringent environmental protection standards and those geared away from sustainable energy development, could lead to fluctuations in supply, demand and prices of oil and gas. The international operations of oil and gas companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, social unrest and acts of war, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations and other risks inherent to international business. Such companies may also have significant capital investments or operations in, or engage in transactions involving, emerging market countries, which may increase these risks.


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pharmaceutical companies may be significantly affected by such things as the expiration of patents or the loss of, or the inability to enforce, intellectual property rights. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by pharmaceutical companies to protect their proprietary rights will be adequate to prevent misappropriation of their proprietary rights or that competitors will not independently develop products that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies’ products. Pharmaceutical companies also rely on trade secrets, know-how and technology, which are not protected by patents, to maintain their competitive position. If any trade secret, know-how or other technology not protected by a patent were disclosed to, or independently developed by, a competitor, that company’s business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.

The research and other costs associated with developing or procuring new drugs and the related intellectual property rights can be significant, and the results of such research and expenditures are unpredictable. There can be no assurance that those efforts or costs will result in the development of a profitable drug. Pharmaceutical companies may be susceptible to product obsolescence. Many pharmaceutical companies face intense competition from new products and less costly generic products.

Pharmaceutical products are subject to approval of the Food and Drug Administration. The research, design, testing, manufacturing, labeling, marketing, distribution and advertising of pharmaceutical products are subject to extensive regulation by governmental authorities in the United States and other countries. The process for obtaining regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and may require extensive preclinical and clinical trials. There can be no assurance that the necessary approvals will be obtained or maintained. In addition, the potential for an increased amount of required disclosure of proprietary scientific information could negatively impact the position of pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical industry is also subject to laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment and occupational health and safety, including laws regulating air emissions, wastewater discharges, the management and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, and the health and safety of employees. Failure to comply with applicable domestic and/or foreign requirements can result in civil and criminal fines or other enforcement actions, recall or seizure of products, total or partial suspension of production, withdrawal of existing product approvals or clearances, refusal to approve or clear new applications or notifications, increased quality control costs, criminal prosecution, other penalties and, in some instances, exclusion of participation in government sponsored programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs.

The pharmaceutical industry is also subject to rapid and significant technological change and competitive forces that may make drugs obsolete or make it difficult to raise prices and, in fact, may result in price discounting. Companies in the pharmaceutical industry may also be subject to expenses and losses from extensive litigation based on intellectual property, product liability and similar claims that are inherent in the development, manufacturing and marketing of human therapeutic products. Product liability claims could delay or prevent completion of companies’ clinical development programs as well as result in Food and Drug Administration investigations of the safety and effectiveness of companies’ products, manufacturing processes and facilities, and marketing programs. Companies in the pharmaceutical industry may be adversely affected by government regulation and changes in reimbursement rates. The ability of many pharmaceutical companies to commercialize current and any future products depends in part on the extent to which reimbursement for the cost of such products and related treatments are available from third party payors, such as Medicare, Medicaid and other government sponsored programs, private health insurance plans and health maintenance organizations. Third party payors are increasingly challenging the price and cost-effectiveness of medical products. Significant uncertainty exists as to the reimbursement status of health care products, and there can be no assurance that adequate third party coverage will be available for pharmaceutical companies to obtain satisfactory price levels for their products.

The international operations of many pharmaceutical companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations and other risks inherent to international business. Additionally, a pharmaceutical company’s valuation can often be based largely on the potential or actual performance of a limited number of products. A pharmaceutical company’s valuation can also be greatly affected if one of its products proves unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. Such companies also may be characterized by thin capitalization and limited markets, financial resources or personnel, as well as dependence on wholesale distributors. The stock prices of companies in the pharmaceutical industry have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile, in part due to the prevalence of merger and acquisition activity in the pharmaceutical industry. Some pharmaceutical companies are engaged in other lines of business unrelated to pharmaceuticals, and they may experience problems with these lines of business which could adversely affect their operating results. The operating results of these companies may fluctuate as a result of these additional risks and events in the other lines of business. In addition, a company’s ability to engage in new activities may expose it to business risks with which it has less experience than it has with the business risks associated with its traditional businesses. Despite a company’s possible success in traditional pharmaceutical activities, there can be no assurance that the other lines of business in which these companies are engaged will not have an adverse effect on a company’s business or financial condition.

Certain companies in which the Fund may invest are non-U.S. issuers whose securities are listed on U.S. exchanges. Investing in non-U.S. issuers involves risks beyond those associated with investments in U.S. securities, including greater market volatility, higher transactional costs, the possibility that the liquidity of such securities could be impaired because of future political and/or economic developments, taxation by foreign governments, political instability, the possibility that foreign governmental restrictions may be adopted which might adversely affect such securities and that the selection of such securities may be more difficult because there may be less publicly available information concerning such non-U.S. issuers or the accounting, auditing and


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financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to non-U.S. issuers may differ from those applicable to U.S. issuers.


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economic developments, taxation by foreign governments, political instability, the possibility that foreign governmental restrictions may be adopted which might adversely affect such securities and that the selection of such securities may be more difficult because there may be less publicly available information concerning such non-U.S. issuers or the accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements applicable to non-U.S. issuers may differ from those applicable to U.S. issuers.

Semiconductor Industry Risk. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the semiconductor industry. The Fund is subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor industry may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain circumstances, cause the value of securities of all companies in the semiconductor industry of the market to decrease. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. The Fund is also subject to the risk that the securities of such issuers will underperform the market as a whole due to legislative or regulatory changes. Additionally, semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, limited personnel, periods of production shortages, significant price erosion, a limited number of products, wide fluctuations in securities prices due to risks of rapid obsolescence of products, economic performance of the customers of semiconductor companies and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. In addition, their capital equipment could suffer from rapid obsolescence. Some of the companies involved in the semiconductor industry are also engaged in other lines of business unrelated to the semiconductor business, and they may experience problems with these lines of business, which could adversely affect their operating results. The international operations of many semiconductor companies expose them to risks associated with instability and changes in economic and political conditions, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in foreign regulations, competition from subsidized foreign competitors with lower production costs, tariffs and trade disputes and other risks inherent to international business. The semiconductor industry is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. Companies in the semiconductor industry also may be subject to competition from new market entrants, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor industry have been and will likely continue to be extremely volatile compared to the overall market.

Semiconductor manufacturing processes are highly complex, costly and potentially vulnerable to impurities and other disruptions that can significantly increase costs and delay product shipments to customers. Many semiconductor companies rely on a single supplier or a limited number of suppliers for the parts and raw materials used in their products, and if quality parts and materials are not delivered by the suppliers on a timely basis, these companies will not be able to manufacture and deliver their products on a timely schedule which could adversely affect their financial condition.

Semiconductor design and process methodologies are subject to rapid technological change requiring large expenditures for research and development in order to improve product performance and increase manufacturing yields. Semiconductor companies also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components. Many semiconductor companies have created new technologies for the semiconductor sector and currently rely on a limited number of customers as purchasers of their products and services. Semiconductor companies rely on a combination of patents, trade secret laws and contractual provisions to protect their technologies. Inability to adequately protect proprietary rights may harm the competitive positions of many semiconductor companies. Additionally, semiconductor companies may be subject to claims of infringement of third party intellectual property rights, which could adversely affect their business. Many semiconductor companies are dependent on their ability to continue to attract and retain highly skilled technical and managerial personnel to develop and generate their business.


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Shareholder Risk. Certain shareholders, including other funds advised by the Adviser, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Fund’s Shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Adviser or an affiliate of the Adviser, an Authorized Participant, a market maker, or another entity may invest in the Fund and hold its investment for a limited period of time. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment. Redemptions by shareholders could have a negative impact on the Fund. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the exchange and may, therefore, have a material effect on the market price of the Shares.

Patent protection is integral to the success of many companies and their profitability can be affected materially by, among other things, the cost of obtaining (or failing to obtain) patent approvals, the cost of litigating patent infringement and the loss of patent protection for products (which significantly increases pricing pressures and can materially reduce profitability with respect to such products). In addition, many software companies have limited operating histories. Prices of software companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.

Governments of many Asian countries have implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in their economies, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. There can be no assurance these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite recent reform and privatizations, significant regulation of investment and industry is still pervasive in many Asian countries and may restrict foreign ownership of domestic corporations and repatriation of assets, which may adversely affect the Fund’s investments. Governments in some Asian countries are authoritarian in nature, have been installed or removed as a result of military coups or have periodically used force to suppress civil dissent. Disparities of wealth, the pace and success of democratization, and ethnic, religious and racial disaffection have led to social turmoil, violence and labor unrest in some countries. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. Investing in certain Asian countries involves risk of loss due to expropriation, nationalization, or confiscation of assets and property or the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In addition, several countries in Asia may be impacted by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics and pandemics.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in Australian Issuers. Investments in securities of Australian issuers, including issuers located outside of Australia that generate significant revenues from Australia, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. Investments in Australian issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security, and economic risk specific to Australia. The Australian economy is heavily dependent on exports from the agricultural and mining sectors. As a result, the Australian economy is susceptible to fluctuations in the commodity markets. The Australian economy is also becoming increasingly dependent on its growing services industry. The Australian economy is dependent on trading with key trading partners, including the United States, China, Japan, Singapore and certain European countries. Reduction in spending on Australian products and services, or changes in any of the economies, may cause an adverse impact on the Australian economy.

Additionally, Australia is located in a part of the world that has historically been prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, droughts and bushfires, and is economically sensitive to environmental events. Any such event may adversely impact the Australian economy, causing an adverse impact on the value of the Fund.


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Responses to the financial problems by European governments, central banks and others, including austerity measures and reforms, may not work, may result in social unrest and may limit future growth and economic recovery or have other unintended


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consequences. The governments of European Union countries may be subject to change and such countries may experience social and political unrest. Unanticipated or sudden political or social developments may result in sudden and significant investment losses. The occurrence of terrorist incidents, outbreaks of war or ongoing regional armed conflict throughout Europe also could impact financial markets. Further defaults or restructurings by governments and other entities of their debt could have additional adverse effects on economies, financial markets and asset valuations around the world. In addition, one or more countries may abandon the euro and/or withdraw from the European Union. The impact of these actions, especially if they occur in a disorderly fashion, is not clear but could be significant and far-reaching.

Special Risk Considerations of Investing in United Kingdom Issuers. Investments in securities of United Kingdom issuers, including issuers located outside of the United Kingdom that generate significant revenues from the United Kingdom, involve risks and special considerations not typically associated with investments in the U.S. securities markets. Investments in United Kingdom issuers may subject the Fund to regulatory, political, currency, security and economic risks specific to the United Kingdom. The British economy relies heavily on the export of financials to the United States and other European countries. A prolonged slowdown in the financials sector may have a negative impact on the British economy. In the past, the United Kingdom has been a target of terrorism. Acts of terrorism in the United Kingdom or against British interests abroad may cause uncertainty in the British financial markets and adversely affect the performance of the issuers to which the Fund has exposure. The British economy, along with the United States and certain other European Union economies, experienced a significant economic slowdown during the recent financial crisis. In a referendum held on June 23, 2016, voters in the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, creating economic and political uncertainty in its wake. On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially withdrew from the European Union. On December 30, 2020, the European Union and United Kingdom signed the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, an agreement on the terms governing certain aspects of the European Union’s and the United Kingdom’s relationship following the end of the transition period. Notwithstanding the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, following the transition period, there is likely to be considerable uncertainty as to the United Kingdom’s post-transition framework.


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may limit the revenue potential in such markets, and combatting such infringement or piracy schemes may require significant expenses. Such antipiracy programs may not be effective.

Video gaming and eSports companies may have significant exposure to the following industries, and therefore may be subject to the risks associated with such industries.

Risk of Investing in the Software Industry. Companies in the software industry are subject to significant competitive pressures, such as aggressive pricing, new market entrants, competition for market share, short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments and the potential for limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. Software companies also face the risks that new services, equipment or technologies are not accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. These factors can affect the profitability of software companies and, as a result, the value of their securities. Patent protection is integral to the success of many companies and their profitability can be affected materially by, among other things, the cost of obtaining (or failing to obtain) patent approvals, the cost of litigating patent infringement and the loss of patent protection for products (which significantly increases pricing pressures and can materially reduce profitability with respect to such products). In addition, many software companies have limited operating histories. Prices of software companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.

Risk of Investing in the Internet Software & Services Industry. The prices of the securities of companies in the internet software and services industry may fluctuate widely due to competitive pressures, increased sensitivity to short product cycles and aggressive pricing, heavy expenses incurred for research and development of products or services that prove unsuccessful, problems related to bringing products to market, and rapid obsolescence of products. Many internet software and software services companies rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secret laws to establish and protect their proprietary rights in their products and technologies. There can be no assurance that the steps taken by internet software and software services companies to protect their proprietary rights will sufficiently prevent misappropriation of their technology or that competitors will not independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to such companies’ technology. Legislative or regulatory changes and increased government supervision also may affect companies in the internet software and services industry.

Risk of Investing in the Semiconductor Industry. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of companies in the semiconductor industry. Video gaming and eSports companies are subject to the risk that companies that are in the semiconductor industry may be similarly affected by particular economic or market events. As product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Semiconductor companies are vulnerable to wide fluctuations in securities prices due to rapid product obsolescence. Many semiconductor companies may not successfully introduce new products, develop and maintain a loyal customer base or achieve general market acceptance for their products, and failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on their business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced demand for end-user products, underutilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor industry. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and such companies may need additional financing, which may be difficult to obtain. They also may be subject to risks relating to research and development costs and the availability and price of components.

ADDITIONAL NON-PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

Each Fund may invest in securities not included in its respective Index, money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index) and/or certain derivatives, which the Adviser believes will help a Fund track its Index. Depositary receipts not included in a Fund’s Index may be used by a Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to its respective Index and in managing cash flows, and may count towards compliance with the Fund’s 80% policy. Each Fund may also invest, to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, in other affiliated and unaffiliated funds, such as open-end or closed-end management investment companies, including other ETFs. None of the Funds employs a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines.

BORROWING MONEY

Each Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of one-third of the market value of its assets. Each Fund has entered or intends to enter into a credit facility to borrow money for temporary, emergency or other purposes, including the funding of shareholder redemption requests, trade settlements and as necessary to distribute to shareholders any income required to maintain such Fund’s status as a regulated investment company. To the extent that a Fund borrows money, it may be leveraged; at such times, the Fund will appreciate or depreciate in value more rapidly than its Index. Leverage generally has the effect of increasing the amount of loss or gain a Fund might realize, and may increase volatility in the value of a Fund’s investments.

LENDING PORTFOLIO SECURITIES

Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, a Fund receives cash, U.S. government securities and stand-by letters of credit not issued by the Funds’ bank lending agent equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio


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securities being loaned. This collateral is marked-to-market on a daily basis. Although a Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower fail to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the Fund would have to buy replacement securities and the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund) or become insolvent. A Fund may pay fees to the party arranging the loan of securities. In addition, a Fund will bear the risk that it may lose money because the borrower of the loaned securities fails to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. A Fund could also lose money in the event of a decline in the value of any cash collateral or in the value of the investments made with the cash collateral. These events could trigger adverse tax consequences for a Fund. Substitute payments for dividends received by a Fund for securities loaned out by the Fund will not be considered qualified dividend income.


TAX ADVANTAGED PRODUCT STRUCTURE

Unlike many conventional mutual funds which are only bought and sold at closing NAVs, the Shares of the Funds have been designed to be tradable in a secondary market on an intra-day basis and to be created and redeemed principally in-kind, except VanEck Gaming ETF and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF, whose Shares are created and redeemed partially for cash, in Creation Units at each day’s market close. These in-kind arrangements are designed to mitigate the adverse effects on a Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash purchase and redemption transactions that affect the NAV of the Fund. Moreover, in contrast to conventional mutual funds, where frequent redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the need to sell portfolio securities which, in turn, may generate taxable gain, the in-kind redemption mechanism of certain Funds, to the extent used, generally is not expected to lead to a tax event for shareholders whose Shares are not being redeemed.


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PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

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


MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS

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

Investment Adviser. Under the terms of an investment management agreement between the Trust and Van Eck Associates Corporation with respect to each Fund (the “Investment Management Agreement”), Van Eck Associates Corporation serves as the adviser to each Fund and, subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the day-to-day investment management of the Funds. As of December 31, 2022, the Adviser managed approximately $69.03 billion in assets. The Adviser has been an investment adviser since 1955 and also acts as adviser or sub-adviser to mutual funds, other ETFs, other pooled investment vehicles and separate accounts. The Adviser’s principal business address is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017. A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Investment Management Agreement is available in the Trust’s annual report for the period ended September 30, 2022.

For the services provided to each of VanEck Environmental Services ETF, VanEck Gaming ETF, and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF under the Investment Management Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser monthly fees based on a percentage of each Fund’s average daily net assets at the annual rate of 0.50%. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee. Until at least February 1, 2024, the Adviser has agreed to waive fees and/or pay Fund expenses to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of each Fund (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses) from exceeding 0.55% (with respect to VanEck Environmental Services ETF and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF) and 0.65% (with respect to VanEck Gaming ETF) of its average daily net assets per year.

Each of VanEck Environmental Services ETF, VanEck Gaming ETF, and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF is responsible for all of its expenses, including the investment advisory fees, costs of transfer agency, custody, legal, audit and other services, interest, taxes, any distribution fees or expenses, offering fees or expenses and extraordinary expenses.

Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of the VanEck Biotech ETF, VanEck Digital Transformation ETF, VanEck Energy Income, VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, VanEck Retail ETF and VanEck Semiconductor ETF including the costs of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except for the fee payment under the Investment Management Agreement, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expense, offering costs, trading expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses. For its services to the VanEck Biotech ETF, VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, VanEck Retail ETF and VanEck Semiconductor ETF, each Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser an annual unitary management fee equal to 0.35% of its average daily net assets. For its services to the VanEck Digital Transformation ETF, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser an annual unitary management fee equal to 0.50% of its average daily net assets. For its services to the VanEck Energy Income ETF, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser an annual unitary management fee equal to 0.45% of its average daily net assets. Offering costs excluded from the annual unitary management fee are: (a) legal fees pertaining to a Fund’s Shares offered for sale; (b) SEC and state registration fees; and (c) initial fees paid for Shares of a Fund to be listed on an exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Adviser has agreed to pay all such offering costs until at least February 1, 2024 with respect to each of VanEck Biotech ETF, VanEck Digital Transformation ETF, VanEck Energy Income ETF, VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, VanEck Retail ETF and VanEck Semiconductor ETF.

Manager of Managers Structure. With respect to VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF, the Adviser and the Trust may rely on an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC that permits the Adviser to enter into investment sub-advisory agreements with unaffiliated sub-advisers without obtaining shareholder approval. The Adviser, subject to the review and approval of the Board of Trustees, may select one or more sub-advisers for the Fund and supervise, monitor and evaluate the performance of each sub-adviser.

The Order also permits the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, to replace sub-advisers and amend investment sub-advisory agreements, including applicable fee arrangements, without shareholder approval whenever the Adviser and the Board of Trustees believe such action will benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The Adviser thus would have the responsibility (subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees) to recommend the hiring and replacement of sub-advisers as well as the discretion to terminate any sub-adviser and reallocate the Fund’s assets for management among any other sub-adviser(s) and itself. This means that the Adviser would be able to reduce the sub-advisory fees and retain a larger portion of the management fee, or increase the sub-advisory fees and retain a smaller portion of the management fee. The Adviser would compensate each sub-adviser out of its management fee.


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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS (Continued)

Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent. Van Eck Associates Corporation is the administrator for the Funds (the “Administrator”), and State Street Bank and Trust Company is the custodian of each Fund’s assets and provides transfer agency and fund accounting services to the Funds. The Administrator is responsible for certain clerical, recordkeeping and/or bookkeeping services which are required to be provided pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement.

Distributor. Van Eck Securities Corporation is the distributor of the Shares (the "Distributor"). The Distributor will not distribute Shares in less than a specified number of Shares, each called a "Creation Unit," and does not maintain a secondary market in the Shares. The Shares are traded in the secondary market.


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PORTFOLIO MANAGER

The portfolio manager currently responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund’s portfolio is Peter H. Liao, CFA. Mr. Liao has been employed by the Adviser as an analyst since the summer of 2004 and has been a portfolio manager since 2006. Mr. Liao graduated from New York University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics. Mr. Liao also serves as portfolio manager for certain other investment companies and pooled investment vehicles advised by the Adviser.

See the Funds' SAI for additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed and respective ownership of Shares.


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The NAV per Share for each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management fee, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV of each Fund is determined each business day as of the close of trading (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange.

The values of each Fund’s portfolio securities are based on the securities’ closing prices on the markets on which the securities trade, when available. Due to the time differences between the United States and certain countries in which certain Funds invest, securities on these exchanges may not trade at times when Shares of the Fund will trade. In the absence of a last reported sales price, or if no sales were reported, and for other assets for which market quotes are not readily available, values may be based on quotes obtained from a quotation reporting system, established market makers or by an outside independent pricing service. Debt instruments with remaining maturities of more than 60 days are valued at the evaluated mean price provided by an outside independent pricing service. If an outside independent pricing service is unable to provide a valuation, the instrument is valued at the mean of the highest bid and the lowest asked quotes obtained from one or more brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser. Prices obtained by an outside independent pricing service may use information provided by market makers or estimates of market values obtained from yield data related to investments or securities with similar characteristics and may use a computerized grid matrix of securities and its evaluations in determining what it believes is the fair value of the portfolio securities. Short-term debt instruments having a maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost. Any assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are converted into U.S. dollars at the current market rates on the date of valuation as quoted by one or more sources. If a market quotation for a security or other asset is not readily available or the Adviser believes it does not otherwise accurately reflect the market value of the security or asset at the time a Fund calculates its NAV, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Adviser in accordance with the Trust’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Each Fund may also use fair value pricing in a variety of circumstances, including but not limited to, situations when the value of a security in the Fund’s portfolio has been materially affected by events occurring after the close of the market on which the security is principally traded (such as a corporate action or other news that may materially affect the price of a security) or trading in a security has been suspended or halted. In addition, each Fund that holds foreign equity securities currently expects that it will fair value certain of the foreign equity securities held by the Fund each day the Fund calculates its NAV, except those securities principally traded on exchanges that close at the same time the Fund calculates its NAV.

Accordingly, a Fund’s NAV may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices at the time the exchanges on which they principally trade close. Fair value pricing involves subjective judgments and it is possible that a fair value determination for a security or other asset is materially different than the value that could be realized upon the sale of such security or asset. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the prices used to calculate a Fund’s NAV and the prices used by such Fund’s respective Index. This may adversely affect a Fund’s ability to track its Index. With respect to securities that are principally traded on foreign exchanges, the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or sell your Shares.

INTRADAY VALUE

The trading prices of the Funds’ Shares in the secondary market generally differ from the Funds’ daily NAV and are affected by market forces such as the supply of and demand for Fund Shares and underlying securities held by each Fund, economic conditions and other factors. Information regarding the intraday value of the Funds’ Shares (“IIV”) may be disseminated throughout each trading day by an Exchange or by market data vendors or other information providers. The IIV is based on the current market value of the securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit. The IIV does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of the current portfolio of securities held by each Fund at a particular point in time or the best possible valuation of the current portfolio. Therefore, the IIV should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the Funds’ NAV, which is computed only once a day. The IIV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries that may trade in the portfolio securities held by each Fund and valuations based on current market rates. The quotations and/or valuations of certain Fund holdings may not be updated during U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the United States. Each Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the IIV and makes no warranty as to its accuracy.


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RULE 144A AND OTHER UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

An AP (i.e., a person eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create or redeem Creation Units of a Fund) that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), will not be able to receive, as part of a redemption, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A or other unregistered securities.

BUYING AND SELLING EXCHANGE-TRADED SHARES

The Shares of the Funds are listed on an Exchange. If you buy or sell Shares in the secondary market, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and may pay some or all of the “spread,” which is any difference between the bid price and the ask price. The spread varies over time for a Fund’s Shares based on the Fund’s trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Funds have high trading volume and market liquidity, and generally higher if the Funds have little trading volume and market liquidity (which is often the case for funds that are newly launched or small in size). In times of severe market disruption or low trading volume in a Fund’s Shares, this spread can increase significantly. It is anticipated that the Shares will trade in the secondary market at prices that may differ to varying degrees from the NAV of the Shares. During periods of disruptions to creations and redemptions or the existence of extreme market volatility, the market prices of Shares are more likely to differ significantly from the Shares’ NAV.

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

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

The right of redemption by an AP may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (1) for any period during which the an Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the an Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Fund or determination of its net asset value is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.

Market Timing and Related Matters. The Funds impose no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. Frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund Shares may attempt to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity presented by a lag between a change in the value of a Fund’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for a Fund’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in a Fund’s NAV (“market timing”). The Board of Trustees considered the nature of each Fund (i.e., a fund whose shares are expected to trade intraday), that the Adviser monitors the trading activity of APs for patterns of abusive trading, that the Funds reserve the right to reject orders that may be disruptive to the management of or otherwise not in the Funds’ best interests, and that each Fund may fair value certain of its securities. Given this structure, the Board of Trustees determined that it is not necessary to impose restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions for the Funds at the present time.

DISTRIBUTIONS

Net Investment Income and Capital Gains. As a shareholder of a Fund, you are entitled to your share of such Fund’s distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains on its investments. Each Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

Each Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are typically passed along to Fund shareholders as dividends from net investment income. Each Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.” Dividends paid by the Fund that are properly reported as exempt-interest dividends will not be subject to regular federal income tax. Distributions from a


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Fund’s net investment income (other than net tax-exempt income, if applicable), including net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable to you as ordinary income. Any long-term capital gains distributions you receive from a Fund are taxable as long-term capital gains.

Net investment income, if any, is typically distributed to shareholders quarterly for VanEck Energy Income ETF and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF. Net investment income, if any, is typically distributed to shareholders at least annually for all other Funds while net realized capital gains, if any, are also typically distributed to shareholders at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, in situations where a Fund acquires investment securities after the beginning of a dividend period, a Fund may elect to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities, as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period. If a Fund so elects, some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital, which, for tax purposes, is treated as a return of your investment in Shares. You will be notified regarding the portion of the distribution which represents a return of capital.

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

TAX INFORMATION

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

Taxes on Distributions. As noted above, each Fund expects to distribute net investment income, if any, at least annually (except for VanEck Energy Income ETF and VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, which expects to distribute net investment income, if any, at least quarterly), and any net realized long-term or short-term capital gains, if any, annually. Each Fund may also pay a special distribution at any time to comply with U.S. federal tax requirements.

In general, your distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund. Distributions of net investment income, including net short-term gains, if any, are generally taxable as ordinary income. Whether distributions of capital gains represent long-term or short-term capital gains is determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your Shares. Distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long–term capital losses, if any, are generally taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, if any, that are properly reported as capital gain dividends are generally taxable as long-term capital gains. Long-term capital gains of a non-corporate shareholder are generally taxable at a maximum rate of 15% or 20%, depending on whether the shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts.

The Funds may receive dividends, the distribution of which a Fund may report as qualified dividends. In the event that a Fund receives such a dividend and reports the distribution of such dividend as a qualified dividend, the dividend may be taxed at the maximum capital gains rates of 15% or 20%, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and the Fund level. There can be no assurance that any significant portion of a Fund’s distributions will be eligible for qualified dividend treatment.

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

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

If more than 50% of a Fund’s total assets at the end of its taxable year consist of foreign securities, the Fund may elect to “pass through” to its investors certain foreign income taxes paid by the Fund, with the result that each investor will (i) include in gross income, even though not actually received, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes, and (ii) either deduct (in calculating U.S. taxable income) or credit (in calculating U.S. federal income), subject to certain holding period and other limitations, the investor’s pro rata share of the Fund’s foreign income taxes. It is expected that more than 50% of VanEck Gaming ETF’s and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF’s assets will consist of securities that are foreign-listed companies and/or foreign-domiciled companies.

Each Fund may make investments in companies classified as passive foreign investment companies (“PFICs”) for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Investments in PFICs are subject to special tax rules which may result in adverse tax consequences to the


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Fund and its shareholders. Each Fund generally intends to elect to “mark to market” these investments at the end of each taxable year. By making this election, a Fund will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares as of the close of the taxable year over their adjusted basis and as ordinary loss any decrease in such investment (but only to the extent of prior income from such investment under the mark to market rules). Gains realized with respect to a disposition of a PFIC that a Fund has elected to mark to market will be ordinary income. By making the mark to market election, a Fund may recognize income in excess of the distributions that it receives from its investments. Accordingly, a Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments in order to meet its distribution requirements. If a Fund does not make the mark to market election with respect to an investment in a PFIC, the Fund could become subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to certain distributions from, and gain on the dispositions of, the PFIC which cannot be avoided by distributing such amounts to the Fund’s shareholders.

Backup Withholding. Each Fund may be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number or social security number or otherwise established a basis for exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for individuals is currently 24%. This is not an additional tax and may be refunded, or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided certain required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Taxes on the Sale or Cash Redemption of Exchange Listed Shares. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if held for one year or less. However, any capital loss on a sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid with respect to such Shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited. To the extent that a Fund shareholder’s Shares are redeemed for cash, this is normally treated as a sale for tax purposes.

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

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

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

Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Fund Shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts.

Non-U.S. Shareholders. Dividends paid by a Fund to non-U.S. shareholders are generally subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or a reduced rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty to the extent derived from investment income and short-term capital gains. Dividends paid by a Fund from net tax-exempt income or long-term capital gains are generally not subject to such withholding tax. Properly-reported dividends are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (generally, a Fund’s U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which a Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income); or (ii) are paid in respect of a Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of a Fund’s net short-term capital gain over a Fund’s long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, a Fund may report all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding.

Any capital gain realized by a Non-U.S. shareholder upon a sale of Shares of a Fund will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax unless (i) the gain is effectively connected with the shareholder’s trade or business in the United States, or in the case of a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and certain other conditions are met or (ii) the Fund is or has been a U.S. real property holding corporation, as defined below, at any time within the five-year period preceding the date of disposition of the Fund’s Shares or, if


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shorter, within the period during which the Non-U.S. shareholder has held the Shares. Generally, a corporation is a U.S. real property holding corporation if the fair market value of its U.S. real property interests, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code and applicable regulations, equals or exceeds 50% of the aggregate fair market value of its worldwide real property interests and its other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. A Fund may be, or may prior to a Non-U.S. shareholder’s disposition of Shares become, a U.S. real property holding corporation. If a Fund is or becomes a U.S. real property holding corporation, so long as the Fund’s Shares are regularly traded on an established securities market, only a Non-U.S. shareholder who holds or held (at any time during the shorter of the five year period preceding the date of disposition or the holder’s holding period) more than 5% (directly or indirectly as determined under applicable attribution rules of the Internal Revenue Code) of the Fund’s Shares will be subject to United States federal income tax on the disposition of Shares.

As part of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, (“FATCA”), a Fund may be required to withhold 30% tax on certain types of U.S. sourced income (e.g., dividends, interest, and other types of passive income), paid to (i) foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), including non-U.S. investment funds, unless they agree to collect and disclose to the IRS information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. account holders and (ii) certain nonfinancial foreign entities (“NFFEs”), unless they certify certain information regarding their direct and indirect U.S. owners. To avoid possible withholding, FFIs will need to enter into agreements with the IRS which state that they will provide the IRS information, including the names, account numbers and balances, addresses and taxpayer identification numbers of U.S. account holders and comply with due diligence procedures with respect to the identification of U.S. accounts as well as agree to withhold tax on certain types of withholdable payments made to non-compliant foreign financial institutions or to applicable foreign account holders who fail to provide the required information to the IRS, or similar account information and required documentation to a local revenue authority, should an applicable intergovernmental agreement be implemented. NFFEs will need to provide certain information regarding each substantial U.S. owner or certifications of no substantial U.S. ownership, unless certain exceptions apply, or agree to provide certain information to the IRS.

While some parts of the FATCA rules have not been finalized, a Fund may be subject to the FATCA withholding obligation, and also will be required to perform due diligence reviews to classify foreign entity investors for FATCA purposes. Investors are required to agree to provide information necessary to allow a Fund to comply with the FATCA rules. If a Fund is required to withhold amounts from payments pursuant to FATCA, investors will receive distributions that are reduced by such withholding amounts.

Non-U.S. shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Funds, including the possible applicability of the U.S. estate tax.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the consequences under current U.S. federal income tax law of an investment in a Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. Consult your own tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in a Fund under all applicable tax laws. Changes in applicable tax authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above and could adversely affect the Funds, and such changes often occur.


INDEX PROVIDERS

The Biotech Index, Digital Transformation Index, Energy Income Index, Gaming Index, Pharmaceutical Index, Retail Index, Semiconductor Index and eSports Index are published by MarketVector IndexesTM GmbH (“MarketVector”), which is an indirectly wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. The Environmental Services Index is published by ICE Data Indices, LLC (“ICE Data”).

MarketVector and ICE Data do not sponsor, endorse, or promote the Funds and bear no liability with respect to the Funds or any security.


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MVIS® US LISTED BIOTECH 25 INDEX

The Biotech Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the biotech industry. Biotechnology includes research (including research contractors), development as well as production, marketing and sales of drugs based on genetic analysis and diagnostic equipment (excluding pharmacies).

To be initially eligible for the Biotech Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from biotechnology (as defined above) and (ii) stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which a rebalancing date occurs. The Biotech Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S.-listed companies that meet the eligibility requirements described above.

The Biotech Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Biotech Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Biotech Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Biotech Index to third parties. VanEck Biotech ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Biotech ETF.

The Biotech Index is reconstituted semi-annually and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Biotech Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


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MVIS® GLOBAL DIGITAL ASSETS EQUITY INDEX

The Digital Transformation Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the global digital asset segment. These companies may include those that operate digital asset exchanges, payment gateways, digital asset mining operations, software services, equipment and technology or services to the digital asset industry, digital asset infrastructure businesses, or companies facilitating commerce with the use of digital assets. They may also include companies which own a material amount of digital assets, or otherwise generate revenues related to digital asset operations. This also includes companies that have projects with the potential to generate revenues from the digital assets industry when developed.

The Digital Transformation Index is composed beginning with only common stocks and stocks with similar characteristics from financial markets that a global universe of equity securities from financial markets that are freely investable for foreign investors and that provide real-time and historical component and currency pricing. Only companies with a free-float of at least 10% of outstanding shares are initially eligible for the Index. Additionally, to be initially eligible for inclusion in the Index, companies must have a full market capitalization greater than $150 million, a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least $1 million at the current review and also at the previous two reviews, and at least 250,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review and also at the previous two reviews. Companies may also become initially eligible for inclusion in the Index pursuant to the Index Provider’s ongoing maintenance rules.

To be initially eligible for inclusion in the Digital Transformation Index, a company must (i) generate at least 50% of its revenues from digital assets projects; (ii) generate at least 50% of its revenues from projects that, when developed, have the potential to generate at least 50% of their revenues from digital assets or digital asset projects; and/or (iii) have at least 50% of its assets invested in direct digital asset holdings or digital asset projects. Companies that are current components of the Digital Transformation Index must generate at least 25% of their revenues from digital assets projects and/or have at least 25% of their assets invested in direct digital asset holdings or digital asset projects in order to remain in the Index. Index component weights are based upon free-float market capitalization and individual components are limited to a maximum of an 8% weighting in the Digital Transformation Index. The Digital Transformation Index currently includes a minimum of 20 Index components.

The Digital Transformation Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Digital Transformation Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Digital Transformation Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Digital Transformation Index to third parties. The VanEck Digital Transformation ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Digital Transformation ETF.

The Digital Transformation Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly.

MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Digital Transformation Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


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MVIS® NORTH AMERICA ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE INDEX

The Energy Income Index is a rules-based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means to track the overall performance of North American companies involved in the energy infrastructure/midstream energy segment, which includes MLPs and corporations involved in oil and gas storage and transportation. “Oil and gas storage and transportation” companies may include those involved in oil and gas pipelines, storage facilities, and other activities associated with transporting, storing, and gathering natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil or refined products.

To be initially eligible for the Energy Income Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from oil and gas storage and transportation (as defined above), and (ii) all stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which the review occurs. Stocks must have a three month average daily trading volume value of at least $1 million at a review and also at the previous two reviews to be eligible for the Index and such stocks must have traded at least 250,000 shares each month over the last six months at a review and also at the previous two reviews.

The Energy Income Index is calculated and maintained by Solactive AG on behalf of MarketVector.

The Energy Income Index is reconstituted semi-annually and rebalanced quarterly and will limit exposure to companies taxed as partnerships to 24% at each quarterly review. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Energy Income Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


112


NYSE ARCA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INDEX

The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is a rules based, modified equal dollar weighted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S. exchange-listed companies involved in environmental services. The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is designed to measure the performance of widely held, highly capitalized companies engaged in business activities that may benefit from the global increase in demand for consumer waste disposal, removal and storage of industrial by-products, and the management of associated resources.

To be eligible for the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index, stocks must have a minimum market capitalization of $100 million, trading price over three months of greater than $3.00, and minimum three-month average daily traded value of $1 million. Components will be removed from the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index during the quarterly review if the market capitalization falls below $75 million or the three-month average daily traded value falls below $750,000.

The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is weighted based on the market capitalization of each of the component securities, which are applied in conjunction with the scheduled quarterly adjustments to the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index: (1) the top four components, ranked by market capitalization, are equally weighted to collectively represent 40% of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index by weight; (2) the bottom five components, ranked by market capitalization, are equally weighted to collectively represent 10% of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index by weight; and (3) the remaining components are equally weighted to collectively to represent 50% of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index by weight.

The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is reviewed quarterly so that the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index components continue to represent the universe of companies involved in environmental services relating to consumer and industrial waste management. ICE Data, as the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index Provider, may at any time change the number of securities comprising the group by adding or deleting one or more securities, or replacing one more securities contained in the group with one or more substitute securities of its choice, if in the discretion of ICE Data such addition, deletion or substitution is necessary or appropriate to maintain the quality and/or character of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index. Such index constituent changes are reviewed by the ICE Data Governance Committee to ensure that they are made objectively, without bias and in accordance with applicable law and regulation and ICE Data’s policies and procedures. Changes to the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index components and/or the component share weights typically take effect after the close of trading one business day prior to the last business day of each calendar quarter in connection with the quarterly index rebalance. ICE Data may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


			113


MVIS® GLOBAL GAMING INDEX

The Gaming Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the casino and gaming industry. Gaming includes casinos and casino hotels, sports betting (including internet gambling and racetracks) and lottery services as well as gaming services, gaming technology and gaming equipment.

To be initially eligible for the Gaming Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from gaming (as defined above) and (ii) stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which a rebalancing date occurs.

The Gaming Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of companies that meet the eligibility requirements described above. The Gaming Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Gaming Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Gaming Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Gaming Index to third parties. VanEck Gaming ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Gaming ETF.

The Gaming Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Gaming Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


114


MVIS® US LISTED PHARMACEUTICAL 25 INDEX

The Pharmaceutical Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmaceuticals include companies engaged primarily in research (including research contractors) and development as well as production, marketing and sales of pharmaceuticals (excluding pharmacies).

To be initially eligible for the Pharmaceutical Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from pharmaceuticals (as defined above) and (ii) stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which a rebalancing date occurs. The Pharmaceutical Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S.-listed companies that meet the eligibility requirements described above.

The Pharmaceutical Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Pharmaceutical Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Pharmaceutical Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Pharmaceutical Index to third parties. VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF.

The Pharmaceutical Index is reconstituted semi-annually and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Pharmaceutical Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


			115


MVIS® US LISTED RETAIL 25 INDEX

The Retail Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the retail industry. Retail includes companies engaged primarily in retail distribution; wholesalers; online, direct mail retailers; multi-line retailers; specialty retailers, such as apparel, automotive, computer and electronics, drug, home improvement and home furnishing retailers; and food and other staples retailers.

To be initially eligible for the Retail Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from retail (as defined above) and (ii) stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which a rebalancing date occurs. The Retail Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S.-listed companies that meet the eligibility requirements described above.

The Retail Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Retail Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Retail Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Retail Index to third parties. VanEck Retail ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Retail ETF.

The Retail Index is reconstituted semi-annually and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Retail Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


116


MVIS® US LISTED SEMICONDUCTOR 25 INDEX

The Semiconductor Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in the semiconductor industry. Semiconductors include companies engaged primarily in the production of semiconductors and semiconductor equipment.

To be initially eligible for the Semiconductor Index, (i) companies must generate at least 50% of their revenues from semiconductors (as defined above) and (ii) stocks must have a market capitalization of greater than $150 million as of the end of the month prior to the month in which a rebalancing date occurs. The Semiconductor Index includes common stocks and depositary receipts of U.S.-listed companies that meet the eligibility requirements described above.

The Semiconductor Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the Semiconductor Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the Semiconductor Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the Semiconductor Index to third parties. VanEck Semiconductor ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Semiconductor ETF.

The Semiconductor Index is reconstituted semi-annually and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector Indexes may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the Semiconductor Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


			117


MVIS® GLOBAL VIDEO GAMING & ESPORTS INDEX

The eSports Index is a rules based, modified capitalization weighted, float adjusted index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of companies involved in video gaming and eSports. These companies may include those that develop video games and related software or hardware such as computer processors and graphics cards used in video gaming systems and related hardware such as controllers, headsets, and video gaming consoles. They may also include those that offer streaming services, develop video games and/or hardware for use in eSports events and are involved in eSports events such as league operators, teams, distributors and platforms.

The eSports Index begins with only common stocks and stocks with similar characteristics from financial markets that a global universe of equity securities from financial markets that are freely investable for foreign investors and that provide real-time and historical component and currency pricing with exceptions. Only companies with a free-float of at least 10% are initially eligible for the eSports Index. Additionally, to be initially eligible for inclusion in the eSports Index, companies must have a full market capitalization greater than $150 million, a three-month average-daily-trading volume of at least $1 million at the current review and also at the previous two reviews, and at least 250,000 shares traded per month over the last six months at the current review and also at the previous two reviews. To be initially eligible for inclusion in the eSports Index, a company must generate at least 50% of their revenue from video gaming and/or eSports. A buffer rule allows current eSports Index constituents to remain in the eSports Index if the percentage of their revenue derived from video gaming and/or eSports remains at or above 25%. Index component weights are based upon free-float market capitalization and individual components are limited to a maximum of an 8% weighting in the eSports Index.

The eSports Index is the exclusive property of MarketVector which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the eSports Index. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the eSports Index is calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the eSports Index to third parties. VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector and MarketVector makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF.

The eSports Index is reconstituted and rebalanced quarterly. MarketVector may delay or change a scheduled rebalancing or reconstitution of the eSports Index or the implementation of certain rules at its sole discretion.


118


LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

The Adviser has entered into a licensing agreement with MarketVector to use each of the Biotech Index, Digital Transformation Index, Energy Income Index, Gaming Index, Pharmaceutical Index, Retail Index, Semiconductor Index and eSports Index (each a “MarketVectorTM Index,” and together, the “MarketVectorTM Indexes”). The Index Provider is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser. Each of VanEck Biotech ETF, VanEck Digital Transformation ETF, Energy Income Index, VanEck Gaming ETF, VanEck Pharmaceutical ETF, VanEck Retail ETF, VanEck Semiconductor ETF and VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (each an “MarketVectorTM Index ETF,” and together, the “MarketVectorTM Index ETFs”) is entitled to use its Index pursuant to a sublicensing arrangement with the Adviser.

Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by MarketVector. MarketVector makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs particularly or the ability of the MarketVectorTM Indexes to track the performance of its respective securities markets. Each of the MarketVectorTM Indexes is determined and composed by MarketVector without regard to the Adviser or the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs. MarketVector has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the owners of the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs into consideration in determining or composing the respective Index. MarketVector is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs are to be converted into cash. MarketVector has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Shares of the MarketVectorTM Index ETFs.

The MarketVectorTM Indexes are the exclusive property of MarketVector, which has contracted with Solactive AG to maintain and calculate the MarketVectorTM Indexes. Solactive AG uses its best efforts to ensure that the MarketVectorTM Indexes are calculated correctly. Irrespective of its obligations towards the MarketVector, Solactive AG has no obligation to point out errors in the MarketVectorTM Indexes to third parties including but not limited to investors and/or financial intermediaries of the financial instrument.

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

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

The Adviser has entered into a licensing agreement with ICE Data, to use the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index. VanEck Environmental Services ETF is entitled to use the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index pursuant to a sub-licensing arrangement with the Adviser.

Source ICE Data, is used with permission. “NYSE” and “NYSE Arca” are service/ trademarks of ICE Data or its affiliates. Such trademarks have been licensed, along with the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index for use by the Adviser in connection with the VanEck Environmental Services ETF (the “Product”). Neither the Adviser (the “Licensee”) nor the Product, as applicable, is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by ICE Data, its affiliates or its Third Party Suppliers (“ICE Data and its Suppliers”). ICE Data and its Suppliers make no representations or warranties regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally, in the Product particularly, the Licensee or the ability of the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index to track general stock market performance. ICE Data’s only relationship to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names and the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index or components thereof. The NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index is determined, composed and calculated by ICE Data without regard to the Licensee or the Product or its holders. ICE Data has no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the holders of the Product into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the NYSE Arca Environmental Services Index. ICE Data is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of,


			119


LICENSE AGREEMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS (Continued)

prices of, or quantities of the Product to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Product is to be priced, sold, purchased, or redeemed. Except for certain custom index calculation services, all information provided by ICE Data is general in nature and not tailored to the needs of the Licensee or any other person, entity or group of persons. ICE Data has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of the Product. ICE Data is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by ICE Data to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.

ICE DATA AND ITS SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS AND/OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE, INCLUDING THE INDICES, INDEX DATA AND ANY INFORMATION INCLUDED IN, RELATED TO, OR DERIVED THEREFROM (“INDEX DATA”). ICE DATA AND ITS SUPPLIERS SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INDICES AND THE INDEX DATA, WHICH ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS” BASIS AND YOUR USE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK.

The S&P 500® Index included in certain Funds’ performance tables is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by the Adviser. Copyright © 2021 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, Inc., and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. For more information on any of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC’s indices please visit www.spdji.com. S&P® is a registered trademark of S&P Global and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF EACH INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO, OR ANY COMMUNICATION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF EACH INDEX, OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND THE ADVISER, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.


120


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The financial highlights tables which follow are intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the past five years or as indicated. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). The information for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds' financial statements, is included in the Funds' Annual Report, which is available upon request. The information for periods prior to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 was audited by another independent registered public accounting firm.


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For a share outstanding throughout each year:


	Biotech ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	201.99		$	162.01		$	118.04		$	136.11		$	134.17
Net investment income (a)	0.69			0.42			0.59			0.39			0.52
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(61.67)			40.17			43.85			(17.91)			2.10		(b)
Total from investment operations	(60.98)			40.59			44.44			(17.52)			2.62
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(0.40)			(0.61)			(0.47)			(0.55)			(0.68)
Net asset value, end of year	$	140.61		$	201.99		$	162.01		$	118.04		$	136.11
Total return (c)	(30.24)		%	25.13		%	37.71		%	(12.84)		%	2.00		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses (d)	0.35		%	0.38		%	0.39		%	0.40		%	0.40		%
Net expenses (d)	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%
Net investment income	0.42		%	0.23		%	0.40		%	0.31		%	0.41		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$414			$590			$485			$318			$476
Portfolio turnover rate (e)	24		%	41		%	40		%	24		%	30		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(b)The amount shown does not correspond with the aggregate net gain (loss) on investments for the period due to the timing of sales and repurchase of shares in relation to fluctuating market values of the investments of the Fund.

(c)Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.

(d)Periods after September 30, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.

(e)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


122


For a share outstanding throughout each period:
	Digital Transformation ETF
	Year Ended September 30, 2022			Period Ended September 30, 2021 (a)
Net asset value, beginning of period	$	22.81		$	35.25
Net investment income (b)	0.26			—		(c)
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments	(16.24)			(12.44)
Total from investment operations	(15.98)			(12.44)
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(1.88)			—
Net asset value, end of period	$	4.95		$	22.81
Total return (d)	(76.33)		%	(35.30)		%(e)
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses	0.50		%	0.58		%(f)
Net investment income	2.28		%	0.02		%(f)
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)	$30			$46
Portfolio turnover rate (g)	74		%	49		%(e)

(a)For the period April 13, 2021 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2021.

(b)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(c)Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

(d)Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.

(e)Not Annualized

(f)Annualized

(g)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


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For a share outstanding throughout each period:
	Energy Income ETF(a)
	Year Ended September 30,						Period Ended September 30, 2020(b)			Year Ended November 30,
	2022			2021						2019			2018			2017
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	54.25		$	34.29		$	51.20		$	58.32		$	68.49		$	76.29
Net investment income (loss) (c)	1.17			1.15			0.76			(0.39)			0.09			0.42
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	3.67			21.90			(15.58)			(1.42)			(4.44)			(2.25)
Total from investment operations	4.84			23.05			(14.82)			(1.81)			(4.35)			(1.83)
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(1.02)			(1.37)			—			(1.77)			—			—
Return of capital	(1.23)			(1.72)			(2.09)			(3.54)			(5.82)			(5.97)
Total distributions	(2.25)			(3.09)			(2.09)			(5.31)			(5.82)			(5.97)
Net asset value, end of year	$	56.84		$	54.25		$	34.29		$	51.20		$	58.32		$	68.49
Total return (d)	8.79		%	68.88		%	(29.74)		%(e)	(3.66)		%	(7.16)		%	(2.67)		%
Ratios to average net assets
Expenses	0.48		%	0.46		%	0.45		%(f)(g)	1.41		%(h)	0.73		%(i)	0.86		%(j)
Expenses excluding interest and taxes	0.45		%	0.45		%	0.45		%(f)(g)	1.41		%(h)	0.73		%(i)	0.86		%(j)
Net investment income (loss)	1.95		%	2.43		%	2.17		%(f)(k)	(0.68)		%(h)	0.13		%(i)	0.55		%(j)
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$31			$24			$20			$52			$45			$64
Portfolio turnover rate (l)	21		%	24		%	24		%(e)	106		%	34		%	40		%

(a)On April 15, 2020, the Fund effected a 1 for 3 reverse share split (See Note 11). Per share data has been adjusted to reflect the reverse share split.

(b)The Fund changed its fiscal year-end from November 30 to September 30.

(c)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(e)Not Annualized

(f)Annualized

(g)Includes income tax expense of 1.56% and Adviser reimbursement of (1.56%). If the Adviser had not reimbursed the Fund, the ratio would have been higher.

(h)Includes income tax expense of 0.59% related to the Fund’s tax status as a C-Corporation prior to its reorganization as a regulated investment company.

(i)Includes income tax benefit of 0.11% related to the Fund’s tax status as a C-Corporation prior to its reorganization as a regulated investment company.

(j)Includes income tax expense of 0.04% related to the Fund’s tax status as a C-Corporation prior to its reorganization as a regulated investment company.

(k)Includes income tax expense of 1.56% and Adviser reimbursement of (1.56%). If the Adviser had not reimbursed the Fund, the ratio would have been lower.

(l)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


124


For a share outstanding throughout each year:
	Environmental Services ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	143.18		$	99.41		$	104.25		$	96.64		$	86.02
Net investment income (a)	0.56			0.36			0.46			0.46			0.42
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(12.76)			43.80			(4.83)			7.47			10.98
Total from investment operations	(12.20)			44.16			(4.37)			7.93			11.40
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(0.37)			(0.39)			(0.47)			(0.32)			(0.78)
Net asset value, end of year	$	130.61		$	143.18		$	99.41		$	104.25		$	96.64
Total return (b)	(8.56)		%	44.50		%	(4.23)		%	8.30		%	13.36		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses	0.62		%	0.71		%	0.85		%	0.81		%	0.98		%
Net expenses	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.56		%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%
Net investment income	0.39		%	0.27		%	0.47		%	0.47		%	0.47		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$68			$67			$31			$36			$24
Portfolio turnover rate (c)	35		%	21		%	38		%	20		%	24		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(b)Returns include adjustments in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Net asset values and returns for financial reporting purposes may differ from those for shareholder transactions.

(c)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


			125

For a share outstanding throughout each year:


	Gaming ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	48.32		$	39.14		$	36.61		$	39.76		$	42.61
Net investment income (a)	0.25			0.16			0.51			1.07			1.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(15.48)			9.24			3.25			(3.09)			(2.80)
Total from investment operations	(15.23)			9.40			3.76			(2.02)			(1.77)
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(0.35)			(0.22)			(1.23)			(1.13)			(1.08)
Net asset value, end of year	$	32.74		$	48.32		$	39.14		$	36.61		$	39.76
Total return (b)	(31.72)		%	24.06		%	10.03		%	(4.73)		%	(4.51)		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses	0.65		%	0.62		%	0.92		%	0.94		%	0.86		%
Net expenses	0.65		%	0.62		%	0.65		%	0.66		%	0.66		%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes	0.63		%	0.62		%	0.65		%	0.65		%	0.65		%
Net investment income	0.63		%	0.32		%	1.41		%	2.92		%	2.24		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$61			$118			$55			$24			$26
Portfolio turnover rate (c)	16		%	20		%	29		%	20		%	31		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(c)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


126

For a share outstanding throughout each year:


	Pharmaceutical ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	72.68		$	62.08		$	56.93		$	64.37		$	57.75
Net investment income (a)	1.32			1.29			1.06			1.04			1.01
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(5.44)			10.46			5.14			(7.37)			6.62
Total from investment operations	(4.12)			11.75			6.20			(6.33)			7.63
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(1.31)			(1.15)			(1.05)			(1.11)			(1.01)
Net asset value, end of year	$	67.25		$	72.68		$	62.08		$	56.93		$	64.37
Total return (b)	(5.91)		%	19.10		%	11.02		%	(9.88)		%	13.42		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses (c)	0.36		%	0.40		%	0.42		%	0.43		%	0.43		%
Net expenses (c)	0.36		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.36		%	0.36		%
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes (c)	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%
Net investment income	1.74		%	1.85		%	1.74		%	1.77		%	1.70		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$524			$319			$235			$142			$276
Portfolio turnover rate (d)	23		%	20		%	18		%	21		%	18		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(c)Periods after September 30, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.

(d)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


	Retail ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	174.75		$	148.87		$	114.49		$	111.44		$	81.42
Net investment income (a)	1.52			1.54			1.22			1.31			1.13
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(19.92)			25.34			34.25			2.72			30.32
Total from investment operations	(18.40)			26.88			35.47			4.03			31.45
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(1.51)			(1.00)			(1.09)			(0.98)			(1.43)
Net asset value, end of year	$	154.84		$	174.75		$	148.87		$	114.49		$	111.44
Total return (b)	(10.69)		%	18.13		%	31.22		%	3.82		%	39.01		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses (c)	0.35		%	0.42		%	0.47		%	0.48		%	0.52		%
Net expenses (c)	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%
Net investment income	0.86		%	0.92		%	0.96		%	1.25		%	1.15		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$150			$240			$182			$71			$136
Portfolio turnover rate (d)	14		%	12		%	12		%	9		%	16		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(c)Periods after September 30, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.

(d)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


			127

For a share outstanding throughout each year:


	Semiconductor ETF
	Year Ended September 30,
	2022			2021			2020			2019			2018
Net asset value, beginning of year	$	256.25		$	174.43		$	119.14		$	106.41		$	93.34
Net investment income (a)	2.14			1.71			1.88			1.75			1.19
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(71.70)			81.61			55.53			12.62			13.28
Total from investment operations	(69.56)			83.32			57.41			14.37			14.47
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(1.57)			(1.50)			(2.12)			(1.64)			(1.40)
Net asset value, end of year	$	185.12		$	256.25		$	174.43		$	119.14		$	106.41
Total return (b)	(27.40)		%	47.94		%	48.60		%	14.09		%	15.61		%
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses (c)	0.35		%	0.36		%	0.37		%	0.39		%	0.39		%
Net expenses (c)	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%	0.35		%
Net investment income	0.85		%	0.72		%	1.31		%	1.68		%	1.14		%
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of year (in millions)	$5,632			$5,938			$2,646			$1,361			$1,215
Portfolio turnover rate (d)	22		%	20		%	14		%	19		%	23		%

(a)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(c)Periods after September 30, 2021 reflect a unitary management fee structure.

(d)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


128

For a share outstanding throughout each period:


	Video Gaming and eSports ETF
	Year Ended September 30,									Period Ended September 30, 2019(a)
	2022			2021			2020
Net asset value, beginning of of period	$	65.05		$	61.36		$	33.74		$	30.88
Net investment income (b)	0.31			0.04			0.03			0.12
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(22.47)			3.73			27.67			2.75
Total from investment operations	(22.16)			3.77			27.70			2.87
Distributions from:
Net investment income	(0.05)			(0.08)			(0.08)			(0.01)
Net realized capital gains	(2.18)			—			—			—
Total distributions	(2.23)			(0.08)			(0.08)			(0.01)
Net asset value, end of period	$	40.66		$	65.05		$	61.36		$	33.74
Total return (c)	(35.42)		%	6.15		%	82.25		%	9.31		%(d)
Ratios to average net assets
Gross expenses	0.56		%	0.55		%	0.58		%	0.99		%(e)
Net expenses	0.56		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%(e)
Net expenses excluding interest and taxes	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%	0.55		%(e)
Net investment income	0.52		%	0.06		%	0.06		%	0.38		%(e)
Supplemental data
Net assets, end of period (in millions)	$262			$631			$522			$39
Portfolio turnover rate (f)	35		%	33		%	25		%	27		%(d)

(a)For the period October 16, 2018 (commencement of operations) through September 30, 2019.

(b)Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

(d)Not Annualized

(e)Annualized

(f)Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions.


			129


PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION

Information regarding how often the closing trading price of the Shares of each Fund was above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Fund for the most recently completed calendar year and the most recently completed calendar quarter(s) since that year (or the life of the Fund, if shorter) can be found at www.vaneck.com.


GENERAL INFORMATION

CONTINUOUS OFFERING

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

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

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

In addition, certain affiliates of the Funds and the Adviser may purchase and resell Fund shares pursuant to this Prospectus.

OTHER INFORMATION

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on March 15, 2001. Its Declaration of Trust currently permits the Trust to issue an unlimited number of Shares of beneficial interest. If shareholders are required to vote on any matters, each Share outstanding would be entitled to one vote. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other applicable law. See the Funds’ SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization. Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of a Fund. Registered investment companies are permitted to invest in the Funds beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions set forth in SEC regulations, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with such Fund.

The Prospectus, SAI and any other Fund communication do not create any contractual obligations between the Funds' shareholders and the Trust, the Funds, the Adviser and/or the Trustees. Further, shareholders are not intended third-party beneficiaries of any contracts entered into by (or on behalf of) any Fund, including contracts with the Adviser or other parties who provide services to the Funds.

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


130

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This Prospectus does not contain all the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Funds’ Shares. The Funds’ Registration Statement, including this Prospectus, the Funds’ SAI and the exhibits are available on the EDGAR database at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), and copies may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: [email protected].

The SAI for the Funds, which has been filed with the SEC, provides more information about the Funds. The SAI for the Funds is incorporated herein by reference and is legally part of this Prospectus. Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in each Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In each Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI and the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained without charge by writing to the Funds at Van Eck Securities Corporation, the Funds’ Distributor, at 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017 or by calling the Distributor at the following number: Investor Information: 800.826.2333.

Shareholder inquiries may be directed to the Funds in writing to 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017 or by calling 800.826.2333.

The Funds’ SAI is available at www.vaneck.com.

(Investment Company Act file no. 811-10325)


			131

For more detailed information about the Funds, see the SAI dated February 1, 2023, as may be supplemented from time to time. Additional information about the Funds’ investments is or will be available in each Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders. In each Fund’s annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

Call VanEck at 800.826.2333 to request, free of charge, the annual or semi-annual reports, the SAI, or other information about the Funds or to make shareholder inquiries. You may also obtain the SAI or a Fund’s annual or semi-annual reports by visiting the VanEck website at www.vaneck.com.

Reports and other information about the Funds are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s internet site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: [email protected].



Transfer Agent: State Street Bank and Trust Company SEC Registration Number: 333-123257 1940 Act Registration Number: 811-10325			800.826.2333 vaneck.com
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