ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2023
   

 

 

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

 

     
  800.826.2333 vaneck.com
 

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Discussion

 

1. Monetary Policy: Not Very Stimulative

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

2. Government Spending: Also Muted

 

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

 

3. Global Growth is at Low Levels

 

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

 

Notable

 

1. Bonds

 

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

1

VANECK ETFs

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

(unaudited) (continued)

 

2. Yield Curve

 

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

 

3. India/Emerging Markets

 

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

 

4. Stores of Value/Real Assets

 

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

 

5. Value stocks

 

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

 

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

 

 

Jan F. van Eck
CEO and President
VanEck ETF Trust

 

January 18, 2024

 

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

 

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

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Agribusiness

 

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

 

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

 

Future of Food

 

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

 

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

 

Gold Miners

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Green Metals

 

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

3

VANECK ETFs

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION (unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

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

 

Low Carbon Energy

 

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

 

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

 

Natural Resources

 

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

 

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

 

Oil Refiners

 

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

 

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

 

Oil Services

 

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

 

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

4

 

 

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

 

Rare Earth and Strategic Metals

 

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

 

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

 

Steel

 

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

 

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

 

Uranium+Nuclear Energy

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

5

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

6

VANECK FUTURE OF FOOD ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

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

 


 

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

 

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

7

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

8

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

 

 

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

 


 

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

 

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

9

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

10

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

11

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

12

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000 (Since Inception)

 

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

 

 


 

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

 

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

13

VANECK OIL SERVICES ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

14

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

15

VANECK STEEL ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

16

VANECK URANIUM+NUCLEAR ENERGY ETF

PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

Hypothetical Growth of $10,000

 

 

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


 

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

 

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

17

VANECK ETF TRUST

ABOUT FUND PERFORMANCE

(unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

18

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited)

 

Hypothetical $1,000 investment at beginning of period

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

 

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

 

Actual Expenses

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

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

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

 

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

 

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

VANECK ETF TRUST

EXPLANATION OF EXPENSES

(unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

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

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  21  

VANECK AGRIBUSINESS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

 

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

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  22  

VANECK CMCI COMMODITY STRATEGY ETF

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31,2023

 

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


 

 

Total Return Swap Contracts

Long Exposure

 

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

 

Definitions:

 

USD United States Dollar

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  23  

VANECK FUTURE OF FOOD ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

 

Definitions:

 

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

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  24  

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  25  

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  26  

 

 

 

Definitions:

 

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

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  27  

VANECK GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  28  

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  29  

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

30

 

 

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


 

 

Definitions:

 

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

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

31

VANECK GREEN METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

32

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

33

VANECK JUNIOR GOLD MINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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


 

 

Definitions:

 

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

 

Footnotes:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

34

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

35

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

36

 

 

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


 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

37

VANECK LOW CARBON ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

38

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

39

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

40

 

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

41

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

42

 

 

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


 

See Notes to Financial Statements

43

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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


 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

44

 

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

45

VANECK NATURAL RESOURCES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

46

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

47

VANECK OIL REFINERS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

48

VANECK OIL SERVICES ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

 

Definitions:
   
ADR American Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

* See Schedule of Investments for geographic sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

49

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

50

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

51

VANECK RARE EARTH/STRATEGIC METALS ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

52

VANECK STEEL ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

 

 

Definitions:
   
ADR American Depositary Receipt
USD United States Dollar

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

* See Schedule of Investments for geographic sector breakouts.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

53

VANECK URANIUM+NUCLEAR ENERGY ETF

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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


 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

54

 

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

55

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

56

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

57

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

58

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

59

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

60

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

61

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

62

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Year Ended December 31, 2023

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

63

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  64  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  65  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  66  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  67  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  68  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  69  

VANECK ETF TRUST

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

  70  

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

71

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

72

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

73

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

74

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each period:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

75

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

76

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

77

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

78

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

79

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

80

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

81

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

82

VANECK ETF TRUST

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

For a share outstanding throughout each year:

 

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

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

83

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2023

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  84  

 

 

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

 

The following summarizes the Funds’ significant accounting policies.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  85  

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  88  

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders was follows:

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  91  

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  92  

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

VANECK ETF TRUST

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

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

 

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

 

* Remaining contractual maturity: overnight and continuous

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

  94  

 

 

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

 

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

  95  

VANECK ETF TRUST

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

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

 

Opinions on the Financial Statements

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

Basis for Opinions

 

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

 

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

 

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

96

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

97

VANECK ETF TRUST

TAX INFORMATION

(unaudited)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

98

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

99

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

December 31, 2023 (unaudited)

 

Name, Address1
and Year of Birth
  Position(s)
Held with
the Trust
  Term of
Office2 and
Length of
Time Served
  Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios
in Fund
Complex3
Overseen
  Other Directorships Held
By Trustee During Past Five Years
Independent                    
Trustees                    
                     
David H. Chow,
1957*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Founder and CEO, DanCourt Management LLC (financial/strategy consulting firm and Registered Investment Adviser), March 1999 to present.   72   Trustee, Berea College of Kentucky, May 2009 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee; Trustee, MainStay Fund Complex4, January 2016 to present and currently Chairman of the Investment Committee. Formerly, Member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council, October 2012 to September 2020.
                     
Laurie A. Hesslein,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2019   Citigroup, Managing Director and Business Head, Local Consumer Lending North America, and CEO and President, CitiFinancial Servicing LLC (2013 - 2017).   72   Formerly, Trustee, First Eagle Senior Loan Fund, March 2017 to December 2021; and Trustee, Eagle Growth and Income Opportunities Fund, March 2017 to December 2020.
                     
R. Alastair Short,
1953*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   President, Apex Capital Corporation (personal investment vehicle).   83   Chairman and Independent Director, EULAV Asset Management; Lead Independent Director, Total Fund Solution; Independent Director, Contingency Capital, LLC; Trustee, Kenyon Review; Trustee, Children’s Village. Formerly, Independent Director, Tremont offshore funds.
                     
Peter J. Sidebottom,
1962*†
  Chairperson Trustee   Since 2022 Since 2012   Global Lead Partner, Financial Services Strategy, Accenture, January 2021 to present; Lead Partner, North America Banking and Capital Markets Strategy, Accenture, May 2017 to December 2021.   72   Formerly, Board Member, Special Olympics, New Jersey, November 2011 to September 2013; Director, The Charlotte Research Institute, December 2000 to 2009; Board Member, Social Capital Institute, University of North Carolina Charlotte, November 2004 to January 2012; Board Member, NJ-CAN, July 2014 to 2016.
                     
Richard D. Stamberger,
1959*†
  Trustee   Since 2006   Senior Vice President, B2B, Future Plc (a global media company), July 2020 to August 2022; President, CEO and co-founder, SmartBrief, Inc., 1999 to 2020.   83   Director, Food and Friends, Inc., 2013 to present; Board Member, The Arc Foundation of the US, 2022 to present; Chairman, Lifetime Care Services, LLC, 2023 to present.
                     
Interested Trustee                    
                     
Jan F. van Eck,
19635
  Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President   Trustee (Since 2006); Chief Executive Officer and President (Since 2009)   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Van Eck Associates Corporation (VEAC), Van Eck Absolute Return Advisers Corporation (VEARA) and Van Eck Securities Corporation (VESC); Officer and/or Director of other companies affiliated with VEAC and/or the Trust.   83   Director, National Committee on US-China Relations.

 

 

1 The address for each Trustee and officer is 666 Third Avenue, 9th Floor, New York, New York 10017.
2 Each Trustee serves until resignation, death, retirement or removal. Officers are elected yearly by the Trustees.
3 The Fund Complex consists of the VanEck Funds, VanEck VIP Trust and the Trust.
100

 

 

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

 

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

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

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

VANECK ETF TRUST

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

(unaudited) (continued)

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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