UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSRS
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number 811-10325
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-19-002274/x1_c93914x4x1.jpg)
666 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Van Eck Associates Corporation
VanEck Vectors ETF Trust
666 Third Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 293-2000
Date of fiscal year end: November 30
Date of reporting period: May 31, 2019
| Item 1. | REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS. |
A copy of the report transmitted to stockholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Act (17 CFR 270.30e-1) is attached hereto.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-19-002274/x1_c93914x1x1.jpg) | SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT May 31, 2019 (unaudited) |
VANECK VECTORS®
High Income MLP ETF | YMLP® |
| |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | YMLI® |
Certain information contained in this management discussion 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. The information contained herein regarding each index has been provided by the relevant index provider. Also, unless otherwise specifically noted, any discussion of the Funds’ holdings, the Funds’ performance, and the views of the investment adviser are as of May 31, 2019.
VANECK VECTORS ETFs
(unaudited)
Dear Shareholders:
We are pleased to present this semi-annual report.
Investment Outlook
As we write this letter in June 2019, West Texas crude oil is trading well below levels of a year ago, but also well above lows reached at the end of 2018 following the global equity market selloff through the fourth quarter of the year. Master limited partnerships (MLPs) have exhibited a similar pattern over the past year and the energy infrastructure segment is currently trading at attractive valuations relative to long-term averages, while the broad U.S. equity market is currently valued above its long-term average.
Getting to this current environment was a result of a lot of turbulence.
At the beginning of December last year, we were worried about the impact the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) and the U.S. Federal Reserve’s (Fed’s) continued tightening would have on the financial markets. Typically, central bank tightening is unfavorable for financial assets, and markets decelerated going into December. Then, suddenly the Fed signaled it would stop raising rates and reverse on quantitative tightening. This led to a rally in U.S. equities and other asset classes.
The ECB is also now delaying any tightening steps. In early March, the ECB pushed back its timing for increasing interest rates and is expected to stay on hold through the end of 2019. It also announced a program to stimulate bank lending which will provide banks in the euro zone with cheap rates.
Last but not least, China’s “drip stimulus” (as opposed to big infrastructure stimulus program similar to what was implemented after the financial crisis) has been felt in the real economy, with manufacturing Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) ticking positive after March 2019.
Doubtless there are risks to the global economy and financial markets. Concerns around the strength of global economic growth, a persistently strong U.S. dollar, certain country-specific factors, e.g., Iran and Venezuela, and the escalating trade dispute between the U.S. and China continue to hang over the market.
We encourage you to stay in touch with us through the videos, email subscriptions, and research blogs available on our website, www.vaneck.com. Should you have any questions regarding fund performance, please contact us at 800.826.2333 or visit our website.
We sincerely thank you for investing in VanEck’s investment strategies. On the following pages, you will financial statements for each of the funds for the six month period ended May 31, 2019. As always, we value your continued confidence in us and look forward to helping you meet your investment goals in the future.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-19-002274/x1_c93914x3x1.jpg)
Jan F. van Eck
Trustee and President
VanEck Vectors ETF Trust
June 18, 2019
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 Funds carefully before investing. To obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus, which contain this and other information, call 800.826.2333 or visit vaneck.com. Please read the prospectus and summary prospectus carefully before investing.
VANECK VECTORS 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.
This disclosure is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period, December 1, 2018 to May 31, 2019.
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 your 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. 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 December 1, 2018 | | Ending Account Value May 31, 2019 | | Annualized Expense Ratios During Period(1)(2) | | Expenses Paid During the Period | |
High Income MLP ETF* | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $1,000.00 | | $1,039.80 | | 0.82% | | $4.17 | |
Hypothetical** | | $1,000.00 | | $1,020.84 | | 0.82% | | $4.13 | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF* | | | | | | | | | |
Actual | | $1,000.00 | | $1,012.90 | | 0.82% | | $4.12 | |
Hypothetical** | | $1,000.00 | | $1,020.84 | | 0.82% | | $4.13 | |
(1) | Tax benefit/(expense) is not included in the ratio calculation. |
(2) | Franchise tax not included in expense ratio calculation. |
* | Expenses are equal to each Fund’s annualized expense ratio (for the six months ended May 31, 2019) 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 days in the fiscal year (to reflect the one-half year period). |
** | Assumes annual return of 5% before expenses. |
VANECK VECTORS HIGH INCOME MLP ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
May 31, 2019 (unaudited)
Number of Shares | | | | | Value | |
| | | | | | |
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS: 98.8% | | | |
Energy: 73.8% | | | |
| 159,324 | | | Alliance Resource Partners LP | | $ | 2,741,966 | |
| 113,265 | | | Black Stone Minerals LP | | | 1,849,618 | |
| 67,038 | | | CrossAmerica Partners LP | | | 1,076,630 | |
| 40,141 | | | Enviva Partners LP | | | 1,224,301 | |
| 144,880 | | | GasLog Partners LP | | | 3,061,314 | |
| 62,124 | | | Global Partners LP | | | 1,235,025 | |
| 255,176 | | | Golar LNG Partners LP | | | 2,865,627 | |
| 66,549 | | | KNOT Offshore Partners LP | | | 1,253,783 | |
| 27,919 | | | Natural Resource Partners LP | | | 1,110,060 | |
| 240,074 | | | NGL Energy Partners LP | | | 3,562,698 | |
| 107,042 | | | Sunoco LP | | | 3,206,978 | |
| 218,672 | | | Teekay LNG Partners LP | | | 2,871,163 | |
| 201,797 | | | USA Compression Partners LP | | | 3,444,675 | |
| | | | | | | 29,503,838 | |
Number of Shares | | | | | Value | |
| | | | | | |
Materials: 7.0% | | | |
| 150,274 | | | SunCoke Energy Partners LP | | $ | 1,579,380 | |
| 53,862 | | | Westlake Chemical Partners LP | | | 1,215,126 | |
| | | | | | | 2,794,506 | |
Utilities: 18.0% | | | | |
| 113,697 | | | AmeriGas Partners LP | | | 3,857,739 | |
| 145,882 | | | Suburban Propane Partners LP | | | 3,340,698 | |
| | | | | | | 7,198,437 | |
Total Master Limited Partnerships (Cost $34,989,089) | | | 39,496,781 | |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities: 1.2% | | | 479,242 | |
NET ASSETS: 100.0% | | $ | 39,976,023 | |
LP—Limited Partner
Summary of Investments by Sector | | % of Investments | | Value | |
Energy | | | 74.7 | % | | $ | 29,503,838 | |
Materials | | | 7.1 | % | | | 2,794,506 | |
Utilities | | | 18.2 | % | | | 7,198,437 | |
| | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 39,496,781 | |
As of May 31, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments were considered Level 1, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS HIGH INCOME INFRASTRUCTURE MLP ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
May 31, 2019 (unaudited)
Number of Shares | | | | | Value | |
| | | | | | |
MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS: 87.3% | | | |
Energy: 87.3% | | | |
| 20,508 | | | Andeavor Logistics LP | | $ | 715,319 | |
| 22,262 | | | Buckeye Partners LP | | | 907,399 | |
| 16,931 | | | Cheniere Energy Partners LP | | | 706,700 | |
| 48,179 | | | CNX Midstream Partners LP | | | 706,304 | |
| 22,984 | | | Crestwood Equity Partners LP | | | 816,622 | |
| 23,393 | | | DCP Midstream LP | | | 711,615 | |
| 49,077 | | | Enable Midstream Partners LP | | | 637,510 | |
| 49,045 | | | Energy Transfer Equity LP | | | 673,878 | |
| 26,104 | | | Enterprise Products Partners | | | 728,041 | |
| 18,184 | | | EQT Midstream Partners LP | | | 783,730 | |
| 34,057 | | | Genesis Energy LP | | | 743,124 | |
| 25,893 | | | Holly Energy Partners LP | | | 688,495 | |
| 12,231 | | | Magellan Midstream Partners | | | 752,206 | |
| 22,162 | | | MPLX LP | | | 677,714 | |
| 20,094 | | | Noble Midstream Partners LP | | | 607,843 | |
| 27,487 | | | NuStar Energy LP | | | 741,050 | |
| 14,535 | | | Phillips 66 Partners LP | | | 697,389 | |
| 30,732 | | | Plains All American Pipeline LP | | | 694,851 | |
| 39,669 | | | Shell Midstream Partners LP | | | 834,239 | |
| 70,493 | | | Summit Midstream Partners LP | | | 511,779 | |
| 21,846 | | | TC PipeLines LP | | | 791,481 | |
| 22,391 | | | Western Midstream Partners LP | | | 653,593 | |
Total Master Limited Partnerships (Cost $16,496,231) | | | 15,780,882 | |
Number of Shares | | | | | Value | |
| | | | | | |
COMMON STOCK: 11.9% | | | |
Energy: 11.9% | | | |
| 58,979 | | | Antero Midstream | | $ | 720,724 | |
| 65,190 | | | EnLink Midstream LLC | | | 676,672 | |
| 31,548 | | | Tallgrass Energy GP LP, Cl A | | | 750,527 | |
Total Common Stock (Cost $2,355,508) | | | 2,147,923 | |
Total Investments: 99.2% (Cost $18,851,739) | | | 17,928,805 | |
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities: 0.8% | | | 146,540 | |
NET ASSETS: 100.0% | | $ | 18,075,345 | |
Cl—Class
GP—General Partner
LLC—Limited Liability Company
LP—Limited Partner
Summary of Investments by Sector | | % of Investments | | Value | |
Energy | | | 100.0 | % | | $ | 17,928,805 | |
As of May 31, 2019, all of the Fund’s investments were considered Level 1, in accordance with the authoritative guidance under U.S. GAAP.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
May 31, 2019 (unaudited)
| | High Income MLP ETF | | High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF |
Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Investments at value (1) | | | $ | 39,496,781 | | | | $ | 17,928,805 | |
Income tax receivable | | | | 446,216 | | | | | 165,622 | |
Dividends receivable | | | | 60,260 | | | | | 42 | |
Receivable for franchise taxes | | | | 22,976 | | | | | 1,819 | |
Total assets | | | | 40,026,233 | | | | | 18,096,288 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Due to Adviser | | | | 28,826 | | | | | 12,992 | |
Borrowings for line of credit | | | | 21,285 | | | | | — | |
Line of credit fees | | | | 99 | | | | | — | |
Due to custodian | | | | — | | | | | 7,951 | |
Total liabilities | | | | 50,210 | | | | | 20,943 | |
NET ASSETS | | | $ | 39,976,023 | | | | $ | 18,075,345 | |
Shares outstanding | | | | 2,069,161 | | | | | 1,550,000 | |
Net asset value, redemption and offering price per share | | | $ | 19.32 | | | | $ | 11.66 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets consist of: | | | | | | | | | | |
Aggregate paid in capital | | | $ | 255,378,025 | | | | $ | 30,872,485 | |
Total distributable earnings (loss) | | | | (215,402,002 | ) | | | | (12,797,140 | ) |
Net assets | | | $ | 39,976,023 | | | | $ | 18,075,345 | |
(1) Cost of investments | | | $ | 34,989,089 | | | | $ | 18,851,739 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 (unaudited)
| | High Income MLP ETF | | High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF |
Income: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends | | | $ | 501,790 | | | | $ | 86,788 | |
Distributions from master limited partnerships | | | | 1,647,386 | | | | | 754,466 | |
Less: Return of capital distributions | | | | (2,014,647 | ) | | | | (810,377 | ) |
Total income | | | | 134,529 | | | | | 30,877 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Management fees | | | | 171,253 | | | | | 77,228 | |
Interest expense | | | | 456 | | | | | 1,216 | |
Total expenses | | | | 171,709 | | | | | 78,444 | |
Net investment loss, before taxes | | | | (37,180 | ) | | | | (47,567 | ) |
Income tax benefit/(expense), net of valuation allowance | | | | — | | | | | — | |
Net investment loss, net of taxes | | | | (37,180 | ) | | | | (47,567 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) on: | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | | (858,532 | ) | | | | (427,981 | ) |
Net realized loss on investments | | | | (858,532 | ) | | | | (427,981 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on: | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments | | | | 2,404,223 | | | | | 705,369 | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | | | | 2,404,223 | | | | | 705,369 | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | $ | 1,508,511 | | | | $ | 229,821 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
| | High Income MLP ETF | | High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF |
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 | | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 | | For the Year Ended November 30, 2018 |
| | (unaudited) | | | | (unaudited) | | | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss), net of taxes | | | $ | (37,180 | ) | | | $ | 76,603 | | | | $ | (47,567 | ) | | | $ | (141,602 | ) |
Net realized loss on investments | | | | (858,532 | ) | | | | (2,130,647 | ) | | | | (427,981 | ) | | | | (23,726 | ) |
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | | | | 2,404,223 | | | | | (1,285,104 | ) | | | | 705,369 | | | | | 162,628 | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | | 1,508,511 | | | | | (3,339,148 | ) | | | | 229,821 | | | | | (2,700 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Return of capital | | | | (1,945,290 | ) | | | | (4,890,172 | ) | | | | (777,170 | ) | | | | (1,590,500 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Share transactions:** | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Proceeds from sale of shares | | | | — | | | | | 2,236,285 | | | | | 597,872 | | | | | 690,640 | |
Cost of shares redeemed | | | | (4,677,841 | ) | | | | (13,281,849 | ) | | | | (1,765,300 | ) | | | | (2,652,209 | ) |
Decrease in net assets from share transactions | | | | (4,677,841 | ) | | | | (11,045,564 | ) | | | | (1,167,428 | ) | | | | (1,961,569 | ) |
Total decrease in net assets | | | | (5,114,620 | ) | | | | (19,274,884 | ) | | | | (1,714,777 | ) | | | | (3,554,769 | ) |
Net assets, beginning of period | | | | 45,090,643 | | | | | 64,365,527 | | | | | 19,790,122 | | | | | 23,344,891 | |
Net assets, end of period | | | $ | 39,976,023 | | | | $ | 45,090,643 | | | | $ | 18,075,345 | | | | $ | 19,790,122 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
**Shares of common stock issued (no par value) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Shares sold | | | | — | | | | | 100,000 | | | | | 50,000 | | | | | 50,000 | |
Shares redeemed | | | | (250,000 | ) | | | | (600,000 | ) | | | | (150,000 | ) | | | | (200,000 | ) |
Net decrease | | | | (250,000 | ) | | | | (500,000 | ) | | | | (100,000 | ) | | | | (150,000 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | High Income MLP ETF |
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 | | | For the Years Ended November 30, | | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2018 | | | | 2017 | | | | 2016# | | | | 2015# | | | | 2014# | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $ | 19.44 | | | | $ | 22.83 | | | | $ | 25.43 | | | | $ | 31.30 | | | | $ | 74.05 | | | | $ | 89.95 | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss)* | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | | 0.03 | | | | | 0.14 | | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | | 0.10 | | | | | (0.20 | ) | |
Return of capital* | | | | 0.93 | | | | | 1.95 | | | | | 1.88 | | | | | 0.75 | | | | | 5.75 | | | | | 7.20 | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | (3.43 | ) | | | | (2.63 | ) | | | | (4.06 | ) | | | | (41.90 | ) | | | | (15.15 | ) | |
Total from investment operations | | | | 0.79 | | | | | (1.45 | ) | | | | (0.61 | ) | | | | (3.33 | ) | | | | (36.05 | ) | | | | (8.15 | ) | |
Less distribution from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | (1.40 | ) | |
Return of capital | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | | (1.94 | ) | | | | (1.99 | ) | | | | (2.54 | ) | | | | (6.70 | ) | | | | (6.35 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | | (0.91 | ) | | | | (1.94 | ) | | | | (1.99 | ) | | | | (2.54 | ) | | | | (6.70 | ) | | | | (7.75 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $ | 19.32 | | | | $ | 19.44 | | | | $ | 22.83 | | | | $ | 25.43 | | | | $ | 31.30 | | | | $ | 74.05 | | |
Total return (a) | | | | 3.98 | %(b) | | | | (7.16 | )% | | | | (2.67 | )% | | | | (8.40 | )% | | | | (51.42 | )% | | | | (10.17 | )% | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | $39,976 | | | $45,091 | | | $64,366 | | | $94,563 | | | $124,034 | | | $285,134 | | |
Ratio of expenses, excluding income tax benefit/(expense), to average net assets | | | | 0.82 | %(c) | | | | 0.84 | %(d) | | | | 0.82 | %(d) | | | | 0.88 | %(d) | | | | 0.85 | %(d) | | | | 0.83 | %(d) | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | | | | 0.82 | %(c) | | | | 0.73 | % | | | | 0.86 | % | | | | 0.88 | % | | | | 0.56 | % | | | | (1.34 | )% | |
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) excluding income tax benefit/(expense) to average net assets | | | | (0.18 | )%(c) | | | | 0.02 | % | | | | 0.59 | % | | | | (0.34 | )% | | | | (0.10 | )% | | | | (0.23 | )% | |
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (e) | | | | (0.18 | )%(c) | | | | 0.13 | % | | | | 0.55 | % | | | | (0.34 | )% | | | | 0.19 | % | | | | (0.19 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate (f) | | | | 28 | %(b) | | | | 34 | % | | | | 40 | % | | | | 46 | % | | | | 62 | % | | | | 44 | % | |
The financial highlights include the financial information of the Predecessor Funds through February 21, 2016 (See Note 1).
# | On June 29, 2016, the Fund effected a 1 for 5 reverse share split (See Note 9). Per share data has been adjusted to reflect the share split. |
* | Per share data calculated using average shares method. |
(a) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of period, reinvestment of any dividends and distributions at net asset value on the dividend/distributions payment date (ex-date for periods prior to February 21, 2016) and a redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period. The return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends/distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. |
(b) | Not Annualized |
(c) | Annualized |
(d) | Includes franchise tax expenses. Without franchise tax expenses, the net ratio would be 0.82% |
(e) | Income tax benefit/(expense) for the ratio calculation is derived from net investment income (loss) only. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rates exclude securities received as a result of processing in-kind capital share transactions. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
For a share outstanding throughout each period:
| | High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF |
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 | | | For the Years Ended November 30, | | |
| | (unaudited) | | | 2018 | | | | 2017 | | | | 2016 | | | | 2015 | | | | 2014 | | |
Net asset value, beginning of period | | | $ | 11.99 | | | | $ | 12.97 | | | | $ | 14.92 | | | | $ | 13.36 | | | | $ | 21.75 | | | | $ | 21.15 | | |
Income from investment operations: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss * | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | | (0.12 | ) | | | | (0.25 | ) | | | | (0.10 | ) | | | | (0.12 | ) | |
Return of capital * | | | | 0.52 | | | | | 1.06 | | | | | 1.07 | | | | | 1.17 | | | | | 1.22 | | | | | 1.27 | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | | | | (0.32 | ) | | | | (0.99 | ) | | | | (1.91 | ) | | | | 1.77 | | | | | (8.31 | ) | | | | 1.01 | | |
Total from investment operations | | | | 0.17 | | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | | (0.96 | ) | | | | 2.69 | | | | | (7.19 | ) | | | | 2.16 | | |
Less distribution from: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | — | | | | | (0.72 | ) | |
Return of Capital | | | | (0.50 | ) | | | | (0.96 | ) | | | | (0.99 | ) | | | | (1.13 | ) | | | | (1.20 | ) | | | | (0.84 | ) | |
Total distributions | | | | (0.50 | ) | | | | (0.96 | ) | | | | (0.99 | ) | | | | (1.13 | ) | | | | (1.20 | ) | | | | (1.56 | ) | |
Net asset value, end of period | | | $ | 11.66 | | | | $ | 11.99 | | | | $ | 12.97 | | | | $ | 14.92 | | | | $ | 13.36 | | | | $ | 21.75 | | |
Total return (a) | | | | 1.29 | %(b) | | | | (0.53 | )% | | | | (6.91 | )% | | | | 22.08 | % | | | | (34.18 | )% | | | | 10.53 | % | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets, end of period (000’s) | | $18,075 | | | $19,790 | | | $23,345 | | | $35,070 | | | $34,056 | | | $46,760 | | |
Ratio of expenses, excluding income tax benefit/(expense), to average net assets | | | | 0.83 | %(c)(g) | | | | 0.81 | %(d) | | | | 0.83 | %(d) | | | | 0.82 | % | | | | 0.84 | %(d) | | | | 0.84 | %(d) | |
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets | | | | 0.83 | %(c) | | | | 0.82 | % | | | | 0.87 | % | | | | 0.71 | % | | | | (4.69 | )% | | | | 5.91 | % | |
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) excluding income tax benefit/(expense) to average net assets | | | | (0.51 | )%(c) | | | | (0.64 | )% | | | | (0.76 | )% | | | | (0.82 | )% | | | | (0.84 | )% | | | | (0.84 | )% | |
Ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets (e) | | | | (0.51 | )%(c) | | | | (0.65 | )% | | | | (0.80 | )% | | | | (1.85 | )% | | | | (0.54 | )% | | | | (0.54 | )% | |
Portfolio turnover rate (f) | | | | 50 | %(b) | | | | 52 | % | | | | 53 | % | | | | 42 | % | | | | 38 | % | | | | 47 | % | |
The financial highlights include the financial information of the Predecessor Funds through February 21, 2016 (See Note 1).
* | Per share data calculated using average shares method. |
(a) | Total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of period, reinvestment of any dividends and distributions at net asset value on the dividend/distributions payment date (ex-date for periods prior to February 21, 2016) and a redemption at the net asset value on the last day of the period. The return does not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund dividends/distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. |
(b) | Not Annualized |
(c) | Annualized |
(d) | Includes franchise tax expenses. Without franchise tax expenses, the net ratio would be 0.82% |
(e) | Income tax benefit/(expense) for the ratio calculation is derived from net investment income (loss) only. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rates exclude securities received as a result of processing in-kind capital share transactions. |
(g) | Includes interest expense. Without interest expense, the net ratio would be 0.82% |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
May 31, 2019 (unaudited)
Note 1—Fund Organization—VanEck Vectors 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 following funds: the High Income MLP ETF and the High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF (each a “Fund”, and collectively the “Funds”). The High Income MLP ETF seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Solactive High Income MLP Index (the “Index”). The High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Solactive High Income Infrastructure MLP Index (the “Infrastructure Index”). Each Fund is classified as “non-diversified”. This means that the Funds may invest more of their assets in securities of a single issuer than that of a diversified fund. Van Eck Associates Corporation (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser for the Funds.
On February 22, 2016, the shareholders of the Yorkville High Income MLP ETF and Yorkville High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF (the “Predecessor Funds”) approved a proposed agreement and plan of reorganization (the “Reorganization”) that provided for (a) the transfer of all the assets and assumption of certain of the liabilities of the Predecessor Funds, (b) the issuance of shares of the Funds to the shareholders of the Predecessor Funds; and (c) the liquidation and termination of the Predecessor Funds. The effective date of the Reorganization was February 22, 2016. The Predecessor Funds had substantially similar investment objectives, investment strategies, policies and restrictions as those of the Funds. The financial statements and financial highlights include the financial information of the Predecessor Funds through February 21, 2016.
Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
The Funds are investment companies and are following accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies.
The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the Funds.
A. | Return of Capital Estimates—Distributions received by the Funds generally are comprised of income and return of capital. Each Fund records investment income and return of capital based on estimates made at the time such distributions are received. Such estimates are based on historical information available to the Funds and other industry sources. These estimates may subsequently be revised based on information received from Master Limited Partnerships (“MLP”) after their tax reporting periods are concluded. |
| |
B. | Master Limited Partnerships—Entities commonly referred to as “MLPs” are generally organized under state law as limited partnerships or limited liability companies. The Funds intend to primarily invest in MLPs receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), and whose interests or “units” are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP whose units are traded on a securities exchange must receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources such as interest, dividends, real estate rents, gain from the sale or disposition of real property, income and gain from mineral or natural resources activities, income and gain from the transportation or storage of certain fuels, and, in certain circumstances, income and gain from commodities or futures, forwards and options with respect to commodities. Mineral or natural resources activities include exploration, development, production, processing, mining, refining, marketing and transportation (including pipelines) of oil and gas, minerals, geothermal energy, fertilizer, timber or industrial source carbon dioxide. An MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners (or in the case of MLPs organized as limited liability companies, a managing member and members). The general partner or managing member typically controls the operations and management of the MLP and has an ownership stake in the partnership. The limited partners or members, through their ownership of limited partner or member interests, provide capital to the entity, are intended to have no role in the operation and management of the entity and receive cash distributions. The MLPs themselves generally do not pay U.S. federal income taxes (although some states do impose a net income tax on partnerships). Thus, unlike investors in corporate securities, direct MLP investors are generally not subject to double taxation (i.e., corporate level tax and tax on corporate dividends). |
C. | Security Valuation—The Funds value their investments in securities and other assets and liabilities carried 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. Securities traded on national exchanges are valued at the last sales price as reported at the close of each business day. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Over-the-counter securities not included in the NASDAQ National Market System 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 (described below). Short-term obligations 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 considered to be Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The Pricing Committee of the Adviser provides oversight of the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures, which are approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. Among other things, these procedures allow the Funds to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities dealers, and other market sources to determine fair value. The Pricing Committee convenes regularly to review the fair value of financial instruments or other assets. If market quotations for a security or other asset is not readily available, or if the Adviser believes it does not otherwise reflect the fair value of a security or asset, the security or asset will be fair valued by the Pricing Committee in accordance with the Funds’ valuation policies and procedures. The Pricing Committee employs various methods for calibrating the valuation approaches utilized to determine fair value, including a regular review of key inputs and assumptions, periodic comparisons to valuations provided by other independent pricing services, transactional back-testing and disposition analysis. |
| |
| Certain factors such as economic conditions, political events, market trends, the nature of and duration of any restrictions on disposition, trading in similar securities of the issuer or comparable issuers and other security specific information are used to determine the fair value of these securities. Depending on the relative significance of valuation inputs, these securities may be classified either as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The price which the Funds may realize upon sale of an investment may differ materially from the value presented in the Schedules of Investments. |
| |
| The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of most of its 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 transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy assume the financial instruments were transferred at the beginning of the reporting period. 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 the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). |
| |
| A summary of the inputs, the levels used to value the Funds’ investments, and transfers between levels 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. |
| |
D. | Federal and Other Income Taxes—Each Fund intends to invest primarily in MLPs, which generally are treated as qualified publicly traded partnerships for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Funds do not intend to qualify, and will not qualify as a regulated investment company pursuant to Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code due to the Funds’ concentration in MLP securities and are taxed as regular C-corporations. As a regular C-corporation, each Fund is obligated to pay federal, state and local income tax on its taxable income. High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF is currently using an estimated 23.59% tax rate for federal, state and local tax which is composed of a 21% federal tax rate and an assumed 2.59% rate attributable to state taxes (net of federal benefit). High Income MLP ETF is currently using an estimated 24.30% tax rate for federal, state and local tax which is composed of a 21% federal tax rate and an assumed 3.30% state tax rate (net of federal benefit). |
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited) (continued)
| As a consequence of being taxed as a C-corporation, the Funds will be obligated to pay applicable federal and state corporate income taxes on their taxable income as opposed to most other investment companies which are not so obligated. The Funds expect that a portion of the distributions they receive from MLPs will be treated as a tax deferred return of capital, thus reducing the Funds’ current tax liabilities and increasing the Funds’ deferred tax liabilities. However, the amount of taxes currently payable by the Funds will vary depending on the amount of income and gains derived from investments and/or sales of MLP interests and such taxes will reduce your return from an investment in the Funds. |
| |
| Cash distributions from MLPs to the Funds that exceed such Funds’ allocable share of such MLP’s net taxable income are considered a tax-deferred return of capital that will reduce the Funds’ adjusted tax basis in the equity securities of the MLP. These reductions in such Funds’ adjusted tax basis in the MLP equity securities will increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) recognized by the Funds on a subsequent sale of the securities. The Funds will accrue deferred income taxes for any future tax liabilities associated with (a) that portion of MLP distributions considered to be a tax-deferred return of capital as well as (b) capital appreciation on their investments. Upon the sale of an MLP security, the Funds will rely to some extent on information provided by the MLPs, which is not necessarily timely, or accurate, to estimate deferred tax liabilities for purposes of financial statement reporting and determining NAV of the Funds. From time to time, the Funds will modify the estimates or assumptions related to the Funds’ deferred tax liabilities as new information becomes available. |
| |
| Since the Funds will be subject to taxation on their taxable income, the NAV of the Funds’ shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any current or deferred tax liabilities. The Index and Infrastructure Index (the “Indices”) however are calculated without any adjustments for taxes. a result, the Funds’ after tax performance could differ significantly from the Indices even if the pretax performance of the Funds and the performance of the Indices are closely correlated. |
| |
| The tax expense or benefits attributable to certain components of income will be included in the Statements of Operations. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for federal income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated utilizing effective tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years the temporary differences are realized or settled. A valuation allowance will be recognized if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realizable. In the assessment for a valuation allowance, consideration is given to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax asset. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability (which are highly dependent on cash distributions from the Funds’ MLP holdings), the duration of statutory carryforward periods and the associated risk that operating and capital loss carryforwards may expire unused. The Funds’ policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on their Statements of Operations. |
| |
E. | Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders—On a quarterly basis, each Fund distributes substantially all of its dividends and distributions received less Fund expenses. All distributions are recorded on ex-dividend date. The estimated characterization of the distributions paid will be either an ordinary income or return of capital distribution. The Funds anticipate that 100% of their current year distributions will be treated as return of capital. The actual tax characterization of the distributions made during the current year will not be determined until after the end of the fiscal year when the Funds can determine their earnings and profits and, therefore, may differ from the preliminary estimates. The Funds will inform shareholders of the final tax character of the distributions on IRS Form 1099-DIV in February 2020. |
| |
F. | Other—Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Realized gains and losses are calculated on the identified cost basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and discounts, is accrued as earned.
In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these agreements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, the Adviser believes the risk of loss under these arrangements to be remote. |
Note 3—Investment Management and Other Agreements—The Adviser is the investment adviser to the Funds. The Adviser receives a management fee, calculated daily and payable monthly based on an annual rate of 0.82% of each Fund’s average daily net assets. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by the Funds except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability and extraordinary expenses.
Van Eck Securities Corporation, an affiliate of the Adviser, acts as the Funds’ “Distributor”. Certain officers and a Trustee of the Trust are officers, directors or stockholders of the Adviser and Distributor.
Note 4—Investments—For the period ended May 31, 2019, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investments other than U.S. Government obligations and short-term obligations (excluding in-kind transactions described in Note 6) were as follows:
| | Purchases | | Sales |
High Income MLP ETF | | $ | 11,594,786 | | | $ | 18,420,533 | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | | 9,121,555 | | | | 11,716,950 | |
Note 5—Income Taxes—The High Income MLP ETF and High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF income tax expense/(benefit) for the six months ended May 31, 2019 consists of the following:
High Income MLP ETF | | Current Expense/ (Benefit) | | Deferred Expense/ (Benefit) | | Total Expense/ (Benefit) |
Federal | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 333,285 | | | | $ | 333,285 | |
State (net of Federal) | | | | — | | | | | 52,373 | | | | | 52,373 | |
Change in valuation allowance | | | | — | | | | | (385,658 | ) | | | | (385,658 | ) |
Total | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | Current Expense/ (Benefit) | | Deferred Expense/ (Benefit) | | Total Expense/ (Benefit) |
Federal | | | $ | — | | | | $ | 47,018 | | | | $ | 47,018 | |
State (net of Federal) | | | | — | | | | | 5,799 | | | | | 5,799 | |
Change in valuation allowance | | | | — | | | | | (52,817 | ) | | | | (52,817 | ) |
Total | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | | | | $ | — | |
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes.
Total income tax expense/(benefit) (current and deferred) differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to net investment income/(loss) and realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments before taxes as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 |
High Income MLP ETF | | Amount | | Rate |
Income tax expense/(benefit) | | $ | 316,787 | | | | 21.00 | % |
State income tax, net of Federal benefit | | | 49,781 | | | | 3.30 | |
Permanent differences, net | | | 18,003 | | | | 1.19 | |
Other | | | 1,087 | | | | 0.08 | |
Change in valuation allowance | | | (385,658 | ) | | | (25.57 | ) |
Net income tax expense/(benefit) | | $ | — | | | | 0.00 | % |
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited) (continued)
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | Amount | | Rate |
Income tax expense/(benefit) | | $ | 48,263 | | | | 21.00 | % |
State income tax, net of Federal benefit | | | 5,952 | | | | 2.59 | |
Permanent differences, net | | | (573 | ) | | | (0.25 | ) |
Other | | | (825 | ) | | | (0.36 | ) |
Change in valuation allowance | | | (52,817 | ) | | | (22.98 | ) |
Net income tax expense/(benefit) | | $ | — | | | | 0.00 | % |
Components of each Fund’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended May 31, 2019 | |
| | High Income MLP ETF | | High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | |
Deferred Tax Assets: | | | | | | | | |
Capital loss carryforward | | $ | 47,541,006 | | | $ | 2,222,070 | |
Net operating loss carryforward | | | 277,667 | | | | 408,384 | |
Other | | | 60,246 | | | | 3,419 | |
Deferred Tax Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on investments | | | (2,113,506 | ) | | | (83,673 | ) |
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability) before valuation allowance | | $ | 45,765,413 | | | $ | 2,550,200 | |
Less valuation allowance | | | (45,765,413 | ) | | | (2,550,200 | ) |
Net Deferred Tax Asset/(Liability) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
The Funds review the recoverability of their deferred tax assets based upon the weight of the available evidence. When assessing the recoverability of their deferred tax assets, management considers available carrybacks, reversing temporary taxable differences, projections of future taxable income and tax planning (if any). High Income MLP ETF has recorded a valuation allowance of $45,765,413 and High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF has recorded a valuation allowance of $2,550,200 against the net deferred tax assets at May 31, 2019 as the Funds believe it is more-likely-than-not the asset will not be realized within the relevant carryforward periods. The Funds may be required to modify the estimates or assumptions it uses regarding the deferred tax asset or liability as new information becomes available. The Funds’ net deferred tax asset and deferred income tax expense includes any prior year’s return to provision adjustments. Prior year’s income tax provision was based on estimates and information available at the time of the balance sheet date. Since the Funds will be subject to taxation on their taxable income, the NAV of Funds shares will also be reduced by the accrual of any deferred tax liabilities. Because of the impact of deferred taxes, the Funds’ performance could differ from their underlying Index.
The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain positions only when the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on U.S. and State tax returns filed or expected to be filed since inception of the Funds. The Funds’ tax years are open for examination by U.S. and state tax authorities for all applicable periods. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.
As of May 31, 2019, High Income MLP ETF and High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF had the following estimated net operating losses**:
Fund | | Origination | | Amount | | Expiration |
High Income MLP ETF | | 11/30/2016 | | | $ | 1,142,664 | | | 11/30/2036 |
Fund | | Origination | | Amount | | Expiration |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | 11/30/2015 | | | $ | 541,421 | | | 11/30/2035 |
| | 11/30/2016 | | | | 640,366 | | | 11/30/2036 |
| | 11/30/2018 | | | | 481,648 | | | 11/30/2038 |
| | 11/30/2019 | | | | 67,738 | | | Indefinite |
| | | | | $ | 1,731,173 | | | |
** | Under current tax law, net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) have different carryback and carryforward periods and limitations depending on the date incurred. NOLs generated in tax years ending prior to December 31, 2017 can be carried back 2 years and forward 20 years. NOLs generated in tax years ending after December 31, 2017 cannot be carried back but can be carried forward indefinitely. However, there is currently proposed tax legislation that, if enacted, would alter the effective date of this change to tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. The table above reflects the expiration dates assumed under this proposed legislation. Additionally, the utilization of NOLs generated in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 will be limited to the lesser of the aggregate of available post-2017 NOLs or 80% of taxable income. The 80% limitation is effective for any NOLs generated in the current fiscal period ending November 30, 2019. |
As of May 31, 2019, High Income MLP ETF and High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF had the following estimated, capital loss carryforwards:
Fund | | Origination | | Amount | | Expiration |
High Income MLP ETF | | 11/30/2015 | | | $ | 81,997,394 | | | 11/30/2020 |
| | 11/30/2016 | | | | 89,478,335 | | | 11/30/2021 |
| | 11/30/2017 | | | | 12,847,636 | | | 11/30/2022 |
| | 11/30/2018 | | | | 6,223,008 | | | 11/30/2023 |
| | 11/30/2019 | | | | 5,095,626 | | | 11/30/2024 |
| | | | | $ | 195,641,999 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Fund | | Origination | | Amount | | Expiration |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | 11/30/2015 | | | $ | 520,895 | | | 11/30/2020 |
| | 11/30/2016 | | | | 6,735,797 | | | 11/30/2021 |
| | 11/30/2017 | | | | 1,172,192 | | | 11/30/2022 |
| | 11/30/2018 | | | | 335,763 | | | 11/30/2023 |
| | 11/30/2019 | | | | 654,897 | | | 11/30/2024 |
| | | | | $ | 9,419,544 | | | |
The Federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments held by the Funds at May 31, 2019, were as follows:
| | Federal Tax Cost | | Aggregated Gross Unrealized Appreciation | | Aggregated Gross Unrealized Depreciation | | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
High Income MLP ETF | | $ | 30,792,117 | | | $ | 9,926,365 | | | $ | (1,221,701 | ) | | $ | 8,704,664 | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | | 17,574,360 | | | | 2,063,767 | | | | (1,709,322 | ) | | | 354,445 | |
The difference between cost amounts for financial statement purposes is due primarily to the recognition of pass-through income from the Funds’ investments in MLP interests.
Note 6—Capital Share Transactions—As of May 31, 2019, 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”), or multiples thereof, as follows:
| | Creation Units |
High Income MLP ETF | | | 50,000 | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | | 50,000 | |
The consideration for the purchase or redemption of Creation Units of the Funds generally consists of the in-kind contribution or distribution of securities constituting the Funds’ underlying index (“Deposit Securities”) plus a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may also be substituted in an amount equivalent to the value of certain Deposit Securities, generally when the securities are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, are not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant, or as a result
VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited) (continued)
of market circumstances. The Funds may issue Creation Units in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain on deposit at the Custodian for the benefit of the Funds, collateral consisting of cash in the form of U.S. dollars at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. Since the Funds are taxable as a C-Corporation, the Funds’ redemptions will generally result in taxable income or loss to the Funds. Additionally, the Funds expect to effect its redemptions principally for cash, rather than in-kind securities.
For the period ended May 31, 2019, the High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF had in-kind contributions as follows:
| | In-Kind Contributions |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | | $596,722 | |
For the period ended May 31, 2019, the Funds did not have any in-kind redemptions.
The in-kind contributions in this table represent the accumulation of the Fund’s daily net shareholder transactions including rebalancing activity, while the Statements of Changes in Net Assets reflect shareholder transactions including any cash component of the transactions.
Authorized Participants purchasing and redeeming Creation Units may pay transaction fees directly to The Bank of New York Mellon. In addition, the Funds may impose certain variable fees for creations and redemptions with respect to transactions in Creation Units for cash, or on transactions effected outside the clearing process, which are treated as increases in capital. These variable fees, if any, are reflected in share transactions in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.
Note 7—Concentration of Risks—The Funds’ assets will be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Index or Infrastructure Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries. By concentrating their assets in a particular industry or group of industries, the Funds are subject to the risk that economic, political or other conditions that have a negative effect on that industry or group of industries will negatively impact the Funds to a greater extent than if the Funds’ net assets were invested in a wider variety of industries.
Under normal circumstances, each Fund intends to invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of MLPs, which are subject to certain risks, such as supply and demand risk, depletion and exploration risk, and the risk associated with the hazards inherent in midstream energy industry activities. A substantial portion of the cash flow received by the Funds is derived from investment in equity securities of MLPs. The amount of cash that an MLP has available for distributions and the tax character of such distributions are dependent upon the amount of cash generated by the MLP’s operations.
Note 8—Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan—The Trust has a Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) for Trustees under which the Trustees can elect to defer receipt of their 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 as directed by the Trustees. These Funds have adopted a unitary management fee where the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of the Funds. Therefore, the expense for the Plan for these Funds are included in “Management fees.”
Note 9—Share Split—The VanEck Vectors High Income MLP ETF executed a one-for-five reverse share split for shareholders of record before the open of markets on June 29, 2016.
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 at rates based on prevailing market rates in effect at the time of borrowings. During the period ended May 31, 2019, the following Funds borrowed under this Facility:
Fund | | Days Outstanding | | Average Daily Loan Balance | | Average Interest Rate | | Outstanding Loan Balance as of May 31, 2019 |
High Income MLP ETF | | | 43 | | | | $106,334 | | | | 3.83 | % | | | $21,285 | |
High Income Infrastructure MLP ETF | | | 21 | | | | 549,676 | | | | 3.79 | | | | — | |
Note 11—Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Regulatory Requirements—The Funds early adopted certain provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement(“ASU 2018-13”) that eliminate and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The adoption of certain provisions of the ASU 2018-13 had no material effect on financial statements and related disclosures. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of additional requirements, not yet adopted, of the ASU 2018-13 to financial statements. Public companies will be required to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and for interim periods within those fiscal years.
Note 12—Subsequent Events—The Funds have evaluated the need for additional disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on this evaluation, no adjustments will be required to the financial statements.
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 Vectors 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-Q/N-PORT (as applicable). The Trust’s Form N-Qs/N-PORTs (as applicable) 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.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000930413-19-002274/x1_c93914x20x1.jpg)
| | |
Investment Adviser: | Van Eck Associates Corporation | |
Distributor: | Van Eck Securities Corporation | |
| 666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017 | |
| vaneck.com | |
Account Assistance: | 800.826.2333 | MLPSAR |
Not applicable.
| Item 3. | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT. |
Not applicable.
| Item 4. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. |
Not applicable.
| Item 5. | AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS. |
Not applicable.
| Item 6. | Schedule of Investments. |
Information included in Item 1.
| Item 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING PLOICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| Item 8. | PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
| Item 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable.
| Item 10. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. |
Not applicable.
| Item 11. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. |
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3 (c)) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15 (b). |
| (b) | There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a(d)) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
| Item 12. | DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMEN INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
| (a)(2) | A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is attached as Exhibit 99.CERT. |
| (b) | Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is furnished as Exhibit 99.906CERT. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant) VANECK VECTORS ETF TRUST
By (Signature and Title)/s/ John J. Crimmins, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
Date:August 8, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By (Signature and Title)/s/ Jan F. van Eck, Chief Executive Officer
Date:August 8, 2019
By (Signature and Title)/s/ John J. Crimmins, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
Date:August 8, 2019