Document_and_Entity_Informatio
Document and Entity Information (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Jan. 31, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2013 | |
Document And Entity Information [Abstract] | ' | ' | ' |
Document Type | '10-K | ' | ' |
Amendment Flag | 'false | ' | ' |
Document Period End Date | 31-Dec-13 | ' | ' |
Document Fiscal Year Focus | '2013 | ' | ' |
Document Fiscal Period Focus | 'FY | ' | ' |
Trading Symbol | 'DGL | ' | ' |
Entity Registrant Name | 'PowerShares DB Gold Fund | ' | ' |
Entity Central Index Key | '0001383055 | ' | ' |
Current Fiscal Year End Date | '--12-31 | ' | ' |
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer | 'No | ' | ' |
Entity Current Reporting Status | 'Yes | ' | ' |
Entity Voluntary Filers | 'No | ' | ' |
Entity Filer Category | 'Accelerated Filer | ' | ' |
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | ' | 3,600,000 | ' |
Entity Public Float | ' | ' | $166,720,000 |
Statements_of_Financial_Condit
Statements of Financial Condition (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Assets | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations, at fair value (cost $205,983,538 and $495,451,201 respectively) | $205,986,455 | $495,480,854 |
Cash held by commodity broker | 7,553,303 | 30,812,601 |
Net unrealized depreciation on futures contracts | -5,289,640 | -9,035,650 |
Equity in broker trading accounts | 208,250,118 | 517,257,805 |
Total assets | 208,250,118 | 517,257,805 |
Liabilities | ' | ' |
Payable for securities purchased | 62,989,649 | ' |
Management fee payable | 94,136 | 315,008 |
Brokerage fee payable | 4,945 | 582 |
Total liabilities | 63,088,730 | 315,590 |
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 8) | ' | ' |
Equity | ' | ' |
Shareholders' equity - General Shares | 1,613 | 2,298 |
Shareholders' equity - Shares | 145,159,775 | 516,939,917 |
Total shareholders' equity | 145,161,388 | 516,942,215 |
Total liabilities and equity | $208,250,118 | $517,257,805 |
General Shares outstanding | 40 | 40 |
Shares outstanding | 3,600,000 | 9,000,000 |
Net asset value per share | ' | ' |
General Shares | $40.32 | $57.45 |
Shares | $40.32 | $57.44 |
Statements_of_Financial_Condit1
Statements of Financial Condition (Parenthetical) (United States Treasury Obligations [Member], USD $) | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
United States Treasury Obligations [Member] | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations, cost | $205,983,538 | $495,451,201 |
Schedule_of_Investments_Treasu
Schedule of Investments - Treasury (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Fair Value | $205,986,455 | $495,480,854 |
Face Value | 252,100,000 | 421,200,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.030% due January 2, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 43.40% | ' |
Fair Value | 63,000,000 | ' |
Face Value | 63,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.025% due January 9, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 11.71% | ' |
Fair Value | 16,999,966 | ' |
Face Value | 17,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.005% due January 23, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 1.38% | ' |
Fair Value | 1,999,986 | ' |
Face Value | 2,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.005% due January 30, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 6.20% | ' |
Fair Value | 8,999,910 | ' |
Face Value | 9,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.05% due February 6, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 4.13% | ' |
Fair Value | 5,999,946 | ' |
Face Value | 6,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due February 13, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 6.20% | ' |
Fair Value | 8,999,919 | ' |
Face Value | 9,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.080% due February 27, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 3.44% | ' |
Fair Value | 4,999,845 | ' |
Face Value | 5,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due March 6, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 19.29% | ' |
Fair Value | 27,997,676 | ' |
Face Value | 28,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.070% due March 13, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 2.76% | ' |
Fair Value | 3,999,728 | ' |
Face Value | 4,000,000 | ' |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.065% due April 3, 2014 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 43.39% | ' |
Fair Value | 62,989,479 | ' |
Face Value | 63,000,000 | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | 141.90% | 95.85% |
Fair Value | 205,986,455 | 495,480,854 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.06% due January 3, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 22.05% |
Fair Value | ' | 114,000,000 |
Face Value | ' | 114,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.05% due January 10, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 5.61% |
Fair Value | ' | 28,999,826 |
Face Value | ' | 29,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.015% due January 17, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 2.52% |
Fair Value | ' | 12,999,909 |
Face Value | ' | 13,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.045% due January 24, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 2.22% |
Fair Value | ' | 11,499,874 |
Face Value | ' | 11,500,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due January 31, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 4.26% |
Fair Value | ' | 21,999,560 |
Face Value | ' | 22,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.105% due February 7, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 2.32% |
Fair Value | ' | 11,999,664 |
Face Value | ' | 12,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.105% due February 14, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 4.84% |
Fair Value | ' | 24,999,175 |
Face Value | ' | 25,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due February 21, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 2.32% |
Fair Value | ' | 11,999,544 |
Face Value | ' | 12,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.1% due February 28, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 4.84% |
Fair Value | ' | 24,999,000 |
Face Value | ' | 25,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 7, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 7.35% |
Fair Value | ' | 37,997,986 |
Face Value | ' | 38,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 14, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 11.99% |
Fair Value | ' | 61,996,032 |
Face Value | ' | 62,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.04% due March 21, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 12.38% |
Fair Value | ' | 63,995,520 |
Face Value | ' | 64,000,000 |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.085% due March 28, 2013 [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | 13.15% |
Fair Value | ' | 67,994,764 |
Face Value | ' | $68,000,000 |
Schedule_of_Investments_Treasu1
Schedule of Investments - Treasury (Parenthetical) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.030% due January 2, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.025% due January 9, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.005% due January 23, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.005% due January 30, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.05% due February 6, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due February 13, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.080% due February 27, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due March 6, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.070% due March 13, 2014 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.065% due April 3, 2014 [Member] | United States Treasury Obligations [Member] | United States Treasury Obligations [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.06% due January 3, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.05% due January 10, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.015% due January 17, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.045% due January 24, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.075% due January 31, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.105% due February 7, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.105% due February 14, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due February 21, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.1% due February 28, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 7, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.09% due March 14, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.04% due March 21, 2013 [Member] | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.085% due March 28, 2013 [Member] | |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Investment Interest Rate | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.07% | 0.07% | ' | ' | 0.06% | 0.05% | 0.02% | 0.05% | 0.08% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.04% | 0.09% |
Investment Maturity Date | 2-Jan-14 | 9-Jan-14 | 23-Jan-14 | 30-Jan-14 | 6-Feb-14 | 13-Feb-14 | 27-Feb-14 | 6-Mar-14 | 13-Mar-14 | 3-Apr-14 | ' | ' | 3-Jan-13 | 10-Jan-13 | 17-Jan-13 | 24-Jan-13 | 31-Jan-13 | 7-Feb-13 | 14-Feb-13 | 21-Feb-13 | 28-Feb-13 | 7-Mar-13 | 14-Mar-13 | 21-Mar-13 | 28-Mar-13 |
Total United States Treasury Obligations | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | $205,983,538 | $495,451,201 | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Schedule_of_Investments_Future
Schedule of Investments - Future Contracts (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Notional Market Value | $252,100,000 | $421,200,000 |
COMEX Gold (1,244 contracts, settlement date April 28, 2014) [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | -3.64% | ' |
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | -5,289,640 | ' |
Notional Market Value | 149,653,200 | ' |
COMEX Gold (3,120 contracts, settlement date August 28, 2013) [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | ' | -1.75% |
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ' | -9,035,650 |
Notional Market Value | ' | 524,784,000 |
Total Futures Contracts [Member] | ' | ' |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Percentage of Net Assets | -3.64% | -1.75% |
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | -5,289,640 | -9,035,650 |
Notional Market Value | $149,653,200 | $524,784,000 |
Schedule_of_Investments_Future1
Schedule of Investments - Future Contracts (Parenthetical) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
COMEX Gold (1,244 contracts, settlement date April 28, 2014) [Member] | COMEX Gold (3,120 contracts, settlement date August 28, 2013) [Member] | |
Contract | Contract | |
Schedule of Investments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Open Option Contracts Written, Number of Contracts | 1,244 | 3,120 |
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date or Dates | 28-Apr-14 | 28-Aug-13 |
Statements_of_Income_and_Expen
Statements of Income and Expenses (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Income | ' | ' | ' |
Interest Income | $138,235 | $276,517 | $163,410 |
Expenses | ' | ' | ' |
Management Fee | 1,752,512 | 3,041,610 | 2,545,670 |
Brokerage Commissions and Fees | 42,968 | 62,511 | 50,427 |
Total expenses | 1,795,480 | 3,104,121 | 2,596,097 |
Net investment income (loss) | -1,657,245 | -2,827,604 | -2,432,687 |
Realized Gain (Loss) on | ' | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations | 4,568 | 80 | 5,646 |
Futures | -87,392,590 | -3,359,210 | 53,298,020 |
Net realized gain (loss) | -87,388,022 | -3,359,130 | 53,303,666 |
Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on | ' | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations | -26,736 | 31,493 | -15,575 |
Futures | 3,746,010 | 24,381,520 | -43,815,790 |
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) | 3,719,274 | 24,413,013 | -43,831,365 |
Net realized and net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -83,668,748 | 21,053,883 | 9,472,301 |
Net Income (Loss) | ($85,325,993) | $18,226,279 | $7,039,614 |
Statement_of_Changes_in_Shareh
Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) | Total | General Partner [Member] | General Partner [Member] | Limited Partner [Member] | Limited Partner [Member] |
USD ($) | Total Equity [Member] | Total Equity [Member] | |||
USD ($) | USD ($) | ||||
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010 | $331,297,017 | ' | $2,008 | ' | $331,295,009 |
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010 | ' | 40 | ' | 6,600,000 | ' |
Sale of Shares, value | 281,955,677 | ' | ' | ' | 281,955,677 |
Sale of Shares, shares | ' | ' | ' | 5,000,000 | ' |
Redemption of Shares, value | -162,234,442 | ' | ' | ' | -162,234,442 |
Redemption of Shares, shares | ' | ' | ' | -3,200,000 | ' |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, value | 119,721,235 | ' | ' | ' | 119,721,235 |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, share | ' | ' | ' | 1,800,000 | ' |
Net Income (Loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Net investment income (loss) | -2,432,687 | ' | -60 | ' | -2,432,627 |
Net realized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | 53,303,666 | ' | 1,310 | ' | 53,302,356 |
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -43,831,365 | ' | -1,077 | ' | -43,830,288 |
Net Income (Loss) | 7,039,614 | ' | 173 | ' | 7,039,441 |
Net Change in Net Assets, value | 126,760,849 | ' | 173 | ' | 126,760,676 |
Net Change in Net Assets, shares | ' | ' | ' | 1,800,000 | ' |
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011 | 458,057,866 | ' | 2,181 | ' | 458,055,685 |
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011 | ' | 40 | ' | 8,400,000 | ' |
Sale of Shares, value | 220,617,996 | ' | ' | ' | 220,617,996 |
Sale of Shares, shares | ' | ' | ' | 3,800,000 | ' |
Redemption of Shares, value | -179,959,926 | ' | ' | ' | -179,959,926 |
Redemption of Shares, shares | ' | ' | ' | -3,200,000 | ' |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, value | 40,658,070 | ' | ' | ' | 40,658,070 |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, share | ' | ' | ' | 600,000 | ' |
Net Income (Loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Net investment income (loss) | -2,827,604 | ' | -18 | ' | -2,827,586 |
Net realized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -3,359,130 | ' | -22 | ' | -3,359,108 |
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | 24,413,013 | ' | 157 | ' | 24,412,856 |
Net Income (Loss) | 18,226,279 | ' | 117 | ' | 18,226,162 |
Net Change in Net Assets, value | 58,884,349 | ' | 117 | ' | 58,884,232 |
Net Change in Net Assets, shares | ' | ' | ' | 600,000 | ' |
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012 | 516,942,215 | ' | 2,298 | ' | 516,939,917 |
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012 | ' | 40 | ' | 9,000,000 | ' |
Sale of Shares, value | 18,120,922 | ' | ' | ' | 18,120,922 |
Sale of Shares, shares | ' | ' | ' | 400,000 | ' |
Redemption of Shares, value | -304,575,756 | ' | ' | ' | -304,575,756 |
Redemption of Shares, shares | -200,000 | ' | ' | -5,800,000 | ' |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, value | -286,454,834 | ' | ' | ' | -286,454,834 |
Net Increase (Decrease) due to Share Transactions, share | ' | ' | ' | 5,400,000 | ' |
Net Income (Loss) | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Net investment income (loss) | -1,657,245 | ' | -14 | ' | -1,657,231 |
Net realized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -87,388,022 | ' | -701 | ' | -87,387,321 |
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | 3,719,274 | ' | 30 | ' | 3,719,244 |
Net Income (Loss) | -85,325,993 | ' | -685 | ' | -85,325,308 |
Net Change in Net Assets, value | -371,780,827 | ' | -685 | ' | -371,780,142 |
Net Change in Net Assets, shares | ' | ' | ' | 5,400,000 | ' |
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2013 | $145,161,388 | ' | $1,613 | ' | $145,159,775 |
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013 | ' | 40 | ' | 3,600,000 | ' |
Statements_of_Cash_Flows
Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Cash flow from operating activities: | ' | ' | ' |
Net Income (Loss) | ($85,325,993) | $18,226,279 | $7,039,614 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities: | ' | ' | ' |
Cost of securities purchased | -756,889,002 | -1,613,677,218 | -1,308,877,571 |
Proceeds from securities sold and matured | 1,109,489,671 | 1,558,995,060 | 1,156,994,521 |
Net accretion of discount on United States Treasury Obligations | -138,789 | -276,870 | -163,410 |
Net realized (gain) loss on United States Treasury Obligations | -4,568 | -80 | -5,646 |
Net change in unrealized (gain) loss on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -3,719,274 | -24,413,013 | 43,831,365 |
Change in operating receivables and liabilities: | ' | ' | ' |
Management fee payable | -220,872 | 9,988 | 98,417 |
Brokerage fee payable | 4,363 | -7,505 | 3,142 |
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities | 263,195,536 | -61,143,359 | -101,079,568 |
Cash flows from financing activities: | ' | ' | ' |
Proceeds from sale of Shares | 18,120,922 | 220,617,996 | 281,955,677 |
Redemption of Shares | -304,575,756 | -179,959,926 | -162,234,442 |
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities | -286,454,834 | 40,658,070 | 119,721,235 |
Net change in cash held by broker | -23,259,298 | -20,485,289 | 18,641,667 |
Cash held by broker at beginning of year | 30,812,601 | 51,297,890 | 32,656,223 |
Cash held by broker at end of year | $7,553,303 | $30,812,601 | $51,297,890 |
Organization
Organization | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
Organization | ' |
(1) Organization | |
PowerShares DB Gold Fund (the “Fund”), a separate series of PowerShares DB Multi-Sector Commodity Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized in seven separate series, was formed on August 3, 2006. DB Commodity Services LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“DBCS” or the “Managing Owner”), seeded the Fund with a capital contribution of $1,000 in exchange for 40 General Shares of the Fund. The fiscal year end of the Fund is December 31st. The term of the Fund is perpetual (unless terminated earlier in certain circumstances) as provided in the Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement of the Trust (the “Trust Agreement”). | |
The Fund offers common units of beneficial interest (the “Shares”) only to certain eligible financial institutions (the “Authorized Participants”) in one or more blocks of 200,000 Shares, called a Basket. The Fund commenced investment operations on January 3, 2007. The Fund commenced trading on the American Stock Exchange (which became the NYSE Alternext US LLC (the “NYSE Alternext”)) on January 5, 2007 and, as of November 25, 2008, is listed on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). | |
This Report covers the year ended December 31, 2013 (herein referred to as the “Year Ended December 31, 2013”), the year ended December 31, 2012 (herein referred to as the “Year Ended December 31, 2012”) and the year ended December 31, 2011 (herein referred to as the “Year Ended December 31, 2011”). |
Fund_Investment_Overview
Fund Investment Overview | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
Fund Investment Overview | ' |
(2) Fund Investment Overview | |
The Fund seeks to track changes, whether positive or negative, in the level of the DBIQ Optimum Yield Gold Excess Return™ (the “DBIQ-OY GC ER™”, or the “Index”) over time, plus the excess, if any, of the Fund’s interest income from its holdings of United States Treasury Obligations and other high credit quality short-term fixed income securities over the expenses of the Fund. The Index is intended to reflect the change in market value of the gold sector. The single commodity comprising the Index is gold (the “Index Commodity”). | |
The CFTC and/or commodity exchanges, as applicable, impose position limits on market participants trading in the commodity included in the Index. The Index is comprised of futures contracts on the Index Commodity that expire in a specific month and trade on a specific exchange (the “Index Contracts”). As disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus, if the Managing Owner determines in its commercially reasonable judgment that it has become impracticable or inefficient for any reason for the Fund to gain full or partial exposure to the Index Commodity by investing in the Index Contract, the Fund may invest in (i) a futures contract referencing the Index Commodity other than the Index Contract or, in the alternative, invest in (ii) other futures contracts not based on the Index Commodity ((i) and (ii) collectively, the “Alternative Futures Contracts”) if, in the commercially reasonable judgment of the Managing Owner, such Alternative Futures Contracts tend to exhibit trading prices that correlate with the Index Commodity. | |
The Fund also holds United States Treasury Obligations for deposit with the Fund’s commodity broker as margin. The Fund does not borrow money to increase leverage. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund had $208,250,118 (or 100%) and $517,257,805 (or 100%), respectively, of its holdings of cash, United States Treasury Obligations and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on futures contracts on deposit with its Commodity Broker. Of this, $9,920,900 (or 4.76%) and $23,166,000 (or 4.48%), respectively, of the Fund’s holdings of cash and United States Treasury Obligations are required to be deposited as margin in support of the Fund’s long futures positions. For additional information, please see the audited Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 for details of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. | |
DBIQ™, DBLCI™ and Deutsche Bank Liquid Commodity Index™ are trademarks of Deutsche Bank AG London (the “Index Sponsor”). Trademark applications in the United States are pending with respect to both the Trust and aspects of the Index. Any use of these trademarks must be with the consent of or under license from the Index Sponsor. The Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner have been licensed by the Index Sponsor to use the above noted trademarks. The Index Sponsor is an affiliate of the Trust, the Fund and the Managing Owner. |
Service_Providers_and_Related_
Service Providers and Related Party Agreements | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Related Party Transactions [Abstract] | ' |
Service Providers and Related Party Agreements | ' |
(3) Service Providers and Related Party Agreements | |
The Trustee | |
Under the Trust Agreement, Wilmington Trust Company, the trustee of the Fund (the “Trustee”) has delegated to the Managing Owner the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Trust and the Fund. The Trustee will have no duty or liability to supervise or monitor the performance of the Managing Owner, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Managing Owner. | |
The Managing Owner | |
The Managing Owner serves the Fund as commodity pool operator, commodity trading advisor and managing owner, and is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG. The Fund pays the Managing Owner a management fee (the “Management Fee”), monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 0.75% per annum of the daily net asset value of the Fund. The Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Managing Owner’s commodity futures trading advisory services. | |
During the Year Ended December 31, 2013, the Fund incurred Management Fees of $1,752,512, of which $94,136 was payable at December 31, 2013. During the Year Ended December 31, 2012, the Fund incurred Management Fees of $3,041,610, of which $315,008 was payable at December 31, 2012. During the Year Ended December 31, 2011, the Fund incurred Management Fees of $2,545,670. | |
The Commodity Broker | |
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., a Delaware corporation, serves as the Fund’s clearing broker (the “Commodity Broker”). The Commodity Broker is also an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG and an affiliate of the Managing Owner. In its capacity as clearing broker, the Commodity Broker executes and clears the Fund’s futures transactions and performs certain administrative and custodial services for the Fund. As custodian of the Fund’s assets, the Commodity Broker is responsible, among other things, for providing periodic accountings of all dealings and actions taken by the Trust on behalf of the Fund during the reporting period, together with an accounting of all securities, cash or other indebtedness or obligations held by it or its nominees for or on behalf of the Fund. For the Year Ended December 31, 2013, the Fund incurred brokerage fees of $42,968, of which $4,945 was payable at December 31, 2013. For the Year Ended December 31, 2012, the Fund incurred brokerage fees of $62,511, of which $582 was payable at December 31, 2012. For the Year Ended December 31, 2011, the Fund incurred brokerage fees of $50,427. | |
The Administrator, the Custodian and Transfer Agent | |
The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Administrator”) has been appointed by the Managing Owner as the administrator, custodian and transfer agent of the Fund, and has entered into separate administrative, custodian, transfer agency and service agreements (collectively referred to as the “Administration Agreement”). | |
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs or supervises the performance of services necessary for the operation and administration of the Fund (other than making investment decisions), including receiving and processing orders from Authorized Participants to create and redeem Baskets, net asset value calculations, accounting and other fund administrative services. The Administrator retains certain financial books and records, including: Basket creation and redemption books and records, fund accounting records, ledgers with respect to assets, liabilities, capital, income and expenses, the registrar, transfer journals and related details, and trading and related documents received from the Commodity Broker and other unaffiliated futures commission merchants. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no Fund assets held by the Administrator. | |
The Distributor | |
ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) provides certain distribution services to the Fund. Pursuant to the Distribution Services Agreement among the Managing Owner in its capacity as managing owner of the Fund, the Fund and the Distributor, the Distributor assists the Managing Owner and the Administrator with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the Fund including reviewing and approving marketing materials. | |
Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC | |
Under the License Agreement among Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC (the “Licensor”) and the Managing Owner in its own capacity and in its capacity as managing owner of the Fund (the Fund and the Managing Owner, collectively, the “Licensees”), the Licensor granted to each Licensee a non-exclusive license to use the “PowerShares®” trademark (the “Trademark”) anywhere in the world, solely in connection with the marketing and promotion of the Fund and to use or refer to the Trademark in connection with the issuance and trading of the Fund as necessary. | |
Invesco Distributors, Inc. | |
Through a marketing agreement between the Managing Owner and Invesco Distributors, Inc. (“Invesco Distributors”), an affiliate of Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC, the Managing Owner, on behalf of the Fund, has appointed Invesco Distributors as a marketing agent. Invesco Distributors assists the Managing Owner and the Administrator with certain functions and duties such as providing various educational and marketing activities regarding the Fund, primarily in the secondary trading market, which activities include, but are not limited to, communicating the Fund’s name, characteristics, uses, benefits, and risks, consistent with the prospectus. Invesco Distributors will not open or maintain customer accounts or handle orders for the Fund. Invesco Distributors engages in public seminars, road shows, conferences, media interviews, and distributes sales literature and other communications (including electronic media) regarding the Fund. |
Summary_of_Significant_Account
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(4) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Basis of Presentation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The financial statements of the Fund have been prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Use of Estimates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Financial Instruments and Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are recorded in the statements of financial condition on a trade date basis at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in each period. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). The brokerage agreement with the Commodity Broker provides for the net settlement of all financial instruments covered by the agreement in the event of default or termination of any one contract. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification fair value measurement and disclosure guidance requires a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basis of Fair Value Measurement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1: | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 2: | Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3: | Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In determining fair value of United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets. United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Fund does not adjust the quoted prices for United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1) | $ | 205,986,455 | $ | 495,480,854 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts (Level 1) | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
There were no Level 2 or Level 3 holdings during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Deposits with Commodity Broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund deposits cash and United States Treasury Obligations with its Commodity Broker subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. The combination of the Fund’s deposits with its Commodity Broker of cash and United States Treasury Obligations and the unrealized profit or loss on open futures contracts (variation margin) represents the Fund’s overall equity in its broker trading account. To meet the Fund’s initial margin requirements, the Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations. The Fund uses its cash held by the Commodity Broker to satisfy variation margin requirements. The Fund earns interest on its cash deposited with the Commodity Broker. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) United States Treasury Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund records purchases and sales of United States Treasury Obligations on a trade date basis. These holdings are marked to market based on quoted market closing prices. The Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations for deposit with the Fund’s Commodity Broker to meet margin requirements and for trading purposes. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis when earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the United States Treasury Obligations. The Fund purchased $63,000,000 notional amount of United States Treasury Obligations which was recorded as a payable as of December 31, 2013. As a result, a payable for securities purchased is reported for $62,989,649. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund did not have an amount payable for securities purchased. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) Cash Held by Commodity Broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund’s arrangement with the Commodity Broker requires the Fund to meet its variation margin requirement related to the price movements, both positive and negative, on futures contracts held by the Fund by keeping cash on deposit with the Commodity Broker. The Fund defines cash and cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund had cash held with the Commodity Broker of $7,553,303, of which $5,289,640 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative variation margin on open futures contracts. As of December 31, 2012 the Fund had cash held with the Commodity Broker of $30,812,601, of which $9,035,650 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative variation margin on open futures contracts. There were no cash equivalents held by the Fund as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(g) Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund will not incur U.S. federal income taxes. No provision for federal, state, and local income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements, as investors are individually liable for income taxes, if any, on their allocable share of the Fund’s income, gain, loss, deductions and other items. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The major tax jurisdiction for the Fund and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States 2009. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(h) Futures Contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All commodity futures contracts are held and used for trading purposes. The commodity futures are recorded on a trade date basis and open contracts are recorded in the statement of financial condition at fair value on the last business day of the period, which represents market value for those commodity futures for which market quotes are readily available. However, when market closing prices are not available, the Managing Owner may value an asset of the Fund pursuant to policies the Managing Owner has adopted, which are consistent with normal industry standards. Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open positions are determined on a specific identification basis and recognized in the statement of income and expenses in the period in which the contract is closed or the changes occur, respectively. Futures Contracts held as of December 31, 2013 are indicative of the volume of derivative activity during the period. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the average notional market value of futures contracts held was $252.1 million and $421.2 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2013 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2012 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income and Expenses is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted | Location of Gain or (Loss) on | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | ||||||||||||||||||||
for as Hedging | Derivatives Recognized in Income | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Income | Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Futures | $ | (87,392,590 | ) | — | $ | (3,359,210 | ) | — | $ | 53,298,020 | — | |||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Futures | — | $ | 3,746,010 | — | $ | 24,381,520 | — | $ | (43,815,790 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
The Fund utilizes derivative instruments to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The amounts shown in the Statement of Financial Condition do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2013: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | 5,289,640 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2012: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (9,151,570 | ) | $ | 115,920 | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | $ | — | $ | 9,035,650 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
The Managing Owner will utilize the cash held at the commodity broker to offset any realized losses incurred in the commodity futures contracts, if available. To the extent that cash held at the commodity broker is not adequate to cover any realized losses, a portion of the United States Treasury Bills will be sold to make additional cash available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(j) Brokerage Commissions and Fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund incurs all brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities by the Commodity Broker. These costs are recorded as brokerage commissions and fees in the statement of income and expenses as incurred. The Commodity Broker’s brokerage commissions and trading fees are determined on a contract by contract basis. On average, total charges paid to the Commodity Broker were less than $10.00 per round-turn trade for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(k) Routine Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Managing Owner assumes all routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund, including, but not limited to, computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax preparation expenses, filing fees and printing, mailing and duplication costs. Accordingly, all such expenses are not reflected in the statement of income and expenses of the Fund. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(l) Organizational and Offering Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All organizational and offering expenses of the Fund are incurred and assumed by the Managing Owner. The Fund is not responsible to the Managing Owner for the reimbursement of organizational and offering costs. Expenses incurred in connection with the continuous offering of Shares also will be paid by the Managing Owner. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(m) Non-Recurring Fees and Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund pays all non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses (referred to as extraordinary fees and expenses in the Trust Declaration), if any, of itself, as determined by the Managing Owner. Non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses are fees and expenses which are non-recurring and unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses, by their nature, are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount. For the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Fund did not incur such expenses. |
Financial_Instrument_Risk
Financial Instrument Risk | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Investments All Other Investments [Abstract] | ' |
Financial Instrument Risk | ' |
(5) Financial Instrument Risk | |
In the normal course of its business, the Fund is a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in a future obligation or loss in excess of the amounts shown on the Statements of Financial Condition. The financial instruments used by the Fund are commodity futures, whose values are based upon an underlying asset and generally represent future commitments that have a reasonable possibility of being settled in cash or through physical delivery. The financial instruments are traded on an exchange and are standardized contracts. | |
Market risk is the potential for changes in the value of the financial instruments traded by the Fund due to market changes, including fluctuations in commodity prices. In entering into these futures contracts, there exists a market risk that such futures contracts may be significantly influenced by adverse market conditions, resulting in such futures contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the futures contracts at the same time, the Fund could experience substantial losses. | |
Credit risk is the possibility that a loss may occur due to the failure of the Commodity Broker and/or clearinghouse to perform according to the terms of a futures contract. Credit risk with respect to exchange-traded instruments is reduced to the extent that an exchange or clearing organization acts as a counterparty to the transactions. The Commodity Broker, when acting as the Fund’s futures commission merchant in accepting orders for the purchase or sale of domestic futures contracts, is required by CFTC regulations to separately account for and segregate as belonging to the Fund all assets of the Fund relating to domestic futures trading and the Commodity Broker is not allowed to commingle such assets with other assets of the Commodity Broker. In addition, CFTC regulations also require the Commodity Broker to hold in a secure account assets of the Fund related to foreign futures trading, if any. The Fund’s risk of loss in the event of counterparty default is typically limited to the amounts recognized in the statement of financial condition and not represented by the futures contract or notional amounts of the instruments. | |
The Fund has not utilized, nor does it expect to utilize in the future, special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has no loan guarantee arrangements or off-balance sheet arrangements of any kind, other than agreements entered into in the normal course of business noted above. |
Share_Purchases_and_Redemption
Share Purchases and Redemptions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Equity [Abstract] | ' |
Share Purchases and Redemptions | ' |
(6) Share Purchases and Redemptions | |
(a) Purchases | |
On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Transfer Agent to create one or more Baskets. For purposes of processing both creation and redemption orders, a “business day” means any day other than a day when banks in New York City are required or permitted to be closed. Creation orders must be placed by 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. The day on which the Transfer Agent receives a valid creation order is the creation order date. The day on which a creation order is settled is the creation order settlement date. As provided below, the creation order settlement date may occur up to 3 business days after the creation order date. By placing a creation order, and prior to delivery of such Baskets, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non refundable transaction fee due for the creation order. | |
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Managing Owner and the Authorized Participant as provided in the next sentence, Baskets are issued on the creation order settlement date as of 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on the business day immediately following the creation order date at the applicable net asset value per Share as of the closing time of the NYSE Arca or the last to close of the exchanges on which its futures contracts are traded, whichever is later, on the creation order date, but only if the required payment has been timely received. Upon submission of a creation order, the Authorized Participant may request the Managing Owner to agree to a creation order settlement date up to 3 business days after the creation order date. By placing a creation order, and prior to receipt of the Baskets, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non-refundable transaction fee due for the creation order. | |
Creation orders may be placed either (i) through the Continuous Net Settlement (“CNS”) clearing processes of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”) or (ii) if outside the CNS Clearing Process, only through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC” or the “Depository”) (the “DTC Process”), or a successor depository. | |
(b) Redemptions | |
On any business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Transfer Agent to redeem one or more Baskets. Redemption orders must be placed by 10:00 a.m., Eastern time. The day on which the Managing Owner receives a valid redemption order is the redemption order date. The day on which a redemption order is settled is the redemption order settlement date. As provided below, the redemption order settlement date may occur up to 3 business days after the redemption order date. The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem Baskets. Individual Shareholders may not redeem directly from the Fund. Instead, individual Shareholders may only redeem Shares in integral multiples of 200,000 and only through an Authorized Participant. | |
Unless otherwise agreed to by the Managing Owner and the Authorized Participant as provided in the next sentence, by placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system to the applicable Fund not later than the redemption order settlement date as of 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on the business day immediately following the redemption order date. Upon submission of a redemption order, the Authorized Participant may request the Managing Owner to agree to a redemption order settlement date up to 3 business days after the redemption order date. By placing a redemption order, and prior to receipt of the redemption proceeds, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order. | |
Redemption orders may be placed either (i) through the CNS clearing processes of the NSCC or (ii) if outside the CNS Clearing Process, only through the DTC Process, or a successor depository, and only in exchange for cash. By placing a redemption order, and prior to receipt of the redemption proceeds, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account is charged the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order. | |
The redemption proceeds from the Fund consist of the cash redemption amount. The cash redemption amount is equal to the net asset value of the number of Basket(s) of the Fund requested in the Authorized Participant’s redemption order as of the closing time of the NYSE Arca or the last to close of the exchanges on which the Fund’s futures contracts are traded, whichever is later, on the redemption order date. The Managing Owner will distribute the cash redemption amount at the redemption order settlement date as of 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on the redemption order settlement date through DTC to the account of the Authorized Participant as recorded on DTC’s book-entry system. | |
The redemption proceeds due from the Fund are delivered to the Authorized Participant at 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on the redemption order settlement date if, by such time, the Fund’s DTC account has been credited with the Baskets to be redeemed. If the Fund’s DTC account has not been credited with all of the Baskets to be redeemed by such time, the redemption distribution is delivered to the extent of whole Baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption distribution is delivered on the next business day to the extent of remaining whole Baskets received if the Transfer Agent receives the fee applicable to the extension of the redemption distribution date which the Managing Owner may, from time-to-time, determine and the remaining Baskets to be redeemed are credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on such next business day. Any further outstanding amount of the redemption order will be cancelled. The Managing Owner is also authorized to deliver the redemption distribution notwithstanding that the Baskets to be redeemed are not credited to the Fund’s DTC account by 2:45 p.m., Eastern time, on the redemption order settlement date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized its obligation to deliver the Baskets through DTC’s book-entry system on such terms as the Managing Owner may determine from time-to-time. |
Profit_and_Loss_Allocations_an
Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Equity [Abstract] | ' |
Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions | ' |
(7) Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions | |
Pursuant to the Trust Agreement, income and expenses are allocated pro rata to the Managing Owner as holder of the General Shares and to the Shareholders monthly based on their respective percentage interests as of the close of the last trading day of the preceding month. Any losses allocated to the Managing Owner (as the owner of the General Shares) which are in excess of the Managing Owner’s capital balance are allocated to the Shareholders in accordance with their respective interest in the Fund as a percentage of total shareholders’ equity. Distributions (other than redemption of units) may be made at the sole discretion of the Managing Owner on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective capital balances of the shareholders. | |
No distributions were paid for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. |
Commitments_and_Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | ' |
Commitments and Contingencies | ' |
(8) Commitments and Contingencies | |
The Managing Owner, either in its own capacity or in its capacity as the Managing Owner and on behalf of the Fund, has entered into various service agreements that contain a variety of representations, or provide indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers undertake in performing services which are in the best interests of the Fund. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012 no claims had been received by the Fund and it was therefore not possible to estimate the Fund’s potential future exposure under such indemnification provisions. |
Net_Asset_Value_and_Financial_
Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||
Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights | ' | ||||||||||||
(9) Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights | |||||||||||||
The Fund is presenting the following net asset value and financial highlights related to investment performance for a Share outstanding for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. The net investment income and total expense ratios are calculated using average net asset value. The net asset value presentation is calculated using daily Shares outstanding. The total return is based on the change in net asset value of the Shares during the period. An individual investor’s return and ratios may vary based on the timing of capital transactions. | |||||||||||||
Net asset value per Share is the net asset value of the Fund divided by the number of outstanding Shares at the date of each respective period represented. | |||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value | |||||||||||||
Net asset value per Share, beginning of period | $ | 57.44 | $ | 54.53 | $ | 50.2 | |||||||
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | (16.77 | ) | 3.31 | 4.73 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | (0.35 | ) | (0.40 | ) | (0.40 | ) | |||||||
Net increase | (17.12 | ) | 2.91 | 4.33 | |||||||||
Net asset value per Share, end of period | $ | 40.32 | $ | 57.44 | $ | 54.53 | |||||||
Market value per Share, beginning of period | $ | 57.35 | $ | 54.45 | $ | 50.16 | |||||||
Market value per Share, end of period | $ | 40.36 | $ | 57.35 | $ | 54.45 | |||||||
Ratio to average Net Assets | |||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | (0.71 | )% | (0.70 | )% | (0.71 | )% | |||||||
Total expenses | 0.77 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.76 | % | |||||||
Total Return, at net asset value | (29.81 | )% | 5.34 | % | 8.63 | % | |||||||
Total Return, at market value | (29.63 | )% | 5.33 | % | 8.55 | % | |||||||
Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||||||
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | ' | ||||||||||||||||
(10) Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
For the | For the | For the | For the | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | June 30, 2013 | September 30, 2013 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Interest Income | $ | 78,138 | $ | 31,863 | $ | 17,791 | $ | 10,443 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (732,150 | ) | $ | (330,662 | ) | $ | (314,797 | ) | $ | (279,636 | ) | |||||
Net realized and net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | $ | (28,557,821 | ) | $ | (52,813,912 | ) | $ | 13,327,673 | $ | (15,624,688 | ) | ||||||
Net Income/(loss) | $ | (29,289,971 | ) | $ | (53,144,574 | ) | $ | 13,012,876 | $ | (15,904,324 | ) | ||||||
Increase/(decrease) in Net Asset Value | $ | (288,451,973 | ) | $ | (63,047,014 | ) | $ | (4,377,516 | ) | $ | (15,904,324 | ) | |||||
Net Income (loss) per Share | $ | (3.04 | ) | $ | (13.04 | ) | $ | 3.38 | $ | (4.42 | ) | ||||||
For the | For the | For the | For the | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | June 30, 2012 | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||
Interest Income | $ | 25,159 | $ | 67,807 | $ | 79,803 | $ | 103,748 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (782,904 | ) | $ | (592,193 | ) | $ | (631,569 | ) | $ | (820,938 | ) | |||||
Net realized and net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | $ | 25,095,371 | $ | (16,205,557 | ) | $ | 40,231,422 | $ | (28,067,353 | ) | |||||||
Net Income/(loss) | $ | 24,312,467 | $ | (16,797,750 | ) | $ | 39,599,853 | $ | (28,888,291 | ) | |||||||
Increase/(decrease) in Net Asset Value | $ | (41,266,263 | ) | $ | (73,557,800 | ) | $ | 96,118,784 | $ | 77,589,628 | |||||||
Net Income (loss) per Share | $ | 3.36 | $ | (2.53 | ) | $ | 5.66 | $ | (3.58 | ) |
Subsequent_Events
Subsequent Events | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Subsequent Events [Abstract] | ' |
Subsequent Events | ' |
(11) Subsequent Events | |
The Fund evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. This evaluation did not result in any subsequent events that necessitated disclosures and/or adjustments. |
Summary_of_Significant_Account1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basis of Presentation | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(a) Basis of Presentation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The financial statements of the Fund have been prepared using U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Use of Estimates | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) Use of Estimates | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities during the reporting period of the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. There were no significant estimates used in the preparation of these financial statements. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Instruments and Fair Value | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) Financial Instruments and Fair Value | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are recorded in the statements of financial condition on a trade date basis at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings in each period. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). The brokerage agreement with the Commodity Broker provides for the net settlement of all financial instruments covered by the agreement in the event of default or termination of any one contract. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification fair value measurement and disclosure guidance requires a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basis of Fair Value Measurement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 1: | Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 2: | Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Level 3: | Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In determining fair value of United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts, the Fund uses unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets. United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The Fund does not adjust the quoted prices for United States Treasury Obligations and commodity futures contracts. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1) | $ | 205,986,455 | $ | 495,480,854 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts (Level 1) | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
There were no Level 2 or Level 3 holdings during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Deposits with Commodity Broker | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) Deposits with Commodity Broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund deposits cash and United States Treasury Obligations with its Commodity Broker subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. The combination of the Fund’s deposits with its Commodity Broker of cash and United States Treasury Obligations and the unrealized profit or loss on open futures contracts (variation margin) represents the Fund’s overall equity in its broker trading account. To meet the Fund’s initial margin requirements, the Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations. The Fund uses its cash held by the Commodity Broker to satisfy variation margin requirements. The Fund earns interest on its cash deposited with the Commodity Broker. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) United States Treasury Obligations | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund records purchases and sales of United States Treasury Obligations on a trade date basis. These holdings are marked to market based on quoted market closing prices. The Fund holds United States Treasury Obligations for deposit with the Fund’s Commodity Broker to meet margin requirements and for trading purposes. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis when earned. Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted into interest income over the life of the United States Treasury Obligations. The Fund purchased $63,000,000 notional amount of United States Treasury Obligations which was recorded as a payable as of December 31, 2013. As a result, a payable for securities purchased is reported for $62,989,649. As of December 31, 2012, the Fund did not have an amount payable for securities purchased. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash Held by Commodity Broker | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) Cash Held by Commodity Broker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund’s arrangement with the Commodity Broker requires the Fund to meet its variation margin requirement related to the price movements, both positive and negative, on futures contracts held by the Fund by keeping cash on deposit with the Commodity Broker. The Fund defines cash and cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments, with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Fund had cash held with the Commodity Broker of $7,553,303, of which $5,289,640 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative variation margin on open futures contracts. As of December 31, 2012 the Fund had cash held with the Commodity Broker of $30,812,601, of which $9,035,650 was on deposit to satisfy the Fund’s negative variation margin on open futures contracts. There were no cash equivalents held by the Fund as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income Taxes | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(g) Income Taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund will not incur U.S. federal income taxes. No provision for federal, state, and local income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements, as investors are individually liable for income taxes, if any, on their allocable share of the Fund’s income, gain, loss, deductions and other items. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The major tax jurisdiction for the Fund and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States 2009. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(h) Futures Contracts | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All commodity futures contracts are held and used for trading purposes. The commodity futures are recorded on a trade date basis and open contracts are recorded in the statement of financial condition at fair value on the last business day of the period, which represents market value for those commodity futures for which market quotes are readily available. However, when market closing prices are not available, the Managing Owner may value an asset of the Fund pursuant to policies the Managing Owner has adopted, which are consistent with normal industry standards. Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open positions are determined on a specific identification basis and recognized in the statement of income and expenses in the period in which the contract is closed or the changes occur, respectively. Futures Contracts held as of December 31, 2013 are indicative of the volume of derivative activity during the period. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the average notional market value of futures contracts held was $252.1 million and $421.2 million, respectively. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2013 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2012 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income and Expenses is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted | Location of Gain or (Loss) on | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | ||||||||||||||||||||
for as Hedging | Derivatives Recognized in Income | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Income | Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Futures | $ | (87,392,590 | ) | — | $ | (3,359,210 | ) | — | $ | 53,298,020 | — | |||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Futures | — | $ | 3,746,010 | — | $ | 24,381,520 | — | $ | (43,815,790 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
The Fund utilizes derivative instruments to achieve each Fund’s investment objective. The amounts shown in the Statement of Financial Condition do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2013: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | 5,289,640 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2012: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (9,151,570 | ) | $ | 115,920 | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | $ | — | $ | 9,035,650 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
The Managing Owner will utilize the cash held at the commodity broker to offset any realized losses incurred in the commodity futures contracts, if available. To the extent that cash held at the commodity broker is not adequate to cover any realized losses, a portion of the United States Treasury Bills will be sold to make additional cash available. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brokerage Commissions and Fees | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(j) Brokerage Commissions and Fees | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund incurs all brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give-up fees, pit brokerage fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities by the Commodity Broker. These costs are recorded as brokerage commissions and fees in the statement of income and expenses as incurred. The Commodity Broker’s brokerage commissions and trading fees are determined on a contract by contract basis. On average, total charges paid to the Commodity Broker were less than $10.00 per round-turn trade for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Routine Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(k) Routine Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Managing Owner assumes all routine operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of the Fund, including, but not limited to, computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax preparation expenses, filing fees and printing, mailing and duplication costs. Accordingly, all such expenses are not reflected in the statement of income and expenses of the Fund. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Organizational and Offering Costs | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(l) Organizational and Offering Costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All organizational and offering expenses of the Fund are incurred and assumed by the Managing Owner. The Fund is not responsible to the Managing Owner for the reimbursement of organizational and offering costs. Expenses incurred in connection with the continuous offering of Shares also will be paid by the Managing Owner. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-Recurring Fees and Expenses | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(m) Non-Recurring Fees and Expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fund pays all non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses (referred to as extraordinary fees and expenses in the Trust Declaration), if any, of itself, as determined by the Managing Owner. Non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses are fees and expenses which are non-recurring and unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such non-recurring and unusual fees and expenses, by their nature, are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount. For the Years Ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Fund did not incur such expenses. |
Summary_of_Significant_Account2
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value were as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1) | $ | 205,986,455 | $ | 495,480,854 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts (Level 1) | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Income and Expenses | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2013 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Fair Value of Derivative Instruments as of December 31, 2012 is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging | Statements of Financial Condition Location | Net Unrealized | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | Appreciation / | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Income and Expenses is as follows: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | For the Year Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2013 | December 31, 2012 | December 31, 2011 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted | Location of Gain or (Loss) on | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | Realized | Change in | ||||||||||||||||||||
for as Hedging | Derivatives Recognized in Income | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | Gain | Unrealized | ||||||||||||||||||||
Instruments | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | or (Loss) on | Gain | |||||||||||||||||||||
Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | Derivatives | or (Loss) on | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | Recognized in | Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | Income | Recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income | Income | Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Futures | $ | (87,392,590 | ) | — | $ | (3,359,210 | ) | — | $ | 53,298,020 | — | |||||||||||||||
Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Futures | — | $ | 3,746,010 | — | $ | 24,381,520 | — | $ | (43,815,790 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
Summary of Gross and Net Amounts of Offsetting Liabilities | ' | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2013: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | (5,289,640 | ) | $ | — | $ | 5,289,640 | $ | — | |||||||||||||
The following table presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Funds’ ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2012: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of Financial Condition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Gross Amount of | Gross Amounts | Net Amounts of | Financial | Cash Collateral | Net Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
Recognized | Offset in the | Liabilities Presented | Instruments | Pledged | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities | Statement of | in the Statement of | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Condition | Financial Condition | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures Contracts | $ | (9,151,570 | ) | $ | 115,920 | $ | (9,035,650 | ) | $ | — | $ | 9,035,650 | $ | — |
Net_Asset_Value_and_Financial_1
Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||
Schedule of Net Asset Value Per Share | ' | ||||||||||||
Net asset value per Share is the net asset value of the Fund divided by the number of outstanding Shares at the date of each respective period represented. | |||||||||||||
Year Ended | Year Ended | Year Ended | |||||||||||
December 31, | December 31, | December 31, | |||||||||||
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value | |||||||||||||
Net asset value per Share, beginning of period | $ | 57.44 | $ | 54.53 | $ | 50.2 | |||||||
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | (16.77 | ) | 3.31 | 4.73 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | (0.35 | ) | (0.40 | ) | (0.40 | ) | |||||||
Net increase | (17.12 | ) | 2.91 | 4.33 | |||||||||
Net asset value per Share, end of period | $ | 40.32 | $ | 57.44 | $ | 54.53 | |||||||
Market value per Share, beginning of period | $ | 57.35 | $ | 54.45 | $ | 50.16 | |||||||
Market value per Share, end of period | $ | 40.36 | $ | 57.35 | $ | 54.45 | |||||||
Ratio to average Net Assets | |||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | (0.71 | )% | (0.70 | )% | (0.71 | )% | |||||||
Total expenses | 0.77 | % | 0.76 | % | 0.76 | % | |||||||
Total Return, at net asset value | (29.81 | )% | 5.34 | % | 8.63 | % | |||||||
Total Return, at market value | (29.63 | )% | 5.33 | % | 8.55 | % | |||||||
Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables) | 12 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | |||||||||||||||||
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | ' | ||||||||||||||||
Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | ' | ||||||||||||||||
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||||
For the | For the | For the | For the | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2013 | June 30, 2013 | September 30, 2013 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Interest Income | $ | 78,138 | $ | 31,863 | $ | 17,791 | $ | 10,443 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (732,150 | ) | $ | (330,662 | ) | $ | (314,797 | ) | $ | (279,636 | ) | |||||
Net realized and net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | $ | (28,557,821 | ) | $ | (52,813,912 | ) | $ | 13,327,673 | $ | (15,624,688 | ) | ||||||
Net Income/(loss) | $ | (29,289,971 | ) | $ | (53,144,574 | ) | $ | 13,012,876 | $ | (15,904,324 | ) | ||||||
Increase/(decrease) in Net Asset Value | $ | (288,451,973 | ) | $ | (63,047,014 | ) | $ | (4,377,516 | ) | $ | (15,904,324 | ) | |||||
Net Income (loss) per Share | $ | (3.04 | ) | $ | (13.04 | ) | $ | 3.38 | $ | (4.42 | ) | ||||||
For the | For the | For the | For the | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
March 31, 2012 | June 30, 2012 | September 30, 2012 | December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||
Interest Income | $ | 25,159 | $ | 67,807 | $ | 79,803 | $ | 103,748 | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) | $ | (782,904 | ) | $ | (592,193 | ) | $ | (631,569 | ) | $ | (820,938 | ) | |||||
Net realized and net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | $ | 25,095,371 | $ | (16,205,557 | ) | $ | 40,231,422 | $ | (28,067,353 | ) | |||||||
Net Income/(loss) | $ | 24,312,467 | $ | (16,797,750 | ) | $ | 39,599,853 | $ | (28,888,291 | ) | |||||||
Increase/(decrease) in Net Asset Value | $ | (41,266,263 | ) | $ | (73,557,800 | ) | $ | 96,118,784 | $ | 77,589,628 | |||||||
Net Income (loss) per Share | $ | 3.36 | $ | (2.53 | ) | $ | 5.66 | $ | (3.58 | ) |
Organization_Additional_Inform
Organization - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Aug. 03, 2006 | |
Basket | Powershares DB Gold Fund [Member] | ||
Trust | |||
Organization [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' |
Number of series of trusts | ' | ' | 7 |
Partners' capital contribution | ' | ' | $1,000 |
General shares, shares issued | 40 | 40 | 40 |
Number of shares issued per basket | 200,000 | ' | ' |
Fund offered common units to authorized participants in number of basket | 1 | ' | ' |
Fund_Investment_Overview_Addit
Fund Investment Overview - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Schedule Of Investments [Abstract] | ' | ' |
Deposits with broker | $208,250,118 | $517,257,805 |
Percentage of assets held by broker | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Restricted investments | $9,920,900 | $23,166,000 |
Percentage of holdings considered restricted | 4.76% | 4.48% |
Service_Providers_and_Related_1
Service Providers and Related Party Agreements - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' |
Management fee percentage per annum of daily net asset | 0.75% | ' | ' |
Management fees | $1,752,512 | $3,041,610 | $2,545,670 |
Management fees payable | 94,136 | 315,008 | ' |
Brokerage fees | 42,968 | 62,511 | 50,427 |
Brokerage fees payable | 4,945 | 582 | ' |
Fund asset held by administrator | 0 | 0 | ' |
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc [Member] | ' | ' | ' |
Related Party Transaction [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' |
Brokerage fees | 42,968 | 62,511 | 50,427 |
Brokerage fees payable | $4,945 | $582 | ' |
Summary_of_Significant_Account3
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $) | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1) | $205,986,455 | $495,480,854 |
Level 1 [Member] | ' | ' |
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] | ' | ' |
United States Treasury Obligations (Level 1) | 205,986,455 | 495,480,854 |
Commodity Futures Contracts (Level 1) | ($5,289,640) | ($9,035,650) |
Summary_of_Significant_Account4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Notional amount | $63,000,000 | ' | ' | ' |
Payable for Security purchased | 62,989,649 | 0 | ' | ' |
Cash held by the Commodity Broker | 7,553,303 | 30,812,601 | 51,297,890 | 32,656,223 |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | -5,289,640 | -9,035,650 | ' | ' |
Cash equivalents held | 0 | 0 | ' | ' |
Average notional market value | 252,100,000 | 421,200,000 | ' | ' |
Average charges paid to broker per round-turn trade, maximum | 10 | 10 | 10 | ' |
Level 2 [Member] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Asset and liabilities measured at fair value | 0 | 0 | ' | ' |
Level 3 [Member] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Asset and liabilities measured at fair value | $0 | $0 | ' | ' |
Summary_of_Significant_Account5
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments and Effect of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Income and Expenses (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | ' | ' | ' |
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Futures Contracts | ($5,289,640) | ($9,035,650) | ' |
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Futures | -87,392,590 | -3,359,210 | 53,298,020 |
Net Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Futures | $3,746,010 | $24,381,520 | ($43,815,790) |
Summary_of_Significant_Account6
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Gross and Net Amounts of Offsetting Liabilities (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Offsetting Derivative Liabilities [Abstract] | ' | ' |
Gross Amount of Recognized Liabilities | ($5,289,640) | ($9,151,570) |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition | ' | 115,920 |
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Financial Condition | -5,289,640 | -9,035,650 |
Gross Amounts Statement of Financial Instruments | ' | ' |
Not Offset in the Financial Condition Cash Collateral Pledged | 5,289,640 | 9,035,650 |
Net Amount | ($5,289,640) | ($9,035,650) |
Share_Purchases_and_Redemption1
Share Purchases and Redemptions - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended |
Dec. 31, 2013 | |
Basket | |
Equity [Abstract] | ' |
Minimum number of Baskets that can be purchased | 1 |
Shares Redeemed | 200,000 |
Minimum number of Baskets that can be redeemed | 1 |
Profit_and_Loss_Allocations_an1
Profit and Loss Allocations and Distributions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Earnings Per Share [Abstract] | ' | ' | ' |
Distributed Earnings | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Commitments_and_Contingencies_
Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (Indemnification Agreement [Member]) | 12 Months Ended | |
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | |
Claim | Claim | |
Indemnification Agreement [Member] | ' | ' |
Contingencies And Commitments [Line Items] | ' | ' |
Claims received by fund | 0 | 0 |
Net_Asset_Value_and_Financial_2
Net Asset Value and Financial Highlights - Schedule of Net Asset Value Per Share (Detail) (USD $) | 12 Months Ended | ||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Net Asset Value | ' | ' | ' |
Net asset value per Share, beginning of period | $57.44 | $54.53 | $50.20 |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | ($16.77) | $3.31 | $4.73 |
Net investment income (loss) | ($0.35) | ($0.40) | ($0.40) |
Net increase | ($17.12) | $2.91 | $4.33 |
Net asset value per Share, end of period | $40.32 | $57.44 | $54.53 |
Market value per Share, beginning of period | $57.35 | $54.45 | $50.16 |
Market value per Share, end of period | $40.36 | $57.35 | $54.45 |
Ratio to average Net Assets | ' | ' | ' |
Net investment income (loss) | -0.71% | -0.70% | -0.71% |
Total expenses | 0.77% | 0.76% | 0.76% |
Total Return, at net asset value | -29.81% | 5.34% | 8.63% |
Total Return, at market value | -29.63% | 5.33% | 8.55% |
Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D2
Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) - Summary of Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Detail) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||
Dec. 31, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Jun. 30, 2013 | Mar. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Jun. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011 | |
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract] | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' | ' |
Interest Income | $10,443 | $17,791 | $31,863 | $78,138 | $103,748 | $79,803 | $67,807 | $25,159 | $138,235 | $276,517 | $163,410 |
Net investment income (loss) | -279,636 | -314,797 | -330,662 | -732,150 | -820,938 | -631,569 | -592,193 | -782,904 | -1,657,245 | -2,827,604 | -2,432,687 |
Net realized and net change in unrealized gains/(losses) on United States Treasury Obligations and Futures | -15,624,688 | 13,327,673 | -52,813,912 | -28,557,821 | -28,067,353 | 40,231,422 | -16,205,557 | 25,095,371 | -83,668,748 | 21,053,883 | 9,472,301 |
Net Income/(loss) | -15,904,324 | 13,012,876 | -53,144,574 | -29,289,971 | -28,888,291 | 39,599,853 | -16,797,750 | 24,312,467 | ' | ' | ' |
Increase/(decrease) in Net Asset Value | ($15,904,324) | ($4,377,516) | ($63,047,014) | ($288,451,973) | $77,589,628 | $96,118,784 | ($73,557,800) | ($41,266,263) | ' | ' | ' |
Net Income (loss) per Share | ($4.42) | $3.38 | ($13.04) | ($3.04) | ($3.58) | $5.66 | ($2.53) | $3.36 | ' | ' | ' |