Summary
This Current Report (8-K) filed by iShares Gold Trust (IAU) on June 19, 2009, primarily announces a significant change in sponsorship. Barclays PLC, the ultimate parent company of the Trust's sponsor, Barclays Global Investors International, Inc., has accepted a binding offer to sell its interests in the sponsor and related entities to BlackRock, Inc. This transaction, referred to as the "BlackRock Transaction," is not expected to materially impact the iShares Gold Trust, its shareholders, or investments in its shares. The filing also includes an attached press release from the Sponsor dated June 19, 2009, which further details this change. Investors should note that while the sponsor entity is changing hands, the operational continuity and investment objective of the iShares Gold Trust are anticipated to remain unaffected.
Key Highlights
- 1Barclays PLC, the ultimate parent of iShares Gold Trust's sponsor, has agreed to sell its interests in the sponsor to BlackRock, Inc.
- 2The transaction, referred to as the "BlackRock Transaction," involves the sale of Barclays Global Investors International, Inc.
- 3The iShares Gold Trust (IAU) is expected to remain materially unaffected by this change in sponsorship.
- 4Shareholders and investments in the Trust are not anticipated to experience material changes due to the transaction.
- 5A press release from the Sponsor, dated June 19, 2009, is attached as an exhibit to this filing.
- 6The filing is an 8-K Current Report, indicating an important event not covered by regular periodic reports.