SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- 12/01/09 --
Today the previously announced
transaction between Barclays PLC, the ultimate parent company of Barclays
Global Investors International Inc., the Sponsor (the "Sponsor") of the
iShares COMEX Gold Trust (the "Trust") and BlackRock, Inc. (the "BlackRock
Transaction"), including the acquisition of the Sponsor of the Trust and
certain of the Sponsor's affiliated companies by BlackRock, Inc. was
consummated.
In connection with the BlackRock Transaction, the name of the Sponsor was
changed from Barclays Global Investors International Inc. to BlackRock
Asset Management International Inc.
It is not expected that the BlackRock Transaction will materially affect
the Trust, its shareholders, or an investment in its shares.
Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. The iShares
COMEX Gold Trust ("Trust") is not an investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 or a commodity pool for purposes of the
Commodity Exchange Act. Shares of the Trust are not subject to the same
regulatory requirements as mutual funds. Because shares of the Trust are
created to reflect the price of the gold held by the trust, the market
price of the shares will be as unpredictable as the price of gold has
historically been. Additionally, shares of the Trust are bought and sold at
market price (not NAV). Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.
Shares of the Trust are created to reflect, at any given time, the market
price of gold owned by the trust at that time less the trust's expenses and
liabilities. The price received upon the sale of the shares, which trade at
market price, may be more or less than the value of the gold represented by
them. If an investor sells the shares at a time when no active market for
them exists, such lack of an active market will most likely adversely
affect the price received for the shares. For a more complete discussion of
the risk factors relative to the iShares COMEX® Gold Trust, carefully
read the prospectus.
Following an investment in shares of the Trust, several factors may have
the effect of causing a decline in the prices of gold and a corresponding
decline in the price of the shares. Among them: (i) Large sales by the
official sector. A significant portion of the aggregate world gold holdings
is owned by governments, central banks and related institutions. If one or
more of these institutions decides to sell in amounts large enough to cause
a decline in world gold prices, the price of the shares will be adversely
affected. (ii) A significant increase in gold hedging activity by gold
producers. Should there be an increase in the level of hedge activity of
gold producing companies, it could cause a decline in world gold prices,
adversely affecting the price of the shares. (iii) A significant change in
the attitude of speculators and investors towards gold. Should the
speculative community take a negative view towards gold, it could cause a
decline in world gold prices, negatively impacting the price of the shares.
The amount of gold represented by shares of the Trust will decrease over
the life of the trust due to sales necessary to pay the sponsor's fee and
trust expenses. Without increase in the price of gold sufficient to
compensate for that decrease, the price of the shares will also decline,
and investors will lose money on their investment. The Trust will have
limited duration. The liquidation of the trust may occur at a time when the
disposition of the trust's gold will result in losses to investors.
Although market makers will generally take advantage of differences between
the NAV and the trading price of Gold Trust shares through arbitrage
opportunities, there is no guarantee that they will do so. There is no
guarantee of an active trading market for the shares, which may result in
losses on your investment at the time of disposition of your shares. The
value of the shares of the Trust will be adversely affected if gold owned
by the trust is lost or damaged in circumstances in which the trust is not
in a position to recover the corresponding loss. The Trust is a passive
investment vehicle. This means that the value of your shares may be
adversely affected by trust losses that, if the trust had been actively
managed, it might have been possible to avoid.
Shares of the iShares COMEX Gold Trust are not deposits or other
obligations of or guaranteed by BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.
or its affiliates, and are not insured by the Federal deposit Insurance
Corporation or any other governmental agency.
BlackRock Asset Management International Inc. (BAMII) is the sponsor of the
Gold Trust. BlackRock Fund Distribution Company (BFDC), a subsidiary of
BAMII, assists in the promotion of the Gold Trust. BAMII is an affiliate of
BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. ("BlackRock").
When comparing commodities and the iShares COMEX Gold Trust, it should be
remembered that management fees associated with the trust are not borne by
investors in individual commodities. Buying and selling shares of the
iShares COMEX Gold Trust will result in brokerage commissions. Because the
expenses involved in an investment in physical gold will be dispersed among
all holders of shares of the Trust, an investment in the Trust may
represent a cost-efficient alternative to investments in gold for investors
not otherwise able to participate directly in the market for physical gold.
Although shares of the iShares COMEX Gold Trust may be bought or sold on
the exchange through any brokerage account, shares of the trust are not
redeemable from the trust except in large aggregated units called Baskets.
"Commodity Exchange, Inc." and "COMEX" are trademarks of Commodity
Exchange, Inc. and have been licensed for use for certain purposes to
BlackRock and the iShares COMEX Gold Trust (the "Trust"). The Trust is not
sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Commodity Exchange, Inc., nor does
Commodity Exchange, Inc. make any representation regarding the advisability
of investing in the Trust.
©2009 BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. All rights reserved.
iShares® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust
Company, N.A. All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks
are the property of their respective owners. iS-1865-1209