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Filed Pursuant To Rule 433
Registration No. 333-158105
March 2, 2010
2010 ETF Outlook Audiocast (recorded by John Cronin)
Read aloud:
Hello. My name is John Cronin and I am a product strategist within SSgAs Intermediary Business
Group. Today I would like to provide you with a few highlights from our recent paper that focuses
on the past year of the ETF industry and the outlook for 2010.
The ETF industry in 2009 was really a reflection of the acute reversal in overall market fortunes.
Much like equity markets themselves, ETFs rebounded in the second half of the year and returned to
the 40% YOY asset level growth that has come to define the industry over the last decade. ETFs
finished the year with $116 billion in net inflows marking the third consecutive year in which ETF
inflows have exceeded $100 billion. In our view this is evidence that investors are becoming more
concerned about intraday liquidity, transparency and cost efficiency. If the US ETF industry
eclipses the $1 trillion mark during 2010 as forecasts have suggested, it is likely that that there
will be several key drivers that help propel the industry to this point and beyond. In fact, many
of these catalysts helped characterize the year for ETFs in 2009.
The growth in 2009 mirrored recent years as products offering access to newer areas of the market
continue to preliterate. Noteworthy strides were made in domestic and international fixed income,
commodities, currencies, and hedging vehicles like inverse and leveraged products. We may also look
back at 2009 as the year the active ETF was born as proven active mutual fund managers launched
ETFs. While a limited track record may be inhibiting growth in these products, it is not yet clear
whether advisor demand for active products is present. 2010 should prove to be a good early
indicator on long-term prospects for active ETFs.
In many ways flows across the ETF industry throughout 2009 were a reflection of broader market
sentiment. The year opened with a sustained shift away from Large Cap US and Developed
International equities and into more defensive asset classes like gold and investment grade
corporate bonds. In fact, SPDR® Gold Shares (GLD) led all exchange traded products in
terms of net cash flows by a margin of almost $5 billion. Despite the polarizing views on the
future price of gold as it approached $1,250/oz., SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) proved resilient and built
on its record first quarter for the remainder of the year, finishing with net inflows close to $14
billion.
Reassessing risk was the prevailing theme throughout the second half as attractive equity and fixed
income risk premiums lured investors into the riskier categories that were shunned during much of
2008, ultimately narrowing those premiums to more normalized levels. A fitting paradigm of this
scenario was offered by the high yield space. Inflows into the SPDR Barclays Capital High Yield
Bond ETF (JNK) were less than $865 million in 2008 as the credit crisis crested and investors
flocked to the safest vehicles. However, as high yield credit spreads hovered close to 17% through
much of the first quarter, investors seized the opportunity and poured $2.3 billion into the
product, tripling 2008s levels. Those first-movers were rewarded as many high yield bond indices
closed the year with gains north of 50%.
In light of that, Fixed Income ETFs continued on their recent success in 2009. Even as recently as
the end of 2006 there were only six fixed income ETFs with a modest $20.3 billion in assets, which
at the time represented just 4.8% of total industry assets. Since then, they have gradually
expanded their imprint on the industry culminating with a 78% increase in 2009 as assets grew to
13% of the overall industry. In our view, this is a trend that is likely to continue considering
that relative to the mutual fund industry, fixed income ETFs still account for only a small portion
of industry assets. Bond funds currently make up 40% of mutual fund industry assets excluding money
market funds; at just 13% of the industry total, fixed income ETFs still have ample room for
growth.
Despite the recent expansion, the industry remains largely concentrated at the top with the top ten
products commanding 39% of total industry assets and 60% of notional trading volume on an annual
basis. At a firm level, the portrait is similar with 84% of industry assets residing in the top
three providers. Moreover, these same three firms accounted for almost 80% of ETF volume throughout
the year.
As the ETF industry approaches $1 trillion in assets, several questions remain about what the next
frontier will be. Its possible that we will reflect back on 2009 as a pivotal year in the
development of the industry as the groundwork has been laid for many of the industrys future
catalysts. While there are challenges that remain with respect to some of the potential drivers,
considerable strides have been made within the past year to overcome many of those hurdles. What is
certain is that again, much like markets as a whole, the view of the horizon for the exchange trade
fund industry appears much more promising than it did at the close of 2008.
For up-to-date information or the most recent performance on all of our family of exchange traded
funds please visit SPDRS.com, (S-P-D-R-S.com) or call 866.787.2257.
Additionally, the complete paper, 2009 Year End Review & 2010 Outlook, can be found on SPDRU.com.
Thank you.
DISCLAIMER:
FOR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY
This audiocast is provided for informational use only and should not be considered investment
advice or an offer for a particular security. The views and opinions expressed are as of the date
of the recording, and do not necessarily represent the views of State Street Corporation or its
affiliates. Views and opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other
conditions and should not be relied on as investment advice. Neither State Street nor the speaker
can be held responsible for any direct or incidental loss incurred through the use of the
information herein. Please consult your financial and/or tax or advisor for additional information
concerning your specific situation.
This audiocast may not be reproduced, sold or redistributed without the written consent of State
Street Corporation.
The SPDR® Gold Trust (the Trust) has filed a registration statement (including a
prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest,
you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the Trust has
filed with the SEC for more complete information about the Trust and this offering. You may get
these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the
Trust, or any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering, will arrange to send you the
prospectus if you request it by calling toll free at 1-866-320-4053 or contacting State Street
Global Markets, LLC, One Lincoln Street, Attn: SPDR® Gold Shares, 30th Floor, Boston, MA
02111.
The prospectus contains information about the Trust and the SPDR® Gold Shares (the
Shares) which is material and/or which may be important to you. You should read the entire
prospectus, including Risk Factors before making an investment decision about the Shares.
Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes forward-looking statements which generally relate to future events or
future performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such
as may, will, should, it is likely, expect, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate,
predict, potential or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All
statements (other than statements of historical fact) included in this document that address
activities, events or developments that will or may occur in the future, including such matters as
changes in commodity prices and market conditions (for gold and the Shares), the Trusts
operations, the plans of the World Gold Trust Services LLC (the Sponsor) and references to the
Trusts future success and other similar matters are forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned that these statements are only projections. Actual events or results may differ
materially. These statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses the Marketing Agent
made based on its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future
developments, as well as other factors believed appropriate in the circumstances. Whether or not
actual results and developments will conform to the Marketing Agents expectations and predictions,
however, is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the factors identified in the
Risk Factors section of the Prospectus filed with the SEC and in other filings made by the Trust
from time to time with the SEC.
Consequently, all the forward-looking statements made in this material are qualified by these
cautionary statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments the
Sponsor or Marketing Agent anticipates will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that
they will result in the expected consequences to, or have the expected effects on, the Trusts
operations or the value of the Shares. Neither the Sponsor, Marketing Agent nor any other person
assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the forward-looking statements. Neither
the Trust, Marketing Agent nor the Sponsor is under a duty to update any of the forward-looking
statements to conform such statements to actual results or to reflect a change in the Sponsors or
Marketing Agents expectation or projections.
ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk and will fluctuate in market value. The
value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the gold held by the Trust (less Trust
expenses) and fluctuations in the price of gold could materially adversely affect an investment in
the Shares.
Investors should be aware that there is no assurance that gold will maintain its long-term value in
terms of purchasing power in the future. In the event that the price of gold declines, the Sponsor
and the Marketing Agent expect the value of an investment in the Shares to similarly decline
proportionately.
Not FDIC Insured No Bank Guarantee May Lose Value
Shareholders of the Trust will not have the protections associated with ownership of shares in an
investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or the protections afforded
by the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936. The Trust is not registered as an investment company under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not required to register under such act. Neither the
Sponsor nor the Trustee of the Trust is subject to regulation by the CFTC. Shareholders will not
have the regulatory protections provided to investors in CEA-regulated instruments or commodity
pools.
For more complete information, please call 866.320.4053 or visit www.spdrgoldshares.com today.
SPDR® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (S&P)
and has been licensed for use by State Street Corporation. No financial product offered by State
Street Corporation or its affiliates is sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P or its
Affiliates, and S&P and its affiliates make no representation, warranty or condition regarding the
advisability of buying, selling or holding units/shares in such products. Standard &
Poors®, S&P®, SPDR®, S&P 500® and Select Sector
SPDRs® are registered trademark of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC and have
been licensed for use by State Street Corporation.
WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL MCGRAW-HILL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY
SPECIAL PUNITIVE, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOST PROFITS),
EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF DAMAGES.
State Street Global Markets, LLC, Member NASD and SIPC.
Before investing, consider the funds investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. To
obtain a prospectus or summary prospectus which contains this and other information, call
866.787.2257 or visit www.spdrs.com. Read it carefully.
IBG-1417
EXP. Date: 12/31/2010
SPDR® GOLD TRUST has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus)
with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should
read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with
the SEC for more complete information about the Trust and this offering. You may get these
documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC Web site at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the Trust
or any Authorized Participant will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling
toll free at 1-866-320-4053 or contacting State Street Global Markets, LLC, One Lincoln Street,
Attn: SPDR® Gold Shares, 30th Floor, Boston, MA 02111.