A gold-backed investment trust whose shares track the price of physical gold bullion, minus expenses. Each share represents a claim on real, allocated gold bars held in vaults in London, New York, and Zurich — the gold is never traded, leased, or loaned. Launched in 2004 by State Street Global Advisors and the World Gold Council, it was created to open gold investing to everyday people. Its "SPDR" name, pronounced "spider," comes from Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipts, the family of funds it belongs to.
SPDR Gold Trust sponsor appoints Jonathan D. Spiegel as Principal Executive Officer, effective February 9, 2026
Joseph R. Cavatoni stepped down as Principal Executive Officer of World Gold Trust Services, LLC, effective February 9, 2026, to expand his role at the World Gold Council as Senior Market Strategist and Head of Public Policy, Americas.
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Jonathan D. Spiegel was appointed as the new Principal Executive Officer of the Sponsor, effective February 9, 2026.
Cavatoni's departure is not due to any disagreement with the Trust's operations, policies, or practices.
Spiegel, 44, joined the World Gold Council on January 13, 2026, as CEO of the Funds; previously he was Director and Head of ETF Product Development at New York Life Investment Management (Oct 2021–Dec 2025).
Spiegel holds a Bachelor's degree from Penn State and an MBA from Fordham's Gabelli School of Business.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements
SPDR Gold Trust amends agreements to adopt T+1 settlement cycle effective May 28, 2024
The amendments were made in response to SEC rule changes adopted February 15, 2023, shortening the standard settlement cycle from T+2 to T+1.
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Effective May 28, 2024, the Trust amended its Trust Indenture, HSBC bullion account agreements, and Participant Agreements to reflect the shortened T+1 settlement cycle for creation and redemption procedures.
Amended agreements include Amendment No. 10 to the Trust Indenture, Fifth Amended and Restated Allocated Bullion Account Agreement, Third Amended and Restated Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement, and Amendment No. 7 to Participant Agreements.
The amendments involve the Sponsor (World Gold Trust Services, LLC), the Trustee (The Bank of New York Mellon), and HSBC Bank plc as bullion account provider.
The report was filed under Item 8.01 (Other Events) as a regulatory compliance update, with exhibits filed under Item 9.01.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
James Lam departs SPDR Gold Trust sponsor's board and audit committee effective March 29, 2024.
His departure was not due to any disagreement with the Trust's operations, policies, or practices.
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James Lam ceased serving on the audit committee and board of directors of World Gold Trust Services, LLC, the sponsor of SPDR Gold Trust, effective March 29, 2024.
The Form 8-K was filed on April 1, 2024, by the sponsor on behalf of the Trust.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements
Sara Sprung departs SPDR Gold Trust sponsor's board and audit committee effective March 29, 2023
Her departure was not due to any disagreement on matters relating to the Trust's operations, policies, or practices.
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Sara Sprung ceased serving on the audit committee and board of directors of World Gold Trust Services, LLC, the sponsor of SPDR Gold Trust, effective March 29, 2023.
The 8-K was filed on March 29, 2023, by SPDR Gold Trust, with World Gold Trust Services, LLC acting as sponsor.
5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements
SPDR Gold Trust amends custodian agreements to allow book-entry gold transfers between custodians
On February 28, 2023, HSBC Bank plc (custodian) and The Bank of New York Mellon (trustee) amended the Allocated Bullion Account Agreement and the Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement for the SPDR Gold Trust.
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The amendments allow the trustee to instruct HSBC to transfer the Trust's gold to another custodian and accept gold from another custodian by book entry transfer.
The changes were made under Item 8.01 (Other Events) and the agreements were filed as exhibits 10.1.2 and 10.2.1.
The Fourth Amended and Restated Allocated Bullion Account Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the Second Amended and Restated Unallocated Bullion Account Agreement are both dated February 28, 2023.
The report was filed on March 1, 2023, by World Gold Trust Services, LLC as sponsor of the Trust.
8.01 Other Events · 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits