THIS DOCUMENT IS IMPORTANT AND
REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. IF YOU ARE IN ANY DOUBT AS TO
THE ACTION YOU SHOULD TAKE, YOU SHOULD SEEK ADVICE FROM YOUR
INDEPENDENT LEGAL, TAX, FINANCIAL OR PROFESSIONAL ADVISOR
IMMEDIATELY.
VanEck Vectors™
UCITS ETFs plc
(an umbrella fund
with segregated liability between sub-funds)
A company
incorporated with limited liability as an open-ended investment
company with variable capital under the laws of Ireland with registered number 548554
NOTICE CONVENING AN EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF
SHAREHOLDERS OF VanEck Vectors™ UCITS ETFs PLC (the
“Company”) AT 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland AT 10:00 a.m. (IRISH TIME) ON 31 JANUARY 2022 AS SET OUT IN APPENDIX 1.
If you have sold or transferred your Shares in the Company,
please forward this document and the accompanying proxies to the
purchaser, transferee or other agent through whom the sale or
transfer was effected.
The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the
accuracy of the contents of this document.
VanEck Vectors™
UCITS ETFs plc
(an umbrella fund
with segregated liability between sub-funds)
A company
incorporated with limited liability as an open-ended investment
company with variable capital under the laws of Ireland with registered number 548554
Registered Office: 33 Sir John
Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2,
Ireland
Date: 6 January 2022
Re: Extraordinary General
Meeting of the Company
Dear Shareholder,
We are writing to you to notify you that the Directors of the
Company wish to convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the
Company on 31 January 2022 at
10.00 a.m. (Irish Time) (the
“EGM” / “Meeting”), at which shareholders will be
asked to approve the proposed amendment to amend memorandum and
articles of association of the Company (the “Constitution”)
and the change of name of the Company (the “Proposed
Amendment”).
As the Company, and each of its sub-funds, uses the
International Central Securities Depository (“ICSD”) model
of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited is the sole registered
shareholder of Shares in each of the sub-fund under the ICSD
settlement model, physical attendance of investors who are not
registered shareholders does not take place at general meetings of
the Company, investors in a sub-fund should send voting
instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant participant
in an ICSD (such as a local central securities depository). If
any investor has invested in a sub-fund through a
broker/dealer/other intermediary, the investor should contact this
entity or its relevant proxy voting agent to provide voting
instructions.
All capitalised terms used in this notice shall bear the same
meaning as the capitalised and defined terms used in the Prospectus
and Supplements.
1 PROPOSED AMENDMENT REQUIRING SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL
Subject to Shareholder approval and the requirements of the
Central Bank, it is proposed to amend the name of the Company as
follows:
Current
Name |
Proposed
Name |
VanEck Vectors™ UCITS
ETFs plc |
VanEck UCITS ETFs
plc |
The proposed change of name of the Company will necessitate an
amendment to the Constitution. The text of the proposed changes to
the Constitution is set out in marked-up format in Appendix I.
These amendments require the approval of the Shareholders of the
Company by means of a special resolution, as described further
under Section 3.
2 RATIONALE FOR THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
The Directors, following engagement with the Manager, are
proposing to change the name of the Company to facilitate a move to
a universal brand in support of VanEck’s growing global presence
and to avoid any potential confusion in relation to the future
marketing of the Company and its sub-funds.
Subject to the passing of the special resolution to change the
name of the Company, it is proposed to change the name of each of
the sub-funds would be amended as set out in Section 1.
3 SHAREHOLDERS’ APPROVAL
For the sanctioning of the resolution to approve the Proposed
Amendment, the Shareholder of the Fund must pass the Special
Resolution. The required quorum at the Meeting is one shareholder
present in person or by proxy.
If such approval is obtained, the changes, including the change
of name of each sub-fund, will be effected on or around
16 February 2022 subject to the
requisite regulatory approvals being obtained, with the exact date
to be announced via the regulatory news service of Euronext Dublin
and to be published in an appropriate manner in each of the other
jurisdictions in which the Company and its sub-funds’ shares are
listed on a stock exchange (the “Effective Date”).
The prospectus and the supplement for each sub-fund and the Key
Investor Information Document (KIID) will be updated at the
Effective Date or as soon as possible thereafter, subject to the
approval by the Central Bank of Ireland and subject to any changes as may be
required by the Central Bank of Ireland.
4 CONSEQUENTIAL Amendments to the name of each Sub-fund
In addition to the proposed amendments to the Constitution, we
hereby wish to notify you that the Prospectus of the Company will
also be updated to reflect the changes to the name of the Company.
Subject to the passing of the necessary resolution to change the
Constitution of the Company to reflect the Proposed Amendment, it
is proposed to change the name of each sub-fund by the removal of
“Vectors” from the name. It is proposed that the name of each
sub-fund be amended as follows:
Current
Name |
Proposed
Name |
VanEck Vectors™ Gold
Miners UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Gold Miners
UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Junior
Gold Miners UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Junior Gold
Miners UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors
Morningstar US Sustainable Wide Moat UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Morningstar US
Sustainable Wide Moat UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ J.P.
Morgan EM Local Currency Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck J.P. Morgan EM
Local Currency Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Natural
Resources UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Natural
Resources UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™
Preferred US Equity UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Preferred US
Equity UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™
Emerging Markets High Yield Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Emerging Markets
High Yield Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Global
Fallen Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Global Fallen
Angel High Yield Bond UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Global
Mining UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Global Mining
UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Video
Gaming and eSports UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Video Gaming and
eSports UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors
Morningstar Global Wide Moat UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Morningstar
Global Wide Moat UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™
Semiconductor UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Semiconductor
UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™
Hydrogen Economy UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Hydrogen Economy
UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Digital
Assets Equity UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Digital Assets
Equity UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ Rare
Earth and Strategic Metals UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Rare Earth and
Strategic Metals UCITS ETF; |
VanEck Vectors™ New
China ESG UCITS ETF; and |
VanEck New China ESG
UCITS ETF; and |
VanEck Vectors™ Smart
Home Active UCITS ETF. |
VanEck Smart Home
Active UCITS ETF. |
Shareholder approval is not required for the change of name of a
sub-fund and Shareholders are not being requested to pass a
resolution to change the name of each sub-fund. Existing fund
tickers of the sub-funds will not be affected by the name
change.
5 RECOMMENDATION
The Directors believe that the proposed resolution is in the
best interests of the shareholders of the Fund as a whole and,
accordingly, recommend that you vote in favour of the proposed
resolution.
6 PUBLICATION OF RESULTS
The result of the EGM will be announced through the regulatory
news service on Euronext Dublin website and will be published in an
appropriate manner in each of the other jurisdictions in which the
Company is listed on a stock exchange. The change of name will only
be announced for the sub-funds currently listed on Euronext
Dublin. The following sub-funds are not listed on Euronext
Dublin and are currently in the process of seeking revocation of
approval from the Central Bank of Ireland:
- VanEck Vectors™ Natural Resources UCITS ETF
- VanEck Vectors™ Preferred US Equity UCITS ETF
Yours faithfully,
Director
VanEck Vectors UCITS ETFs plc
Appendix 1
NOTICE OF
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING
OF
VANECK VECTORS
UCITS ETFs PLC (THE “COMPANY”)
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Extraordinary General
Meeting of the shareholders of the Company will be held at 33 Sir
John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2,
Ireland on 31 January 2022 at 10:00
a.m. (Irish Time) for the following purpose:
SPECIAL RESOLUTION
- To approve the adoption, subject to the approval of the Irish
Registrar of Companies, of a new name of the Company as set out at
clause 1 of the Memorandum of Association (or should such name not
be available, such other similar name as may be proposed by the
directors of the Company) attached at Appendix I to the Circular to
Shareholders dated 6 January
2022.
- To approve the Articles produced to the meeting and for the
purposes of identification marked "X" on the front page thereof be
and are hereby approved as the Articles of the Company in
substitution for and to the exclusion of all existing Articles
thereof.
- To make any consequential changes to the Company's
documentation, subject to any amendments required by the Central
Bank of Ireland.
By order of the Directors.
Dated this day of
January 2022
Tudor Trust Limited Registered in Dublin, Ireland – No: 192532.
Notes
Quorum
1 The required quorum at the meeting is one shareholder present
in person or by proxy. If a quorum is not present within half an
hour from the appointed time for the meeting, or if during a
meeting a quorum ceases to be present, the meeting shall stand
adjourned to the following week (7 February
2022) at the same time and place, or to such other day and
at such other time and place as the Directors may determine.
Entitlement to attend and vote
2 Only a registered shareholder is entitled to attend, speak,
ask questions and vote at the meeting (or any adjournment thereof).
As sub-funds in the Company use the International Central
Securities Depositary (ICSD) model of settlement and Citivic
Nominees Limited is the sole registered shareholder of shares in
the sub-funds under the ICSD settlement model, investors in the
Sub-fund should submit their voting instructions through the
relevant ICSD or the relevant participant in an ICSD (such as a
local central securities depositary). If any investor has invested
in the Sub-fund through a broker/dealer/other intermediary, the
investor should contact this entity or its relevant proxy voting
agent to provide voting instructions.
Appointment of proxies
3 A form of proxy is enclosed with this Notice of the EGM for
use by registered shareholders. As mentioned above, investors in
the Sub-fund who are not registered shareholders should submit
their voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant
participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities
depositary, broker or nominee), instead of using the form of proxy.
To be effective, the form of proxy duly completed and executed,
together with a copy of the power of attorney or other authority
under which it is executed must be deposited by registered
shareholders at the offices of the office of the Company Secretary,
Tudor Trust Limited, 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland, so as to be received no later than 24
hours before the time appointed for the EGM or any adjournment
thereof or (in the case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the
same day as the EGM or adjourned EGM) at least 24 hours before the
taking of the poll at which it is to be used. Any alteration to the
form of proxy must be initialled by the person who signs it.
4 Subject to the Articles of Association of the Company and
provided it is received at least 24 hours before the time appointed
for the holding of the EGM or any adjournment thereof or (in the
case of a poll taken otherwise than at or on the same day as the
EGM or adjourned EGM) at least 24 hours before the taking of the
poll at which it is to be used, the appointment of a proxy may also
be submitted electronically to tudortrust@dilloneustace.ie entering
the company name.
Voting rights and total number of
issued shares in the Sub-fund
5 At the EGM, the resolutions put to the vote of the meeting
shall be decided on a poll. On a poll every shareholder shall have
one vote for every share of which he is the shareholder.
6 Where a poll is taken at an EGM any member, present or by
proxy, holding more than one share is not obliged to cast all
his/her votes in the same way.
7 Ordinary resolutions require to be passed by a simple majority
of members voting in person or by proxy. Special resolutions
require a majority of not less than 75% of votes cast by those who
vote either in person or in proxy to be passed.
Appendix 2
FORM OF PROXY
VANECK VECTORS
UCITS ETFs PLC (THE “COMPANY”)
I/We*
of
being a Shareholder in the Fund and entitled to vote, hereby
appoint the Chairman of the Meeting or failing him/her Laura Tully of 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay,
Dublin 2, Ireland or failing her a representative of
Tudor Trust Limited as my/our* proxy to vote for me/us* on my/our*
behalf at the Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company to be
held at 33 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland on 31 January
2022 at 10:00 a.m. (Irish
Time) or any reconvened meeting thereof.
(*delete as appropriate)
Signature:
Date:
2022
Please indicate with an “X” in the spaces below how you wish
your vote to be cast in respect of the resolution. If no specific
direction as to voting is given, the proxy will vote or abstain
from voting at his/her discretion. If you elect to abstain from
voting with respect to the resolution, such election will not count
as a vote in law and will not be counted in the calculation of the
proportion of the votes for and against the resolution.
Resolution: |
For |
Against |
Abstain |
1 To approve the adoption, subject
to the approval of the Irish Registrar of Companies, of a new name
of the Company as set out at clause 1 of the Memorandum of
Association (or should such name not be available, such other
similar name as may be proposed by the directors of the Company)
attached at Appendix I to the Circular to Shareholders dated 6
January 2022. |
|
|
|
2 To approve the Articles produced
to the meeting and for the purposes of identification marked "X" on
the front page thereof be and are hereby approved as the Articles
of the Company in substitution for and to the exclusion of all
existing Articles thereof. |
|
|
|
3 To make any consequential changes
to the Company's documentation, subject to any amendments required
by the Central Bank of Ireland. |
|
|
|
IF RELEVANT, PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME OR
THE NAME OF THE CORPORATION YOU ARE EXECUTING THIS FORM ON BEHALF
OF AND YOUR ADDRESS UNDERNEATH
Print Name:
_____________________________________________________________________
Print Address
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Notes
- A shareholder must insert his/her full name and registered
address in type or block letters. In the case of joint accounts the
names of all holders must be stated. Please insert your name(s) and
address in BOLD TYPE and sign and date the form.
- Only a registered shareholder is entitled to attend, speak, ask
questions and vote at the Meeting (or any adjournment thereof). As
sub-funds in the Company use the International Central Securities
Depositary (ICSD) model of settlement and Citivic Nominees Limited
is the sole registered shareholder of shares in the sub-funds under
the ICSD settlement model, physical attendance of investors who are
not registered shareholders does not take place at general meetings
of the Fund or of the Company and investors in the Fund should send
voting instructions through the relevant ICSD or the relevant
participant in an ICSD (such as a local central securities
depository). If any investor has invested in the Fund through a
broker/dealer/other intermediary, the investor should contact this
entity or its relevant proxy voting agent to provide voting
instructions.
- The Form of Proxy must:
- in the case of an individual shareholder, be signed by the
shareholder or his attorney; and
- in the case of a corporate shareholder, be executed under its
common seal or under the hand of some officer, attorney or other
person duly authorised to act on its behalf.
- Indicate by placing a cross in the appropriate box how you wish
your votes to be cast in respect of each resolution. If no mark is
made, your proxy may vote or abstain at his/her discretion. On any
other business not specified in the Notice of Meeting and arising
at the Meeting, the proxy will act at his or her discretion.
- To be valid, this form (and, if applicable, any power of
attorney or other authority under which it is signed or a
notarially certified copy thereof) must be completed and deposited
at the office of the Company Secretary, Tudor Trust Limited, at 33
Sir John Rogerson’s not less than 24
hours before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting by
post or by fax at +353 (0) 1 667 0042 for the attention of
Laura Tully. Citivic Nominees may
send their signed Form of Proxy by e-mail to
tudortrust@dilloneustace.ie. Any proxy form deposited less than 24
hours before the time of the meeting may only be treated as valid
at the discretion of the Directors. Failure to return the proxy
form by the required time will (subject to the aforementioned
discretion of the Directors) result in the proxy form being void
and your proxy will not be entitled to vote on your behalf as
directed.
Appendix 3
Proposed
amendments to the Constitution