Merk Files ETF Targeting “True Junior” Gold Miners

Merk Investments has filed for the Merk Junior Gold Miners ETF, a passive fund designed to track the Solactive True Junior Gold Miners Index. The index focuses on smaller precious-metals explorers, developers and emerging producers with three-month average market capitalizations between $25 million and $2.5 billion. It generally targets about 60 holdings, while allowing a limited number of larger “Graduates” to remain after growing beyond the junior threshold. Eligible companies are screened for liquidity, governance and precious-metals exposure, then ranked using a quantitative process emphasizing persistent price momentum and relative price stability. The index is rebalanced semi-annually in March and September.