VanEck Merk Gold ETF (NYSEARCA:OUNZ) Sees Large Decrease in Short Interest

VanEck Merk Gold ETF (NYSEARCA:OUNZ) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 304,392 shares, a decline of 41.5% from the January 15th total of 520,450 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,584,256 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Currently, 0.5% of the shares of the company are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 5,584,256 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 0.1 days.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of OUNZ. CWM LLC lifted its stake in shares of VanEck Merk Gold ETF by 2.8% in the 3rd quarter. CWM LLC now owns 9,031 shares of the company’s stock worth $336,000 after acquiring an additional 250 shares during the period. Stephens Inc. AR raised its holdings in VanEck Merk Gold ETF by 4.2% during the fourth quarter. Stephens Inc. AR now owns 7,060 shares of the company’s stock worth $293,000 after purchasing an additional 285 shares in the last quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC lifted its position in VanEck Merk Gold ETF by 0.9% in the third quarter. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC now owns 37,425 shares of the company’s stock worth $1,392,000 after purchasing an additional 335 shares during the period. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in VanEck Merk Gold ETF by 3.8% in the fourth quarter. Kingswood Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 9,843 shares of the company’s stock worth $408,000 after purchasing an additional 364 shares during the period. Finally, Traphagen Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in VanEck Merk Gold ETF by 6.2% during the 4th quarter. Traphagen Investment Advisors LLC now owns 6,678 shares of the company’s stock valued at $277,000 after purchasing an additional 392 shares in the last quarter.

Trending Headlines about VanEck Merk Gold ETF

Here are the key news stories impacting VanEck Merk Gold ETF this week:

• Positive Sentiment: U.S. CPI softened, giving gold broad support and prompting traders to bid bullion — a direct tailwind for OUNZ. Gold (XAUUSD), Silver, Platinum Forecasts – Gold Climbed Back Above $5000
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple technical analysis pieces show gold forming higher highs and holding key moving averages — implying upside potential toward Fibonacci/ABCD targets, supporting further inflows into gold ETFs like OUNZ. Gold (XAU/USD) Price Forecast: Strength Emerging Above Key Support
• Positive Sentiment: Gold reclaimed the $5,000/oz area after recent volatility; analysts note the level as a pivot for renewed upside — this supports physical-gold exposure via OUNZ if momentum continues. Gold reclaims $5,000 as analysts warn volatility is far from over
• Positive Sentiment: China retail/speculative demand for gold-backed ETFs has surged (Chinese ETF holdings more than doubled since 2025), adding a structural demand tailwind for global gold ETF flows including OUNZ. How China’s ‘unruly’ speculators might be fueling the frenzy in gold market
• Neutral Sentiment: Intraday and market-outlook pieces highlight key entry/resistance levels and USD dynamics — helpful for traders but not an immediate directional catalyst for longer-term OUNZ holders. Gold market analysis for February 13 – key intra-day price entry levels for active traders
• Neutral Sentiment: Macro outlooks flag a weaker USD and structural bullish case for gold in 2026, but also list tail risks (oil shock, sovereign-debt stress) — these are medium-term framing items for ETF positioning. 2026 Market Outlook: DXY Weakness, Gold’s New Floor, and Bitcoin Consolidation
• Negative Sentiment: Analysts warn that volatility remains high — rapid sell-offs and 3% intraday plunges occurred this week, which can produce sharp redemptions/flows out of ETFs and short-term pressure on OUNZ. Gold (XAUUSD) & Silver Price Forecast: After 3% Plunge, Can CPI Push XAU Above $5,000?
• Negative Sentiment: Prospects of a prolonged Fed pause have been cited as a drag on gold (less incentive for non-interest-bearing assets), which could cap upside for OUNZ if rate expectations shift. Gold Falls on Prospects of Long Fed Pause

VanEck Merk Gold ETF Price Performance

OUNZ traded up $1.17 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $48.44. 1,164,964 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,086,802. The stock has a market cap of $3.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.97 and a beta of 0.08. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $44.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $39.38. VanEck Merk Gold ETF has a 12 month low of $27.32 and a 12 month high of $53.35.

About VanEck Merk Gold ETF

The VanEck Merk Gold Trust (OUNZ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the LBMA Gold Price index. The fund tracks the gold spot price, less expenses, using gold bars and coins held in London vaults. Investors can redeem their shares for gold in increments of 1 troy oz. OUNZ was launched on May 16, 2014 and is managed by VanEck.