Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

10-Q 1 d542579d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2018

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number 001-32906

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Sponsored by Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC,

d/b/a Guggenheim Investments

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


New York		03-6118853
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification No.)

702 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 200 Rockville, Maryland		20850
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

(301) 296-5100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (d232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “non-accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

CURRENCYSHARES^® BRITISH POUND STERLING TRUST

INDEX


Caption	Page

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Statements of Financial Condition at January 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017		2

Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended January 31, 2018 and the three months ended January 31, 2017		3

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended January 31, 2018 and the year ended October 31, 2017		4

Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended January 31, 2018 and the three months ended January 31, 2017		5

Notes to Financial Statements		6

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		10

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk		14

Item 4. Controls and Procedures		14

Part II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings		15

Item 1A. Risk Factors		15

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		15

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities		15

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures		15

Item 5. Other Information		15

Item 6. Exhibits		16

SIGNATURES		18

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Statements of Financial Condition


	January 31, 2018 (Unaudited)		October 31, 2017
Assets
Current Assets:
British Pound Sterling deposits, interest bearing	$	193,515,724	$	213,160,593
British Pound Sterling deposits, non-interest bearing		—		—
Receivable from accrued interest		15,928		—

Total Current Assets	$	193,531,652	$	213,160,593

Liabilities, Redeemable Capital Shares and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accrued Sponsor’s fee	$	69,142	$	72,617

Total Current Liabilities		69,142		72,617
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities (note 8)		—		—
Redeemable Capital Shares, at redemption value, no par value, 18,000,000 authorized –1,400,000 and 1,650,000 issued and outstanding, respectively		193,462,510		213,087,976
Shareholders’ Equity:
Retained Earnings		—		—
Cumulative Translation Adjustment		—		—

Total Liabilities, Redeemable Capital Shares and Shareholders’ Equity	$	193,531,652	$	213,160,593

See Notes to Financial Statements.

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended January 31, 2018			Three months ended January 31, 2017
Income
Interest Income	$	47,279		$	—

Total Income		47,279			—
Expenses
Sponsor’s fee		(210,047	)		(313,155	)

Total Expenses		(210,047	)		(313,155	)
Net Loss	$	(162,768	)	$	(313,155	)


Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	$	(0.10	)	$	(0.12	)
Weighted-average Shares Outstanding		1,586,957			2,561,957
Cash Dividends per Share	$	—		$	—

Other Comprehensive Loss:
Currency translation adjustment		(8,930	)		(4,060	)

Total Comprehensive Loss	$	(171,698	)	$	(317,215	)

See Notes to Financial Statements.

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity


	Three months ended January 31, 2018 (Unaudited)			Year ended October 31, 2017
Retained Earnings, Beginning of Period	$	—		$	—
Net Loss		(162,768	)		(1,081,379	)
Adjustment of redeemable capital shares to redemption value		162,768			1,081,379

Retained Earnings, End of Period	$	—		$	—

Cumulative Translation Adjustment, Beginning of Period	$	—		$	—
Currency translation adjustment		(8,930	)		(21,853	)
Adjustment of redeemable capital shares to redemption value		8,930			21,853

Cumulative Translation Adjustment, End of Period	$	—		$	—

See Notes to Financial Statements.

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended January 31, 2018			Three months ended January 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash received for accrued income	$	32,179		$	—
Cash paid for expenses		(218,220	)		(304,824	)

Net cash used in operating activities		(186,041	)		(304,824	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Cash received to purchase redeemable shares		19,657,637			24,236,710
Cash paid to redeem redeemable shares		(52,414,118	)		(42,419,506	)

Net cash used in financing activities		(32,756,481	)		(18,182,796	)
Adjustment to period cash flows due to currency movement		13,297,653			9,388,762

Decrease in cash		(19,644,869	)		(9,098,858	)
Cash at beginning of period		213,160,593			315,997,529

Cash at end of period	$	193,515,724		$	306,898,671

Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities
Net Loss	$	(162,768	)	$	(313,155	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Receivable from accrued interest		(15,928	)		—
Currency translation adjustment		(3,870	)		(2,935	)
Accrued sponsor fee		69,142			104,043
Prior period accrued sponsor fee		(72,617	)		(92,777	)

Net cash used in operating activities	$	(186,041	)	$	(304,824	)

See Notes to Financial Statements.

CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Organization and Description of the Trust

The CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust (the “Trust”) was formed under the laws of the State of New York on June 8, 2006 when Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC d/b/a “Guggenheim Investments” (the “Sponsor”) deposited 100 British Pounds Sterling in the Trust’s primary deposit account held by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch (the “Depository”). The Sponsor is a Delaware limited liability company whose sole member is Security Investors, LLC (also d/b/a “Guggenheim Investments”). The Sponsor is responsible for, among other things, overseeing the performance of The Bank of New York Mellon (the “Trustee”) and the Trust’s principal service providers, including the preparation of financial statements. The Trustee is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Trust.

The investment objective of the Trust is for the Trust’s shares (the “Shares”) to reflect the price in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) of the British Pound Sterling plus accrued interest, if any, less the Trust’s expenses and liabilities. The Shares are intended to provide investors with a simple, cost-effective means of gaining investment benefits similar to those of holding British Pounds Sterling. The Trust’s assets primarily consist of British Pounds Sterling on demand deposit in two deposit accounts maintained by the Depository: a primary deposit account which may earn interest and a secondary deposit account which does not earn interest. The secondary deposit account is used to account for any interest that may be received and paid out on creations and redemptions of blocks of 50,000 Shares (“Baskets”). The secondary account is also used to account for interest earned, if any, on the primary deposit account, pay Trust expenses and distribute any excess interest to holders of Shares (“Shareholders”) on a monthly basis.

The accompanying unaudited financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair statement of the interim period financial statements have been made. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full-year period. These financial statements and the notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Trust’s financial statements included in the Form 10-K as filed on January 11, 2018.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

A. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period and the evaluation of subsequent events through the issuance date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

B. Foreign Currency Translation

The Trustee calculates the Trust’s net asset value (“NAV”) each business day, as described in Note 4. For NAV calculation purposes, British Pound Sterling deposits (cash) are translated at the Closing Spot Rate, which is the British Pound Sterling/USD exchange rate as determined and published by The WM Company at 4:00 PM (London time / London fixing) on each day that NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”) is open for regular trading.

The functional currency of the Trust is the British Pound Sterling in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. For financial statement reporting purposes, the U.S. Dollar is the reporting currency. As a result, the financial records of the Trust are translated from British Pounds Sterling to USD. The Closing Spot Rate on the last day of the period is used for translation in the statements of financial condition. The average Closing Spot Rate for the period is used for translation in the statements of comprehensive income and the statements of cash flows. Any currency translation adjustment is included in comprehensive income.

C. Federal Income Taxes

The Trust is treated as a “grantor trust” for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, no provision for federal income taxes is required. Interest, gains and losses are passed through to the Shareholders.

Shareholders generally will be treated, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as if they directly owned a pro-rata share of the assets held in the Trust. Shareholders also will be treated as if they directly received their respective pro-rata portion of the Trust’s income, if any, and as if they directly incurred their respective pro-rata portion of the Trust’s expenses. The acquisition of Shares by a U.S. Shareholder as part of a creation of a Basket will not be a taxable event to the Shareholder.

The Sponsor’s fee accrues daily and is payable monthly. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, an accrual-basis U.S. Shareholder generally will be required to take into account as an expense its allocable portion of the USD-equivalent of the amount of the Sponsor’s fee that is accrued on each day, with such USD-equivalent being determined by the currency exchange rate that is in effect on the respective day. To the extent that the currency exchange rate on the date of payment of the accrued amount of the Sponsor’s fee differs from the currency exchange rate in effect on the day of accrual, the U.S. Shareholder will recognize a currency gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

The Trust does not expect to generate taxable income except for interest income (if any) and gain (if any) upon the sale of British Pounds Sterling. A non-U.S. Shareholder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain recognized upon the sale or other disposition of Shares, or upon the sale of British Pounds Sterling by the Trust, unless: (1) the non-U.S. Shareholder is an individual and is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale or other disposition, and the gain is treated as being from United States sources; or (2) the gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Shareholder of a trade or business in the United States.

A non-U.S. Shareholder’s portion of any interest income earned by the Trust generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the Shares owned by such non-U.S. Shareholder are effectively connected with the conduct by the non-U.S. Shareholder of a trade or business in the United States.

D. Revenue Recognition

Interest on the primary deposit account, if any, accrues daily as earned and is received or paid on a monthly basis. Any interest below zero for the period is reflected as interest expense.

E. Dividends

To the extent that the interest earned by the Trust, if any, exceeds the sum of the Sponsor’s fee for the prior month plus other Trust expenses, if any, the Trust will distribute, as a dividend (herein referred to as dividends or distributions), the excess interest earned in British Pounds Sterling effective on the first business day of the subsequent month. The Trustee will direct that the excess British Pounds Sterling be converted into USD at the prevailing market rate and the Trustee will distribute the USD as promptly as practicable to Shareholders on a pro-rata basis (in accordance with the number of Shares that they own).

3. British Pound Sterling Deposits

British Pound Sterling principal deposits are held in a British Pound Sterling-denominated, interest-bearing demand account. For the three months ended January 31, 2018, there were British Pound Sterling principal deposits of 14,581,735, British Pound Sterling principal redemptions of 38,879,993 and British Pound Sterling withdrawals (to pay expenses) of 138,003, resulting in an ending British Pound Sterling principal balance of 136,082,193. This equates to 193,515,724 USD. For the year ended October 31, 2017, there were British Pound Sterling principal deposits of 43,876,831, British Pound Sterling principal redemptions of 141,309,219 and British Pound Sterling withdrawals (to pay expenses) of 872,623, resulting in an ending British Pound Sterling principal balance of 160,518,454. This equates to 213,160,593 USD.

Net interest, if any, associated with creation and redemption activity is held in a British Pound Sterling-denominated non-interest-bearing account, and any balance is distributed in full as part of the monthly income distributions, if any.

4. Redeemable Capital Shares

Shares are classified as “redeemable” for financial statement purposes, since they are subject to redemption. Shares are issued and redeemed continuously in Baskets in exchange for British Pounds Sterling. Individual investors cannot purchase or redeem Shares in direct transactions with the Trust. Only Authorized Participants (as defined below) may place orders to create and redeem Baskets. An Authorized Participant is a Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participant that is a registered broker-dealer or other institution eligible to settle securities transactions through the book-entry facilities of the DTC and which has entered into a contractual arrangement with the Trust and the Sponsor governing, among other matters, the creation and redemption process. Authorized Participants may redeem their Shares at any time in Baskets.

Due to expected continuing creations and redemptions of Baskets and the two-day period for settlement of each creation or redemption, the Trust reflects Shares created as a receivable on the trade date. Shares redeemed are reflected as a liability on the trade date. Outstanding Shares are reflected at a redemption value, which is the NAV per Share at the period end date. Adjustments to redeemable capital Shares at redemption value are recorded against retained earnings or, in the absence of retained earnings, by charges against the cumulative translation adjustment.

Activity in redeemable capital Shares is as follows:


	Three months ended January 31, 2018 (Unaudited)						Year ended October 31, 2017
	Shares			U.S. Dollar Amount			Shares			U.S. Dollar Amount
Opening Balance		1,650,000		$	213,087,976			2,650,000		$	315,904,752
Shares issued		150,000			19,657,637			450,000			55,921,021
Shares redeemed		(400,000	)		(52,414,118	)		(1,450,000	)		(180,098,599	)
Adjustment to period Shares due to currency movement and other		—			13,131,015			—			21,360,802

Ending Balance		1,400,000		$	193,462,510			1,650,000		$	213,087,976

The Trustee calculates the Trust’s NAV each business day. To calculate the NAV, the Trustee subtracts the Sponsor’s accrued fee through the previous day from the British Pounds Sterling held by the Trust (including all unpaid interest, if any, accrued through the preceding day) and calculates the value of the British Pounds Sterling in USD based upon the Closing Spot Rate. If, on a particular evaluation day, the Closing Spot Rate has not been determined and announced by 6:00 PM (London time), then the most recent Closing Spot Rate will be used to determine the NAV of the Trust unless the Trustee, in consultation with the Sponsor, determines that such price is inappropriate to use as the basis for the valuation. If the Trustee and the Sponsor determine that the most recent Closing Spot Rate is not an appropriate basis for valuation of the Trust’s British Pounds Sterling, they will determine an alternative basis for the valuation. The Trustee also determines the NAV per Share, which equals the NAV of the Trust, divided by the number of outstanding Shares. Shares deliverable under a purchase order are considered outstanding for purposes of determining NAV per Share; Shares deliverable under a redemption order are not considered outstanding for this purpose.

5. Sponsor’s Fee

The Sponsor’s fee accrues daily at an annual nominal rate of 0.40% of the British Pounds Sterling in the Trust (including all unpaid interest but excluding unpaid fees, each as accrued through the immediately preceding day) and is paid monthly.

The Sponsor assumes and pays the following administrative and marketing expenses incurred by the Trust: the Trustee’s monthly fee, NYSE Arca listing fees, SEC registration fees, typical maintenance and transaction fees of the Depository, printing and mailing costs, audit fees and expenses, up to $100,000 per year in legal fees and expenses, and applicable license fees.

In certain exceptional cases the Trust will pay for some expenses in addition to the Sponsor’s fee. These exceptions include expenses not assumed by the Sponsor (i.e., expenses other than those identified in the preceding paragraph), expenses resulting from a negative interest rate, taxes and governmental charges, expenses and costs of any extraordinary services performed by the Trustee or the Sponsor on behalf of the Trust or action taken by the Trustee or the Sponsor to protect the Trust or the interests of Shareholders, indemnification of the Sponsor under the Depositary Trust Agreement, audit fees and legal expenses in excess of $100,000 per year.

6. Related Parties

The Sponsor is a related party of the Trust. The Sponsor oversees the performance of the Trustee and the Trust’s principal service providers, including the preparation of financial statements, but does not exercise day-to-day oversight over the Trustee or the Trust’s service providers.

7. Concentration Risk

All of the Trust’s assets are British Pounds Sterling, which creates a concentration risk associated with fluctuations in the price of the British Pound Sterling. Accordingly, a decline in the British Pound Sterling to USD exchange rate will have an adverse effect on the value of the Shares. Factors that may have the effect of causing a decline in the price of the British Pound Sterling include national debt levels and trade deficits, domestic and foreign inflation rates, domestic and foreign interest rates, investment and trading activities of institutions and global or regional political, economic or financial events and situations. Substantial sales of British Pounds Sterling by the official sector (central banks, other governmental agencies and related institutions that buy, sell and hold British Pounds Sterling as part of their reserve assets) could adversely affect an investment in the Shares.

All of the Trust’s British Pounds Sterling are held by the Depository. Accordingly, a risk associated with the concentration of the Trust’s assets in accounts held by a single financial institution exists and increases the potential for loss by the Trust and the Trust’s beneficiaries in the event that the Depository becomes insolvent.

Furthermore, on June 23, 2016, the citizens of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, marking the beginning of a process whose consequences are uncertain. Immediately after the vote of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, the USD price paid for British Pound Sterling fell to a 31-year low in the foreign exchange market. The long-term consequences for the United Kingdom economy of the United Kingdom exiting the European Union are unknown and unpredictable, as is the future direction of the value of British Pound Sterling and the Shares. These uncertainties could increase volatility in the market prices of the British Pound Sterling and the Shares. Increased volatility could, in itself, decrease the value of the Shares.

8. Commitments and Contingencies

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the Sponsor is indemnified against any liability or expense it incurs without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its part. The Trust’s maximum exposure under this arrangement is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred.

9. Subsequent Event

On September 28, 2017, Guggenheim Capital LLC entered into an agreement to sell its exchange-traded funds business to Invesco Ltd. (“Invesco”), a leading independent global investment management company (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, Invesco will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, the sponsor of the Trust. The Transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “outlook” and “estimate” and other similar words. Forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Various factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. These factors include fluctuations in the price of the British Pound Sterling, as the value of the Shares relates directly to the value of the British Pounds Sterling held by the Trust and price fluctuations could materially adversely affect an investment in the Shares. Readers are urged to review the “Risk Factors” section contained in the Trust’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K for a description of other risks and uncertainties that may affect an investment in the Shares.

Neither Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC d/b/a Guggenheim Investments (the “Sponsor”) nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of forward-looking statements contained in this report. The forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this report, and will not be revised or updated to reflect actual results or changes in the Sponsor’s expectations or predictions.

Trust Overview

The CurrencyShares^® British Pound Sterling Trust (the “Trust”) is a grantor trust that was formed on June 8, 2006. The Trust issues shares (the “Shares”) in blocks of 50,000 (a “Basket”) in exchange for deposits of British Pound Sterling and distributes British Pound Sterling in connection with the redemption of Baskets. The Shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “FXB” on June 26, 2006. The primary listing of the Shares was transferred to NYSE Arca on October 30, 2007.

The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the price of the British Pound Sterling plus accrued interest, if any, less the expenses of the Trust’s operations. The Shares are intended to offer investors an opportunity to participate in the market for the British Pound Sterling through an investment in securities. The Shares are intended to provide institutional and retail investors with a simple, cost-effective means of gaining investment benefits similar to those of holding the British Pound Sterling. The Shares are bought and sold on NYSE Arca like any other exchange-listed security. The Shares are backed by the assets of the Trust, which does not hold or use derivative products. The Trust is a passive investment vehicle and does not have any officers, directors or employees. The Trust does not engage in any activities designed to obtain profit from, or ameliorate losses caused by, changes in the price of the British Pound Sterling. Investing in the Shares does not insulate the investor from certain risks, including price volatility.

Definition of Net Asset Value

The Trustee calculates, and the Sponsor publishes, the Trust’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”) each business day. To calculate the NAV, the Trustee adds to the amount of British Pounds Sterling in the Trust at the end of the preceding day accrued but unpaid interest, if any, British Pounds Sterling receivable under pending purchase orders and the value of other Trust assets, and subtracts the accrued but unpaid Sponsor’s fee, British Pounds Sterling payable under pending redemption orders and other Trust expenses and liabilities, if any. The NAV is expressed in USD based on the British Pound Sterling/USD exchange rate as determined by The WM Company at 4:00 PM (London time / London fixing) (the “Closing Spot Rate”) on each day that NYSE Arca is open for regular trading. If, on a particular evaluation day, the Closing Spot Rate has not been determined and announced by 6:00 PM (London time), then the most recent Closing Spot Rate is used to determine the NAV of the Trust unless the Trustee, in consultation with the Sponsor, determines that such price is inappropriate to use as the basis for the valuation.

The Trustee also determines the NAV per Share, which equals the NAV of the Trust divided by the number of outstanding Shares. The NAV of the Trust and NAV per Share are published by the Sponsor on each day that NYSE Arca is open for regular trading and are posted on the Trust’s website, www.currencyshares.com.

Movements in the Price of British Pound Sterling

The investment objective of the Trust is for the Shares to reflect the price in USD of the British Pound Sterling plus accrued interest, if any, less the expenses of the Trust’s operations. The Shares are intended to provide institutional and retail investors with a simple, cost-effective means of gaining investment benefits similar to those of holding British Pounds Sterling. Each outstanding Share represents a proportional interest in the British Pounds Sterling held by the Trust. The following chart provides recent trends on the price of the British Pound Sterling. The chart illustrates movements in the price of the British Pound Sterling in USD and is based on the Closing Spot Rate:

LOGO

NAV per Share; Valuation of British Pound Sterling

The following chart illustrates the movement in the price of the Shares based on (1) NAV per Share, (2) the “bid” and “ask” midpoint offered on NYSE Arca and (3) the Closing Spot Rate, expressed as a multiple of 100 British Pounds Sterling:

LOGO

Liquidity

The Sponsor is not aware of any trends, demands, conditions or events that are reasonably likely to result in material changes to the Trust’s liquidity needs. The Trust’s Depository, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London Branch, maintains two deposit accounts for the Trust, a primary deposit account that may earn interest and a secondary deposit account that does not earn interest. Interest on the primary deposit account, if any, accrues daily and is paid monthly. The interest rate in effect as of January 31, 2018 was an annual nominal rate of 0.10%. The following chart provides the daily rate paid by the Depository since January 31, 2013:

LOGO

In exchange for a fee, the Sponsor bears most of the expenses incurred by the Trust. As a result, the only ordinary expense of the Trust during the period covered by this report was the Sponsor’s fee. Each month the Depository deposits into the secondary deposit account accrued but unpaid interest, if any, and the Trustee withdraws British Pounds Sterling from the secondary deposit account to pay the accrued Sponsor’s fee for the previous month plus other Trust expenses, if any. When the interest deposited, if any, exceeds the sum of the Sponsor’s fee for the prior month plus other Trust expenses, if any, the Trustee converts the excess into USD at the prevailing market rate and distributes the USD as promptly as practicable to Shareholders on a pro-rata basis (in accordance with the number of Shares that they own). The Trust did not make any distributions during the quarter ended January 31, 2018.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the Sponsor’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of the assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the period covered by this report.

In addition to the description below, please refer to Note 2 to the financial statements for further discussion of our accounting policies.

The functional currency of the Trust is the British Pound Sterling in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Translation.

Results of Operations

As of October 31, 2017, the number of British Pounds Sterling owned by the Trust was 160,518,454 resulting in a redeemable capital share value of $213,087,976. During the three months ended January 31, 2018, an additional 150,000 Shares were created in exchange for 14,581,735 British Pounds Sterling and 400,000 Shares were redeemed in exchange for 38,879,993 British Pounds Sterling. In addition, 138,003 Shares were withdrawn to pay the portion of the Sponsor’s fee that exceeded the interest earned. As of January 31, 2018, the number of British Pounds Sterling owned by the Trust was 136,082,193, resulting in a redeemable capital Share value of $193,462,510.

A decrease in the Trust’s redeemable capital Share value from $213,087,976 at October 31, 2017 to $193,462,510 at January 31, 2018 was primarily the result of a decrease in the number of Shares outstanding from 1,650,000 at October 31, 2017 to 1,400,000 at January 31, 2018. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in the Closing Spot Rate from 1.3280 at October 31, 2017 to 1.4221 at January 31, 2018.

Interest income increased from $0 for the three months ended January 31, 2017 to $47,279 for the three months ended January 31, 2018, attributable primarily to an increase in the annual nominal interest rate paid by the Depository, as set forth in the chart above. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the weighted-average British Pounds Sterling in the Trust.

The Sponsor’s fee accrues daily at an annual nominal rate of 0.40% of the British Pounds Sterling in the Trust. Due primarily to a decrease in the weighted-average British Pounds Sterling in the Trust, the Sponsor’s fee decreased from $313,155 for the three months ended January 31, 2017 to $210,047 for the three months ended January 31, 2018. The only expense of the Trust during the three months ended January 31, 2018 was the Sponsor’s fee.

The Trust’s net loss for the three months ended January 31, 2018 was $162,768 due to the Sponsor’s fee of $210,047 exceeding interest income of $47,279.

Cash dividends were not paid by the Trust during the three months ended January 31, 2017 or the three months ended January 31, 2018 as the Trust’s interest income did not exceed the Trust’s expenses during those periods.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Except as described above with respect to fluctuations in the British Pound Sterling/USD exchange rate and changes in the nominal annual interest rate paid by the Depository on British Pounds Sterling held by the Trust, the Trust is not subject to market risk. The Trust does not hold securities and does not invest in derivative products.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Trust maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) designed to ensure that material information relating to the Trust is recorded, processed and disclosed on a timely basis. The Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed by or under the supervision of the Sponsor’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, who exercise oversight over the Trust as the Trust has no officers. The chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Sponsor have evaluated the effectiveness of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures as of January 31, 2018. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Sponsor have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Trust’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2018.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(a) None.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) During the quarter ended January 31, 2018, 8 Baskets (400,000 Shares registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) were redeemed by the Trust, as follows:


Period	Total Number of Registered Shares Redeemed		Average Price Per Share
11/01/2017 – 11/30/2017		50,000	$	127.99
12/01/2017 – 12/31/2017		100,000	$	130.25
01/01/2018 – 01/31/2018		250,000	$	133.88

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit No.		Description

3.1		Certificate of Formation of Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC dated September 14, 2005, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File number 333-132361) filed by the Trust on March 13, 2006.

3.2		Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC dated March 27, 2012, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Trust on January 14, 2013.

3.3		Limited Liability Company Agreement of Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File number 333-132361) filed by the Trust on March 13, 2006.

4.1		Depositary Trust Agreement dated as of June 8, 2006 among Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, The Bank of New York Mellon, all registered owners and beneficial owners of British Pound Sterling Shares issued thereunder and all depositors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Trust on March 10, 2011.

4.2		Amendment to Depositary Trust Agreement dated as of November 13, 2008 between Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Trust on September 9, 2010.

4.3		Global Amendment to Depositary Trust Agreements dated as of March 6, 2012 between Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Trust on March 12, 2012.

4.4		Participant Agreement dated as of March 25, 2010 among Knight Clearing Services, LLC, The Bank of New York and Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (together with Schedule pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K), incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Trust on January 14, 2013.

4.5		Amendment to Participant Agreements dated as of December 9, 2010 among The Bank of New York Mellon, the trusts set forth on Schedule A thereto and Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Trust on March 10, 2011.

4.6		Amendment to Participant Agreements dated as of January 15, 2011 among The Bank of New York Mellon, the trusts set forth on Schedule A thereto and Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Trust on March 10, 2011.



4.7		Form of Participant Agreement among The Bank of New York Mellon, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, and the Authorized Participants listed in the Schedule attached thereto pursuant to Instruction 2 to Item 601 of Regulation S-K, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File number 333- 208994) filed by the Trust on January 14, 2016.

4.8		Global Amendment to Depositary Trust Agreements dated as of September 5, 2017 between Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Trust on September 11, 2017.

4.9		Global Amendment to Participant Agreements dated as of September 5, 2017 between Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Trust on September 11, 2017.

10.1		Deposit Account Agreement dated as of June 8, 2006 between The Bank of New York and the London Branch of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Trust on March 10, 2011.

10.2		Amendment to Deposit Account Agreement dated as of November 13, 2008 between The Bank of New York Mellon and the London Branch of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the Trust on September 9, 2010.

10.3		Sublicense Agreement dated as of June 9, 2006 between PADCO Advisors II, Inc. and Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Trust on March 10, 2011.

31.1		Certification by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2		Certification by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1		Certification by Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2		Certification by Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


	CURRENCYSHARES^®
	BRITISH POUND STERLING TRUST

	By	Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC
		Sponsor of the CurrencyShares^®
		British Pound Sterling Trust

Date: March 12, 2018		By:	/s/ KEITH D. KEMP
			Keith D. Kemp
			Chief Financial Officer
			(principal financial officer)

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Emerging growth company