VanEck International Investors Gold A INIVX

VanEck announced on Jan. 31, 2023, that Joe Foster, lead manager of VanEck International Investors Gold, will be transitioning to a gold strategist role as of May 1, 2023. He’ll still be involved with the strategy’s team beyond that date, however, and deputy portfolio manager Imaru Casanova will take over. The mutual fund retains its Above Average People rating and its Morningstar Analyst Ratings of Bronze or Neutral, depending on share class fees. The team will continue to benefit from Foster’s experience in his new role. Foster will continue offering insights into mining companies based on his 40-plus years of industry experience. That experience is impressive and relevant. Before taking the lead here in late 1998, he was an exploration geologist, which gives him unique insights into mining projects. He leveraged this experience well while serving as the strategy’s solo manager until May 2014 when Casanova stepped on as deputy portfolio manager. Since then, she has worked alongside Foster and is well-equipped to take over. She has more than 20 years of industry experience, including time as a petroleum engineer. Two analysts will continue supporting Casanova in her research efforts: Charl Malan and Adam Graf. Both have more than 20 years of industry experience, a respectable amount. This team remains one of the deepest among gold-equity peers. Correction (Feb. 7, 2023): A previous version of this note incorrectly identified the deputy portfolio manager as Maria Smirnova instead of Imaru Casanova.