Short Interest in VanEck Merk Gold ETF (NYSEARCA:OUNZ) Declines By 41.5%

Posted by Donna Armstrong on Feb 15th, 2026

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

Hedge Funds Weigh In On VanEck Merk Gold ETF

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

More VanEck Merk Gold ETF News

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

Shares of OUNZ traded up $1.17 on Friday, reaching $48.44. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,164,964 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,086,802. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $44.58 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $39.44. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.02 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.97 and a beta of 0.08. 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

(Get Free Report)

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.