The iShares S&P GSCI Commodity-Indexed Trust reported a significant increase in its financial performance for the first quarter of 2025, with net assets rising to $1.05 billion, up from $967.5 million at the end of 2024. This increase was primarily driven by a net increase in the number of outstanding shares, which grew from 44.5 million to 46.3 million during the quarter. The net asset value (NAV) per share also saw a rise, reaching $22.75, compared to $21.74 at the end of the previous fiscal period, reflecting a 4.65% increase.
Investment income for the quarter totaled $11.1 million, a decrease from $13 million in the same period last year. The Trust's total expenses increased slightly to $2.1 million from $2 million, with sponsor fees accounting for $1.9 million. The net investment income for the quarter was reported at $9 million, down from $11 million in the prior year. The Trust experienced a net realized and unrealized gain of $36.5 million, contributing to a total net increase in net assets from operations of $45.6 million, compared to $92.3 million in the same quarter of 2024.
Operationally, the Trust's assets are primarily invested in index futures contracts on the S&P GSCI Excess Return Index, along with cash and U.S. Treasury securities. As of March 31, 2025, the Trust held $1 billion in short-term investments, up from $927.4 million at the end of 2024. The Trust's cash reserves decreased to $991,563 from $1.5 million, indicating a shift in asset allocation. The average month-end notional amounts of open index futures increased to $1.02 billion from $978.7 million in the previous year, reflecting a growing engagement in futures trading.
The Trust's management noted that the increase in NAV was influenced by a 3.78% rise in the settlement price for index futures, alongside interest income from U.S. Treasury bills. The Trust's liquidity remains stable, with no anticipated need for additional liquidity as share creations and redemptions typically occur in-kind. However, the management acknowledged potential market risks due to the limited number of market participants in the index futures market, which could impact the Trust's ability to liquidate positions if necessary.
Looking ahead, the Trust's management remains cautious about market conditions, emphasizing the importance of monitoring fluctuations in the value of index futures and the overall commodities market. The Trust continues to focus on tracking the investment returns of the S&P GSCI Total Return Index while managing operational expenses and maintaining liquidity to support its investment strategy.