Why did Joseph R. Cavatoni leave his role at SPDR Gold Trust’s sponsor?

Joseph R. Cavatoni left his Principal Executive Officer role at the sponsor to expand his responsibilities at the World Gold Council. He is becoming Senior Market Strategist and Head of Public Policy, Americas, while the trust notes his departure is not due to any disagreement about its operations.

What is Jonathan D. Spiegel’s background before joining SPDR Gold Trust’s sponsor?

Jonathan D. Spiegel previously served as Director and Head of ETF Product Development at New York Life Investment Management, after earlier roles in product development and global funds at New York Life and Goldman Sachs. He holds degrees from Pennsylvania State University and Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business.

SPDR Gold Trust (NYSEARCA: GLD) appoints new executive officer

Filing Impact

(High)

Filing Sentiment

(Neutral)

Form Type

8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

SPDR Gold Trust reported a leadership change at its sponsor, World Gold Trust Services, LLC, effective February 9, 2026. Joseph R. Cavatoni stepped down as Principal Executive Officer to expand his role at the World Gold Council as Senior Market Strategist and Head of Public Policy, Americas.

The sponsor appointed Jonathan D. Spiegel, age 44, as the new Principal Executive Officer on the same date. The trust states that Mr. Cavatoni’s departure does not arise from any disagreement regarding the trust’s operations, policies, or practices, and provides Mr. Spiegel’s prior ETF and asset-management experience.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

02/09/2026 - 12:09 PM

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 9, 2026

SPDR® GOLD TRUST

SPONSORED BY WORLD GOLD TRUST SERVICES, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York	001-32356	81-6124035
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

c/o World Gold Trust Services, LLC

685 Third Avenue, Suite 2702

New York, New York 10017

(Address of principal executive offices; zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 317-3800

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report):

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s) Name		Name of each exchange on which registered
SPDR® Gold Shares		GLD®		NYSE Arca, Inc.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

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. ☐

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective February 9, 2026, Joseph R. Cavatoni will step down as the Principal Executive Officer of World Gold Trust Services, LLC (the “Sponsor”), the Sponsor of SPDR® Gold Trust (the “Trust”), in order to expand his role at the World Gold Council (“WGC”) as the as the Senior Market Strategist and Head of Public Policy, Americas. On the same date, the Sponsor appointed Jonathan D. Spiegel to serve as the Sponsor’s new Principal Executive Officer, with immediate effect. Mr. Cavatoni’s departure does not arise from any disagreement on any matter relating to the operations, policies or practices of the Trust.

Mr. Spiegel, age 44, joined WGC on January 13, 2026, as the Chief Executive Officer of the Funds. Prior to that, Mr. Speigel was Director and Head of ETF Product Development at New York Life Investment Management from October 2021 through December 2025, having previously served as Director of Product Development from August 2016 to October 2021. From June 2010 to August 2016, Mr. Spiegel was a Vice President within the Global Funds Group at Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Earlier in his career, he served as an Associate with Morgan Stanley Investment Management from 2007 to June 2010. Mr. Spiegel earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University.

SIGNATURE

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.


Date: February 9, 2026	SPDR® GOLD TRUST
	(Registrant)*


	By:	World Gold Trust Services, LLC as the Sponsor of the Registrant

	By:	/s/ Amanda Krichman
		Name: Amanda Krichman Title: Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

As the Registrant is a trust, this report is being filed on behalf of the Registrant by World Gold Trust Services, LLC, only in its capacity as the sponsor of the Registrant. The identified person signing this report is signing in her capacity as an authorized officer of World Gold Trust Services, LLC.

Source: View Original Filing on SEC EDGAR

FAQ

What leadership change did SPDR Gold Trust (GLD) disclose?

SPDR Gold Trust disclosed that Joseph R. Cavatoni stepped down as Principal Executive Officer of its sponsor on February 9, 2026. On the same date, Jonathan D. Spiegel was appointed as the new Principal Executive Officer, providing continuity in oversight of the trust’s sponsoring entity.

Who is the new Principal Executive Officer for SPDR Gold Trust (GLD)?

The sponsor appointed Jonathan D. Spiegel as Principal Executive Officer effective February 9, 2026. He joined the World Gold Council in January 2026 as Chief Executive Officer of the Funds and previously held ETF product development and asset-management roles at New York Life and Goldman Sachs.

Did SPDR Gold Trust report any governance concerns tied to this leadership change?

The trust specifically states that Joseph R. Cavatoni’s departure does not arise from any disagreement related to the trust’s operations, policies, or practices. This language signals a routine leadership transition rather than a dispute-driven change or governance controversy at the sponsoring entity.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

4 documents