UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2017

OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

BLENDED STRATEGIES PORTFOLIO

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

c/o GRAHAM CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, L.P.

40 Highland Avenue

Rowayton, CT  06853

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Graham Alternative Investment Fund I LLC

Blended Strategies Portfolio

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

March 31,June 30, 2017

1. Organization and Business

The Blended Strategies Portfolio (the “Fund”) is a series of Graham Alternative Investment Fund I LLC (“GAIF I”), a Delaware Series Limited Liability Company established through an amendment to the certificate of formation, effective March 28, 2013. Prior to March 28, 2013, GAIF I was organized as a Delaware Limited Liability Company which was formed on May 16, 2006 and commenced operations on August 1, 2006. GAIF I has one other active series in addition to the Fund, the Systematic Strategies Portfolio. GAIF I is registered as a commodity pool and as such is subject to the oversight and jurisdiction of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).

As a Series Limited Liability Company each series is legally segregated, and the assets associated with each series are held separately and accounted for in separate and distinct records from the assets of any other series of GAIF I. The debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to a particular series are enforceable against the assets of such series only, and not against the assets of GAIF I generally or any other series thereof. Further, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to GAIF I are enforceable against the assets of any other series.

The Fund offers investors Class 0 and Class 2 units. The Fund invests all of its assets dedicated to trading in Graham Alternative Investment Trading LLC (“GAIT”), a Delaware Limited Liability Company which was formed on May 18, 2006 and commenced operations on August 1, 2006. GAIT invests in various master trading vehicles (“Master Funds”) and Graham Cash Assets LLC (“Cash Assets”), all of which are managed by Graham Capital Management, L.P. (the “Advisor” or “Manager”). The Manager is the manager and the sole investment advisor of GAIT and the Fund. The Manager is registered as a Commodity Pool Operator and Commodity Trading Advisor with the U.S. CFTC and is a member of the National Futures Association. The Manager is also registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. The Fund’s Units are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

The investment objective of the Fund is to achieve long-term capital appreciation through professionally managed trading in both U.S. and foreign markets primarily in futures contracts, forwards contracts, spot currency contracts, and associated derivative instruments, such as options and swaps, through its investment in GAIT, which in turn invests in various Master Funds. The Master Funds seek to profit from opportunities in the global financial markets, including interest rate futures, foreign exchange, global stock indices and energy, metals and agricultural futures, as professionally managed multi-strategy investment vehicles. Each of the investment programs consists of multiple trading strategies of the Manager, which the Manager has combined in an effort to diversify the Fund’s investment exposure and to make the Fund’s performance returns less volatile and more consistently profitable.

SEI Global Services, Inc. (“SEI”) is the Fund’s independent administrator and transfer agent. SEI is responsible for certain matters pertaining to the administration of the Fund.

The Fund will terminate on December 31, 2050 or at an earlier date if certain conditions occur as outlined in the Limited Liability Company Agreement (“LLC Agreement”).

The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of GAIT; therefore these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the attached financial statements of GAIT.

 

Duties of the Manager

Subject to the terms and conditions of the LLC Agreement, the Manager has complete and exclusive responsibility for managing and administering the affairs of the Fund and for directing the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and GAIT.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and all amounts are stated in U.S. dollars. The Fund is an investment company and applies specialized accounting guidance as outlined in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Manager to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Investment in Graham Alternative Investment Trading LLC

The Fund records its investment in GAIT at fair value based upon the Fund’s proportionate share of GAIT’s reported net asset value in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In determining its net asset value, GAIT records its investments in Master Funds at fair value based upon GAIT’s proportionate share of the Master Funds’ reported net asset value. The Fund records its proportionate share of GAIT’s investment income and loss, expenses, fees, and realized and unrealized gains and losses on a monthly basis and includes them in the statements of operations. Purchases and sales of units in GAIT are recorded on a trade date basis. The accounting policies of GAIT are described in its attached financial statements.

GAIT charges its investors, including the Fund, an advisory fee, sponsor fee, and incentive allocation, all of which are described in detail in Note 4. The Fund does not charge any additional fees; however each investor in the Fund indirectly bears a portion of the advisory fee, sponsor fee, and incentive allocation charged by GAIT.

At March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Fund owned 54.99%54.44% and 52.99%, respectively of GAIT.

Fair Value

The fair value of the assets and liabilities of the Fund and GAIT, which qualify as financial instruments under U.S. GAAP, approximates the carrying amounts presented in the statements of financial condition. Changes in these carrying amounts are included in the statements of operations.

The Fund follows U.S. GAAP for fair value measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. The Fund reports the fair value of its investment related assets and liabilities in accordance with the hierarchy established under U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP uses a three level hierarchy for fair value measurement based on the activeness of the market and the transparency and independence of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.

 

 

Graham Alternative Investment Fund I LLC

Blended Strategies Portfolio

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements (continued)

 

Graham Alternative Investment Fund I LLC

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements (continued)

Graham Alternative Investment Fund I LLC

Blended Strategies Portfolio

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements (continued)

Graham Alternative Investment Trading LLC

Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements

March 31,June 30, 2017

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Due from/to Brokers

Due from/to brokers on the Master Funds’ financial statements primarily consist of cash balances carried as margin deposits with clearing brokers for the purpose of trading in futures contracts, foreign currency contracts and other derivative instruments and securities, and receivables/payables for unsettled transactions. Substantially all of the Master Funds’ cash and investments are held as collateral by its brokers to secure derivative instruments and securities.

All financial instruments are recorded on the trade date at fair value. Net unrealized gain or loss on open derivative instruments is included in the Master Funds’ statements of financial condition as the difference between the original purchase price and the current market value at the end of the period. Any change in net unrealized gain or loss from the preceding period is reported in the Master Funds’ statements of operations. Interest income and expense are recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are net of related withholding taxes. All other expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses are calculated based on the specific identification method.

Brokerage commissions and fees on the Master Funds’ financial statements represent all brokerage commissions and other fees incurred in connection with the Master Funds’ trading activity and are recorded on the accrual basis.

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rates at March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are calculated using daily exchange rates prevailing on the transaction date. The Master Funds do not isolate the portion of results of operations from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments and cash from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices held. Currency translation gains and losses are included in the statement of operations within net realized gain (loss)loss and net (decrease) increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments.

Fair Value

The fair value of GAIT’s assets and liabilities, which qualify as financial instruments under U.S. GAAP, approximates the carrying amounts presented in the statements of financial condition. Changes in these carrying amounts are included in the statements of operations and incentive allocation.

GAIT follows U.S. GAAP for fair value measurements, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. GAIT reports the fair value of its investment related assets and liabilities in accordance with the hierarchy established under U.S. GAAP. U.S. GAAP uses a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurement based on the activeness of the market and the transparency and independence of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.

 

Fair Value (continued)

The fair value hierarchy categorizes asset and liability positions into one of three levels, as summarized below, based on the inputs and assumptions used in deriving fair value.

GAIT’s investments in Master Funds and Graham Cash Assets LLC (“Cash Assets”) have been valued at net asset value using the practical expedient. Accordingly under U.S. GAAP, these investments are excluded from categorization in the fair value hierarchy. GAIT’s investments in Master Funds and Cash Assets are discussed in Notes 3 and 4. There were no Level 3 assets or liabilities held at any point during the threesix months ended March 31,June 30, 2017 or the year ended December 31, 2016 by GAIT, the Master Funds, or Cash Assets, and there were no transfers between levels during those periods. Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized as of the beginning of the year.

Derivative Instruments

In the normal course of business, the Master Funds utilize derivative financial instruments in connection with their trading activities. Derivative instruments derive their value from underlying assets, indices, reference rates or a combination of these factors. Investments in derivative financial instruments are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment. The Master Funds’ derivative financial instruments are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate, commodity price, and equity price risks. These risks can be in excess of the amounts recognized in the statements of financial condition. In addition, the Master Funds are also subject to additional counterparty risk should their counterparties fail to meet the terms of their contracts. Management of counterparty risk involves a number of considerations, such as the financial profile of the counterparty, specific terms and duration of the contractual agreement, and the value of collateral held, if any. The Master Funds have established initial credit approval, credit limits, and collateral requirements and may reduce their exposure to any counterparties they deem necessary. Trading in non-U.S. dollar denominated derivative instruments may subject the value of, and gains and losses associated with, such contracts to additional risks related to adverse changes in the applicable exchange rates.

Unrealized gains and losses from derivative financial instruments are recorded based on changes in their fair value. Realized gains and losses are recorded when the positions are closed. All unrealized and realized gains and losses related to derivative financial instruments are included in net gain (loss) on investments in the Master Funds’ statements of operations.

The Master Funds use futures contracts in an attempt to take advantage of changes in the value of equities, commodities, interest rates, bonds and foreign currencies. Futures contracts are valued based upon the closing price as of the valuation date established by the primary exchange upon which they are traded.

 

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Derivative Instruments (continued)

A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset or cash settlement based on the value of an asset on a specified date. The purchase and sale of futures contracts are executed on an exchange which requires margin deposits with a Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”). Subsequent payments are made or received by the Master Funds each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract. These changes in valuation are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Master Funds. Relative to over-the-counter derivative financial instruments, futures contracts provide reduced counterparty risk to the Master Funds since futures are exchange-traded and the exchanges’ clearing house guarantees the futures against default. However, some non-U.S. exchanges are “principals’ markets” in which no common clearing facility exists and the Master Funds may look only to the clearing broker for performance of the contract. The U.S. Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all funds received from such FCM’s customers in respect of regulated futures transactions. If the FCM were not to do so to the full extent required by law, the assets of the Master Funds might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the FCM. In that case, the Master Funds would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the FCM’s combined customer accounts, even though certain property specifically traceable to the Master Funds was held by the FCM. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of an exchange or an affiliated clearing house, the Master Funds might experience a loss of funds deposited through its FCM as margin with such exchange or affiliated clearing house, the loss of unrealized profits on its open positions, and the loss of funds owed to it as realized profits on closed positions.

The Master Funds enter into foreign currency forward contracts in an attempt to take advantage of changes in exchange rates. Forward currency transactions are contracts or agreements for delivery of specific currencies or the cash equivalent value at a specified future date and an agreed upon price. Forward contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or clearing house and therefore the risks include the inability of counterparties to meet their obligations under the terms of the contracts as well as the risks associated with movements in fair value.

Exchange traded forward contracts are valued based upon the settlement prices as of the valuation date, established by the primary exchange upon which they are traded. All other forward contracts are valued based upon a forward curve constructed using independently quoted forward points. Changes in fair value of each forward contract are recognized as unrealized gains or losses.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Derivative Instruments (continued)

The Master Funds may enter into various swap contracts in an attempt to take advantage of changes in interest rates and asset values. Exchange traded interest rate swap contracts are executed on an exchange which requires margin deposits with a Central Clearing Counterparty (“CCP”). Subsequent payments are made or received by the Master Funds each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract. These changes in valuation are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Master Funds. Relative to over-the-counter interest rate swap contracts, exchange traded interest rate swap contracts provide reduced counterparty risk since they are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse guarantees against default. The Commodity Exchange Act requires a CCP to segregate all funds received from such CCP’s customers in respect of exchange traded interest rate swaps. If the CCP were not to do so to the full extent required by law, the assets of the Master Funds might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the CCP. In that case, the Master Funds would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the CCP’s combined customer accounts, even though certain property specifically traceable to the Master Funds is held by the CCP. In addition, in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of an exchange or an affiliated clearing house, the Master Funds could experience a loss of funds deposited through its CCP as margin with such exchange or affiliated clearing house, the loss of unrealized profits on its open positions, and the loss of funds owed to it as realized profits on closed positions. All funds deposited with both U.S. and non-U.S. CCPs are included in due from brokers on the statements of financial condition. Over the counter swap contracts are not guaranteed by an exchange or an affiliated clearing house or regulated by any U.S. or foreign government authorities. Failure of a counterparty to meet its obligation under the terms of the swap contract could result in the loss of any unrealized gains on open positions. It may not be possible to dispose of or close out a swap position without the consent of the counterparty, and the Master Funds may not be able to enter into an offsetting contract in order to cover its risk.

An interest rate swap contract is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified rates for a specified notional amount of the underlying assets. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to another. Interest rate swap positions are generally valued as the present value of the net future cash flows as estimated by the AdvisorManager using a discount curve constructed from independently obtained future interest rate assumptions.

A total return swap contract is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange cash flows calculated by reference to changes in specified prices for a specified notional amount of the underlying assets. The payment flows are usually netted against each other, with the difference being paid by one party to another. Total return swaps are generally valued based upon the value of the underlying instruments as determined by the primary exchange on which they are traded.

Exchange traded swaps are valued based upon the closing prices established by the primary exchange upon which they are traded. Changes in fair value of each swap are recognized as unrealized gains or losses. The Master Funds record realized gains or losses when a swap contract is terminated.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Derivative Instruments (continued)

The Master Funds may buy and sell covered and uncovered exchange traded and over-the-counter options on futures, foreign currencies, commodities, interest rates and equities to take advantage of the price movements of the financial instrument underlying the option or to hedge positions in the underlying assets. Option contracts give one party the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time or on a specified date, a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price. Options may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

When purchasing options, the Master Funds are exposed to counterparty risk to the extent that a seller of an over-the-counter option does not meet its obligations under the terms of the option contract. The maximum risk of loss to the Master Funds is the unrealized gains of the contracts and the premiums paid to purchase its open option contracts. Relative to over-the-counter options, exchange traded options provide reduced counterparty risk to the Master Funds since the exchanges’ clearinghouse guarantees the option against default.

Selling uncovered options may subject the Master Funds to unlimited risk of loss. As the writer of an option, the Master Funds bear the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the underlying instrument.

Exchange traded options are valued based upon the settlement prices published as of the valuation date by the principal exchange upon which they are traded. In the absence of an exchange published settlement price, the option will be valued using the last reported sales price reported on the exchange for the valuation date. Over-the-counter options and exchange traded options with no reported sales price on the valuation date will generally be valued at the average of last reported bid and offer quotes from independent brokers or from the exchange, respectively.

OTC derivative instruments are subject to ISDA Master Agreements which generally require among other things, that the Master Funds maintain a predetermined level of net assets or rate of return, and provide limits with respect to any decline in value over 1-month, 3-month and 12-month periods. If the Master Funds were to violate such provisions, the counterparty to these instruments could demand liquidation of the outstanding positions. There were no events that occurred throughout the threesix month period ended March 31,June 30, 2017 or the year ended December 31, 2016 which caused any counterparty to demand liquidation of any outstanding positions. At March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no derivative instruments subject to credit risk related contingent features in a net liability position for either of the Master Funds in which GAIT invests except for Graham K4D Trading Ltd.invests. Graham K4D Trading Ltd. had derivative instruments subject to credit risk related contingent features in a net liability position in the amount of $14,828,010$45,226,633 and $0 at MarchJune 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Graham Commodity Strategies LLC had derivative instruments subject to credit risk related contingent features in a net liability position in the amount of $2,143,049 and $0 at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

 

Graham Commodity Strategies LLC, a Master Fund in which GAIT invests, is a member of the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”). As a result of its membership, Graham Commodity Strategies LLC owns two NYMEX seats and 30,000 shares of the CME Group. Graham Commodity Strategy LLC’s policy is to value the NYMEX memberships and the shares of the CME Group at fair value. As of March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the two NYMEX memberships were valued at $330,500$301,000 and $398,000, respectively, and the 30,000 shares of CME Group were valued at $3,564,000$3,757,200 and $3,460,500, respectively, both of which are contained within Exchange Memberships on Graham Commodity Strategies LLC’s statements of financial condition. The NYMEX seats and shares are considered Level 1 assets as described in the Fair Value section of Note 2.

Graham K4D Trading Ltd., a Master Fund in which GAIT invests, is a member of the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) under Rule 106.S and owns two B-1/Full seats and one B-2/Associate seat. Graham K4D Trading Ltd.’s policy is to value the CBOT memberships at fair value. As of March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the B-1/Full memberships were valued at $514,500$445,500 and $404,000, respectively, and the B-2/Associate memberships were valued at $73,000$61,500 and $62,750, respectively, both of which are included in CMEExchange Membership on the statements of financial condition. Additionally, Graham K4D Trading Ltd. owns a Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) seat valued at $230,000$210,750 and $200,000 at March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, which is also included in Exchange Membership on the statements of financial condition. The CBOT memberships and shares and CME seat are considered Level 1 assets as described in the Fair Value section of Note 2.

In the normal course of business, the Master Funds, Cash Assets, and GAIT enter into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. Such contracts may include those by Cash Assets and the Master Funds with their brokers and trading counterparties. GAIT’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown; however, GAIT has not had prior claims or losses with respect to such indemnifications and considers the risk of loss to be remote. At March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, no accruals have been recorded by GAIT for indemnifications.

 

As of March 31,June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, GAIT invested in various Master Funds, all of which were managed by the Manager. GAIT’s investments in these Master Funds, as well as the investment objectives of each Master Fund, are summarized below. Master Funds in which GAIT invested 5% or more of its members’ capital are individually identified. All of the Master Funds and GAIT are related parties. The Master Funds do not charge management or incentive fees and all offer monthly subscriptions and redemptions.