Note 6. DEPOSITS WITH FUTURES BROKERS
The Trust deposits assets with UBS Securities LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as the futures brokers, subject to Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations and various exchange and futures broker requirements. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of U.S. Treasury Bills and cash with such futures brokers. The Trust typically earns interest income on its assets deposited with the futures brokers.
Note 7. DEPOSITS WITH INTERBANK MARKET MAKER
The Trust’s counterparty with regard to its forward currency transactions is NatWest Markets plc (“NatWest”). The Trust has entered into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreement (“ISDA Agreement”) with NatWest which governs these transactions. The credit ratings reported by the three major rating agencies for NatWest were considered investment grade as of March 31, 2020. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of cash with NatWest. The Trust typically earns interest income on its assets deposited with NatWest.
Note 8. SUBSCRIPTIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
Investments in the Trust are made by subscription agreement, subject to acceptance by Campbell & Company.
The Trust is not required to make distributions, but may do so at the sole discretion of Campbell & Company. A unitholder may request and receive redemption of units owned, subject to restrictions in the Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement. Units are transferable, but no market exists for their sale and none is expected to develop. Monthly redemptions are permitted upon ten (10) business days advance written notice to Campbell & Company.
Redemption fees, which are paid to Campbell & Company, apply to Series A units through the first twelve month-ends following purchase (the month-end as of which the unit is purchased is counted as the first month-end) as follows: 1.833% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the second month-end, 1.666% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the third month-end, 1.500% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the fourth month-end, 1.333% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the fifth month-end, 1.167% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the sixth month-end, 1.000% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the seventh month-end, 0.833% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the eighth month-end, 0.667% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the ninth month-end, 0.500% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the tenth month-end, 0.333% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the eleventh month-end and 0.167% of Net Asset Value per unit redeemed through the twelfth month end. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, Campbell & Company received redemption fees of $0 and $36, respectively.
Note 9. TRADING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED RISKS
The Trust engages in the speculative trading of U.S. and foreign futures contracts and forward currency contracts (collectively, “derivatives”). Specifically, the Trust trades a portfolio focused on futures and forward contracts, which are instruments designed to hedge changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, stock index values, metals, energy and agriculture values. The Trust is exposed to both market risk, the risk arising from changes in the fair value of the contracts, and credit risk, the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.
Market Risk
For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the fair value of the contracts. Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Trust’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash flow. The Trust’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of exchange rates, interest rates, equity price levels, the fair value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Trust’s open positions and the liquidity of the markets in which it trades. Theoretically, the Trust is exposed to a market risk equal to the notional contract value of futures and forward currency contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short. See Note 1.C. for an explanation of how the Trust determines its valuation for derivatives as well as the netting of derivatives.
The Trust adopted the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 provides enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.
The following tables summarize quantitative information required by ASC 815. The fair value of the Trust’s derivatives by instrument type, as well as the location of those instruments on the Statements of Financial Condition, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:
Type of Instrument * | | Statements of Financial Condition Location | | Asset Derivatives at March 31, 2020 Fair Value | | | Liability Derivatives at March 31, 2020 Fair Value | | | Net | |
| Agriculture Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | $ | 500,486 | | | $ | (439,339 | ) | | $ | 61,147 | |
| Energy Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 850,234 | | | | (7,019 | ) | | | 843,215 | |
| Metal Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 16,772,328 | | | | (10,579,842 | ) | | | 6,192,486 | |
| Stock Indices Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 139,119 | | | | (1,892,075 | ) | | | (1,752,956 | ) |
| Short-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 268,261 | | | | (214,402 | ) | | | 53,859 | |
| Long-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 1,007,114 | | | | (1,342,852 | ) | | | (335,738 | ) |
| Forward Currency Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open Forward Currency Contracts | | | 54,499,080 | | | | (37,167,595 | ) | | | 17,331,485 | |
| Totals | | | | $ | 74,036,622 | | | $ | (51,643,124 | ) | | $ | 22,393,498 | |
* Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
Type of Instrument * | | Statements of Financial Condition Location | | Asset Derivatives at December 31, 2019 Fair Value | | | Liability Derivatives at December 31, 2019 Fair Value | | | Net | |
| Agriculture Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | $ | 193,039 | | | $ | (2,931,321 | ) | | $ | (2,738,282 | ) |
| Energy Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 1,761,936 | | | | (275,743 | ) | | | 1,486,193 | |
| Metal Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 5,593,742 | | | | (8,006,981 | ) | | | (2,413,239 | ) |
| Stock Indices Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 1,340,862 | | | | (1,169,714 | ) | | | 171,148 | |
| Short-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 314,422 | | | | (1,080,128 | ) | | | (765,706 | ) |
| Long-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | | 1,421,030 | | | | (5,301,081 | ) | | | (3,880,051 | ) |
| Forward Currency Contracts | | Net unrealized gain (loss) on open Forward Currency Contracts | | | 23,303,459 | | | | (25,967,136 | ) | | | (2,663,677 | ) |
| Totals | | | | $ | 33,928,490 | | | $ | (44,732,104 | ) | | $ | (10,803,614 | ) |
* Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
The trading gains and losses of the Trust’s derivatives by instrument type, as well as the location of those gains and losses on the Statements of Operations, for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
| Type of Instrument | | Trading Gains/(Losses) for
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | | | Trading Gains/(Losses) for
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 | |
| Agriculture Contracts | | $ | 3,712,427 | | | $ | 852,719 | |
| Energy Contracts | | | 9,953,259 | | | | (4,099,499 | ) |
| Metal Contracts | | | 8,243,449 | | | | (1,676,556 | ) |
| Stock Indices Contracts | | | (44,993,303 | ) | | | 7,931,870 | |
| Short-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | | 15,241,726 | | | | 4,294,530 | |
| Long-Term Interest Rate Contracts | | | 4,039,036 | | | | 11,638,178 | |
| Forward Currency Contracts | | | 25,151,024 | | | | (3,525,678 | ) |
| Total | | $ | 21,347,618 | | | $ | 15,415,564 | |
| Line Item in the Statements of Operations | | Trading Gains/(Losses) for
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | | | Trading Gains/(Losses) for
the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019 | |
| Futures trading gains (losses): | | | | | | |
| Realized** | | $ | (17,005,356 | ) | | $ | 11,332,347 | |
| Change in unrealized | | | 13,201,950 | | | | 7,608,895 | |
| Forward currency trading gains (losses): | | | | | | | | |
| Realized** | | | 5,155,862 | | | | 7,832,537 | |
| Change in unrealized | | | 19,995,162 | | | | (11,358,215 | ) |
| Total | | $ | 21,347,618 | | | $ | 15,415,564 | |
| ** | For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the amounts above include gains and losses on foreign currency cash balances at the futures brokers of $52,869 and $93,045, respectively; and gains and losses on spot trades in connection with forward currency trading at the interbank market makers of $1,697,113 and $0, respectively. |
For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the monthly average of futures contracts bought and sold was approximately 59,900 and 49,200, respectively, and the monthly average of notional value of forward currency contracts was $2,326,700,000 and $3,493,300,000, respectively.
Open contracts generally mature within three months; as of March 31, 2020, the latest maturity date for open futures contracts is June 2021 and the latest maturity date for open forward currency contracts is June 2020. However, the Trust intends to close all futures and forward currency contracts prior to maturity.
Credit Risk
The Trust trades futures contracts on exchanges that require margin deposits with the futures brokers. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act requires a futures broker to segregate all customer transactions and assets from such futures broker’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other property (for example, U.S. Treasury Bills) deposited with a futures broker are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the futures broker’s segregation requirements. In the event of a futures broker’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available. It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than total cash and other property deposited.
The Trust trades forward currency contracts in unregulated markets between principals and assumes the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. Accordingly, the risks associated with forward currency contracts are generally greater than those associated with exchange traded contracts because of the greater risk of counterparty default. Additionally, the trading of forward currency contracts typically involves delayed cash settlement.
The Trust has a portion of its assets on deposit with PNC Bank. In the event of a financial institution’s insolvency, recovery of the Trust’s assets on deposit may be limited to account insurance or other protection afforded such deposits.
Under the terms of the ISDA Agreement with NatWest, upon the designation of an Event of Default, as defined in the ISDA Agreement, the non-defaulting party may set-off any sum or obligation owed by the defaulting party to the non-defaulting party against any sum or obligation owed by the non-defaulting party to the defaulting party. If any sum or obligation is unascertained, the non-defaulting party may in good faith estimate that sum or obligation and set-off in respect to that estimate, accounting to the other party when such sum or obligation is ascertained.
Under the terms of each of the master netting agreement with UBS Securities and Goldman Sachs, upon occurrence of a default by the Trust, as defined in respective account documents, UBS Securities and Goldman Sachs have the right to close out any or all open contracts held in the Trust’s account; sell any or all of the securities held; and borrow or buy any securities, contracts or other property for the Trust’s account. The Trust would be liable for any deficiency in its account resulting from such transactions.
The amount of required margin and good faith deposits with the futures broker and interbank market maker usually range from 10% to 30% of Net Asset Value. The fair value of securities held to satisfy such requirements at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $50,437,119 and $53,641,527, respectively, which equals approximately 16% and 17% of Net Asset Value, respectively. The cash deposited with the interbank market maker at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $24,153,417 and 44,667,046, respectively, which equals approximately 8% and 14% of Net Asset Value, respectively. These amounts are included in cash and cash equivalents. Included in cash deposits with the futures brokers and interbank market maker at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was restricted cash for margin requirements of $1,700,164 and $34,464,229, respectively, which equals approximately 1% and 11% of Net Asset Value, respectively.
Set forth below are tables which disclose both gross information and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the Statements of Financial Condition and instruments and transactions that are subject to a master netting agreement as well as amounts related to financial collateral (including U.S. Treasury Bills and cash collateral) held at clearing brokers and counterparties. Margin reflected in the collateral tables is limited to the net amount of unrealized loss at each counterparty. Actual margin amounts required at each counterparty are based on the notional amounts or the number of contracts outstanding and may exceed the margin presented in the collateral tables.
| Offsetting of Derivative Assets by Counterparty | |
As of March 31, 2020 | |
Type of Instrument | | Counterparty | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Gain Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition | |
Futures contracts | | UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 9,810,206 | | | $ | (7,450,207 | ) | | $ | 2,359,999 | |
Futures contracts | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 9,727,336 | | | | (7,025,322 | ) | | | 2,702,014 | |
Forward currency contracts | | NatWest Markets plc | | | 54,499,080 | | | | (37,167,595 | ) | | | 17,331,485 | |
| Total derivatives | | | | $ | 74,036,622 | | | $ | (51,643,124 | ) | | $ | 22,393,498 | |
| Derivative Assets and Collateral Received by Counterparty | |
| As of March 31, 2020 | | | | |
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Gain in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | | |
| | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Net Amount | |
UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 2,359,999 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 2,359,999 | |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 2,702,014 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 2,702,014 | |
NatWest Markets plc | | | 17,331,485 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 17,331,485 | |
| Total | | $ | 22,393,498 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 22,393,498 | |
| Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities by Counterparty | |
As of March 31, 2020 | |
Type of Instrument | | Counterparty | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Loss Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition | |
Futures contracts | | UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 7,450,207 | | | $ | (7,450,207 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
Futures contracts | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 7,025,322 | | | | (7,025,322 | ) | | | 0 | |
Forward currency contracts | | NatWest Markets plc | | | 37,167,595 | | | | (37,167,595 | ) | | | 0 | |
| Total derivatives | | | | $ | 51,643,124 | | | $ | (51,643,124 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
| Derivative Liabilities and Collateral Pledged by Counterparty | | | | |
As of March 31, 2020 | | | | |
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Unrealized loss in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Net Amount | |
| | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Pledged | |
UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
NatWest Markets plc | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| Total | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Offsetting of Derivative Assets by Counterparty | |
As of December 31, 2019 | |
| Type of Instrument | |
Counterparty | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Gain Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition | |
| Futures contracts | | UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 5,396,065 | | | $ | (5,396,065 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
| Futures contracts | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 5,228,966 | | | | (5,228,966 | ) | | | 0 | |
| Forward currency contracts | | NatWest Markets plc | | | 23,303,459 | | | | (23,303,459 | ) | | | 0 | |
| Total derivatives | | | | $ | 33,928,490 | | | $ | (33,928,490 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
| Derivative Assets and Collateral Received by Counterparty | |
As of December 31, 2019 | |
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Gain in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | | |
| | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Received | | | Net Amount | |
UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
NatWest Markets plc | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | | | | 0 | |
| Total | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | 0 | |
| Offsetting of Derivative Liabilities by Counterparty | |
As of December 31, 2019 | |
Type of Instrument | | Counterparty | | Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities | | | Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Net Amounts of Unrealized Loss Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition | |
Futures contracts | | UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 9,348,737 | | | $ | (5,396,065 | ) | | $ | 3,952,672 | |
Futures contracts | | Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 9,416,231 | | | | (5,228,966 | ) | | | 4,187,265 | |
Forward currency contracts | | NatWest Markets plc | | | 25,967,136 | | | | (23,303,459 | ) | | | 2,663,677 | |
| Total derivatives | | | | $ | 44,732,104 | | | $ | (33,928,490 | ) | | $ | 10,803,614 | |
| Derivative Liabilities and Collateral Pledged by Counterparty | |
As of December 31, 2019 | |
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Unrealized loss in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition | | | | |
| | Financial Instruments | | | Cash Collateral Pledged | | | Net Amount | |
| UBS Securities LLC | | $ | 3,952,672 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | (3,952,672 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
| Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC | | | 4,187,265 | | | | 0 | | | | (4,187,265 | ) | | | 0 | |
| NatWest Markets plc | | | 2,663,677 | | | | 0 | | | | (2,663,677 | ) | | | 0 | |
| Total | | $ | 10,803,614 | | | $ | 0 | | | $ | (10,803,614 | ) | | $ | 0 | |
Campbell & Company has established procedures to actively monitor market risk and minimize credit risk, although there can be no assurance that it will, in fact, succeed in doing so. Campbell & Company’s basic market risk control procedures consist of continuously monitoring open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 30%. Campbell & Company’s attempt to manage the risk of the Trust’s open positions is essentially the same in all market categories traded. Campbell & Company applies risk management policies to its trading which generally limit the total exposure that may be taken per “risk unit” of assets under management. In addition, Campbell & Company follows diversification guidelines (often formulated in terms of the balanced volatility between markets and correlated groups), as well as reducing position sizes dynamically in response to trading losses. Campbell & Company controls the risk of the Trust’s non-trading fixed income instruments by limiting the duration of such instruments and requiring a minimum credit quality of the issuers of those instruments.
Campbell & Company seeks to minimize credit risk primarily by depositing and maintaining the Trust’s assets at financial institutions and brokers which Campbell & Company believes to be credit worthy. The unitholder bears the risk of loss only to the extent of the market value of their respective investments and, in certain specific circumstances, distributions and redemptions received.
Note 10. INDEMNIFICATIONS
In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. The Trust expects the risk of any future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.
Note 11. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Statements of Financial Condition, including the Condensed Schedules of Investments, as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Statements of Operations and Financial Highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and the Statements of Cash Flows and Changes in Unitholders’ Capital (Net Asset Value) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 are unaudited. In the opinion of management, such financial statements reflect all adjustments, which were of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the results of operations and financial highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and cash flows and changes in unitholders’ capital (Net Asset Value) for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
Note 12. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The impact of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) outbreak on the financial performance of the Trust’s investments will depend on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak and related advisories and restrictions. These developments and the impact of COVID-19 on the financial markets and the overall economy are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. If the financial markets and/or the overall economy are impacted for an extended period, the Trust’s ability to trade and investment results may be materially affected.
Management of the Trust has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were filed. There are no other subsequent events to disclose or record.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Introduction
The Campbell Fund Trust (the “Trust”) is a business trust organized on January 2, 1996 under the Delaware Business Trust Act, which was replaced by the Delaware Statutory Trust Act as of September 1, 2002. The Trust is a successor to the Campbell Fund Limited Partnership (formerly known as the Commodity Trend Fund) which began trading operations in January 1972. The Trust currently trades in the U.S. and international futures and forward markets under the sole direction of Campbell & Company, LP, the managing operator of the Trust. Specifically, the Trust trades in a diverse array of global assets, including global interest rates, stock indices, currencies and commodities. The Trust is an actively managed account with speculative trading profits as its objective.
Effective August 31, 2008, the Trust began offering Series A, Series B, and Series W Units. The units in the Trust prior to that date became Series B Units. Series B Units are only available for additional investment by existing holders of Series B Units. Effective August 1, 2017, the Trust began offering Series D units.
As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate capitalization of the Trust was $321,002,167 with Series A, Series B, Series D and Series W comprising $251,707,605, $37,829,362, $4,311,179 and $27,154,021, respectively, of the total. The Net Asset Value per Unit was $2,704.25 for Series A, $2,963.33 for Series B, $1,100.59 for Series D and $3,213.35 for Series W.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Management believes that the estimates utilized in preparing the financial statements are reasonable and prudent; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Trust’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 of the Financial Statements.
The Trust records all investments at fair value in its financial statements, with changes in fair value reported as a component of realized and change in unrealized trading gain (loss) in the Statements of Operations. Generally, fair values are based on market prices; however, in certain circumstances, estimates are involved in determining fair value in the absence of an active market closing price (i.e., forward contracts which are traded in the inter-bank market).
Capital Resources
The Trust will raise additional capital only through the sale of Units offered pursuant to the continuing offering, and does not intend to raise any capital through borrowing. Due to the nature of the Trust’s business, it will make no capital expenditures and will have no capital assets which are not operating capital or assets.
The Trust generally maintains 60% to 75% of its net asset value in cash, cash equivalents or other liquid positions in its cash management program over and above that needed to post as collateral for trading. These funds are available to meet redemptions each month. After redemptions and additions are taken into account each month, the trade levels of the Trust are adjusted and positions in the instruments the Trust trades are added or liquidated on a pro-rata basis to meet those increases or decreases in trade levels.
Liquidity
Most United States futures exchanges limit fluctuations in futures contracts prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” During a single trading day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract has reached the daily limit for that day, positions in that contract can neither be taken nor liquidated. Futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Similar occurrences could prevent the Trust from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions and subject the Trust to substantial losses which could exceed the margin initially committed to such trades. In addition, even if futures prices have not moved the daily limit, the Trust may not be able to execute futures trades at favorable prices, if little trading in such contracts is taking place. Other than these limitations on liquidity, which are inherent in the Trust’s futures trading operations, the Trust’s assets are expected to be highly liquid.
The entire offering proceeds, without deductions, will be credited to the Trust’s bank, custodial and/or cash management accounts. The Trust meets margin requirements for its trading activities by depositing cash and U.S. government securities with the futures broker and the over-the-counter counterparty. This does not reduce the risk of loss from trading activities. The Trust receives all interest earned on its assets. No other person shall receive any interest or other economic benefits from the deposit of Trust assets.
Approximately 10% to 30% of the Trust’s assets normally are committed as required margin for futures contracts and held by the futures brokers, although the amount committed may vary significantly. Such assets are maintained in the form of cash or U.S. Treasury Bills in segregated accounts with the futures brokers pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder. Approximately 5% to 15% of the Trust’s assets are deposited with the over-the-counter counterparty in order to initiate and maintain forward contracts. Such assets are not held in segregation or otherwise regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act, unless such over-the-counter counterparty is registered as a futures commission merchant. These assets are held either in U.S. government securities or short-term time deposits with U.S.-regulated bank affiliates of the over-the-counter counterparty.
The managing operator deposits the majority of those assets of the Trust that are not required to be deposited as margin with the futures brokers and over-the-counter counterparties in a custodial account with Northern Trust Company. The assets deposited in the custodial account with Northern Trust Company are segregated. Such custodial account constitutes approximately 60% to 75% of the Trust’s assets and are invested directly by PNC Capital Advisors, LLC (“PNC”). PNC is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. PNC does not guarantee any interest or profits will accrue on the Trust’s assets in the custodial account. PNC invest the assets according to agreed upon investment guidelines that first preserve capital, second allow for sufficient liquidity, and third provide a yield beyond the risk-free rate. Investments can include, but are not limited to, (i) U.S. Government Securities, Government Agency Securities, Municipal Securities, banker acceptances and certificates of deposits; (ii) commercial paper; (iii) short-term investment grade corporate debt; and (iv) Asset Backed Securities.
The Trust occasionally receives margin calls (requests to post more collateral) from its futures brokers or over-the-counter counterparty, which are met by moving the required portion of the assets held in the custody account at Northern Trust Company to the margin accounts. In the past three years, the Trust has not needed to liquidate any position as a result of a margin call.
The Trust’s assets are not and will not be, directly or indirectly, commingled with the property of any other person in violation of law or invested in or loaned to Campbell & Company or any affiliated entities.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk
The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in future obligation or loss. The Trust trades in futures and forward contracts and is therefore a party to financial instruments with elements of off-balance sheet market and credit risk. In entering into these contracts there exists a risk to the Trust, market risk, that such contracts may be significantly influenced by market conditions, such as interest rate volatility, resulting in such contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the futures interests positions of the Trust at the same time, and if the Trust’s trading advisor was unable to offset futures interests positions of the Trust, the Trust could lose all of its assets and the Unitholders would realize a 100% loss. Campbell & Company, the managing operator (who also acts as trading advisor), minimizes market risk through real-time monitoring of open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 30% however, these precautions may not be effective in limiting the risk of loss.
In addition to market risk, in entering into futures and forward contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Trust. The counterparty for futures contracts traded in the United States and on most foreign exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with such exchange. In general, clearinghouses are backed by the corporate members of the clearinghouse who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases where the clearinghouse is not backed by the clearing members, like some foreign exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.
In the case of forward contracts, which are traded on the interbank market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a group of financial institutions; thus there may be a greater counterparty credit risk. Campbell & Company trades for the Trust only with those counterparties which it believes to be creditworthy. All positions of the Trust are valued each day at fair value. There can be no assurance that any clearing member, clearinghouse or other counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Trust.
Disclosures About Certain Trading Activities that Include Non-Exchange Traded Contracts Accounted for at Fair Value
The Trust invests in futures and forward currency contracts. The market value of futures (exchange-traded) contracts is determined by the various futures exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close of the last business day of the reporting period. The fair value of forward (non-exchange traded) contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) of the last business day of the reporting period.
Results of Operations
The returns for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 for Series A were 5.31% and 4.21%, Series B were 5.44% and 4.36%, Series D were 5.64% and 4.56% and Series W were 5.83% and 4.76%, respectively.
2020 (For the Three Months Ended March 31)
Of the 5.31% year to date return for Series A, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) offset by approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss and approximately (1.42)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series A.
Of the 5.44% year to date return for Series B, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) offset by approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss and approximately (1.29)% due to brokerage fees, management fees and operating costs incurred by Series B.
Of the 5.64% year to date return for Series D, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) offset by approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss and approximately (1.09)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series D.
Of the 5.83% year to date return for Series W, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) offset by approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss and approximately (0.90)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series W.
During the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020, the Trust accrued management fees in the amount of $3,135,806 and paid management fees in the amount of $3,096,257. No performance fees were accrued or paid during this period.
An analysis of the 6.84% gross trading gains for the Trust for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 by sector is as follows:
| Sector | | % Gain (Loss) | |
| Commodities | | | 6.52 | % |
| Currencies | | | 8.03 | |
| Interest Rates | | | 5.83 | |
| Stock Indices | | | (13.54 | ) |
| | | | 6.84 | % |
The Trust had a strong start to 2020 with gains coming from interest rate, commodity, and foreign exchange positions, while stock index holdings provided some partially offsetting losses. Long positioning in Australia, Europe, and the United States benefited as prices advanced on a flight to safety bid sparked by the worsening Wuhan coronavirus outbreak. A short position on the Canadian 10-year note created some partially offsetting losses, which were accelerated by downward pressure on yields prompted by a dovish shift by Bank of Canada policymakers. Commodity holdings produced additional profits for the Trust in January, with the energy sub-sector realizing the best results. Short positioning on natural gas proved profitable as milder weather across the US weighed on demand prospects. Additional gains were generated from short industrial metal holdings. The base metal complex traded weaker as the coronavirus epidemic raised investor concerns about its negative impact on the Chinese economy. Downward price pressure was further intensified by a strong dollar as well as technical selling. In the foreign exchange sector, positive returns were generated in the developed market currencies. Short positions on the Norwegian krone and Australian dollar (against long the US dollar) provided some of the best profits. The commodity-linked currencies came under pressure as commodity prices sold-off on concerns that the worsening coronavirus outbreak would pare Chinese demand for raw materials. A long Brazilian real holding produced some partially offsetting losses after risk fell out of favor and investors sold emerging market currencies. Global stock index trading produced losses for the Trust during January. Long positioning across most global stock indexes profited early in the month amid the ratification of the “phase one” US-China trade deal, renewed central bank balance sheet expansion, Brexit clarity, and some better than expected US earnings releases. However, profits were relinquished in the second-half of the month as stocks traded lower following risk-off trading as the coronavirus outbreak intensified.
Gains from interest rate, foreign exchange, and commodity positions led to a profitable February for the Trust, while stock index holdings produced some partially offsetting losses. Long positioning in Australia and the United States continued to benefit as prices advanced on flight to safety buying sparked by the worsening COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic. Investors aggressively sought the safety of fixed income instruments, sending global yields tumbling and expectations for further central bank stimulus soaring. In the foreign exchange sector, positive returns were generated in the developed and emerging market currencies. Short positions on the Australian dollar and Norwegian krone (against long the US dollar) provided some of the best profits for the sector. These commodity-linked currencies came under renewed selling pressure during February. The widening spread of COVID-19 to countries outside of China, such as Japan, South Korea, and Italy, sparked new concerns that global economic growth would slow materially, thus blunting the demand for raw materials. Short positioning on the industrial metal, energy, and meat complexes profited from a decline in prices. Global stock index trading produced losses for the Trust during February with the greatest declines seen in Australia, Japan, and the United States. Long positioning across most global stock indexes generally profited during the first two-thirds of the month. However, late in February global stock indexes experienced steep sell-offs sparked by the coronavirus’s quick spread to countries outside of China where it initially began. World economic growth fears and supply chain disruption concerns spread rapidly, sending most global stock indexes sharply lower.
The Trust had an unprofitable March, with losses coming from stock index and interest rate holdings, while foreign exchange and commodity positions contributed some partially offsetting gains during the month. Global stock index trading produced the largest losses for the Trust, with the greatest declines seen in the United States, Australia, and Canada. Long positioning across most global stock indexes suffered severely as equity indexes experienced very sharp sell-offs during the month. The COVID-19 virus spread quickly throughout Europe and North America prompting draconian containment measures in the form of “stay at home” directives, closures, and shutdowns that sharply curtailed economic activity. Global central banks and governments took unprecedented steps in an effort to soften the financial impact from the virus, but fear over the length and depth of the growth slowdown sent risky assets sharply lower. Interest rate positions from long-dated instruments contributed small additional losses during the month. Short positioning on US 10-year notes and US long bonds suffered amid the flight-to-safety scramble that ensued due to the severe economic upheaval wrought by the COVID-19 virus. Long positioning across global short-dated instruments helped to partially offset losses within the sector. Profits were dominated by short positions on the commodity currencies (versus long the USD), specifically in the Norwegian krone. The US dollar was sharply higher during the month amid the extreme flight-to-quality moves. Adding further downward pressure on oil-linked currencies, the petroleum markets sold off severely when tensions escalated between OPEC and Russia, and Saudi Arabia made the decision to ramp up production. Commodity holdings produced additional profits for the Trust during the month. Short positioning on the industrial metal, energy, and meat complexes profited from a decline in prices. The expanding COVID-19 pandemic is widely expected to negatively impact demand for base metal, petroleum, and beef products. Downward price pressure was further intensified by a strong US dollar as well as technical selling.
2019 (For the Three Months Ended March 31)
Of the 4.21% year to date for Series A, approximately 4.87% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (1.43)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs, offset by approximately 0.77% due to investment income earned by Series A.
Of the 4.36% year to date for Series B, approximately 4.87% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (1.28)% due to brokerage fees, management fees and operating costs, offset by approximately 0.77% due to investment income earned by Series B.
Of the 4.56% year to date for Series D, approximately 4.87% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (1.08)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs, offset by approximately 0.77% due to investment income earned by Series D.
Of the 4.76% year to date for Series W, approximately 4.87% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (0.88)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs, offset by approximately 0.77% due to investment income earned by Series W.
During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Trust accrued management fees in the amount of $3,169,297 and paid management fees in the amount of $3,210,589. There were no performance fees accrued or paid during this period.
An analysis of the 4.87% gross trading gains for the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2019 by sector is as follows:
| Sector | | % Gain (Loss) | |
| Commodities | | | (1.45 | )% |
| Currencies | | | (1.16 | ) |
| Interest Rates | | | 5.02 | |
| Stock Indices | | | 2.46 | |
| | | | 4.87 | % |
The Trust, which consists of trend following, systematic macro, and short-term strategies, was lower in January. Losses came from commodity and foreign exchange positions, while fixed income and stock holdings produced partially offsetting gains for the Trust. Commodity trading generated losses for the Trust in January. Short energy positions suffered as the complex rebounded from multi-year lows on back of bullish fundamental developments and a general increase in risk sentiment. Short grain positioning also detracted as the sector traded higher amid adverse weather conditions in key growing regions, and some optimism surrounding the latest round of trade talks between the US and China. Foreign exchange positioning produced additional losses, with gains in long emerging market currencies (versus the USD) being overshadowed by losses in the developed markets, where we were net short against the greenback. The USD was broadly weaker on the month with the notable themes being the US government shutdown and a less hawkish FOMC. Short positioning on several of the commodity currencies produced the largest losses as those currencies rallied on back of the increase in prices across the petroleum complex during the month. Interest rate positions from long-dated instruments provided offsetting profits during the month. Long positioning on bonds issued by Australia, Canada, and France generated the largest gains. The shift in central bank rhetoric to a more dovish tone caused global fixed income markets to rise to start the year. Stock index positions also produced some offsetting gains during the month. Despite a myriad of global headwinds, stock markets recovered from their December sell-off, encouraged by a resumption of trade talks, dovish Fed takeaways, and the start of US Q4 earnings that mostly met expectations. Shorter term strategies moved from short to long, flipping net Trust positioning in time to capitalize on rallying equity markets, especially in the Hang Seng index.
The Trust showed a profit in February with gains coming from commodity and stock index positions, while interest rate holdings produced some partially offsetting losses. Foreign Exchange (FX) had little P&L impact on the Trust during the month. Commodity trading generated profits for the Trust in February. Short positioning across the grain subsector produced some of the best sector gains. Wheat extended a sell-off to a ten-month low following a year-over-year improvement in winter crop conditions. A long position on palladium led gains in the precious metals subsector. Palladium rose to a record high amid tight supplies and steadily rising demand for the rare metal. Some partially offsetting losses came from the industrial metal subsector. Short positioning on copper and nickel suffered as prices rose, driven by signs of progress on US / Chinese trade talks and amid tight supplies. Stock index positions produced additional gains. Long positioning on European, US, and Asia-Pacific indices produced the best profits within the sector. European stock Indices benefitted from signs of progress for a successful Brexit (the UK divorce from the European Union) with the Euro Stoxx 50 and the French CAC 40 producing some of the greatest sector returns. Asia-Pacific stocks rallied amid signs that a US / Chinese trade deal was also making positive progress. President Trump delayed a March 1st tariff increase on China as he cited “significant progress” on the trade talks. Some of the biggest gains within the region came from Australia and Hong Kong. Interest rate positions from both long-dated and short-dated instruments provided some partially offsetting losses during the month. Long positioning on the United Kingdom gilt (10-year note) contributed the largest losses to the sector. Signs of positive progress on Brexit and hawkish comments from the UK central bank head Mark Carney conspired to send gilt prices down sharply from near-term highs. In the foreign exchange sector, gains in developed market currencies were almost equally offset by losses in the emerging market currencies, leading to negligible P&L for currencies overall. Long US dollar positioning was profitable against developed market currencies but losses in the emerging markets, especially from the Brazilian real and the South African rand, mostly negated any FX sector gains.
The Trust showed a profit in March with gains coming from interest rate and stock index holdings. Foreign exchange (FX) positions produced some partially offsetting losses while commodities had little impact on the Trust. Interest rate positions in long and short-dated instruments spearheaded Trust gains in March. More dovish than expected commentary from central bankers, growing global growth concerns, and persistently weak economic data ignited a sharp rally in bonds worldwide. Long positioning on the UK gilt provided the biggest gain as investors sought safe havens amidst Brexit gridlock. Net long positioning in US bonds generated additional gains after the FOMC scaled back projected interest-rate increases this year to zero and said they would end the drawdown of the central bank bond holdings in September. One of the most discussed bond headlines this month was the inversion of the US yield curve (3-month bills and 10-year note) for the first time since the global financial crisis. Long positioning on a variety of global stock indices also added to the positive monthly result. Stock index returns ebbed and flowed on the various themes of stalling global economy growth, dovish central bank rhetoric, US-China trade talks, and Brexit. Some of the best monthly stock index gains were found in Europe and the United States. Foreign exchange positioning on developed FX markets drove the sector’s losses during the month. The Trust started the month long the Canadian dollar (versus the USD) which ultimately weakened after a worse than expected Canadian GDP release. Small gains in the emerging market currencies helped offset some of the losses. Commodity holdings produced mixed results in March. Long energy positions detracted as upside momentum in the complex stalled alongside a pause in global risk sentiment. Precious metals also registered a negative contribution to the Trust, primarily from a long palladium position. After hitting new all-time highs, palladium prices plummeted in the waning days of the month as slowing global economic growth sparked demand worries. Short grains holdings provided offsetting gains as the complex sold-off into month-end following a bearish USDA grain report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Introduction
Past Results Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Performance
The Trust is a speculative commodity pool. The market sensitive instruments held by it are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or a substantial amount of the Trust’s assets are subject to the risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to the Trust’s main line of business.
Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair market value of the Trust’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash flow. The Trust’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of exchange rates, interest rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Trust’s open positions and the liquidity of the markets in which it trades.
The Trust rapidly acquires and liquidates both long and short positions in a wide range of different markets. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how a particular future market scenario will affect performance, and the Trust’s past performance is not necessarily indicative of its future results.
Standard of Materiality
Materiality as used in this section, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the leverage and multiplier features of the Trust’s market sensitive instruments.
Quantifying the Trust’s Trading Value at Risk
Quantitative Forward-Looking Statements
The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Trust’s market risk exposures contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). All quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor, except for statements of historical fact (such as the dollar amount of maintenance margin required for market risk sensitive instruments held at the end of the reporting period).
The Trust’s risk exposure in the various market sectors traded is estimated in terms of Value at Risk (VaR). The Trust estimates VaR using a model based upon historical simulation (with a confidence level of 97.5%) which involves constructing a distribution of hypothetical daily changes in the value of a trading portfolio. The VaR model takes into account linear exposures to risks, including equity and commodity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and correlation among these variables. The hypothetical changes in portfolio value are based on daily percentage changes observed in key market indices or other market factors to which the portfolio is sensitive. The Trust’s VaR at a one day 97.5% confidence level corresponds to the negative change in portfolio value that, based on observed market risk factors, would have been exceeded once in 40 trading days or one day in 40. VaR typically does not represent the worst case outcome.
The Trust uses approximately one quarter of daily market data and revalues its portfolio for each of the historical market moves that occurred over this time period. This generates a probability distribution of daily “simulated profit and loss” outcomes. The VaR is the 2.5 percentile of this distribution.
The VaR for a sector represents the 2.5 percentile of outcomes for the aggregate exposures associated with that sector alone. The current methodology used to calculate the aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
The Trust’s VaR computations are based on the risk representation of the underlying benchmark for each instrument or contract and does not distinguish between exchange and non-exchange dealer-based instruments. It is also not based on exchange and/or dealer-based maintenance margin requirements.
VaR models, including the Trust’s, are continually evolving as trading portfolios become more diverse and modeling techniques and systems capabilities improve. Please note that the VaR model is used to numerically quantify market risk for historic reporting purposes only and is not utilized by the Trust in its daily risk management activities. Please further note that VaR as described above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities.
Because the business of the Trust is the speculative trading of futures and forwards, the composition of the Trust’s trading portfolio can change significantly over any given time period, or even within a single trading day, which could positively or negatively materially impact market risk as measured by VaR.
The Trust’s Trading Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors
The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Trust’s open positions by market category as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and the trading gains/losses by market category for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019.
| | | March 31, 2020 | |
| Market Sector | | Value at Risk* | | | Trading Gain/(Loss)** | |
| Commodities | | | 0.78 | % | | | 6.52 | % |
| Currencies | | | 0.83 | % | | | 8.03 | % |
| Interest Rates | | | 1.00 | % | | | 5.83 | % |
| Stock Indices | | | 1.54 | % | | | (13.54 | )% |
| Aggregate/Total | | | 1.34 | % | | | 6.84 | % |
| * | The VaR for a sector represents the 2.5 percentile of outcomes for the aggregate exposures associated with that sector alone. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes. |
| ** | Represents the gross trading for the Trust for the three months ended March 31, 2020. |
Of the 5.31% year to date return for Series A, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss, offset by approximately (1.42)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series A.
Of the 5.44% year to date return for Series B, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss, offset by approximately (1.29)% due to brokerage fees, management fees and operating costs incurred by Series B.
Of the 5.64% year to date return for Series D, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss, offset by approximately (1.09)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series D.
Of the 5.83% year to date return for Series W, approximately 6.84% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately (0.11)% due to investment loss, offset by approximately (0.90)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs incurred by Series W.
| | | December 31, 2019 | |
| Market Sector | | Value at Risk* | | | Trading Gain/(Loss)** | |
| Commodities | | | 0.51 | % | | | (8.12 | )% |
| Currencies | | | 0.60 | % | | | (3.76 | )% |
| Interest Rates | | | 0.61 | % | | | 12.88 | % |
| Stock Indices | | | 0.71 | % | | | 9.78 | % |
| Aggregate/Total | | | 1.19 | % | | | 10.78 | % |
| * | The VaR for a sector represents the 2.5 percentile of outcomes for the aggregate exposures associated with that sector alone. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes. |
| ** | Represents the gross trading for the Trust for the year ended December 31, 2019. |
Of the 7.75% return for the year ended December 31, 2019 for Series A, approximately 10.78% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 2.59% due to investment income, offset by approximately (5.62)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs borne by Series A.
Of the 8.29% return for year ended December 31, 2019 for Series B, approximately 10.78% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 2.59% due to investment income, offset by approximately (5.08)% due to brokerage fees, management fees and operating costs borne by Series B.
Of the 7.79% return for the year ended December 31, 2019 for Series D, approximately 10.78% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 2.59% due to investment income, offset by approximately (5.58)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, performance fees, offering costs and operating costs borne by Series D.
Of the 9.93% return for the year ended December 31, 2019 for Series W, approximately 10.78% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 2.59% due to investment income, offset by approximately (3.44)% due to brokerage fees, management fees, offering costs and operating costs borne by Series W.
Material Limitations of Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
The following limitations of VaR as an assessment of market risk should be noted:
| 1) | Past changes in market risk factors will not always result in accurate predictions of the distributions and correlations of future market movements; |
| 2) | Changes in portfolio value caused by market movements may differ from those of the VaR model; |
| 3) | VaR results reflect past trading positions while future risk depends on future positions; |
| 4) | VaR using a one day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged within one day; and |
| 5) | The historical market risk factor data for VaR estimation may provide only limited insight into losses that could be incurred under certain unusual market movements. |
VaR is not necessarily representative of historic risk nor should it be used to predict the Trust’s future financial performance or its ability to manage and monitor risk. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s actual losses on a particular day will not exceed the VaR amounts indicated or that such losses will not occur more than once in 40 trading days.
Non-Trading Risk
The Trust has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash balances not needed for margin. However, these balances (as well as the market risk they represent) are immaterial. The Trust also has non-trading market risk as a result of investing a portion of its available assets in U.S. Treasury Bills held at the broker and over-the-counter counterparty. The market risk represented by these investments is minimal. Finally, the Trust has non-trading market risk on fixed income securities held as part of its cash management program. The cash manager will use its best endeavors in the management of the assets of the Trust but provide no guarantee that any profit or interest will accrue to the Trust as a result of such management.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures
The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Trust’s market risk exposures — except for (i) those disclosures that are statements of historical fact and (ii) the descriptions of how the Trust manages its primary market risk exposures — constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. The Trust’s primary market risk exposures as well as the strategies used and to be used by Campbell & Company for managing such exposures are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of the Trust’s risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation and many other factors could result in material losses as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and the risk management strategies of the Trust. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s current market exposure and/or risk management strategies will not change materially or that any such strategies will be effective in either the short- or long-term. Investors must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Trust.
The following represent the primary trading risk exposures of the Trust as of March 31, 2020 by market sector.
Currencies
The Trust’s currency exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations which disrupt the historical pricing relationships between different currencies and currency pairs. These fluctuations are influenced by interest rate changes as well as political and general economic conditions. The Trust trades in a large number of currencies, including cross-rates — i.e., positions between two currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Campbell & Company does not anticipate that the risk profile of the Trust’s currency sector will change significantly in the future.
Interest Rates
Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the sovereign bond positions held by the Trust and indirectly the value of its stock index and currency positions. Interest rate movements in one country as well as relative interest rate movements between countries materially impact the Trust’s profitability. The Trust’s primary interest rate exposure is to interest rate fluctuations in the United States and the other G-7 countries. Campbell & Company anticipates that G-7 interest rates will remain the primary rate exposure of the Trust for the foreseeable future. Changes in the interest rate environment will have the most impact on longer dated fixed income positions, at points of time throughout the year the majority of the speculative positions held by the Trust may be held in medium to long-term fixed income positions.
Stock Indices
The Trust’s primary equity exposure is to equity price risk in the G-7 countries as well as Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Netherlands, India, South Africa and Sweden. The stock index futures traded by the Trust are by law limited to futures on broadly based indices. The Trust is primarily exposed to the risk of adverse price trends or static markets in the major U.S., European and Japanese indices. Markets that trade in a narrow range could result in the Trust’s positions being “whipsawed” into numerous small losses.
Energy
The Trust’s primary energy market exposure is to natural gas, crude oil and derivative product price movements often resulting from international political developments and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the perceived outcome. Oil and gas prices can be volatile and substantial profits and losses have been and are expected to continue to be experienced in this market.
Metals
The Trust’s metals market exposure is to fluctuations in the price of aluminum, copper, gold, lead, nickel, palladium, platinum, silver and zinc.
Agricultural
The Trust’s agricultural exposure is to fluctuations of the price of cattle, cocoa, coffee, corn, cotton, hogs, soy, sugar and wheat.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following were the primary non-trading risk exposures of the Trust as of March 31, 2020.
Foreign Currency Balances
The Trust’s primary foreign currency balances are in Australian Dollar, British Pounds, Canadian Dollar, Euros, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand and Swedish Krona. The Trust controls the non-trading risk of these balances by regularly converting these balances back into dollars (no less frequently than twice a month, and more frequently if a particular foreign currency balance becomes unusually large).
Fixed Income Securities
The Trust’s primary market exposure in instruments (other than treasury positions described in the subsequent section) held other than for trading is in its fixed income portfolio. The cash manager, PNC, has authority to make certain investments on behalf of the Trust. All securities purchased by the cash manager on behalf of the Trust will be held in the Trust’s custody account at the custodian. The cash manager will use its best endeavors in the management of the assets of the Trust but provides no guarantee that any profit or interest will accrue to the Trust as a result of such management.
U.S. Treasury Bill Positions Held for Margin Purposes
The Trust also has market exposure in its U.S. Treasury Bill portfolio. The Trust holds U.S. Treasury Bills with maturities no longer than six months. Violent fluctuations in prevailing interest rates could cause minimal mark-to-market losses on the Trust’s U.S. Treasury Bills, although substantially all of these short-term investments are held to maturity.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure
The means by which the Trust and Campbell & Company, severally, attempt to manage the risk of the Trust’s open positions is essentially the same in all market categories traded. Campbell & Company applies risk management policies to its trading which generally limit the total exposure that may be taken per “risk unit” of assets under management. In addition, Campbell & Company follows diversification guidelines (often formulated in terms of the balanced volatility between markets and correlated groups), as well as reducing position sizes dynamically in response to trading losses.
General
The Trust is unaware of any (i) anticipated known demands, commitments or capital expenditures; (ii) material trends, favorable or unfavorable, in its capital resources; or (iii) trends or uncertainties that will have a material effect on operations. From time to time, certain regulatory agencies have proposed increased margin requirements on futures contracts. Because the Trust generally will use a small percentage of assets as margin, the Trust does not believe that any increase in margin requirements, as proposed, will have a material effect on the Trust’s operations.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Campbell & Company, the managing operator of the Trust, with the participation of the managing operator’s chief executive officer and chief operating officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) with respect to the Trust as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on their evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief operating officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Effective January 1, 2020, NAV Consulting, Inc. (“NAVC”) replaced Northern Trust Hedge Fund Services LLC as the Administrator of the Trust. There were no material changes to the internal control over financial reporting due to this change. There were no other changes in the managing operator’s internal control over financial reporting applicable to the Trust identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting applicable to the Trust.
PART II-OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None
None
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
None
Exhibit Number | | Description of Document |
| | | |
| 3.01 | | |
| | | |
| 3.02 | | |
| | | |
| 10.01 | | |
| | | |
| 10.02 | | |
| | | |
| 10.03 | | |
| | | |
| | Certification of G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securites Exchange Act of 1934. |
| | | |
| | Certification of Gabriel A. Morris, Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securites Exchange Act of 1934. |
| | | |
| | Certification of G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted by Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
| | Certification of Gabriel A. Morris, Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted by Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
| 101.01 | | Interactive data file pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Condensed Schedules of Investments March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (ii) Statements of Financial Condition March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (iii) Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iv) Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (v) Statements of Changes in Unitholders’ Capital (Net Asset Value) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (vi) Financial Highlights For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (vii) Notes to Financial Statements. |
| (1) | Incorporated by reference to the respective exhibit to the Registrant’s Form 10 filed on April 30, 2003. |
| (2) | Incorporated by reference to the respective exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed August 15, 2011. |
| (3) | Incorporated by reference to the respective exhibit to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 15, 2014. |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | Certification of G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| | | |
| | Certification of Gabriel A. Morris, Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
| | | |
| | Certification of G. William Andrews, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted by Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
| | Certification of Gabriel A. Morris, Chief Operating Officer, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as enacted by Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | | |
| 101.01 | | Interactive data file pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) Condensed Schedules of Investments March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (ii) Statements of Financial Condition March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, (iii) Statements of Operations For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (iv) Statements of Cash Flows For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (v) Statements of Changes in Unitholders’ Capital (Net Asset Value) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (vi) Financial Highlights For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, (vii) Notes to Financial Statements. |
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.
| | THE CAMPBELL FUND TRUST (Registrant) |
| | | | |
| | By: | Campbell & Company, LP | |
| | | Managing Operator | |
| | | |
| Date: May 15, 2020 | By: | /s/ G. William Andrews | |
| | | G. William Andrews | |
| | | Chief Executive Officer | |
