UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarter ended: March 28, 2008
or
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 0-32687
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
Delaware | | 13-4058319 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
900 King Street, Suite 100, Rye Brook, New York | | 10573 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(914) 307-7000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer”, “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| | |
Large accelerated filer ¨ | | Accelerated filer ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer x | | Smaller Reporting Company ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
MARCH 28, 2008
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK;
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS TO FOLLOW]
3
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 28, 2008
4
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
March 28, 2008 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2007
| | | | | | |
| | March 28, 2008 | | December 31, 2007 |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 19,597,821 | | $ | 19,199,188 |
Interest receivable | | | 19,000 | | | 0 |
Accounts receivable | | | 160 | | | 0 |
Net unrealized gain on open futures contracts | | | 0 | | | 47,346 |
Net unrealized gain on open forward contacts | | | 178,293 | | | 0 |
| | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 19,795,274 | | $ | 19,246,534 |
| | | | | | |
LIABILITIES | | | | | | |
Net unrealized loss on open forward contracts | | $ | 0 | | $ | 62,555 |
Net unrealized loss on open futures contracts | | | 212,834 | | | 0 |
Commissions and other transaction fees payable | | | 91,109 | | | 98,009 |
Accrued expenses payable | | | 56,494 | | | 39,456 |
Management fees payable | | | 30,328 | | | 32,626 |
Redemptions payable | | | 9,071 | | | 47,403 |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 399,836 | | | 280,049 |
| | | | | | |
TRUST CAPITAL (Net Asset Value) | | | | | | |
Limited Interests (97,364.467 and 105,211.769 interests outstanding) at March 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | | | 19,200,015 | | | 18,774,125 |
Managing Owner Interests (991 and 1,078 interests outstanding) at March 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | | | 195,423 | | | 192,360 |
| | | | | | |
Total trust capital (Net Asset Value) | | | 19,395,438 | | | 18,966,485 |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities and trust capital | | $ | 19,795,274 | | $ | 19,246,534 |
| | | | | | |
Net Asset Value per Limited and Managing Owner Interest
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 28, 2008 | | December 31, 2007 | | |
| $ 197.20 | | $ 178.44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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5
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS
March 28, 2008 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 28, 2008 | | | December 31, 2007 | |
Futures and Forward Contracts | | Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) as a % of Trust Capital | | | Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) | | | Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) as a % of Trust Capital | | | Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) | |
Futures contracts purchased: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commodities | | (0.46 | )% | | $ | (89,223 | ) | | 0.22 | % | | $ | 41,458 | |
Interest rates | | (0.48 | )% | | | (93,743 | ) | | (0.09 | )% | | | (15,893 | ) |
Stock indices | | 0.00 | % | | | 0 | | | 0.00 | % | | | (280 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts purchased | | (0.94 | )% | | | (182,966 | ) | | 0.13 | % | | | 25,285 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures contracts sold: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commodities | | 0.05 | % | | | 8,851 | | | 0.08 | % | | | 14,257 | |
Interest rates | | (0.01 | )% | | | (2,804 | ) | | 0.00 | % | | | (464 | ) |
Stock indices | | (0.19 | )% | | | (35,915 | ) | | 0.04 | % | | | 8,268 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on futures contracts sold | | (0.15 | )% | | | (29,868 | ) | | 0.12 | % | | | 22,061 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts | | (1.09 | )% | | $ | (212,834 | ) | | 0.25 | % | | $ | 47,346 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward currency contracts purchased: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts purchased | | 1.01 | % | | $ | 195,363 | | | (1.65 | )% | | $ | (312,013 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward currency contracts sold: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts sold | | (0.09 | )% | | | (17,070 | ) | | 1.32 | % | | | 249,458 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward contracts | | 0.92 | % | | $ | 178,293 | | | (0.33 | )% | | $ | (62,555 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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6
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 and
For the Period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | |
| | For the Period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 | | | For the Period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007 | |
REVENUES | | | | | | | | |
Realized | | $ | 2,310,871 | | | $ | (1,511,414 | ) |
Change in unrealized | | | (19,332 | ) | | | (719,583 | ) |
Interest income | | | 95,361 | | | | 274,196 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total revenues | | | 2,386,900 | | | | (1,956,801 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
EXPENSES | | | | | | | | |
Brokerage commissions and other transaction fees | | | 320,158 | | | | 362,487 | |
Management fees | | | 92,820 | | | | 107,588 | |
General and administrative | | | 60,003 | | | | 34,897 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | | 472,981 | | | | 504,972 | |
| | | | | | | | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) | | $ | 1,913,919 | | | $ | (2,461,773 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIMITED AND MANAGING OWNER INTEREST | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per weighted average Limited and Managing Owner Interest | | $ | 18.76 | | | $ | (17.46 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of Limited and Managing Owner interests outstanding | | | 102,018 | | | | 141,018 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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7
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN TRUST CAPITAL
For the Period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 and
For the Period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Interests | | | Limited Interests | | | Managing Owner Interests | | | Total | |
For the period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trust capital at December 31, 2007 | | 106,289.769 | | | $ | 18,774,125 | | | $ | 192,360 | | | $ | 18,966,485 | |
Redemptions | | (7,934.302 | ) | | | (1,467,950 | ) | | | (17,016 | ) | | | (1,484,966 | ) |
Net income for the period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 | | 0.000 | | | | 1,893,840 | | | | 20,079 | | | | 1,913,919 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trust capital at March 28, 2008 | | 98,355.467 | | | $ | 19,200,015 | | | $ | 195,423 | | | $ | 19,395,438 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For the period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trust capital at December 31, 2006 | | 145,209.262 | | | $ | 23,538,201 | | | $ | 235,264 | | | $ | 23,773,465 | |
Redemptions | | (8,624.636 | ) | | | (1,349,804 | ) | | | (5,553 | ) | | | (1,355,357 | ) |
Net loss for the period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007 | | 0.000 | | | | (2,436,469 | ) | | | (25,304 | ) | | | (2,461,773 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Trust capital at March 30, 2007 | | 136,584.626 | | | $ | 19,751,928 | | | $ | 204,407 | | | $ | 19,956,335 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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8
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| A. | General Description of the Trust |
World Monitor Trust II (the “Trust”) is a business trust organized under the laws of Delaware on April 22, 1999. The Trust consists of three separate and distinct series (“Series”): Series D, E and F. Series D, E and F commenced trading operations on March 13, 2000, April 6, 2000 and March 1, 2000, respectively, and each Series will continue to exist until terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article XIII of the Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”). The assets of each Series are segregated from those of the other Series, separately valued and independently managed. Each Series was formed to engage in the speculative trading of a diversified portfolio of futures, forward and options contracts, and may, from time to time, engage in cash and spot transactions. The trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company.
Interests owned in one series of the Trust (Series D, E or F) were exchangeable, without any charge, for Interests of one or more other Series on a weekly basis for as long as Limited Interests in those Series were being offered to the public. Series E and Series F are no longer offered to the public as those series substantially achieved their subscription maximums during June 2003 and July 2003, respectively. In addition, since July 2003, the offering of interests in Series D has been temporarily suspended. Accordingly, at this time, Interests may not be exchanged.
Redemptions are permitted on a weekly basis. Therefore, the financial statements for interim periods are as of the last valuation day in the last week of the period. Future redemptions will impact the amount of funds available for investment in commodity contracts in subsequent periods.
In the event that the estimated net asset value per Interest of a Series at the end of any business day after adjustments for distributions and redemptions, declines by 50% or more since the commencement of trading activities or the first day of a fiscal year, the Series will automatically terminate.
Note 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
The statement of financial condition, including the condensed schedule of investments, as of March 28, 2008, the statements of operations and changes in trust capital for the periods January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 (“First Quarter 2008”) and January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007 (“First Quarter 2007”) are unaudited. In the opinion of Preferred Investment Solutions Corp., (“Preferred” or the “Managing Owner”), the financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to state fairly the financial position of Series E as of March 28, 2008 and the results of its operations for the First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007. The operating results for these interim periods may not be indicative of the results expected for a full year.
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9
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Note 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Series E’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2007.
The financial statements of Series E are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires of the Managing Owner to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Commodity futures and foreign exchange transactions are reflected in the accompanying statement of financial condition on the trade date. Net unrealized gain or loss on open contracts (the difference between contract trade price and market price) is reflected in the financial statements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 39 – “Offsetting of Amounts Related to Certain Contracts.” The market value of futures (exchange-traded) contracts is based upon the closing quotation on the various futures exchanges on which the contract is traded. The values which will be used by Series E for open forward and option positions will be provided by its administrator, who obtains market quotes from data vendors and third parties. Any change in net unrealized gain or loss during the current period is reported in the statement of operations. Realized gains and losses on transactions are recognized in the period in which the contracts are closed. Brokerage commissions include other trading fees and are charged to expense when incurred.
Series E has elected not to provide a Statement of Cash Flows as permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 102, “Statement of Cash Flows – Exemption of Certain Enterprises and Classification of Cash Flows from Certain Securities Acquired for Resale.”
In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 requires that Series E recognize in its financial statements, the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. In connection with the adoption of FIN 48, Series E has elected an accounting policy to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense. Preferred, as Managing Owner of Series E, evaluated the impact of adopting FIN 48 on Series E’s financial statements. The adoption of FIN 48 had no material impact on Series E, as Series E’s tax positions are based on established tax precedence for the tax treatment of investment partnerships as flow through tax entities.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS 157 requires use of a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (Level 2), and unobservable inputs for the asset or liability (Level 3). SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
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10
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Note 2. | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) |
The Trust adopted SFAS 157 in the first quarter of 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 had no impact to certain assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value (investments) in these financial statements. Of its unrealized gains (losses) at March 28, 2008, approximately $(212,834) or (616.18)% of Series E’s investment is classified as Level 1 and $178,293 or 516.18% as Level 2. Of its unrealized gains (losses) at December 31, 2007, approximately $47,346 or 311.30% of Series E’s investment is classified as Level 1 and $(62,555) or (411.30)% as Level 2. There are no Level 3 investments on March 28, 2008 or December 31, 2007 using the fair value hierarchy of SFAS 157.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, including an amendment of SFAS 115, or SFAS 159. This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 with early adoption permitted.
Preferred, as Managing Owner of Series E, evaluated the impact adoption of SFAS 159 will have on Series E’s financial statements. Series E elected not to adopt SFAS 159, as it did not have a material effect on Series E’s financial statements.
Cash represents amounts deposited with a bank and clearing brokers, a portion of which is restricted for purposes of meeting margin requirements, which typically range from 0% to 35% of the notional amounts of the derivatives traded. Series E receives interest on all cash balances held by the bank and clearing brokers at prevailing interest rates.
Series E allocates profits and losses for both financial and tax reporting purposes to its Interest holders weekly on a pro rata basis based on each owner’s Interests outstanding during the week. Distributions (other than redemptions of Interests) may be made at the sole discretion of the Managing Owner on a pro rata basis in accordance with the respective capital balances of the Interest holders. The Managing Owner has not made and does not presently intend to make any distributions.
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.
Series E pays its trading advisor, Graham Capital Management L.P. (the “Trading Advisor”) a management fee at an annual rate of 2% of Series E’s net asset value allocated to its management. The management fee is determined weekly and the sum of such weekly amounts is paid monthly. Series E also pays its Trading Advisor a quarterly incentive fee equal to 22% of such Trading Advisor’s “New High Net Trading Profits” (as defined in the advisory agreement). The incentive fee also accrues weekly.
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11
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Series E reimburses the Managing Owner or its affiliates for services they performed for Series E, which include, but are not limited to: brokerage services; accounting and financial management; registrar, transfer and assignment functions; investor communications; printing and other administrative services. However, to the extent that general and administrative expenses exceed 1.5% of Series E’s net asset value during the year (with a maximum of 0.5% attributable to other than legal and audit expenses) such amounts are borne by the Managing Owner and its affiliates. General and administrative expenses did not exceed such limitations during the First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007.
The expenses incurred by Series E for services performed by the Managing Owner and its affiliates for Series E were:
| | | | | | |
| | First Quarter 2008 | | First Quarter 2007 |
Commissions | | $ | 278,840 | | $ | 323,168 |
General and administrative | | | 13,480 | | | 8,653 |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 292,320 | | $ | 331,821 |
| | | | | | |
Expenses payable to the Managing Owner and its affiliates (which are included in Commissions and other transaction fees payable and Accrued expenses payable) as of March 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007 were $104,589 and $111,429, respectively.
Note 5. | DEPOSITS WITH COMMODITY AND PRIME BROKER |
Series E deposits funds with a commodity broker subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and commodity broker requirements. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of cash with such commodity broker. Series E earns interest income on assets deposited with the commodity broker.
Series E deposits funds with a prime broker. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of cash with such prime broker. Series E earns interest income on assets deposited with the prime broker.
Note 6. | DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS |
Series E is exposed to various types of risks associated with the derivative instruments and related markets in which it invests. These risks include, but are not limited to, risk of loss from fluctuations in the value of derivative instruments held (market risk) and the inability of counterparties to perform under the terms of Series E’s investment activities (credit risk).
Market Risk
Trading in futures and forward contracts (including foreign exchange) involves entering into contractual commitments to purchase or sell a particular commodity at a specified date and price. The gross or face amount of the contracts, which is typically many times that of Series E’s net assets being traded, significantly exceeds Series E’s future cash requirements since Series E intends to close out its open positions prior to settlement. As a result, Series E is generally subject only to the risk of loss arising from the change in the value of the contracts. As such, Series E considers the “fair value” of its derivative instruments to be the net unrealized gain or loss on the contracts. The market risk associated with Series E’s commitments to purchase commodities is limited to the gross or face amount of the contracts held.
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12
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Note 6. | DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS (CONTINUED) |
Market Risk (Continued)
However, when Series E enters into a contractual commitment to sell commodities, it must make delivery of the underlying commodity at the contract price and then repurchase the contract at prevailing market prices or settle in cash. Since the repurchase price to which a commodity can rise is unlimited, entering into commitments to sell commodities exposes Series E to unlimited risk.
Market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors including government programs and policies, political and economic events, the level and volatility of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, the diversification effects among the derivative instruments Series E holds and the liquidity and inherent volatility of the markets in which Series E trades.
Credit Risk
When entering into futures or forward contracts, Series E is exposed to credit risk that the counterparty to the contract will not meet its obligations. The counterparty for futures contracts traded on United States and most foreign futures exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with the particular exchange. In general, clearinghouses are backed by their corporate members 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 (i.e. some foreign exchanges), it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions. On the other hand, there is concentration risk on forward transactions entered into by Series E as Series E’s commodity broker is the sole counterparty. Series E has entered into a master netting agreement with its broker and, as a result, when applicable presents unrealized gains and losses on open forward positions as a net amount in the statements of financial condition. The amount at risk associated with counterparty non-performance of all of Series E’s contracts is the net unrealized gain included in the statements of financial condition; however, counterparty non-performance on only certain of Series E’s contracts may result in greater loss than non-performance on all of Series E’s contracts. There can be no assurance that any counterparty, clearing member or clearinghouse will meet its obligations to Series E.
The Managing Owner attempts to minimize both credit and market risks by requiring Series E and its Trading Advisor to abide by various trading limitations and policies. The Managing Owner monitors compliance with these trading limitations and policies which include, but are not limited to, executing and clearing all trades with creditworthy counterparties; limiting the amount of margin or premium required for any one commodity or all commodities combined; and generally limiting transactions to contracts which are traded in sufficient volume to permit the taking and liquidating of positions. Additionally, pursuant to the advisory agreement among Series E, the Managing Owner and the Trading Advisor, Series E shall automatically terminate the Trading Advisor if the net asset value allocated to the Trading Advisor declines by 40% from the value at the beginning of any year or since the commencement of trading activities. Furthermore, the Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement provides that Series E will liquidate its positions, and eventually dissolve, if Series E experiences a decline in the net asset value of 50% from the value at the beginning of any year or since the commencement of trading activities. In each case, the decline in net asset value is after giving effect for distributions, and redemptions. The Managing Owner may impose additional restrictions (through modifications of trading limitations and policies) upon the trading activities of the Trading Advisor as it, in good faith, deems to be in the best interest of Series E.
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13
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Note 6. | DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS (CONTINUED) |
Credit Risk (Continued)
Series E’s futures commission merchant, in accepting orders for the purchase or sale of domestic futures contracts, is required by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations to separately account for and segregate as belonging to Series E all assets of Series E relating to domestic futures trading and is not allowed to commingle such assets with its other assets. At March 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007, such segregated assets totaled $13,433,178 and $13,599,526, respectively. Part 30.7 of the CFTC regulations also requires Series E’s futures commission merchant to secure assets of Series E related to foreign futures trading which totaled $(132,549) and $(16,544), at March 28, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. There are no segregation requirements for assets related to forward trading.
As of March 28, 2008, Series E’s open futures and forward contracts mature within eighteen months.
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14
WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
Note 7. | FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS |
The following information presents per Interest operating performance data and other supplemental financial data for the period January 1, 2008 to March 28, 2008 and for the period January 1, 2007 to March 30, 2007. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
| | First Quarter 2008 | | | First Quarter 2007 | |
Per Interest Performance | | | | | | | | |
(for an Interest outstanding throughout the entire period) | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Net asset value per Interest at beginning of period | | $ | 178.44 | | | $ | 163.72 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized gain (loss) on commodity transactions(1) | | | 22.47 | | | | (15.97 | ) |
Interest income(1) | | | 0.93 | | | | 1.94 | |
Expenses(1) | | | (4.64 | ) | | | (3.58 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) for the period | | | 18.76 | | | | (17.61 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per Interest at end of period | | $ | 197.20 | | | $ | 146.11 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Return(3) | | | | | | | | |
Total return before incentive fees | | | 10.51 | % | | | (10.76 | )% |
Incentive fees | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total return after incentive fees | | | 10.51 | % | | | (10.76 | )% |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Data | | | | | | | | |
| | |
Ratios to average net asset value: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss before incentive fees(2),(4) | | | (7.89 | )% | | | (4.18 | )% |
Incentive fees(3) | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss after incentive fees | | | (7.89 | )% | | | (4.18 | )% |
| | | | | | | | |
Interest income(4) | | | 1.99 | % | | | 4.96 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Incentive fees(3) | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.00 | % |
Other expenses(4) | | | 9.88 | % | | | 9.14 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | | 9.88 | % | | | 9.14 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
Total returns are calculated based on the change in value of an Interest during the period. An individual Interestholder’s total returns and ratios may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of redemptions.
(1) | Interest income per Interest and expenses per Interest are calculated by dividing interest income and expenses by the weighted average number of Interests outstanding during the period. Net realized gain (loss) and change in net unrealized gain (loss) on commodity transactions is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per Interest with the other per Interest information. |
(2) | Represents interest income less total expenses (exclusive of incentive fees). |
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Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
This report on Form 10-Q (the “Report”) for the quarter ending March 28, 2008 (“First Quarter 2008”) includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current expectations of Preferred Investment Solutions Corp. (“Managing Owner”), the managing owner of World Monitor Trust II – Series E (“Registrant”), about the future results, performance, prospects and opportunities of Registrant. The Managing Owner has tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “should,” “estimate” or the negative of those terms or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Managing Owner and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, both known, such as those described in this Report, and unknown, that could cause Registrant’s actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.
You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the Federal securities laws, the Managing Owner undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or the risks, uncertainties or other factors described in this Report, as a result of new information, future events or changed circumstances or for any other reason after the date of this Report.
Introduction
General
World Monitor Trust II (the “Trust”) is a business trust organized under the laws of Delaware on April 22, 1999. The Trust consists of three separate and distinct series (“Series”): Series D, Series E and Series F. Series D, E and F commenced trading operations on March 13, 2000, April 6, 2000 and March 1, 2000, respectively, and each Series will continue to exist until terminated pursuant to the provisions of Article XIII of the Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”). The assets of each Series are segregated from those of the other Series, separately valued and independently managed. Each Series was formed to engage in the speculative trading of a diversified portfolio of futures, forward and options contracts, and may, from time to time, engage in cash and spot transactions. The trustee of the Trust is Wilmington Trust Company. The Managing Owner serves as the managing owner of the Trust and each Series, including Registrant. Registrant was formed to engage in the speculative trading of commodity futures and forward contracts. The Registrant’s fiscal year for book and tax purposes ends on December 31.
Registrant is engaged solely in the business of commodity futures and forward trading; therefore, presentation of industry segment information is not applicable.
Managing Owner and its Affiliates
Preferred has been the managing owner of Registrant since October 1, 2004. The term Managing Owner, as used herein, refers to Preferred.
The Managing Owner is required to maintain at least a 1% interest in Registrant so long as it is acting as Registrant’s Managing Owner.
The Trading Advisor
Registrant has entered into an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Graham Capital Management, L.P. (the “Trading Advisor” or “Graham”) to make the trading decisions for Registrant. Graham trades 100% of Registrant’s assets pursuant to Graham’s Global Diversified Program. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated for various reasons, including at the discretion of Registrant. Registrant pays a weekly management fee equal to approximately 0.038% (2% annually) of the assets allocated to the Trading Advisor. Registrant also pays the Trading Advisor an incentive fee of 22% of New High Net Trading Profits (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) generated by Registrant. Incentive fees will accrue weekly and be paid quarterly in arrears.
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Competition
The Managing Owner and its affiliates have formed, and may continue to form, various entities to engage in the speculative trading of futures and forward contracts that have certain of the same investment policies as Registrant.
Registrant does not currently, and does not intend in the future to, solicit the sale of additional Interests. As such, Registrant does not compete with other entities to attract new fund participants. However, to the extent that a Trading Advisor recommends similar or identical trades to Registrant and other accounts that it manages, Registrant may compete with those accounts, as well as with other market participants, for the execution of the same or similar trades.
Employees
Registrant has no employees. Management and administrative services for Registrant are performed by the Managing Owner or third parties pursuant to the Trust Agreement, as further discussed in Notes 3 and 4 to Registrant’s financial statements included in its annual report for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“Registrant’s 2007 Annual Report”), which is filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Critical Accounting Policies
Preparation of the financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the application of appropriate accounting rules and guidance. Applying these policies requires the Managing Owner to make judgments, estimates and assumptions in connection with the preparation of Registrant’s financial statements. Actual results may differ from the estimates used.
The Managing Owner has evaluated Registrant’s financial statements and related disclosures and has determined that the policies discussed below are critical accounting policies because they involve estimates, judgments and assumptions that are particularly complex, subjective or uncertain. For further discussion of Registrant’s significant accounting policies, see Note 2 to Registrant’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
The valuation of Registrant’s investments that are not traded on a United States or internationally recognized futures exchange is a critical accounting policy. The market values of futures (exchange traded) contracts is verified by Registrant’s administrator, which obtains valuation data from third party data providers such as Bloomberg and Reuters and compares those prices with Registrant’s clearing broker. The market value of currency swap and forward (non-exchange traded) contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of 4 PM on the last business day of the reporting period. All values assigned by the administrator and confirmed by the Managing Owner are final and conclusive as to all of Registrant’s Unitholders.
As such, if actual results vary from estimates used, they are not anticipated to have a material impact on the financial statements and related disclosures.
Registrant records all investments at fair value in its financial statements, with changes in fair value reported as a component of Trading Profits (Losses) in the Statements of Operations. Generally, fair values are based on quoted market prices; however, in certain circumstances, significant judgments and estimates are involved in determining fair value in the absence of an active market closing price.
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. FIN 48 requires that Registrant recognize in its financial statements the impact of a tax position if that position is more likely than not of being sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The provisions of FIN 48 were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with the cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle recorded as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. In connection with the adoption of FIN 48, Registrant has elected an accounting policy to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as interest expense. The Managing Owner evaluated the impact of adopting FIN 48 on Registrant’s financial statements. The adoption of FIN 48 had no material impact on Registrant, as Registrant’s tax positions are based on established tax precedence for the tax treatment of investment partnerships as flow through tax entities.
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In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 (“SFAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS 157 requires use of a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels: quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1), inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (Level 2), and unobservable inputs for the asset or liability (Level 3). SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.
The Registrant adopted SFAS 157 in the first quarter of 2008. The adoption of SFAS 157 had no impact to the investments in the Registrant’s financial statements. Of its unrealized gains (losses) at March 28, 2008, approximately $(212,834) or (616.18)% of Registrant’s investment is classified as Level 1 and $178,293 or 516.18% as Level 2. Of its unrealized gains (losses) at December 31, 2007, approximately $47,346 or 311.30% of Registrant’s investment is classified as Level 1 and $(62,555) or (411.30)% as Level 2. There are no Level 3 investments on March 28, 2008 or December 31, 2007 using the fair value hierarchy of SFAS 157.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”, including an amendment of SFAS 115, or SFAS 159. This statement provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 with early adoption permitted. The Registrant evaluated the impact adoption of SFAS 159 will have on the Registrant’s financial statements. The Registrant elected not to adopt SFAS 159, as it did not have a material effect on the Registrant’s financial statements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Registrant commenced operations on April 6, 2000. Additional contributions raised through the continuous offering of limited interests (“Limited Interests”) and general interests (“General Interests” and, together with the Limited Interests, “Interests”) of beneficial ownership in Registrant. Registrant’s Interests were offered until it substantially achieved its subscription maximum of $50,000,000 Limited Interests in June 2003.
Limited Interests in Registrant may be redeemed on a weekly basis. For First Quarter 2008, redemptions of Limited Interests and General Interests were $1,467,950 and $17,016, respectively. For First Quarter 2007, redemptions of Limited Interests and General Interests were $1,349,804 and $5,553, respectively. Future redemptions will impact the amount of funds available for investment in commodity contracts in subsequent periods.
Limited Interests may no longer be exchanged for Limited Interests in World Monitor Trust II – Series D (“Series D”) or World Monitor Trust II – Series F (“Series F”), nor may Limited Interests in Series D or Series F be exchanged for Limited Interests in Registrant.
Registrant has entered into an advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Graham Capital Management, L.P. (the “Trading Advisor”) to make the trading decisions for Registrant. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated for various reasons, including at the discretion of the Managing Owner. The Managing Owner has allocated 100% of the proceeds from the initial and continuous offering of Registrant to the Trading Advisor.
A significant portion of Registrant’s net assets are held in cash, which are used as margin for trading in commodities. In as much as the sole business of Registrant is to trade in commodities, Registrant continues to own such liquid assets to be used as margin. The clearing broker and bank credits Registrant with interest income on 100% of its average daily equity maintained in its accounts with the clearing broker and bank during each month at competitive interest rates.
The commodities contracts may be subject to periods of illiquidity because of market conditions, regulatory considerations and other reasons. For example, commodity exchanges limit fluctuations in certain commodity futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily limits.” During a single day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the commodity can neither be taken nor liquidated unless traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Commodity futures prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent Registrant from promptly liquidating its commodity futures positions.
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Since Registrant’s business is to trade futures and forward contracts, its capital is at risk due to changes in the value of these contracts (market risk) or the inability of counterparties to perform under the terms of the contracts (credit risk). Registrant’s exposure to market risk is influenced by a number of factors including the volatility of interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, the liquidity of the markets in which the contracts are traded and the relationships among the contracts held. The inherent uncertainty of Registrant’s speculative trading as well as the development of drastic market occurrences could result in losses considerably beyond Registrant’s experience to date and could ultimately lead to a loss of all of substantially all of investors’ capital. The Managing Owner attempts to minimize these risks by requiring Registrant and the Trading Advisor to abide by various trading limitations and policies, which include limiting margin amounts, trading only in liquid markets and permitting the use of stop loss provisions. For a further discussion of the credit and market risks associated with Registrant’s futures and forward contracts, see Note 6 to Registrant’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s annual report on Form 10K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Registrant does not have, nor does it expect to have, any capital assets.
Market Overview
Following is a market overview for First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007:
First Quarter 2008
General market consensus is that the US is in a recession. The question remains how long and deep it will be. Persistent liquidity problems, spreading credit market contagion and the worst stock market response to Federal Reserve (“Fed”) easing in the postwar era reveal the unusually intractable nature of the problems with which the Fed is presently grappling with. Perhaps more telling is the inability of the Fed to arrest the spread of liquidity problems across the credit market landscape and recurring spikes in the Ted-spread, the difference between the T-bill and LIBOR, and its extraordinarily high level, even after steep rate cuts and unprecedented actions through the discount window. Credit is the lifeblood of capitalist economies and a dysfunctional financial system appears to be threatening the US and the global economies.
US Treasuries finished the first quarter lower than year end 2007. The 10-year yield benchmark fell approximately to 3.41% from 4.00%. The 2-year yield was virtually unchanged in February but declined in March to near 1.60%. The 30-year note fell in March as well. The Fed lowered rates to 2.25% through three separate easing sessions during the quarter, which is a 2% decline. On March 11, the Fed announced a plan to lend up to $200 billion of Treasury securities in exchange for debt, including private mortgage backed securities that have been in a severe slump as homeowners default on payments. The biggest event of the quarter was the March 14 “rescue” of Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. through the sponsorship of the Fed and JP Morgan Chase & Co. after the investment house giant admitted its liquidity had significantly declined.
US first quarter economic data displayed little indication of a speedy housing recovery. Housing starts fell, building permits dropped to a 16-year low, confidence among home builders plummeted and mortgage delinquencies hit their highest levels since the Regan era. The outlook for employment worsened as the unemployment rate rose to 5.1% from 4.8%, which is the highest level since September 2005. In March, nonfarm payrolls plunged and January and February estimates were significantly revised downward, which made the data even harder to swallow. As far as inflation is concerned, the Fed continues to express its usual caution but the economic slump seems to be taking precedence.
Outside the US, European Central Bank (“ECB”) rates remained unchanged throughout the first quarter and ECB president, Jean Claude Trichet, continued his hawkish stance giving no indication the ECB would detour from its tight monetary policy. Inflation in the Eurozone ran a bit high and closed the quarter at 3.50%. However, consumer and business confidence was stable. The Bank of England (“BOE”) seemed to be in an easing mode during the first three months of the year as UK economic data, housing in particular, were on the weak side. Also, UK GDP was only 0.6% for the fourth quarter 2007 and the first quarter data does not appear to have improved. The People’s Bank of the Republic of China maintained a tight monetary policy in an effort to curb inflation and comments from the Bank indicate they might press tighter in the coming months as the inflation threat thickens. In addition, eyes are on the Tibet crisis and its impact on the upcoming summer Olympic Games. The Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark rate by 50 basis points on March 4 and Canadian GDP growth is minimal. The Bank of Japan remained on hold throughout the quarter. The Tankan report indicated decreased confidence as the manufacturing sector and the quarterly index fell.
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Currencies:The US Dollar remained under pressure for most of March, extending the patterns of January and February. During the quarter, the US Dollar Index realized the weakest monthly close since its 1973 inception. Trading patterns in March were somewhat more two-sided than the straight down tone of January and February but the dollar was consistently unable to maintain consolidation rallies. The dollar continues to suffer from diversification efforts by foreign central banks such as China, Russia and some petro nations.
The euro continued its steep strengthening on the greenback through the first three months of 2008. The euro traded over an historical high-point prior to ending the quarter. The British pound concluded March little changed from February and January and ended the period slightly lower than year-end 2007. UK housing prices declined for five consecutive months as the subprime/credit concerns still hounded the British landscape. After closing out February at a three-year low, the dollar lost additional ground to the yen in March. The Japanese economy appears to be in better shape than the US as the yen continued its 2007 rally through to 2008. The Chinese yuan extended its gradual advance on the US dollar during the quarter. On a positive note for the greenback, the dollar strengthened on the Canadian dollar, Korean won and South African rand.
Energies:Record highs were set during the quarter as New York Mercantile Exchange crude futures traded over $110 in mid-March. Under March’s commodity deleveraging pressure, oil dropped and closed the quarter with a year-to-date gain over 6% within the Dow Jones AIG Index (“DJAIG”). A mid-March pipeline sabotage attempt in Iraq proved to be a limited disruption. Global demand, led primarily by China and India, remains the number one bullish factor for energy prices. Heating oil and natural gas performed handsomely in the first quarter, ending with gains of over 12% and 32%, respectively. Reformulated gasoline declined almost 3% during the three months as refining margins have been lean and, thus, production has lagged.
Agriculturals:Prior to the deleveraging commodity drawdown in late March, a weakening US dollar and supply side deficits drove agricultural prices to historical levels during the quarter. Corn began each month with prices on the upswing, which was followed at some point during the month with a temporary, profit taking sell-off. The fundamental reasons behind corn’s rally is the ethanol story, the growing potential of an eventual global food shortage and capital flows pouring into this “non-traditional” asset class. Wheat started the year off rather stable trading in the $9 to $10 per bushel (���pb”) range. As global fears of a wheat shortage hit the markets in February, prices launched to a record $25 pb but fell back to around $12 pb by the end of March, which capped off a positive quarter. Soybean prices encountered a similar trading pattern with a 28% increase by the end of February as increasing improvements in the quality of life in emerging nations drove the bean consumption pattern. As the March deleveraging took shape and rattled the markets, bean prices dropped 30%, ending the quarter with an overall loss.
Indices:It was a rocky quarter for the global equity markets. Cash flowed heavily from stocks to alternative assets in the wake of financial liquidity concerns and a weakening economic landscape. US stocks ended the quarter with their worst performance in six years. After a rally during the last week of the period, the Dow Jones Industrial Index finished down approximately 7.6% for the quarter, with financial stocks among the worst performers. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 dove 14% and 9.4% for the quarter, respectively. The US indices were presented with challenges related to the US financial mess along with the prolonged housing malaise.
Equities in Europe experienced their worst quarter in six years as well. Similar to the US, a shift to alternative assets and the surrounding credit and liquidity disaster drove the negative performance. In contrast, Europe could count on the strength in the euro and sterling as compared to the weak dollar. The broad based Dow Jones STOXX 600® index was down overall for the quarter. Financials, telecoms and tech represented the weakest sectors. The German DAX closed the quarter down nearly 19%. The French CAC 40 ended the quarter with losses over 16%. London’s FTSE had the benefit of a more accommodative BOE but still lost more than 11.5% during the quarter.
Once again, Asia was a hotbed of volatility as the major indices incurred double-digit declines. Akin to the US and Europe, financial and credit issues were key negative factors. Japan was impacted by negative economic data and, unlike the US, Japan concluded the period on a defensive note. The Nikkei lost 2.3% in the final session, finishing down over 18% for the quarter. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng Index exhibited extreme volatility and ended the quarter with an almost 19% loss. In Australia, the All Ordinaries Index benefited from high commodity prices but not from the Reserve Bank’s very tight monetary policy and ended the quarter down roughly 15.7%
Metals:March was a bumpy month for gold. The metal reached an all-time high of approximately $1,034 on March 17. Also, commodities as an asset group experienced deleveraging, the result being a slide in gold prices. The quarter closed at over $921, resulting in a loss of approximately 6% for March, lowering the quarterly gain to plus
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8.5%. Silver followed its parasitic role and followed gold through a very volatile trading pattern and finished with strong quarterly performance over 15%. The slowing demand for jewelry had less of an impact on silver than on gold. Platinum had a positive month but prices were rocky as Asian demand for jewelry cooled and power and labor problems in South Africa remained a concern. Palladium followed suit and had a positive quarter.
Prices increased across the board for base metals during the first quarter despite being affected by the deleveraging process in March. Copper gained a hefty 25.7% as demand outside the US remained strong. Power problems in South Africa and China lent support to aluminum. Increasing stainless steel production and demand resulted in an approximate 9.4% gain for nickel within the DJAIG. Mounting battery related demand and a narrowing production deficit resulted in a profitable quarter for lead. Tin and zinc witnessed profitable quarters as well.
Softs and Livestock:During the quarter, sugar prices exhibited extreme volatility, falling over 20% in March after a stellar February, bringing their quarterly gain to over 4% within the DJAIG. Higher production forecasts and inventory levels and the commodity pull-back were factors that promoted the 20% drop in March. Coffee lost over 8% within the DJAIG for the quarter and was the index’s worst performance component for March. Cocoa hit a 28-year high during the period and finished the quarter with positive overall performance. Citrus prices fell about 24% on indications of increased production as inventories topped two-year levels.
Live cattle extended its 2007 slide into the first quarter as performance finished down over 13.4%. Some blame the economic slump and oversupply for bad performance. After plummeting a hefty 11.6% in March, live hogs hold the dubious honor of being the weakest component within the DJAIG during the first quarter, closing down over 18.5%. On a positive note, demand in Asia remained strong.
First Quarter 2007
The US Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) remained on hold throughout First Quarter 2007 after having moved away from the tightening bias cycle in the fourth quarter of 2006. As the second quarter of 2007 began, the Federal Open Market Committee minutes indicate a growing concern with the potential for an economic slowdown, but at the same time, inflation remains the Fed’s primary focus. Treasury yields were in an almost constant downtrend in the fourth quarter of 2006 and hit an eleven month low last November, but the pattern in First Quarter 2007 was more two sided. Some steepening of the yield curve was noted during First Quarter 2007.
Housing persists as a major focus and potentially the largest threat to the US economy. The February housing report did exhibit something of a bounce in housing as starts rose 9% in February 2007 after falling 14% in January 2007. The more forward-looking housing permits declined for the twelfth time in thirteen months. Housing starts are down more than 26% and housing permits more than 28% from 2006, to put the situation in perspective. In addition, inventories are burdensome and the median home sale price fell over 1% year-on-year. Ongoing concerns in the sub-prime mortgage sector had an impact on the housing sector, but its potential spread into the prime mortgage sector seems to have been contained for the moment.
On the inflation front, the Core Personal Consumption Price Index, one of the Fed’s closely watched measures, rose 0.3% in February 2007, the most since August 2006 and most importantly year-on-year it rose above the Fed’s target. The Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) was up 0.4% and the Core CPI rose 0.2% as food and energy prices climbed. During First Quarter 2007, food is up dramatically within the CPI. Meanwhile, the Producer Price Index (“PPI”) has also risen, unexpectedly jumping 1.8% in February 2007, with the Core rising 0.4% during that same period.
Fourth quarter 2006 Gross Domestic Product (“GDP”) was revised upwards slightly but economists forecast the first quarter 2007 figures to remain steady. Healthy unemployment data from the fourth quarter of 2006 extended into First Quarter 2007, including an increase in non-farm payrolls and a decline to 4.4% in the unemployment rate. Consumer Confidence numbers were off a bit in the quarter, but remained relatively strong. Retail sales were relatively weak for the quarter, but still above year ago levels. Manufacturing indices were mixed but construction spending held well. As the second quarter begins, the US economy seems to be lagging as indicated in the International Monetary Fund projections while Asia and Europe appear considerably more buoyant.
The Eurozone’s economy seems to have solid momentum, as does the UK, after a strong First Quarter 2007 performance. Not surprisingly, the euro rose to a two-year high. Global imbalances were a focus in the quarter, evidenced particularly by the yen carry trade. The European Central Bank (“ECB”) held rates steady at the April
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meeting after hiking them 25 basis points in March, and ECB President Trichet sounded hawkish in his latest commentary. The Bank of England increased rates 25 basis points in January to 5.25%. The Swiss National Bank also increased rates 25 basis points to 2.25%. Of note, European and Asian equity markets surged late in the first quarter and featured strong earnings and robust merger and acquisition (“M&A”) activity.
The Bank of Japan continues to pursue a conservative policy as it remained on hold in April after a 0.25% increase in February. The Japanese economy displayed a mixed pattern of economic data that shows the economy generally improving, albeit modestly, with little inflation threat. China continued its expansion, growing over 10% in the quarter despite forecasts from many of a significant slowdown. The People’s Bank of China has been in a tightening mode, but this has not slowed the growth pace. The Bank of Canada was on hold during the quarter. However, there is speculation that the Reserve Bank of Australia could raise rates in May.
Currencies:The US Dollar ended a negative month and quarter on a weak note after the US imposed trade sanctions on paper imports against China, the first time in 23 years that US duty law has been applied to imports from that country. Some describe the move as a potential watershed event in US/People’s Republic of China relations; currency traders viewed the action as important. Throughout February and March, the yen was the currency in focus, with the carry trade drawing the most attention. While the attention was warranted at the time, the “crisis” quieted by the end of March.
The euro closed the quarter with a slight gain from year-end. Mostly strong European Union (“EU”) economic data were noted, including solid numbers for the German economy, considered the region’s “engine of growth.” The German VAT increase has not caused the dire consequences some projected. German unemployment fell to a six-year low, while data from France and Italy has been mostly buoyant. The British pound closed out the quarter modestly higher over the 2006 finish. The Chinese yuan gained against the dollar in the first quarter.
The latest US Trade Report showed the nation’s deficit narrowing in January, the fourth narrowing in five months. Exports hit record levels and imports declined slightly. Capital goods exports achieved record levels but the petroleum deficit widened. The deficit with China widened, while the deficit with the EU was the lowest since January 2004.
Energies:Crude oil futures were mixed during the quarter, but finished up slightly overall. March featured an increased terror premium, mostly related to the Iran/UK naval hostage situation. OPEC production was supportive and the latest Department of Energy (“DOE”) data show crude inventories slightly lower than last year. A series of refinery outages, some expected maintenance and some unanticipated repairs added to the bullish scenario for crude prices. Buoyant product demand and reduced imports also lent support. Gasoline futures finished the quarter up strongly. Despite a recent surge in pump prices, demand remains slightly higher than last year. Lower overall European gasoline production and the various US refinery outages point to continuing tight supplies, supported by strong crude prices.
Heating oil prices ended the quarter more than 11% higher than they were at the start of 2007. The DOE reports that inventories are below last season’s, while demand remains near 2006 levels. The winter temperature overall was slightly above normal but the February cold snap increased demand considerably.
Natural gas prices were quite volatile during the first quarter of the year and ended up over 17% higher than at the start of the year. The weather will play a key role in the coming weeks; El Niño years have historically led to warmer than normal summers, a potentially bullish influence to accompany forecasters’ predictions of an active hurricane season.
Grains:The corn market saw a 23% increase in prices overall for the quarter. However, after a robust start spurred on by bullish USDA Supply/Demand reports in January and February, March brought no new data and the market began to fade. On March 30th, the release of the annual Planting Intentions Report drove prices sharply lower with its estimates of a 15% increase in estimated corn acreage. The soybean market went into a sideways stall during March, in deference to the price-appreciating pattern seen during the first two months of the quarter. The increase in corn acreage came at the expense of many other crops, not the least of which was soybeans, projected by the report to be down 11% in acreage. In addition, the auspices of a threatening hurricane season, combined with this summer’s expected El Niño conditions, has some market participants questioning supply predictions. Wheat prices broke down through the quarter’s supporting price floor during March. Given the ongoing drought conditions in Australia, one of the world’s largest wheat growing and exporting nations, and the expected higher corn prices that will necessitate longer cattle grazing, farmers are reported to be intending to increase plantings by 10%. Cotton
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prices languished in a range for the entire quarter. Not even a surprising 20% plantings report reduction in cotton acreage could spur the market, given the current supply overhang stemming from the non-recourse Loan Program provisions.
Indices:US equity markets turned in mixed and volatile performance for the quarter as a whole. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended in negative territory, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ indices managed meager gains. The UK/Iran political crisis, fears surrounding the Japanese yen carry trade, imposition of trade sanctions on China and sub-prime mortgage market concerns were all major issues affecting the markets. Uncertainty was one of the buzzwords of the quarter, but US and global market inflows and spectacular M&A activity pointed in the bullish direction.
The brisk flow of foreign capital into European equities during the quarter was also a contributing factor in the increase in European equities. Heavy M&A, solid earnings and mostly buoyant EU and UK economic data led the way from a fundamental perspective.
Asian equities experienced a volatile ride in the quarter, but after being under severe pressure due to carry trade and liquidity related factors in February and into early March, they rallied back strongly to all-time highs in late March.
Interest Rates:US treasuries engaged in erratic and, at times, volatile trading patterns in March, but ended the quarter higher overall. Early in the month, bonds attracted considerable flight to safety and risk aversion support as related to carry trade and sub-prime concerns but that lessened considerably by month’s end with some of the buying reversed. The final week of March saw the yield curve steepening with the majority of the move at the long end. Housing remains a primary concern and perhaps the greatest risk to the US economy.
Outside of the US, the European Central Bank (“ECB”) raised rates in March as but held steady in April as they look to slow ample liquidity and growth in Germany, France and Italy. ECB President Trichet expressed concerns about demand growth and increasing wage demands, particularly in Germany. The Bank of England held rates unchanged at both the March and April meetings. Recent UK inflation data has shown improvement, lessening the potential for a near term rate hike. The Bank of Japan was also on hold given that recent economic data from Japan has been mixed. In China, the People’s Bank continues to tighten liquidity as the economy roars ahead at a near 11% GDP pace. The Bank of Canada and Reserve Bank of Australia were on hold during the quarter.
Metals:Both gold and silver prices struggled a bit in March, but continued their overall upward trend during the quarter. Platinum prices ended higher for the quarter, with increased volatility. Sister metal palladium also rose on buoyant industrial demand. Copper prices were highly volatile during the first quarter, as virtually all commodities were impacted by the global liquidity crunch related primarily to the yen carry trade. Import data from China has signaled continued strong demand. Nickel prices surged over 42% during the quarter on continued supply deficits. Demand levels for stainless steel continue to expand. Aluminum ended the quarter virtually unchanged and has been one of the quietest of the metal markets. Zinc prices fell over 20% during the quarter mostly due to high levels of exports from China. Lead prices advanced as did tin prices, the latter impacted somewhat by Indonesian supply disruptions.
Softs:Sugar prices fell over 15% during First Quarter 2007, reflecting a growing global surplus and slow physical sugar sales in March. Coffee prices also ended the quarter approximately 15% lower primarily due to improved crop prospects from Brazil. Cocoa prices, on the other hand, rose to their highest levels since May of 2003 on estimates of a smaller than expected West African crop yield and indications that end users are not well hedged. Live cattle prices rose slightly for the quarter. However, improved feeding conditions in the Midwest dampened enthusiasm somewhat. Although hogs have benefited from recent rises in retail beef prices, hog prices during the quarter were weighed down with seasonally slack demand and the USDA corn report.
Sector Performance
Due to the nature of Registrant’s trading activities, a period-to-period comparison of its trading results is not meaningful. However, a discussion of Registrant’s trading results for the major sectors in which Registrant traded for First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007 are presented below.
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First Quarter 2008
Currencies: (+) This sector experienced the majority of its losses in the Turkish lira, Israeli sheckel, Australian dollar, New Zealand dollar, and Singapore dollar. The majority of the gains were made in the Korean won, the euro, the Hungarian forint, Canadian dollar and US dollar.
Energies: (+) This sector experienced gains in crude oil, heating oil, natural gas, gas oil and brent crude.
Grains: (+) This sector experienced losses in soybeans and soybean meal. Gains were experienced in wheat, cotton and corn.
Indices: (+) This sector experienced a majority of its gains in the DJ Stoxx 50, the Nikkei, the Hang Seng and the CAC 40. The majority of losses were experienced in the IBEX, Russell 2000 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Interest Rates: (-) This sector experienced a majority of its losses in the German Bund, the German 2-year Bonds, Short Sterling and the Euribor. The majority of gains were experienced in U.S. Treasury Notes and Japanese Government Bonds.
Meats: (+) This sector experienced gains in live cattle.
Metals: (-) This sector experienced losses in aluminum, gold and copper. Gains were made in silver.
Softs: (-) This sector experienced losses in coffee, cocoa and sugar.
First Quarter 2007
Currencies: (-)Losses were experienced on positions in the Australian dollar versus the U.S. dollar and the euro, the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar and the euro, the Chilean peso, the Columbian peso, the Czech koruna, the dollar index, the euro, the Indonesian rupiah, the Israeli shekel, the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar and the Swiss franc, the Korean won, the Mexican peso, the New Zealand dollar, the Norwegian krone, the Polish zloty, the Singapore dollar, the South African rand, and the Swiss franc. Gains were made in the Brazilian real, the British pound, the Hungarian forint, the Indian rupee, the Japanese yen versus the euro, the Australian dollar and the British pound, the Russian ruble, the Swedish krona, the Taiwan dollar and the Turkish lira.
Energies: (-) Losses were experienced in Brent crude, crude oil, heating oil and natural gas.
Grains: (-) Losses were experienced in corn and cotton. Gains were made in soybean meal and wheat.
Indices: (-) Losses were experienced in CAC 40, DJ Stoxx 50, Dow Jones Industrial Average, FTSE 100, Nasdaq 100, Nikkei, Russell 2000 and S&P 500. Gains were experienced in DAX, Hang Seng, IBEX 35 and Tokyo Stock Index.
Interest Rates: (-) Losses were experienced in the Australian Bank Bill and 3-year Bond, Euribor, Eurodollar, Euroswiss, Euroyen, German 2-year, 5-year and 10-year Bonds, Japanese Government Bonds, U.K. Gilts and Short Sterling, 5-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury Notes and U.S. Treasury Bonds.
Metals: (-) Losses were experienced during the first quarter on positions in aluminum, copper, gold and zinc.
Softs: (+) Losses were experienced in coffee. Gains were made in cocoa and sugar.
First Quarter 2006
Currencies: (-) The currency sector was down for the first quarter of 2006 on long and short positions in the Euro, short positions in the Swiss franc and long position in the Mexican peso and the Canadian dollar.
Energies: (-) The sector generated net losses for the quarter primarily on short positions in crude oil, unleaded gasoline and heating oil.
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Grains: (-) Long and short positions in wheat, corn and soybean meal resulted in losses for the first quarter of 2006.
Indices: (+) Profits were generated on long positions in the DAX, the IBEX 35, the CAC 40 and the Dow Jones STOXX 50.
Interest Rates: (+) Profits were generated on Euribor, Eurodollar, German BOBL and German 2-year Bond short positions.
Metals: (+) The metals sector was profitable in the first quarter of 2006, with long positions in copper, aluminum and zinc providing the largest profits.
Softs: (-) Losses from long positions in coffee, and long and short position in cocoa, offset gains from short positions in live cattle and hogs.
Results of Operations
The net asset value (“Net Asset Value”) per Interest as of March 28, 2008 was $197.20, an increase of 10.51% from the December 31, 2007 Net Asset Value per Interest of $178.44. The Net Asset Value per Interest as of March 30, 2007 was $146.11, a decrease of 10.76% from the December 31, 2006 Net Asset Value per Interest of $163.72. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.
Registrant’s trading gains (losses) before commissions and related fees during First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007 were approximately $2,292,000 and ($2,231,000), respectively.
Registrant’s average net asset level decreased during the First Quarter 2008 in comparison to the First Quarter 2007 primarily due to the effect of redemptions. Registrant’s average net asset level decreased during the First Quarter 2007 in comparison to the First Quarter 2006 primarily due to the effect of redemptions and negative trading performance.
Interest income is earned on the average daily equity maintained with the clearing broker at competitive interest rates and, therefore, varies weekly according to interest rates, trading performance and redemptions. Interest income decreased by approximately $179,000 during the First Quarter 2008 as compared to First Quarter 2007 primarily due to declining interest rates and reduced average net asset levels, which were primarily the result of redemptions. Interest income decreased by approximately $49,000 during First Quarter 2007 as compared to First Quarter 2006 primarily due to the impact of reduced average net asset levels discussed above. Higher interest rates during the First Quarter 2007 as compared to First Quarter 2006 did not fully offset the impact of the average redemptions.
Commissions are calculated on Registrant’s Net Asset Value at the end of each week and therefore, vary according to weekly trading performance and redemptions. Other transaction fees consist of National Futures Association, exchange and clearing fees as well as floor brokerage costs and give-up charges, which are based on the number of trades the Trading Advisor executes, as well as which exchange, clearing firm or bank on, or through, which the contract is traded. Commissions and other transaction fees decreased by approximately $42,000 in First Quarter 2008 as compared to First Quarter 2007 primarily due to reduced average net asset levels discussed above. Commissions and other transaction fees decreased by approximately $168,000 in First Quarter 2007 as compared to First Quarter 2006 due primarily to reduced average net asset levels discussed above.
Management fees are calculated on the Registrant’s net asset value at the end of each week, and therefore, are affected by weekly trading performance and redemptions. Management fees decreased by approximately $15,000 during the First Quarter 2008 as compared to First Quarter 2007 primarily due to reduced average net asset levels discussed above. Management fees decreased by approximately $37,000 in First Quarter 2007 as compared to First Quarter 2006 due primarily to reduced average net asset levels discussed above.
Incentive fees are based on the “New High Net Trading Profits” (as defined in the Advisory Agreement) generated by the Trading Advisor, are accrued weekly and are ultimately determined as of the close of business on the last Friday of each calendar quarter. No incentive fees were earned in the First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007.
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General and administrative expenses were approximately $60,000 and $35,000 in First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007 respectively. These expenses include accounting, audit, tax, and legal fees, as well as printing and postage costs related to reports sent to limited owners and are before reimbursement of costs incurred by the Managing Owner on behalf of Registrant. To the extent that general and administrative expenses exceed 1.5% of Registrant’s Average Net Asset Value during the year (with a maximum of 0.5% attributable to other than legal, audit and tax expenses), such amounts are borne by the Managing Owner and its affiliates. No such expenses exceeded these limits during the First Quarter 2008 and First Quarter 2007.
Inflation
Inflation has had no material impact on the operations or on the financial condition of Registrant from inception through March 28, 2008.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
As of March 28, 2008, Registrant had not utilized special purpose entities to facilitate off-balance sheet financing arrangements and has no loan guarantee arrangements or off-balance sheet arrangements of any kind other than agreements entered into in the normal course of business, which may include indemnification provisions related to certain risks service providers, such as our accountants, undertake in performing services which are in the best interests of Registrant. While Registrant’s exposure under such indemnification provisions cannot be estimated, these general business indemnifications are not expected to have a material impact on Registrant’s financial position.
Registrant’s contractual obligations are with the Managing Owner, Trading Advisor and the Registrant’s commodity broker. Management fees payable by Registrant to the Trading Advisor and the Managing Owner are calculated as a fixed percentage of Registrant’s Net Asset Value. Incentive fees payable by the Registrant to the Trading Advisor are at a fixed rate, calculated as a percentage of the Registrant’s “New High Net Trading Profits”. As such, the Managing Owner cannot anticipate the amounts to be paid for future periods as Net Asset Values and “New High Net Trading Profits” are not known until a future date. Commissions payable to the Registrant’s commodity broker are based on a cost per executed trade and, as such, the Managing Owner cannot anticipate the amount that will be required under the brokerage agreement, as the level of executed trades are not known until a future date. These agreements are effective for one-year terms, renewable automatically for additional one-year terms unless terminated. Additionally, these agreements may be terminated by either party thereto for various reasons. For a further discussion of Registrant’s contractual obligations, see Notes 1 and 3 to Registrant’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007, which is filed as an exhibit to Registrant’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is not required pursuant to Item 305(e) of Regulation S-K.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Registrant’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Registrant in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and that such information is accumulated and communicated to Registrant’s management, including the Managing Owner’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Director of Fund Administration (who, in these capacities, function as the Co-Chief Executive Officers and Principal Financial/Accounting Officer, respectively, of Registrant), as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
In designing and evaluating Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures, the Managing Owner recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.
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The Managing Owner’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of certain officers of the Managing Owner (including the Managing Owner’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Director of Fund Administration), has evaluated the effectiveness of Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, the Managing Owner’s Co-Chief Executive Officers and Director of Fund Administration have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a – 15(f) and 15d – 15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the first quarter of 2008 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
There are no legal proceedings pending by or against Registrant or the Managing Owner, or to which Registrant or Managing Owner was a party during the period covered by this Report.
There have been no changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in Registrant’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
None
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None
None
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31.1 | | Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 (filed herewith) |
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31.2 | | Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 (filed herewith) |
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32.1 | | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith) |
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32.2 | | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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WORLD MONITOR TRUST II – SERIES E | | | | |
| | | |
By: | | Preferred Investment Solutions Corp., its managing owner | | | | |
| | | | |
| | By: | | /s/ Kenneth A. Shewer | | | | Date: May 12, 2008 |
| | Name: | | Kenneth A. Shewer | | | | |
| | Title: | | Co-Chief Executive Officer | | | | |
| | | | (Principal Executive Officer) | | | | |
| | | | |
| | By: | | /s/ David K. Spohr | | | | Date: May 12, 2008 |
| | Name: | | David K. Spohr | | | | |
| | Title: | | Senior Vice President and Director of Fund Administration | | | | |
| | | | (Principal Financial/Accounting Officer) | | | | |