Exhibit 99.2
Report of Independent Auditors
The Investors of
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. (the Master Fund), including the condensed schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2007 and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Master Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Master Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Master Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. at December 31, 2007, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2007, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 5, 2008
1
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2007
| | | |
Assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 63,964,202 |
Due from broker | | | 69,790,428 |
Investments in securities, at value (cost $36,086,753) | | | 4,288,877 |
Unrealized gain on derivative contracts, at value | | | 242,590,693 |
Interest receivable | | | 860,169 |
Other | | | 112,144 |
| | | |
Total assets | | | 381,606,513 |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts, at value | | | 131,309,160 |
Collateral funds held | | | 56,001,221 |
Payable to Brigadier Capital LP | | | 6,327,019 |
Payable to Brigadier Capital Offshore Fund Ltd. | | | 62,181,448 |
Other | | | 266,108 |
| | | |
Total liabilities | | | 256,084,956 |
| | | |
Net assets | | $ | 125,521,557 |
| | | |
Net asset value per Class A share (78,911 shares outstanding) | | $ | 1,590.58 |
| | | |
Net asset value per Class B share (5 shares outstanding) | | $ | 1,589.43 |
| | | |
See accompanying notes.
2
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Investment in Securities | | Investment Type | | Percent of Net Assets | | | Par | | Cost | | Value |
North America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Dekani 0% 10 APR 2034 – 144A | | CDO/CLO | | 1.27 | % | | $ | 3,200,000 | | $ | 2,304,000 | | $ | 1,600,000 |
Libertas 0% 12 FEB 2047 – PFD | | CDO/CLO | | 0.60 | | | | 15,000,000 | | | 11,111,111 | | | 750,000 |
Libertas Preferred Funding Ltd. | | CDO/CLO | | 0.15 | | | | 6,400,000 | | | 6,144,000 | | | 192,000 |
DVSQ 2005-5A E | | CDO/CLO | | 0.06 | | | | 1,501,176 | | | 1,474,906 | | | 75,059 |
Center Square 0% 19 NOV 2051 | | CDO/CLO | | 0.04 | | | | 1,500,000 | | | 1,200,000 | | | 45,000 |
Arca Funding Ltd. Series 2006 – 1A Class 7 | | CDO/CLO | | 0.03 | | | | 7,163,648 | | | 6,687,399 | | | 35,818 |
Kefton CDO Ltd. Series 2006 – 1A Class Sub | | CDO/CLO | | 0.03 | | | | 7,000,000 | | | 5,460,000 | | | 35,000 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 2.18 | | | | 41,764,824 | | | 34,381,416 | | | 2,732,877 |
Security Capital Assurance Ltd. | | Equity | | 1.24 | | | | 400,000 | | | 1,705,337 | | | 1,556,000 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | 1.24 | | | | 400,000 | | | 1,705,337 | | | 1,556,000 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment in securities | | | | 3.42 | % | | $ | 42,164,824 | | $ | 36,086,753 | | $ | 4,288,877 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives | | Notional | | Counterparty | | Interest Rate | | | Maturity Date | | Reference Obligation | | Value | | Percent of Net Assets | |
Credit Default Swaps — Protection Purchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Calc 2006-1 C | | $ | 54,222,888 | | Merrill Lynch | | 0.85 | % | | 01/25/2037 | | Customized Basket | | $ | 21,675,072 | | 17.27 | % |
Vert 2006-2A | | | 15,000,000 | | Bank of NY | | 1.95 | | | 05/09/2046 | | Customized Basket | | | 12,976,079 | | 10.34 | |
ABX.HE.BBB-06-2 | | | 15,000,000 | | Lehman | | 2.42 | | | 05/25/2046 | | ABX Index | | | 12,369,958 | | 9.85 | |
CDX.NA.IG.9 | | | 20,000,000 | | Morgan Stanley | | 5.00 | | | 12/20/2017 | | CDX Index | | | 11,860,084 | | 9.45 | |
Carmel Valley 2006-3 Class B | | | 15,000,000 | | Societe General | | 0.90 | | | 02/20/2045 | | Customized Basket | | | 11,321,757 | | 9.02 | |
Lehman ABX Tranche 06-1 11-17% | | | 12,000,000 | | Lehman | | 2.10 | | | 09/25/2011 | | Customized Basket | | | 11,240,500 | | 8.96 | |
RASC 2006-KS3 M9 | | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 3.65 | | | 04/25/2036 | | Customized Basket | | | 7,496,931 | | 5.97 | |
Home Equity Asset Trust 2006-4 | | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 3.85 | | | 04/25/2036 | | Customized Basket | | | 7,430,653 | | 5.92 | |
ACE Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan | | | 10,000,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 1.32 | | | 07/25/2036 | | Customized Basket | | | 6,948,167 | | 5.54 | |
First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust | | | 8,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 1.28 | | | 03/25/2036 | | Customized Basket | | | 6,492,978 | | 5.17 | |
Long Beach Mortgage Loan Trust 2006 | | | 8,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 1.81 | | | 07/25/2036 | | Customized Basket | | | 6,439,589 | | 5.13 | |
Camber 2006A Tranche D | | | 7,500,000 | | UBS | | 5.49 | | | 07/12/2043 | | Customized Basket | | | 6,296,667 | | 5.02 | |
Other | | | | | | | | | | 03/20/2012 – 08/13/2047 | | | | | 120,042,258 | | 95.63 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on credit default swaps — protection purchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 242,590,693 | | 193.27 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives | | Notional | | Counterparty | | Interest Rate | | | Maturity Date | | Reference Obligation | | Value | | | Percent of Net Assets | |
Credit Default Swaps — Protection Sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lehman ABX Tranche 06-1 5-11% | | $ | 36,000,000 | | Lehman | | 4.90 | % | | 09/25/2011 | | Customized Basket | | | (30,935,500 | ) | | (24.65 | )% |
Carmel Valley 2006-3 Class C | | | 30,000,000 | | Societe General | | 2.15 | | | 02/20/2045 | | Customized Basket | | | (25,686,455 | ) | | (20.46 | ) |
Calc 2006-1 D | | | 54,222,888 | | Merrill Lynch | | 1.35 | | | 01/25/2037 | | Customized Basket | | | (21,666,788 | ) | | (17.26 | ) |
Lehman ABX Tranche 06-1 5-11% | | | 12,000,000 | | Lehman | | 3.95 | | | 05/25/2046 | | Customized Basket | | | (11,561,417 | ) | | (9.21 | ) |
Bayf 06-1A | | | 10,000,000 | | Morgan Stanley | | 3.25 | | | 03/14/2041 | | Customized Basket | | | (9,884,653 | ) | | (7.88 | ) |
SCF 8A-D | | | 10,000,000 | | Lehman | | 4.10 | | | 10/06/2043 | | Customized Basket | | | (9,836,722 | ) | | (7.84 | ) |
CDX.NA.IG9-V1 57 | | | 20,000,000 | | Lehman | | 5.00 | | | 12/20/2012 | | CDX Index | | | (9,394,444 | ) | | (7.48 | ) |
Country Wide Home Loans Incl. | | | 30,000,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 0.47 | | | 06/20/2012 | | Single Ref. Entity | | | (7,886,494 | ) | | (6.28 | ) |
Other | | | | | | | | | | 06/20/2012 – 12/20/2012 | | | | | (4,456,687 | ) | | (3.55 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unrealized gain on credit default swaps — protection sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | (131,309,160 | ) | | (104.61 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2007
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions | | | | |
Net realized gain on derivative contracts | | $ | 17,967,766 | |
Net realized loss on investments in securities and option contracts | | | (59,811,568 | ) |
Change in net unrealized loss on investments in securities and option contracts | | | (33,989,564 | ) |
Change in net unrealized gain on derivative contracts | | | 110,513,229 | |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions | | | 34,679,863 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | | |
Interest income on investments in securities | | | 13,366,963 | |
Interest income on cash and cash equivalents | | | 3,934,005 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 17,300,968 | |
| | | | |
Interest expenses | | | 265,668 | |
Professional fees | | | 117,800 | |
Fund administration fees | | | 594,711 | |
Other | | | 349,572 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 1,327,751 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 15,973,217 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 50,653,080 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2007
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions | | $ | 34,679,863 | |
Net investment income | | | 15,973,217 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 50,653,080 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | | |
Capital shares issued: | | | | |
Class A | | | 58,387,003 | |
Class B | | | — | |
| | | | |
| | | 58,387,003 | |
Capital shares redeemed: | | | | |
Class A | | | (69,413,374 | ) |
Class B | | | (1,768 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | (69,415,142 | ) |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | (11,028,139 | ) |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets | | | 39,624,941 | |
Net assets, beginning of period | | | 85,896,616 | |
| | | | |
Net assets, end of period | | $ | 125,521,557 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2007
| | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 50,653,080 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
Purchase of investments in securities | | | (127,172,868 | ) |
Sale of investments in securities and option contracts | | | 102,515,170 | |
Realized loss on securities | | | 59,811,568 | |
Amortization/accretion | | | (183,810 | ) |
Change in unrealized loss from securities positions and option contracts | | | 33,989,564 | |
Change in net unrealized gain on derivative contracts | | | (110,513,229 | ) |
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | |
Due from broker | | | (40,631,085 | ) |
Securities purchased payable | | | (9,756,000 | ) |
Collateral funds held | | | 56,001,221 | |
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase | | | (16,558,453 | ) |
Interest (receivable) payable, net | | | 241,862 | |
Other assets and liabilities | | | (256,117 | ) |
| | | | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (1,859,097 | ) |
| | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of shares | | | 58,387,003 | |
Redemptions of shares | | | (906,675 | ) |
Repayment of note payable to related party | | | (3,531,130 | ) |
| | | | |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 53,949,198 | |
| | | | |
Net change in cash | | | 52,090,101 | |
Cash at beginning of period | | | 11,874,101 | |
| | | | |
Cash at end of period | | $ | 63,964,202 | |
| | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | | | | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 633,662 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
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Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2007
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. (the Master Fund) was formed as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Master Fund was formed on May 19, 2006 and commenced operations on May 25, 2006. Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. is a master fund in a “master-feeder” fund structure. The Master Fund was created primarily to support the trading and investing activities of Brigadier Capital LP (the Onshore Fund) and Brigadier Capital Offshore Fund Ltd. (the Offshore Fund) (collectively, the Feeder Funds). The Master Fund’s investment objectives are to achieve maximum returns and minimize volatility. The Master Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by investing in asset-backed securities primarily in a portfolio of debt and equity collateralized debt obligations (CDO) and collateralized loan obligations (CLO). In addition, some investments in CDO securities may be in synthetic securitizations, where portfolios of credit default swaps are the underlying assets.
Brigadier Capital Management LLC (the Investment Manager), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the investment manager of the Master Fund, the Onshore Fund and the Offshore Fund. The general partner of the Onshore Fund is Brigadier GP LLC (the Onshore GP), a Delaware limited liability company. Cohen Brothers, LLC (d/b/a Cohen and Company) (referred to as Cohen) serves as the managing member of the Onshore GP and the Investment Manager.
2. | Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The Master Fund’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US GAAP) and are stated in United States dollars. The following is a summary of the significant accounting and reporting policies used in preparing the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short term, highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are not held in federally insured bank accounts.
Due from Broker
Due from broker includes cash balances with the Master Fund’s clearing broker. Certain deposits at the broker relate to collateral margin requirements for derivative contracts.
Certain of the Master Fund’s securities and cash balances held by the broker collateralize margin debt balances. The Master Fund is charged interest at variable rates based on the broker call rate. The Master Fund continuously monitors the credit standing of each broker with whom it conducts business.
The Master Fund posted cash collateral of $69,790,428 at December 31, 2007 to cover margin requirements for open derivative contracts. See Note 3.
Investments in Securities
Investments in securities which are traded on a securities exchange are generally valued at the last reported sale or bid price, except for short positions and options written, for which the last purchase or ask price is used. The resulting change in value is reflected in the statement of operations in change in net unrealized loss on investments in securities and option contracts. In the absence of readily ascertainable market prices or a formal exchange, securities are valued by the Investment Manager using valuation models. These models may include significant judgments and estimates and the valuations derived from them could differ materially from amounts realizable in an open market exchange. When a security is sold the resulting gain or loss is reclassified to realized gain or loss in securities and option contracts in the statement of operations.
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Derivative Contracts
In the normal course of business, the Master Fund enters into derivative contracts (derivative contracts) for trading purposes. Derivative contracts include credit default swaps, total return swaps, and other derivative instruments. Typically, derivative contracts serve as components of the Master Fund’s investment strategies and are utilized primarily to structure portfolio transactions to economically match the investment objectives of the Master Fund.
The Master Fund recognizes all derivatives on the statement of assets and liabilities at fair value. For derivative contracts where liquidity is limited, the Investment Manager will generally value such instruments at the mark to market provided by the dealer or counterparty with which the Master Fund establishes the position. Alternatively, the Investment Manager validates each mark received with internal pricing models that consider the time value of money, volatility, current market conditions, contractual prices of the underlying financial instruments, and other relevant data specific to each contract.
For other over-the-counter derivatives, the price action of the underlying securities, among other factors, will be reviewed by the Investment Manager when practical to determine the appropriate fair value.
Changes in the value of the derivative contracts are included in the statement of operations as the change in net unrealized gain on derivative contracts. Any unrealized gain or loss will be realized at the termination of the derivative contract.
Collateral Funds Held
Collateral funds held of $56,001,221 includes cash balances that are required to be posted by counterparties for derivative transactions that are in an unrealized gain position at December 31, 2007 plus accrued interest. The Master Fund held collateral of $55,813,000 at December 31, 2007, which was posted by counterparties for open derivative contracts. The Master Fund accrued interest of $188,221 on the collateral balance that is ultimately due back to the counterparties.
Collateralized Securities Transactions
The Master Fund may enter, from time to time, into transactions involving sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), which are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contracted repurchase amounts plus accrued interest. Any resulting interest expense is included in interest expense in the statement of operations. The Master Fund is required to provide the counterparty with securities in excess of the principal amount loaned plus accrued interest to collateralize such agreement.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income and Expense
The Master Fund records its transactions in securities on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income and expense are accrued as earned or incurred and include the amortization/accretion of premiums and discounts.
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Taxation
There is currently no taxation imposed on income or capital gains by the Government of the Cayman Islands. As a result, no tax liability or expense has been recorded in the financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Master Fund’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, approximates the carrying amounts presented in the statement of assets and liabilities.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Investment Manager to make assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Investment Manager believes that the estimates used in preparing the financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
3. | Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk |
In the normal course of business, the Master Fund may enter into transactions involving off-balance sheet risk, including securities sold, not yet purchased, purchased and written options and derivative contracts. Generally, these instruments represent future commitments to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specific terms at specific future dates. Each of these instruments is subject to various risks including market, credit, liquidity, and operational risks. The Master Fund manages these risks on an aggregate basis along with the risks associated with its investing activities as part of its overall risk management policies.
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
Securities sold, not yet purchased represent obligations of the Master Fund to deliver specified securities at the contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to repurchase such securities in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk as the Master Fund’s satisfaction of the obligations may exceed the amount recognized in the statement of assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2007, the Master Fund had no securities sold, not yet purchased on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Option Contracts
Option contracts provide counterparty with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a financial instrument at a predetermined exercise price before or on an established date. As of December 31, 2007, the Master Fund held no option contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Derivative Contracts
See Note 2 for a description of derivative contracts.
The Master Fund maintains credit default swap contracts with six counterparties: UBS, Societe General Securities, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Lehman Brothers and Bank of New York. The fair value of the credit default swap contracts is included in unrealized gain or unrealized loss on derivative contracts in the statement of assets and liabilities.
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The following table summarizes its CDS contracts and related collateral balances by counterparty.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Unrealized Gain on CDS Contracts | | Unrealized Loss on CDS Contracts | | | Collateral Posted | | Collateral Held | |
Bank of NY | | $ | 64,259,003 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (35,813,000 | ) |
Lehman | | | 29,755,100 | | | (65,700,560 | ) | | | 51,695,006 | | | — | |
Merrill Lynch | | | 82,917,126 | | | (29,553,282 | ) | | | — | | | (20,000,000 | ) |
Morgan Stanley | | | 17,719,010 | | | (10,368,863 | ) | | | 7,985,422 | | | — | |
Societe General | | | 21,821,028 | | | (25,686,455 | ) | | | 10,110,000 | | | — | |
UBS | | | 26,119,426 | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 242,590,693 | | $ | (131,309,160 | ) | | $ | 69,790,428 | | $ | (55,813,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In the case of CDS contracts in an unrealized gain position, the Master Fund’s net exposure to counterparty non-performance is the amount of unrealized gains less collateral held.
In the case of CDS contracts in an unrealized loss position, the Master Fund’s net exposure to counterparty non-performance is the amount of collateral posted less any unrealized losses.
The risk associated to an index or tranche product is also the exposure to the assets of portfolio underlying that derivative position. The exposure to some portfolio assets may be greater or less than initially apparent, based on the concentration of the same asset(s) in more than one portfolio referenced by tranche product investments. The Investment Manager continuously monitors the composition and aggregate exposure of the Master Fund to individual portfolio assets across all derivative contracts. In addition to monitoring the Master Fund’s direct exposure to each index or tranche position, the Master Fund’s exposure can also be monitored as a decomposition of each tranche exposure into a set of individual exposures to each name in each index or tranche investment’s respective portfolio. This individual asset exposure is then reviewed across the Master Fund, the potential additive exposure may have to the same individual asset across multiple index or tranche positions can be calculated and monitored appropriately. The Investment Manager does not believe the Master Fund has significant exposure to a particular index or tranche product as of December 31, 2007.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of December 31, 2007, the Master Fund held $63,964,202 of its cash and cash equivalents with Morgan Stanley. If Morgan Stanley failed under its obligation as custodian of these funds, the Master Fund could lose all of its unrestricted cash balances.
All Other Trading Activities
The Master Fund’s trading activities are primarily with brokers and financial institutions mentioned above. All securities transactions of the Master Fund are cleared by multiple securities firms pursuant to customer agreements. At December 31, 2007, all the investments in the credit default swap contracts are positions held with these brokers and financial institutions. The Master Fund had substantially all of its individual counterparty concentrations with these brokers and financial institutions.
4. | Share Capital and Net Assets |
The authorized share capital of the Master Fund consists of 5,000,000 shares with a par value of $ 0.01 each having the rights and being subject to the restrictions set forth in the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Master Fund, generally issuable monthly in registered, book-entry form. The Master Fund may issue additional series if needed in connection with additional issuance dates or for other reasons. As described below, the Master Fund’s shares are divided into two classes: Class A Shares (Class A Shares) and Class B Shares
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(Class B Shares) (Class A Shares and Class B Shares, collectively, the Shares). Except as set forth below, each series and class of Shares have equal dividend, liquidation and voting rights. The Master Fund does not anticipate paying any dividends on its Shares. The Master Fund may, from time to time, by an ordinary resolution, increase the Master Fund’s authorized share capital, consolidate the Shares or any of them into a smaller number of shares, subdivide the Shares or any of them into a larger number of shares, or cancel any Shares not taken or agreed to be taken by any person. The Master Fund may, from time to time, by a special resolution, reduce its share capital in any way permitted by the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Master Fund may, without prior written notice to, or consent from, existing shareholders, issue additional classes of Shares with different offering terms, rights, privileges or portfolios.
Shareholders generally may redeem shares at net asset value as of the last business day of each calendar month by giving a written notice of redemption to the administrator at least 35 days prior to the proposed redemption date.
Share transactions for the year ended December 31, 2007 and for the period from May 25, 2006 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2006 were as follows:
| | | | | | |
| | Class A | | | Class B | |
Shares at December 31, 2006 | | 74,654 | | | 6 | |
Shares issued | | 48,019 | | | — | |
Shares redeemed | | (43,762 | ) | | (1 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Shares at December 31, 2007 | | 78,911 | | | 5 | |
| | | | | | |
5. | Related Party Transactions |
Cohen serves as the managing member of the Onshore GP and the Investment Manager. The Master Fund can invest in CDO securities managed and originated by Cohen. At December 31, 2007, the Master Fund had $2,542,000 of investments in CDO securities, which were managed and originated by Cohen.
On May 25, 2006, the Master Fund entered into a $3,600,000 promissory note agreement with Strategos Capital Management, LLC (Strategos) to finance the purchase of the Libertas Preferred Funding Ltd. investment. Strategos is a subsidiary of Cohen. The maturity date of the note was August 5, 2012 and the variable interest rate was based on one-month Libor plus 2.5%. In December 2007, the Master Fund repaid in full the promissory note agreement and the accrued interest related to it. The Master Fund incurred interest expense related to the note of $265,551 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2007. The Master Fund is under no further obligation to Strategos.
The following represents per share operating performance, the ratios of total expenses and net investment income to average net assets of the Master Fund and total return information for the year ended December 31, 2007:
| | | | | | |
| | Class A | | Class B |
Year ended December 31, 2007 | | | | | | |
Per share operating performance: | | | | | | |
Beginning net asset value | | $ | 1,150.50 | | $ | 1,149.66 |
Net realized and unrealized gain from trading activity | | | 288.55 | | | 288.35 |
Net investment income | | | 151.53 | | | 151.42 |
| | | | | | |
Net change in net assets resulting from operations | | | 440.08 | | | 439.77 |
| | | | | | |
Ending net asset value | | $ | 1,590.58 | | $ | 1,589.43 |
| | | | | | |
13
| | | | | | |
| | Class A | | | Class B | |
Ratios to average net assets | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | (0.88 | )% | | (0.91 | )% |
Net investment income | | 10.61 | % | | 11.91 | % |
| | |
Total return | | 38.25 | % | | 38.25 | % |
The above ratios and returns are calculated for the shareholders taken as a whole. Total return is calculated on a monthly compounded basis and excludes the transaction described in Note 8. An individual shareholder’s total return and ratios may vary from the above based on the timing of capital transactions.
7. | New Accounting Pronouncements |
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements. This standard establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to fair value measurements already required or permitted by existing standards. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The changes to current US GAAP from the application of SFAS No. 157 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2007, the Investment Manager does not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 157 will impact the amounts reported in the financial statements; however, additional disclosures will be required about the inputs used to develop the measurements of fair value and the effect of certain of the measurements reported in the statement of operations for a fiscal period.
On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) released FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more likely than not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. On February 1, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FIN 48-2,Effective Date of FASB Interpretation No. 48 for Certain Nonpublic Enterprises (FSP 48-2), deferring the effective date of FIN 48 for certain nonpublic enterprises (as defined by paragraph 289 of FASB Statement No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes). FSP 48-2 defers the effective date of FIN 48 for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2007. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FIN 48 and its impact in the financial statements has not yet been determined.
At December 31, 2007, a single investor of both the Onshore and Offshore Funds had undistributed redemptions of $1,327,019 and $62,181,448, respectively. The redemptions are to be distributed as an allocation of the investor’s share of each investment of the Master Fund at December 31, 2007. Effective January 9, 2008, the investments were placed in a new hedge fund managed by Brigadier Capital Management LLC.
14
Year Ended December 31, 2008
Report of Independent Auditors
The Investors of
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. (the Master Fund), including the condensed schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2008, and the related statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Master Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. We were not engaged to perform an audit of the Master Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Master Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
As more fully discussed in Note 8 to the financial statements, the Master Fund previously utilized the services of Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc. (Lehman) as counterparty to derivative contracts. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holding Inc., the guarantor of the contracts with Lehman, was placed into bankruptcy. Information flow to the Fund from Lehman has been limited. Management has recorded in the financial statements its best estimate of the net realizable value of its claims against Lehman, based upon management’s assessment of all available evidence including information supplied by Lehman. Significant uncertainly exists regarding the ultimate timing of any resolution of these claims, as well as the ultimate value to be realized relating to such claims, and the differences between amounts currently recorded and those that may be ultimately realized may be material.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. at December 31, 2008, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
February 19, 2009
15
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2008
| | | |
Assets | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 74,029,035 |
Due from broker | | | 19,568,225 |
Investments in securities, at fair value (cost $19,331,801) | | | 9,945,571 |
Credit derivative contracts, at fair value | | | 136,113,638 |
Lehman Brothers claim receivable (Note 8) | | | 1,603,247 |
Interest receivable | | | 9,875 |
Other | | | 162,479 |
| | | |
Total assets | | | 241,432,070 |
| | | |
Liabilities | | | |
Credit derivative contracts, at fair value | | | 59,208,120 |
Collateral funds held | | | 58,351,178 |
Payable to Brigadier Capital LP | | | 10,400,000 |
Payable to Brigadier Capital Offshore Fund Ltd. | | | 11,373,977 |
Other | | | 6,666 |
| | | |
Total liabilities | | | 139,339,941 |
| | | |
Net assets | | $ | 102,092,129 |
| | | |
Net asset value per Class A share (52,609 shares outstanding) | | $ | 1,940.34 |
| | | |
Net asset value per Class B share (6 shares outstanding) | | $ | 1,938.84 |
| | | |
16
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2008
| | | | | | |
Total Investment in Securities | | Percent of Net Assets | | | Fair Value |
North America | | | | | | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | 1.12 | % | | $ | 1,147,489 |
Collateralized Debt Obligations | | 0.15 | | | | 156,084 |
Common Stock | | 0.01 | | | | 14,498 |
Corporate Bonds | | 8.45 | | | | 8,627,500 |
| | | | | | |
Total investment in securities (cost $19,331,801) | | 9.73 | % | | $ | 9,945,571 |
| | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
17
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2008
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Derivatives | | Notional | | Counterparty | | Interest Rate | | | Maturity Date | | Reference Obligation | | Fair Value | | | Percent of Net Assets | |
Credit Default Swaps — Protection Purchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Calculus 2006-1 LTD Class C | | $ | 36,420,888 | | Merrill Lynch | | 0.85 | % | | 01/25/2037 | | Customized Basket | | $ | 33,863,686 | | | 33.17 | % |
Syncora Guarantee Inc. | | | 16,792,000 | | Morgan Stanley | | 3.00 | | | 12/20/2012 | | Single Ref. Entity | | | 11,229,046 | | | 11.00 | |
Ace Securities Corp. | | | 6,717,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 1.32 | | | 07/25/2036 | | Single Ref. Entity | | | 6,550,543 | | | 6.42 | |
First Franklin Mortgage Loan Trust | | | 5,373,000 | | Bank of America | | 1.28 | | | 03/25/2036 | | Single Ref. Entity | | | 5,207,450 | | | 5.10 | |
Other | | | | | | | | | | 12/20/2012 – 03/06/2047 | | | | | 71,130,864 | | | 69.67 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit default swaps — protection purchased | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 127,981,589 | | | 125.36 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit Default Swaps — Protection Sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Calculus 2006-1 LTD Class D | | $ | 36,420,888 | | Merrill Lynch | | 1.35 | % | | 01/25/2037 | | Customized Basket | | | (33,859,134 | ) | | (33.17 | ) |
Syncora Guarantee Inc. | | | 10,000,000 | | Goldman Sachs | | 5.00 | | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Ref. Entity | | | (6,654,299 | ) | | (6.52 | ) |
Other | | | | | | | | | | 09/20/2013 – 12/20/2013 | | | | | (10,562,638 | ) | | (10.35 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit default swaps — protection sold | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | (51,076,071 | ) | | (50.04 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total credit default swaps | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 76,905,518 | | | 75.32 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
18
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2008
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions | | | | |
Net realized gain on derivative contracts | | $ | 39,390,673 | |
Net realized loss on investments in securities and option contracts | | | (19,817,166 | ) |
Lehman Brothers claim provision | | | (10,272,654 | ) |
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments in securities | | | 11,943,075 | |
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on derivative contracts | | | 3,697,765 | |
Net realized and unrealized loss on foreign currency | | | (648,101 | ) |
| | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions | | | 24,293,592 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | | |
Interest income on investments in securities | | | 2,562,424 | |
Interest income on cash and cash equivalents | | | 1,313,413 | |
| | | | |
Total investment income | | | 3,875,837 | |
| |
Professional fees | | | 85,867 | |
Fund administration fees | | | 563,948 | |
Other | | | 267,164 | |
| | | | |
Total expenses | | | 916,979 | |
| | | | |
Net investment income | | | 2,958,858 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 27,252,450 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
19
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Year Ended December 31, 2008
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from securities transactions and options | | $ | 24,293,592 | |
Net investment income | | | 2,958,858 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | 27,252,450 | |
| | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | | |
Capital shares issued — Class A | | | 76,876,000 | |
Capital shares redeemed — Class A | | | (127,557,878 | ) |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions | | | (50,681,878 | ) |
| | | | |
Net decrease in net assets | | | (23,429,428 | ) |
Net assets, beginning of period | | | 125,521,557 | |
| | | | |
Net assets, end of period | | $ | 102,092,129 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
20
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Statement of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31, 2008
| | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 27,252,450 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | |
Purchase of investments in securities and option contracts | | | (84,902,602 | ) |
Sale of investments in securities and option contracts | | | 91,441,183 | |
Net realized loss on securities and foreign currency | | | 20,458,528 | |
Net change in unrealized gain from securities positions and foreign currency | | | (11,929,598 | ) |
Net change in unrealized gain/loss on derivative contracts | | | (3,697,765 | ) |
Change in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | |
Due from broker | | | 50,222,203 | |
Lehman Brothers claim receivable | | | (1,603,247 | ) |
Collateral funds, net | | | (16,848,221 | ) |
Interest (receivable) payable, net | | | 850,294 | |
Other assets and liabilities | | | (309,776 | ) |
| | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 70,933,449 | |
| | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of shares | | | 76,876,000 | |
Redemptions of shares | | | (137,744,616 | ) |
| | | | |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | (60,868,616 | ) |
| | | | |
Net change in cash | | | 10,064,833 | |
Cash at beginning of year | | | 63,964,202 | |
| | | | |
Cash at end of year | | $ | 74,029,035 | |
| | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information | | | | |
Distributions in kind (Note 7) | | $ | 37,956,122 | |
| | | | |
See accompanying notes.
21
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd.
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2008
Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. (the Master Fund) was formed as an exempted company under the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Master Fund was formed on May 19, 2006 and commenced operations on May 25, 2006. Brigadier Capital Master Fund Ltd. is a master fund in a “master-feeder” fund structure. The Master Fund was created primarily to support the trading and investing activities of Brigadier Capital LP (the Onshore Fund) and Brigadier Capital Offshore Fund Ltd. (the Offshore Fund) (collectively, the Feeder Funds). The Master Fund’s investment objectives are to achieve maximum returns and minimize volatility. The Master Fund will seek to achieve its investment objectives by focusing on the structured credit markets. Target assets include long and short exposure in mortgage-backed securities, corporate investment grade and high-yield securities, structured credit and other related securities, derivatives and indices.
Brigadier Capital Management LLC (the Investment Manager), a Delaware limited liability company, serves as the investment manager of the Master Fund, the Onshore Fund and the Offshore Fund. The general partner of the Onshore Fund is Brigadier GP LLC (the Onshore GP), a Delaware limited liability company. Cohen Brothers, LLC (d/b/a Cohen and Company) (referred to as Cohen) serves as the managing member of the Onshore GP and the Investment Manager.
2. | Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The Master Fund’s financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are stated in United States dollars. The following is a summary of the significant accounting and reporting policies used in preparing the financial statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and short-term, highly liquid investments that have maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are valued at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Cash and cash equivalents are not held in federally insured bank accounts.
Due from Broker
Due from broker includes cash balances with the Master Fund’s clearing broker and unsettled trades. Certain deposits at the broker relate to collateral margin requirements for derivative contracts.
Certain of the Master Fund’s securities and cash balances held by the broker collateralize margin debt balances. The Master Fund is charged interest at variable rates based on the broker call rate. The Master Fund continuously monitors the credit standing of each broker with whom it conducts business.
The Master Fund posted cash collateral of $19,190,000 at December 31, 2008 to cover margin requirements for open derivative contracts. See Note 4.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Master Fund’s assets and liabilities which qualify as financial instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 107,Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, approximates the carrying amounts presented in the statement of assets and liabilities.
22
Financial Instruments
Fair value is used to measure the Master Fund’s financial instruments. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date, also known as the exit price.
On January 1, 2008, the Master Fund adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, which was issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in September 2006. SFAS No. 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value.
The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS No. 157 are described below:
| | | | |
Level 1 | | | | Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. |
| | |
Level 2 | | | | Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on one or more of the following: |
| | |
| | 1. | | Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; |
| | |
| | 2. | | Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets; |
| | |
| | 3. | | Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; |
| | |
| | 4. | | Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. |
| | |
Level 3 | | | | Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable. These inputs reflect management’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability. |
In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level of the hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Investment Manager’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions the Investment Manager has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, the unrealized gains and losses for assets and liabilities within the Level 3 category may include changes in fair value that were attributable to both observable (e.g., changes in market interest rates) and unobservable (e.g., changes in unobservable long-dated volatilities) inputs.
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Investments in Securities
Investments in securities that are traded on a securities exchange are generally valued at the last reported sale or bid price, except for short positions and options written, for which the last purchase or ask price is used. Such investments are classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy. The resulting change in value is reflected in the statement of operations in change in net unrealized loss on investments in securities. In the absence of readily ascertainable market prices or a formal exchange, securities are valued by the Investment
23
Manager using valuation models. These models may include significant judgments and estimates and the valuations derived from them could differ materially from amounts realizable in an open market exchange. Such investments are classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. When a security is sold, the resulting gain or loss is reclassified to realized gain or loss in securities and option contracts in the statement of operations.
Derivative Contracts
In the normal course of business, the Master Fund enters into derivative contracts for trading purposes. Derivative contracts include credit default swaps, total return swaps, and other derivative instruments. Typically, derivative contracts serve as components of the Master Fund’s investment strategies and are utilized primarily to structure portfolio transactions to economically match the investment objectives of the Master Fund.
The Master Fund recognizes all derivatives on the statement of assets and liabilities at fair value. For derivative contracts where liquidity is limited, the Investment Manager will generally value such instruments at the mark to market provided by the dealer or counterparty with which the Master Fund establishes the position. Alternately, the Investment Manager validates each mark received with internal or vendor-provided pricing models that consider the time value of money, volatility, current market conditions, contractual prices of the underlying financial instruments, and other relevant data specific to each contract.
For other over-the-counter derivatives, the price action of the underlying securities, among other factors, will be reviewed by the Investment Manager when practical to determine the appropriate fair value.
Such values as described above for derivative contracts are classified within Level 2 or Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy based on the extent of observable inputs used.
If the derivatives have appreciated in value, the fair value will be carried as a component of assets in the statement of assets and liabilities. If these derivatives have depreciated in value, the fair value will be carried as a component of liabilities in the statement of assets and liabilities. The changes in the value of the derivative contracts are included in the statement of operations as the change in net unrealized gain on derivative contracts. Any unrealized gain or loss will be realized at the termination of the derivative contract.
The Master Fund may be required to post cash collateral for the benefit of the counterparty to the derivative transaction. In general, the Master Fund’s loss is not limited to the cash collateral posted. All cash collateral posted is included in due from broker in the statement of assets and liabilities. Any income earned on the collateral deposit is included as interest income on cash and cash equivalents.
Following are the types of derivatives into which the Master Fund has entered:
I. | Credit Default Swaps (CDS) |
A CDS is a derivative arrangement whereby two counterparties transfer credit exposure in relation to a reference entity or portfolio. The two parties to the transaction are referred to as (i) the buyer of protection and (ii) the seller of protection. The buyer of protection makes periodic premium payments to the seller of protection in exchange for the seller of protection’s promise to make payments if certain defined credit events occur. A CDS contract can identify a single reference entity or it can refer to an index or portfolio of securities.
The Master Fund has been either a buyer or seller of protection under single reference entity CDS contracts, index CDS contracts and portfolio of securities CDS contracts. For an additional discussion on credit default swaps see Note 3.
II. | Total Return Swaps (TRS) |
A TRS is a derivative arrangement whereby one party receives interest payments on a reference asset plus any capital gains and losses over the payment period, while the other receives a specified fixed or floating cash
24
flow. The total return of the TRS has two components: (1) the “Net Carry” which represents the income generated by the reference bonds less a cost of financing which was agreed upon between the counterparty and the Master Fund and (2) the change in the underlying fair value of the reference bonds. As of December 31, 2008, the Master Fund had no outstanding total return swap arrangements.
Collateral Funds Held
Collateral funds held of $58,351,178 includes cash balances that are required to be posted by counterparties for derivative transactions that are in an unrealized gain position at December 31, 2008, plus accrued interest. The Master Fund held collateral of $58,343,000 at December 31, 2008, which was posted by counterparties for open derivative contracts. The Master Fund had accrued and unpaid interest of $8,178 as of December 31, 2008 on the collateral balance that is ultimately due back to the counterparties.
Collateralized Securities Transactions
The Master Fund may enter, from time to time, into transactions involving sales of securities under agreements to repurchase (repurchase agreements), which are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are recorded at their contracted repurchase amounts plus accrued interest. Any resulting interest expense is included in interest expense in the statement of operations. The Master Fund is required to provide the counterparty with securities in excess of the principal amount loaned plus accrued interest to collateralize such agreement.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income and Expense
The Master Fund records its transactions in securities on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are determined on the basis of identified cost. Interest income and expense are accrued as earned or incurred and include the amortization/accretion of premiums and discounts.
Taxation
There is currently no taxation imposed on income or capital gains by the Government of the Cayman Islands. As a result, no tax liability or expense has been recorded in the financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires the Investment Manager to make assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Investment Manager believes that the estimates used in preparing the financial statements are reasonable and prudent. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
25
3. | Fair Value Measurements |
The fair value hierarchy for the asset and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized below (see Note 2 for a description of the three levels of the valuation hierarchy):
Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | December 31, 2008 Fair Value | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities | | $ | 9,945,571 | | $ | 14,498 | | $ | 8,627,500 | | $ | 1,303,573 |
Credit derivative contracts | | | 136,113,638 | | | — | | | — | | | 136,113,638 |
| | | | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Credit derivative contracts | | $ | 59,208,120 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 59,208,120 |
The following table presents additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and for which the Master Fund has utilized Level 3 inputs to determine fair value for the year ended December 31, 2008:
Level 3 Inputs
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Year Ended December 31, 2008 | |
| | January 1, 2008 | | Net Realized Gains (Losses) | | | Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) | | Transfers in and/or out, Net of Level 3 | | Purchases and Sales, Net | | | December 31, 2008 | | Unrealized Gains (Losses) Still Held(1) | |
Assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Investments in securities | | $ | 2,880,508 | | $ | (16,974,021 | ) | | $ | 9,365,413 | | $ | — | | $ | 6,031,673 | | | $ | 1,303,573 | | $ | (6,492,298 | ) |
Net unrealized gain on derivative contracts | | | 73,207,753 | | | 39,390,673 | | | | 3,697,765 | | | — | | | (39,390,673 | ) | | | 76,905,518 | | | 76,905,518 | |
(1) | Represents the amount of total gains or losses for the period, included in earnings, attributable to the change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets classified as level 3 that are still held at December 31, 2008. |
During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company’s investments in securities and derivative contracts are classified as Level 3 within the valuation hierarchy. All investments that are classified as Level 3 are due to the increases in market volatility and decreases in liquidity experienced during the year ended December 31, 2008.
The increase in net realized and unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2008 was attributable to the change in the fair value of the above instruments that were classified as Level 3.
4. | Financial Instruments with Off-Balance Sheet Risk and Concentration of Credit Risk |
In the normal course of business, the Master Fund may enter into transactions involving off-balance sheet risk, including securities sold, not yet purchased, purchased and written options and derivative contracts. Generally, these instruments represent future commitments to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specific terms at specific future dates. Each of these instruments is subject to various risks including market, credit, liquidity, and operational risks. The Master Fund manages these risks on an aggregate basis along with the risks associated with its investing activities as part of its overall risk management policies.
26
Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased
Securities sold, not yet purchased represent obligations of the Master Fund to deliver specified securities at the contracted price and, thereby, create a liability to repurchase such securities in the market at prevailing prices. Accordingly, these transactions result in off-balance sheet risk as the Master Fund’s satisfaction of the obligations may exceed the amount recognized in the statement of assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2008, the Master Fund had no securities sold, not yet purchased on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Option Contracts
Option contracts provide a counterparty with the right, but not the obligation, to purchase or sell a financial instrument at a predetermined exercise price before or on an established date. As of December 31, 2008, the Master Fund held no option contracts on the statement of assets and liabilities.
Derivative Contracts
In September 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4, Disclosures about Credit Derivatives and Certain Guarantees: An Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 and FASB Interpretation No. 45; and Clarification of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 161. The FSP requires enhanced disclosures by sellers of credit derivatives, including credit derivatives embedded in hybrid instruments. FSP FAS 133-1 and FIN 45-4 also amends FIN 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others, to require additional disclosure about the current status of the payment/performance risk of a guarantee as of the date of the statement of financial position and excludes disclosures by sellers of credit derivative instruments that are covered under this FSP. FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4 is intended to improve disclosures about credit derivatives by requiring more information about the potential adverse effects of changes in credit risk on the financial position, financial performance, and cash flows of the sellers of credit derivatives. The FSP is effective for financial statements issued for reporting periods ending after November 15, 2008. Since FSP FAS No. 133-1 and FIN 45-4 only required additional disclosures concerning credit derivatives and guarantees as documented within this note.
See Note 2 for a description of derivative contracts.
The Master Fund maintains credit default swap contracts with five counterparties: Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and UBS. The fair value of the credit default swap contracts is included in unrealized gain or unrealized loss on derivative contracts in the statement of assets and liabilities.
The following table summarizes its CDS contracts and related collateral balances by counterparty.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Counterparty | | Credit Derivative Contracts – Assets | | Credit Derivative Contracts – Liabilities | | | Collateral Posted | | Collateral Held | |
Bank of America | | $ | 25,910,760 | | $ | (6,979,470 | ) | | $ | — | | $ | (41,020,000 | ) |
Goldman Sachs | | | 436,061 | | | (16,371,118 | ) | | | 19,190,000 | | | — | |
Merrill Lynch | | | 88,588,136 | | | (35,816,668 | ) | | | — | | | (9,943,000 | ) |
Morgan Stanley | | | 18,986,101 | | | (40,864 | ) | | | — | | | (7,380,000 | ) |
UBS | | | 2,192,580 | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 136,113,638 | | $ | (59,208,120 | ) | | $ | 19,190,000 | | $ | (58,343,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In the case of CDS contracts in an asset position, the Master Fund’s net exposure to counterparty non-performance is the fair value less collateral held.
In the case of CDS contracts in a liability loss position, the Master Fund’s net exposure to counterparty non-performance is the amount of collateral posted, less fair value.
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The risk associated to an index or tranche product is also the exposure to the assets of portfolio underlying that derivative position. The exposure to some portfolio assets may be greater or less than initially apparent, based on the concentration of the same asset(s) in more than one portfolio referenced by tranche product investments. The Investment Manager continuously monitors the composition and aggregate exposure of the Master Fund to individual portfolio assets across all derivative contracts. In addition to monitoring the Master Fund’s direct exposure to each index or tranche position, the Master Fund’s exposure can also be monitored as a decomposition of each tranche exposure into a set of individual exposures to each name in each index or tranche investment’s respective portfolio. This individual asset exposure is then reviewed across the Master Fund; the potential additive exposure may have to the same individual asset across multiple index or tranche positions can be calculated and monitored appropriately. The Investment Manager does not believe the Master Fund has significant exposure to a particular index or tranche product as of December 31, 2008.
The Master Fund engages in the selling of credit derivatives for trading purposes. The following table displays the Master Fund’s investment in credit default swaps — protection sold as of December 31, 2008:
Credit Default Swaps – Protection Sold
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Issuer | | Notional | | Counterparty | | Interest Rate | | | Maturity Date | | Reference Obligation | | Fair Value – Asset(1) | | Fair Value – Liability(1) | | | Maximum Potential Amount of Future Payments (Undiscounted) |
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 6.800 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | $ | 1,576,330 | | $ | — | | | $ | 10,000,000 |
Morgan Stanley | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | 267,939 | | | — | | | | 10,000,000 |
MGIC Investments Corp. | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2009 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (632,557 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
MGIC Investment Corp. | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2009 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (632,557 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
KIMCO Realty Corp. | | 10,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 1.900 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (2,045,004 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
Syncora Guarantee Inc. | | 5,000,000 | | Bank of America | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (3,381,490 | ) | | | 5,000,000 |
Syncora Guarantee Inc. | | 10,000,000 | | Goldman Sachs | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (6,654,299 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. | | 10,000,000 | | Goldman Sachs | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (3,972,736 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
Nordstrom Inc. | | 2,500,000 | | Goldman Sachs | | 5.000 | % | | 12/20,2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (37,440 | ) | | | 2,000,000 |
Calculus 2006-1 Ltd Class D | | 36,420,888 | | Merrill Lynch | | 1.350 | % | | 01/25/2037 | | Customized Basket | | | — | | | (33,859,134 | ) | | | 36,420,888 |
Morgan Stanley | | 5,000,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 5.250 | % | | 12/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | 252,411 | | | — | | | | 5,000,000 |
Syncora Guarantee Inc. | | 2,000,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 5.000 | % | | 06/20/2013 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (1,324,977 | ) | | | 2,000,000 |
MGIC Investment Corp. | | 10,000,000 | | Merrill Lynch | | 5.000 | % | | 09/20/2009 | | Single Reference Entity | | | — | | | (632,557 | ) | | | 10,000,000 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 2,096,680 | | $ | (53,172,751 | ) | | $ | 130,420,888 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | As of December 31, 2008 |
Currently, all of the contracts above are performing; that is, no credit event has occurred. If a credit event occurs that requires the Master Fund to make payments under these contracts, the Master Fund has no recourse to the reference entity to recover any amounts paid. Any collateral posted by the Master Fund for the benefit of the buyer of protection is included in due from broker as collateral posted.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of December 31, 2008, the Master Fund held $74,029,035 of its cash and cash equivalents with JP Morgan. If JP Morgan failed under its obligation as custodian of these funds, the Master Fund could lose all of its unrestricted cash balances.
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Other Trading Activities
The Master Fund’s trading activities are primarily with brokers and financial institutions mentioned above. All securities transactions of the Master Fund are cleared by multiple securities firms pursuant to customer agreements. At December 31, 2008, all the investments in the credit default swap contracts are positions held with these brokers and financial institutions. The Master Fund had substantially all of its individual counterparty concentrations with these brokers and financial institutions.
5. | Share Capital and Net Assets |
The authorized share capital of the Master Fund consists of 5,000,000 shares with a par value of $0.01, each having the rights and being subject to the restrictions set forth in the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the Master Fund, generally issuable monthly in registered, book-entry form. The Master Fund may issue additional series if needed in connection with additional issuance dates or for other reasons. As described below, the Master Fund’s shares are divided into two classes: Class A Shares and Class B Shares, (collectively, the Shares). Except as set forth below, each series and class of Shares have equal dividend, liquidation and voting rights. The Master Fund does not anticipate paying any dividends on its Shares. The Master Fund may, from time to time, by an ordinary resolution, increase the Master Fund’s authorized share capital, consolidate the Shares or any of them into a smaller number of shares, subdivide the Shares or any of them into a larger number of shares, or cancel any Shares not taken or agreed to be taken by any person. The Master Fund may, from time to time, by a special resolution, reduce its share capital in any way permitted by the laws of the Cayman Islands. The Master Fund may, without prior written notice to, or consent from, existing shareholders, issue additional classes of Shares with different offering terms, rights, privileges or portfolios.
Shareholders generally may redeem shares at net asset value as of the last business day of each calendar month by giving a written notice of redemption to the administrator at least 35 days prior to the proposed redemption date.
Share transactions for the year ended December 31, 2008 were as follows:
| | | | | |
| | Class A | | | Class B |
Shares at December 31, 2007 | | 78,911 | | | 5 |
Shares issued | | 41,295 | | | 1 |
Shares redeemed | | (67,597 | ) | | — |
| | | | | |
Shares at December 31, 2008 | | 52,609 | | | 6 |
| | | | | |
6. | Related Party Transactions |
Cohen serves as the managing member of the Onshore GP and the Investment Manager. The Master Fund can invest in CDO securities managed and originated by Cohen. At December 31, 2008, the Master Fund had $531 of investments in CDO securities, which were managed and originated by Cohen.
At December 31, 2007, a single investor of both the Onshore and Offshore Funds had undistributed redemptions of $1,327,019 and $62,181,448, respectively, which were distributed partly in cash and as an allocation of the investor’s share of each investment of the Master Fund at December 31, 2007. Effective January 9, 2008, the investments were placed in an SPV managed by Brigadier Capital Management LLC.
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8. | Lehman Brothers Exposure |
The Master Fund interacted with Lehman Brothers Special Financing, Inc. (LBSF) during the normal course of business as a market-maker in cash bond and CDS markets. LBSF provided the Master Fund with research and sales coverage. The Master Fund maintained an executed ISDA agreement with LBSF and a CDS trading relationship with LBSF. On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers Holding, Inc. declared bankruptcy. On that date, the Master Fund called an Early Termination Event under its ISDA agreement with LBSF, citing the default of the counterparty guarantor as a triggering event. The exercise of the “Early Termination Event” initiated an unwinding of all outstanding CDS positions at market levels, as of September 15, 2008, the date of the notice. At September 15, 2008, the Master Fund was in a loss position with LBSF in the amount of $23,028,105 on its credit default swaps. In addition, the Master Fund had initial margin cash collateral of $11,922,233, and variation margin cash collateral of $22,981,773 held at LBSF.
On September 30, 2008, the Master Fund filed a claim against LBSF for its net position of $11,875,901. On October 3, 2008, LBSF filed for bankruptcy and the Master Fund’s claim was elevated to the Lehman Brothers Holding, Inc. bankruptcy level. During 2008, the Master Fund recognized a realized loss on derivative contracts of $23,028,105. At December 31, 2008, the Master Fund reserved $10,272,654 of its claim resulting in an outstanding legal claim with Lehman Brothers for $1,603,247, which has been recognized as a receivable in the statement of assets and liabilities.
The following represents per share operating performance, the ratios of total expenses and net investment income to average net assets of the Master Fund and total return information for the year ended December 31, 2008:
| | | | | | | | |
| | Class A | | | Class B | |
Year ended December 31, 2008 | | | | | | | | |
Per share operating performance: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning net asset value | | $ | 1,590.58 | | | $ | 1,589.43 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain from trading activity | | | 310.92 | | | | 310.61 | |
Net investment income | | | 38.84 | | | | 38.80 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net change in net assets resulting from operations | | | 349.76 | | | | 349.41 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ending net asset value | | $ | 1,940.34 | | | $ | 1,938.84 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Ratios to average net assets | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | | (0.66 | )% | | | (0.76 | )% |
Net investment income | | | 2.14 | % | | | 2.34 | % |
| | |
Total return | | | 21.99 | % | | | 21.99 | % |
The above ratios and returns are calculated for the shareholders taken as a whole. Total return is calculated on a monthly compounded basis. An individual shareholder’s total return and ratios may vary from the above based on the timing of capital transactions.
10. | New Accounting Pronouncements |
On July 13, 2006, the FASB released FASB Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (FIN 48). FIN 48 provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented, and disclosed in the financial statements. FIN 48 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. On December 30, 2008, the FASB issued FSP FIN 48-3,Effective Date of FASB Interpretation No. 48 for Certain
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Nonpublic Enterprises (FSP 48-3), deferring the effective date of FIN 48, for certain nonpublic enterprises (as defined by paragraph 289 of FASB Statement No. 109,Accounting for Income Taxes). FSP 48-3 defers the effective date of FIN 48 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of FIN 48 and its impact on the financial statements has not yet been determined.
In February 2008, the FASB directed the FASB staff to issue FSP No. FAS 140-3,Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets and Repurchase Financing Transactions (FSP FAS 140-3), to address situations where assets purchased from a particular counterparty and financed through a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty can be considered and accounted for as separate transactions. Under FSP FAS 140-3, it is presumed that an initial transfer of a financial asset and a repurchase are considered part of the same arrangement, known as a linked transaction. However, if certain criteria are met, the initial transfer and repurchase financing may not be evaluated as a linked transaction and must be evaluated separately under FAS 140. Currently, the Investment Manager records such assets and the related financing on a gross basis in the Master Fund’s statement of assets and liabilities, and the corresponding interest income and interest expense in the Master Fund’s statement of operations. Any change in fair value in these assets is recorded in the Master Fund’s statement of operations as unrealized gains or losses from investments. FSP FAS 140-3 will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier application is not permitted. The Investment Manager does not expect the adoption of FSP FAS 140-3 to have an impact on the Master Fund’s financial statements.
In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 161,Disclosure about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133(SFAS No. 161). This statement provides enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivatives and how and where those derivatives and related hedged items are reported in the entity’s financial statements. The statement is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008 and will be applicable to the Master Fund in the first quarter of 2009. Since SFAS No. 161 requires only additional disclosures concerning derivatives and hedging activities, the Investment Manager believes that the adoption of SFAS No. 161 will not affect the Master Fund’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In October 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3,Determining Fair Value of a Financial Asset in a Market That Is Not Active (FSP FAS 157-3). FSP FAS 157-3 clarified the application of SFAS No. 157,Fair Value Measurements, in an inactive market. It provided guidance for determining the fair value of a financial asset when the market for that financial asset is inactive. FSP FAS 157-3 was effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial assets had not been issued. The Investment Manager believes that the implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Master Fund’s financial position and results of operations.
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