The Program employs a fully automated system to collect, process and analyze market data (including current and historical price data) and identify and exploit directional moves, or “trends”, in market behavior, trading across a variety of frequencies to exploit trends over a range of timescales. Positions are taken according to the aggregate signal and are adjusted to control risk.
The investment objective of the Program is to generate significant medium term capital growth independent of overall movements in traditional stock and bond markets within a rigorous risk management framework. This investment objective is intended to be achieved via the investment policy for the Program, which is to trade relevant asset classes applying the Program.
(i) to produce strong medium-term capital appreciation (“medium-term” generally referring to a three- to five-year time period);
(ii) to seek and exploit profit opportunities in both rising and falling markets using a disciplined quantitative investment process;
(iii) to seek non-correlation with the broad bond and stock markets and thereby play a valuable role in enhancing the risk/return profile of traditional investment portfolios; and
(iv) to minimize risk by operating in a diverse range of markets and sectors using a consistent investment process that adheres to pre-defined and monitored risk limits and determines market exposure in accordance with factors including (but not limited to) market correlation, volatility, liquidity and the cost of market access.
The Master Fund’s account traded pursuant to the Program may experience returns that differ from other Trading Advisor accounts traded pursuant to the same Program due to, among other factors: (a) regulatory constraints on the ability of the Series to have exposure to certain contracts; (b) the Series’ selection of the Clearing Broker, which affects access to markets; (c) the effect of intra-month adjustments to the trading level of the account; (d) the manner in which the account’s cash reserves are invested; (e) the size of the Series’ account; (f) the Series’ functional currency, the U.S. Dollars (“USD”); and (g) the particular futures contracts traded by the Series’ account. Additionally, certain markets may not be liquid enough to be traded for the Series’ account.
The investment approach that underpins the Program is proprietary. The Trading Advisor’s investment philosophy has remained consistent and involves a scientific approach to investment driven by the Trading Advisor’s belief that market behavior is not random but rather contains statistically measurable and predictable price movements and anomalies which, through sophisticated quantitative research and a disciplined approach, can be successfully identified and exploited for profit.
The Program is proprietary and highly confidential to the Trading Advisor. Accordingly, the description of the Program as contained herein is general only and is not intended to be exhaustive or absolute.
The Trading Advisor was established in 1997 by Anthony Todd, Dr. Eugene Lambert, Martin Lueck and Michael Adam, all of whom were involved in the development of Adam, Harding and Lueck Limited (“AHL”), now part of Man Group plc, where they advanced the application of systematic quantitative techniques in managed futures investment. The Trading Advisor has grown to a team of over 131 employees and manages approximately $5.9 billion as of September, 2011. The Trading Advisor is a limited liability company registered in England and Wales, which is regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority. Since October 1999, the Trading Advisor has been a member of NFA and has been registered with the CFTC as a commodity trading advisor and commodity pool operator. The Trading Advisor has also been registered with NFA as a principal of its commodity trading advisor subsidiary Aspect Capital Inc. since August 2004. The Trading Advisor has also been registered with the SEC as an investment adviser since October 2003.
The Series commenced trading activities March 16, 2007 with an initial capitalization of $7,760,620, of which $5,000,000 was contributed by the Trading Advisor as seed capital. On December 31, 2007 the Trading Advisor redeemed the full value of its seed capital. As of September 30, 2011, the Series had a capitalization of $75,178,811 based on the net asset value for all other purposes, as defined.
Performance Summary
Quarter ended September 30, 2011
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ended September 30, 2011, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
The Series ended September 30, 2011 with a year-to-date gain of 3.77%, based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011
The Series posted a (0.09%) loss for the month ended September 30, 2011, a gain of 8.35% and 3.77% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and an overall gain of 31.93% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 through September 30, 2011 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Series posted a (.09%) loss in September. Gains were made from the Series’ long positions in fixed income and from its net short exposure to energies and stock indices. The price action in these broad asset classes reflected ongoing widespread concern over both weakening global growth and the European sovereign debt crisis. Following a downbeat assessment of the risks to the US economy, the Federal Reserve launched ‘Operation Twist’. Subsequently, equity and commodity markets sold off while fixed income prices rallied. By contrast, the Series suffered losses in the currencies sector, driven by a strengthening US Dollar. However the positioning responded and switched to a net long towards the end of the month. In commodities, both oils and natural gas prices fell, making the energies sector a positive contributor. However, gold and silver prices reversed sharply to the detriment of the Series’ positions, making them the worst contributors for the month. Finally, the poor return from the agricultural sector was driven by falls in coffee and grains prices following particularly strong harvest yields.
The Series posted a 1.43% gain for the month ended August 31, 2011, a 3.86% gain for the year to date as of August 31, 2011 and an overall gain of 32.04% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to August 31, 2011 (not annualized).
The Series returned 1.43% in August. Bearish sentiment gripped markets for most of the month driven by a succession of bad news reports. Following S&P’s downgrade of the United States’ sovereign credit rating from AAA to AA+, data pointed to poor growth, employment and confidence in the US and markets remained concerned about the European sovereign crisis. Despite the downgrade, investors sought the safety of US Treasuries, which rallied, benefiting the Series’ long positions in fixed income. Following central bank interventions in the Yen and Swiss Franc, safe haven demand saw the US Dollar strengthen and commodity currencies sell off against the Series’
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positions. Gold reached new records, making it the Series’ second best performer. Lastly, stock indices, oils and industrial metals sold off for most of the month. Following the downgrade, the Fed announced that it would keep interest rates at their current low levels for another two years. However, Bernanke’s Jackson Hole speech late in the month did boost stock markets and commodities as he reiterated the Fed’s focus on maintaining the economy on a growth trajectory. This resulted in some performance give-back on the Series’ growing short stock index positions.
The Series posted a 6.92% gain for the month ended July 31, 2011, a 2.40% gain for the year to date as of July 31, 2011 and an overall gain of 30.19% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to July 31, 2011 (not annualized).
The Series returned 6.92% in July. Investor sentiment in the month was dominated by sovereign debt concerns, both in the Eurozone and the US. A poor US non-farm payrolls number at the beginning of July and a surprisingly weak US GDP report at the end of the month added to the deteriorating outlook. Even as the market weighed up the possibility of a US debt downgrade, fixed income markets rose around the globe in a flight to safety. The Series made strong gains from its long positions in both short term interest rates and bonds, with UK fixed income and German 10-year government bonds being the strongest markets overall. Returns from commodities were also positive with profits from long positions in oils and metals offsetting small losses in the agriculturals markets. Notably, the Series profited from its long position in gold, which reached an all-time high at the end of the month. Lastly, gains were made in the currencies sector. The Series benefited from its net short exposure to the US Dollar despite losses from a long Euro position as the Japanese Yen and New Zealand Dollar strengthened against the US Dollar and the Swiss Franc rose to record levels.
Quarter ended June 30, 2011
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ended June 30, 2011, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
The Series ended June 30, 2011 with a year-to-date loss of (4.23%), based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
April 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011
The Series posted a (3.12%) loss for the month ended June 30, 2011, a loss of (3.78%) and (4.23%) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 and an overall gain of 21.76% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 through June 30, 2011 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Series lost 3.12% in June. Greek sovereign debt concerns combined with the US Federal Reserve’s downward revision of growth forecasts led to broad risk aversion towards the middle of the month. Disappointing European and Chinese data further added to bearish market sentiment. Against this backdrop the Series made losses as stock markets and commodities declined and the US Dollar strengthened. The losses were partly offset by gains from the Series’ long positions in fixed income markets, particularly German, US and Japanese government bonds, as prices rallied. In the UK, the most recent minutes of the Monetary Policy Committee reinforced the Bank of England’s commitment to a low interest rate environment. Consequently, Sterling fell against the US Dollar while Short Sterling rallied. The International Energy Agency’s decision to release strategic oil reserves added to the downward pressure on oil prices. In agriculturals, the worst performer was corn as prices fell following reports of an unexpectedly large planting season in the US. Towards the end of the month, the Series gave back some of its gains from its long fixed income positions as optimism returned to the markets following the avoidance of default by Greece and the release of strong economic data from the US and Asia.
The Series posted a (4.52%) loss for the month ended May 31, 2011, a (1.14%) loss for the year to date as of May 31, 2011 and an overall gain of 25.68% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to May 31, 2011 (not annualized).
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The Series lost 4.52% in May. Key themes for the month were sell-offs in the commodity markets and continued concerns surrounding Eurozone sovereign debt and global growth. The Series made losses from its long positions in risk-seeking assets with gains coming from the fixed income sectors. Oil prices fell from their recent highs following the release of bearish inventory statistics at the start of the month and moves by investors to take profits in the commodity sector. Agriculturals and metals markets also retraced from their previous highs. Global equities meanwhile declined amid poor global growth data, to the detriment of the Series’ long positions. Risk aversion boosted demand for the US Dollar, to the detriment of the Series’ net short exposure. The Euro fell due to the Eurozone worries, resulting in losses from the Series’ long EUR/USD position. In fixed income, global bond and interest rate futures rose due to safe-haven appeal, to the benefit of the Series’ growing long bond positions. Positive performance from the interest rates sector was driven by profits from the Series’ long Eurodollar position.
The Series posted a 4.02% return for the month ended April 30, 2011, a 3.54% gain for the year to date as of April 30, 2011 and an overall gain of 31.63% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to April 30, 2011 (not annualized).
The Series returned 4.02% in April, driven by a combination of US Dollar weakness and robust performance from energies and precious metals. The US Dollar fell against major currencies, benefiting the Series’ net short positioning, amid continued expectations that the US Federal Reserve will keep interest rates low. Long positions in oil and its products made gains at the start of the month as military action in Libya and the civil unrest in the wider region continued. Events on both sides of the Atlantic prompted investors to switch to safe haven assets. Standard & Poor’s cut its outlook on US sovereign debt from stable to negative, driving investors to precious metals, which rallied as a result. Concerns about peripheral European debt boosted the prices of core European fixed income, resulting in losses from the Series’ short positions in Euro Bund and Euribor. Towards the end of the month a series of positive US earnings announcements and successful European government bond auctions helped increase risk appetite. As a result the Series made strong gains from risky assets despite a temporary mid-month energy price correction. Performance from agriculturals was mixed. Cotton futures fell amid uncertainty over demand, while the Series made gains from its long position in coffee as the cost of Arabica rose to a 34-year high following increased demand from developing countries.
Quarter ended March 31, 2011
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
The Series ended March 31, 2011 with a year-to-date loss of (0.46%), based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011
The Series posted a (1.15%) loss for the month ending March 31, 2011, a loss of (0.46%) for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and an overall gain of 26.54% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 through March 31, 2011 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Series returned (1.15%) in March. The month began positively with long positions in oil and the products making gains as the Libyan turmoil continued. However, sentiment turned bearish following European sovereign downgrades and weak Chinese trade and inflation data. On March 11, 2011, the worst earthquake and tsunami in Japanese history devastated the country. Japanese equities sold off sharply, resulting in the Series’ long positions in the Nikkei and Topix being the month’s worst performers. The sell-off in equities spread across the globe on worries about the implications for global growth. In response to these events, positions in the portfolio were systematically reduced. Agricultural markets also sold off to the detriment of the Series’ long positions. Signs that the political turmoil in Ivory Coast may be easing caused the cocoa price to tumble from near 33-year highs. Strong US economic data released later in the month enabled the Series to recoup some of its earlier losses from stock indices and commodities. Expectations of an interest rate increase by the European Central Bank resulted in the Euro strengthening against the USD, to the benefit of the Series. These expectations also resulted in gains from the Series’
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short position in Euribor, which were partly offset by losses from long exposure to Eurodollar after the US Federal Reserve announced that they would begin unwinding some stimulus measures.
The Series posted a 2.28% return for the month ending February 28, 2011, a 0.70% gain for the year to date as of February 28, 2011 and an overall gain of 28.02% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to February 28, 2011 (not annualized).
The Series returned 2.28% in February. Following robust economic and earnings data, global stock markets rose at the start of the month with the S&P 500 pushing above the 1,300 level and doubling the low achieved in March 2009. However, tension in North Africa and the Middle East increased towards the end of the month, causing the oil price to soar. The Series made gains from its long positions in oil and its products, making energies the top sector for the month. In response to the geopolitical concerns, stock markets sold off and the Series gave back some of its earlier profits from stock indices. Metals prices generally increased during the month. Some industrial metals rose due to supply concerns and rising global demand, while precious metals rose as safe-haven appeal returned to the market, with silver hitting a 30-year high. Gains were partly offset by losses from the fixed income sectors. Bonds rallied amid the flight to safety, to the detriment of the Series’ short positions in the sector. Commodity-linked currencies found support as the political turmoil boosted raw materials prices. Profits were also seen from the Series’ net short exposure to the USD as it lost ground against several currencies including Sterling, which was supported by speculation that the Bank of England may raise interest rates earlier than the US Federal Reserve.
The Series posted a (1.55%) loss for the month of January 2011 and an overall gain of 25.16% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to January 31, 2011 (not annualized).
The Series returned (1.55%) in January. There were two main themes that drove markets during the month: civil unrest in North Africa and increased concerns about inflation. The People’s Bank of China raised its reserve ratio requirement for the fourth time in two months in an effort to prevent its economy from overheating. Meanwhile, in Europe, ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet signaled a potential for interest rate increases in the Eurozone after inflation data exceeded forecasts. The Series incurred losses from its long Euribor and Schatz holdings but benefited from a weaker Euro. In addition, the bonds sector saw losses from the short positions in Australian instruments as the severe flooding saw prices rally on safe haven demand. In commodities, the main losses came from silver and gold which were both affected by profit-taking after silver hit multi-decade highs and gold reached all-time highs, reinforced by some stronger economic news during the month. By contrast, the energies sector was the month’s best performer. Concerns about the Egyptian crisis drove Brent crude, gas oil and heating oil higher, to the benefit of the Series’ long positions across the oils complex. In agriculturals, the Series’ long positions continued to generate positive performance as prices in grains and softs moved upwards, further fuelling the inflation debate.
Quarter ended September 30, 2010
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ending September 30, 2010, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
The Series ended September 30, 2010 with a year-to-date return of 7.46%, based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
July 1, 2010 to September 30, 2010
The Series posted a 0.56% return for the month ending September 30, 2010, a gain (loss) of 5.57% and 7.46% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and an overall gain of 22.44% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Program returned 0.56% in September. The month started with investor optimism following strong manufacturing numbers out of China and the US. Consequently, fixed income markets sold off, to the detriment of the Program’s long positions, while equity markets rallied. However, the prices of US bonds recovered following the US Federal Reserve’s comments towards the end of the month about the possibility of a further round of quantitative
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easing. Similarly, Japanese Government bond prices also recovered following the Bank of Japan’s mid-month market action in an effort to weaken the Yen. Against this backdrop, the US Dollar declined to the benefit of the Program’s net short positioning, particularly against commodity currencies and the Swiss Franc. Long positions in emerging market currencies also contributed positively. Performance in commodities was mixed. Strong performance in agriculturals was driven by gains on long positions in cotton, the soy complex, sugar and corn. Grain prices rallied after delays in the US harvest and poor crop yields; cotton reached 15-year highs as poor weather in China and floods in Pakistan damaged crops. In energies, oil prices gained on the back of a weaker US Dollar and an unexpected drop in inventories towards the end of the month, to the detriment of the Program’s short positioning. Lastly, performance in metals was largely driven by gains from gold and silver, whose prices rallied on the back of safe-haven buying.
The Series posted a 6.67% gain for the month ending August 31, 2010, a 6.86% return for the year to date as of August 31, 2010 and an overall gain of 21.76% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to August 31, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series had a strong August and returned 6.67%. Performance was largely driven by the long positions held by the Series in fixed income, particularly bonds. August was characterised by risk-aversion in markets, which was fuelled by poor economic data out of the US and dovish comments by the Federal Reserve’s Chairman early in the month. The UK, Europe and Japan also released weak data. Consequently, the majority of global stock markets sold off and posted losses for the month. Against this backdrop, fixed income markets rallied worldwide and the US Dollar strengthened. Losses on the Program’s net short exposure to the US Dollar were partially offset by gains on long exposures to other safe-haven currencies, namely, the Swiss Franc and the Japanese Yen. The Yen hit 15-year highs in August and the Bank of Japan met several times to discuss the Yen’s strength. In energies, gains on short positions in crude oil and natural gas were reduced by variable exposures to gas oil and reformulated gasoline. Crude oil and natural gas prices declined as a result of the weaker growth outlook and risk aversion. Natural gas was further affected by bearish inventory data. Performance in agriculturals was largely driven by losses on long positions in Robusta coffee. After rangebound behaviour for most of the month, prices pulled back sharply on the 24th following strong export numbers out of Vietnam.
The Series posted a 1.59% loss for the month ending July 31, 2010, a 0.18% return for the year to date as of July 31, 2010 and an overall gain of 14.14% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to July 31, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series finished July with a return of (1.59%). In a similar pattern to recent months, positive performance was seen in currency markets and from long positions in fixed income despite volatility towards the end of the month. However, short exposures in equities and commodities experienced losses as these sectors generally rallied, reversing the downward trends of previous months. The fixed income performance was driven by the US and UK markets. In the US, weaker than expected economic data released in the middle of the month pushed both government bonds and short term interest rate futures higher. In the UK, the trend was briefly derailed by unexpectedly strong GDP figures but prices recovered following the Bank of England statement playing down the significance of this on the outlook for interest rates. Global equity markets rallied sharply, helped by strong earnings results and economic data in Europe and the UK, as well as the relatively benign impact of the EU banks’ stress testing results. Energy and base metal markets also joined in this rally, hurting the Series’ short exposures, especially in Zinc. By contrast, the Gold price fell back in July as economic worries waned, causing some giveback of recent profits. Finally, agriculturals produced mixed results. The short position in wheat suffered as the market saw its biggest monthly gain since 1973 driven by supply concerns over droughts in Russia and Ukraine. However, long exposure in coffee profited as prices reached a 12-year high.
Quarter ended June 30, 2010
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ended June 30, 2010, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
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The Series ended June 30, 2010 with a year-to-date return of 1.79%, based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
April 1, 2010 to June 30, 2010
The Series posted a 0.75% return for the month ending June 30, 2010, a gain (loss) of (0.94%) and 1.79% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and an overall gain of 15.98% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Series returned 0.75% in June. Performance was driven by gains on long positions in fixed income markets. Fixed income prices rallied, particularly towards the end of the month as investors questioned the sustainability of global growth given the poor economic data out of the US, Japan, China and concerns about the creditworthiness of European banks and governments. The commitment of central banks to keep rates at current levels also helped boost the price of interest rate futures. The currencies sector was the worst performer as losses on the short Swiss Franc and Sterling exposures offset small gains on the short Euro exposure. The Swiss National Bank decided that deflationary risks were no longer a threat and stopped limiting the Swiss Franc’s strength, whilst in the United Kingdom the emergency budget and commentary surrounding it caused Sterling to strengthen against the US Dollar. In agriculturals, NYMEX front-month coffee futures rallied 22% over the course of June, to the detriment of the Fund’s short positioning. Price action was driven by concerns about global supply. In energies, natural gas prices rallied in the first half of the month due to a combination of short covering and bullish inventory data.
The Series posted a (3.23%) loss for the month ending May 31, 2010, a 1.04% return for the year to date as of May 31, 2010 and an overall gain of 15.12% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to May 31, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series finished May with a return of (3.23%). The bulk of the negative performance arose in the first week of the month when a sell-off in risky assets such as stock indices and commodities hurt the Series’ generally long exposures in these sectors. Fears of contagion in the European debt crisis drove stock markets downwards, helped by the intraday volatility seen in US indices on the 6th of May caused by an alleged trading irregularity. Energy markets also fell back sharply during this period and these two sectors finished as the Series’ worst performers for the month. Their performance impact for the remainder of the month was relatively muted as smaller position sizes mitigated the impact of the continued volatility. Performance in industrial metals followed a similar pattern, but was partly offset by profits in Gold which made new highs mid-month. Fixed Income markets also saw positive performance throughout the month as the general risk aversion saw these markets rally strongly. The best performances came from long positions in European and UK markets at both ends of the curve. Significant dispersion was seen from currency trading. The strengthening US Dollar yielded good profits for long positions against the major European currencies but these were offset by losses elsewhere in the sector, most notably against the Australian Dollar.
The Series posted a 1.61% return for the month ending April 30, 2010, a 4.41% return for the year to date as of April 30, 2010 and an overall gain of 18.96% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to April 30, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series returned 1.61% in April. The month was characterized by competing drivers of returns. Strong economic data and positive earnings announcements aided long stock positions in the early part of the month but these gains were largely given back as sentiment reversed following the announcement of SEC charges against Goldman Sachs and sovereign credit downgrades in Europe. The latter events however provided good opportunities for the Series’ long fixed income positions, notably in Europe and Japan. Positive returns in currency markets were driven by a weakening Euro and emerging market exposure. Performance in commodities was mixed. The Series benefited from continuing rises in oil markets but incurred modest losses in the other commodity sectors Agricultural markets painted a mixed picture with gains on short positions in sugar being offset by losses on short grains’ exposures. Base metals declined following more bearish economic sentiment towards the end of the month resulting in small losses on long positions in aluminum and copper.
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Quarter ended March 31, 2010
This performance description is a brief summary of how the Series performed during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, and not necessarily an indication of how it will perform in the future. In addition, the general causes to which certain price movements are attributed may or may not in fact have caused such movements, but simply may have occurred at or about the same time. The Series’ past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.
The Series ended March 31, 2010 with a year-to-date return of 2.76%, based on the net asset value for all other purposes (see “Notes to Condensed Financial Statements – (3) Related Party Transactions”).
January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2010
The Series posted a 3.47% return for the month ending March 31, 2010, a gain of 2.76% for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and an overall gain of 17.08% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 through March 31, 2010 (not annualized and based on net asset value per unit for all other purposes).
The Series finished March with a net return of 3.47%. Data releases pointing to economic recovery drove the prices of risky assets higher, despite some continued concerns about European sovereign debt mid-month. Consequently, global stock markets rallied, producing good profits for the Series, and bond markets sold off. Japanese Government Bonds were the Series’ worst performer. In currencies, emerging market and commodity currencies strengthened against the USD to the benefit of the Series’ positions, while European interest rate markets were buoyed by concerns over Greece and poor economic data out of the United Kingdom. Commodities markets generally followed the direction of stock markets and finished the month higher. In energies, this resulted in positive performance on long positions in the oil complex, but the Series also profited on the short side from the decline in the natural gas price following milder weather in the United States and a build-up in inventories. In agricultural commodities, positive performance on short positions in corn and wheat was more than offset by losses in sugar and coffee. The sugar losses were incurred early in the month when prices fell to 11-week lows as the supply outlook improved. Good profits were seen in industrial metals, especially nickel which reached 22-month highs.
The Series posted a 2.27% return for the month ending February 28, 2010, a (0.69%) loss for the year to date as of February 28, 2010 and an overall gain of 13.15% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to February 28, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series finished February with a positive return of 2.27%. The month of February was, to a large degree, dominated by news-flow relating to the debt crisis within the Euro-zone. The prevailing macroeconomic sentiment oscillated between risk aversion and inflationary concerns with the former being marginally dominant over the calendar month. As a result the Series saw profits from the long positions in both short-term interest rate futures contracts and some bond markets. Positive performance was also seen in other sectors with the long positions in energy contracts benefiting from the further upward move in prices during the middle of the month and the weakness of the Euro and British Pound providing opportunity for profits in the currencies sector. Smaller positive contributions were seen from the small long exposures in both stock indices and metals; the price action in each of these sectors were similar as a sell-off at the beginning of the month was followed by a recovery during the remainder of the month as risk aversion fears dominated. The largest negative performance was seen in agricultural commodities. The longer-term bull market in sugar reversed sharply from multi-year highs as output in both Brazil and India rose.
The Series posted a (2.89%) loss for the month of January 2010 and an overall gain of 10.64% for the Series from the inception of trading on March 16, 2007 to January 31, 2010 (not annualized).
The Series finished January with a loss of (2.89%). After positive performance in the first two weeks of the year, a reversal in investor risk appetite was the primary factor resulting in a loss for the calendar month. The change in sentiment was driven, in part, by disappointing earnings announcements and fears over potential monetary tightening in China as the People’s Bank of China increased banks’ reserve requirements and introduced measures aimed at curbing lending.
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As a result the Series’ long positions in stock indices and the net short exposure to the USD saw losses. Long positions in fixed income markets benefited from the move toward risk aversion, some U.K. data and comments by both the Bank of England and the European Central Bank. In addition, the strengthening USD and poorer growth outlook also resulted in many commodities markets selling off. This was particularly detrimental to the Series’ long positioning in the oil complex and industrial metals. Oil prices faced additional downward pressure due to an increase in inventories and milder weather in the Unites States. In agriculturals, gains on the long exposure to sugar markets, whose price rallied due to supply concerns, more than offset losses on long positions in the soy complex and cotton.
Variables Affecting Performance
The principal variables that determine the net performance of the Series are gross profitability from the Series’ trading activity through its investment in the Master Fund and interest income.
The Series’ assets that are invested in the Master Fund are maintained at the Clearing Broker. On assets held in USD, the Clearing Broker credits the Series with interest at the prevailing Federal Funds Rate less 50 basis points per annum. In the case of non-USD instruments, the Clearing Broker lends to the Series all required non-U.S. currencies at a local short-term interest rate plus a spread of up to 100 basis points per annum (at current rates). For deposits held in non-U.S. currencies, the Clearing Broker credits the local short-term interest rate less a spread of up to 200 basis points per annum (at current rates).
The Series’ management, Sponsor’s and administrative fees and the sales commissions are a constant percentage of the Series’ net asset value for all other purposes. Brokerage commissions represent the Series’ proportionate share of the Master Fund’s Brokerage commissions. Master Fund Brokerage commissions are based on the volume of trades executed and cleared on behalf of the Master Fund. The performance fees payable to the Trading Advisor are based on the new net trading profits, if any, calculated at the Series level, excluding interest income and after reduction for brokerage commissions and certain other fees and expenses.
Most of the instruments traded by the Master Fund are highly liquid and can generally be closed out immediately, so that unrealized profits can generally be realized quickly if the relevant positions are closed out.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
The Series has no applicable off-balance sheet arrangements or tabular disclosure of contractual obligations of the type described in Items 303(a)(4) and 303(a)(5) of Regulation S-K.
Item 3:Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not applicable; the Series is a smaller reporting company.
Item 4:Controls and Procedures
The Sponsor, with the participation of the Sponsor’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) with respect to the Platform and the Series as of the end of the fiscal quarter for which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is being filed, and, based on their evaluation, have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. No change in internal control over financial reporting (in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Rule 13a-15 or Rule 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Platform’s and the Series’ internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1:Legal Proceedings
The Sponsor is not aware of any pending legal proceedings to which the Series is a party or to which any of its assets are subject.
Item 1A:Risk Factors
Not required.
Item 2:Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
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(a) | Not applicable; previously filed on Forms 8-K |
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(b) | Not applicable. |
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(c) | Pursuant to the Platform’s Limited Liability Company Agreement and the Series’ Separate Series Agreement, Members may redeem their Units at the end of each calendar month at the then current month-end net asset value per Unit for all other purposes (i.e. including the amortization of organizational and initial offering costs). The redemption of Units has no impact on the value of Units that remain outstanding, and Units are not reissued once redeemed. The following table summarizes the redemptions by Members during the third quarter of 2011: |
| | | | | | | |
Month | | Units Redeemed | | Redemption Date Net Asset Value per Unit for All Other Purposes | |
| |
| |
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July 31, 2011 | | | 2,746.71 | | $ | 1,301.854 | |
August 31, 2011 | | | 183.52 | | $ | 1,320.417 | |
September 30, 2011 | | | 79.88 | | $ | 1,319.265 | |
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|
| | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total | | | 3,010.11 | | | | |
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|
| | | | |
Item 3:Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4: (Removed and Reserved)
Item 5:Other Information
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(a) | None. |
(b) | Not applicable. |
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Item 6:Exhibits
The following exhibits are included herewith.
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Exhibit Number | | Description of Document |
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|
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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31. 2 | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
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32.1 | | Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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32.2 | | Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
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99.1 | | Financial Statements of AlphaMetrix Aspect Fund – MT0001 (Master Fund) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010. |
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101 | | Interactive data file pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Condensed Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2011 (unaudited) and December 31, 2010, (ii) the Unaudited Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, (iii) the Unaudited Condensed Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and (iv) Notes to Unaudited Financial Statements. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on behalf of AlphaMetrix Managed Futures LLC on behalf of itself and its series, Aspect Series, by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 14, 2011
ALPHAMETRIX MANAGED FUTURES LLC
By: AlphaMetrix, LLC
Sponsor
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By: /s/ Aleks Kins | |
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Name: Aleks Kins |
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer |
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