Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended: September 30, 2012
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From to .
Commission File Number: 0-50316
Grant Park Futures Fund
Limited Partnership
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Illinois | | 36-3596839 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
c/o Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C.
626 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 600
Chicago, Illinois 60661
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (312) 756-4450
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer o |
| | |
Non-accelerated filer x | | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes o No x
Table of Contents
GRANT PARK FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
QUARTER ENDED September 30, 2012
INDEX
Table of Contents
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
| | September 30, | | | |
| | 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | |
Assets | | | | | |
Equity in brokers’ trading accounts: | | | | | |
Securities owned, at fair value (cost $0 and $66,603,904, respectively) | | $ | — | | $ | 66,744,630 | |
Cash | | 143,789,637 | | 27,781,186 | |
Unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts, net | | 1,983,921 | | 8,025,123 | |
Total equity in brokers’ trading accounts | | 145,773,558 | | 102,550,939 | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | 179,184,581 | | 271,405,439 | |
Securities owned, at fair value (cost $400,688,813 and $464,530,065, respectively) | | 400,972,497 | | 464,744,436 | |
Interest and dividends receivable | | 32,143 | | 88,659 | |
Total assets | | $ | 725,962,779 | | $ | 838,789,473 | |
| | | | | |
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) | | | | | |
Liabilities | | | | | |
Brokerage commission payable | | $ | 4,129,299 | | $ | 4,866,939 | |
Accrued incentive fees | | 2,568,305 | | 381,337 | |
Organization and offering costs payable | | 173,495 | | 200,428 | |
Accrued operating expenses | | 150,035 | | 173,782 | |
Pending partner additions | | 3,417,934 | | 3,590,048 | |
Redemptions payable | | 11,389,464 | | 30,734,748 | |
Total liabilities | | 21,828,532 | | 39,947,282 | |
| | | | | |
Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) | | | | | |
General Partner | | | | | |
Class A (2,499.78 and 3,008.66 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 3,226,049 | | 3,898,734 | |
Class B (0 and 427.01 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | — | | 469,305 | |
Legacy 1 Class (1,025.00 units outstanding at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011) | | 947,260 | | 935,031 | |
Legacy 2 Class (1,000.00 units outstanding at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011) | | 912,605 | | 903,063 | |
Global 1 Class (1,372.89 units outstanding at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011) | | 1,222,459 | | 1,200,376 | |
Global 2 Class (1,974.70 units outstanding at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011) | | 1,738,542 | | 1,710,523 | |
Global 3 Class (0 and 500.00 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | — | | 411,298 | |
Limited Partners | | | | | |
Class A (27,326.78 and 32,119.81 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 35,266,166 | | 41,622,105 | |
Class B (344,413.17 and 419,169.11 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 375,149,841 | | 460,685,410 | |
Legacy 1 Class (5,119.75 and 5,210.84 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 4,731,446 | | 4,753,458 | |
Legacy 2 Class (13,802.68 and 16,534.92 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 12,596,392 | | 14,932,071 | |
Global 1 Class (12,638.33 and 14,017.11 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 11,253,478 | | 12,255,712 | |
Global 2 Class (29,267.35 and 30,586.54 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 25,767,243 | | 26,494,677 | |
Global 3 Class (280,238.38 and 277,864.25 units outstanding at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively) | | 231,322,766 | | 228,570,428 | |
Total partners’ capital (net asset value) | | 704,134,247 | | 798,842,191 | |
Total liabilities and partners’ capital (net asset value) | | $ | 725,962,779 | | $ | 838,789,473 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
1
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments
September 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
Futures, Forwards, and Options on Futures Contracts
| | Unrealized gain/(loss) on open long contracts | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) | | Unrealized gain/(loss) on open short contracts | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) | | Net unrealized gain/(loss) on open contracts | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Futures Positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agriculturals | | $ | (501,262 | ) | (0.07 | )% | $ | (50,016 | ) | (0.01 | )% | $ | (551,278 | ) | (0.08 | )% |
Currencies | | $ | 133,859 | | 0.02 | % | $ | (72,997 | ) | (0.01 | )% | $ | 60,862 | | 0.01 | % |
Energy | | $ | 2,493,280 | | 0.35 | % | $ | (535,986 | ) | (0.07 | )% | $ | 1,957,294 | | 0.28 | % |
Interest rates | | $ | 2,784,376 | | 0.39 | % | $ | (379,453 | ) | (0.05 | )% | $ | 2,404,923 | | 0.34 | % |
Meats | | $ | 9,150 | | 0.00 | % | $ | 57,212 | | 0.01 | % | $ | 66,362 | | 0.01 | % |
Metals | | $ | 2,512,422 | | 0.36 | % | $ | (18,360 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 2,494,062 | | 0.35 | % |
Soft commodities | | $ | (5,567 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 198,020 | | 0.03 | % | $ | 192,453 | | 0.03 | % |
Stock indices and single stock futures | | $ | (2,844,317 | ) | (0.40 | )% | $ | 96,852 | | 0.01 | % | $ | (2,747,465 | ) | (0.39 | )% |
Total U.S. Futures Positions | | $ | 4,581,941 | | | | $ | (704,728 | ) | | | $ | 3,877,213 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Futures Positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agriculturals | | $ | 789 | | 0.00 | % | $ | — | | (0.00 | )% | $ | 789 | | 0.00 | % |
Energy | | $ | 80,626 | | 0.01 | % | $ | 21,151 | | 0.00 | % | $ | 101,777 | | 0.01 | % |
Interest rates | | $ | 3,635,914 | | 0.52 | % | $ | (180,136 | ) | (0.03 | )% | $ | 3,455,778 | | 0.49 | % |
Metals | | $ | 9,247,778 | | 1.31 | % | $ | (10,551,783 | ) | (1.50 | )% | $ | (1,304,005 | ) | (0.19 | )% |
Soft commodities | | $ | 23,787 | | 0.00 | % | $ | (23,492 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 295 | | 0.00 | % |
Stock indices | | $ | (4,655,574 | ) | (0.66 | )% | $ | 69,732 | | 0.01 | % | $ | (4,585,842 | ) | (0.65 | )% |
Total Foreign Futures Positions | | $ | 8,333,320 | | | | $ | (10,664,528 | ) | | | $ | (2,331,208 | ) | | |
Total Futures Contracts | | $ | 12,915,261 | | 1.83 | % | $ | (11,369,256 | ) | (1.61 | )% | $ | 1,546,005 | | 0.22 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Currencies | | $ | (453,150 | ) | (0.06 | )% | $ | 929,333 | | 0.13 | % | $ | 476,183 | | 0.07 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options on Futures and Forward Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Currencies | | $ | 197,458 | | 0.03 | % | $ | (115,432 | ) | (0.02 | )% | $ | 82,026 | | 0.01 | % |
Interest rates | | $ | — | | (0.00 | )% | $ | (114,453 | ) | (0.02 | )% | $ | (114,453 | ) | (0.02 | )% |
U.S. stock indices | | $ | 4,950 | | 0.00 | % | $ | (10,790 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | (5,840 | ) | (0.00 | )% |
Total Options on Futures and Forward Contracts | | $ | 202,408 | | 0.03 | % | $ | (240,675 | ) | (0.04 | )% | $ | (38,267 | ) | (0.01 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Futures, Forward and Options on Futures and Forward Contracts | | $ | 12,664,519 | | 1.80 | % | $ | (10,680,598 | ) | (1.52 | )% | $ | 1,983,921 | | 0.28 | % |
* No individual futures, forward, and options on futures and forward contract position constituted greater than 1 percent of partners’ capital (net asset value). Accordingly, the number of contracts and expiration dates are not presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
September 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
Securities owned
Bank deposits
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 16,000,000 | | 10/19/2012 | | Bank of Montreal, 0.4% | | $ | 16,001,947 | | 2.27 | % |
$ | 13,000,000 | | 12/11/2012 | | Bank of America, 0.6% | | 13,021,649 | | 1.85 | % |
| | Total U.S. Bank Deposits (cost of $28,999,662) | | $ | 29,023,596 | | 4.12 | % |
U.S. Commercial paper
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 20,000,000 | | 12/3/2012 | | Bank of Nova Scotia, 0.3% | | $ | 19,989,675 | | 2.84 | % |
$ | 10,000,000 | | 3/14/2013 | | Dell Incorporation 0.3% | | 9,987,244 | | 1.42 | % |
$ | 25,600,000 | | 10/12/2012-12/4/2012 | | Other, 0.4-0.6% | | 25,586,293 | | 3.63 | % |
| | Total U.S. Commercial paper (cost of $55,516,103) | | $ | 55,563,212 | | 7.89 | % |
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 207,700,000 | | 9/23/2013-12/15/2014 | | Federal Farm Credit Banks, 0.2-0.6% | | $ | 207,758,524 | | 29.50 | % |
$ | 46,500,000 | | 3/6/2013-7/22/2013 | | Federal Home Loan Banks, 0.3% | | 46,513,893 | | 6.61 | % |
$ | 12,000,000 | | 1/9/2015 | | Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, 0.9% | | 12,024,327 | | 1.71 | % |
| | Total U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (cost of $266,171,482) | | $ | 266,296,744 | | 37.82 | % |
Corporate Bonds
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Dates | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
| | | | | | | | | |
$ | 46,509,000 | | 9/15/2013-8/1/2014 | | Corporate Bonds, 0.7-1.5% (cost of $50,001,566) | | $ | 50,088,945 | | 7.11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
| | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
Total securities owned | | $ | 400,972,497 | | 56.94 | % |
| | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2011
Futures, Forwards and Options on Futures Contracts
| | Expiration | | No. of Contracts | | Unrealized gain/(loss) on open long | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net | | Unrealized gain/(loss) on open short | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net | | Net unrealized gain/(loss) on | | Percent of Partners’ Capital (Net | |
| | Dates | | Long | | Short | | contracts | | Asset Value) | | contracts | | Asset Value) | | open contracts | | Asset Value) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Futures Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Futures Positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agriculturals | | | | | | | | $ | 585,674 | | 0.07 | % | $ | (1,895,802 | ) | (0.24 | )% | $ | (1,310,128 | ) | (0.17 | )% |
Currencies | | | | | | | | $ | 1,033,683 | | 0.13 | % | $ | 1,954,273 | | 0.24 | % | $ | 2,987,956 | | 0.37 | % |
Energy | | | | | | | | $ | (66,017 | ) | (0.01 | )% | $ | 2,482,748 | | 0.31 | % | $ | 2,416,731 | | 0.30 | % |
Interest rates | | | | | | | | $ | 1,516,424 | | 0.19 | % | $ | (762,104 | ) | (0.10 | )% | $ | 754,320 | | 0.09 | % |
Meats | | | | | | | | $ | (77,043 | ) | (0.01 | )% | $ | (19,996 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | (97,039 | ) | (0.01 | )% |
Metals | | | | | | | | $ | (556,221 | ) | (0.07 | )% | $ | 272,588 | | 0.03 | % | $ | (283,633 | ) | (0.04 | )% |
Soft commodities | | | | | | | | $ | (23,739 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 654,538 | | 0.08 | % | $ | 630,799 | | 0.08 | % |
Stock indices and single stock futures | | | | | | | | $ | 362,188 | | 0.05 | % | $ | (32,147 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 330,041 | | 0.04 | % |
Total U.S. Futures Positions | | | | | | | | $ | 2,774,949 | | | | $ | 2,654,098 | | | | $ | 5,429,047 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Futures Positions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Agriculturals | | | | | | | | $ | 49,468 | | 0.01 | % | $ | (2,768 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 46,700 | | 0.01 | % |
Energy | | | | | | | | $ | (43,296 | ) | (0.00 | )% | 190,332 | | 0.02 | % | $ | 147,036 | | 0.02 | % |
Interest rates | | | | | | | | $ | 3,769,880 | | 0.47 | % | $ | (167,601 | ) | (0.02 | )% | $ | 3,602,279 | | 0.45 | % |
Metals | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Copper | | 1/18/2012-3/20/2013 | | 464 | | 499 | | $ | (11,127,466 | ) | (1.39 | )% | $ | 8,698,821 | | 1.09 | % | $ | (2,428,645 | ) | (0.30 | )% |
Aluminum | | 1/18/2012-3/20/2013 | | 2,355 | | 2,624 | | $ | (21,274,187 | ) | (2.66 | )% | $ | 19,699,975 | | 2.46 | % | $ | (1,574,212 | ) | (0.20 | )% |
Other Metals | | | | | | | | $ | (753,673 | ) | (0.09 | )% | $ | 743,163 | | 0.09 | % | $ | (10,510 | ) | (0.00 | )% |
Soft commodities | | | | | | | | $ | (29,165 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | 70,401 | | 0.01 | % | $ | 41,236 | | 0.01 | % |
Stock indices | | | | | | | | $ | 212,226 | | 0.03 | % | $ | 101,920 | | 0.01 | % | $ | 314,146 | | 0.04 | % |
Total Foreign Futures Positions | | | | | | | | $ | (29,196,213 | ) | | | $ | 29,334,243 | | | | $ | 138,030 | | | |
Total Futures Contracts | | | | | | | | $ | (26,421,264 | ) | (3.31 | )% | $ | 31,988,341 | | 4.00 | % | $ | 5,567,077 | | 0.69 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Forward Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Currencies | | | | | | | | $ | 147,817 | | 0.02 | % | $ | 2,314,511 | | 0.29 | % | $ | 2,462,328 | | 0.31 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Options on Futures Contracts * | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. stock indices | | | | | | | | $ | 3,271 | | 0.00 | % | $ | (7,553 | ) | (0.00 | )% | $ | (4,282 | ) | (0.00 | )% |
Total Futures, Forward and Options on Futures and Forward Contracts | | | | | | | | $ | (26,270,176 | ) | (3.29 | )% | $ | 34,295,299 | | 4.29 | % | $ | 8,025,123 | | 1.00 | % |
* No individual futures, forward, and options on futures and forward contract position, other than those presented, constituted greater than 1 percent of partners’ capital. Accordingly, the number of contracts and expiration dates are not presented.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2011
U.S. Government securities in brokers’ trading accounts***
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 66,750,000 | | 2/29/2012-7/26/2012 | | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.1-0.3% (cost of $66,603,904) | | $ | 66,744,630 | | 8.35 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
*** Pledged as collateral for the trading of futures, forward and options on futures contracts.
Securities owned
Bank deposits
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 41,000,000 | | 5/1/2012-10/19/2012 | | U.S. Certificates of deposit, 0.4-0.5% (cost of $40,999,662) | | $ | 41,037,669 | | 5.14 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Commercial paper
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 31,300,000 | | 1/24/2012-3/23/2012 | | U.S. Commercial paper, 0.2-0.5% (cost of $31,266,369) | | $ | 31,279,645 | | 3.92 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Date | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 275,875,000 | | 9/23/2013-12/15/2014 | | Federal Farm Credit Bank, 0.2-1.6% | | $ | 275,919,554 | | 34.54 | % |
$ | 67,500,000 | | 3/6/2013-10/27/2014 | | Federal Home Loan Bank, 0.2-.9% | | 67,539,449 | | 8.45 | % |
$ | 25,000,000 | | 3/19/2012 | | Federal National Mortrage Association Discount Note,0.2% | | 24,990,792 | | 3.13 | % |
| | Total U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises (cost of $368,310,141) | | $ | 368,449,795 | | 46.12 | % |
U.S. Government securities
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
Face Value | | Maturity Dates | | Description | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
$ | 24,000,000 | | 6/28/2012 | | U.S. Treasury Bills, 0.2% (cost of $23,953,893) | | $ | 23,977,327 | | 3.00 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Percent of Partners’ Capital | |
| | | | | | Fair Value | | (net asset value) | |
Total securities owned | | | | $ | 464,744,436 | | 58.18 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Operations
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | (Unaudited) | |
Net trading gains (losses) | | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) from futures and forward trading | | | | | | | | | |
Realized | | $ | 14,788,854 | | $ | 1,533,658 | | $ | 56,265,301 | | $ | (1,222,983 | ) |
Change in unrealized | | 2,549,890 | | 15,103,836 | | (5,996,953 | ) | (22,508,037 | ) |
Commissions | | (2,774,556 | ) | (3,414,338 | ) | (8,596,684 | ) | (9,958,730 | ) |
Net gains (losses) from futures and forward trading | | 14,564,188 | | 13,223,156 | | 41,671,664 | | (33,689,750 | ) |
Net gain (loss) from equities, equity options and exchange-traded funds | | | | | | | | | |
Realized | | — | | — | | — | | 408,727 | |
Change in unrealized | | — | | — | | — | | 0 | |
Commissions | | — | | — | | — | | (68,873 | ) |
Net gains (losses) from equities, equity options and exchange-traded funds | | — | | — | | — | | 339,854 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total trading gains (losses) | | 14,564,188 | | 13,223,156 | | 41,671,664 | | (33,349,896 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income (loss) | | | | | | | | | |
Income | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend income | | — | | — | | — | | 72,394 | |
Interest income | | 481,491 | | 640,016 | | 1,425,155 | | 2,469,140 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total income | | 481,491 | | 640,016 | | 1,425,155 | | 2,541,534 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Expenses from operations | | | | | | | | | |
Dividend expense | | — | | — | | — | | 159,212 | |
Brokerage commission | | 10,501,801 | | 13,228,036 | | 32,674,197 | | 40,279,215 | |
Incentive fees | | 2,737,006 | | 3,626,389 | | 8,917,234 | | 5,389,425 | |
Organizational and offering costs | | 534,770 | | 654,280 | | 1,655,799 | | 1,957,079 | |
Operating expenses | | 462,427 | | 569,056 | | 1,432,781 | | 1,707,397 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total expenses | | 14,236,004 | | 18,077,761 | | 44,680,011 | | 49,492,328 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net investment loss | | (13,754,513 | ) | (17,437,745 | ) | (43,254,856 | ) | (46,950,794 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 809,675 | | $ | (4,214,589 | ) | $ | (1,583,192 | ) | $ | (80,300,690 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per unit (based on weighted average number of units outstanding during the period) and increase (decrease) in net asset value per unit for the period: | | | | | | | | | |
General Partner & Limited Partner Class A Units | | $ | 0.40 | | $ | (6.90 | ) | $ | (5.30 | ) | $ | (123.14 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Class B Units | | $ | (1.44 | ) | $ | (7.76 | ) | $ | (9.80 | ) | $ | (110.81 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Legacy 1 Class Units | | $ | 5.61 | | $ | 0.60 | | $ | 11.93 | | $ | (68.80 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Legacy 2 Class Units | | $ | 5.02 | | $ | (1.50 | ) | $ | 9.55 | | $ | (72.34 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Global 1 Class Units | | $ | 6.71 | | $ | 3.96 | | $ | 16.09 | | $ | (70.40 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Global 2 Class Units | | $ | 6.10 | | $ | 3.28 | | $ | 14.19 | | $ | (71.95 | ) |
General Partner & Limited Partner Global 3 Class Units | | $ | 2.11 | | $ | (0.77 | ) | $ | 2.85 | | $ | (81.79 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
6
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class A | | Class B | | Legacy 1 Class | | Legacy 2 Class | |
| | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | |
| | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | |
| | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) December 31, 2011 | | 3,008.66 | | $ | 3,898,734 | | 32,119.81 | | $ | 41,622,105 | | 427.01 | | $ | 469,305 | | 419,169.11 | | $ | 460,685,410 | | 1,025.00 | | $ | 935,031 | | 5,210.84 | | $ | 4,753,458 | | 1,000.00 | | $ | 903,063 | | 16,534.92 | | $ | 14,932,071 | |
Contributions | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | | | | | 367.22 | | 346,650 | | | | | | 920.85 | | 834,958 | |
Redemptions | | (508.88 | ) | (650,000 | ) | (4,793.03 | ) | (6,254,267 | ) | (427.01 | ) | (461,824 | ) | (74,755.94 | ) | (82,382,649 | ) | | | | | (458.31 | ) | (422,823 | ) | | | | | (3,653.09 | ) | (3,332,001 | ) |
Net loss | | — | | (22,685 | ) | — | | (101,672 | ) | — | | (7,481 | ) | — | | (3,152,920 | ) | — | | 12,229 | | — | | 54,161 | | — | | 9,542 | | — | | 161,364 | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) September 30, 2012 | | 2,499.78 | | $ | 3,226,049 | | 27,326.78 | | $ | 35,266,166 | | — | | $ | — | | 344,413.17 | | $ | 375,149,841 | | 1,025.00 | | $ | 947,260 | | 5,119.75 | | $ | 4,731,446 | | 1,000.00 | | $ | 912,605 | | 13,802.68 | | $ | 12,596,392 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at December 31, 2011 | | | | $ | 1,295.84 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,099.04 | | | | | | | | $ | 912.23 | | | | | | | | $ | 903.06 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at September 30, 2012 | | | | $ | 1,290.54 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,089.24 | | | | | | | | $ | 924.16 | | | | | | | | $ | 912.61 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Global 1 Class | | Global 2 Class | | Global 3 Class | | | |
| | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | | | | |
| | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Total | | | | | | | |
| | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Amount | | | | | | | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) December 31, 2011 | | 1,372.89 | | $ | | 1,200,376 | | 14,017.11 | | $ | | 12,255,712 | | 1,974.70 | | $ | | 1,710,523 | | 30,586.54 | | $ | | 26,494,677 | | 500.00 | | $ | | 411,298 | | 277,864.25 | | $ | | 228,570,428 | | $ | | 798,842,191 | | | | | | | |
Contributions | | — | | — | | 3,246.90 | | 2,887,903 | | — | | — | | 3,647.07 | | 3,215,424 | | — | | — | | 31,699.92 | | 26,390,390 | | 33,675,325 | | | | | | | |
Redemptions | | — | | — | | (4,625.68 | ) | (4,112,172 | ) | — | | — | | (4,966.26 | ) | (4,388,557 | ) | (500.00 | ) | (406,616 | ) | (29,325.79 | ) | (24,389,168 | ) | (126,800,077 | ) | | | | | | |
Net loss | | — | | 22,083 | | — | | 222,035 | | — | | 28,019 | | — | | 445,699 | | — | | (4,682 | ) | — | | 751,116 | | (1,583,192 | ) | | | | | | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) September 30, 2012 | | 1,372.89 | | $ | | 1,222,459 | | 12,638.33 | | $ | | 11,253,478 | | 1,974.70 | | $ | | 1,738,542 | | 29,267.35 | | $ | | 25,767,243 | | — | | $ | | — | | 280,238.38 | | $ | | 231,322,766 | | $ | | 704,134,247 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at December 31, 2011 | | | | $ | | 874.34 | | | | | | | | $ | | 866.22 | | | | | | | | $ | | 822.60 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at September 30, 2012 | | | | $ | | 890.43 | | | | | | | | $ | | 880.41 | | | | | | | | $ | | 825.45 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
7
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value) (continued)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Class A | | Class B | | Legacy 1 Class | | Legacy 2 Class | |
| | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | |
| | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | |
| | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) December 31, 2010 | | 3,008.66 | | $ | 4,478,872 | | 40,362.54 | | $ | 60,086,201 | | 427.01 | | $ | 542,672 | | 498,484.71 | | $ | 633,504,348 | | 1,025.00 | | $ | 1,050,542 | | 5,908.00 | | $ | 6,055,220 | | 1,000.00 | | $ | 1,019,793 | | 6,361.06 | | $ | 6,486,967 | |
Contributions | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | 630.38 | | 641,324 | | — | | — | | 11,200.61 | | 11,017,655 | |
Redemptions | | — | | — | | (3,491.05 | ) | (5,009,150 | ) | — | | — | | (46,054.27 | ) | (56,338,190 | ) | — | | — | | (1,182.30 | ) | (1,186,506 | ) | — | | — | | (591.11 | ) | (580,322 | ) |
Net loss | | — | | (370,486 | ) | — | | (4,728,233 | ) | — | | (47,318 | ) | — | | (52,325,439 | ) | — | | (70,517 | ) | — | | (388,973 | ) | — | | (72,346 | ) | — | | (845,590 | ) |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) September 30, 2011 | | 3,008.66 | | $ | 4,108,386 | | 36,871.49 | | $ | 50,348,818 | | 427.01 | | $ | 495,354 | | 452,430.44 | | $ | 524,840,719 | | 1,025.00 | | $ | 980,025 | | 5,356.08 | | $ | 5,121,065 | | 1,000.00 | | $ | 947,447 | | 16,970.56 | | $ | 16,078,710 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at December 31, 2010 | | | | $ | 1,488.66 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,270.86 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,024.92 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,019.79 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at September 30, 2011 | | | | $ | 1,365.52 | | | | | | | | $ | 1,160.05 | | | | | | | | $ | 956.12 | | | | | | | | $ | 947.45 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Global 1 Class | | Global 2 Class | | Global 3 Class | | | |
| | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | General Partner | | Limited Partners | | | | | |
| | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Number of | | | | Total | | | | | | | |
| | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Units | | Amount | | Amount | | | | | | | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) December 31, 2010 | | 1,044.66 | | $ | 1,028,338 | | 10,133.38 | | $ | 9,975,048 | | 1,181.06 | | $ | 1,155,098 | | 18,631.40 | | $ | 18,221,772 | | 500.00 | | $ | 473,009 | | 156,270.73 | | $ | 147,834,890 | | $ | 891,912,770 | | | | | | | |
Contributions | | — | | — | | 5,943.67 | | 5,678,180 | | 793.64 | | 749,000 | | 13,448.42 | | 12,662,684 | | — | | — | | 129,777.96 | | 118,496,683 | | 149,245,526 | | | | | | | |
Redemptions | | — | | — | | (1,536.67 | ) | (1,445,731 | ) | — | | — | | (2,208.60 | ) | (2,089,944 | ) | — | | — | | (12,734.90 | ) | (11,551,768 | ) | (78,201,611 | ) | | | | | | |
Net loss | | — | | (73,540 | ) | — | | (917,869 | ) | — | | (114,899 | ) | — | | (1,729,343 | ) | — | | (40,896 | ) | — | | (18,575,241 | ) | (80,300,690 | ) | | | | | | |
Partners’ capital, (net asset value) September 30, 2011 | | 1,044.66 | | $ | 954,798 | | 14,540.38 | | $ | 13,289,628 | | 1,974.70 | | $ | 1,789,199 | | 29,871.22 | | $ | 27,065,169 | | 500.00 | | $ | 432,113 | | 273,313.79 | | $ | 236,204,564 | | $ | 882,655,995 | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at December 31, 2010 | | | | $ | 984.38 | | | | | | | | $ | 978.01 | | | | | | | | $ | 946.02 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at September 30, 2011 | | | | $ | 913.98 | | | | | | | | $ | 906.06 | | | | | | | | $ | 864.23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
8
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of business: Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership (the “Partnership”) was organized as a limited partnership under Illinois law in August 1988 and will continue until December 31, 2027, unless terminated sooner as provided for in its Limited Partnership Agreement. As a commodity investment pool, the Partnership is subject to the regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), an agency of the United States (U.S.) government which regulates most aspects of the commodity futures industry; rules of the National Futures Association, an industry self-regulatory organization; and the requirements of the various commodity exchanges where the Partnership executes transactions. Additionally, the Partnership is subject to the requirements of futures commission merchants (“FCMs”) and interbank and other market makers through which the Partnership trades. The Partnership is a registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and, accordingly is subject to the regulatory requirements under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The Partnership engages in the speculative trading of futures and forward contracts for commodities, financial instruments or currencies, any rights pertaining thereto and any options thereon, or on physical commodities, equities, listed options, and broad based exchange-traded funds. The Partnership may also engage in hedge, arbitrage and cash trading of commodities and futures.
The Partnership is a multi-advisor pool that carries out its purpose through trading by independent professional commodity trading advisors retained by Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C. (the “General Partner”), the Partnership and, the Partnership’s subsidiary limited liability trading companies (each, a “Trading Company” and collectively, the “Trading Companies”). The Trading Companies were set up to, among other things, segregate risk by commodity trading advisor. Effectively, this structure isolates one trading advisor from another and any losses from one Trading Company will not carry over to the other Trading Companies. The following is a list of the Trading Companies, for which the Partnership is the sole member and all of which were organized as Delaware limited liability companies:
GP 1, LLC (“GP 1”) | | GP 6, LLC (“GP 6”) | | GP 10, LLC (“GP 10”) | | GP 15, LLC (“GP 15”) |
GP 3, LLC (“GP 3”) | | GP 7, LLC (“GP 7”) | | GP 11, LLC (“GP 11”) | | GP 16, LLC (“GP 16”) |
GP 4, LLC (“GP 4”) | | GP 8, LLC (“GP 8”) | | GP 12, LLC (“GP 12”) | | GP 17, LLC (“GP 17”) |
GP 5, LLC (“GP 5”) | | GP 9, LLC (“GP 9”) | | GP 14, LLC (“GP 14”) | | GP 18, LLC (“GP 18”) |
There were no assets allocated to GP 6, GP 11, GP 17 and GP 18 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
Additionally, GP Cash Management, LLC was created as a Delaware limited liability company to collectively manage and invest excess cash not required to be held at clearing brokers. The members of GP Cash Management, LLC are the Trading Companies.
Classes of interests: The Partnership has seven classes of limited partner interests (each, a “Class” and collectively, the “Interests”), Class A, Class B, Legacy 1 Class, Legacy 2 Class, Global Alternative Markets 1 (“Global 1”) Class, Global Alternative Markets 2 (“Global 2”) Class and Global Alternative Markets 3 (“Global 3”) Class units.
The Class A and Class B units are outstanding but are no longer offered by the Partnership. Both Class A and Class B units are traded pursuant to identical trading programs and differ only in respect to the brokerage commission payable to the General Partner.
The Legacy 1 Class and Legacy 2 Class units are traded pursuant to trading programs pursuing a technical trend trading philosophy, which is the same trading philosophy used for the Class A and Class B units. The Legacy 1 Class and Legacy 2 Class units differ in respect to the General Partner’s brokerage commission and organization and offering costs. The Legacy 1 Class and Legacy 2 Class units are offered only to investors who are represented by approved selling agents who are directly compensated by the investor for services rendered in connection with an investment in the Partnership (such arrangements commonly referred to as “wrap-accounts”).
The Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class units are traded pursuant to trading programs pursuing technical trend trading philosophies, as well as pattern recognition philosophies. The Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class units differ in respect to the General Partner’s brokerage commission. The Global 1 Class and Global 2 Class units are offered only to investors in wrap-accounts.
9
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The Partnership’s significant accounting policies are as follows:
Consolidation: The Partnership is the sole member of each of the Trading Companies. The Trading Companies, in turn, are the only members of GP Cash Management, LLC. The Partnership presents consolidated financial statements for the Partnership, which include the accounts of the Trading Companies and GP Cash Management, LLC. All material inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents may include cash, overnight investments, commercial paper, U.S. treasury bills and short-term investments in interest-bearing demand deposits with banks and cash managers with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. The Partnership maintains deposits with high quality financial institutions in amounts that are in excess of federally insured limits; however, the Partnership does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk.
Revenue recognition: Futures, options on futures, forward contracts, investments in equity securities, exchange-traded funds and equity options are recorded on a trade date basis and realized gains or losses are recognized when contracts/positions are liquidated. Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts/positions (the difference between contract trade price and market price) or securities are reported in the consolidated statement of financial condition as a net unrealized gain or loss, as there exists a right of offset of unrealized gains or losses in accordance with FASB ASC 210-20, Balance Sheet, Offsetting. Any change in net unrealized gain or loss from the preceding period is reported in the consolidated statement of operations. Interest income and expense is recognized under the accrual basis. Dividend income and expense is recognized on the ex-dividend date.
Redemptions payable: Pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, redemptions approved by the General Partner prior to month end with a fixed effective date and fixed amount are recorded as redemptions payable as of month end.
Income taxes: No provision for income taxes has been made in these consolidated financial statements as each partner is individually responsible for reporting income or loss based on its respective share of the Partnership’s income and expenses as reported for income tax purposes.
The Partnership follows the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. The Partnership is generally not subject to examination by U.S. federal or state taxing authorities for tax years before 2008. As of September 30, 2012, the Partnership has no material uncertain income tax positions and, accordingly, has not recorded a liability for the payment of interest or penalties.
Organization and offering costs: All expenses incurred in connection with the organization and the ongoing public offering of partnership interests are paid by the General Partner and are reimbursed to the General Partner by the Partnership. This reimbursement is made monthly. In its discretion, the General Partner may require the Partnership to reimburse the General Partner in any subsequent calendar year for amounts that exceed the limits in Note 5 in any calendar year, provided that the maximum amount reimbursed by the Partnership will not exceed the overall limit. Amounts reimbursed by the Partnership with respect to ongoing public offering expenses are charged to expense from operations at the time of reimbursement or accrual. Any amounts reimbursed by the Partnership with respect to organizational expenses are expensed at the time the reimbursement is incurred or accrued. If the Partnership terminates prior to completion of payment of the calculated amounts to the General Partner, the General Partner will not be entitled to any additional payments, and the Partnership will have no further obligation to the General Partner. At September 30, 2012, all organization and offering costs incurred by the General Partner have been reimbursed.
Foreign currency transactions: The Partnership’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, it transacts business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the date of the consolidated statement of financial condition. Income and expense items denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect during the period. Gains and losses resulting from the translation to U.S. dollars are reported in income currently.
10
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The Partnership does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized or unrealized gain or loss from investments.
Statement of cash flows: The Partnership has elected not to provide statements of cash flows as permitted by FASB ASC 230, Statement of cash flows. The Partnership noted that as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 substantially all investments were highly liquid, all investments are carried at fair value, the Partnership carried no debt, and the statements of changes in partners’ capital (net asset value) were presented.
Recent accounting pronouncements: In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). This ASU represented the converged guidance of the FASB and the IASB (the Boards) on fair value measurement. The collective efforts of the Boards and their staffs, reflected in ASU 2011-04, resulted in common requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements, including a consistent meaning of the term “fair value” and enhanced disclosure requirements for investments that do not have readily determinable fair values. The Boards concluded the common requirements resulted in greater comparability of fair value measurements presented and disclosed in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and IFRSs. The amendments to the FASB Codification in this ASU were to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments were effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities was not permitted. The Partnership adopted ASU 2011-04 as of January 1, 2012 and the adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In November 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-11-Balance Sheet (Topic 210) containing new guidance that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. The Partnership’s effective date is January 1, 2013 and management is currently assessing the impact on its future consolidated financial statements.
Note 2. Fair Value Measurements
The Partnership follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the price 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 and sets out a fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Inputs are broadly defined as assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1. Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. A significant adjustment to a Level 2 input could result in the Level 2 measurement becoming a Level 3 measurement.
Level 3. Inputs that are unobservable for the asset or liability. The Partnership does not have any assets classified as Level 3.
The following section describes the valuation techniques used by the Partnership to measure different financial instruments at fair value and includes the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the financial instrument is categorized.
Fair value of exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts are based upon exchange settlement prices. U.S. Government securities, U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises and commercial paper are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market. These financial instruments are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The Partnership values bank deposits, which consist of certificates of deposit, at face value plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value based on prevailing interest rates, and these financial instruments are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Partnership values forward contracts based on third-party quoted dealer values on the Interbank market, and forward contracts are classified in Level 2. The Partnership values corporate bonds at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value.
11
Table of Contents
Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Corporate bonds purchased are of a high credit quality and have observable market price quotations. Corporate bonds are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Partnership believes that the carrying amounts of other assets and liabilities approximate the fair values of such items due to their short maturity or comparable interest rates and are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
The following table presents the Partnership’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012:
Assets | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Equity in brokers’ trading accounts | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. and foreign futures contracts | | $ | 1,546,005 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 1,546,005 | |
Forward contracts | | — | | 476,183 | | — | | 476,183 | |
Options on futures contracts | | (38,267 | ) | — | | — | | (38,267 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | | | |
Bank deposits | | — | | 4,105,174 | | — | | 4,105,174 | |
U.S. Commercial paper | | 171,691,141 | | | | — | | 171,691,141 | |
Securities owned | | | | | | | | | |
Bank deposits | | — | | 29,023,596 | | — | | 29,023,596 | |
U.S. Commercial paper | | 55,563,212 | | — | | — | | 55,563,212 | |
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | | 266,296,744 | | — | | — | | 266,296,744 | |
Corporate bonds | | — | | 50,088,945 | | — | | 50,088,945 | |
Total | | $ | 495,058,835 | | $ | 83,693,898 | | $ | — | | $ | 578,752,733 | |
The gross presentation of the fair value of the Partnership’s derivatives by contract type is shown in Note 10. See the consolidated condensed schedule of investments for additional detail categorization.
The following table presents the Partnership’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2011:
Assets | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Equity in brokers’ trading accounts | | | | | | | | | |
U.S. Government securities | | $ | 66,744,630 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 66,744,630 | |
U.S. and foreign futures contracts | | 5,567,077 | | — | | — | | 5,567,077 | |
Forward contracts | | — | | 2,462,328 | | — | | 2,462,328 | |
Options on futures contracts | | (4,282 | ) | — | | — | | (4,282 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | | | | |
Bank deposits | | — | | 3,133,349 | | — | | 3,133,349 | |
U.S. Commercial paper | | 264,772,440 | | — | | — | | 264,772,440 | |
Securities owned | | | | | | | | | |
Bank deposits | | — | | 41,037,669 | | — | | 41,037,669 | |
U.S. Commercial paper | | 31,279,645 | | — | | — | | 31,279,645 | |
U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises | | 368,449,795 | | — | | — | | 368,449,795 | |
U.S. Government securities | | 23,977,327 | | — | | — | | 23,977,327 | |
Total | | $ | 760,786,632 | | $ | 46,633,346 | | $ | — | | $ | 807,419,978 | |
The gross presentation of the fair value of the Partnership’s derivatives by contract type is shown in Note 10. See the consolidated condensed schedule of investments for additional detail categorization.
The Partnership assesses the level of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer in accordance with the Partnership’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. There were no significant transfers among levels 1, 2 and 3 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and year ended December 31, 2011.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 3. Deposits with Brokers
The Partnership, through the Trading Companies, deposits assets with clearing brokers subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of U.S. Treasury bills, Government-sponsored enterprises and cash with such clearing brokers. The Partnership earns interest income on its assets deposited with the clearing brokers.
Note 4. Commodity Trading Advisors
The Partnership, through the Trading Companies, allocates assets to the commodity trading advisors. Each Trading Company has entered into an advisory contract with its own Advisor. The commodity trading advisors are Alder Capital Limited, Amplitude Capital International Limited, Denali Asset Management, LLLP, EMC Capital Management, Inc., Eckhardt Trading Co., Global Advisors Jersey Limited, Quantitative Investment Management LLC, Rabar Market Research, Inc., Sunrise Capital Partners, LLC, Transtrend B.V., Winton Capital Management Limited, and Welton Investment Corporation (collectively, the “Advisors”). The Advisors are paid a consulting fee, either monthly or quarterly, ranging from 0 percent to 3 percent per annum of the Partnership’s month-end allocated net assets and a quarterly incentive fee ranging from 20 percent to 26 percent of the new trading profits on the allocated net assets of the Advisor.
Note 5. General Partner and Related Party Transactions
The General Partner shall at all times, so long as it remains a general partner of the Partnership, own Units in the Partnership: (i) in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of counsel for the Partnership, for the Partnership to be taxed as a partnership rather than as an association taxable as a corporation; and (ii) during such time as the Units are registered for sale to the public, in an amount at least equal to the greater of: (a) 1 percent of all capital contributions of all Partners to the Partnership; or (b) $25,000; or such other amount satisfying the requirements then imposed by the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA) Guidelines. Further, during such time as the Units are registered for sale to the public, the General Partner shall, so long as it remains a general partner of the Partnership, maintain a net worth (as such term may be defined in the NASAA Guidelines) at least equal to the greater of: (i) 5 percent of the total capital contributions of all partners and all limited partnerships to which it is a general partner (including the Partnership) plus 5 percent of the Units being offered for sale in the Partnership; or (ii) $50,000; or such other amount satisfying the requirements then imposed by the NASAA Guidelines. In no event, however, shall the General Partner be required to maintain a net worth in excess of $1,000,000 or such other maximum amount satisfying the requirements then imposed by the NASAA Guidelines.
Ten percent of the General Partner limited partnership interest in the Partnership is characterized as a general partnership interest. Notwithstanding, the general partnership interest will continue to pay all fees associated with a limited partnership interest.
The Partnership pays the General Partner a monthly brokerage commission, organization and offering costs and operating expenses as presented in the table below:
| | | | Organization and Offering | | | |
| | Brokerage commission* | | Reimbursement* | | Operating Expense* | |
Class A units | | 7.50 | % | 0.10 | % | 0.25 | % |
Class B units | | 7.95 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
Legacy 1 Class units | | 5.00 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
Legacy 2 Class units | | 5.25 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
Global 1 Class units | | 4.45 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
Global 2 Class units | | 4.70 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
Global 3 Class units | | 6.45 | % | 0.30 | % | 0.25 | % |
*The fees are calculated and payable monthly on the basis of month-end adjusted net assets. “Adjusted net assets” is defined as the month-end net assets of the particular class before accruals for fees and expenses and redemptions.
Included in the total brokerage commission are amounts paid to the clearing brokers for execution and clearing costs, which are reflected in the commissions line of the consolidated statements of operations, and the remaining amounts are management fees paid to the Advisors, compensation to the selling agents and an amount to the General Partner for management services rendered,
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
which are reflected in the brokerage commission line on the consolidated statements of operations. Operating expenses of the Partnership are paid for by the General Partner and reimbursed by the Partnership.
Note 6. Redemptions
Class A, Class B, Legacy 1 Class, Legacy 2 Class, Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class Limited Partners have the right to redeem units as of any month-end upon ten (10) days’ prior written notice to the Partnership. The General Partner, however, may permit earlier redemptions in its discretion. Legacy 1 Class, Legacy 2 Class, Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class Limited Partners are prohibited from redeeming such units for the three months following the subscription for units. Global 3 Class Limited Partners who redeem their units after the three-month lock-up, but prior to the one-year anniversary of their subscriptions for the redeemed units, will pay the applicable early redemption fee. There are no redemption fees applicable to Legacy 1 Class, Legacy 2 Class, Global 1 Class and Global 2 Class Limited Partners or to Global 3 Class Limited Partners who redeem their units on or after the one-year anniversary of their subscription. Redemptions will be made on the last day of the month for an amount equal to the net asset value per unit, as defined, represented by the units to be redeemed. The right to obtain redemption is also contingent upon the Partnership’s having property sufficient to discharge its liabilities on the redemption date and may be delayed if the General Partner determines that earlier liquidation of commodity interest positions to meet redemption payments would be detrimental to the Partnership or nonredeeming Limited Partners.
In addition, the General Partner may at any time cause the redemption of all or a portion of any Limited Partner’s units upon fifteen (15) days’ written notice. The General Partner may also immediately redeem any Limited Partner’s units without notice if the General Partner believes that (i) the redemption is necessary to avoid having the assets of the Partnership deemed Plan Assets under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), (ii) the Limited Partner made a misrepresentation in connection with its subscription for the units, or (iii) the redemption is necessary to avoid a violation of law by the Partnership or any Partner.
Note 7. Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights reflect activity related to the Partnership. Total return is based on the change in value during the period of a theoretical investment made at the beginning of each calendar month during the period and is not annualized. Individual partners’ ratios may vary from these ratios based on various factors, including but not limited to the timing of capital transactions.
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total return — Class A Units | | 0.03 | % | (0.50 | )% | (0.41 | )% | (8.27 | )% |
Total return — Class B Units | | (0.13 | )% | (0.66 | )% | (0.89 | )% | (8.72 | )% |
Total return — Legacy 1 Class Units | | 0.61 | % | 0.06 | % | 1.31 | % | (6.71 | )% |
Total return — Legacy 2 Class Units | | 0.55 | % | (0.16 | )% | 1.06 | % | (7.09 | )% |
Total return — Global 1 Class Units | | 0.76 | % | 0.44 | % | 1.84 | % | (7.15 | )% |
Total return — Global 2 Class Units | | 0.70 | % | 0.36 | % | 1.64 | % | (7.36 | )% |
Total return — Global 3 Class Units | | 0.26 | % | (0.09 | )% | 0.35 | % | (8.65 | )% |
Ratios as a percentage of average net assets: | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses prior to incentive fees (1) | | 6.35 | % | 6.53 | % | 6.36 | % | 6.57 | % |
Incentive fees (2) | | 0.38 | % | 0.41 | % | 1.19 | % | 0.60 | % |
Total expenses | | 6.73 | % | 6.94 | % | 7.55 | % | 7.17 | % |
Net investment loss (1) (3) | | (6.09 | )% | (6.24 | )% | (6.10 | )% | (6.19 | )% |
(1) Annualized.
(2) Not annualized.
(3) Excludes incentive fee.
The expense ratios above are computed based upon the weighted average net assets of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 (annualized).
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The following per unit performance calculations reflect activity related to the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Class A Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 1,290.14 | | $ | 1,372.42 | | $ | 1,295.84 | | $ | 1,488.66 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 25.55 | | 19.39 | | 71.10 | | (49.54 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (25.15 | ) | (26.29 | ) | (76.40 | ) | (73.60 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 0.40 | | (6.90 | ) | (5.30 | ) | (123.14 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 1,290.54 | | $ | 1,365.52 | | $ | 1,290.54 | | $ | 1,365.52 | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Class B Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 1,090.68 | | $ | 1,167.81 | | $ | 1,099.04 | | $ | 1,270.86 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 21.72 | | 16.57 | | 60.38 | | (42.04 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (23.16 | ) | (24.33 | ) | (70.18 | ) | (68.77 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | (1.44 | ) | (7.76 | ) | (9.80 | ) | (110.81 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 1,089.24 | | $ | 1,160.05 | | $ | 1,089.24 | | $ | 1,160.05 | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Legacy 1 Class Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 918.55 | | $ | 955.52 | | $ | 912.23 | | $ | 1,024.92 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 18.09 | | 13.47 | | 50.06 | | (34.67 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (12.48 | ) | (12.87 | ) | (38.13 | ) | (34.13 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 5.61 | | 0.60 | | 11.93 | | (68.80 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 924.16 | | $ | 956.12 | | $ | 924.16 | | $ | 956.12 | |
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Legacy 2 Class Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 907.59 | | $ | 948.95 | | $ | 903.06 | | $ | 1,019.79 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 18.13 | | 14.54 | | 50.02 | | (32.53 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (13.11 | ) | (16.04 | ) | (40.47 | ) | (39.81 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 5.02 | | (1.50 | ) | 9.55 | | (72.34 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 912.61 | | $ | 947.45 | | $ | 912.61 | | $ | 947.45 | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Global 1 Class Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 883.72 | | $ | 910.02 | | $ | 874.34 | | $ | 984.38 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 18.03 | | 16.49 | | 49.21 | | (40.76 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (11.32 | ) | (12.53 | ) | (33.12 | ) | (29.64 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 6.71 | | 3.96 | | 16.09 | | (70.40 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 890.43 | | $ | 913.98 | | $ | 890.43 | | $ | 913.98 | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Global 2 Class Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 874.31 | | $ | 902.78 | | $ | 866.22 | | $ | 978.01 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 17.51 | | 16.42 | | 48.39 | | (40.48 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (11.41 | ) | (13.14 | ) | (34.20 | ) | (31.47 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 6.10 | | 3.28 | | 14.19 | | (71.95 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 880.41 | | $ | 906.06 | | $ | 880.41 | | $ | 906.06 | |
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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Global 3 Class Units | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Per Unit Performance (for unit outstanding throughout the entire period): | | | | | | | | | |
Net asset value per unit at beginning of period | | $ | 823.34 | | $ | 865.00 | | $ | 822.60 | | $ | 946.02 | |
Income (loss) from operations: | | | | | | | | | |
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) from trading* | | 16.50 | | 15.81 | | 45.75 | | (38.52 | ) |
Expenses net of interest and dividend income* | | (14.39 | ) | (16.58 | ) | (42.90 | ) | (43.27 | ) |
Total income (loss) from operations | | 2.11 | | (0.77 | ) | 2.85 | | (81.79 | ) |
Net asset value per unit at end of period | | $ | 825.45 | | $ | 864.23 | | $ | 825.45 | | $ | 864.23 | |
* Expenses net of interest and dividend income per unit and organization and offering costs per unit are calculated by dividing the expenses net of interest and dividend income and organization and offering costs by the average number of units outstanding during the period. The net realized and change in unrealized gain from trading is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per unit with the other per unit information.
Note 8. Trading Activities and Related Risks
The Partnership, through its Advisors, engages in the speculative trading of a variety of instruments, including U.S. and foreign futures contracts, options on U.S. and foreign futures contracts, forward contracts, and equity options (collectively, derivatives; see Note 10). These derivatives include both financial and nonfinancial contracts held as part of a diversified trading strategy. Additionally, the Partnership’s speculative trading includes equities and exchange-traded funds. The Partnership is exposed to both market risk, the risk arising from changes in the market value of the contracts, and credit risk, the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.
The purchase and sale of futures and options on futures contracts require margin deposits with FCMs. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other property (for example, U.S. Treasury bills) deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available. It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than the total of cash and other property deposited. The Partnership utilizes Jefferies Bache, LLC, R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Newedge USA LLC as its clearing brokers.
The amount of required margin and good faith deposits with the FCMs and interbank market makers usually ranges from 5% to 35% of the Partnership’s net asset value. The fair value of securities held to satisfy such requirements at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $0 and $66,744,630, respectively, which was 0% and 8.4% of the net asset value, respectively. The cash deposited with the FCMs and interbank market makers at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $143,789,637 and $27,781,186, respectively, which was 20.4% and 3.5% of the net asset value, respectively.
For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the fair value of the contracts. Theoretically, the Partnership is exposed to a market risk equal to the value of futures and forward contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short. As both a buyer and seller of options, the Partnership pays or receives a premium at the outset and then bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the contract underlying the option. Written options expose the Partnership to potentially unlimited liability; for purchased options the risk of loss is limited to the premiums paid.
In addition to market risk, in entering into commodity interest contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Partnership. The counterparty for futures and options on futures contracts traded in the United States and on most non-U.S. futures exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with such exchange. In general, clearinghouses are backed by the corporate members of the clearinghouse who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the nonperformance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases in which the clearinghouse is not backed by the clearing members, like some non-U.S. exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
In the case of forward contracts, over-the-counter options contracts or swap contracts, which are traded on the interbank or other institutional market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearinghouse backed by a group of financial institutions; thus, there likely will be greater counterparty credit risk. The Partnership trades only with those counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy. All positions of the Partnership are valued each day on a mark-to-market basis. There can be no assurance that any clearing member, clearinghouse or other counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Partnership.
Securities sold short represent obligations of the Partnership to deliver specific securities and thereby create a liability to purchase these instruments in the open market at prevailing prices. These transactions may result in market risk not reflected in the consolidated statement of financial condition as the Partnership’s ultimate obligation to satisfy its obligation for trading liabilities may exceed the amount reflected in the consolidated statement of financial condition.
The Partnership maintains deposits with high quality financial institutions in amounts that are in excess of federally insured limits; however, the Partnership does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk.
The General Partner has established procedures to actively monitor and minimize market and credit risks. The limited partners bear the risk of loss only to the extent of the fair value of their respective investments and, in certain specific circumstances, distributions and redemptions received.
Note 9. Indemnifications
In the normal course of business, the Partnership enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. The Partnership’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Partnership that have not yet occurred. The Partnership expects the risk of any future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.
Note 10. Derivative Instruments
The Partnership follows the provisions of FASB ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. FASB ASC 815 is intended to improve transparency in financial reporting by requiring enhanced disclosures of an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities and their effects on the entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. FASB ASC 815 applies to all derivative instruments within the scope of FASB ASC 815-10-05. It also applies to non-derivative hedging instruments and all hedged items designated and qualifying as hedges under FASB ASC 815-10-05. FASB ASC 815 amends the current qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities set forth in FASB ASC 815-10-05 and generally increases the level of disaggregation that will be required in an entity’s financial statements. FASB ASC 815 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements.
The Partnership’s business is speculative trading. The Partnership intends to close out all futures, options on futures and forward contracts prior to their expiration. The Partnership trades in futures and other commodity interest contracts and is therefore a party to financial instruments with elements of off-balance sheet market and credit risk. In entering into these contracts, the Partnership faces the market risk that these contracts may be significantly influenced by market conditions, such as interest rate volatility, resulting in such contracts being less valuable. The Partnership minimizes market risk through real-time monitoring of open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 25%.
In addition to market risk, in entering into commodity interest contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Partnership. In general, clearing organizations are backed by the corporate members of the clearing organization who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases in which the clearing organization is not backed by the clearing members, like some non-U.S. exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.
In the case of forward contracts, over-the-counter options contracts or swap contracts, which are traded on the interbank or other institutional market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a central clearing organization backed by a group of financial institutions. As a result, there will likely be greater counterparty credit risk in these transactions. The Partnership trades only with those counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy. Nonetheless,
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
the clearing member, clearing organization or other counterparty to these transactions may not be able to meet its obligations to the Partnership, in which case the Partnership could suffer significant losses on these contracts.
The Partnership does not designate any derivative instruments as hedging instruments under FASB ASC 815-10-05. The monthly average futures contracts, forward contracts, options on futures contracts and equity options bought and sold was approximately 7,573 and 8,099, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 6,662 and 7,706, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The following tables summarize the quantitative information required by FASB ASC 815:
| | Fair Values of Derivative Instruments | |
| | September 30, 2012 | |
| | Asset | | Liability | | | |
| | Derivatives* | | Derivatives* | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | | | |
Agricultural contracts | | $ | 1,106,584 | | $ | (1,657,073 | ) | $ | (550,489 | ) |
Currencies contracts | | 5,920,569 | | (5,301,498 | ) | 619,071 | |
Energy contracts | | 3,699,616 | | (1,640,545 | ) | 2,059,071 | |
Interest rates contracts | | 6,698,686 | | (952,438 | ) | 5,746,248 | |
Meats contracts | | 150,216 | | (83,854 | ) | 66,362 | |
Metals contracts | | 14,624,900 | | (13,434,843 | ) | 1,190,057 | |
Soft commodities contracts | | 528,221 | | (335,473 | ) | 192,748 | |
Stock indices contracts | | 897,370 | | (8,236,517 | ) | (7,339,147 | ) |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 33,626,162 | | $ | (31,642,241 | ) | $ | 1,983,921 | |
* The fair values of all asset and liability derivatives, including agriculturals, currencies, energy, interest rates, meats, metals, soft commodities and stock indices contracts, are included in unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts within equity in broker trading accounts in the consolidated statement of financial condition.
| | Fair Values of Derivative Instruments | |
| | December 31, 2011 | |
| | Asset | | Liability | | | |
| | Derivatives* | | Derivatives* | | Fair Value | |
| | | | | | | |
Agricultural contracts | | $ | 745,901 | | $ | (2,009,329 | ) | $ | (1,263,428 | ) |
Currencies contracts | | 7,718,062 | | (2,267,778 | ) | 5,450,284 | |
Energy contracts | | 3,542,499 | | (978,732 | ) | 2,563,767 | |
Interest rates contracts | | 5,746,860 | | (1,390,261 | ) | 4,356,599 | |
Meats contracts | | 109,127 | | (206,166 | ) | (97,039 | ) |
Metals contracts | | 33,643,473 | | (37,940,473 | ) | (4,297,000 | ) |
Soft commodities contracts | | 1,114,674 | | (442,639 | ) | 672,035 | |
Stock indices contracts | | 1,071,101 | | (431,196 | ) | 639,905 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | $ | 53,691,697 | | $ | (45,666,574 | ) | $ | 8,025,123 | |
* The fair values of all asset and liability derivatives, including agriculturals, currencies, energy, interest rates, meats, metals, soft commodities and stock indices contracts, are included in unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts within equity in broker trading accounts in the consolidated statement of financial condition.
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Grant Park Futures Fund Limited Partnership
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012 and 2011
| | Three Months Ended | | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
Type of Contract | | September 30, 2012* | | September 30, 2011* | | September 30, 2012* | | September 30, 2011* | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Agriculturals contracts | | $ | 7,723,465 | | $ | (6,764,659 | ) | $ | 2,375,611 | | $ | (15,721,792 | ) |
Currencies contracts | | 2,266,712 | | (20,765,064 | ) | (13,142,642 | ) | (27,284,899 | ) |
Energy contracts | | (832,921 | ) | (7,646,687 | ) | 7,479,531 | | (5,874,550 | ) |
Interest rates contracts | | (695,497 | ) | 58,520,368 | | 27,145,170 | | 66,485,195 | |
Meats contracts | | (448,911 | ) | (1,129,600 | ) | (826,717 | ) | (1,923,770 | ) |
Metals contracts | | (491,246 | ) | 10,903,716 | | (4,161,259 | ) | (351,400 | ) |
Soft commodities contracts | | (2,602,074 | ) | (3,655,235 | ) | 860,514 | | (2,484,797 | ) |
Stock indices and equity options contracts | | 12,419,216 | | (12,825,345 | ) | 30,538,140 | | (32,653,911 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 17,338,744 | | $ | 16,637,494 | | $ | 50,268,348 | | $ | (19,809,924 | ) |
* The gains or losses on derivatives, including agriculturals, currencies, energy, interest rates, meats, metals, soft commodities and stock indices contracts are included in the realized and change in unrealized gains (loss) from futures and forward trading in the consolidated statement of operations. The gains or losses on derivatives for equity options contracts are included in the realized and unrealized gains (loss) from equities, equity options and exchange-traded funds in the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations.
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
Line Item in Consolidated Statement of | | September 30, | | September 30, | |
Operations | | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net gain (loss) from futures and forward trading | | | | | | | | | |
Realized | | $ | 14,788,854 | | $ | 1,533,658 | | $ | 56,265,301 | | $ | (1,222,983 | ) |
Change in unrealized | | 2,549,890 | | 15,103,836 | | (5,996,953 | ) | (22,508,037 | ) |
Total realized and changed in unrealized net gain (loss) from futures and forward trading | | 17,338,744 | | 16,637,494 | | 50,268,348 | | (23,731,020 | ) |
Net gain (loss) from equity options | | | | | | | | | |
Realized | | — | | — | | — | | 3,921,096 | |
Change in unrealized | | — | | — | | — | | — | |
Total realized and changed in unrealized net gain (loss) from equity options trading | | — | | — | | — | | 3,921,096 | |
Total realized and changed in unrealized net gain (loss) from futures, forward and equity options trading | | $ | 17,338,744 | | $ | 16,637,494 | | $ | 50,268,348 | | $ | (19,809,924 | ) |
Note 11. Subsequent Events
The Partnership has evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and/or disclosure. Subsequent to September 30, 2012, there were contributions and redemptions totaling approximately $8,050,000 and $100,000, respectively.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
Grant Park is a multi-advisor commodity pool organized to pool assets of its investors for the purpose of trading in the U.S. and international spot and derivatives markets for currencies, interest rates, stock indices, agricultural and energy products, precious and base metals and other commodities and underlies. The Partnership also engages in equity securities, listed options, broad-based exchange traded funds, hedge, arbitrage and cash trading of commodities and futures. Grant Park has been in continuous operation since it commenced trading on January 1, 1989. Grant Park’s general partner, commodity pool operator and sponsor is Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C., an Illinois limited liability company. The manager of Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C. is David M. Kavanagh, its President.
Organization of Grant Park
Grant Park invests through different commodity trading advisors retained by the general partner. However, instead of each trading advisor maintaining a separate account in the name of Grant Park, the assets of Grant Park are invested in various Trading Companies, each of which is organized as a limited liability company. Each Trading Company allocates those assets to one of the commodity trading advisors retained by the general partner.
The following is a list of the Trading Companies, for which Grant Park is the sole member and all of which were organized as Delaware limited liability companies:
GP 1, LLC (“GP 1”) | | GP 6, LLC (“GP 6”) | | GP 10, LLC (“GP 10”) | | GP 15, LLC (“GP 15”) |
GP 3, LLC (“GP 3”) | | GP 7, LLC (“GP 7”) | | GP 11, LLC (“GP 11”) | | GP 16, LLC (“GP 16”) |
GP 4, LLC (“GP 4”) | | GP 8, LLC (“GP 8”) | | GP 12, LLC (“GP 12”) | | GP 17, LLC (“GP 17”) |
GP 5, LLC (“GP 5”) | | GP 9, LLC (“GP 9”) | | GP 14, LLC (“GP 14”) | | GP 18, LLC (“GP 18”) |
There were no assets allocated to GP 6, GP 11, GP 17 and GP 18 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.
Grant Park invests through the Trading Companies with independent professional commodity trading advisors retained by the general partner. Alder Capital Limited (“Alder”), Amplitude Capital International Limited (“Amplitude”), Denali Asset Management, LLLP (“Denali”), EMC Capital Management, Inc. (“EMC”), Eckhardt Trading Co. (“ETC”), Global Advisors Jersey Limited (“Global Advisors”), Quantitative Investment Management LLC (“QIM”), Rabar Market Research, Inc. (“Rabar”), Sunrise Capital Partners, LLC (“Sunrise”), Transtrend B.V. (“Transtrend”), Welton Investment Corporation (“Welton”) and Winton Capital Management (“Winton”), serve as Grant Park’s commodity trading advisors. Each of the trading advisors is registered as a commodity trading advisor under the Commodity Exchange Act and is a member of the NFA. As of September 30, 2012, the general partner allocated Grant Park’s net assets through the respective Trading Companies among its core trading advisors Amplitude and Winton and non-core trading advisors Alder , Denali, EMC, ETC, Global Advisors, QIM, Rabar, Sunrise, Transtrend, and Welton. No more than twenty percent of Grant Park’s assets are allocated to any one Trading Company and, in turn, any one trading advisor. The general partner may terminate or replace the trading advisors or retain additional trading advisors in its sole discretion.
The table below illustrates the trading advisors for each class of Grant Park’s outstanding limited partnership units as of September 30, 2012:
| | Alder | | Amplitude | | Denali | | EMC | | ETC | | Global Advisors | | QIM | | Rabar | | Sunrise | | Transtrend | | Welton | | Winton |
Class A | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Class B | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Legacy 1 | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Legacy 2 | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Global 1 | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Global 2 | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
Global 3 | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X | | X |
The trading advisors for the Legacy 1 Class and Legacy 2 Class units pursue a technical trend trading philosophy, which is the same trading philosophy the trading advisors have historically used for the Class A and Class B units. The trading advisors for the Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class units pursue technical trend trading philosophies, as well as pattern recognition.
The general partner may, in its sole discretion, reallocate assets among the trading advisors upon termination of a trading advisor or retention of any new trading advisors, or at the commencement of any month.
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Critical Accounting Policies
Grant Park’s most significant accounting policy is the valuation of its assets invested in U.S. and international futures and forward contracts, options contracts, other interests in commodities, and fixed income products. The majority of these investments are exchange-traded contracts, valued based upon exchange settlement prices. The remainder of its investments are non-exchange-traded contracts with valuation of those investments based on third-party quoted dealer values on the Interbank market and fixed income products, including U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, corporate bonds and commercial paper, which are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market. With the valuation of the investments easily obtained, there is little or no judgment or uncertainty involved in the valuation of investments, and accordingly, it is unlikely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions using different but reasonably plausible assumptions.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Grant Park’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements.
Grant Park is the sole member of each of the Trading Companies. The Trading Companies, in turn, are the only members of GP Cash Management, LLC. Grant Park presents consolidated financial statements which include the accounts of the Trading Companies and GP Cash Management, LLC. All material inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Valuation of Financial Instruments
Grant Park follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurement and also emphasizes that fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Grant Park records all investments at fair value in the financial statements. Changes in fair value from the prior period are recorded as unrealized gain or losses and are reported in the consolidated statement of operations. Fair value of exchange-traded futures contracts and options on futures contracts are based upon exchange settlement prices. Equity securities, equity options and exchange-traded funds are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices, which is generally the exchange settlement price. U.S. Government securities, securities of U.S. Government-sponsored enterprises, corporate bonds and commercial paper are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value based on quoted market prices in an active market. Grant Park values bank deposits at face value plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Grant Park values forward contracts based on third-party quoted dealer values on the Interbank market.
Results of Operations
Grant Park’s returns, which are Grant Park’s trading gains plus interest income less brokerage fees, performance fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by Grant Park, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, are set forth in the table below:
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
Total return — Class A Units | | 0.03 | % | (0.50 | )% | (0.41 | )% | (8.27 | )% |
Total return — Class B Units | | (0.13 | )% | (0.66 | )% | (0.89 | )% | (8.72 | )% |
Total return — Legacy 1 Class Units | | 0.61 | % | 0.06 | % | 1.31 | % | (6.71 | )% |
Total return — Legacy 2 Class Units | | 0.55 | % | (0.16 | )% | 1.06 | % | (7.09 | )% |
Total return — Global 1 Class Units | | 0.76 | % | 0.44 | % | 1.84 | % | (7.15 | )% |
Total return — Global 2 Class Units | | 0.70 | % | 0.36 | % | 1.64 | % | (7.36 | )% |
Total return — Global 3 Class Units | | 0.26 | % | (0.09 | )% | 0.35 | % | (8.65 | )% |
Grant Park’s net asset value at September 30, 2012 was approximately $704.1 million, at December 31, 2011 was approximately $798.8 million and at September 30, 2011 was approximately $882.7 million.
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The table below sets forth Grant Park’s trading gains or losses by sector for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.
| | % Gain (Loss) | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2012 | | 2011 | | 2012 | | 2011 | |
Agriculturals | | 1.1 | % | — | % | 0.3 | % | — | % |
Currencies | | 0.3 | | (2.7 | ) | (1.9 | ) | (3.3 | ) |
Energy | | (0.1 | ) | (0.9 | ) | 1.1 | | (1.0 | ) |
Interest rates | | (0.1 | ) | 7.0 | | 3.9 | | 7.5 | |
Meats | | (0.1 | ) | — | | (0.1 | ) | 0.3 | |
Metals | | (0.1 | ) | 1.2 | | (0.6 | ) | — | |
Soft commodities | | (0.4 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 0.1 | | (2.2 | ) |
Stock indices, equities, equity options and exchange traded funds | | 1.8 | | (1.4 | ) | 4.3 | | (3.9 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 2.4 | % | 1.9 | % | 7.1 | % | (2.6 | )% |
Three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to three months ended September 30, 2011
For the three months ended September 30, 2012, Grant Park had a positive return of approximately 0.0% for the Class A units, a negative return of approximately 0.1% for the Class B units, a positive return of approximately 0.6% for the Legacy 1 Class units, a positive return of approximately 0.6% for the Legacy 2 Class units, a positive return of approximately 0.8% for the Global 1 Class units, a positive return of approximately 0.7% for the Global 2 Class units and a positive return of approximately 0.3% for the Global 3 Class units. On a combined basis prior to expenses, Grant Park had trading gains of approximately 2.4% which were further increased by gains of approximately 0.1% from interest income. These trading gains were decreased by approximately 2.4% in combined brokerage fees, performance fees and operating and offering costs borne by Grant Park. For the same period in 2011, Grant Park had a negative return of approximately 0.5% for the Class A units, a negative return of approximately 0.7% for the Class B units, a positive return of approximately 0.1% for the Legacy 1 Class units, a negative return of approximately 0.2% for the Legacy 2 Class units, a positive return of approximately 0.4% for the Global 1 Class units, a positive return of approximately 0.4% for the Global 2 Class units and a negative return of approximately 0.1% for the Global 3 Class units. On a combined basis prior to expenses, Grant Park had trading gains of approximately 1.9%, which were further increased by approximately 0.1% from interest income. These trading gains were decreased by approximately 2.4% in combined brokerage fees, performance fees and operating and offering costs borne by Grant Park.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2011
For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, Grant Park had a negative return of approximately 0.4% for the Class A units, a negative return of approximately 0.9% for the Class B units, a positive return of approximately 1.3% for the Legacy 1 Class units, a positive return of approximately 1.1% for the Legacy 2 Class units, a positive return of approximately 1.8% for the Global 1 Class units, a positive return of approximately 1.6% for the Global 2 Class units and a positive return of approximately 0.4% for the Global 3 Class units. On a combined unit basis prior to expenses, Grant Park had trading gains of approximately 7.1% which were further increased by gains of approximately 0.2% from interest income. These trading gains were decreased by approximately 7.6% in combined brokerage fees, performance fees and operating and offering costs borne by Grant Park. For the same period in 2011, Grant Park a had negative return of approximately 8.3% for the Class A units, 8.7% for the Class B units, 6.7% for the Legacy 1 Class units, 7.1% for the Legacy 2 Class units, 7.2% for the Global 1 Class units, 7.4% for the Global 2 Class units, and 8.7% for the Global 3 Class units. On a combined unit basis prior to expenses, approximately 2.6% resulted from trading losses which were offset by 0.3% of interest income. The trading losses were further decreased by approximately 6.2% in brokerage fees, performance fees and operating and offering costs borne by Grant Park.
Nine months ended September 30, 2012
Natural gas markets rallied nearly 17% as exceptionally warm temperatures in July spurred energy demand for cooling purposes. The potential impact of hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico was a factor which drove natural gas prices higher. Crude oil prices also increased, as ongoing tensions in the Middle East drove concerns about future supplies. Additional data showed a decline in domestic inventories.
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Grains markets were generally higher for the quarter. Massive droughts in the Midwest, led to declines in the forecasts for futures supply. In September, an improvement in growing conditions helped to ease supply concerns and caused a sharp reversal in the grains markets. In the foods markets, sugar prices dropped following bullish supply data from Brazil, cocoa prices rallied because civil unrest in the Ivory Coast depressed production.
Precious metals markets rose due to heavy buying by investors who attempted to hedge against inflation. Base metals markets finished higher on speculation the new plans for quantitative easing both in the U.S. and abroad would help improve global industrial demand. Gains in the base metals markets were aided by the announcement of new government-funded infrastructure projects in China, which is the world’s largest consumer of copper.
The U.S. was under heavy pressure following the announcement of QE3 by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The euro strengthened relative to counterpart currencies as news regarding the newly expanded bailout fund for Greece and Spain aided investor confidence in the region. Riskier currencies, including the Australian and New Zealand dollars, moved higher as confident investors sought higher-yielding investments.
North American and European equity markets rallied as an improved overall outlook for the global economy spurred investor risk appetite. The Japanese Nikkei 225 registered setbacks for the quarter, however, as investors feared ongoing slow growth in China would have a negative financial impact on the economy.
U.S. Treasury markets finished modestly higher due to a rally which was spurred by unmet expectations of new stimulus policies in August. German Bunds rallied during the same period as investors feared weak growth prospects in the U.S. would have a negative effect on the Eurozone.
Key trading developments for Grant Park during the first nine months of 2012 included the following:
January. Grant Park recorded gains and losses during the month. Class A units were down 0.00%, Class B units were down 0.06%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 0.18%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 0.17%, Global 1 Class units were up 0.39%, Global 2 Class units were up 0.37% and Global 3 Class units were up 0.22%. European currencies generally rose against the U.S. dollar on the bullish news the region’s financial outlook might be improving. The euro strengthened following news that the International Monetary Fund was considering increasing aid to smaller European nations. The Swiss franc also posted gains following the largest jump in investor confidence, since the second quarter of 2011. The combination of unusually warm weather and increased supplies drove natural gas prices nearly 15% lower for the month. Crude oil markets posted modest gains due to ongoing supply concerns stemming from tension surrounding Iran. In Asia, speculators drove Japanese equity markets higher on beliefs the Chinese government might stimulate the nation’s economy in response to data which showed decreasing inflation. North American equity markets also moved higher and were supported by bullish domestic housing and manufacturing data and by strong earnings reports by several key U.S. firms. European equity markets rose as investors believed Greece and its creditors were nearing an agreement on a new debt restructuring deal. In the U.S. fixed-income markets, there was a sharp increase in demand for safe-haven assets after Standard & Poor’s downgraded French debt. Reports which showed weaker-than-expected GDP growth data for the U.S. also prompted buying in the debt markets, which drove prices higher. Corn prices fell nearly 2% after recent supply concerns eased due to improved weather conditions in South America. Wheat prices also declined, driven lower by U.S. Department of Agriculture reports which showed an upward revision to 2012 harvest estimates. In the livestock markets, increased buying by large commodity funds led to gains in the lean hogs and live cattle markets. Concerns surrounding the Eurozone economy and tensions between Iran and the West caused an increase in demand for safe-haven assets, which drove gold and silver prices higher. Investors increased demand in an attempt to hedge against U.S inflation, which also played a role in driving precious metals prices higher. Base metals prices also moved higher due to an improved growth outlook for China and beliefs the strength in the global equity markets will foster industrial demand.
February. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 0.80%, Class B units were up 0.75%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 1.00%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 0.98%, Global 1 Class units were up 0.96%, Global 2 Class units were up 0.94% and Global 3 Class units were up 0.79%. The euro and Swiss franc posted strong gains against counterparts after the announcement of the new Greek debt plan. Rising consumer confidence in Germany also bode well for the euro and franc. The Japanese yen weakened sharply after reports the nation’s current account surplus had fallen to a 15-year low and on speculation of further monetary easing by the Bank of Japan. Crude oil prices rallied nearly 10% due to potential supply concerns stemming from ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations. U.S. Energy Information Administration Reports showing increased petroleum byproduct production supported crude oil prices. Natural gas markets moved lower following decreased heating demand caused by abnormally warm weather. U.S. equity markets moved higher and beyond pre-2008 levels due to optimistic economic data and strong earnings reports from key U.S. firms. European and Asian markets moved higher as well, fueled by optimism surrounding Greece and strong industrial production data from the UK, Germany, and China. Positive economic data and an overall positive outlook for the Eurozone weighed on the global debt markets, which moved prices lower. Moody’s Investors Service downgraded several European nations near month-end, which had a bullish impact on the Bund markets and nearly offset early-month losses. Soybean prices rose following strong U.S. grains export data and news the Chinese and U.S. governments had agreed to cooperate on farm trade. Wheat markets registered profits because of reports the Russian government was contemplating another grain export tax. Reports which showed depressed
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agriculture production in Brazil created a bullish effect on the sugar markets and drove prices over 12% higher. Precious metals posted gains due to a surge in safe-haven buying amidst tensions regarding the Iranian nuclear program. Speculation the U.S. government might begin another round of stimulus activity also added to precious metals profits. Base metals markets moved higher due to the Chinese government’s decision to ease lending policies and on the belief the signed Greek debt deal would help the ailing Eurozone economy.
March. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 2.21%, Class B units were down 2.27%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 2.03%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 2.04%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.97%, Global 2 Class units were down 1.99% and Global 3 Class units were down 2.13%. The Japanese yen declined sharply as investors believed the Bank of Japan was considering new economic stimulus initiatives. The Swiss franc strengthened against international counterparts due to reports which showed an upward revision to recent economic-growth data. The U.S. dollar also posted gains as investors moved their focus to the U.S. markets amidst growing concerns regarding the Eurozone debt markets. Natural gas prices declined nearly 19% in March as steadily rising domestic inventories and mild temperatures across the U.S. reduced demand for heating and pressured prices. Crude oil markets fell due to speculation U.S. officials were considering tapping emergency oil reserves. Decreased demand from China for crude oil also weighed on prices. North American equity markets rallied on bullish economic data in the U.S. and strong earnings forecasts for the first quarter. Japanese equity indices rose to levels unseen since last year’s devastating earthquake due to strong forecasts for the nation’s export industries stemming from yen weakness. German Bund prices declined because of early-month optimism surrounding the new Greek debt deal. U.S. Treasury markets also experienced setbacks as rallies in the equity markets and bullish intra-month economic indicators put pressure on demand for safe-haven assets. Soybean prices moved higher after severe droughts in South America impacted supplies and caused an increased demand for U.S. crops. Favorable weather conditions in key U.S. farming regions lifted supply forecasts and the corn and wheat markets moved lower. Sugar prices also declined on speculation global supplies could begin to outpace demand. Precious metals markets fell due to a decrease in safe-haven demand which was fostered by bullish economic data in the U.S. Base metal markets declined as renewed Eurozone debt concerns related to Spain and Portugal, weighed heavily on industrial demand forecasts.
April. Grant Park recorded gains and losses. Class A units were down 0.00%, Class B units were down 0.05%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 0.18%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 0.16%, Global 1 Class units were up 0.27%, Global 2 Class units were up 0.25% and Global 3 Class units were up 0.10%. The euro weakened against major currencies over renewed concerns about debt default by smaller Eurozone nations. The Japanese yen strengthened sharply after the Bank of Japan’s decided to keep interest rates unchanged and to employ new stimulus initiatives: speculators viewed these steps as harbingers for an improved Japanese economy. Natural gas prices rallied in excess of 7% due to news U.S. producers were considering slowing production because of record-high domestic inventories. Crude oil prices moved modestly higher, supported by better-than-expected manufacturing data from Europe and China. European equity markets experienced declines after a downgrade of Spanish debt was interpreted to mean a weaker economic outlook for Europe. Japanese equity markets predominantly fell as a strong yen weighed on the nation’s export industries. U.S. equity prices finished mixed as bearish economic data was offset by strong first-quarter earnings reports from key U.S. firms. German Bund markets moved strongly higher as investors sought safer investments amidst ongoing turmoil in the sovereign debt markets of several smaller European nations. The U.S. Treasury markets also rallied, supported by weak economic indicators in the U.S. and data which showed Chinese economic growth was slowing. Soybean markets rallied sharply after continued supply concerns which stemmed from production disruptions in South America. Conversely, wheat prices declined because of favorable weather conditions in the Midwest, which supported supply forecasts. Base metals markets were generally flat as the bearish impact of slowing Chinese economic growth was offset by the bullish influence of weaker-than-expected U.S. jobless claims data. Gold markets fell slightly, unable to overcome early-month losses stemming from U.S. dollar strength.
May. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 6.19%, Class B units were up 6.13%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 6.24%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 6.16%, Global 1 Class units were up 6.32%, Global 2 Class units were up 6.27% and Global 3 Class units were up 6.16%. The euro fell to a recent low as investors were concerned about the possible economic impact of a Greek exit from the European Union. Growing uncertainty surrounding the Spanish debt markets, coupled with steadily rising borrowing costs also pressured the euro. The U.S. dollar benefitted from the euro’s weakness as investors shifted their focus towards safe-haven dollar-denominated assets. Crude oil prices declined nearly 18% after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported domestic inventories rose to 22-year highs. Ongoing forecasts of weak industrial demand and a bearish outlook for the global economy also added to declines. Natural gas markets moved modestly higher as warmer weather in the U.S. supported demand for cooling. Global equity markets fell as weak global economic indicators weighed on investor sentiment. In the U.S., news J.P. Morgan had incurred over $2 billion in losses due to bad trades in the credit-derivatives markets added to equity market pressure. U.S. Treasury and German Bund markets finished May substantially higher as the financial and political instability in Europe drove investors worldwide towards safer-assets. Ailing Spanish and Italian debt markets, continued political uncertainty in Greece, and the threat of a Greek exit from the Eurozone all contributed to increase demand for safe-haven assets. Corn prices fell sharply due to favorable weather conditions in key farming regions and weaker-than-expected export sales data. In the foods markets, coffee and sugar prices decreased as speculators forecast depressed demand due to the ongoing financial turmoil in Europe. Gold markets tumbled as a stronger U.S. dollar prompted investors to liquidate dollar-hedging gold positions. Base metals markets also experienced setbacks as demand fell due to fears of slowing growth in China. Weak Chinese and European industrial production data also contributed to the decline in base metals prices.
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June. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 4.88%, Class B units were down 4.93%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 4.57%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 4.60%, Global 1 Class units were down 4.59%, Global 2 Class units were down 4.59% and Global 3 Class units were down 4.73%. The euro rallied sharply against counterparts on reports Eurozone officials were planning to come to the aid of the ailing European banking sector. The Japanese yen declined because of fears surrounding further intervention by the Bank of Japan to counter recent strength in the yen. Crude oil markets breached an eight-month low after the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported steadily rising domestic supplies. Weak demand forecasts followed disappointing industrial production reports and the ongoing financial turmoil in Europe weighed on oil prices. Higher temperatures in the U.S. created strong demand for natural gas and prices increased over 13% higher. Global equity markets rose due to speculation Eurozone officials were beginning to prepare to take positive steps towards aiding the ailing economies of Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Anticipation the U.S. Federal Reserve would soon be announcing new stimulus initiatives also boded well for the equity markets. Global fixed-income markets declined as investors shifted their focus towards riskier assets and away from safe-haven debt instruments. Potential improvement in the financial situation in Europe was a main driver in reducing global fixed-income demand. U.S. grains markets moved sharply higher as supply concerns fostered by ongoing warm and dry weather in the Midwest supported prices. Ongoing droughts in Russia reduced wheat supply forecasts which, in turn, caused grains prices to rise. Sugar prices rallied as a result of processing delays in Brazil caused by heavy rain. Gold prices finished modestly higher as investors believed further quantitative easing by the U.S. Federal Reserve was imminent. Base metals markets posted mix results as the bearish impact of weak industrial production data was offset by hopes upcoming stimulus activity in the U.S. and abroad would stimulate industrial demand in the global economy.
July. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 3.56%, Class B units were up 3.51%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 3.73%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 3.71%, Global 1 Class units were up 3.85%, Global 2 Class units were up 3.80% and Global 3 Class units were up 3.66%. The euro declined to multi-year lows as investors feared the on-going European debt crisis. Increased Italian and Spanish borrowing costs, the inactivity of the European Central Bank and fear that Greece might exit the European Union all contributed to investor pessimism. Safe-haven currencies, including the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen, benefitted from the euro’s decline, and posted overall gains for the month. Natural gas prices rallied nearly 14% in July as extraordinarily warm temperatures in the U.S. caused a surge in energy demand. Crude oil markets moved higher, supported by intra-month declines in U.S. inventories and beliefs of additional, imminent sanctions on Iran. The energy markets also received support from hopes the forecasted stimulus activity in China would boost industrial demand. European and North American equity markets finished higher due to a late-month rally caused by a possible Central Bank stimulus. The president of the European Central Bank stated the ECB would do “whatever it needed to support the euro” which also bolstered investor confidence. In Asia, the Japanese Nikkei 225 declined due to the foreseen economic impacts of slowing growth in China. U.S. Treasury markets rallied due to heavy safe-haven buying caused by early-month concerns surrounding a lack of stimulus activity from the world’s global economic powers. German Bund markets moved higher as investors attempted to diversify away from the sovereign debt of smaller European nations. Grains markets experienced extended rallies as abnormally warm temperatures and severe droughts in the U.S. Midwest weighed on supplies. Coffee and sugar markets also moved higher, driven by supply constraints fostered by heavy rains in South America. Base metals markets were generally under pressure throughout July due to weak industrial demand forecasts. Ongoing Eurozone concerns and slowing Chinese growth were the main drivers behind weak demand. Precious metals finished modestly higher, supported by short-term weakness in the U.S. dollar.
August. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 1.30%, Class B units were down 1.36%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 1.10%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 1.12%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.15%, Global 2 Class units were down 1.16% and Global 3 Class units were down 1.31%. The euro rallied against counterparts as the European Central Bank indicated it had new plans to buy Spanish and Italian bonds in order to aid the ailing economies. In the U.S., the dollar finished lower as optimism about Europe caused investors to liquidate dollar-denominated assets. The Australian dollar also weakened on speculation the Reserve Bank of Australia would cut interest rates in the near future. Crude oil markets rallied nearly 10% as hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico threatened energy supplies. The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a decline in U.S. crude oil inventories, which also had a bullish effect on prices. Natural gas markets fell as energy demand needed for cooling fell as the widespread heat waves began to subside. Global equity markets and investor confidence generally rose based on optimism surrounding quantitative easing. Bullish economic data in the U.S., including retail sales and housing, also supported global share prices. U.S. Treasury markets registered mixed results. In anticipation of new U.S. Federal Reserve bond-buying initiatives, investors expanded their fixed-income exposure, which drove prices higher. Gains were offset, however, as rallies in the equity markets and improving investor confidence caused investors to refocus towards riskier assets. Soybean markets continued their uptrend on speculation the current droughts had a worse-than-expected impact on crops. Cocoa markets registered a near 12% gain as ongoing civil unrest and dry weather in the Ivory Coast supported prices. Sugar prices declined as improved weather conditions in Brazil supported production. Metals markets generally rose as investors anticipated the announcement of new stimulus initiatives by the U.S. Federal Reserve. In the precious metals markets, investors built dollar-hedging gold positions, which drove prices higher. Base metals prices were supported by hopes economic stimulus would boost industrial demand.
September. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 2.13%, Class B units were down 2.19%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 1.93%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 1.94%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.85%, Global 2 Class units were
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down 1.85% and Global 3 Class units were down 2.00%. The euro surged against counterparts as Eurozone financial officials released plans for a new bond-buying program designed to aid the ailing economies of smaller European nations. Higher-yielding currencies, including the New Zealand dollar, moved higher as optimism surrounding the Eurozone caused a surge in risk appetite. The U.S. dollar fell sharply as investors liquidated positions in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s QE3 announcement. Natural gas markets rallied sharply as U.S. Energy Information Administration reports showed a larger-than-expected decrease in domestic supplies. Early-month supply concerns stemming from increased hurricane activity in the Gulf of Mexico also added to gains in natural gas. Crude oil markets fell as ongoing weak industrial demand forecasts weighed on prices. Global equity markets rallied in September, propelled by optimism over stimulus initiatives in the U.S. and abroad. Better-than- expected industrial production data from Germany also served as a bullish driver in the equity markets. Fixed Income prices moved lower as equity market strength caused investors to liquidate safe-haven debt positions. German Bund markets also fell as investors shifted their focus towards the sovereign debt of smaller European nations as they believed quantitative easing in the Eurozone would aid their ailing debt markets. Corn and soybean prices fell due to data showing recent droughts in the U.S. have had a weaker-than-expected impact on crop yields. Optimal weather conditions near month-end supported supply forecasts, putting further pressure on grains prices. Coffee prices rallied nearly 5% because of data showing depressed supplies in Brazil. Base metals markets rose as investors believed new stimulus initiatives proposed by the U.S. Federal Reserve would bolster industrial demand. News the Chinese government had approved a large-scale infrastructure project added to the base metals rally. Gold markets rallied in excess of 5% due to heavy buying from investors attempting to hedge against inflation.
Nine months ended September 30, 2011
Crude oil markets predominantly fell in the third quarter as diminished investor sentiment regarding global economic growth weighed heavily on demand. Weak economic data and the lack of a resolution to the Eurozone debt situation were the main drivers putting pressure on demand. Natural gas markets also fell, driven lower by temperate climates in the U.S. and elevated domestic inventories.
Corn and soybean markets underwent a sharp retracement of nearly 5% and 10%, respectively, in September due to depressed Chinese demand and upward revisions to harvest estimates. Wheat markets finished higher, holding on to gains from early in the quarter stemming from poor weather and delayed plantings in key farming regions. In the softs markets, sugar and coffee prices declined as reports forecasted better-than-expected growing conditions in Brazil.
Gold markets firmed in the third quarter because of safe-haven buying by investors attempting to reduce risk in their portfolios. Silver markets fell sharply as the decision to raise margin requirements on silver positions prompted liquidations. Base metals markets generally fell due to weak industrial demand forecasts caused by equity market declines.
The Swiss franc endured a sharp selloff against counterparts due to intervention by the Swiss National Bank to devalue the nation’s currency. Ongoing concerns surrounding a potential default on Greece’s debt obligations led to declines in the euro and U.S. dollar strength. The Australian and New Zealand dollars declined as a result of sharp downturns in the commodities markets and depressed demand for higher-yielding currencies.
Global equity markets fell sharply in the third quarter as the downgrading of the U.S. debt markets resulted in selling. The failure of European officials to come to terms on a new plan to aid the ailing Eurozone financial markets also added to declines.
U.S. Treasury markets posted large profits as investors shifted their focus towards safe-haven assets amid steep declines in equity markets and Eurozone financial instability. Bund markets also posted gains, as investors diversified away from European sovereign debt as they believed a Greek default would impact the economies of other more stable European nations.
Key trading developments for Grant Park during the first nine months of 2011 included the following:
January. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 0.52%, Class B units were down 0.58%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 0.35%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 0.37%, Global 1 Class units were down 0.74%, Global 2 Class units were down 0.76% and Global 3 Class units were down 0.91%. Grains prices predominantly moved higher in January due to supply concerns stemming from severe flooding in Australia and by poor weather conditions in South America. In the commodities markets, sugar prices also rose, driven by U.S. dollar weakness. Successful debt auctions in several smaller European nations were received as a sign that economic stability in the Eurozone may be improving and strengthened the euro against major counterparts. Adding to the euro rally was speculation European leaders were close to formalizing a plan for creating emergency financing for ailing European nations. Renewed optimism for the Eurozone weighed on the U.S. dollar and moved it lower against other major currencies. The British pound
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strengthened against counterparts as speculators believed recent inflation data might cause the Bank of England to raise interest rates sooner than previously expected. Speculators drove crude oil markets higher as supply concerns were raised by the closure of an 800-mile Alaskan pipeline. The political events in Egypt raised additional concerns about oil production in the region and also played a role in moving crude oil price higher. Natural gas markets also rose as abnormally cold temperatures served as a bullish influence on demand. An improved economic outlook for Europe boded well for the global equity markets in January. North American, European, and Asian equity markets moved higher as optimism spurred investor risk appetite. Positive earnings reports and strong economic data from the U.S. and the Eurozone also drove markets higher. Global fixed-income markets endured setbacks due to decreased investor risk-aversion. Investors shifted their focus towards riskier assets and liquidated positions in the U.S. Treasury markets, which pushed prices sharply lower. In Europe, Bund prices fell as improving sentiment strengthened demand for European sovereign debt. The metals sector performed similarly to the fixed income markets as investor desire to pursue additional risk put heavy pressure on metal prices. A better economic outlook for Europe allowed investors to liquidate euro-hedging gold positions and caused a near 6% price decline. Base metals profited from strength in the global equity markets. Strong U.S. manufacturing data and better-than-expected earnings reports by manufacturing firms served as indicators that industrial demand may be on the rise, further supporting base metals prices.
February. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 2.26%, Class B units were up 2.20%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 2.37%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 2.33%, Global 1 Class units were up 2.00%, Global 2 Class units were up 1.99% and Global 3 Class units were up 1.76%. Corn markets underwent a sharp rally after the United States Department of Agriculture issued a report which forecasted tight U.S. supplies. Soybean prices declined due to expectations of bullish supply and slowing international demand. In the livestock markets, prices for lean hogs moved higher following the largest increase in pork demand by China since the early 1980s. Safe-haven currencies, including the Japanese yen and Swiss franc, strengthened amidst growing instability in the Middle East. Optimistic comments by the Reserve Bank of Australia provided bullish support to the Australian dollar, moving the currency higher against foreign counterparts. Crude oil markets rose in excess of 6% in February as speculators perceived escalating violence in the Middle East as a threat to crude oil production in the region. Warm weather forecasts in the U.S. put substantial pressure on the natural gas markets, moving prices sharply lower. Global equity markets generally moved higher in February as declines in U.S. jobless estimates fueled investor sentiment. The Japanese Nikkei 225 rallied due to strong earnings reports from several key Japanese firms. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index, however, moved lower due to uncertainty surrounding the impact of rising Chinese interest rates on the nation’s economy. U.S. Treasury Bonds finished higher in February, following a late-month rally caused by instability in the Middle East. Unsure of the overall effects of recent upheaval in Libya, many investors shifted their focus to safe-haven fixed -income products. Precious metals markets benefitted from increased risk-aversion. Safe-haven buying resulted in a 6% and 20% respective price increase in the gold and silver markets. Base metal prices finished slightly higher due to bullish industrial demand forecasts early in the month.
March. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 2.48%, Class B units were down 2.53%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 2.21%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 2.22%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.85%, Global 2 Class units were down 1.89% and Global 3 Class units were down 2.01%. Corn and wheat prices generally fell after the United States Department of Agriculture reported upcoming harvests may produce near-record supplies. Adding to the decline in grains prices was weak demand from China for U.S crops. In the livestock markets, strong U.S. meat export data led to rallies in the live cattle and lean hogs markets. The Swiss franc posted gains as ongoing tension in Libya and the Japanese earthquake increased demand for safe-haven currencies. Comments made by the European Central Bank alluding to a potential interest rate hike in the Eurozone caused the euro to strengthen over major counterparts. Crude oil markets rallied, predominantly led higher by global turmoil. Supply concerns caused by unrest in Libya, strong economic data, and optimistic recovery forecasts for Japan combined to move crude oil prices higher. Natural gas finished nearly 9% higher for the month on speculation that Japanese demand for alternative fuels would increase due to ongoing turmoil at some of the nation’s key nuclear power plants. The Japanese Nikkei 225 fell in excess of 10% amidst concerns regarding the economic outlook for the nation following the recent earthquake and threats of a radiation leak at a key nuclear power plant. European equity markets also finished lower on renewed fears surrounding the financial stability of Spain and Portugal, which weighed on investor sentiment. U.S. fixed-income markets predominantly declined because of liquidations prompted by optimistic employment and U.S. growth data. Intra-month gains in the U.S. equity markets also played a role in moving debt prices lower. Precious metals markets experienced gains as ongoing tension in Libya buoyed demand for safe-haven assets. The base metals markets moved generally lower as production disruptions in Japan and reports showing a Chinese trade deficit weighed on prices.
April. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 3.79%, Class B units were up 3.74%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 3.84%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 3.77%, Global 1 Class units were up 2.92%, Global 2 Class units were up 2.91% and Global 3 Class units were up 2.75%. Corn prices rose nearly 9% due to two factors: poor weather forecasts in major U.S. and European farming regions and increased corn demand from ethanol producers. Sugar prices fell sharply based on strong production forecasts from Thailand, the world second-largest exporter. Precious metals markets moved steadily higher on increased buying by investors seeking to hedge against U.S. dollar weakness. Safe-haven buying caused by the economic situation in Japan and political unrest in the Middle East and Africa also played a role in driving precious metals markets higher. Copper prices declined due to forecasts for weaker industrial demand caused by the recent Japanese earthquake and potential interest rate hikes in China. The U.S. dollar weakened
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against global counterparts on concerns about economic growth in the U.S. Weak employment data and reports from Standard & Poor’s called for a prolonged U.S. economic recovery and put further pressure on the dollar. The euro and Swiss franc strengthened against the dollar as speculators believed that monetary policy shifts in the U.S. would lag those of its European counterparts. North American and European equity markets moved predominantly higher, fueled by strong corporate earnings reports for the first quarter. Japanese equity markets finished the month slightly higher due to heavy buying by investors looking to take advantage of low share prices caused by recent downtrends. The Hong Kong Hang Seng index fell due to concerns over potential Chinese interest rate hikes, which could hinder the nation’s economic growth. U.S. Treasury markets posted monthly gains as an unexpected rise in jobless claims put pressure on investor risk appetite. The current crisis events in Japan and turmoil in the Middle East and Africa combined to support increased demand in this sector.
May. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 6.93%, Class B units were down 6.98%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 6.63%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 6.63%, Global 1 Class units were down 6.49%, Global 2 Class units were down 6.53% and Global 3 Class units were down 6.67%. The U.S. dollar and Swiss franc resumed their roles as safe-haven currencies in May, strengthening against counterparts. Ongoing fears surrounding the Eurozone debt markets was the main driver behind elevated risk-aversion. Comments made by the President of the European Central Bank which suggested that Eurozone interest rates would remain unchanged for the near future put heavy pressure on the euro. The Japanese yen also posted minor setbacks because of forecasts predicting a longer recovery time than previously expected from the nation’s recent earthquake. Crude oil markets declined due to weak demand forecasts. Elevated gas prices and weak global economic indicators were the main drivers behind weakening demand. Adding to crude oil’s setbacks was uncertainty regarding the outcome of an upcoming meeting of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Global equity markets fell as ongoing fears surrounding Eurozone debt weighed heavily on investor sentiment. China’s decision to raise reserve requirements also played a role in driving the global share prices lower. In the U.S., weak employment estimates fueled a pessimistic outlook for domestic growth and caused liquidations in the North American equity markets. U.S. fixed-income markets posted solid gains in May as increased global risk-aversion prompted buying. Equity market setbacks and a weaker outlook for global economic growth fostered the liquidations of riskier assets in exchange for safer debt instruments. Bund markets also moved higher as fears surrounding the sovereign debt of smaller European nations drove demand for safe-haven investments higher. Wheat markets finished the month predominantly higher as speculators believed recent rains in the Midwest would delay plantings, thereby putting pressure on supplies. Sugar prices experienced modest declines following reports of strong production from Thailand. In the precious metals markets, silver prices declined in excess of 21% following news regarding rising margin requirements for silver positions, weighing on demand. Also adding to weakness in the metals markets was U.S. dollar strength. Base metals generally fell on concerns about the global economy and industrial production slowdowns in China.
June. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 3.79%, Class B units were down 3.84%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 3.62%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 3.66%, Global 1 Class units were down 3.33%, Global 2 Class units were down 3.36% and Global 3 Class units were down 3.50%. The U.S. dollar posted strong gains against international counterparts after reports showed a narrower U.S. trade deficit. The dollar rose higher on increased demand for safe-haven assets amidst continuing concerns regarding a potential Greek debt collapse. Conversely, higher-yielding currencies, including the Australian and New Zealand dollars experienced heavy losses as investors sought safer investments. Crude oil markets fell nearly 12% in June following depressed industrial demand forecasts which spurred liquidations. Adding to crude oil’s declines were improved supply forecasts stemming from increased production in Saudi Arabia and the release of reserves from the International Energy Agency. Natural gas also moved lower as U.S. Energy Information Administration reports showed a larger-than-expected increase in domestic inventories. Ongoing uncertainty regarding the fate of the Greek financial system weighed heavily on the equity markets. Uncertainty about a possible Greek collapse caused investors to liquidate global equity positions and adopt more risk-averse portfolios. Furthering the decline in the North American markets was disappointing unemployment data and cautious comments from the Chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve. U.S. Treasuries predominantly finished higher as equity weakness increased demand for more risk-averse assets. Also adding to the rally in the domestic debt markets were reports showing an increase in Chinese demand for U.S. debt. In the Eurozone, Bund prices also moved higher as comments from the European Central Bank President failed to provide any clarity on the timeframe for a new Greek bailout plan. Alleviated supply concerns in the grains markets put heavy pressure on prices. Favorable weather conditions in key U.S. farming regions and the lifting of a Russian grains export ban were the main drivers behind elevated supply forecasts. Sugar prices rallied sharply due to delays at key Brazilian ports and weak Brazilian supply data. Precious metals markets fell, driven lower by liquidations from large commodity funds attempting to lock in profits following recent upward trends in the gold and silver markets. Base metals markets also moved lower due to weak global economic data including falling U.S. home prices, weak consumer confidence in Germany, and disappointing Chinese manufacturing data. Also weighing on the base and precious metals markets was a stronger U.S. dollar.
July. Grant Park recorded gains. Class A units were up 3.02%, Class B units were up 2.96%, Legacy 1 Class units were up 3.23%, Legacy 2 Class units were up 3.18%, Global 1 Class units were up 3.09%, Global 2 Class units were up 3.07% and Global 3 Class units were up 2.92%. The U.S. dollar slipped against major currencies as investor confidence fell while Congress failed to reach an agreement on a new U.S. debt ceiling. Investors sought non-U.S. assets, a move that benefitted safe-haven currencies, including the Japanese yen and Swiss franc. The euro fell when Portuguese debt was reclassified to “junk” status. Also pushing the euro lower were
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fears the recent financial instability in the Eurozone was beginning to affect larger European nations. The Australian dollar posted gains as investors believed recent jumps in inflation would prompt the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates sooner than expected. Despite heavy volatility throughout the month, the crude oil markets were able to hold on to early-month gains and finish July slightly positive. The crude oil market was driven by reports of strong U.S. manufacturing data and decreases in U.S. stockpiles. Natural gas markets fell over 5% on weak industrial demand forecasts and cool temperatures at month-end. European equity markets generally fell as investors feared that recent financial instability could begin to affect the economies of larger nations, including Spain and Italy. In the U.S., equity prices moved lower because of the failed debt-ceiling negotiations. Japanese share prices finished with modest gains stemming from bullish manufacturing data. U.S. fixed-income markets posted strong gains in July as uncertainty regarding the overall global economic outlook prevailed. Weak economic data, ailing European nations, and U.S. debt-ceiling concerns all played a role in driving demand for safe-haven assets higher. The German Bund picked up additional gains as some fixed-income investors shifted their focus outside of the U.S. U.S. grains markets finished last month higher as a combination of heat waves and dry weather threatened domestic supplies. Reports of elevated demand from biofuel and livestock producers added to profits in the grains and foods markets. Sugar prices also moved higher due to reports showing weaker-than-expected sugar production from Brazil, the world’s largest sugar exporter. Gold and silver markets moved more than 8% and 15%, respectively, as investors sought safe-haven assets due to a number of global economic concerns. Ongoing fears regarding the financial stability of the Eurozone economy and uncertainty surrounding the inability of lawmakers to pass a plan to establish a new U.S. debt ceiling were among the critical factors that influenced the markets. In the base metals markets, copper markets rose because of improved Chinese import data and a work stoppage at a key Chilean copper production facility.
August. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 1.81%, Class B units were down 1.86%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 1.62%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 1.69%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.25%, Global 2 Class units were down 1.28% and Global 3 Class units were down 1.43%. The Swiss franc underwent a sharp selloff due to intervention by the Swiss National Bank attempting to devalue the currency. The euro posted modest gains against counterparts on news the European Central Bank (ECB) was considering buying Italian debt to aid the ailing Italian financial system. Higher-yielding currencies, such as the Australian and New Zealand dollars, declined sharply as concerns surrounding global economic growth weighed on investor risk appetite. Crude oil markets fell in excess of 7% due to weak industrial demand throughout the month. Disappointing economic indicators, waning investor confidence, and concerns regarding stalled global economic growth were the main drivers behind declines. Temperate U.S. climates and a rise in domestic inventories pushed natural gas markets lower. The credit downgrading of the U.S. debt markets sent a wave of panic through the financial markets and caused a sharp selloff in equities. Failure of the ECB to produce a new plan to aid the ailing European financial system put pressure on Eurozone equity prices. In Asia, the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index declined due to beliefs the elevated inflation rate in China would make it difficult for the Chinese government to foster growth by easing monetary policy. U.S. Treasury markets produced strong gains due to increased safe-haven buying amidst turmoil in the financial markets. Investors drove U.S. debt products higher as they sought safety from the financial instability of the Eurozone and from sharp declines in the global equity markets. U.S. grain markets moved sharply higher due to delayed plantings and weak harvest estimates stemming from poor weather conditions in key U.S. farming regions. Sugar prices also rose following reports which forecasted weak Brazilian production and elevated demand from China. Gold and silver markets rallied due to a surge in safe-haven demand stemming from the credit downgrading of the U.S. fixed-income markets. Investors bought gold to hedge short-term U.S. dollar weakness and added to gains. Base metals markets generally fell during the month, depressed by sharp declines in the global equity markets and weak economic data.
September. Grant Park recorded losses. Class A units were down 1.64%, Class B units were down 1.69%, Legacy 1 Class units were down 1.47%, Legacy 2 Class units were down 1.57%, Global 1 Class units were down 1.34%, Global 2 Class units were down 1.36% and Global 3 Class units were down 1.52%. The euro weakened against major counterparts as the failure of Eurozone officials to come to terms on new funding plans for ailing Greece prompted liquidations. Amidst European financial instability investors focused their attention on the U.S. dollar, driving the currency steadily higher throughout September. The Swiss franc and Japanese yen declined as investors feared further intervention to devalue the currencies by the countries’ respective financial policy makers. Crude oil markets declined as weak economic data in the U.S. and concerns about global economic growth weighed on industrial demand forecasts. Natural gas prices fell because of beliefs the rising inventories in the U.S. would be sufficient to meet demand in the foreseeable future. Comments from the U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman stating the U.S. still faced significant obstacles weighed heavily on investor sentiment, resulting in sharp declines in the domestic equity markets. News that rating-agency Moody’s Investors Services was planning to downgrade the credit rating of three major U.S. banks also put pressure on domestic share prices. In Europe, ongoing concerns surrounding possible contagion from a Greek default put pressure on the equity markets. Fixed income prices finished the month generally higher as risk-averse investors purchased safer debt instruments. Weak economic data from the U.S. and fears that a Greek debt default could impact the economies of larger more stable nations, also supported safe-haven demand. U.S. Department of Agriculture reports showing strong supply forecasts put heavy pressure on the grains markets, driving corn, heat, and soybeans nearly 20% lower for the month. Depressed demand from China also played a role in driving grains prices lower. In the softs markets, coffee and sugar prices declined as crop supply forecasts for Brazil were revised higher. Gold and silver underwent sharp price declines as the decision to raise margin requirements on key U.S. exchanges prompted liquidations. Base metals dipped because losses in the global equity markets caused investors to liquidate riskier commodities positions.
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Capital Resources
Grant Park plans to raise additional capital only through the sale of units pursuant to the continuous offering and does not intend to raise any capital through borrowing. Due to the nature of Grant Park’s business, it does not make any capital expenditures and does not have any capital assets that are not operating capital or assets.
Grant Park maintains 65% to 95% of its net asset value in cash, cash equivalents or other liquid positions over and above that needed to post as collateral for trading. These funds are available to meet redemptions each month.
Liquidity
Most U.S. futures exchanges limit fluctuations in some futures and options contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as daily price fluctuation limits or daily limits. During a single trading day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a contract has reached the daily limit for that day, positions in that contract can neither be taken nor liquidated. Futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Similar occurrences could prevent Grant Park from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions and subject Grant Park to substantial losses that could exceed the margin initially committed to those trades. In addition, even if futures or options prices do not move to the daily limit, Grant Park may not be able to execute trades at favorable prices, if little trading in the contracts is taking place. Other than these limitations on liquidity, which are inherent in Grant Park’s futures and options trading operations, Grant Park’s assets are expected to be highly liquid.
A portion of each Trading Company’s assets is used as margin to support its trading. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of U.S. Treasury bills, obligations of Government-sponsored enterprises and/or cash with brokers subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements.
Grant Park maintains a portion of its assets at its clearing brokers as well as at Lake Forest Bank & Trust Company. These assets, which may range from 5% to 35% of Grant Park’s value, are held in cash, U.S. Treasury securities, commercial paper and/or Government-sponsored enterprises. The balance of Grant Park’s assets, which range from 65% to 95%, are invested in investment grade money market instruments purchased and managed by Middleton Dickinson Capital Management, LLC which are held in a separate, segregated account at State Street Bank and Trust Company. Violent fluctuations in prevailing interest rates or changes in other economic conditions could cause mark-to-market losses on Grant Park’s cash management income.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk
Off-balance sheet risk refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in future obligation or loss. Grant Park trades in futures and other commodity interest contracts and is therefore a party to financial instruments with elements of off-balance sheet market and credit risk. In entering into these contracts, Grant Park faces the market risk that these contracts may be significantly influenced by market conditions, such as interest rate volatility, resulting in such contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the commodity interest positions of Grant Park at the same time, and if Grant Park were unable to offset positions, Grant Park could lose all of its assets and the limited partners would realize a 100% loss. Grant Park minimizes market risk through real-time monitoring of open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 25%. All positions of Grant Park are valued each day on a mark-to-market basis.
In addition to market risk, when entering into commodity interest contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to Grant Park. The counterparty for futures and options on futures contracts traded in the United States and on most non-U.S. futures exchanges is the clearing organization associated with such exchange. In general, clearing organizations are backed by the corporate members of the clearing organization who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk.
In cases where the clearing organization is not backed by the clearing members, like some non-U.S. exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.
In the case of forward contracts, over-the-counter options contracts or swap contracts, which are traded on the interbank or other institutional market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a central clearing organization backed by a group of financial institutions. As a result, there likely will be greater counterparty credit risk in these transactions. Grant Park trades only with those counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy. Nonetheless, the
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clearing member, clearing organization or other counterparty to these transactions may not be able to meet its obligations to Grant Park, in which case Grant Park could suffer significant losses on these contracts.
In the normal course of business, Grant Park enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnifications. Grant Park’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against Grant Park that have not yet occurred. Grant Park expects the risk of any future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Introduction
Grant Park is a speculative commodity pool. The market sensitive instruments held by it are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or a substantial amount of Grant Park’s assets are subject to the risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to Grant Park’s business.
Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair market value of Grant Park’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash flow. Grant Park’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of exchange rates, interest rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, market prices for base and precious metals, energy complexes and other commodities, the diversification effects among Grant Park’s open positions and the liquidity of the markets in which it trades.
Grant Park rapidly acquires and liquidates both long and short positions in a wide range of different markets. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how a particular future market scenario will affect performance. Erratic, choppy, sideways trading markets and sharp reversals in movements can materially and adversely affect Grant Park’s results. Grant Park’s past performance is not necessarily indicative of its future results.
Materiality, as used in this section, is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the leverage, and multiplier features of Grant Park’s market sensitive instruments.
The following quantitative and qualitative disclosures regarding Grant Park’s market risk exposures contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). All quantitative and qualitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-looking statements, except for statements of historical fact and descriptions of how Grant Park manages its risk exposure. Grant Park’s primary market risk exposures, as well as the strategies used and to be used by its trading advisors for managing such exposures, are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of Grant Park’s risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation and many other factors could result in material losses as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and the risk management strategies of Grant Park. Grant Park’s current market exposure and/or risk management strategies may not be effective in either the short-or long-term and may change materially.
Quantitative Market Risk
Grant Park’s approximate risk exposure in the various market sectors traded by its trading advisors is quantified below in terms of Value at Risk (VaR). Due to Grant Park’s mark-to-market accounting, any loss in the fair value of Grant Park’s open positions is directly reflected in Grant Park’s earnings, realized or unrealized.
Grant Park uses an Aggregate Returns Volatility method to calculate VaR for the portfolio. The method consists of creating a historical price time series for each instrument or its proxy instrument for the past 200 days, and then measuring the standard deviation of that return history. Then, using a normal distribution (normal distribution curve has a mean of zero and a standard deviation of one), the standard deviation measurement is scaled up in order to achieve a result in line with the 95% degree of confidence, which corresponds to a scaling factor of approximately 1.645 times of standard deviations.
The VaR for each market sector represents the one day risk of loss for the aggregate exposures associated with that sector. The current methodology used to calculate VaR represents the VaR of Grant Park’s open positions across all market sectors and is less than the sum of the VaR of the individual market sectors due to the diversification benefit across all market sectors combined.
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Grant Park’s VaR methodology and computation is based on the underlying risk of each contract or instrument in the portfolio and does not distinguish between exchange and non-exchange traded contracts. It is also not based on exchange maintenance margin requirements. VaR does not typically represent the worst case outcome.
VaR is a measure of the maximum amount that Grant Park could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector in a given day; however, VaR does not typically represent the worst case outcome. The inherent uncertainty of Grant Park’s speculative trading and the recurrence in the markets traded by Grant Park of market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated value at risk or Grant Park’s experience to date. This risk is often referred to as the risk of ruin. In light of the preceding information, as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that Grant Park’s losses in any market sector will be limited to VaR or by Grant Park’s attempts to manage its market risk. VaR models, including Grant Park’s, are continually evolving as trading portfolios become more diverse and modeling systems and techniques continue to evolve. Moreover, value at risk may be defined differently as used by other commodity pools or in other contexts.
The composition of Grant Park’s trading portfolio, based on the nature of its business of speculative trading of futures, forwards and options, can change significantly, over any period of time, including a single day of trading. These changes can positively or negatively have a positive or negative material impact on the market risk as measured by VaR.
Value at Risk by Market Sectors
The following tables indicate the trading value at risk associated with Grant Park’s open positions by market category as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and the trading gains/losses by market category for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011. All open position trading risk exposures of Grant Park have been included in calculating the figures set forth below. As of September 30, 2012, Grant Park’s net asset value was approximately $704.1 million. As of December 31, 2011, Grant Park’s net asset value was approximately $798.8 million.
| | September 30, 2012 | |
Market Sector | | Value at Risk* | | Trading Gain/(Loss) | |
| | | | | |
Stock indices | | 1.0 | % | 4.3 | % |
Interest rates | | 0.6 | | 3.9 | |
Currencies | | 0.5 | | (1.9 | ) |
Metals | | 0.3 | | (0.6 | ) |
Energy | | 0.3 | | 1.1 | |
Agriculturals/softs/meats | | 0.2 | | 0.3 | |
| | | | | |
Aggregate/Total | | 1.7 | % | 7.1 | % |
| | December 31, 2011 | |
Market Sector | | Value at Risk* | | Trading Gain/(Loss) | |
| | | | | |
Interest rates | | 0.5 | % | 7.3 | % |
Currencies | | 0.4 | | (4.2 | ) |
Metals | | 0.2 | | (0.5 | ) |
Energy | | 0.2 | | (0.6 | ) |
Stock indices | | 0.1 | | (5.1 | ) |
Agriculturals/softs/meats | | 0.1 | | (2.7 | ) |
| | | | | |
Aggregate/Total | | 0.7 | % | (5.8 | )% |
* The VaR for a market sector represents the one day risk of loss for the aggregate exposure for that particular sector. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of Grant Park’s open positions across all market sectors and is less than the sum of the VaR of the individual market sectors due to the diversification benefit across all market sectors combined.
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Material Limitations of Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
Past market risk factors will not always result in an accurate prediction of future distributions and correlations of future market movements. Changes in the portfolio value caused by market movements may differ from those measured by the VaR model. The VaR model reflects past trading positions, while future risk depends on future trading positions. VaR using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated within one day. The historical market risk data for the VaR model may provide only limited insight into the losses that could be incurred under unusual market movements. The magnitude of Grant Park’s open positions creates a risk of ruin not typically found in most other investment vehicles. Because of the size of its positions, certain market conditions—unusual, but historically recurring from time to time—could cause Grant Park to incur severe losses over a short period of time. The value at risk table above, as well as the past performance of Grant Park, gives no indication of this risk of ruin.
Non-Trading Risk
Grant Park has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash balances not needed for margin. However, these balances, as well as the market risk they represent, are immaterial. Grant Park also has non-trading market risk as a result of investing a substantial portion of its available assets in U.S. Treasury bills and Treasury repurchase agreements. The market risk represented by these investments is also immaterial.
Qualitative Market Risk
Trading Risk
The following were the primary trading risk exposures of Grant Park as of September 30, 2012, by market sector.
Stock Indices
Grant Park’s primary equity exposure is due to equity price risk in the G-7 countries as well as other jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, South, Africa, India, Turkey, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia. The stock index futures contracts currently traded by Grant Park are generally futures on broadly based indices, although Grant Park also trades narrow-based stock index or single-stock futures contracts. As of September 30, 2012, Grant Park was predominantly long equities in the U.S., Eurozone, U.K., Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Mexico, China, Japan, Sweden, South Africa, Turkey, Canada, Australia, and India.
Interest Rates
Interest rate risk is a principal market exposure of Grant Park. Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the futures positions held by Grant Park and indirectly affect the value of its stock index and currency positions. Interest rate movements in one country as well as relative interest rate movements between countries materially impact Grant Park’s profitability. Grant Park’s primary interest rate exposure is due to interest rate fluctuations in the United States and the other G-7 countries. Grant Park also takes futures positions on the government debt of smaller nations, such as Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Mexico. The general partner anticipates that G-7 interest rates will remain the primary market exposure of Grant Park for the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2012, Grant Park was predominantly long interest rate instruments in the U.S., Australia, U.K., Canada, Singapore, Japan, and the Eurozone.
Currencies
Exchange rate risk is a significant market exposure of Grant Park. Grant Park’s currency exposure is due to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations that disrupt the historical pricing relationships between different currencies and currency pairs. These fluctuations are influenced by interest rate changes as well as political and general economic conditions. Grant Park trades in a large number of currencies, including cross-rates, which are positions between two currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The general partner anticipates that the currency sector will remain one of the primary market exposures for Grant Park for the foreseeable future. As of September 30, 2012, Grant Park was long the U.S. dollar against the Swiss franc and short the U.S. dollar against the Australian dollar, the British pound, the Canadian dollar, the euro, the Japanese yen, the Mexican peso, and the New Zealand dollar. In general, a weaker U.S. dollar against most major currencies would benefit Grant Park.
Metals
Grant Park’s metals market exposure is due to fluctuations in the price of both precious metals, including gold and silver, as well as base metals, including aluminum, lead, copper, tin, nickel, and zinc. As of September 30, 2012, in the precious metals sector Grant Park had long positions in platinum, palladium, silver, and gold. In the base metals markets, Grant Park was long tin, copper,
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lead, nickel, zinc, and aluminum.
Energy
Grant Park’s primary energy market exposure is due to gas and oil price movements, often resulting from political developments in the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, and South America. As of September 30, 2012, the energy market exposure of Grant Park was predominantly long gasoline Blendstock, Brent oil, gas oil, heating oil, kerosene, and natural gas, and short the Phelix Baseload, IPE gas and WTI crude markets. Energy prices can be volatile and substantial profits and losses have been and are expected to continue to be experienced in these markets.
Grains/Foods/Industrials
Grant Park’s primary commodities exposure is due to agricultural price movements, which are often directly affected by severe or unexpected weather conditions as well as other factors. As of September 30, 2012, in the grains markets, Grant Park had long positions in the soybean meal, soybeans, corn, canola, wheat, and oat markets, and short the soybean oil and rough rice markets. In the livestock markets, Grant Park was short lean hogs, feeder cattle and live cattle. In the foods/industrials markets, Grant Park was long cocoa and short coffee, orange juice, sugar, lumber, rubber, and cotton.
Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following were the only non-trading risk exposures of Grant Park as of September 30, 2012.
Foreign Currency Balances
Grant Park’s primary foreign currency balances are in Japanese yen, British pounds, euros and Australian dollars. The trading advisors regularly convert foreign currency balances to U.S. dollars in an attempt to control Grant Park’s non-trading risk.
Managing Risk Exposure
The general partner monitors and controls Grant Park’s risk exposure on a daily basis through financial, credit and risk management monitoring systems and, accordingly, believes that it has effective procedures for evaluating and limiting the credit and market risks to which Grant Park is subject.
The general partner monitors Grant Park’s performance and the concentration of its open positions and consults with the trading advisors concerning Grant Park’s overall risk profile. If the general partner felt it necessary to do so, the general partner could require the trading advisors to close out individual positions as well as enter positions traded on behalf of Grant Park. However, any intervention would be a highly unusual event. The general partner primarily relies on the trading advisors’ own risk control policies while maintaining a general supervisory overview of Grant Park’s market risk exposures. The trading advisors apply their own risk management policies to their trading. The trading advisors often follow diversification guidelines, margin limits and stop loss points to exit a position. The trading advisors’ research of risk management often suggests ongoing modifications to their trading programs.
As part of the general partner’s risk management, the general partner periodically meets with the trading advisors to discuss their risk management and to look for any material changes to the trading advisors’ portfolio balance and trading techniques. The trading advisors are required to notify the general partner of any material changes to their programs.
General
From time to time, certain regulatory or self-regulatory organizations have proposed increased margin requirements on futures contracts. Because Grant Park generally will use a small percentage of assets as margin, Grant Park does not believe that any increase in margin requirements, as proposed, will have a material effect on Grant Park’s operations.
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the general partner carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the general partner’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Grant Park’s disclosure controls and procedures as contemplated by Rule 13a-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on, and as of the date of that evaluation, the general partner’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that Grant Park’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective, in all material respects, in timely alerting them to material information relating to Grant Park required to be included in the reports required to be filed or submitted by Grant Park with the SEC under the Exchange Act.
There was no change in Grant Park’s internal control over financial reporting in the quarter ended September 30, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Grant Park’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II- OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors relating to Grant Park from those previously disclosed in Grant Park’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, in response to Item 1A to Part 1 of Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) None.
(b) None.
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
(c) The following table provides information regarding the total Class A, Class B, Legacy 1 Class, Legacy 2 Class, Global 1 Class, Global 2 Class and Global 3 Class units redeemed by Grant Park during the three months ended September 30, 2012.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | Total Number of Class A Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Class B Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Legacy 1 Class Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Legacy 2 Class Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Global 1 Class Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Global 2 Class Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Global 3 Class Units Redeemed | | Weighted Average Price Paid per Unit | | Total Number of Units Redeemed as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs(1) | | Maximum Number of Units that May Yet Be Redeemed Under the Plans/ Program(1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7/1/2012 through 7/31/2012 | | 276.54 | | $ | 1,336.08 | | 4,640.78 | | $ | 1,128.93 | | 10.74 | | $ | 952.81 | | 104.26 | | $ | 941.24 | | 188.74 | | $ | 917.77 | | 274.47 | | $ | 907.52 | | 2,123.36 | | $ | 853.46 | | 7,618.89 | | | (2) |
8/1/2012 through 8/31/2012 | | 106.02 | | $ | 1,318.66 | | 5,841.40 | | $ | 1,113.58 | | 34.92 | | $ | 942.31 | | 681.07 | | $ | 930.67 | | 368.27 | | $ | 907.20 | | 392.06 | | $ | 897.01 | | 2,479.12 | | $ | 842.32 | | 9,902.86 | | | (2) |
9/1/2012 through 9/30/2012 | | 414.51 | | $ | 1,290.54 | | 6,348.35 | | $ | 1,089.24 | | 0.00 | | $ | 924.16 | | 549.30 | | $ | 912.61 | | 180.86 | | $ | 890.43 | | 906.78 | | $ | 880.41 | | 3,195.19 | | $ | 825.45 | | 11,594.99 | | | (2) |
Total | | 797.07 | | $ | 1,310.08 | | 16,830.53 | | $ | 1,108.63 | | 45.66 | | $ | 944.78 | | 1,334.63 | | $ | 924.06 | | 737.87 | | $ | 905.79 | | 1,573.31 | | $ | 889.28 | | 7,797.67 | | $ | 838.44 | | 29,116.74 | | | (2) |
(1) As previously disclosed, pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, investors in Grant Park may redeem their units for an amount equal to the net asset value per unit at the close of business on the last business day of any calendar month if at least 10 days prior to the redemption date, or at an earlier date if required by the investor’s selling agent, the general partner receives a written request for redemption from the investor. Generally, redemptions are paid in the month subsequent to the month requested. The general partner may permit earlier redemptions in its discretion.
(2) Not determinable.
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Item 6. Exhibits
| (a) | Exhibits |
| | |
| | 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| | | |
| | 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
| | | |
| | 32.1 | Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | | |
| | 101.1 | The following financial statements from the Partnership’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition; (ii) Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value); and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.+ |
+ In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101.1 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 11 and Section 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections.
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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 its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| GRANT PARK FUTURES FUND |
| LIMITED PARTNERSHIP |
| | |
| | |
Date: November 14, 2012 | by: | Dearborn Capital Management, L.L.C. |
| | its general partner |
| | |
| | By: | /s/ David M. Kavanagh |
| | | David M. Kavanagh |
| | | President |
| | | (principal executive officer) |
| | | |
| | By: | /s/ Maureen O’Rourke |
| | | Maureen O’Rourke |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
| | | (principal financial and accounting officer) |
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