UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
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x | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended: June 30, 2021
Or
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o | Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
Commission File Number: 000-50725
NESTOR PARTNERS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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New Jersey | | 22-2149317 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
c/o MILLBURN RIDGEFIELD CORPORATION
55 West 46th Street, 31st Floor
New York, NY 10036
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(212) 332-7300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
none | none | none |
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, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company x |
| Emerging growth company o |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes o NaN x
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PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
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ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
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Nestor Partners |
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Financial statements |
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For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited) |
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Statements of Financial Condition (a) |
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Condensed Schedules of Investments (a) |
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Statements of Operations (b) |
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Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (c) |
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| 8 |
Statements of Financial Highlights (b) |
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Notes to the Financial Statements |
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| 10 |
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(a) At June 30, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020 |
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(b) For the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited) |
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(c) For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited) |
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Nestor Partners |
Statements of Financial Condition |
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| June 30, 2021 (unaudited) |
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| December 31, 2020 |
ASSETS |
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EQUITY IN TRADING ACCOUNTS: |
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Investments in U.S. Treasury notes − at fair value |
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(amortized cost $18,796,892 and $16,975,256) | $ | 18,797,355 |
| $ | 16,975,076 |
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures and forward |
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currency contracts |
| 693,171 |
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| 3,349,977 |
Due from brokers, net |
| 7,137,519 |
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| 3,504,342 |
Cash denominated in foreign currencies (cost $7,676,279 |
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and $3,606,813) |
| 7,606,905 |
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| 3,778,714 |
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Total equity in trading accounts |
| 34,234,950 |
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| 27,608,109 |
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INVESTMENTS IN U.S. TREASURY NOTES − at fair value |
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(amortized cost $81,559,004 and $84,618,660) |
| 81,556,227 |
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| 84,609,461 |
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS |
| 13,361,604 |
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| 9,230,173 |
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ACCRUED INTEREST RECEIVABLE |
| 633,516 |
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| 727,283 |
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TOTAL | $ | 129,786,297 |
| $ | 122,175,026 |
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LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL |
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LIABILITIES: |
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Net unrealized depreciation on open futures and forward |
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currency contracts | $ | 3,553,476 |
| $ | 22,579 |
Accrued brokerage fees |
| 177,286 |
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| 194,550 |
Due to brokers, net |
| - |
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| 61 |
Accrued expenses |
| 62,369 |
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| 10,749 |
Capital withdrawals payable to Limited Partners |
| 209,589 |
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| 3,397,887 |
Capital withdrawals payable to General Partner |
| - |
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| 271 |
Accrued profit share |
| 9,377 |
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| - |
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Total liabilities |
| 4,012,097 |
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| 3,626,097 |
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PARTNERS' CAPITAL |
| 125,774,200 |
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| 118,548,929 |
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TOTAL | $ | 129,786,297 |
| $ | 122,175,026 |
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See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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Nestor Partners |
Condensed Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2021 (unaudited) |
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Futures and Forward Currency Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) as a % of Partners' Capital |
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| Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
FUTURES CONTRACTS |
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Long futures contracts: |
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Energies | 0.45 | % | $ | 567,109 |
Interest rates: |
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5 Year U.S. Treasury Note (76 contracts, settlement date September 2021) | 0.01 |
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| 7,594 |
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note (260 contracts, settlement date September 2021) | 0.05 |
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| 58,594 |
30 Year U.S. Treasury Bond (130 contracts, settlement date September 2021) | 0.10 |
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| 120,063 |
Other | 0.43 |
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| 560,443 |
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Total interest rates | 0.59 |
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| 746,694 |
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Livestock | 0.01 |
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| 7,790 |
Metals | (0.16) |
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| (199,477) |
Softs | 0.01 |
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| 10,232 |
Stock indices | (0.07) |
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| (83,497) |
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Total long futures contracts | 0.83 |
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| 1,048,851 |
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Short futures contracts: |
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Energies | (0.00) |
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| (424) |
Grains | (0.61) |
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| (773,409) |
Interest rates |
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2 Year U.S. Treasury Note (363 contracts, settlement date September 2021) | 0.02 |
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| 30,742 |
Other | 0.04 |
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| 48,907 |
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Total interest rates | 0.06 |
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| 79,649 |
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Livestock | (0.00) |
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| (200) |
Metals | 0.20 |
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| 246,393 |
Softs | (0.01) |
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| (16,867) |
Stock indices | 0.09 |
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| 109,178 |
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Total short futures contracts | (0.27) |
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| (355,680) |
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS − Net | 0.56 |
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| 693,171 |
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS |
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Total long forward currency contracts | (7.19) |
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| (9,038,356) |
Total short forward currency contracts | 4.36 |
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| 5,484,880 |
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN FORWARD CURRENCY |
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CONTRACTS − Net | (2.83) |
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| (3,553,476) |
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TOTAL | (2.27) | % | $ | (2,860,305) |
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| (Continued) |
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Nestor Partners |
Condensed Schedule of Investments |
June 30, 2021 (unaudited) |
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| U.S. TREASURY NOTES |
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| Face Amount | Description | Fair Value as a % of Partners' Capital |
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| Fair Value |
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$ | 24,470,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.750%, 08/15/2021 | 19.52 | % | $ | 24,552,681 |
| 47,840,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.000%, 11/15/2021 | 38.31 |
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| 48,187,588 |
| 27,200,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.500%, 02/15/2022 | 21.96 |
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| 27,613,313 |
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| TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN U.S. TREASURY |
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| NOTES (amortized cost $100,355,896) | 79.79 | % | $ | 100,353,582 |
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| See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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| (Concluded) |
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Nestor Partners |
Condensed Schedule of Investments |
December 31, 2020 |
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Futures and Forward Currency Contracts | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) as a % of Partners' Capital |
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| Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) |
FUTURES CONTRACTS |
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Long futures contracts: |
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Energies | 0.13 | % | $ | 148,740 |
Grains | 0.51 |
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| 600,650 |
Interest rates: |
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2 Year U.S. Treasury Note (71 contracts, settlement date March 2021) | 0.00 |
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| 2,281 |
5 Year U.S. Treasury Note (426 contracts, settlement date March 2021) | 0.04 |
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| 41,976 |
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note (351 contracts, settlement date March 2021) | 0.03 |
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| 34,219 |
30 Year U.S. Treasury Bond (99 contracts, settlement date March 2021) | 0.02 |
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| 18,469 |
Other | 0.23 |
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| 277,026 |
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Total interest rates | 0.32 |
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| 373,971 |
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Metals | 0.88 |
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| 1,055,682 |
Softs | 0.05 |
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| 63,371 |
Stock indices | 0.69 |
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| 813,187 |
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Total long futures contracts | 2.58 |
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| 3,055,601 |
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Short futures contracts: |
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Energies | 0.08 |
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| 100,090 |
Grains | (0.05) |
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| (58,775) |
Interest rates | (0.00) |
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| (4,342) |
Livestock | (0.00) |
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| (2,970) |
Metals | (0.16) |
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| (186,813) |
Softs | (0.02) |
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| (20,954) |
Stock indices | 0.11 |
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| 131,299 |
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Total short futures contracts | (0.04) |
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| (42,465) |
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN FUTURES CONTRACTS − Net | 2.54 |
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| 3,013,136 |
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS |
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Total long forward currency contracts | 1.45 |
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| 1,716,305 |
Total short forward currency contracts | (1.18) |
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| (1,402,043) |
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TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN FORWARD CURRENCY |
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CONTRACTS − Net | 0.27 |
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| 314,262 |
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TOTAL | 2.81 | % | $ | 3,327,398 |
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| (Continued) |
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Nestor Partners |
Condensed Schedule of Investments |
December 31, 2020 |
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| U.S. TREASURY NOTES |
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| Face Amount | Description | Fair Value as a % of Partners' Capital |
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| Fair Value |
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$ | 49,140,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.250%, 02/15/2021 | 41.55 | % | $ | 49,264,769 |
| 27,200,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.625%, 05/15/2021 | 23.16 |
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| 27,450,219 |
| 24,470,000 | U.S. Treasury notes, 2.750%, 08/15/2021 | 20.98 |
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| 24,869,549 |
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| TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN U.S. TREASURY |
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| NOTES (amortized cost $101,593,916) | 85.69 | % | $ | 101,584,537 |
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| See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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| (Concluded) |
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Nestor Partners |
Statements of Operations (unaudited) |
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| For the three months ended |
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| June 30, 2021 |
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| June 30, 2020 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
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Interest income, net | $ | 11,778 |
| $ | 376,269 |
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EXPENSES: |
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Brokerage fees |
| 714,130 |
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| 759,960 |
Administrative expenses |
| 76,412 |
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| 91,829 |
Custody fees and other expenses |
| 5,185 |
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| 6,434 |
Total expenses |
| 795,727 |
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| 858,223 |
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NET INVESTMENT LOSS |
| (783,949) |
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| (481,954) |
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NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES): |
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Net realized gains (losses) on closed positions: |
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Futures and forward currency contracts |
| 12,636,224 |
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| 6,798,704 |
Foreign exchange transactions |
| 39,568 |
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| (508) |
Net change in unrealized: |
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Futures and forward currency contracts |
| (2,830,943) |
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| (3,264,545) |
Foreign exchange translation |
| (32,715) |
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| 33,936 |
Net gains (losses) from U.S. Treasury notes: |
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Realized |
| - |
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| 9,666 |
Net change in unrealized |
| (21,535) |
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| (403,222) |
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Total net realized and unrealized gains |
| 9,790,599 |
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| 3,174,031 |
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NET INCOME |
| 9,006,650 |
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| 2,692,077 |
LESS PROFIT SHARE TO GENERAL PARTNER |
| 9,140 |
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| - |
NET INCOME AFTER PROFIT SHARE TO |
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GENERAL PARTNER | $ | 8,997,510 |
| $ | 2,692,077 |
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See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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Nestor Partners |
Statements of Operations (unaudited) |
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| For the six months ended |
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| June 30, 2021 |
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| June 30, 2020 |
INVESTMENT INCOME: |
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Interest income, net | $ | 20,428 |
| $ | 1,019,762 |
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EXPENSES: |
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Brokerage fees |
| 1,393,392 |
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| 1,639,556 |
Administrative expenses |
| 149,943 |
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| 188,087 |
Custody fees and other expenses |
| 10,412 |
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| 13,429 |
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Total expenses |
| 1,553,747 |
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| 1,841,072 |
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NET INVESTMENT LOSS |
| (1,533,319) |
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| (821,310) |
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NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES): |
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Net realized gains (losses) on closed positions: |
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Futures and forward currency contracts |
| 20,287,284 |
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| (23,239,263) |
Foreign exchange transactions |
| 87,708 |
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| (157,412) |
Net change in unrealized: |
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Futures and forward currency contracts |
| (6,187,703) |
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| 761,089 |
Foreign exchange translation |
| (241,275) |
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| (162,543) |
Net gains (losses) from U.S. Treasury notes: |
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Realized |
| (366) |
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| 103,328 |
Net change in unrealized |
| 7,065 |
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| 117,980 |
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Total net realized and unrealized gains (losses) |
| 13,952,713 |
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| (22,576,821) |
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NET INCOME (LOSS) |
| 12,419,394 |
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| (23,398,131) |
LESS PROFIT SHARE TO GENERAL PARTNER |
| 9,377 |
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| 60 |
NET INCOME (LOSS) AFTER PROFIT SHARE TO |
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GENERAL PARTNER | $ | 12,410,017 |
| $ | (23,398,191) |
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See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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| (Concluded) |
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Nestor Partners |
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (unaudited) |
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For the six months ended June 30, 2021: |
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| Limited Partners |
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| Special Limited Partners |
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| New Profit Memo Account |
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| General Partner |
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| Total |
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PARTNERS' CAPITAL- |
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January 1, 2021 | $ | 59,408,722 |
| $ | 56,659,557 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 2,480,650 |
| $ | 118,548,929 |
Contributions |
| - |
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| - |
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| - |
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| - |
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| - |
Withdrawals |
| (4,899,410) |
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| (285,336) |
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| - |
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| - |
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| (5,184,746) |
Reclass (1) |
| 138,837 |
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| (138,837) |
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| - |
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| - |
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Net income |
| 5,610,025 |
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| 6,518,721 |
|
| - |
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| 290,648 |
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| 12,419,394 |
General Partner's allocation: |
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New Profit-Accrued |
| (9,377) |
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| - |
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| - |
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| - |
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| (9,377) |
PARTNERS' CAPITAL- |
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June 30, 2021 | $ | 60,248,797 |
| $ | 62,754,105 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 2,771,298 |
| $ | 125,774,200 |
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For the six months ended June 30, 2020: |
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| Limited Partners |
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| Special Limited Partners |
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| New Profit Memo Account |
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| General Partner |
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| Total |
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PARTNERS' CAPITAL- |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January 1, 2020 | $ | 87,909,416 |
| $ | 64,314,240 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 2,703,294 |
| $ | 154,926,950 |
Contributions |
| 3,710,000 |
|
| - |
|
| 60 |
|
| - |
|
| 3,710,060 |
Withdrawals |
| (7,250,577) |
|
| (1,373,557) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (8,624,134) |
Net loss |
| (13,944,648) |
|
| (9,074,835) |
|
| (9) |
|
| (378,639) |
|
| (23,398,131) |
General Partner's allocation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Profit-Accrued |
| (60) |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (60) |
PARTNERS' CAPITAL- |
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|
|
|
June 30, 2020 | $ | 70,424,131 |
| $ | 53,865,848 |
| $ | 51 |
| $ | 2,324,655 |
| $ | 126,614,685 |
|
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(1) Partner reclass from Special Limited Partner to Limited Partner |
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See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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Nestor Partners |
Statements of Financial Highlights (unaudited) |
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For the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 |
| Limited Partners |
|
| Special Limited Partners |
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| 2021 |
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| 2020 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2020 |
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Ratios to average capital: |
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|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) (a) |
|
| (3.95) | % |
| (2.75) | % |
| (1.18) | % |
| 0.20 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Total expenses (a) |
|
| 3.99 | % |
| 3.93 | % |
| 1.22 | % |
| 0.97 | % |
Profit share allocation (b) (c) |
|
| 0.02 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
Total expenses and profit share allocation |
| 4.01 | % |
| 3.93 | % |
| 1.22 | % |
| 0.97 | % |
|
|
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|
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Total return before profit share allocation (b) |
| 7.25 | % |
| 1.81 | % |
| 7.99 | % |
| 2.56 | % |
Less: profit share allocation (b) (c) |
|
| 0.02 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
Total return after profit share allocation |
| 7.23 | % |
| 1.81 | % |
| 7.99 | % |
| 2.56 | % |
|
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(a) annualized |
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(b) not annualized |
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(c) in instances of 0.00, value is less than 0.01 when rounded to two decimal places |
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For the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 |
| Limited Partners |
|
| Special Limited Partners |
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| 2021 |
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| 2020 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2020 |
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Ratios to average capital: |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income (loss) (a) |
|
| (3.95) | % |
| (2.46) | % |
| (1.14) | % |
| 0.45 | % |
|
|
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Total expenses (a) |
|
| 3.99 | % |
| 3.95 | % |
| 1.18 | % |
| 1.03 | % |
Profit share allocation (b) (c) |
|
| 0.02 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
Total expenses and profit share allocation |
| 4.01 | % |
| 3.95 | % |
| 1.18 | % |
| 1.03 | % |
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Total return before profit share allocation (b) |
| 9.94 | % |
| (15.38) | % |
| 11.49 | % |
| (14.14) | % |
Less: profit share allocation (b) (c) |
|
| 0.02 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
| 0.00 | % |
Total return after profit share allocation |
| 9.92 | % |
| (15.38) | % |
| 11.49 | % |
| (14.14) | % |
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(a) annualized |
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(b) not annualized |
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(c) in instances of 0.00, value is less than 0.01 when rounded to two decimal places |
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See notes to financial statements (unaudited) |
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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accompanying financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of Nestor Partners’ (the “Partnership”) financial condition at June 30, 2021(unaudited) and December 31, 2020 (audited) and the results of its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (unaudited). These financial statements present the results of interim periods and do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes included in the Partnership's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended December 31, 2020. The December 31, 2020 information has been derived from the audited financial statements as of December 31, 2020.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”), requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Partnership enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnification provisions. The Partnership’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. The Partnership does not anticipate recognizing any loss related to these arrangements.
Income Taxes (Topic 740) of the Codification clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This requires that the Partnership recognize in its financial statements the impact of any uncertain tax positions. Based on a review of the Partnership’s open tax years, 2017 to 2020, Millburn Ridgefield Corporation (the “General Partner”) has determined that no reserves for uncertain tax positions were required.
Investment Company Status: The Partnership is for U.S. GAAP purposes an investment company in accordance with FASB Codification 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
There have been no material changes with respect to the Partnership's critical accounting policies, off-balance sheet arrangements or disclosure of contractual obligations as reported in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2020.
2. FAIR VALUE
Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820) of the Codification defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
Level 2: Quoted prices in markets that are not active or financial instruments for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3: Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
In determining fair value, the Partnership separates its investments into two categories: cash instruments and derivative contracts.
Cash Instruments – The Partnership’s cash instruments are generally classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they are typically valued using quoted market prices. The types of instruments valued based on quoted market prices in active markets include U.S. government obligations and an investment in a quoted short-term U.S. government securities money market fund. The General Partner does not adjust the quoted price for such instruments even in situations where the Partnership holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.
Derivative Contracts – Derivative contracts can be exchange-traded or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded futures contracts are valued based on quoted closing settlement prices and typically fall within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Spot currency contracts are valued based on current market prices (“Spot Price”). Forward currency contracts are valued based on pricing models that consider the Spot Price, plus the financing cost or benefit (“Forward Point”). Forward Points from the quotation service providers are generally in periods of one month, two months, three months, six months, nine months and twelve months forward while the contractual forward delivery dates for the forward currency contracts traded by the Partnership may be in between these periods. The General Partner’s policy to determine fair value for forward currency contracts involves first calculating the number of months from the date the forward currency contract is being valued to its maturity date (“Months to Maturity”), then identifying the forward currency contracts for the two forward months that are closest to the Months to Maturity (“Forward Month Contracts”). Linear interpolation is then performed between the dates of these two Forward Month Contracts to calculate the interpolated Forward Point. Model inputs can generally be verified and model selection does not involve significant management judgment. Such instruments are typically classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, there were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2. The following tables represent the Partnership’s investments by hierarchical level as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 in valuing the Partnership’s investments at fair value. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Partnership held no assets or liabilities in Level 3.
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Financial assets and liabilities at fair value as of June 30, 2021 |
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|
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|
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| Level 1 |
|
| Level 2 |
|
| Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes (1) | $ | 100,353,582 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 100,353,582 |
Short-Term Money Market Fund* |
| 13,111,604 |
|
| - |
|
| 13,111,604 |
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies |
| 566,685 |
|
| - |
|
| 566,685 |
Grains |
| (773,409) |
|
| - |
|
| (773,409) |
Interest rates |
| 826,343 |
|
| - |
|
| 826,343 |
Livestock |
| 7,590 |
|
| - |
|
| 7,590 |
Metals |
| 46,916 |
|
| - |
|
| 46,916 |
Softs |
| (6,635) |
|
| - |
|
| (6,635) |
Stock indices |
| 25,681 |
|
| - |
|
| 25,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total exchange-traded futures contracts |
| 693,171 |
|
| - |
|
| 693,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over-the-Counter Forward Currency Contracts |
| - |
|
| (3,553,476) |
|
| (3,553,476) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total futures and forward currency contracts (2) |
| 693,171 |
|
| (3,553,476) |
|
| (2,860,305) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total financial assets and liabilities at fair value | $ | 114,158,357 |
| $ | (3,553,476) |
| $ | 110,604,881 |
|
|
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|
Per line item in the Statements of Financial Condition |
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Investments in U.S. Treasury notes held in equity trading accounts as collateral |
|
|
| $ | 18,797,355 |
Investments in U.S. Treasury notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 81,556,227 |
Total investments in U.S. Treasury notes |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 100,353,582 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
| $ | 693,171 |
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
|
| (3,553,476) |
Total net unrealized depreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
| $ | (2,860,305) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*The short-term money market fund is included in Cash and Cash Equivalents in the Statements of Financial Condition. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Financial assets and liabilities at fair value as of December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Level 1 |
|
| Level 2 |
|
| Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Treasury Notes (1) | $ | 101,584,537 |
| $ | - |
| $ | 101,584,537 |
Short-Term Money Market Fund* |
| 8,980,173 |
|
| - |
|
| 8,980,173 |
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies |
| 248,830 |
|
| - |
|
| 248,830 |
Grains |
| 541,875 |
|
| - |
|
| 541,875 |
Interest rates |
| 369,629 |
|
| - |
|
| 369,629 |
Livestock |
| (2,970) |
|
| - |
|
| (2,970) |
Metals |
| 868,869 |
|
| - |
|
| 868,869 |
Softs |
| 42,417 |
|
| - |
|
| 42,417 |
Stock indices |
| 944,486 |
|
| - |
|
| 944,486 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total exchange-traded futures contracts |
| 3,013,136 |
|
| - |
|
| 3,013,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Over-the-Counter Forward Currency Contracts |
| - |
|
| 314,262 |
|
| 314,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total futures and forward currency contracts (2) |
| 3,013,136 |
|
| 314,262 |
|
| 3,327,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total financial assets and liabilities at fair value | $ | 113,577,846 |
| $ | 314,262 |
| $ | 113,892,108 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Per line item in Statements of Financial Condition |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investments in U.S. Treasury notes held in equity trading accounts as collateral |
| $ | 16,975,076 |
Investments in U.S. Treasury notes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 84,609,461 |
Total investments in U.S. Treasury notes |
|
|
|
|
|
| $ | 101,584,537 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
| $ | 3,349,977 |
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
|
| (22,579) |
Total net unrealized appreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts |
| $ | 3,327,398 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*The short-term money market fund is included in Cash and Cash Equivalents on the Statements of Financial Condition. |
3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) of the Codification requires qualitative disclosure 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 market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Partnership’s open positions, and the liquidity of the markets in which it trades.
The Partnership engages in the speculative trading of futures and forward contracts on currencies, energies, grains, interest rates, livestock, metals, softs and stock indices. The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the Partnership at June 30, 2021, by market sector:
Agricultural (grains, livestock and softs) – The Partnership’s primary exposure is to agricultural price movements which are often directly affected by severe or unexpected weather conditions as well as supply and demand factors.
Currencies – Exchange rate risk is a principal market exposure of the Partnership. The Partnership’s currency exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations which disrupt the historical pricing relationships between different currencies and currency pairs. The fluctuations are influenced by interest rate changes, as well as political and general economic conditions. The Partnership trades in a large number of currencies, including cross-rates—e.g., positions between two currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Energies – The Partnership’s primary energy market exposure is to gas and oil price movements often resulting from political developments in the oil producing countries and economic conditions worldwide. Energy prices are volatile and substantial profits and losses have been and are expected to continue to be experienced in this market.
Interest rates – Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the sovereign bond futures positions held by the Partnership and indirectly the value of its stock index and currency positions. Interest rate movements in one country, as well as relative interest rate movements between countries, may materially impact the Partnership’s profitability. The Partnership’s primary interest rate exposure is to interest rate fluctuations in countries or regions, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the U.S., and the Eurozone. However, the Partnership also may take positions in futures contracts on the government debt of other nations. The General Partner anticipates that interest rates in these industrialized countries or areas, both long-term and short-term, will remain the primary interest rate market exposure of the Partnership for the foreseeable future.
Metals – The Partnership’s metals market exposure is to fluctuations in the price of aluminum, copper, gold, lead, nickel, platinum, silver, tin and zinc.
Stock indices – The Partnership’s equity exposure, through stock index futures, is to equity price risk in the major industrialized countries, as well as other countries.
Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) of the Codification requires entities to recognize in the Statements of Financial Condition all derivative contracts as assets or liabilities. Fair values of futures and forward currency contracts in an asset position by counterparty are recorded in the Statements of Financial Condition as “Net unrealized appreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts.” Fair values of futures and forward currency contracts in a liability position by counterparty are recorded in the Statements of Financial Condition as “Net unrealized depreciation on open futures and forward currency contracts.” The Partnership’s policy regarding fair value measurement is discussed in the Fair Value note, contained herein.
Since the derivatives held or sold by the Partnership are for speculative trading purposes, the derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments under the provisions of the Derivatives and Hedging guidance. Accordingly, all realized gains and losses, as well as any change in net unrealized gains or losses on open positions from the preceding period, are recognized as part of the Partnership’s trading gains and losses in the Statements of Operations.
The following tables present the fair value of open futures and forward currency contracts, held long or sold short, at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Fair value is presented on a gross basis even though the contracts are subject to master netting agreements and qualify for net presentation in the Statements of Financial Condition.
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|
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|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Fair Value of Futures and Forward Currency Contracts at June 30, 2021 |
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Net Unrealized |
|
| Fair Value - Long Positions |
|
| Fair Value - Short Positions |
|
| Gain (Loss) on |
Sector |
| Gains |
|
| Losses |
|
| Gains |
|
| Losses |
|
| Open Positions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies | $ | 676,120 |
| $ | (109,011) |
| $ | - |
| $ | (424) |
| $ | 566,685 |
Grains |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| (773,409) |
|
| (773,409) |
Interest rates |
| 868,545 |
|
| (121,851) |
|
| 84,738 |
|
| (5,089) |
|
| 826,343 |
Livestock |
| 7,790 |
|
| - |
|
| 780 |
|
| (980) |
|
| 7,590 |
Metals |
| 477,449 |
|
| (676,926) |
|
| 707,931 |
|
| (461,538) |
|
| 46,916 |
Softs |
| 20,780 |
|
| (10,548) |
|
| 1,903 |
|
| (18,770) |
|
| (6,635) |
Stock indices |
| 93,590 |
|
| (177,087) |
|
| 120,395 |
|
| (11,217) |
|
| 25,681 |
Total futures contracts |
| 2,144,274 |
|
| (1,095,423) |
|
| 915,747 |
|
| (1,271,427) |
|
| 693,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward currency contracts |
| 382,142 |
|
| (9,420,498) |
|
| 6,223,088 |
|
| (738,208) |
|
| (3,553,476) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total futures and |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
forward currency contracts | $ | 2,526,416 |
| $ | (10,515,921) |
| $ | 7,138,835 |
| $ | (2,009,635) |
| $ | (2,860,305) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value of Futures and Forward Currency Contracts at December 31, 2020 |
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| Net Unrealized |
|
| Fair Value - Long Positions |
|
| Fair Value - Short Positions |
|
| Gain (Loss) on |
Sector |
| Gains |
|
| Losses |
|
| Gains |
|
| Losses |
|
| Open Positions |
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Futures contracts: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies | $ | 171,561 |
| $ | (22,821) |
| $ | 147,200 |
| $ | (47,110) |
| $ | 248,830 |
Grains |
| 600,725 |
|
| (75) |
|
| - |
|
| (58,775) |
|
| 541,875 |
Interest rates |
| 451,704 |
|
| (77,733) |
|
| - |
|
| (4,342) |
|
| 369,629 |
Livestock |
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 350 |
|
| (3,320) |
|
| (2,970) |
Metals |
| 1,218,228 |
|
| (162,546) |
|
| 121,935 |
|
| (308,748) |
|
| 868,869 |
Softs |
| 63,528 |
|
| (157) |
|
| 260 |
|
| (21,214) |
|
| 42,417 |
Stock indices |
| 916,090 |
|
| (102,903) |
|
| 135,736 |
|
| (4,437) |
|
| 944,486 |
Total futures contracts |
| 3,421,836 |
|
| (366,235) |
|
| 405,481 |
|
| (447,946) |
|
| 3,013,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward currency contracts |
| 2,207,125 |
|
| (490,820) |
|
| 529,838 |
|
| (1,931,881) |
|
| 314,262 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total futures and |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
forward currency contracts | $ | 5,628,961 |
| $ | (857,055) |
| $ | 935,319 |
| $ | (2,379,827) |
| $ | 3,327,398 |
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The effect of trading futures and forward currency contracts is represented on the Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 as “Net realized gains (losses) on closed positions: Futures and forward currency contracts” and “Net change in unrealized: Futures and forward currency contracts.” These trading gains and losses are detailed below.
Trading gains (losses) of futures and forward currency contracts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020
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Sector |
| Three months ended: June 30, 2021 |
| Three months ended: June 30, 2020 |
| Six months ended: June 30, 2021 |
| Six months ended: June 30, 2020 |
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Futures contracts: |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies |
| $ | 3,534,999 |
| $ | (2,236,235) |
| $ | 4,564,877 |
| $ | 4,989,304 |
Grains |
|
| (691,533) |
|
| 280,667 |
|
| 319,229 |
|
| 819,571 |
Interest rates |
|
| 3,465,186 |
|
| 1,860,198 |
|
| 431,615 |
|
| (634,748) |
Livestock |
|
| 7,680 |
|
| (18,890) |
|
| (105,040) |
|
| 265,120 |
Metals |
|
| 1,519,098 |
|
| (366,924) |
|
| 1,200,347 |
|
| (426,901) |
Softs |
|
| (567,633) |
|
| (257,006) |
|
| (516,691) |
|
| (255,472) |
Stock indices |
|
| 3,851,614 |
|
| 3,598,235 |
|
| 10,560,865 |
|
| (28,814,853) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total futures contracts |
|
| 11,119,411 |
|
| 2,860,045 |
|
| 16,455,202 |
|
| (24,057,979) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward currency contracts |
|
| (1,314,130) |
|
| 674,114 |
|
| (2,355,621) |
|
| 1,579,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total futures and |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
forward currency contracts |
| $ | 9,805,281 |
| $ | 3,534,159 |
| $ | 14,099,581 |
| $ | (22,478,174) |
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The following table presents average notional value by sector of open futures and forward currency contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 in U.S. dollars. The Partnership’s average net asset value for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 was approximately $122,000,000 and $137,000,000, respectively.
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Average notional value by sector of futures and forward currency contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 |
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| 2021 |
|
| 2020 |
Sector |
|
| Long positions |
|
| Short positions |
|
| Long positions |
|
| Short positions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Futures contracts: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Energies |
| $ | 20,338,456 |
| $ | 1,169,006 |
| $ | 10,894,122 |
| $ | 7,052,201 |
Grains |
|
| 8,114,246 |
|
| 6,951,938 |
|
| 2,915,933 |
|
| 4,807,045 |
Interest rates |
|
| 307,020,576 |
|
| 18,831,771 |
|
| 145,964,175 |
|
| 72,365,293 |
Livestock |
|
| 294,540 |
|
| 486,967 |
|
| 197,170 |
|
| 6,537 |
Metals |
|
| 19,085,489 |
|
| 258,457 |
|
| 12,006,013 |
|
| 3,073,785 |
Softs |
|
| 1,321,607 |
|
| 1,778,462 |
|
| 1,026,203 |
|
| 1,226,488 |
Stock indices |
|
| 73,103,215 |
|
| 13,333,986 |
|
| 52,453,340 |
|
| 13,442,685 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total futures contracts |
|
| 429,278,129 |
|
| 42,810,587 |
|
| 225,456,956 |
|
| 101,974,034 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward currency contracts |
|
| 59,599,455 |
|
| 30,328,063 |
|
| 28,940,539 |
|
| 28,569,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
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Total futures and |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
forward currency contracts |
| $ | 488,877,584 |
| $ | 73,138,650 |
| $ | 254,397,495 |
| $ | 130,543,482 |
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Notional values in the interest rate sector were calculated by converting the notional value in local currency of open interest rate futures positions with maturities less than 10 years to 10-year equivalent fixed income instruments and translated to U.S. dollars at June 30, 2021 and 2020. The 10-year note is often used as a benchmark for many types of fixed-income instruments and the General Partner believes it is a more meaningful representation of notional values of the Partnership’s open interest rate positions.
The averages have been calculated based on the amounts outstanding at the end of each quarter during the calculation period.
The customer agreements between the Partnership, the futures clearing brokers, including Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG), BofA Securities, Inc. (formerly Merrill Lynch Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.) and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as well as the FX prime brokers, Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”) and Bank of America, N.A. (“BA”), give the Partnership the legal right to net unrealized gains and losses on open futures and foreign currency contracts. The Partnership ceased clearing futures trades through SG Americas Securities, LLC. during November 2020. The Partnership netted, for financial reporting purposes, the unrealized gains and losses on open futures and forward currency contracts on the Statements of Financial Condition as the criteria under Balance Sheet (Topic 210) of the codification were met.
The following tables present gross amounts of assets or liabilities which qualify for offset as presented in the Statements of Financial Condition as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
Offsetting derivative assets and liabilities at June 30, 2021 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
| Gross amounts of recognized assets |
|
| Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
Futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty C | $ | 636,219 |
| $ | (213,920) |
| $ | 422,299 |
Counterparty J |
| 428,420 |
|
| (409,769) |
|
| 18,651 |
Counterparty L |
| 1,995,382 |
|
| (1,743,161) |
|
| 252,221 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets | $ | 3,060,021 |
| $ | (2,366,850) |
| $ | 693,171 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
| Gross amounts of recognized liabilities |
|
| Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
Forward currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty G | $ | 3,677,919 |
| $ | (2,995,465) |
| $ | 682,454 |
Counterparty K |
| 6,480,787 |
|
| (3,609,765) |
|
| 2,871,022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities | $ | 10,158,706 |
| $ | (6,605,230) |
| $ | 3,553,476 |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Financial Instruments |
|
| Collateral Received(1)(2) |
|
| Net Amount(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty C |
| $ | 422,299 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (422,299) |
| $ | - |
Counterparty J |
|
| 18,651 |
|
| - |
|
| (18,651) |
|
| - |
Counterparty L |
|
| 252,221 |
|
| - |
|
| (252,221) |
|
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| $ | 693,171 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (693,171) |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Financial Instruments |
|
| Collateral Pledged(1)(2) |
|
| Net Amount(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty G |
| $ | 682,454 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (682,454) |
| $ | - |
Counterparty K |
|
| 2,871,022 |
|
| - |
|
| (2,871,022) |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| $ | 3,553,476 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (3,553,476) |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Collateral received includes trades made on exchanges. These trades are subject to central counterparty clearing where settlement is guaranteed |
by the exchange. Collateral pledged includes both cash and U.S. Treasury notes held at each respective counterparty. |
(2) Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets and liabilities presented in the Statement of |
Financial Condition for each respective counterparty. |
(3) Net amount represents the amount that is subject to loss in the event of a counterparty failure as of June 30, 2021. |
(4) Net amount represents the amounts owed by the Partnership to each counterparty as of June 30, 2021. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Offsetting derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets |
| Gross amounts of recognized assets |
|
| Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
Futures contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty C | $ | 856,082 |
| $ | (137,105) |
| $ | 718,977 |
Counterparty J |
| 667,834 |
|
| (91,621) |
|
| 576,213 |
Counterparty L |
| 2,303,401 |
|
| (585,455) |
|
| 1,717,946 |
Total futures contracts |
| 3,827,317 |
|
| (814,181) |
|
| 3,013,136 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forward currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty G |
| 1,263,361 |
|
| (926,520) |
|
| 336,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets | $ | 5,090,678 |
| $ | (1,740,701) |
| $ | 3,349,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (Continued) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities |
| Gross amounts of recognized liabilities |
|
| Gross amounts offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
Forward currency contracts |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty K |
| 1,496,181 |
|
| (1,473,602) |
|
| 22,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities | $ | 1,496,181 |
| $ | (1,473,602) |
| $ | 22,579 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| (Concluded) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
| Net amounts of assets presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Financial Instruments |
|
| Collateral Received(1)(2) |
|
| Net Amount(3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty C |
| $ | 718,977 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (718,977) |
| $ | - |
Counterparty G |
|
| 336,841 |
|
| - |
|
| - |
|
| 336,841 |
Counterparty J |
|
| 576,213 |
|
| - |
|
| (576,213) |
|
| - |
Counterparty L |
|
| 1,717,946 |
|
| - |
|
| (1,717,946) |
|
| - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| $ | 3,349,977 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (3,013,136) |
| $ | 336,841 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
|
|
Counterparty |
|
| Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
|
| Financial Instruments |
|
| Collateral Pledged(1)(2) |
|
| Net Amount(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Counterparty K |
| $ | 22,579 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (22,579) |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
| $ | 22,579 |
| $ | - |
| $ | (22,579) |
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Collateral received includes trades made on exchanges. These trades are subject to central counterparty clearing where settlement is guaranteed |
by the exchange. Collateral pledged includes both cash and U.S. Treasury notes held at each respective counterparty. |
(2) Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets presented in the Statement of Financial Condition |
for each respective counterparty. |
(3) Net amount represents the amount that is subject to loss in the event of a counterparty failure as of December 31, 2020. |
(4) Net amount represents the amounts owed by the Partnership to each counterparty as of December 31, 2020. |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Credit risk is the possibility that a loss may occur due to the failure of a counterparty to perform according to the terms of a contract. Credit risk is normally reduced to the extent that an exchange or clearing organization acts as a counterparty to futures transactions since typically the collective credit of the members of the exchange is pledged to support the financial integrity of the exchange.
The General Partner seeks to minimize credit risk primarily by depositing and maintaining the Partnership’s assets at financial institutions and trading counterparties which the General Partner believes to be creditworthy. In addition, for OTC forward currency contracts, the Partnership enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties. Collateral posted at the various counterparties for trading of futures and forward currency contracts includes cash and U.S. Treasury notes.
The Partnership’s forward currency trading activities are cleared through DB and BA. The Partnership’s concentration of credit risk associated with DB or BA nonperformance includes unrealized gains inherent in such contracts, which are recognized in the Statements of Financial Condition plus the value of margin or collateral held by DB and BA. The amount of such credit risk was $15,765,277 and $7,519,618 at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
4. PROFIT SHARE
The following table indicates the total profit share earned and accrued during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. Profit share earned (from Limited Partners’ redemptions) is credited to the New Profit Memo Account as defined in the Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Three months ended: |
|
|
| June 30, |
|
|
| June 30, |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
Profit share earned |
| $ | - |
|
|
| $ | - |
|
Reversal of profit share (1) |
|
| (237) |
|
|
|
| - |
|
Profit share accrued |
|
| 9,377 |
|
|
|
| - |
|
Total profit share |
| $ | 9,140 |
|
|
| $ | - |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Six months ended: |
|
|
| June 30, |
|
|
| June 30, |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
Profit share earned |
| $ | - |
|
|
| $ | 60 |
|
Profit share accrued |
|
| 9,377 |
|
|
|
| - |
|
Total profit share |
| $ | 9,377 |
|
|
| $ | 60 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) on April 1st |
|
5. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Limited partnership interests (“Interests”) sold through selling agents engaged by the General Partner are generally subject to a 2.5% redemption charge for redemptions made prior to the end of the twelfth month following their sale. All redemption charges will be paid to the General Partner. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, $0 was owed to the General Partner.
6. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The General Partner has performed its evaluation of subsequent events from July 1, 2021 to August 12, 2021, the date this form 10-Q was filed. Based on such evaluation, no events were discovered that required disclosure or adjustment to the financial statements.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Reference is made to Item 1, "Financial Statements." The information contained therein is essential to, and should be read in connection with, the following analysis.
OPERATIONAL OVERVIEW
Due to the nature of the Partnership's business, its results of operations depend on the General Partner's ability to recognize and capitalize on trends and other profit opportunities in different sectors of the global capital and commodity markets. The General Partner's investment and trading methods are confidential so that substantially the only information that can be furnished regarding the Partnership's results of operations is contained in the performance record of its trading. Unlike operating businesses, general economic or seasonal conditions do not directly affect the profit potential of the Partnership and its past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The General Partner believes, however, that there are certain market conditions, for example, markets with strong price trends, in which the Partnership has a better likelihood of being profitable than in others.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Interests may be offered for sale as of the beginning, and may be redeemed as of the end, of each month.
The amount of capital raised for the Partnership should not have a significant impact on its operations, as the Partnership has no significant capital expenditure or working capital requirements other than for monies to pay trading losses, brokerage commissions and charges. Within broad ranges of capitalization, the General Partner’s trading positions should increase or decrease in approximate proportion to the size of the Partnership.
The Partnership raises additional capital only through the sale of Interests and capital is increased through trading profits (if any). The Partnership does not engage in borrowing.
The Partnership trades futures, forward, and spot contracts on interest rate instruments, agricultural commodities, currencies, metals, energy and stock indices, and forward contracts on currencies, and may trade options on the foregoing and swaps thereon. Risk arises from changes in the value of these contracts (market risk) and the potential inability of counterparties or brokers to perform under the terms of their contracts (credit risk). Market risk is generally measured by the face amount of the futures positions acquired and the volatility of the markets traded. The credit risk from counterparty non-performance associated with these instruments is the net unrealized gain, if any, on these positions plus the value of the margin or collateral held by the counterparty. The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts are generally perceived to be less than those associated with OTC transactions because exchanges typically (but not universally) provide clearinghouse arrangements in which the collective credit (in some cases limited in amount, in some cases not) of the members of the exchange is pledged to support the financial integrity of the exchange. In most OTC transactions, on the other hand, traders must rely (typically but not universally) solely on the credit of their respective individual counterparties. Margins which may be subject to loss in the event of a default are generally required in exchange trading and counterparties may require margin or collateral in the OTC markets.
The General Partner has procedures in place to control market risk, although there can be no assurance that they will, in fact, succeed in doing so. These procedures primarily focus on (1) real time monitoring of open positions; (2) diversifying positions among various markets; (3) limiting the assets committed as margin or collateral, generally within a range of 5% to 35% of an account’s net assets, though the amount may at any time be higher; and (4) prohibiting pyramiding - that is, using unrealized profits in a particular market as margin for additional positions in the same market. The General Partner attempts to control credit risk by causing the Partnership to deal exclusively with large, well-capitalized financial institutions as brokers and counterparties.
The financial instruments traded by the Partnership contain varying degrees of off-balance sheet risk whereby changes in the market values of the futures, forward, and spot contracts or the Partnership’s satisfaction of the obligations may exceed the amount recognized in the Statements of Financial Condition of the Partnership.
Due to the nature of the Partnership’s business, substantially all its assets are represented by cash, cash equivalents, and U.S. government obligations while the Partnership maintains its market exposure through open futures, forward, and spot currency contract positions.
The Partnership’s futures contracts are settled by offset and are cleared by the exchange clearinghouse function. Open futures positions are marked to market each trading day and the Partnership’s trading accounts are debited or credited accordingly. Options on futures contracts are settled either by offset or by exercise. If an option on a future is exercised, the Partnership is assigned a position in the underlying future which is then settled by offset. The Partnership’s spot and forward currency transactions conducted in the interbank market are settled by netting offsetting positions or payment obligations and by cash payments.
The value of the Partnership’s cash and financial instruments is not materially affected by inflation. Changes in interest rates, which are often associated with inflation, could cause the value of certain of the Partnership’s debt securities to decline, but only to a limited extent. More importantly, changes in interest rates could cause periods of strong up or down market price trends during which the Partnership’s profit potential generally increases. However, inflation can also give rise to markets which have numerous short price trends followed by rapid reversals, markets in which the Partnership is likely to suffer losses.
The Partnership’s assets are generally held as cash or cash equivalents, including short-term U.S. government obligations, which are used to margin the Partnership’s futures, forward and spot currency positions and withdrawn, as necessary, to pay redemptions and expenses. Other than potential market-imposed limitations on liquidity, due, for example, to limited open interest in certain futures markets or to daily price fluctuation limits, which are inherent in the Partnership’s futures, forward and spot trading, the Partnership’s assets are highly liquid and are expected to remain so.
During its operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, the Partnership experienced no meaningful periods of illiquidity in any of the numerous markets traded by the General Partner.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The Partnership records its transactions in futures, forward and spot contracts, including related income and expenses, on a trade date basis. Open futures contracts traded on an exchange are valued at fair value, which is based on the closing settlement price on the exchange where the futures contract is traded by the Partnership on the day with respect to which net assets are being determined. Open spot currency contracts are valued based on the current Spot Price. Open forward currency contracts are recorded at fair value, based on pricing models that consider the Spot Price and Forward Point. Spot Prices and Forward Points for open forward currency contracts are generally based on the median of the average midpoint of bid/ask quotations at the last minute ending at 3:00 P.M. New York time provided by widely used quotation service providers on the day with respect to which net assets are being determined. Forward Points from the quotation service providers are generally in periods of one month, two months, three months, six months, nine months and twelve months forward while the contractual forward delivery dates for the forward currency contracts traded by the Partnership may be in between these periods. The General Partner’s policy to determine fair value for forward currency contracts involves first calculating the number of Months to Maturity, then identifying the Forward Month Contracts. Linear interpolation is then performed between the dates of these two Forward Month Contracts to calculate the interpolated Forward Point. The General Partner will also compare the calculated price to the forward currency prices provided by dealers to determine whether the calculated price is fair and reasonable.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, such as accrual of expenses, that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. Based on the nature of the business and operations of the Partnership, the General Partner believes that the estimates utilized in preparing the Partnership’s financial statements are appropriate and reasonable, however actual results could differ from these estimates. The estimates used do not provide a range of possible results that would require the exercise of subjective judgment. The General Partner further believes that, based on the nature of the business and operations of the Partnership, no other reasonable assumptions relating to the application of the Partnership’s critical accounting estimates other than those currently used would likely result in materially different amounts from those reported.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Due to the nature of the Partnership’s trading, the results of operations for the interim periods presented should not be considered indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.
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Periods ended June 30, 2021 |
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|
Month Ended: |
|
|
| Total Partners' Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2021 |
|
| $ | 125,774,200 |
March 31, 2021 |
|
|
| 118,471,908 |
December 31, 2020 |
|
|
| 118,548,929 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Three Months ended |
| Six Months ended |
Change in Partners' Capital | $ | 7,302,292 | $ | 7,225,271 |
Percent Change |
| 6.16% |
| 6.09% |
|
|
|
|
|
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
The increase in the Partnership’s net assets of $7,302,292 was attributable to net income after profit share of $8,997,510, which were partially offset by withdrawals of $1,695,218.
Brokerage fees are calculated on the net asset value on the last day of each month and are affected by trading performance, contributions and withdrawals. Brokerage fees for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $45,830 relative to the corresponding period in 2020. This decrease was due to a decrease in average net assets of the Partnership during the three months ended June 30, 2021, relative to the corresponding period in 2020.
Interest income is derived from cash and U.S. Treasury instruments held at the Partnership’s brokers and custodian. Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $364,491 relative to the corresponding period in 2020. This decrease was due predominantly to a decrease in short-term U.S. treasury yields during the three months ended June 30, 2021 relative to the corresponding period in 2020.
During the three months ended June 30, 2021, the Partnership experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $9,790,599 from its trading operations (including foreign exchange translations and U.S. Treasury notes). Brokerage fees of $714,130, administrative expenses of $76,412, custody fees and other expenses of $5,185 and accrued profit share to the General Partner of $9,140 were incurred. The Partnership’s gains achieved from trading operations, in addition to interest income of $11,778, were partially offset by the Partnership expenses resulting in net income after profit share to the General Partner of $8,997,510. An analysis of the trading gain (loss) by sector is as follows:
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|
|
|
|
Sector |
| % Gain (Loss) of Partnership Capital |
|
Currencies |
|
| (1.07) | % |
Energies |
|
| 2.88 | % |
Grains |
|
| (0.55) | % |
Interest rates |
|
| 2.78 | % |
Livestock |
|
| 0.02 | % |
Metals |
|
| 1.24 | % |
Softs |
|
| (0.44) | % |
Stock indices |
|
| 3.13 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Gain |
|
| 7.99 | % |
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021
The increase in the Partnership’s net assets of $7,225,271 was attributable to net income after profit share of $12,410,017, which were partially offset by withdrawals of $5,184,746.
Brokerage fees are calculated on the net asset value on the last day of each month and are affected by trading performance, contributions and withdrawals. Brokerage fees for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $246,164 relative to the corresponding period in 2020. This decrease was due to a decrease in average net assets of the Partnership during the six months ended June 30, 2021, relative to the corresponding period in 2020.
Interest income is derived from cash and U.S. Treasury instruments held at the Partnership’s brokers and custodian. Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2021 decreased $999,334 relative to the corresponding period in 2020. This decrease was due predominantly to a decrease in short-term U.S. treasury yields during the six months ended June 30, 2021 relative to the corresponding period in 2020.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Partnership experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $13,952,713 from its trading operations (including foreign exchange translations and U.S. Treasury notes). Brokerage fees of $1,393,392, administrative expenses of $149,943, custody fees and other expenses of $10,412 and accrued profit share to the General Partner of $9,377 were incurred. Interest income of $20,428 partially offset the Partnership expenses resulting in net income after profit share to the General Partner of $12,410,017. An analysis of the trading gain (loss) by sector is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Sector |
| % Gain (Loss) of Partnership Capital |
|
Currencies |
|
| (1.98) | % |
Energies |
|
| 3.80 | % |
Grains |
|
| 0.27 | % |
Interest rates |
|
| 0.17 | % |
Livestock |
|
| (0.09) | % |
Metals |
|
| 0.96 | % |
Softs |
|
| (0.42) | % |
Stock indices |
|
| 9.11 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Gain |
|
| 11.82 | % |
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION –2021
Three months ended June 30, 2021
The Partnership was profitable in the quarter as gains from long positions in stock index, interest rate, energy and metals futures outpaced losses from trading currency forwards and grain and soft commodity futures.
For much of the quarter, reflation and reopening dynamics underpinned by expanding COVID-19 vaccinations and accommodative monetary and fiscal policies globally contributed to rising equity prices, commodity prices and interest rates. In May, market participants faced headwinds that at times impacted market sentiment including: declines in Bitcoin and SPAC prices; the Colonial pipeline cyberattack; and geopolitical tensions and/or negotiations between the U.S. and China, the U.S. and Iran, Israel and Hamas, and Russia/Belarus and the West. Importantly, evidence that inflation was increasing raised concerns that global monetary policies might become less accommodative. Central banks in Brazil, Russia, Turkey, Mexico, Hungary and the Czech Republic have raised official rates recently and monetary authorities in Canada, New Zealand and Norway have suggested it may be time to rein in crisis policies soon. The Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) continues to emphasize the “transitory” nature of recent inflation increases but financial markets were impacted following the Fed’s June meeting and indications that a number of Fed policy makers are considering Quantitative easing (“QE”) tapering and interest rates increases earlier than had been previously anticipated.
After peaking late in March, interest rates were volatile but drifted lower during most of the quarter. Following the June Fed meeting, rates fell to their lowest levels since late February and yield curves flattened, inflation expectations eased, real yields rose, gold declined and the U.S. dollar rebounded. Consequently, long positions in long-term U.S., U.K., Japanese, Canadian and Australian government bonds were profitable. On the other hand, trading of the U.S. 5-year note and European long-term interest rate futures produced partially offsetting losses.
Against this background of reflation and reopening, long positions in U.S., Canadian and EAFE equity index futures, and trading of European, Chinese and Taiwanese stock index futures were highly profitable. Elsewhere, short positions in Japanese and Brazilian equity futures posted partially offsetting losses.
During the quarter, Brent crude oil hit its highest price level since October 2018 and an increasingly bullish picture contributed to speculation that the price may eventually return to $100 a barrel. Prices drew support from expectations that the OPEC+ alliance – which meets on July 1 – won’t revive production quickly enough to prevent markets from tightening, and from continued production discipline from non-Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ shale producers who have exerted strong control on additional investments while focusing on returns to investors. Consequently, stockpiles are draining as fuel consumption rebounds in key regions including the U.S. and Europe. At the same time, the prospect of an imminent surge of Iranian oil is diminishing as talks to revive a nuclear deal continue. In this environment, long positions in Brent crude, WTI crude, RBOB gasoline, London gas oil and heating oil were profitable. On the other hand, a short U.S. natural gas position posted a partially offsetting loss. Natural gas prices have risen sharply amid low global natural gas inventories after a long, cold winter; rebounding global demand along with the reopening global economy; and hot summer temperatures.
Reflation and reopening demand contributed to metals’ prices despite some intra-quarter volatility prompted by Chinese efforts to rein in “excessive” speculation and worries about possible changes in monetary policy. Long copper, gold, silver and aluminum positions were profitable, especially in April and May.
The U.S. dollar strengthened during the first quarter amid the U.S.’s vaccine distribution efforts (particularly relative to the rest of the world), fiscal policy support, economic reopening and rising interest rates. Subsequently, as those distinctions eroded, the U.S. dollar declined for much of the second quarter. However, the U.S. currency rebounded sharply in June, particularly after Federal Reserve officials suggested that they were starting to think about QE tapering and interest rate increases. Currency trading was mixed and unprofitable for the quarter. Short U.S. dollar trades against the currencies of Australia and New Zealand were unprofitable especially in the second half of the quarter. Long U.S. dollar trades against the Japanese yen and Norwegian krone posted losses, particularly in April. Trading the U.S. dollar against the euro, Polish zloty, Swedish krona, Brazilian real and Chilean peso added to the losses. On the other hand, during April and May, short U.S. dollar trades versus the British pound, Indian rupee, Israeli shekel, Russian ruble and Swiss franc produced partially offsetting profits.
Grains prices were volatile during the quarter, spiking and plunging along with a variety of events including drought concerns and robust demand from China, the U.S. and elsewhere as the global economy reopened; the multi-year highs reached in May while rains in the U.S. Midwest and Canada eased severe drought concerns; and the release of the USDA grain stocks June 30th report showing sharp inventory declines from a year ago. On balance, trading of wheat, corn and soybean meal registered losses, while a long soybean oil trade posted a partially offsetting gain.
A short coffee position was unprofitable when coffee prices increased as the 2020 drought reduced recent supplies from Brazil, Colombia and Nicaragua, and because logistics and customs issues constrained Brazilian exports. Trading of sugar was slightly unprofitable too.
Three months ended March 31, 2021
The Partnership was profitable in the quarter as gains from trading equity, energy and grain futures outpaced losses from trading interest rate futures, metal futures and currency forwards. Trading of livestock and soft commodity futures was marginally negative.
The global reflation trade gathered momentum throughout the quarter amid fiscal stimulus expansion from the Biden Administration; Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) Chairman Powell reiterating in testimony before Congress that the Fed will maintain low interest rates and continue asset purchases until “substantial further progress has been made” toward its employment and inflation goals; the global vaccine rollout; and the resurgence of global trade. Periodically, however, the growth outlook and investor enthusiasm were tamped down and markets experienced increased volatility while concerns about the slow pace of vaccine distribution in Europe, Asia and emerging markets relative to the U.S. and U.K. lingered; evidence of moderating monetary and fiscal policy support came out of China; and the geopolitical conflict between China and the U.S. expanded.
Trading of equity futures was highly profitable. Positive impulses from massive fiscal and monetary policy support globally outweighed the negative impact of higher global interest rates and less synchronous global growth. The Reddit-driven short frenzy in January, Archegos events in March, and the week-long Suez Canal closure in March did not seem to have long-term effects on equity markets. Long positions in U.S., Canadian, European, British, Chinese and EAFE equity index futures were profitable. A short VIX position and trading of the EEM emerging market index future were also profitable. On the other hand, trading of South African, Brazilian and Australian futures registered small offsetting losses.
Energy markets were volatile during the quarter. After exceeding 2-year highs early in March amid strong reflation trade and Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ production restraint, crude prices dropped sharply as reopening demand expectations receded along with the global growth outlook. For example, Brent crude climbed from just over $50/barrel at the start of the year to nearly $71/barrel on March 7, but plunged to nearly $60/barrel on March 23. Even though the closure of the Suez Canal provided some support to crude prices, Brent closed the month at less than $63/barrel. Overall, long positions in Brent crude, RBOB gasoline, London gas oil and heating oil were profitable. On the other hand, a short natural gas trade was unprofitable, especially as prices rose in January in response to unusually cold weather across Europe and China and in February in the wake of weather-induced energy market turmoil in Texas. Trading of WTI crude oil was slightly unprofitable as well.
Chinese demand for U.S. exports, a weaker than expected U.S. harvest of row crops and dry weather in South America contributed to profits on long corn, soybean and soybean oil trades. Then, on March 31 the USDA reported that farmers are likely to plant lower-than-expected corn and soybean acreage in 2021, and corn and soybean prices traded limit-up on the day, reinforcing results from earlier in the quarter. Trading of soybean meal was marginally unprofitable.
Interest rates were volatile during the quarter, trading across a broad range in January, spiking higher in February, and then dropping back sharply in March before entering volatile range-trading to close out the period. Amid growth, inflation and government borrowing concerns, global note and bond yields pushed sharply higher during the January-February period as evidenced by the German 10-year Bund yield which rose from about -0.60% at the start of January to as high as -0.23% on February 25. Then, as growth optimism faded somewhat in March, the Bund yield fell to -0.39% on March 21 before closing the quarter at -0.32%. Long positions in U.S., Canadian and Australian long bond futures were unprofitable, especially in February. Trading of German, French, Italian and Japanese bond futures were also unprofitable, particularly in January and March. Trading of U.S., British, Australian, German and Italian short-term interest rate futures registered small losses as well. On the other hand, short positions in the U.S. 5-year note future and in the German ultra-long bond future posted partially offsetting gains in February.
Currency markets too were impacted by the fluid growth, inflation and interest rate developments, and trading of currency forwards was mixed and unprofitable. The euro, which traded toward five-year highs during January and February, declined sharply in March and a long euro position against the dollar was unprofitable. Long Swiss franc and Swedish krona positions were also unprofitable. Trading the U.S. dollar against the currencies of Brazil and Singapore posted losses, as did a long U.S. dollar/short Canadian dollar position as commodity currencies outperformed. On the other hand, long U.S. dollar positions versus the Japanese yen and Israeli shekel, short dollar trades versus the Norwegian krone and South African rand, and trading the dollar against the British pound sterling produced partially offsetting gains.
The improving economic outlook and COVID-19 prognosis together with higher interest rates and a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on precious metal prices and long gold and silver positions posted losses. Meanwhile, long positions in copper and aluminum produced partially offsetting profits, especially in February as prices rose and reflation optimism was high.
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|
|
|
|
Periods ended June 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
Month Ended: |
|
|
| Total Partners' Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
June 30, 2020 |
|
| $ | 126,614,685 |
March 31, 2020 |
|
|
| 126,677,094 |
December 31, 2019 |
|
|
| 154,926,950 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Three Months ended |
| Six Months ended |
Change in Partners' Capital | $ | (62,409) | $ | (28,312,265) |
Percent Change |
| (0.05)% |
| (18.27)% |
THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020
The decrease in the Partnership’s net assets of $62,409 was attributable to withdrawals of $2,764,486, which were partially offset by contributions of $10,000 and net income after profit share of $2,692,077.
Brokerage fees are calculated on the net asset value on the last day of each month and are affected by trading performance, contributions and withdrawals. Brokerage fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 decreased $236,237 relative to the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease was due to a decrease in average net assets of the Partnership during the three months ended June 30, 2020, relative to the corresponding period in 2019.
Interest income is derived from cash and U.S. Treasury instruments held at the Partnership’s brokers and custodian. Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 decreased $575,367 relative to the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease was due predominantly to a decrease in short-term U.S. treasury yields and a decrease in average net assets during the three months ended June 30, 2020 relative to the corresponding period in 2019.
During the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Partnership experienced net realized and unrealized gains of $3,174,031 from its trading operations (including foreign exchange translations and U.S. Treasury notes). Brokerage fees of $759,960, administrative expenses of $91,829, custody fees and other expenses of $6,434 were incurred. The Partnership’s gains achieved from trading operations, in addition to interest income of $376,269, were partially offset by the Partnership expenses resulting in net income after profit share to the General Partner of $2,692,077. An analysis of the trading gain (loss) by sector is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Sector |
| % Gain (Loss) of Partnership Capital |
|
Currencies |
|
| 0.53 | % |
Energies |
|
| (1.72) | % |
Grains |
|
| 0.22 | % |
Interest rates |
|
| 1.47 | % |
Livestock |
|
| (0.02) | % |
Metals |
|
| (0.28) | % |
Softs |
|
| (0.19) | % |
Stock indices |
|
| 2.83 | % |
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Gain |
|
| 2.84 | % |
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2020
The decrease in the Partnership’s net assets of $28,312,265 was attributable to withdrawals of $8,624,134 and net loss after profit share of $23,398,191, which were partially offset by contributions of $3,710,060.
Brokerage fees are calculated on the net asset value on the last day of each month and are affected by trading performance, contributions and withdrawals. Brokerage fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased $355,593 relative to the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease was due to a decrease in average net assets of the Partnership during the six months ended June 30, 2020, relative to the corresponding period in 2019.
Interest income is derived from cash and U.S. Treasury instruments held at the Partnership’s brokers and custodian. Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased $840,397 relative to the corresponding period in 2019. This decrease was due predominantly to a decrease in short-term U.S. treasury yields and a decrease in average net assets during the six months ended June 30, 2020 relative to the corresponding period in 2019.
During the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Partnership experienced net realized and unrealized losses of $22,576,821 from its trading operations (including foreign exchange translations and U.S. Treasury notes). Brokerage fees of $1,639,556, administrative expenses of $188,087, custody fees and other expenses of $13,429 and accrued profit share to the General Partner of $60 were incurred. Interest income of $1,019,762 partially offset the Partnership expenses resulting in net loss after profit share to the General Partner of $23,398,191. An analysis of the trading gain (loss) by sector is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Sector |
| % Gain (Loss) |
|
Currencies |
|
| 1.10 | % |
Energies |
|
| 3.01 | % |
Grains |
|
| 0.53 | % |
Interest rates |
|
| (0.31) | % |
Livestock |
|
| 0.13 | % |
Metals |
|
| (0.36) | % |
Softs |
|
| (0.21) | % |
Stock indices |
|
| (18.36) | % |
|
|
|
|
|
Trading Loss |
|
| (14.47) | % |
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION –2020
Three months ended June 30, 2020
The Partnership was profitable in the second quarter as gains from long equity and interest rate futures positions and from trading currency forwards and grain futures outdistanced losses from trading energy, metal and soft commodity futures.
The sentiment of equity market participants improved continuously throughout the quarter in response to a steady stream of aggressive monetary and fiscal policy actions from global authorities—especially in the U.S.; surprising improvements in economic activity as economies cautiously reopened; and sporadic encouraging news concerning COVID-19 therapies and vaccines. But this overall attitude improvement was muted periodically-- and especially during the second half of June—by: evidence of new COVID-19 hotspots such as Beijing, Germany, Australia, EM and several U.S. states; the statistical reports on growth and unemployment; and the expanding tensions between the U.S. (and other western countries) and China. Long positions in U.S. equity futures were particularly profitable, although long positions in German, French, Dutch, Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean stock futures added to the gains. A short U.K. FTSE position and trading of the Canadian equity future were also profitable, as was a short VIX trade in May. On the other hand, short positions in Japanese, Australian, Italian and Spanish equity futures and trading of the EAFE and emerging market index futures posted partially offsetting losses.
Long interest rate futures positions were profitable during the quarter. Strongly accommodative monetary policies, a plunge in global growth, and disinflationary impulses worldwide restrained interest rates across yield curves. Safe haven buying of government securities also placed downward pressure on rates. Not even the extraordinary fiscal policy efforts leading to unprecedentedly large deficits and debt/GDP levels across the globe were able to boost borrowing cost more than temporarily. Long positions in U.S., Canadian, German, French, Italian and British interest rate futures were profitable, while a long Japanese government bond future position was unprofitable.
The U.S. dollar traded in a narrow range from the start of April until mid-May, fell about 5% into early June and edged up a bit into the end of the quarter, and long euro and Swiss franc positions versus the U.S. dollar were profitable. Long positions in high yielding Polish and South African currencies relative to the U.S. dollar also produced gains. A long New Zealand dollar trade was profitable against a supportive domestic backdrop that has seen the New Zealand government announce a complete end to COVID-19 restrictions due to the virtual eradication of the virus in the country. Trading the U.S. currency against the Brazilian real, Singapore dollar and Turkish lira was also profitable during the quarter. On the other hand, the Aussie dollar, which had fallen sharply during the first quarter of 2020, rebounded in April and a short position was unprofitable. Long U.S. dollar trades versus the currencies of Norway, Chile and Colombia were also unprofitable.
Ample grain supplies globally continue to weigh on prices and short wheat positions and trading of corn were profitable in June. A reduction in demand for corn to make ethanol pushed stockpiles higher. Meanwhile, trading of the soybean complex was slightly unprofitable.
Energy markets were buffeted by conflicting forces during the second quarter. On the one hand, the massive COVID-19 demand shock saw a collapse of WTI prices from near $61/barrel at the start of 2020 to only $12/barrel near the end of April—having actually fallen briefly below zero in mid-April. On the other hand, supply reductions from The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) via agreements and from non-OPEC producers in response to plunging market prices helped prices to recover sharply in May and June to around $40/barrel, as market participants were encouraged by signs of economic reopening. Overall, losses from trading WTI crude, Brent crude, RBOB gasoline and heating oil outpaced a small profit from a short natural gas trade.
Copper prices, which had fallen sharply earlier this year, rebounded during the quarter among a weaker U.S. dollar and encouraging signs of economic reopening, particularly from Asia, and the Partnership’s short copper positions were unprofitable. Short positions in other industrial metals—aluminum, nickel, zinc, and platinum—also registered losses and were reduced or reversed. The Partnership saw a gain on a long gold position in April. Trading of silver was also fractionally profitable.
Finally, trading of sugar and cotton futures were each slightly unprofitable.
Three months ended March 31, 2020
The Partnership posted a sizable loss in the first quarter as the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impacts spread across the globe, roiling financial and commodity markets. The onset of the oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia in early March added significantly to the market turmoil. Losses from long equity futures positions and, to a much lesser extent, from trading interest rate and metal futures far outpaced the profits from trading energy futures, currency forwards and soft and agricultural commodity futures.
Equity futures, which had been underpinned early in January by the U.S.-China trade deal, accommodative global monetary policy and the conservative election victory in Great Britain, collapsed as COVID-19 spread from China to the Middle East to Europe to the U.S.A. and became a global pandemic. As the potential scope and duration of the damage to global demand became evident, the selling of equities and other financial investments cascaded violently. In response, strong, coordinated and unprecedented monetary and fiscal measures were implemented by countries across the globe. For example in the U.S., the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”), at two emergency meetings, cut interest rates by 1.5% to near zero; the Fed also expanded the magnitude and scope of its Quantitative easing (“QE”), swap lines and other lending facilities well beyond that seen during the Global Financial Crisis; and a fiscal stimulus package measured at about 10% of GDP was assembled in about a week and was added to two smaller packages announced early in March. While these policy efforts did give a fillip to financial markets and help to stabilize them, the damage to equity prices and markets remained large. Broad-based losses were sustained on a short VIX trade and on long positions in U.S., Canadian, European, British, Japanese, non-Japan Asian and emerging markets equity index futures, especially in the second half of the quarter.
Interest rates on government debt were buffeted by a variety of cross currents during the quarter including: the actual and anticipated negative impact of the pandemic on global growth; a flight to safety that boosted demand for government debt; a rush for liquidity and U.S. dollars that at times led to a forced liquidation of government debt; 27 central banks cutting official rates 68 times during March, according to centralbankrates.com; and central banks creating numerous massive liquidity provision and QE programs in order to stabilize struggling financial markets globally. Overall, short positions in U.S., German and Canadian note and bond futures posted losses and were reversed to long positions. Trading of British Gilts, long positions in French and Australian bond futures and a long position in the short-term Euribor future were also unprofitable, particularly in mid-March, when market participants sought liquidity. Long positions in short-term British, Italian and U.S. dollar interest rate futures and in Japanese government bond futures produced partially offsetting profits. A long position in the 5-year U.S. note in January was also profitable.
Metal trading was fractionally unprofitable. Industrial metal prices declined, and the price of silver, which had been supported for a time as a safe haven precious metal, succumbed to profit-taking and to a dramatic weakening in industrial demand and a long position was unprofitable. A long platinum position was also unprofitable. On the other hand, short copper, aluminum, nickel and zinc positions were profitable and a long gold trade also posted a gain.
Oil prices fell to their lowest levels in 17 years as demand collapsed due to shelter-in-place orders, travel bans and other efforts to mitigate the pandemic, and as supply surged due to the unrelenting price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. The price of WTI crude oil, which had eased down from $61/barrel at the end of 2019 to about $54/barrel on February 20, plunged precipitously thereafter, falling to under $20/barrel on March 30. Short positions in Brent crude, WTI crude, RBOB gasoline, London gas oil, heating oil and natural gas were highly profitable, particularly in March.
Foreign exchange rates were buffeted by a variety of cross currents from interest rate, liquidity, safe haven and energy price influences during the quarter. Performance in these instruments was mixed but slightly profitable. Long U.S. dollar trades against the Brazilian real, Russian ruble, Aussie dollar and a few other emerging market currencies were profitable. A long euro/short Norway trade was also profitable in the wake of the oil price collapse. On the other hand, long U.S. dollar trades versus the euro, yen, Singapore dollar, and Swedish krona were unprofitable, as was trading versus the British, Canadian, Indian, South African, Norwegian, Polish and New Zealand currencies.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
The Partnership does not engage in off-balance sheet arrangements with other entities.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The Partnership does not enter into any contractual obligations or commercial commitments to make future payments of a type that would be typical for an operating company or that would affect its liquidity or capital resources. The Partnership’s sole business is trading futures, forward currency, spot, option and swap contracts, both long (contracts to buy) and short (contracts to sell). All such contracts are settled by offset, not delivery. Substantially all such contracts are for settlement within four months of the trade date and substantially all such contracts are held by the Partnership for less than four months before being offset or rolled over into new contracts with similar maturities. The financial statements present a Condensed Schedule of Investments setting forth the Partnership’s open futures and forward currency contracts, both long and short, at June 30, 2021.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not required.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
The General Partner, with the participation of its principal executive officers and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the Partnership as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, and, based on its evaluation, has concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes in the General Partner's internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the General Partner's internal controls over financial reporting with respect to the Partnership.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
ITEM 1A. Risk Factors
Not required.
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) Pursuant to the Partnership's Agreement of Limited Partnership, the Partnership may sell Interests at the beginning of each calendar month. As of the quarter ending June 30, 2021, the Partnership sold no Interests to new and existing limited partners.
Each of the foregoing Interests were offered and sold only to “accredited investors” as defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the “1933 Act”), in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 506(b) under the 1933 Act.
(b) Pursuant to the Partnership’s Agreement of Limited Partnership, Limited Partners may redeem their Interests at the end of each calendar month at the then current month-end net asset value. The redemption of Interests has no impact on the value of Interests that remain outstanding, and Interests are not reissued once redeemed.
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The following table summarizes Interests redeemed during the three months ended June 30, 2021: |
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Date of Withdrawal |
| Limited Partners |
| Special Limited Partners |
| Total |
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April 30, 2021 |
| $ (1,300,689) |
| $ (22,849) |
| $ (1,323,538) |
May 31, 2021 |
| (160,091) |
| (2,000) |
| (162,091) |
June 30, 2021 |
| (54,860) |
| (154,729) |
| (209,589) |
Total |
| $ (1,515,640) |
| $ (179,578) |
| $ (1,695,218) |
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ITEM 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.
ITEM 5. Other Information
None.
ITEM 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are included herewith:
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31.01 | | Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer |
31.02 | | Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer |
31.03 | | Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer |
31.04 | | Rule 13(a)-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.01 | | Section 1350 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer |
32.02 | | Section 1350 Certification of Co-Chief Executive Officer |
32.03 | | Section 1350 Certification of President and Chief Operating Officer |
32.04 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
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101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document |
101.SCH | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE | | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
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.
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By: | Millburn Ridgefield Corporation, | /s/ Michael W. Carter |
| General Partner | Michael W. Carter |
| Vice-President |
Date: August 12, 2021 | (Principal Accounting Officer) |