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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003 or
[ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from to __________________
Commission File No. 0-13299
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 13-3190919
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
Demeter Management Corporation
825 Third Avenue, 9th Floor
New York, NY 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant?s telephone number, including area code (212) 310-6444
(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)
Indicate by check-mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No___________
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
March 31, 2003
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2003
(Unaudited) and December 31, 2002..........................2
Statements of Operations for the Quarters Ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)........................3
Statements of Changes in Partners? Capital for
the Quarters Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited).....4
Statements of Cash Flows for the Quarters Ended
March 31, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) .......................5
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)...............6-10
Item 2. Management?s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......11-17
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk.........................................18-30
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.............................30-31
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings......................................32
Item 5. Other Information...................................32-34
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K....................35?36
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
March 31, December 31,
2003 2002
$ $
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Equity in futures interests trading accounts:
Cash 30,244,157 26,372,589
Net unrealized loss on open contracts (MSIL) (401,627) (443,790)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts (MS&Co.) (586,895) 1,996,397
Total net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts (988,522) 1,552,607
Total Trading Equity 29,255,635 27,925,196
Due from Morgan Stanley DW 35,081 264,529
Interest receivable (Morgan Stanley DW) 23,216 21,594
Total Assets 29,313,932 28,211,319
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS? CAPITAL
Liabilities
Redemptions payable 497,008 144,217
Accrued administrative expenses 137,757 145,017
Accrued management fees 85,098 81,861
Total Liabilities 719,863 371,095
Partners? Capital
Limited Partners (7,443.768 and
7,608.072 Units, respectively) 28,205,620 27,329,760
General Partner (102.516 and
142.103 Units, respectively) 388,449 510,464
Total Partners? Capital 28,594,069 27,840,224
Total Liabilities and Partners? Capital 29,313,932 28,211,319
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT 3,789.16 3,592.21
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Quarters Ended March 31,
2003 2002
$ $
REVENUES
Trading profit (loss):
Realized 4,713,688 (2,328,132)
Net change in unrealized (2,541,129) 818,105
Total Trading Results 2,172,559 (1,510,027)
Interest income (Morgan Stanley DW) 70,514 85,892
Total 2,243,073 (1,424,135)
EXPENSES
Brokerage commissions (Morgan Stanley DW) 378,565 282,464
Management fees 270,274 215,266
Administrative expenses 25,038 19,238
Transaction fees and costs 21,174 39,956
Total 695,051 556,924
NET INCOME (LOSS) 1,548,022 (1,981,059)
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCATION
Limited Partners 1,520,037 (1,948,206)
General Partner 27,985 (32,853)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT
Limited Partners 196.95 (231.19)
General Partner 196.95 (231.19)
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS? CAPITAL
For the Quarters Ended March 31, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Units of
Partnership Limited General
Interest Partners Partner Total
$ $ $
Partners? Capital,
December 31, 2001 8,632.784 25,861,238 432,823 26,294,061
Net Loss ? (1,948,206) (32,853) (1,981,059)
Redemptions (216.925) (625,298) ? (625,298)
Partners? Capital,
March 31, 2002 8,415.859 23,287,734 399,970 23,687,704
Partners? Capital,
December 31, 2002 7,750.175 27,329,760 510,464 27,840,224
Net Income ? 1,520,037 27,985 1,548,022
Redemptions (203.891) (644,177) (150,000) (794,177)
Partners? Capital,
March 31, 2003 7,546.284 28,205,620 388,449 28,594,069
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Quarters Ended March 31,
2003 2002
$ $
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) 1,548,022 (1,981,059)
Noncash item included in net income (loss):
Net change in unrealized 2,541,129 (818,105)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Net option premiums ? 49,627
Due from Morgan Stanley DW 229,448 3,078
Interest receivable (Morgan Stanley DW) (1,622) 1,856
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accrued administrative expenses (7,260) 14,522
Accrued management fees 3,237 (7,438)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities 4,312,954 (2,737,519)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in redemptions payable 352,791 63,285
Redemptions of Units (794,177) (625,298)
Net cash used for financing activities (441,386) (562,013)
Net increase (decrease) in cash 3,871,568 (3,299,532)
Balance at beginning of period 26,372,589 26,471,514
Balance at end of period 30,244,157 23,171,982
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2003
(Unaudited)
The unaudited financial statements contained herein include, in
the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the results of operations and financial condition
of Dean Witter Cornerstone Fund III (the ?Partnership?). The
financial statements and condensed notes herein should be read in
conjunction with the Partnership?s December 31, 2002 Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
1. Organization
Dean Witter Cornerstone Fund III is a New York limited partnership
organized to engage primarily in the speculative trading of
futures contracts, options on futures contracts and forward
contracts on foreign currencies and other commodity interests. The
Partnership is one of the Dean Witter Cornerstone Funds, comprised
of Dean Witter Cornerstone Fund II, the Partnership, and Dean
Witter Cornerstone Fund IV.
The Partnership?s general partner is Demeter Management
Corporation (?Demeter?). The non-clearing commodity broker is
Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (?Morgan Stanley DW?). The clearing
commodity brokers are Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (?MS &
Co.?) and Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited (?MSIL?).
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Demeter, Morgan Stanley DW, MS & Co. and MSIL are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley. The trading managers of the
Partnership are Graham Capital Management, L.P. and Sunrise
Capital Management, Inc. (collectively, the ?Trading Managers?).
2. Related Party Transactions
The Partnership?s cash is on deposit with Morgan Stanley DW, MS &
Co. and MSIL in futures, forwards and options trading accounts to
meet margin requirements as needed. Morgan Stanley DW pays
interest on these funds based on a rate equal to the average yield
on 13-week U.S. Treasury bills. The Partnership pays brokerage
commissions to Morgan Stanley DW.
3. Financial Instruments
The Partnership trades futures contracts, options on futures
contracts and forward contracts on foreign currencies and other
commodity interests. Futures and forwards represent contracts for
delayed delivery of an instrument at a specified date and price.
Risk arises from changes in the value of these contracts and the
potential inability of counterparties to perform under the terms
of the contracts. There are numerous factors which may
significantly influence the market value of these contracts,
including interest rate volatility.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
The market value of contracts is based on closing prices quoted
by the exchange, bank or clearing firm through which the
contracts are traded.
The Partnership?s contracts are accounted for on a trade-date
basis and marked to market on a daily basis. The Partnership
accounts for its derivative investments in accordance with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133,
?Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities?
(?SFAS No. 133?). SFAS No. 133 defines a derivative as a
financial instrument or other contract that has all three of the
following characteristics:
1) One or more underlying notional amounts or payment
provisions;
2) Requires no initial net investment or a smaller initial net
investment than would be required relative to changes in
market factors;
3) Terms require or permit net settlement.
Generally, derivatives include futures, forward, swaps or options
contracts, and other financial instruments with similar
characteristics such as caps, floors and collars.
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
The net unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts, reported as a
component of ?Equity in futures interests trading accounts? on the
statements of financial condition, and their longest contract
maturities were as follows:
Net Unrealized Gains (Losses)
on Open Contracts Longest Maturities
Off- Off-
Exchange- Exchange- Exchange- Exchange-
Date Traded Traded Total Traded Traded
$ $ $
Mar. 31, 2003 (438,311) (550,211) (988,522) Sep. 2004 Jun. 2003
Dec. 31, 2002 688,301 864,306 1,552,607 Dec. 2003 Mar. 2003
The Partnership has credit risk associated with counterparty non-
performance. The credit risk associated with the instruments in
which the Partnership is involved is limited to the amounts
reflected in the Partnership?s statements of financial condition.
The Partnership also has credit risk because Morgan Stanley DW, MS
& Co. and MSIL act as the futures commission merchants or the
counterparties with respect to most of the Partnership?s assets.
Exchange-traded futures and futures-styled options contracts are
marked to market on a daily basis, with variations in value
settled on a daily basis. Morgan Stanley DW, MS & Co., and MSIL,
each as a futures commission merchant for the Partnership?s
exchange-traded futures and futures-styled options contracts, are
required, pursuant to regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading
DEAN WITTER CORNERSTONE FUND III
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)
Commission (?CFTC?), to segregate from their own assets, and for
the sole benefit of their commodity customers, all funds held by
them with respect to exchange-traded futures and futures-styled
options contracts, including an amount equal to the net unrealized
gains (losses) on all open futures and futures-styled options
contracts, which funds, in the aggregate, totaled $29,805,846 and
$27,060,890 at March 31, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively.
With respect to the Partnership?s off-exchange-traded forward
currency contracts, there are no daily settlements of variations
in value nor is there any requirement that an amount equal to the
net unrealized gains (losses) on open forward contracts be
segregated. With respect to those off-exchange-traded forward
currency contracts, the Partnership is at risk to the ability of
MS & Co., the sole counterparty on all of such contracts, to
perform. The Partnership has a netting agreement with MS & Co.
This agreement, which seeks to reduce both the Partnership?s and
MS & Co.?s exposure on off-exchange-traded forward currency
contracts, should materially decrease the Partnership?s credit
risk in the event of MS & Co.?s bankruptcy or insolvency.
Item 2. MANAGEMENT?S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Liquidity. The Partnership deposits its assets with Morgan
Stanley DW as non-clearing broker and MS & Co. and MSIL as
clearing brokers in separate futures, forwards and options trading
accounts established for each Trading Manager, which assets are
used as margin to engage in trading. The assets are held in either
non-interest bearing bank accounts or in securities and
instruments permitted by the CFTC for investment of customer
segregated or secured funds. The Partnership?s assets held by the
commodity brokers may be used as margin solely for the
Partnership?s trading. Since the Partnership?s sole purpose is to
trade in futures, forwards and options, it is expected that the
Partnership will continue to own such liquid assets for margin
purposes.
The Partnership?s investment in futures, forwards and options may,
from time to time, be illiquid. Most U.S. futures exchanges limit
fluctuations in prices during a single day by regulations referred
to as ?daily price fluctuations limits? or ?daily limits?. Trades
may not be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. If the
price for a particular futures or options contract has increased
or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in
that futures or options contract can neither be taken nor
liquidated unless traders are willing to effect trades at or
within the limit. Futures prices have occasionally moved the daily
limit for several consecutive days with little or no
trading. These market conditions could prevent the Partnership
from promptly liquidating its futures or options contracts and
result in restrictions on redemptions.
There is no limitation on daily price moves in trading forward
contracts on foreign currencies. The markets for some world
currencies have low trading volume and are illiquid, which may
prevent the Partnership from trading in potentially profitable
markets or prevent the Partnership from promptly liquidating
unfavorable positions in such markets, subjecting it to
substantial losses. Either of these market conditions could
result in restrictions on redemptions.
The Partnership has never had illiquidity affect a material
portion of its assets. Furthermore, there are no material trends,
demands, commitments, events or uncertainties known at the present
time that will result in, or that are reasonably likely to result
in, the Partnership?s liquidity increasing or decreasing in any
material way.
Capital Resources. The Partnership does not have, nor expect to
have, any capital assets. Redemptions of additional units of
limited partnership interest (?Unit(s)?) in the future will affect
the amount of funds available for investment in futures, forwards
and options in subsequent periods. It is not possible to estimate
the amount, and therefore, the impact of future redemptions
of Units.
There are no known material trends, favorable or unfavorable, that
would affect, nor any expected material changes to, the
Partnership?s capital resource arrangements at the present time.
The Partnership has no off-balance sheet arrangements, nor
contractual obligations or commercial commitments to make future
payments that would affect the Partnership?s liquidity or capital
resources. The contracts traded by the Partnership are accounted
for on a trade-date basis and marked to market on a daily basis.
The value of futures contracts is the settlement price on the
exchange on which that futures contract is traded on a particular
day and the value of foreign currency forward contracts is based
on the spot rate as of the close of business, New York City time,
on a given day.
Results of Operations
General. The Partnership?s results depend on the Trading Managers
and the ability of the Trading Managers? trading programs to take
advantage of price movements or other profit opportunities in the
futures, forwards and options markets. The following presents a
summary of the Partnership?s operations for the three month
periods ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 and a general discussion of
its trading activities during each period. It is important to
note, however, that the Trading Managers trade in various markets
at different times and that prior activity in a particular
market does not mean that such market will be actively traded by
the Trading Managers or will be profitable in the future.
Consequently, the results of operations of the Partnership are
difficult to discuss other than in the context of the Trading
Managers? trading activities on behalf of the Partnership and how
the Partnership has performed in the past.
The Partnership?s results of operations set forth in the
financial statements on pages 2 through 10 of this report were
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America, which require the use
of certain accounting policies that affect the amounts reported
in these financial statements, including the following: The
contracts the Partnership trades are accounted for on a trade-
date basis and marked to market on a daily basis. The difference
between their cost and market value is recorded on the Statements
of Operations as ?Net change in unrealized profit/loss? for open
(unrealized) contracts, and recorded as ?Realized profit/loss?
when open positions are closed out, and the sum of these amounts
constitutes the Partnership?s trading revenues. Interest income
revenue, as well as management fees, incentive fees and brokerage
commissions expenses of the Partnership are recorded on an
accrual basis.
Demeter believes that, based on the nature of the
operations of the Partnership, no assumptions relating to the
application of critical accounting policies other than those
presently used could reasonably affect reported amounts.
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2003
For the quarter ended March 31, 2003, the Partnership recorded
total trading revenues, including interest income, of $2,243,073
and posted an increase in net asset value per Unit. The most
significant gains of approximately 4.4% were recorded in the
energy markets during January and February from long positions in
natural gas futures as prices increased sharply due to prolonged
frigid temperatures in the northeastern and midwestern U.S.
Elsewhere in the energy markets, long positions in crude oil
futures resulted in gains as prices trended higher during January
and February amid the looming threat of a Coalition-led war
against Iraq and an overall decline in inventories. Additional
gains of approximately 1.3% were recorded in the global interest
rate markets from long positions in European and U.S. interest
rate futures as prices trended higher during January and February
as investors continued to seek the ?safe haven? of fixed income
investments in response to continued uncertainty in the global
equity markets. Smaller gains of approximately 1.2% were
recorded in the currency markets from long positions in the euro
and Swiss franc versus the U.S. dollar as the value of these
European currencies strengthened amid the release of weak U.S.
economic data and fear of military action against Iraq. A
portion of the Partnership?s gains was offset by losses of
approximately 0.9% incurred in the metals markets primarily
during March from long positions in aluminum and copper futures
as prices reversed sharply lower due to muted industrial demand.
Total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were
$695,051, resulting in net income of $1,548,022. The net asset
value of a Unit increased from $3,592.21 at December 31, 2002 to
$3,789.16 at March 31, 2003.
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2002
For the quarter ended March 31, 2002, the Partnership recorded
total trading losses, net of interest income, of $1,424,135 and
posted a decrease in net asset value per Unit. The most
significant losses of approximately 6.1% were recorded in the
currency markets primarily during March from previously
established short positions in the Japanese yen relative to the
U.S. dollar. The yen strengthened against the dollar following
asset repatriation from the U.S. to Japan and a drop in Japan?s
unemployment rate. Continued strength in the yen through mid
March led to the establishment of new long positions that added
to earlier losses when the value of the yen fell on news that
asset repatriation would end with the Japanese fiscal year.
Losses of approximately 2.4% were recorded in the global index
futures markets during January from short positions in U.S. stock
indices when prices rallied behind a stronger than expected
forecast for economic recovery. Additional losses were
recorded in February from short positions in Japanese stock
indices when prices climbed higher on hopes of a government
backed economic plan designed to combat deflation and bad bank
loans. Smaller losses of approximately 2.2% were recorded in the
global interest rate markets primarily during January from short
positions in U.S. interest rate futures when prices rallied after
Federal Reserve Chairman Greenspan expressed caution regarding an
improving U.S. economy. Additional losses were recorded from
previously established short positions in German bund futures
when prices moved higher early in the month on weak preliminary
U.S. economic data. Other losses were recorded from previously
established short positions in Japanese government bonds when
prices increased ahead of expectations for new government
policies to battle deflation. Partially offsetting gains of
approximately 1.8% were recorded in energy markets during March
from previously established long positions in crude oil futures
as prices continued trending higher on supply concerns and Middle
East tensions. Total expenses for the three months ended March
31, 2002 were $566,924, resulting in a net loss of $1,981,059.
The net asset value of a Unit decreased from $3,045.84 at
December 31, 2001 to $2,814.65 at March 31, 2002.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
MARKET RISK
Introduction
The Partnership is a commodity pool engaged primarily in the
speculative trading of futures, forwards and options. The market-
sensitive instruments held by the Partnership are acquired for
speculative trading purposes only and, as a result, all or
substantially all of the Partnership?s assets are at risk of
trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market-
sensitive instruments is central, not incidental, to the
Partnership?s main business activities.
The futures, forwards and options traded by the Partnership
involve varying degrees of related market risk. Market risk is
often dependent upon changes in the level or volatility of
interest rates, exchange rates, and prices of financial
instruments and commodities. Fluctuations in market risk based
upon these factors result in frequent changes in the fair value
of the Partnership?s open positions, and, consequently, in its
earnings and cash flow.
The Partnership?s total market risk is influenced by a wide
variety of factors, including the diversification among the
Partnership?s open positions, the volatility present within the
markets, and the liquidity of the markets. At different times,
each of these factors may act to increase or decrease the
market risk associated with the Partnership.
The Partnership?s past performance is not necessarily indicative
of its future results. Any attempt to numerically quantify the
Partnership?s market risk is limited by the uncertainty of its
speculative trading. The Partnership?s speculative trading may
cause future losses and volatility (i.e., ?risk of ruin?) that
far exceed the Partnership?s experience to date or any reasonable
expectations based upon historical changes in market value.
Quantifying the Partnership?s Trading Value at Risk
The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Partnership?s
market risk exposures contain ?forward-looking statements? within
the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for
such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). All
quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-
looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor, except for
statements of historical fact.
The Partnership accounts for open positions on the basis of mark-
to-market accounting principles. Any loss in the market value of
the Partnership?s open positions is directly reflected in the
Partnership?s earnings, whether realized or unrealized, and its
cash flow. Profits and losses on open positions of exchange-
traded futures, forwards and options are settled daily
through variation margin.
The Partnership?s risk exposure in the market sectors traded by
the Trading Managers is estimated below in terms of Value at Risk
(?VaR?). The VaR model used by the Partnership includes many
variables that could change the market value of the Partnership?s
trading portfolio. The Partnership estimates VaR using a model
based upon historical simulation with a confidence level of 99%.
Historical simulation involves constructing a distribution of
hypothetical daily changes in the value of a trading portfolio.
The VaR model takes into account linear exposures to price and
interest rate risk. Market risks that are incorporated in the
VaR model include equity and commodity prices, interest rates,
foreign exchange rates, and correlation among these variables.
The hypothetical changes in portfolio value are based on daily
percentage changes observed in key market indices or other market
factors (?market risk factors?) to which the portfolio is
sensitive. The historical observation period of the Partner-
ship?s VaR is approximately four years. The one-day 99%
confidence level of the Partnership?s VaR corresponds to the
negative change in portfolio value that, based on observed market
risk factors, would have been exceeded once in 100 trading days.
In other words, one-day VaR for a portfolio is a number such that
losses in this portfolio are estimated to exceed the VaR only one
day in 100. VaR typically does not represent the worst
case outcome.
VaR is calculated using historical simulation. Demeter uses
approximately four years of daily market data (1,000 observations)
and revalues its portfolio (using delta-gamma approximations) for
each of the historical market moves that occurred over this time
period. This generates a probability distribution of daily
?simulated profit and loss? outcomes. The VaR is the appropriate
percentile of this distribution. For example, the 99% one-day VaR
would represent the 10th worst outcome from Demeter?s simulated
profit and loss series.
The Partnership?s VaR computations are based on the risk
representation of the underlying benchmark for each instrument or
contract and does not distinguish between exchange and non-
exchange-traded instruments and is also not based on exchange
and/or dealer-based margin requirements.
VaR models, including the Partnership?s, are continuously
evolving as trading portfolios become more diverse and modeling
techniques and systems capabilities improve. Please note that
the VaR model is used to numerically quantify market risk for
historic reporting purposes only and is not utilized by either
Demeter or the Trading Managers in their daily risk management
activities. Please further note that VaR as described above may
not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by
other entities.
The Partnership?s Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors
The following table indicates the VaR associated with the
Partnership?s open positions as a percentage of total net assets
by primary market risk category at March 31, 2003 and 2002. At
March 31, 2003 and 2002, the Partnership?s total capitalization
was approximately $29 million and $24 million, respectively.
Primary Market March 31, 2003 March 31, 2002
Risk Category Value at Risk Value at Risk
Currency (0.92)% (0.86)%
Equity (0.78) (0.23)
Interest Rate (0.71) (1.20)
Commodity (0.47) (1.75)
Aggregate Value at Risk (1.54)% (2.23)%
The VaR for a market category represents the one-day downside risk
for the aggregate exposures associated with this market category.
The Aggregate Value at Risk above represents the VaR of the
Partnership?s open positions across all the market categories, and
is less than the sum of the VaR(s) for all such market categories
due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
The table above represents the VaR of the Partnership?s open
positions at March 31, 2003 and 2002 only and is not necessarily
representative of either the historic or future risk of an
investment in the Partnership. Because the Partnership?s only
business is the speculative trading of futures, forwards and
options, the composition of its trading portfolio can change
significantly over any given time period, or even within a single
trading day. Any changes in open positions could positively or
negatively materially impact market risk as measured by VaR.
The table below supplements the quarter-end VaR by presenting the
Partnership?s high, low and average VaR, as a percentage of total
net assets for the four quarterly reporting periods from April 1,
2002 through March 31, 2003.
Primary Market Risk Category High Low Average
Currency (2.94)% (0.92)% (2.18)%
Equity (0.78) (0.08) (0.33)
Interest Rate (1.78) (0.63) (1.07)
Commodity (1.85) (0.47) (1.08)
Aggregate Value at Risk (3.61)% (1.54)% (2.80)%
Limitations on Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
The face value of the market sector instruments held by the
Partnership is typically many times the applicable margin
requirements. Margin requirements generally range between 2% and
15% of contract face value. Additionally, the use of leverage
causes the face value of the market sector instruments held by the
Partnership to typically be many times the total
capitalization of the Partnership. The value of the Partnership?s
open positions thus creates a ?risk of ruin? not usually found in
other investments. The relative size of the positions held may
cause the Partnership to incur losses greatly in excess of VaR
within a short period of time, given the effects of the leverage
employed and market volatility. The VaR tables above, as well as
the past performance of the Partnership, give no indication of
such ?risk of ruin?. In addition, VaR risk measures should be
viewed in light of the methodology?s limitations, which include
the following:
* past changes in market risk factors will not always result in
accurate predictions of the distributions and correlations of
future market movements;
* changes in portfolio value caused by market movements may
differ from those of the VaR model;
* VaR results reflect past trading positions while future risk
depends on future positions;
* VaR using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the
market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged
within one day; and
* the historical market risk factor data used for VaR estimation
may provide only limited insight into losses that could be
incurred under certain unusual market movements.
The VaR tables above present the results of the
Partnership?s VaR for each of the Partnership?s market risk
exposures and on an aggregate basis at March 31, 2003 and 2002,
and for the end of the four quarterly reporting periods from April
1, 2002 through March 31, 2003. Since VaR is based on historical
data, VaR should not be viewed as predictive of the Partnership?s
future financial performance or its ability to manage or monitor
risk. There can be no assurance that the Partnership?s actual
losses on a particular day will not exceed the VaR amounts
indicated above or that such losses will not occur more than once
in 100 trading days.
Non-Trading Risk
The Partnership has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash
balances not needed for margin. These balances and any market
risk they may represent are immaterial.
At March 31, 2003, the Partnership?s cash balance at Morgan
Stanley DW was approximately 96% of its total net asset value. A
decline in short-term interest rates will result in a decline in
the Partnership?s cash management income. This cash flow risk is
not considered to be material.
Materiality, as used throughout this section, is based on an
assessment of reasonably possible market movements and any
associated potential losses, taking into account the leverage,
optionality and multiplier features of the Partnership?s
market-sensitive instruments, in relation to the Partnership?s net
assets.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures
The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Partnership?s
market risk exposures - except for (A) those disclosures that are
statements of historical fact and (B) the descriptions of how the
Partnership manages its primary market risk exposures - constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act.
The Partnership?s primary market risk exposures as well as the
strategies used and to be used by Demeter and the Trading Managers
for managing such exposures are subject to numerous uncertainties,
contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual
results of the Partnership?s risk controls to differ materially
from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions,
defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of
dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in
historical price relationships, an influx of new market
participants, increased regulation and many other factors could
result in material losses as well as in material changes to the
risk exposures and the risk management strategies of the
Partnership. Investors must be prepared to lose all or
substantially all of their investment in the Partnership.
The following were the primary trading risk exposures of
the Partnership at March 31, 2003, by market sector. It may be
anticipated, however, that these market exposures will vary
materially over time.
Currency. The primary market exposure of the Partnership at March
31, 2003 was to the currency sector. The Partnership?s currency
exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations
which disrupt the historical pricing relationships between
different currencies and currency pairs. Interest rate changes as
well as political and general economic conditions influence these
fluctuations. The Partnership trades a large number of
currencies, including cross-rates - i.e., positions between two
currencies other than the U.S. dollar. At March 31, 2003, the
Partnership?s major exposures were to euro, Japanese yen, Canadian
dollar and British pound currency crosses, and outright U.S.
dollar positions. Outright positions consist of the U.S. dollar
vs. other currencies. These other currencies include major and
minor currencies. Demeter does not anticipate that the risk
profile of the Partnership?s currency sector will change
significantly in the future. The currency trading VaR figure
includes foreign margin amounts converted into U.S. dollars with
an incremental adjustment to reflect the exchange rate risk
inherent to the U.S.-based Partnership in expressing VaR in a
functional currency other than U.S. dollars.
Equity. The second largest market exposure was to the
global stock index sector. The Partnership?s primary equity
exposure at March 31, 2003 was to equity price risk in the G-7
countries. The G-7 countries consist of France, the U.S.,
Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada. The stock index
futures traded by the Partnership are by law limited to futures on
broadly-based indices. At March 31, 2003, the Partnership?s
primary exposures were to the DAX (Germany), Nikkei (Japan) and
S&P 500 (U.S.) stock indices. The Partnership is primarily
exposed to the risk of adverse price trends or static markets in
the U.S., European and Japanese stock indices. Static markets
would not cause major market changes but would make it difficult
for the Partnership to avoid being "whipsawed" into numerous small
losses.
Interest Rate. The third largest market exposure of the
Partnership at March 31, 2003 was to the global interest rate
sector. Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the
sovereign bond futures positions held by the Partnership and
indirectly affect the value of its stock index and currency
positions. Interest rate movements in one country, as well as
relative interest rate movements between countries, materially
impact the Partnership?s profitability. The Partnership?s
interest rate exposure is generally to interest rate fluctuations
in the U.S. and the other G-7 countries. Demeter anticipates that
the G-7 countries interest rates will remain the primary interest
rate exposure of the Partnership for the foreseeable
future. The speculative futures positions held by the Partnership
may range from short to long-term instruments. Consequently,
changes in short, medium or long-term interest rates may have an
effect on the Partnership.
Commodity.
Soft Commodities and Agriculturals. At March 31, 2003, the
Partnership had exposure to the markets that comprise these
sectors. Most of the exposure was to the cotton and corn
markets. Supply and demand inequalities, severe weather
disruptions and market expectations affect price movements in
these markets.
Metals. The Partnership's metals exposure at March 31, 2003
was to fluctuations in the price of base metals, such as
copper. Economic forces, supply and demand inequalities,
geopolitical factors and market expectations influence price
movements in these markets. The Trading Managers, from time
to time, take positions as market opportunities develop and
Demeter anticipates that the Partnership will continue to do
so.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following was the only non-trading risk exposure of the
Partnership at March 31, 2003:
Foreign Currency Balances. The Partnership?s primary
foreign currency balances at March 31, 2003 were in euros,
Australian dollars and Swiss francs. The Partnership
controls the non-trading risk of these balances by regularly
converting them back into U.S. dollars upon liquidation of
their respective positions.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure
The Partnership and the Trading Managers, separately, attempt to
manage the risk of the Partnership?s open positions in essentially
the same manner in all market categories traded. Demeter attempts
to manage market exposure by diversifying the Partnership?s assets
among different Trading Managers, each of whose strategies focus
on different market sectors and trading approaches, and monitoring
the performance of the Trading Managers daily. In addition, the
Trading Managers establish diversification guidelines, often set
in terms of the maximum margin to be committed to positions in any
one market sector or market-sensitive instrument.
Demeter monitors and controls the risk of the Partnership?s non-
trading instrument, cash. Cash is the only Partnership investment
directed by Demeter, rather than the Trading Managers.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) As of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this
quarterly report, the President and Chief Financial
Officer of the general partner, Demeter, have evaluated
the effectiveness of the Partnership?s disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a?14 and
15d?14 of the Exchange Act), and have judged such
controls and procedures to be effective.
(b) There have been no significant changes in the
Partnership?s internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect these controls
subsequent to the date of their evaluation.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Changes in Management. The following changes have been made to the
Board of Directors and Officers of Demeter Management Corporation,
the general partner:
Mr. Anthony J. DeLuca resigned the position of Director of
Demeter.
Mr. Edward C. Oelsner resigned the position of Director of
Demeter.
Mr. Joseph G. Siniscalchi resigned the position of Director of
Demeter.
Mr. Douglas J. Ketterer, age 37, was named a Director of Demeter,
subject to Mr. Ketterer being confirmed as a principal of Demeter
by the National Futures Association. Mr. Ketterer is a Managing
Director and head of the Strategic Solutions Group, which is
comprised of the Global Product Development Group, Financial
Planning, Mutual Fund Advisory Group, Retirement Strategies,
Education Strategies, Gifting Strategies, External Mutual
Funds and the Global Portfolio Analysis and Research Departments.
Mr. Ketterer joined the firm in 1990 in the Corporate Finance
Division as a part of the Retail Products Group. He later moved
to the origination side of Investment Banking, and then, after
the merger between Morgan Stanley and Dean Witter, served in the
Product Development Group at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Advisors
(now known as Morgan Stanley Funds). From the summer of 2000 to
the summer of 2002, Mr. Ketterer served as the Chief
Administrative Officer for Morgan Stanley Investment Management,
where he headed the Strategic Planning & Administrative Group.
Mr. Ketterer received his M.B.A. from New York University?s
Leonard N. Stern School of Business and his B.S. in Finance from
the University at Albany?s School of Business.
Mr. Jeffrey S. Swartz, age 36, was named a Director of Demeter,
subject to Mr. Swartz being confirmed as a principal of Demeter
by the National Futures Association. Mr. Swartz is a Managing
Director and Chief Operating Officer of Investor Advisory
Services (?IAS?). Mr. Swartz began his career with Morgan
Stanley in 1990, working as a Financial Advisor in Boston. He
was appointed Sales Manager of the Boston office in 1994, and
served in that role for two years. In 1996, he was named Branch
Manager of the Cincinnati office. In 1999, Mr. Swartz was named
Associate Director of the Midwest region, which consisted of 10
states and approximately 90 offices. Mr. Swartz served in this
capacity until October of 2001, when he was named Director
of IAS Strategy and relocated to IAS headquarters in New York.
In December of 2002, Mr. Swartz was promoted to Managing Director
and Chief Operating Officer of IAS. Mr. Swartz received his
degree in Business Administration from the University of New
Hampshire.
Mr. Jeffrey D. Hahn, Chief Financial Officer of Demeter, was
named a Director of Demeter.
Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) Exhibits
3.01 Limited Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, dated
as of December 7, 1983, as amended as of May 11, 1984, is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the
Partnership?s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1984 (File No. 0-13299).
10.01 Management Agreement among the Partnership, Demeter and
Sunrise Capital Management Inc. (formerly Sunrise
Commodities Inc.), dated as of November 15, 1983, is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 of the
Partnership?s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1984 (File No. 0-13299).
10.02 Management Agreement among the Partnership, Demeter and
Welton Investment Systems Corporation, dated as of July
1, 1996, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 of
the Partnership?s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 0-13299).
10.03 Management Agreement among the Partnership, Demeter and
Graham Capital Management, L.P. dated as of January 1,
2003, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01 of
the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22,
2003.
10.04 Dean Witter Cornerstone Funds Exchange Agreement, dated
as of May 31, 1984, is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.06 of the Partnership?s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1984 (File
No. 0-13299).
10.05 Amended and Restated Customer Agreement between the
Partnership and Morgan Stanley DW Inc., dated as of June
22, 2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01
of the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
13, 2001.
10.06 Commodity Futures Customer Agreement between Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated and the Partnership, and
acknowledged and agreed to by Morgan Stanley DW Inc.,
dated as of May 1, 2000, is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.02 of the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-
13299) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on November 13, 2001.
10.07 Customer Agreement between the Partnership and Morgan
Stanley & Co. International Limited, dated as of May 1,
2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.04 of
the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13,
2001.
10.08 Foreign Exchange and Options Master Agreement between
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated and the Partnership,
dated as of April 30, 2000, is incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.05 of the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File
No. 0-13299) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 13, 2001.
10.09 Amendment to Management Agreement between the Partnership
and Welton Investment Corporation, dated as of November
30, 2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of
the Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3,
2001.
10.10 Amendment to Management Agreement between the Partnership
and Sunrise Capital Management, Inc., dated as of
November 30, 2000, is incorporated by reference to the
Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on January 3, 2001.
10.11 Securities Account Control Agreement among the
Partnership, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, and
Morgan Stanley DW Inc., dated as of May 1, 2000, is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.03 of the
Partnership?s Form 8-K (File No. 0-13299) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2001.
99.01 Certification of President of Demeter Management
Corporation, general partner of the Partnership, pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Demeter
Management Corporation, general partner of the
Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002.
(B) Reports on Form 8-K ? None.
SIGNATURE
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.
Dean Witter Cornerstone Fund III
(Registrant)
By: Demeter Management Corporation
(General Partner)
May 15, 2003 By: /s/Jeffrey D. Hahn
Jeffrey D. Hahn
Director and Chief Financial Officer
The General Partner which signed the above is the only party
authorized to act for the Registrant. The Registrant has no
principal executive officer, principal financial officer,
controller, or principal accounting officer and has no Board of
Directors.
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Jeffrey A. Rothman, President of Demeter Management
Corporation, the general partner of the registrant, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the
registrant;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light
of the circumstances under which such statements were made,
not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this quarterly report,
fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
quarterly report;
4. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during
the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant?s disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior
to the filing date of this quarterly report (the
?Evaluation Date?); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation
Date;
5. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the
registrant?s auditors and the audit committee of Demeter?s
board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the
registrant?s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial data and have identified for the
registrant?s auditors any material weaknesses in internal
controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant?s internal controls; and
6. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I have
indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were
significant changes in internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any
corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 15, 2003 /s/ Jeffrey A. Rothman 1
Jeffrey A. Rothman
President,
Demeter Management Corporation,
general partner of the registrant
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Jeffrey D. Hahn, Chief Financial Officer of Demeter Management
Corporation, the general partner of the registrant, certify that:
1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the
registrant;
2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light
of the circumstances under which such statements were made,
not misleading with respect to the period covered by this
quarterly report;
3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this quarterly report,
fairly present in all material respects the financial
condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
quarterly report;
4. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure
controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:
a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure
that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to
us by others within those entities, particularly during
the period in which this quarterly report is being
prepared;
b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant?s disclosure
controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior
to the filing date of this quarterly report (the
?Evaluation Date?); and
c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about
the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and
procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation
Date;
5. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the
registrant?s auditors and the audit committee of Demeter?s
board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
function):
a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of
internal controls which could adversely affect the
registrant?s ability to record, process, summarize and
report financial data and have identified for the
registrant?s auditors any material weaknesses in internal
controls; and
b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role
in the registrant?s internal controls; and
6. The registrant?s other certifying officers and I have
indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were
significant changes in internal controls or in other factors
that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent
to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any
corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies
and material weaknesses.
Date: May 15, 2003 /s/ Jeffrey D. Hahn
Jeffrey D. Hahn
Chief Financial Officer,
Demeter Management Corporation,
general partner of the registrant
EXHIBIT 99.01
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dean Witter Cornerstone
Fund III (the ?Partnership?) on Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on the date hereof (the ?Report?), I, Jeffrey A.
Rothman, President, Demeter Management Corporation, general
partner of the Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents,
in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Partnership.
By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Rothman
Name: Jeffrey A. Rothman
Title: President
Date: May 15, 2003
EXHIBIT 99.02
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Dean Witter Cornerstone
Fund III (the ?Partnership?) on Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2003 as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on the date hereof (the ?Report?), I, Jeffrey D. Hahn,
Chief Financial Officer, Demeter Management Corporation, general
partner of the Partnership, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.
Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002, that:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents,
in all material respects, the financial condition and
results of operations of the Partnership.
By: /s/ Jeffrey D. Hahn
Name: Jeffrey D. Hahn
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Date: May 15, 2003