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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 September 30, 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 Number 0-23577
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3461507
(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 DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
September 30, 2003
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2003
(Unaudited) and December 31, 2002..........................2
Statements of Operations for the Quarters Ended
September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)....................3
Statements of Operations for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) ...................4
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital for the Nine
Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited).......5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited) ...................6
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)...............7-11
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.......12-21
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about
Market Risk.........................................22-34
Item 4. Controls and Procedures................................34
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings......................................35
Item 5. Other Information......................................35
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K....................35-37
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
September 30, December 31,
2003 2002
$ $
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Equity in futures interests trading accounts:
Cash 75,404,789 83,241,952
Net unrealized gain on open contracts (MS&Co.) 3,568,435 10,768,357
Net unrealized loss on open contracts (MSIL) (784,904) (2,180,109)
Total net unrealized gain on open contracts 2,783,531 8,588,248
Total Trading Equity 78,188,320 91,830,200
Due from Morgan Stanley DW 53,753 -
Interest receivable (Morgan Stanley DW) 49,959 70,114
Total Assets 78,292,032 91,900,314
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Liabilities
Redemptions payable 635,465 692,350
Accrued management fees (MSFCM) 206,496 217,560
Administrative expenses payable 176,328 156,707
Total Liabilities 1,018,289 1,066,617
Partners' Capital
Limited Partners (54,135.824 and
57,734.961 Units, respectively) 76,436,121 88,266,372
General Partner (593.245 and
1,679.285 Units, respectively) 837,622 2,567,325
Total Partners' Capital 77,273,743 90,833,697
Total Liabilities and Partners' Capital 78,292,032 91,900,314
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT 1,411.93 1,528.82
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Quarters Ended September 30,
2003 2002
$ $
REVENUES
Trading profit (loss):
Realized (11,836,630) 23,411,349
Net change in unrealized 4,142,152 (11,436,891)
(7,694,478) 11,974,458
Proceeds from Litigation Settlement - 2,144,660
Total Trading Results (7,694,478) 14,119,118
Interest income (Morgan Stanley DW) 153,965 314,194
Total (7,540,513) 14,433,312
EXPENSES
Brokerage commissions (Morgan Stanley DW) 1,290,337 1,164,152
Management fees (MSFCM) 650,613 684,522
Transaction fees and costs 60,618 51,560
Administrative expenses 46,000 59,000
Incentive fees (MSFCM) - 1,502,283
Total 2,047,568 3,461,517
NET INCOME (LOSS) (9,588,081) 10,971,795
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCATION
Limited Partners (9,485,103) 10,674,248
General Partner (102,978) 297,547
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT
Limited Partners (173.59) 177.19
General Partner (173.59) 177.19
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2003 2002
$ $
REVENUES
Trading profit (loss):
Realized 7,252,910 27,528,128
Net change in unrealized (5,804,717) 2,893,534
1,448,193 30,421,662
Proceeds from Litigation Settlement - 2,144,660
Total Trading Results 1,448,193 32,566,322
Interest income (Morgan Stanley DW) 619,932 858,666
Total 2,068,125 33,424,988
EXPENSES
Brokerage commissions (Morgan Stanley DW) 4,012,699 3,176,120
Management fees (MSFCM) 2,165,879 1,857,213
Incentive fees (MSFCM) 1,179,242 2,570,437
Transaction fees and costs 179,325 152,824
Administrative expenses 150,000 132,000
Total 7,687,145 7,888,594
NET INCOME (LOSS) (5,619,020) 25,536,394
NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCATION
Limited Partners (5,754,317) 24,852,253
General Partner 135,297 684,141
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT
Limited Partners (116.89) 407.40
General Partner (116.89) 407.40
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002
(Unaudited)
Units of
Partnership Limited General
Interest Partners Partner Total
$ $ $
Partners' Capital,
December 31, 2001 66,306.118 76,936,169 1,999,135 78,935,304
Net Income - 24,852,253 684,141 25,536,394
Redemptions (5,364.855) (7,095,612) - (7,095,612)
Partners' Capital,
September 30, 2002 60,941.263 94,692,810 2,683,276 97,376,086
Partners' Capital,
December 31, 2002 59,414.246 88,266,372 2,567,325 90,833,697
Net Income (Loss) - (5,754,317) 135,297 (5,619,020)
Redemptions (4,685.177) (6,075,934) (1,865,000) (7,940,934)
Partners' Capital,
September 30, 2003 54,729.069 76,436,121 837,622 77,273,743
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2003 2002
$ $
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss) (5,619,020) 25,536,394
Noncash item included in net income (loss):
Net change in unrealized 5,804,717 (2,893,534)
(Increase) decrease in operating assets:
Due from Morgan Stanley DW (53,753) (46,076)
Interest receivable (Morgan Stanley DW) 20,155 (9,261)
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:
Accrued management fees (MSFCM) (11,064) 29,640
Administrative expenses payable 19,621 (33,974)
Accrued incentive fees (MSFCM) - 1,488,778
Net cash provided by operating activities 160,656 24,071,967
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Decrease in redemptions payable (56,885) (47,491)
Redemptions of Units (7,940,934) (7,095,612)
Net cash used for financing activities (7,997,819) (7,143,103)
Net increase (decrease) in cash (7,837,163) 16,928,864
Balance at beginning of period 83,241,952 80,874,098
Balance at end of period 75,404,789 97,802,962
The accompanying notes are an integral part
of these financial statements.
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 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 Diversified Futures Fund Limited Partnership (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 Diversified Futures Fund Limited Partnership is a
Delaware limited partnership organized to engage primarily in the
speculative trading of futures contracts and forward contracts on
physical commodities and other commodity interests, including, but
not limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments, metals,
energy and agricultural products.
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").
The trading manager is Morgan Stanley Futures & Currency
Management Inc. ("MSFCM" or the "Trading Manager"). Demeter,
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
Morgan Stanley DW, MS & Co., MSIL and MSFCM are wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Morgan Stanley.
2. Related Party Transactions
The Partnership's cash is on deposit with Morgan Stanley DW, MS &
Co. and MSIL in futures and forwards trading accounts to meet
margin requirements as needed. Morgan Stanley DW pays interest on
these funds based on a prevailing rate on U.S. Treasury bills.
The Partnership pays brokerage commissions to Morgan Stanley DW.
Management fees and incentive fees, if any, incurred by the
Partnership are paid to MSFCM.
3. Financial Instruments
The Partnership trades futures contracts and forward contracts on
physical commodities and other commodity interests, including,
but not limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments,
metals, energy, and agricultural products. 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.
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 Standards 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.
The net unrealized gains on open contracts, reported as a
component of "Equity in futures interests trading accounts" on the
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
statements of financial condition, and their longest contract
maturities were as follows:
Net Unrealized Gains
on Open Contracts Longest Maturities
Exchange- Off-Exchange- Exchange- Off-Exchange-
Date Traded Traded Total Traded Traded
$ $ $
Sep. 30, 2003 404,800 2,378,731 2,783,531 Jun. 2004 Dec. 2003
Dec. 31, 2002 394,708 8,193,540 8,588,248 Sep. 2004 Apr. 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 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 contracts,
are required, pursuant to regulations of the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission ("CFTC"), to segregate from their own assets,
and for the sole benefit of their commodity customers, all funds
DEAN WITTER DIVERSIFIED FUTURES FUND LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONCLUDED)
held by them with respect to exchange-traded futures contracts,
including an amount equal to the net unrealized gains on all open
futures contracts, which funds, in the aggregate, totaled
$75,809,589 and $83,636,660 at September 30, 2003 and December 31,
2002, respectively. With respect to the Partnership's off-
exchange-traded forward currency contracts, there are no daily
exchange-required settlements of variations in value nor is there
any requirement that an amount equal to the net unrealized gains
on open forward contracts be segregated, however, MS & Co. and
Morgan Stanley DW will make daily settlements of losses as needed.
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 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 and forwards trading accounts
established for the 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 and forwards, it is expected that the Partnership will
continue to own such liquid assets for margin purposes.
The Partnership's investment in futures and forwards 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 contract has increased or decreased
by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in that futures
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 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 and
forwards 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, and no expected material changes
to, the Partnership's capital resource arrangements at the
present time. The Partnership does not have any off-balance sheet
arrangements, nor does it have contractual obligations or
commercial commitments to make future payments that would affect
its liquidity or capital resources. The contracts the Partnership
trades 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. 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 Manager
and the ability of the Trading Manager's trading programs to take
advantage of price movements or other profit opportunities in the
futures and forwards markets. The following presents a summary
of the Partnership's operations for the three and nine month
periods ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 and a general
discussion of its trading activities during each period. It is
important to note, however, that the Trading Manager trades 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 Manager 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 Manager's 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 11 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 commission
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 and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
For the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Partnership recorded
total trading losses, net of interest income, of $7,540,513 and
posted a decrease in net asset value per Unit. The most
significant losses of approximately 6.0% were recorded in the
global interest rate markets primarily during September from short
positions in Japanese, European, and U.S. interest rate futures as
bond prices reversed higher due to renewed skepticism regarding a
global economic recovery and lower global equity prices.
Additional losses of approximately 2.6% were recorded in the
agricultural markets, primarily during September, from short
coffee futures positions, as weak coffee crop estimates coupled
with dry Brazilian weather caused prices to reverse higher.
Elsewhere in the agricultural markets, losses were recorded from
positions in cotton futures, primarily during August, as prices
moved without consistent direction. Losses of approximately 0.9%
were recorded in the currency markets from long positions in the
Australian dollar versus the U.S. dollar during July as the value
of the U.S. currency strengthened amid better than expected U.S.
earnings data. In the metals markets, losses of approximately
0.9% resulted during August from long futures positions in
aluminum and copper as base metal prices were weighed down by
heavy technically-based selling and expectations for increased
output during 2004. Smaller losses of approximately 0.7% were
recorded in the global stock index markets during early August and
September from long positions in S&P 500 Index futures as global
equity prices retreated amid a broad-based sell-off prompted by a
steady stream of economic data that raised concerns about
the strength of the global economy. Total expenses for the three
months ended September 30, 2003 were $2,047,568, resulting in a
net loss of $9,588,081. The net asset value of a Unit decreased
from $1,585.52 at June 30, 2003 to $1,411.93 at September 30,
2003.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Partnership
recorded total trading revenues, including interest income, of
$2,068,125 and, after expenses, posted a decrease in net asset
value per Unit. The most significant losses of approximately 5.8%
were incurred in the metals markets during May and June from short
positions in aluminum and copper futures as prices reversed
higher, buoyed by a rebound in U.S. equity prices and hopes for
increased industrial demand. During August, long futures
positions in aluminum and copper experienced losses as prices were
weighed down by heavy technically-based selling and expectations
for increased output during 2004. Additional losses of
approximately 4.6% were recorded in the agricultural markets from
positions in coffee and cotton futures as prices experienced
short-term volatile movement throughout a majority of the year.
Smaller losses of approximately 3.6% were experienced in the
global interest rate markets from short positions in Japanese,
Australian and European interest rate futures during September as
bond prices reversed higher due to renewed skepticism regarding a
global economic recovery and lower equity prices. Further losses
in this sector stemmed from long positions in Australian interest
rate futures during March as prices reversed sharply lower
amid reports of advancing Coalition forces in the Persian Gulf
region. A portion of the Partnership's losses during the first
nine months of the year was offset by gains of approximately 6.7%
in the energy markets stemming from long positions in natural gas
futures as prices trended higher during January and February in
response to prolonged frigid temperatures in the northeastern and
midwestern U.S. Additional gains in the energy markets were
recorded during the same time period from long positions in crude
oil futures as prices increased amid the looming threat of
military action against Iraq and an overall decline in
inventories. During July, short positions in natural gas futures
yielded gains as prices declined amid increased reserves and mild
summer weather conditions. In the currency markets, gains of
approximately 4.6% were produced from positions in the euro versus
the British pound during January as the value of the pound
decreased due to weak economic data out of the U.K. and an
interest rate cut by the Bank of England. Additional currency
gains were recorded from long positions in the Australian dollar
versus the U.S. dollar during January, February, April and May as
the value of the Australian currency increased on the heels of
higher commodity prices and a significant interest rate
differential between the two countries. During May, gains
resulted from long positions in the euro versus the Japanese yen
as the value of the euro continued to trend higher following the
European Central Bank's decision to leave interest rates
unchanged. Total expenses for the nine months ended September 30,
2003 were $7,687,145, resulting in a net loss of
$5,619,020. The net asset value of a Unit decreased from
$1,528.82 at December 31, 2002 to $1,411.93 at September 30, 2003.
For the Quarter and Nine Months ended September 30, 2002
For the quarter ended September 30, 2002, the Partnership recorded
total trading revenues, including interest income, of $14,433,312
and posted an increase in net asset value per Unit. The most
significant gains of approximately 18.7% were recorded in the
global interest rate markets from previously established long
positions in German and U.S. interest rate futures, as prices
trended higher throughout the quarter due to investors seeking a
safe haven from falling equity prices and increased pessimism
regarding a global economic recovery. Additional gains of
approximately 1.6% were recorded in the energy markets, primarily
during August and September, from long positions in crude oil
futures as prices trended higher on the increasing possibility of
military action against Iraq. A portion of the Partnership's
overall gains was offset by losses of approximately 6.5% in the
currency markets from previously established long positions in the
Swedish krona and Swiss franc relative to the U.S. dollar as these
currencies weakened against the dollar due to the emphasis on a
"strong dollar" policy by the Bush Administration during July and
the persistence of trendless price activity during August and
September. On February 27, 2002, the Partnership received
notifications of a preliminary entitlement to payment from the
Sumitomo Copper Litigation Settlement Administrator. The
Partnership received payment of this settlement award in
the amount of $2,144,660 as of August 30, 2002. Total expenses
for the three months ended September 30, 2002 were $3,461,517,
resulting in net income of $10,971,795. The net asset value of a
Unit increased from $1,420.68 at June 30, 2002 to $1,597.87 at
September 30, 2002.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Partnership
recorded total trading revenues, including interest income, of
$33,424,988 and posted an increase in net asset value per Unit.
The most significant gains of approximately 24.3% were recorded
from long positions in the global interest rate futures markets as
prices trended higher during a majority of the second and third
quarters due to uncertainty regarding a global economic recovery.
In the currency markets, gains of approximately 9.4% were
recorded, primarily during May and June, from previously
established long positions in the Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and
euro relative to the U.S. dollar as the value of these currencies
strengthened against the U.S. dollar amid falling U.S. equity
prices and increased tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Gains of approximately 3.0% were recorded in the energy markets
from long positions in crude oil futures as prices trended higher
during March, August and September due to escalating tensions in
the Middle East. A portion of the Partnership's overall gains was
offset by losses of approximately 4.0% in the metals markets from
positions in aluminum and zinc futures as trendless price activity
persisted throughout the period. Total expenses for the nine
months ended September 30, 2002 were $7,888,594, resulting
in net income of $25,536,394. The net asset value of a Unit
increased from $1,190.47 at December 31, 2001 to $1,597.87 at
September 30, 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 and forwards. 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 and forwards 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, but not limited to, 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 and forwards are settled daily through
variation margin.
The Partnership's risk exposure in the market sectors traded by
the Trading Manager 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 Partnership'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 for a
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 do not distinguish between exchange and non-exchange
dealer-based instruments. They are also not based on exchange
and/or dealer-based maintenance margin requirements.
VaR models, including the Partnership's, are continually 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 Manager 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 September 30, 2003 and 2002.
At September 30, 2003 and 2002, the Partnership's total
capitalization was approximately $77 million and $97 million,
respectively.
Primary Market September 30, 2003 September 30, 2002
Risk Category Value at Risk Value at Risk
Currency (1.97)% (2.26)%
Interest Rate (0.09) (1.16)
Equity - (0.03)
Commodity (2.05) (2.48)
Aggregate Value at Risk (3.01)% (3.49)%
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 listed above represents the VaR of the
Partnership's open positions across all the market categories, and
is less than the sum of the VaRs 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 September 30, 2003 and 2002 only and is not
necessarily representative of either the historic or future risk
of an investment in the Partnership. Because the only business of
the Partnership is the speculative trading of futures and
forwards, 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 set forth above
by presenting the Partnership's high, low and average VaR, as a
percentage of total net assets for the four quarter-end reporting
periods from October 1, 2002 through September 30, 2003.
Primary Market Risk Category High Low Average
Currency (3.42)% (0.81)% (1.94)%
Interest Rate (2.52) (0.09) (1.51)
Equity (0.37) - (0.09)
Commodity (2.27) (1.76) (2.00)
Aggregate Value at Risk (4.78)% (2.88)% (3.40)%
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 typically 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 September 30, 2003 and 2002, and for the four
quarter-end reporting periods from October 1, 2002 through
September 30, 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.
The Partnership also maintains a substantial portion
(approximately 90% as of September 30, 2003) of its available
assets in cash at Morgan Stanley DW. 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 Manager 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 expropria-
tions, 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 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
September 30, 2003, the Partnership's major exposures were to the
euro, Japanese yen 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.
Interest Rate. The second largest market exposure at September
30, 2003 was to the global interest rate complex. Exposure was
primarily to the U.S. 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 primary interest
rate exposure is generally to interest rate fluctuations in the
U.S. and the other G-7 countries. The G-7 countries consist of
France, the U.S., Britain, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada.
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.
Energy. At September 30, 2003 the Partnership's energy
exposure was primarily to futures contracts in crude oil and
natural gas. Price movements in these markets result from
geopolitical developments, particularly in the Middle East,
as well as weather patterns and other economic fundamentals.
Significant profits and losses, which have been experienced
in the past, are expected to continue to be experienced in
the future. Natural gas has exhibited volatility in prices
resulting from weather patterns and supply and demand
factors and may continue in this choppy pattern.
Metals. The Partnership's metals exposure at September 30,
2003 was to fluctuations in the price of precious metals,
such as gold, and base metals, such as copper and
nickel. Economic forces, supply and demand inequalities,
geopolitical factors and market expectations influence price
movements in these markets. The Trading Manager, from time
to time, takes positions as market opportunities develop,
and Demeter anticipates that the Partnership will continue
to do so.
Soft Commodities and Agriculturals. At September 30, 2003,
the Partnership had exposure to the markets that comprise
these sectors. Most of the exposure was to the corn and
cotton markets. Supply and demand inequalities, severe
weather disruptions and market expectations affect price
movements in these markets.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following was the only non-trading risk exposure of the
Partnership at September 30, 2003:
Foreign Currency Balances. The Partnership's primary
foreign currency balance at September 30, 2003 was in the
Japanese yen. The Partnership controls the non-trading risk
of foreign currency 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 Manager, 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 market sectors and trading
approaches, and monitoring the performance of the Trading Manager
daily. In addition, the Trading Manager establishes
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 Manager.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly
report, the President and Chief Financial Officer of the
general partner, Demeter, have evaluated the effect-
iveness of the Partnership's disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
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
Management. The following individuals were named to the Board of
Directors of Demeter in the quarter ended March 31, 2003 and were
subsequently confirmed as principals of Demeter by the National
Futures Association:
Mr. Douglas J. Ketterer was confirmed as a principal of Demeter
by the National Futures Association on October 27, 2003.
Mr. Jeffrey S. Swartz was confirmed as a principal of Demeter by
the National Futures Association on October 23, 2003.
Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
(A) Exhibits
3.01 Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of the
Partnership, dated as of June 30, 1995, is incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 3.01 of the Partnership's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-90360).
10.01 Amended and Restated Management Agreement among the
Partnership, Demeter and MSFCM, dated as of August 31,
1995, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.02 of
the Partnership's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(File No. 33-90360).
10.02 Amended and Restated Customer Agreement between the
Partnership and Morgan Stanley DW Inc., dated as of May
19, 2000, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.01
of the Partnership's Form 8-K (File No. 0-23577) filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November
13, 2001.
10.03 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-
23577) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
on November 13, 2001.
10.04 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. 0-23577) filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13,
2001.
10.05 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.
0-23577) filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on November 13, 2001.
10.06 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. 0-23577) filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2001.
31.01 Certification of President of Demeter Management
Corporation, the general partner of the Partnership,
pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e), as adopted
pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of
2002.
31.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Demeter
Management Corporation, the general partner of the
Partnership, pursuant to rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e),
as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002.
32.01 Certification of President of Demeter Management
Corporation, the 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.
32.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Demeter
Management Corporation, the 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 Diversified Futures
Fund Limited Partnership
(Registrant)
By: Demeter Management Corporation
(General Partner)
November 14, 2003 By:/s/Jeffrey D. Hahn
Jeffrey D. Hahn
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.
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