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10-K - 10-K - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_510k.htm
EX-3.02 - EX-3.02 - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_5ex3d02.htm
EX-31.02 - EX-31.02 - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_5ex31d02.htm
EX-32.01 - EX-32.01 - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_5ex32d01.htm
EX-31.01 - EX-31.01 - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_5ex31d01.htm
EX-32.02 - EX-32.02 - Aspect FuturesAccess LLCa10-3641_5ex32d02.htm

Exhibit 13.01

 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

 

Financial Statements as of and for the years ended

December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms

 

 

 



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRMS

1

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

 

 

Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2009 and 2008

3

 

 

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

4

 

 

Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

5

 

 

Financial Data Highlights for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007

7

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

10

 



 

GRAPHIC

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Members of
ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of financial condition, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ capital, and financial data highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC at December 31, 2009, and the results of its operations, changes in its members’ capital, and financial data highlights for the year then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  These financial statements and the financial data highlights (hereafter referred to as the “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.  We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

March 25, 2010

 



 

GRAPHIC

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Members of
ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of financial condition of ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC (the “Fund”), as of December 31, 2008, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ capital, and the financial data highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008. These financial statements and financial data highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial data highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial data highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial data highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC as of December 31, 2008, the results of its operations, changes in its members’ capital, and the financial data highlights for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

GRAPHIC

 

March 30, 2009

 

GRAPHIC

 

2



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in commodity futures trading accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (including restricted cash of $30,538,024 for 2009 and $24,334,309 for 2008)

 

$

269,793,907

 

$

334,291,578

 

Net unrealized profit on open contracts

 

 

11,866,510

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

1,397,466

 

241,619

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

 

19,502

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

271,191,373

 

$

346,419,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage commissions payable

 

$

84,821

 

$

58,192

 

Sponsor and Advisory fees payable

 

1,940,265

 

16,452,383

 

Redemptions payable

 

2,307,660

 

9,241,236

 

Net unrealized loss on open contracts

 

970,474

 

 

Other liabilities

 

258,991

 

233,592

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

5,562,211

 

25,985,403

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS’ CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsor’s Interest (20,647 Units and 20,647 Units)

 

27,998

 

32,331

 

Members’ Interest (183,714,476 Units and 195,021,681 Units)

 

265,601,164

 

320,401,475

 

Total members’ capital

 

265,629,162

 

320,433,806

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

 

$

271,191,373

 

$

346,419,209

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT (SEE NOTE 6)

 

 

 

 

 

(Based on 183,735,123 and 195,042,328 Units outstanding, unlimited Units authorized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

3



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

TRADING PROFIT (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized, net

 

$

(15,245,520

)

$

93,209,117

 

$

12,040,023

 

Change in unrealized, net

 

(12,836,984

)

2,497,935

 

3,857,805

 

Brokerage commissions

 

(799,706

)

(787,841

)

(1,052,707

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total trading profit (loss)

 

(28,882,210

)

94,919,211

 

14,845,121

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

17,255

 

5,306,094

 

10,674,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fee

 

5,395,714

 

5,712,987

 

4,139,254

 

Sponsor fee

 

2,675,732

 

3,172,388

 

2,781,129

 

Performance fee

 

17,428

 

16,320,740

 

2,038,070

 

Other

 

715,230

 

743,997

 

665,497

 

Total expenses

 

8,804,104

 

25,950,112

 

9,623,950

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

 

(8,786,849

)

(20,644,018

)

1,050,187

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(37,669,059

)

$

74,275,193

 

$

15,895,308

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of Units outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

16,838,575

 

18,577,490

 

17,685,024

 

Class C

 

62,733,642

 

76,318,438

 

77,729,481

 

Class D

 

6,696,233

 

10,392,579

 

16,490,950

 

Class I

 

6,609,695

 

10,689,594

 

13,298,470

 

Class DS*

 

51,048,296

 

31,288,535

 

11,050,699

 

Class DT**

 

47,031,238

 

61,607,169

 

82,941,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per weighted average Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

$

(0.2111

)

$

0.3475

 

$

0.0917

 

Class C

 

$

(0.2148

)

$

0.3154

 

$

0.0782

 

Class D

 

$

(0.2078

)

$

0.3998

 

$

0.0994

 

Class I

 

$

(0.2031

)

$

0.3644

 

$

0.0942

 

Class DS*

 

$

(0.1738

)

$

0.3373

 

$

0.1602

 

Class DT**

 

$

(0.1917

)

$

0.4081

 

$

0.0426

 

 


*Class DS commenced on April 2, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-SM.

**Class DT commenced on June 1, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

4



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007 (in Units)

 

 

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2006

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2007

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2008

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2009

 

Class A

 

13,798,588

 

5,509,263

 

(1,419,855

)

17,887,996

 

4,471,164

 

(3,654,554

)

18,704,606

 

1,907,317

 

(5,126,238

)

15,485,685

 

Class C

 

63,313,746

 

30,581,247

 

(14,724,727

)

79,170,266

 

14,556,104

 

(25,455,625

)

68,270,745

 

5,671,596

 

(15,338,827

)

58,603,514

 

Class D

 

13,531,909

 

6,087,954

 

(3,319,371

)

16,300,492

 

659,229

 

(10,043,745

)

6,915,976

 

 

(659,229

)

6,256,747

 

Class I

 

12,118,637

 

3,341,115

 

(4,095,954

)

11,363,798

 

3,063,709

 

(5,466,260

)

8,961,247

 

499,046

 

(3,976,701

)

5,483,592

 

Class DS*

 

 

13,988,458

 

(220,336

)

13,768,122

 

37,814,013

 

(10,038,276

)

41,543,859

 

17,404,773

 

(1,782,656

)

57,165,976

 

Class DT**

 

 

91,381,476

 

(21,738,178

)

69,643,298

 

1,552,098

 

(20,570,148

)

50,625,248

 

2,350,570

 

(12,256,856

)

40,718,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Units

 

102,762,880

 

150,889,513

 

(45,518,421

)

208,133,972

 

62,116,317

 

(75,228,608

)

195,021,681

 

27,833,302

 

(39,140,507

)

183,714,476

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

10,319

 

 

 

10,319

 

 

 

10,319

 

 

 

10,319

 

Class C

 

10,328

 

 

 

10,328

 

 

 

10,328

 

 

 

10,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Sponsor’s Units

 

20,647

 

 

 

20,647

 

 

 

20,647

 

 

 

20,647

 

 


*Class DS commenced on April 2, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-SM.

 

**Class DT commenced on June 1, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009, 2008 AND 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2006

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net Income

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2007

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net Income

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2008

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net
Income/(Loss)

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2009

 

Class A

 

$

16,089,634

 

$

6,430,196

 

$

(1,712,053

)

$

1,620,687

 

$

22,428,464

 

$

6,143,861

 

$

(5,234,543

)

$

6,452,930

 

$

29,790,712

 

$

2,784,373

 

$

(7,558,866

)

$

(3,554,935

)

$

21,461,284

 

Class C

 

72,750,991

 

35,450,778

 

(17,423,204

)

6,080,158

 

96,858,723

 

19,482,963

 

(35,319,265

)

24,068,580

 

105,091,001

 

8,101,783

 

(21,998,892

)

(13,478,321

)

77,715,571

 

Class D

 

16,414,106

 

7,675,895

 

(4,145,982

)

1,639,960

 

21,583,979

 

975,000

 

(14,864,105

)

4,154,640

 

11,849,514

 

 

(989,305

)

(1,388,933

)

9,471,276

 

Class I

 

14,198,284

 

3,891,855

 

(4,968,583

)

1,252,596

 

14,374,152

 

4,181,986

 

(7,985,878

)

3,894,853

 

14,465,113

 

748,983

 

(6,139,822

)

(1,336,349

)

7,737,925

 

Class DS*

 

 

16,742,584

 

(276,777

)

1,770,147

 

18,235,954

 

56,116,079

 

(14,003,395

)

10,554,233

 

70,902,871

 

26,942,476

 

(2,798,569

)

(8,880,305

)

86,166,473

 

Class DT**

 

 

116,922,597

 

(27,944,560

)

3,530,089

 

92,508,126

 

2,229,235

 

(31,578,299

)

25,143,202

 

88,302,264

 

3,561,720

 

(19,789,466

)

(9,025,883

)

63,048,635

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Interest

 

$

119,453,015

 

$

187,113,905

 

$

(56,471,159

)

$

15,893,637

 

$

265,989,398

 

$

89,129,124

 

$

(108,985,485

)

$

74,268,438

 

$

320,401,475

 

$

42,139,335

 

$

(59,274,920

)

$

(37,664,726

)

$

265,601,164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

$

12,035

 

$

 

$

 

$

905

 

$

12,940

 

$

 

$

 

$

3,495

 

$

16,435

 

$

 

$

 

$

(2,132

)

$

14,303

 

Class C

 

11,870

 

 

 

766

 

12,636

 

 

 

3,260

 

15,896

 

 

 

(2,201

)

13,695

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Sponsor’s Interest

 

$

23,905

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,671

 

$

25,576

 

$

 

$

 

$

6,755

 

$

32,331

 

$

 

$

 

$

(4,333

)

$

27,998

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Capital

 

$

119,476,920

 

$

187,113,905

 

$

(56,471,159

)

$

15,895,308

 

$

266,014,974

 

$

89,129,124

 

$

(108,985,485

)

$

74,275,193

 

$

320,433,806

 

$

42,139,335

 

$

(59,274,920

)

$

(37,669,059

)

$

265,629,162

 

 


*Class DS commenced on April 2, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-SM.

 

**Class DT commenced on June 1, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009

 

The following per Unit data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class C

 

Class D

 

Class I

 

Class DS*

 

Class DT**

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

1.5927

 

$

1.5393

 

$

1.7134

 

$

1.6142

 

$

1.7067

 

$

1.7442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and net change in unrealized trading profit (loss)

 

(0.1483

)

(0.1430

)

(0.1602

)

(0.1506

)

(0.1595

)

(0.1633

)

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0040

)

(0.0039

)

(0.0044

)

(0.0041

)

(0.0044

)

(0.0045

)

Interest income

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

0.0001

 

Expenses

 

(0.0546

)

(0.0664

)

(0.0351

)

(0.0485

)

(0.0356

)

(0.0281

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

1.3859

 

$

1.3261

 

$

1.5138

 

$

1.4111

 

$

1.5073

 

$

1.5484

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

-12.99

%

-13.86

%

-11.67

%

-12.64

%

-11.67

%

-11.23

%

Performance fees

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

-0.01

%

0.01

%

-0.02

%

0.00

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

-12.99

%

-13.86

%

-11.68

%

-12.63

%

-11.69

%

-11.23

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Members’ Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees)

 

3.73

%

4.73

%

2.24

%

3.33

%

2.24

%

1.74

%

Performance fees

 

-0.01

%

-0.01

%

0.00

%

-0.02

%

0.01

%

-0.01

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

3.72

%

4.72

%

2.24

%

3.31

%

2.25

%

1.73

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

-3.72

%

-4.72

%

-2.23

%

-3.31

%

-2.24

%

-1.73

%

 


(a) The total return calculations are based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole.

 

An individual members’ return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

 

*Class DS and was previously known as Class D-SM.

**Class DT was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

 

The following per Unit data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class C

 

Class D

 

Class I

 

Class DS*

 

Class DT**

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

1.2538

 

$

1.2234

 

$

1.3241

 

$

1.2649

 

$

1.3245

 

$

1.3283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and net change in unrealized trading profit (loss)

 

0.4553

 

0.4427

 

0.4925

 

0.4616

 

0.4811

 

0.4891

 

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0037

)

(0.0036

)

(0.0039

)

(0.0037

)

(0.0039

)

(0.0039

)

Interest income

 

0.0247

 

0.0241

 

0.0265

 

0.0250

 

0.0261

 

0.0264

 

Expenses

 

(0.1374

)

(0.1473

)

(0.1258

)

(0.1336

)

(0.1211

)

(0.0957

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

1.5927

 

$

1.5393

 

$

1.7134

 

$

1.6142

 

$

1.7067

 

$

1.7442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

34.07

%

32.81

%

36.67

%

34.69

%

35.82

%

36.81

%

Performance fees

 

-6.22

%

-6.24

%

-6.32

%

-6.24

%

-6.04

%

-4.76

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

27.03

%

25.82

%

29.41

%

27.61

%

28.86

%

31.31

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Members’ Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees)

 

3.84

%

4.86

%

2.36

%

3.45

%

2.30

%

1.80

%

Performance fees

 

5.90

%

5.91

%

5.98

%

5.91

%

5.74

%

4.48

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

9.74

%

10.77

%

8.34

%

9.36

%

8.04

%

6.28

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

-7.93

%

-8.96

%

-6.51

%

-7.54

%

-6.24

%

-4.48

%

 


(a) The total return calculations are based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole.

 

An individual members’ return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

 

*Class DS and was previously known as Class D-SM.

**Class DT was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007

 

The following per Unit data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the financial statements.

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class C

 

Class D

 

Class I

 

Class DS (a)*

 

Class DT (a)**

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

1.1660

 

$

1.1491

 

$

1.2130

 

$

1.1716

 

$

1.1631

 

$

1.2795

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net realized and net change in unrealized trading profit(loss)

 

0.0959

 

0.0938

 

0.1006

 

0.0966

 

0.1576

 

0.0317

 

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0057

)

(0.0056

)

(0.0059

)

(0.0057

)

(0.0046

)

(0.0035

)

Interest income

 

0.0580

 

0.0569

 

0.0607

 

0.0584

 

0.0456

 

0.0354

 

Expenses

 

(0.0604

)

(0.0708

)

(0.0443

)

(0.0560

)

(0.0372

)

(0.0148

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

1.2538

 

$

1.2234

 

$

1.3241

 

$

1.2649

 

$

1.3245

 

$

1.3283

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

8.61

%

7.54

%

10.26

%

9.05

%

15.06

%

3.89

%

Performance fees

 

-1.38

%

-1.36

%

-1.35

%

-1.38

%

-1.35

%

-0.17

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

7.53

%

6.47

%

9.15

%

7.96

%

13.88

%

3.81

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Members’ Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees)

 

3.92

%

4.98

%

2.39

%

3.54

%

1.75

%

1.05

%

Performance fees

 

1.24

%

1.20

%

1.06

%

1.14

%

1.25

%

0.15

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

5.16

%

6.18

%

3.45

%

4.68

%

3.00

%

1.20

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss)

 

-0.20

%

-1.19

%

1.53

%

0.34

%

0.62

%

1.63

%

 


(a) The total return calculations are based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole.

 

An individual members’ return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

 

*Class DS commenced on April 2, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-SM.

**Class DT commenced on June 1, 2007 and was previously known as Class D-TF.

 

(a) The ratios to average members’ capital for these two classes have been annualized. The total return ratios are not annualized.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

9



 

ML ASPECT FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.     SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization

 

ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC (the “Fund”), a Merrill Lynch FuturesAccess Program (the “Program”) fund, was organized under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act on May 17, 2004 and commenced trading activities on April 1, 2005. The Fund engages in the speculative trading of futures, options on futures and forward contracts on a wide range of commodities. Aspect Capital Limited (“Aspect”) is the trading advisor of the Fund.

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC (“MLAI” or the “Sponsor”) is the Sponsor of the Fund. MLAI is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. (“Merrill Lynch”). Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Merrill Lynch, is the Fund’s commodity broker. On September 15, 2008, Merrill Lynch entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of October 21, 2008, the “Merger Agreement”) with Bank of America Corporation (“Bank of America”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, on January 1, 2009, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America merged with and into Merrill Lynch, with Merrill Lynch continuing as the surviving corporation and a subsidiary of Bank of America.

 

The Program is a group of commodity pools sponsored by MLAI (each pool is a “Program Fund” or collectively, “Program Funds”) each of which places substantially all of its assets in a managed futures or forward trading account managed by a single or multiple commodity trading advisors. Each Program Fund is generally similar in terms of fees, Classes of Units and redemption rights.  Each of the Program Funds implements a different trading strategy.

 

The Fund offers six Classes of Units:  Class A, Class C, Class D, DT, DS, and Class I.  Each Class of Units except for DT and DS was offered at $1.00 per Unit during the initial offering period and subsequently is offered at Net Asset Value per Unit (see Note 6).  Class DS commenced on April 2, 2007 and was offered at 1.1631 and Class DT commenced on June 1, 2007 and was offered at $1.2795.  The six Classes of Units are subject to different Sponsor fees.

 

Interests in the Fund are not insured or otherwise protected by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government authority.  Interests are not deposits or other obligations of, and are not guaranteed by, Bank of America Corporation or any of its affiliates or by any bank.  Interests are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of the full amount invested.

 

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

10



 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

The Fund is not required to provide a Statement of Cash Flows.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Commodity futures, options on futures and forward contract transactions are recorded on trade date. Open contracts are reflected in Net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts in the Statements of Financial Condition as the difference between the original contract value and the market value (for those commodity interests for which market quotations are readily available) or at fair value.  The change in unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts from one period to the next is reflected in Change in unrealized under Trading profit (loss) in the Statements of Operations.

 

Trading profit (loss) is reduced for brokerage commission costs.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The Fund’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, it transacts business in U.S. dollars and in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the date of the Statements of Financial Condition.  Income and expense items denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect during the year.  Gains and losses resulting from the translation to U.S. dollars are included in Trading Profit (Loss) in the Statements of Operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Fund considers all highly liquid investments, with a maturity of three months or less when acquired, to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents were recorded at amortized cost which approximated fair value (Level II see Note 3).  Cash was held at a nationally recognized financial institution.

 

Cash at Broker/Equity in Commodity Futures Trading Accounts

 

A portion of the assets maintained at MLPF&S is restricted cash required to meet maintenance margin requirements.

 

Operating Expenses, Offering Costs and Selling Commissions

 

The Fund pays for all routine operating costs (including ongoing offering costs, administration, custody, transfer, exchange and redemption processing, legal, regulatory filing, tax, audit, escrow, accounting and printing fees and expenses) incurred by the Fund.

 

Class A Units are subject to a sales commission paid to MLPF&S ranging from 1.0% to 2.5%.  Class D and Class I Units are subject to sales commissions up to 0.5%.  The rate assessed to a given subscription is based upon the subscription amount.  Sales commissions are directly deducted from subscription amounts.  Class C, DS and DT Units are not subject to any sales commissions.

 

Income Taxes

 

No provision for income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements as each Member is individually responsible for reporting income or loss based on such Member’s share of the Fund’s income and expenses as reported for income tax purposes.

 

11



 

The Fund follows the ASC guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes.  This guidance provides how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements.  This guidance also requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority.  Tax positions with respect to tax at the Fund level not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year.  MLAI has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The following are the major tax jurisdictions for the Fund and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States — 2006.

 

Distributions

 

The Members are entitled to receive, equally per Unit, any distributions which may be made by the Fund.  No such distributions have been declared for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007.

 

Subscriptions

 

Units are offered as of the close of business at the end of each month.  Shares are purchased as of the first business day of any month at Net Asset Value (see Note 6), but the subscription request must be submitted at least three calendar days before the end of the preceding month.  Subscriptions submitted less than three days before the end of a month will be applied to Units subscriptions as of the beginning of the second month after receipt, unless revoked by MLAI.

 

Redemptions and Exchanges

 

A Member may redeem or exchange some or all of such Member’s Units at Net Asset Value (see Note 6) as of the close of business, on the last business day of any month, upon ten calendar days’ notice (“notice period”).

 

An investor in the Fund can exchange these Units for Units of the same Class in other Program Funds as of the beginning of each calendar month upon at least ten days prior notice.  The minimum exchange amount is $10,000.

 

Redemption requests are accepted within the notice period.  The Fund does not accept any redemption requests after the notice period.  All redemption requests received after the notice period will be processed for the following month.

 

Dissolution of the Fund

 

The Fund may terminate if certain circumstances occur as set forth in the private placement memorandum, which include but are not limited to the following:

 

(a)         Bankruptcy, dissolution, withdrawal or other termination of the trading advisor of this Fund.

(b)         Any event which would make unlawful the continued existence of this Fund.

(c)         Determination by MLAI to liquidate or withdraw from the Fund.

 

12



 

2.     CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

 

The Fund’s investments, defined as Net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts in the Statements of Financial Condition, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

2009

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

Net Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

Contracts

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

Contracts

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Members’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

1,523

 

$

2,546,812

 

0.96

%

(856

)

$

(68,607

)

-0.03

%

$

2,478,205

 

0.93

%

January 2010 - March 2010

 

Currencies

 

70,150,008

 

(354,360

)

-0.13

%

(177,950,000

)

(600,291

)

-0.23

%

(954,651

)

-0.36

%

January 2010

 

Energy

 

380

 

738,906

 

0.27

%

(46

)

146,890

 

0.06

%

885,796

 

0.33

%

February 2010

 

Interest rates

 

10,072

 

(4,193,429

)

-1.58

%

(413

)

82,065

 

0.03

%

(4,111,364

)

-1.55

%

March 2010 - June 2010

 

Metals

 

940

 

(1,151,067

)

-0.43

%

(28

)

(161,195

)

-0.06

%

(1,312,262

)

-0.49

%

February 2010 - April 2010

 

Stock indices

 

2,275

 

2,052,362

 

0.77

%

(23

)

(8,560

)

0.00

%

2,043,802

 

0.77

%

January 2010 - March 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

(360,776

)

-0.14

%

 

 

$

(609,698

)

-0.23

%

$

(970,474

)

-0.37

%

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

Net Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

Contracts

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

Contracts

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Members’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

145

 

$

333,270

 

0.10

%

(1,240

)

$

(860,947

)

-0.27

%

$

(527,677

)

-0.17

%

January 2009 - March 2009

 

Currencies

 

2,211,124

 

1,544,260

 

0.48

%

(461,942

)

(2,356,344

)

-0.74

%

(812,084

)

-0.26

%

January 2009

 

Energy

 

41

 

75,848

 

0.02

%

(407

)

946,274

 

0.30

%

1,022,122

 

0.32

%

February 2009

 

Interest rates

 

8,731

 

13,032,113

 

4.07

%

 

 

0.00

%

13,032,113

 

4.07

%

March 2009 - March 2010

 

Metals

 

45

 

88,866

 

0.03

%

(503

)

(723,498

)

-0.23

%

(634,632

)

-0.20

%

February 2009 - April 2009

 

Stock indices

 

3

 

3,950

 

0.00

%

(176

)

(217,282

)

-0.07

%

(213,332

)

-0.07

%

January 2009 - March 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

15,078,307

 

4.70

%

 

 

$

(3,211,797

)

-1.01

%

$

11,866,510

 

3.69

%

 

 

 

No individual contract’s unrealized gain or loss comprised greater than 5% of the Members’ Capital as of December 31, 2009 and 2008.

 

13



 

3.     FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

 

The FASB’s ASC’s provide authoritative guidance on fair value measurement. This guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

Fair value of an investment is the amount that would be received to sell the investment in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e. the exit price). All investments (including derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments) are held for trading purposes.  The investments are recorded on trade date and open contracts are recorded at fair value (described below) at the measurement date. Investments denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the measurement date.  Gains or losses are realized when contracts are liquidated.  Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts are included in Equity in commodity futures trading account.  Any change in net unrealized gain or loss from the preceding year is reported in the Statements of Operations.

 

The fair value measurement guidance established a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring investments at fair value. Market price observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of investment and the characteristics specific to the investment. Investments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

 

Investments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

 

Level I — Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date. The type of investments included in Level I are publicly traded investments. As required by the fair market value measurement guidance, the Fund does not adjust the quoted price for these investments even in situations where the Fund holds a large position and a sale could reasonably impact the quoted price.

 

Level II — Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of generally accepted and understood models or other valuation methodologies. Investments which are generally included in this category are investments valued using market data.

 

Level III — Pricing inputs are unobservable and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. Fair value for these investments is determined using valuation methodologies that consider a range of factors, including but not limited to the nature of the investment, local market conditions, trading values on public exchanges for comparable securities, current and projected operating performance and financing transactions subsequent to the acquisition of the investment. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment. Due to the inherent uncertainty of these estimates, these values may differ materially from the values that would have been used had a ready market for these investments existed.

 

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the Fair Value Measurement. MLAI’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the Fair Value Measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

 

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for investments, as well as the general classification of such investments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

 

Exchange traded investments are fair valued by the Fund by using the reported closing price on the primary exchange where it trades such investments.  These closing prices are observed through the clearing broker and third party pricing services. For non-exchange traded investments, quoted values and other data provided by nationally recognized independent pricing sources are used as inputs into its process for determining fair values.

 

14



 

The independent pricing sources obtain market quotations and actual transaction prices for securities that have quoted prices in active markets. Each source has its own proprietary method for determining the fair value of securities that are not actively traded. In general, these methods involve the use of “matrix pricing” in which the independent pricing source uses observable market inputs including, but not limited to, investment yields, credit risks and spreads, benchmarking of like securities, broker-dealer quotes, reported trades and sector groupings to determine a reasonable fair market value.

 

The Fund has determined that Level I securities would include all of its futures and options contracts where it believes that quoted prices are available in an active market.

 

Where the Fund believes that quoted market prices are not available or that the market is not active, fair values are estimated by using quoted prices of securities with similar characteristics, pricing models or matrix pricing and these are generally classified as Level II securities. The Fund determined that Level II securities would include its forward contracts.

 

The Fund’s net unrealized profit (loss) on open forward and futures contracts as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are as follows:

 

December 31, 2009

 

Unrealized Long Positions

 

Unrealized Short Positions

 

Total

 

Futures

 

$

(65,216

)

$

(9,408

)

$

(74,624

)

Forwards

 

$

(295,560

)

$

(600,290

)

$

(895,850

)

Total

 

$

(360,776

)

$

(609,698

)

$

(970,474

)

 

December 31, 2008

 

Unrealized Long Positions

 

Unrealized Short Positions

 

Total

 

Futures

 

$

13,534,047

 

$

(855,453

)

$

12,678,594

 

Forwards

 

$

1,544,260

 

$

(2,356,344

)

$

(812,084

)

Total

 

$

15,078,307

 

$

(3,211,797

)

$

11,866,510

 

 

The Fund’s volume of trading forward and futures as of the end of this year is representative of the activity throughout the year.

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund’s investments by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of December 31, 2009 and 2008:

 

Net unrealized
profit (loss)
on open contracts

 

Total

 

Level I

 

Level II

 

Level III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

$

(970,474

)

$

(1,107,360

)

$

136,886

 

$

 

December 31, 2008

 

$

11,866,510

 

$

11,866,510

 

$

 

$

 

 

Effective January 1, 2009, the Fund adopted the FASB’s guidance on disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities which requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. This guidance only expands the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and related hedging activities and has no impact on Statements of Financial Condition or Statements of Operations Statement of Changes in Members’ Capital.

 

15



 

The Fund engages in the speculative trading of futures, options on futures and forward contracts on a wide range of commodities. Such contracts meet the definition of a derivative as noted in the guidance for derivatives and hedging. The fair value amounts of and the gains and losses on derivative instruments is disclosed in the Statements of Financial Condition and Statements of Operations, respectively. There are no credit related contingent features embedded in these derivative contracts.

 

The following table indicates the trading gains and losses, by commodity industry sector, on derivative instruments for the year ended December 31, 2009:

 

Commodity Industry

 

Gain (loss)

 

Sector

 

from trading

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

$

838,187

 

Currencies

 

(9,924,173

)

Energy

 

(14,163,622

)

Interest rates

 

(9,441,502

)

Metals

 

909,155

 

Stock indices

 

3,699,451

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

(28,082,504

)

 

The Fund is subject to the risk of insolvency of a counterparty, an exchange, a clearinghouse or MLPF&S.  Fund assets could be lost or impounded during lengthy bankruptcy proceedings.  Were a substantial portion of the Fund’s capital tied up in a bankruptcy or other similar types of proceedings, MLAI might suspend or limit trading, perhaps causing the Fund to miss significant profit opportunities.  There are increased risks in dealing with unregulated trading counterparties including the risk that assets may not benefit from the protection afforded to “customer funds” deposited with regulated dealers and brokers.

 

4.     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Fund’s U.S. dollar assets are maintained at MLPF&S. On assets held in U.S. dollars, Merrill Lynch credits the Fund with interest at the most favorable rate payable by MLPF&S to accounts of Merrill Lynch affiliates but not less than 75% of such prevailing rate.  The Fund is credited with interest on any of its assets and net gains actually held by MLPF&S non-U.S. dollar currencies at a prevailing local rate received by Merrill Lynch.  Merrill Lynch may derive certain economic benefit, in excess of the interest which Merrill Lynch pays to the Fund, from possession of such assets.

 

Merrill Lynch charges the Fund at prevailing local interest rates for financing realized and unrealized losses on the Fund’s non-U.S. dollar-denominated positions. Such amounts are netted against interest income due to the insignificance of such amounts.

 

The Fund charges Sponsor fees on the month-end net assets after all other charges at annual rates equal to 1.50% for Class A, 2.50% for Class C, and 1.10% on Class I.  Class D, DS and DT are not charged a Sponsor Fee.  Sponsor fees are paid to MLAI.

 

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The Fund pays brokerage commissions on actual cost per round turn.  The average round-turn commission rate charged to the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, and 2007 was approximately $6.07, $6.03, and $9.92, respectively, (not including, in calculating round-turn, forward contracts on a futures-equivalent basis).

 

Brokerage Commissions, Interest and Sponsor fees as seen on the Statements of Operations are received from or paid to related parties.

 

The Fund holds cash at an unaffiliated bank which invests such cash in a money market fund which is managed by BlackRock, a related party to MLAI.  The Cash and cash equivalents as seen on the Statements of Financial Condition is the amount held by the related party.

 

5.     ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

The Fund and Aspect have entered into an Advisory Agreement. This agreement shall continue in effect until December 31, 2011.  Thereafter, this agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive three-year periods, on the same terms, unless terminated at any time by either Aspect or the Fund upon 90 days’ written notice to the other party.  Aspect determines the commodity futures, options on futures and forward contract trades to be made on behalf of their respective Fund accounts, subject to certain trading policies and to certain rights reserved by MLAI.

 

The Fund charges annual management fees on the Fund’s average month-end net assets allocated to them after reduction for the brokerage commissions accrued with respect to such assets and are payable to Aspect on a monthly basis. Management Fees are 2.0% for all classes except for Class DT which charges a 1.5% Fee.  Aspect pays MLAI 25% of the management fees on all classes except Class DT in return for sponsoring and providing ongoing administration and operational support to the Fund.

 

Performance fees are charged by the Fund on any New Trading Profit, as defined in the private placement memorandum, and are payable to Aspect as of either the end of each calendar year or upon any interim period for which there are net redemption of Units, to the extent of the applicable percentage of any New Trading Profit attributable to such Units. The Fund charges a 20% performance fee for all classes except Class DT which is charged a performance fee of 15%.  Aspect pays MLAI 25% of any Performance fees paid by the Fund except Class DT.

 

6.     NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT

 

The Net Asset Value per Unit of the different Classes as of December 31, 2009 and 2008 are:

 

December 31, 2009

 

Net Asset Value per Unit

 

Class A

 

$

1.3859

 

Class C

 

1.3261

 

Class D

 

1.5138

 

Class I

 

1.4111

 

Class DS

 

1.5073

 

Class DT

 

1.5484

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

Net Asset Value per Unit

 

Class A

 

$

1.5927

 

Class C

 

1.5393

 

Class D

 

1.7134

 

Class I

 

1.6142

 

Class DS

 

1.7067

 

Class DT

 

1.7442

 

 

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7.     WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS

 

The weighted average number of Units outstanding for each Class is computed for purposes of calculating net income per weighted average Unit. The weighted average number of Units outstanding for each Class for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 equals the Units outstanding as of such date, adjusted proportionately for Units sold or redeemed based on the respective length of time each was outstanding during the year.

 

8.     RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In July 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, (ASC 105), which approved the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) as the single source of authoritative nongovernmental GAAP. The Codification is effective for interim or annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. All existing accounting standards have been superseded and all other accounting literature not included in the Codification are considered nonauthoritative. ASC 105 was not intended to change the accounting literature and did not impact the Fund’s financial condition or results of operations.  All accounting references within this report are in accordance with the new Codification.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued guidance on determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased and identifying transactions that are not orderly. This guidance provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB guidance on fair value measurements, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This guidance also identifies circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. The guidance emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The guidance also contains enhanced disclosure requirements whereby fair value disclosures as well as certain disaggregated information will be disclosed. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the financial statements.

 

In September 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) (the “ASU 2009-12”), which is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after December 15, 2009.  The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the financial statements.

 

In January 2010, the FASB issued an update to the fair value measurements disclosure. Pursuant to this update, additional disclosures in the financial statements relating to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 fair value measurements and separate disclosure of purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in Level 3 roll forward, will be required. In addition, this update provides clarifications on i) the level of aggregation of classes of assets and liabilities disclosed in the fair value measurement disclosures and ii) disclosures relating to the inputs and valuation techniques for Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements in the Level 3 roll forward which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. This update further enhances the fair value disclosures and the Sponsor has determined that the adoption of this update would not have a material impact to the Fund’s financial statements.

 

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9.     MARKET AND CREDIT RISK

 

The nature of this Fund has certain risks, which cannot all be presented on the financial statements.  The following summarizes some of those risks.

 

Market Risk

 

Derivative instruments involve varying degrees of market risk.  Changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or the market values of the financial instruments or commodities underlying such derivative instruments frequently result in changes in the Fund’s net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts on such derivative instruments as reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition.  The Fund’s exposure to market risk is influenced by a number of factors, including the relationships among the derivative instruments held by the Fund as well as the volatility and liquidity of the markets in which the derivative instruments are traded.  Investments in foreign markets may also entail legal and political risks.

 

MLAI has procedures in place intended to control market risk exposure, although there can be no assurance that they will, in fact, succeed in doing so.  These procedures focus primarily on monitoring the trading of Aspect, calculating the Net Asset Value of the Fund as of the close of business on each day and reviewing outstanding positions for over-concentrations.  While MLAI does not intervene in the markets to hedge or diversify the Fund’s market exposure, MLAI may urge Aspect to reallocate positions in an attempt to avoid over-concentrations.  However, such interventions are expected to be unusual.  It is expected that MLAI’s basic risk control procedures will consist of the ongoing process of advisor monitoring, with the market risk controls being applied by Aspect.

 

Credit Risk

 

The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts are typically perceived to be less than those associated with over-the-counter (non-exchange-traded) transactions, because exchanges typically provide clearinghouse arrangements in which the collective credit (in some cases limited in amount, in some cases not) of the members of the exchange is pledged to support the financial integrity of the exchange.  In over-the-counter transactions, on the other hand, traders must rely solely on the credit of their respective individual counterparties.  Margins, which may be subject to loss in the event of a default, are generally required in exchange trading, and counterparties may also require margin in the over-the-counter markets.

 

The credit risk associated with these instruments from counterparty nonperformance is the Net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts, if any, included in the Statements of Financial Condition. The Fund attempts to mitigate this risk by dealing exclusively with Merrill Lynch entities as clearing brokers.

 

The Fund, in its normal course of business, enters into various contracts, with MLPF&S acting as its commodity broker.  Pursuant to the brokerage arrangement with MLPF&S (which includes a netting arrangement), to the extent that such trading results in receivables from and payables to MLPF&S, these receivables and payables are offset and reported as a net receivable or payable and included in Equity in commodity futures trading accounts in the Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Indemnifications

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund has entered, or may in the future enter into agreements that obligate the Fund to indemnify third parties, including affiliates of the Fund, for breach of certain representations and warranties made by the Fund. No claims have actually been made with respect to such indemnities and any quantification would involve hypothetical claims that have not been made. Based on the Fund’s experience, MLAI expected the risk of loss to be remote and, therefore, no provision has been recorded.

 

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10.   Subsequent Events

 

Management has evaluated the impact of subsequent events on the Fund and has determined that there were no subsequent events that require adjustments to, or disclosure in, the financial statements.

 

20



 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *      *

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the

undersigned, the information contained in this

report is accurate and complete.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

 

Barbra E. Kocsis

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC

 

 

Sponsor of

 

 

ML Aspect FuturesAccess LLC

 

 

21