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EX-32.01 - EX-32.01 - ML Winton FuturesAccess LLCa15-1153_1ex32d01.htm
EX-31.02 - EX-31.02 - ML Winton FuturesAccess LLCa15-1153_1ex31d02.htm

Exhibit 13.01

 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

Financial Statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and

for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

1

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

 

 

Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2014 and 2013

2

 

 

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

3

 

 

Statements of Changes in Members’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

4

 

 

Financial Data Highlights for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012

6

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

9

 



 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Managers and Members of ML Winton FuturesAccess LLC:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of financial condition, and the related statements of operations and of changes in member’s capital and the financial data highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ML Winton FuturesAccess LLC ( the “Fund”) at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations, the changes in its members’ capital and its financial data highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2014 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and 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 audits. We conducted our audits of these financial 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

March 20, 2015

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers Center, 300 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017

T: (646) 471 3000, F:(813) 286 6000, www.pwc.com/us

 



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

DECEMBER 31, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in commodity trading accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (including restricted cash of $70,036,099 for 2014 and $74,790,241 for 2013)

 

$

980,824,673

 

$

974,168,421

 

Unrealized profit on open futures contracts

 

44,175,968

 

42,267,900

 

Unrealized profit on open forwards contracts

 

4,533,927

 

3,156,037

 

Cash

 

704,200

 

631,442

 

Other assets

 

32,960

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,030,271,728

 

$

1,020,224,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Brokerage commissions payable

 

$

6,232

 

$

7,723

 

Sponsor and Advisory fees payable

 

23,352,515

 

9,079,002

 

Redemptions payable

 

2,759,503

 

17,236,150

 

Unrealized loss on open futures contracts

 

13,528,343

 

11,978,242

 

Unrealized loss on open forwards contracts

 

9,079,528

 

2,917,024

 

Other liabilities

 

460,550

 

656,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

49,186,671

 

41,874,595

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMBERS’ CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ Interest (593,821,837 Units and 632,945,962 Units)

 

981,085,057

 

978,349,405

 

Total members’ capital

 

981,085,057

 

978,349,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

 

$

1,030,271,728

 

$

1,020,224,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT:

 

 

 

 

 

(Based on 593,821,837 and 632,945,962 Units outstanding; unlimited Units authorized)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

$

1.9392

 

$

1.7385

 

Class C

 

$

1.7580

 

$

1.5919

 

Class D

 

$

2.0732

 

$

1.8309

 

Class I

 

$

2.0018

 

$

1.7875

 

Class DS

 

$

2.0706

 

$

1.8286

 

Class DT

 

$

2.2127

 

$

1.9307

 

Class M

 

$

1.1649

 

$

1.0288

 

Class F

 

$

1.1433

 

$

1.0007

 

Class F1

 

$

1.1715

 

$

1.0254

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

2



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

TRADING PROFIT (LOSS):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized, net

 

$

174,445,190

 

$

84,320,010

 

$

(12,985,638

)

Change in unrealized, net

 

(4,426,647

)

19,691,885

 

(12,556,280

)

Brokerage commissions

 

(1,182,808

)

(1,310,913

)

(1,658,223

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total trading profit (loss), net

 

168,835,735

 

102,700,982

 

(27,200,141

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net

 

(492,913

)

(370,405

)

(268,920

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fee

 

18,246,934

 

21,013,843

 

22,799,470

 

Sponsor fee

 

13,968,592

 

15,912,263

 

17,137,471

 

Performance fee

 

29,738,237

 

6,385,339

 

519

 

Other

 

1,939,953

 

2,145,799

 

2,111,326

 

Total expenses

 

63,893,716

 

45,457,244

 

42,048,786

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

 

(64,386,629

)

(45,827,649

)

(42,317,706

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

104,449,106

 

$

56,873,333

 

$

(69,517,847

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of Units outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

75,378,674

 

98,692,610

 

112,525,532

 

Class C

 

276,291,530

 

320,078,129

 

338,215,096

 

Class D

 

39,142,522

 

79,113,900

 

97,233,575

 

Class I

 

36,995,414

 

50,548,810

 

53,305,559

 

Class DS

 

23,867,967

 

41,616,725

 

72,728,392

 

Class DT

 

6,154,763

 

10,750,384

 

16,327,295

 

Class M*

 

82,036,800

 

45,571,438

 

9,121,131

 

Class F**

 

46,520,691

 

45,094,466

 

 

Class F1***

 

32,348,368

 

32,348,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per weighted average Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

$

0.1789

 

$

0.0896

 

$

(0.1037

)

Class C

 

$

0.1611

 

$

0.0652

 

$

(0.1119

)

Class D

 

$

0.2260

 

$

0.1433

 

$

(0.0781

)

Class I

 

$

0.1862

 

$

0.1002

 

$

(0.0992

)

Class DS

 

$

0.2251

 

$

0.1166

 

$

(0.0827

)

Class DT

 

$

0.2585

 

$

0.1342

 

$

(0.0767

)

Class M*

 

$

0.1512

 

$

0.0669

 

$

0.0164

 

Class F**

 

$

0.1426

 

$

0.0136

 

$

 

Class F1***

 

$

0.1461

 

$

0.0254

 

$

 

 


* Units issued on March 1, 2012 (Presentation of weighted average units outstanding and net income (loss) per weighted average units for this share class for 2012 is for the period March 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012).

** Units issued on May 16, 2013 (Presentation of weighted average units outstanding and net income (loss) per weighted average units for this share class for 2013 is for the period May 16, 2013 to December 31, 2013).

*** Units issued on June 1, 2013 (Presentation of weighted average units outstanding and net income (loss) per weighted average units for this share class for 2013 is for the period June 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013).

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

3



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012 (IN UNITS)

 

 

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2011

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2012

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2013

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2014

 

Class A

 

102,409,963

 

29,640,100

 

(26,228,313

)

105,821,750

 

9,547,008

 

(26,089,547

)

89,279,211

 

6,060,784

 

(31,194,072

)

64,145,923

 

Class C

 

302,923,116

 

92,775,855

 

(60,957,404

)

334,741,567

 

30,030,602

 

(75,515,200

)

289,256,969

 

35,919,103

 

(59,600,117

)

265,575,955

 

Class D

 

93,387,095

 

16,402,430

 

(10,563,847

)

99,225,678

 

6,206,542

 

(58,735,323

)

46,696,897

 

3,680,491

 

(15,055,011

)

35,322,377

 

Class I

 

49,889,508

 

13,773,459

 

(12,995,108

)

50,667,859

 

6,983,219

 

(9,961,751

)

47,689,327

 

2,489,090

 

(19,022,768

)

31,155,649

 

Class DS

 

86,602,313

 

 

(32,474,284

)

54,128,029

 

 

(26,465,655

)

27,662,374

 

3,783,452

 

(10,234,326

)

21,211,500

 

Class DT

 

18,285,820

 

 

(5,083,599

)

13,202,221

 

 

(5,893,382

)

7,308,839

 

 

(1,967,786

)

5,341,053

 

Class M*

 

 

38,151,931

 

 

38,151,931

 

16,525,784

 

(8,494,429

)

46,183,286

 

60,133,744

 

(14,116,709

)

92,200,321

 

Class F**

 

 

 

 

 

46,520,691

 

 

46,520,691

 

 

 

46,520,691

 

Class F1***

 

 

 

 

 

32,348,368

 

 

32,348,368

 

 

 

32,348,368

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Units

 

653,497,815

 

190,743,775

 

(148,302,555

)

695,939,035

 

148,162,214

 

(211,155,287

)

632,945,962

 

112,066,664

 

(151,190,789

)

593,821,837

 

 


* Units issued on March 1, 2012.

** Units issued on May 16, 2013.

*** Units issued on June 1, 2013.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

4



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014, 2013 AND 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2011

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net Income(Loss)

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2012

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net Income(Loss)

 

Members’ Capital
December 31, 2013

 

Subscriptions

 

Redemptions

 

Net Income(Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

December 31, 2014

 

Class A

 

$

179,178,644

 

$

50,675,735

 

$

(43,814,019

)

$

(11,666,559

)

$

174,373,801

 

$

16,098,619

 

$

(44,097,135

)

$

8,838,824

 

$

155,214,109

 

$

10,612,854

 

$

(54,917,429

)

$

13,483,535

 

$

124,393,069

 

Class C

 

495,110,458

 

147,487,040

 

(94,603,982

)

(37,852,175

)

510,141,341

 

46,650,874

 

(117,187,044

)

20,855,066

 

460,460,237

 

57,435,022

 

(95,527,726

)

44,502,882

 

466,870,415

 

Class D

 

166,986,022

 

28,547,708

 

(18,316,402

)

(7,589,299

)

169,628,029

 

10,820,354

 

(106,288,749

)

11,338,552

 

85,498,186

 

6,729,000

 

(27,845,562

)

8,847,077

 

73,228,701

 

Class I

 

89,030,337

 

23,922,022

 

(22,162,942

)

(5,289,965

)

85,499,452

 

11,980,169

 

(17,299,983

)

5,064,476

 

85,244,114

 

4,451,221

 

(34,215,466

)

6,888,405

 

62,368,274

 

Class DS

 

154,664,303

 

 

(56,228,117

)

(6,017,214

)

92,418,972

 

 

(46,685,825

)

4,851,535

 

50,584,682

 

6,919,320

 

(18,956,021

)

5,371,945

 

43,919,926

 

Class DT

 

34,131,627

 

 

(9,201,191

)

(1,252,467

)

23,677,969

 

 

(11,009,023

)

1,442,581

 

14,111,527

 

 

(3,884,216

)

1,590,873

 

11,818,184

 

Class M*

 

 

36,497,781

 

 

149,832

 

36,647,613

 

16,330,357

 

(8,514,087

)

3,048,165

 

47,512,048

 

62,511,694

 

(15,026,145

)

12,404,112

 

107,401,709

 

Class F**

 

 

 

 

 

 

45,942,000

 

 

612,511

 

46,554,511

 

 

 

6,633,747

 

53,188,258

 

Class F1***

 

 

 

 

 

 

32,348,368

 

 

821,623

 

33,169,991

 

 

 

4,726,530

 

37,896,521

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Members’ Interest

 

$

1,119,101,391

 

$

287,130,286

 

$

(244,326,653

)

$

(69,517,847

)

$

1,092,387,177

 

$

180,170,741

 

$

(351,081,846

)

$

56,873,333

 

$

978,349,405

 

$

148,659,111

 

$

(250,372,565

)

$

104,449,106

 

$

981,085,057

 

 


* Units issued on March 1, 2012.

** Units issued on May 16, 2013.

*** Units issued on June 1, 2013.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014

 

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

 

Class M

 

Class F

 

Class F1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year or at the time of offer

 

$

1.7385

 

$

1.5919

 

$

1.8309

 

$

1.7875

 

$

1.8286

 

$

1.9307

 

$

1.0288

 

$

1.0007

 

$

1.0254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

0.3274

 

0.2976

 

0.3484

 

0.3375

 

0.3480

 

0.3697

 

0.1958

 

0.1917

 

0.1964

 

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0022

)

(0.0020

)

(0.0024

)

(0.0023

)

(0.0023

)

(0.0025

)

(0.0013

)

(0.0013

)

(0.0013

)

Interest income, net

 

(0.0009

)

(0.0008

)

(0.0010

)

(0.0009

)

(0.0010

)

(0.0010

)

(0.0005

)

(0.0005

)

(0.0005

)

Expenses

 

(0.1236

)

(0.1287

)

(0.1027

)

(0.1200

)

(0.1027

)

(0.0842

)

(0.0579

)

(0.0473

)

(0.0485

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

1.9392

 

$

1.7580

 

$

2.0732

 

$

2.0018

 

$

2.0706

 

$

2.2127

 

$

1.1649

 

$

1.1433

 

$

1.1715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

14.84

%

13.70

%

16.57

%

15.29

%

16.56

%

17.19

%

16.56

%

17.72

%

17.72

%

Performance fees

 

-3.30

%

-3.27

%

-3.33

%

-3.30

%

-3.33

%

-2.59

%

-3.33

%

-3.47

%

-3.47

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

11.54

%

10.43

%

13.24

%

11.99

%

13.23

%

14.60

%

13.23

%

14.25

%

14.25

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Member’s Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees) (b)

 

3.78

%

4.79

%

2.28

%

3.38

%

2.28

%

1.77

%

2.28

%

1.27

%

1.27

%

Performance fees

 

3.13

%

3.13

%

3.13

%

3.13

%

3.13

%

2.41

%

3.13

%

3.24

%

3.24

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

6.91

%

7.92

%

5.41

%

6.51

%

5.41

%

4.18

%

5.41

%

4.51

%

4.51

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (excluding Performance fees)

 

-3.78

%

-4.78

%

-2.27

%

-3.38

%

-2.27

%

-1.77

%

-2.27

%

-1.26

%

-1.26

%

Performance fees

 

-3.13

%

-3.13

%

-3.13

%

-3.13

%

-3.13

%

-2.41

%

-3.13

%

-3.24

%

-3.24

%

Net investment income (loss) (including Performance fees)

 

-6.91

%

-7.91

%

-5.40

%

-6.51

%

-5.40

%

-4.18

%

-5.40

%

-4.50

%

-4.50

%

 


(a) The total return is based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole. An individual member’s return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

(b) The expense ratios do not include brokerage commissions.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

6



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013

 

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

 

Class M

 

Class F*

 

Class F1**

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year or at the time of offer

 

$

1.6478

 

$

1.5240

 

$

1.7095

 

$

1.6874

 

$

1.7074

 

$

1.7935

 

$

0.9606

 

$

1.0000

 

$

1.0000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

0.1667

 

0.1534

 

0.1743

 

0.1711

 

0.1741

 

0.1833

 

0.0980

 

0.0082

 

0.0386

 

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0021

)

(0.0019

)

(0.0021

)

(0.0021

)

(0.0021

)

(0.0023

)

(0.0012

)

(0.0007

)

(0.0007

)

Interest income, net

 

(0.0006

)

(0.0005

)

(0.0006

)

(0.0006

)

(0.0006

)

(0.0006

)

(0.0003

)

(0.0001

)

(0.0003

)

Expenses

 

(0.0733

)

(0.0831

)

(0.0502

)

(0.0683

)

(0.0502

)

(0.0432

)

(0.0283

)

(0.0067

)

(0.0122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

1.7385

 

$

1.5919

 

$

1.8309

 

$

1.7875

 

$

1.8286

 

$

1.9307

 

$

1.0288

 

$

1.0007

 

$

1.0254

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

6.13

%

5.07

%

7.73

%

6.56

%

7.73

%

8.27

%

7.73

%

-0.03

%

3.07

%

Performance fees/other (c) 

 

-0.66

%

-0.66

%

-0.66

%

-0.66

%

-0.66

%

-0.63

%

-0.66

%

0.04

%

-0.55

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

5.47

%

4.41

%

7.07

%

5.90

%

7.07

%

7.64

%

7.07

%

0.01

%

2.52

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Member’s Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees) (b)

 

3.75

%

4.76

%

2.25

%

3.35

%

2.25

%

1.75

%

2.25

%

1.25

%

1.26

%

Performance fees (c) 

 

0.62

%

0.62

%

0.62

%

0.62

%

0.62

%

0.61

%

0.62

%

-0.07

%

0.54

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

4.37

%

5.38

%

2.87

%

3.97

%

2.87

%

2.36

%

2.87

%

1.18

%

1.80

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (excluding Performance fees)

 

-3.75

%

-4.75

%

-2.25

%

-3.35

%

-2.25

%

-1.74

%

-2.25

%

-1.24

%

-1.24

%

Performance fees (c) 

 

-0.62

%

-0.62

%

-0.62

%

-0.62

%

-0.62

%

-0.61

%

-0.62

%

0.07

%

-0.54

%

Net investment income (loss) (including Performance fees)

 

-4.37

%

-5.37

%

-2.87

%

-3.97

%

-2.87

%

-2.35

%

-2.87

%

-1.17

%

-1.78

%

 


(a) The total return is based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole. An individual member’s return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

(b) The expense ratios do not include brokerage commissions.

(c) Performance fees include reimbursement of performance fees allocated to the share classes in accordance with offering documents.

* Units issued on May 16, 2013. The ratios to average members’ capital have been annualized. The performance fee ratios and total return have not been annualized.

** Units issued on June 1, 2013. The ratios to average members’ capital have been annualized. The performance fee ratios and total return have not been annualized.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

7



 

WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012

 

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

 

Class M*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year or at the time of offer

 

$

1.7496

 

$

1.6344

 

$

1.7881

 

$

1.7846

 

$

1.7859

 

$

1.8666

 

$

1.0000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

(0.0366

)

(0.0341

)

(0.0376

)

(0.0374

)

(0.0375

)

(0.0393

)

(0.0202

)

Brokerage commissions

 

(0.0024

)

(0.0023

)

(0.0025

)

(0.0025

)

(0.0025

)

(0.0026

)

(0.0012

)

Interest income, net

 

(0.0004

)

(0.0004

)

(0.0004

)

(0.0004

)

(0.0004

)

(0.0004

)

(0.0002

)

Expenses

 

(0.0624

)

(0.0736

)

(0.0381

)

(0.0569

)

(0.0381

)

(0.0308

)

(0.0178

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

1.6478

 

$

1.5240

 

$

1.7095

 

$

1.6874

 

$

1.7074

 

$

1.7935

 

$

0.9606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return before Performance fees

 

-5.82

%

-6.76

%

-4.40

%

-5.44

%

-4.40

%

-3.92

%

-3.95

%

Performance fees/other

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

Total return after Performance fees

 

-5.82

%

-6.76

%

-4.40

%

-5.44

%

-4.40

%

-3.92

%

-3.95

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Member’s Capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (excluding Performance fees) (b)

 

3.71

%

4.71

%

2.21

%

3.31

%

2.21

%

1.71

%

2.22

%

Performance fees

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

Expenses (including Performance fees)

 

3.71

%

4.71

%

2.21

%

3.31

%

2.21

%

1.71

%

2.22

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income (loss) (excluding Performance fees)

 

-3.71

%

-4.71

%

-2.21

%

-3.31

%

-2.21

%

-1.71

%

-2.22

%

Performance fees

 

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

0.00

%

Net investment income (loss) (including Performance fees)

 

-3.71

%

-4.71

%

-2.21

%

-3.31

%

-2.21

%

-1.71

%

-2.22

%

 


(a) The total return is based on compounded monthly returns and is calculated for each class taken as a whole. An individual member’s return may vary from these returns based on timing of capital transactions.

(b) The expense ratios do not include brokerage commissions.

* Units issued on March 1, 2012. The ratios to average members’ capital have been annualized. The performance fee ratio and total return have not been annualized.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

8



 

ML WINTON FUTURESACCESS LLC

(A Delaware Limited Liability Company)

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.                   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization

 

ML Winton FuturesAccess LLC (the “Fund”), a FuturesAccessSM Program (“FuturesAccess”) fund, which is an investment company as defined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) guidance, was organized under the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act on May 17, 2004 and commenced trading activities on February 1, 2005. The Fund engages in the speculative trading of futures and forward contracts on a wide range of commodities. Winton Capital Management Limited (“Winton” or “Trading Advisor”) is the trading advisor of the Fund.  The Trading Advisor trades the Winton Diversified Program (the “Trading Program”) for the Fund.

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC (“MLAI”, the “Sponsor” or the “Managing Member”) is the sponsor and manager of the Fund. MLAI is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates are referred to herein as “BAC”. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) is currently the exclusive clearing broker for the Fund. The Sponsor may select other parties as clearing broker(s). Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”) is the primary foreign exchange (“F/X”) forward prime broker for the Fund. The Sponsor may select other of its affiliates or third parties as F/X or other over-the-counter (“OTC”) prime brokers. MLPF&S and MLI are BAC affiliates.

 

FuturesAccess is a group of managed futures funds sponsored by MLAI (“FuturesAccess Funds”).  FuturesAccess is exclusively available to investors that have investment accounts with Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, U.S. Trust and other divisions or affiliates of BAC.  FuturesAccess Funds currently are composed of direct-trading funds advised by a single trading advisor or funds of funds for which MLAI acts as the advisor and allocates capital among multiple trading advisors.  Although redemption terms vary among FuturesAccess Funds, FuturesAccess applies, with some exceptions, the same minimum investment amounts, fees and other operational criteria across all FuturesAccess Funds.  Each trading advisor participating in FuturesAccess employs different technical, fundamental, systematic and/or discretionary trading strategies.

 

As of December 31, 2014, the Fund offers ten Classes of Units:  Class A, Class C, Class I, Class D, Class DT, Class DS, Class M, Class F, Class F1 and Class G. Each Class of Units is offered at the Net Asset Value per Unit.

 

The Class M Units are for investors who are subscribing through certain accounts enrolled in an eligible managed investment account program (“Eligible Managed Accounts”). The Sponsor may modify, on a prospective basis, the Eligible Managed Accounts.

 

Class F Units and Class F1 Units were initially offered during 2013.  Following this initial offering period, only investors who subscribed for Class F or Class F-1 Units during the initial offering period and continue to hold such Units are permitted to make additional subscriptions to these Classes as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion.

 

Class DT is solely for investments made by ML Trend-Following Futures Fund L.P. and Class DS is solely for investments made by Systematic Momentum FuturesAccess LLC, which are FuturesAccess funds of funds.

 

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, BAC or by any bank.  Interests are subject to investment risks, including the possible loss of the full amount invested.

 

9



 

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 may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material. Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

 

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 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, net under Trading profit (loss), net in the Statements of Operations.

 

Trading profit (loss), net includes brokerage commission costs on commodity contracts.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The Fund’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, it may transact 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 as of the dates 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.  Profits and losses, including adjustments, resulting from the translation to U.S. dollars are included in Trading profit (loss), net in the Statements of Operations.

 

Equity in Commodity Trading Accounts

 

A portion of the assets maintained at MLPF&S is restricted cash required to meet maintenance margin requirements of the exchanges the Fund’s contracts are traded on and /or requirements greater than those of the exchanges as may be required by MLPF&S, in its sole discretion.

 

Operating Expenses 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 other expenses) incurred by the Fund.

 

Class A Units are subject to upfront sales commissions paid to MLPF&S ranging from 1.0% to 2.5% of an investor’s gross subscription amount. Class D Units and Class I Units are subject to upfront sales commissions paid to MLPF&S up to 2.5% of an investor’s gross subscription amount. Class F Units and Class G Units are subject to upfront sales commissions paid to MLPF&S up to 0.5% of an investor’s gross subscription amount. Sales commissions are directly deducted from subscription amounts.  Class C Units, Class DS Units, Class DT Units, Class F-1 Units, and Class M Units are not subject to upfront sales commissions.

 

10



 

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.

 

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.  A prospective investor should be aware that, among other things, income taxes could have a material adverse effect on the periodic calculations of the net asset value of the Fund, including reducing the net asset value of the Fund to reflect reserves for income taxes, such as foreign withholding taxes, that may be payable by the Fund. This could cause benefits or detriments to certain investors, depending upon the timing of their entry and exit from the Fund. 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 is the major tax jurisdiction for the Fund and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States — 2011.

 

Distributions

 

Each member is 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, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

 

Subscriptions

 

The Fund generally offers Units for investment as of the 1st and 16th calendar day of each month (each a “Subscription Date”) at the net asset value per Unit of their respective Classes, although MLAI may in its discretion, discontinue mid-month subscriptions at any time. Investors must submit their executed subscription agreement signature pages on or before the “Subscription/Redemption Notice Date,” which is eight business days prior to the 1st and 16th of every month.  Investors’ subscriptions will be used to purchase a number of Units, including fractional Units, with an aggregate net asset value equal to the dollar amount invested.

 

Redemptions and Exchanges

 

Investors in the Fund generally may redeem any or all of their Units at Net Asset Value, in whole or fractional Units, effective as of (i) the 15th calendar day of each month and/or (ii) the last calendar day of each month (each a “Redemption Date”), upon submitting the redemption request by the Subscription/Redemption Notice Date.  MLAI may eliminate investors’ mid-month redemption right at any time.  The Net Asset Value of redeemed Units is determined as of the Redemption Date. Investors will remain exposed to fluctuations in Net Asset Value during the period between submission of their redemption requests and the applicable Redemption Date.

 

Investors in the Fund may generally exchange their Units for those of any other FuturesAccess Fund as of any Subscription Date with prior written notice to the Fund by the Subscription/Redemption Notice Date and any applicable notice to the other FuturesAccess Fund.  If only one of the FuturesAccess Funds has semi-monthly redemption dates, exchanges will only be permitted as of the beginning of each month. In all cases, exchanges are subject to FuturesAccess Fund availability, investor eligibility and any restrictions imposed by a FuturesAccess Fund or the terms of a securities account, either temporarily or on an ongoing basis.  The minimum exchange amount is $10,000.

 

11



 

2.              CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

 

The Fund’s investments, defined as unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts on the Statements of Financial Condition, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

Net Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Members’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

1,421

 

$

(785,953

)

-0.08

%

(1,158

)

$

1,472,959

 

0.15

%

$

687,006

 

0.07

%

January 2015 - May 2015

 

Currencies - Futures

 

45

 

82,921

 

0.01

%

(4,699

)

6,871,456

 

0.70

%

6,954,377

 

0.71

%

March 2015

 

Currencies - Forwards*

 

332,199,304

 

(8,001,592

)

-0.82

%

(212,084,481

)

3,455,991

 

0.35

%

(4,545,601

)

-0.47

%

January 2015 - June 2015

 

Energy

 

322

 

(3,058,740

)

-0.31

%

(847

)

6,738,494

 

0.69

%

3,679,754

 

0.38

%

January 2015 - March 2015

 

Interest rates

 

25,193

 

13,192,799

 

1.34

%

(189

)

(39,367

)

0.00

%

13,153,432

 

1.34

%

March 2015 - March 2018

 

Metals

 

896

 

(3,038,004

)

-0.31

%

(1,377

)

3,249,905

 

0.33

%

211,901

 

0.02

%

January 2015 - April 2015

 

Stock indices

 

4,101

 

6,699,726

 

0.68

%

(193

)

(738,571

)

-0.08

%

5,961,155

 

0.60

%

January 2015 - March 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, net

 

 

 

$

5,091,157

 

0.51

%

 

 

$

21,010,867

 

2.14

%

$

26,102,024

 

2.65

%

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Members’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Members’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

1,692

 

$

(904,240

)

-0.09

%

(3,532

)

$

3,600,461

 

0.37

%

$

2,696,221

 

0.28

%

January 2014 - May 2014

 

Currencies - Futures

 

4,996

 

3,146,465

 

0.32

%

(3,705

)

4,093,122

 

0.42

%

7,239,587

 

0.74

%

March 2014

 

Currencies - Forwards*

 

383,819,256

 

927,780

 

0.09

%

(236,246,331

)

(688,767

)

-0.07

%

239,013

 

0.02

%

January 2014 - June 2014

 

Energy

 

693

 

407,390

 

0.04

%

(303

)

(596,799

)

-0.06

%

(189,409

)

-0.02

%

January 2014 - March 2014

 

Interest rates

 

19,506

 

(5,225,777

)

-0.53

%

(1,606

)

631,192

 

0.06

%

(4,594,585

)

-0.47

%

February 2014 - December 2016

 

Metals

 

641

 

35,533

 

0.00

%

(1,131

)

2,627,090

 

0.27

%

2,662,623

 

0.27

%

January 2014 - April 2014

 

Stock indices

 

8,131

 

22,478,186

 

2.30

%

(41

)

(2,965

)

0.00

%

22,475,221

 

2.30

%

January 2014 - March 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, net

 

 

 

$

20,865,337

 

2.13

%

 

 

$

9,663,334

 

0.99

%

$

30,528,671

 

3.12

%

 

 

 


*Currencies-Forwards present notional amounts as converted to USD.

 

No individual contract’s unrealized profit or loss comprised greater than 5% of Members’ Capital as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. With respect to each commodity industry sector listed in the above chart, the net unrealized profit (loss) on open positions is the sum of the unrealized profits (loss) of long positions and short positions of the open contracts, netting unrealized losses against unrealized profits as applicable. Net unrealized profit and loss provides a rough measure of the exposure of the Fund to the various sectors as of the date listed, although such exposure can change at any time.

 

12



 

3.              FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

 

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. Profits or losses are realized when contracts are liquidated.  Unrealized profits or losses on open contracts are included in Equity in commodity trading accounts on the Statements of Financial Condition.  Any change in net unrealized profit or loss from the preceding period/year is reported in the respective Statements of Operations.

 

The fair value measurement guidance established by U.S. GAAP is a hierarchical 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 in U.S. GAAP, 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

 

13



 

significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

 

The 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 such investments are traded.  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 the process for determining fair values.

 

The Fund has determined that Level I investments would include 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 observable prices of investments with similar characteristics and these are generally classified as Level II investments. The Fund determined that Level II investments would include its forwards and certain futures contracts.

 

Transfers of investments between different levels of the fair value hierarchy, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period.

 

The Fund’s unrealized profit (loss) on open forwards and futures contracts, by the above fair value hierarchy levels as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

2014

 

Total

 

Level I

 

Level II

 

Level III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

44,175,968

 

$

41,776,309

 

$

2,399,659

 

$

 

Forwards

 

4,533,927

 

 

4,533,927

 

 

 

 

$

48,709,895

 

$

41,776,309

 

$

6,933,586

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

13,528,343

 

$

10,463,309

 

$

3,065,034

 

$

 

Forwards

 

9,079,528

 

 

9,079,528

 

 

 

 

$

22,607,871

 

$

10,463,309

 

$

12,144,562

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

26,102,024

 

$

31,313,000

 

$

(5,210,976

)

$

 

 

14



 

2013

 

Total

 

Level I

 

Level II

 

Level III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

42,267,900

 

$

41,529,812

 

$

738,088

 

$

 

Forwards

 

3,156,037

 

 

3,156,037

 

 

 

 

$

45,423,937

 

$

41,529,812

 

$

3,894,125

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

11,978,242

 

$

10,857,511

 

$

1,120,731

 

$

 

Forwards

 

2,917,024

 

 

2,917,024

 

 

 

 

$

14,895,266

 

$

10,857,511

 

$

4,037,755

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2013

 

$

30,528,671

 

$

30,672,301

 

$

(143,630

)

$

 

 

The Fund’s volume of trading forwards and futures at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are representative of the activity throughout the years presented. There were no transfers to or from any level during 2014 and 2013.

 

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 ASC guidance for accounting for derivative and hedging activities. The fair value amounts of, and the net profits 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 total notional, number of contracts and fair values of derivative instruments by contract type/commodity sector are disclosed in Note 2.

 

The Fund maintains margin deposits and cash collateral with its futures and forwards brokers, respectively, based on the greater of exchange margin or amounts determined by the respective broker. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the initial margin deposits (cash) are used to satisfy the margin requirements to establish the futures or forward contracts and are presented on the Statements of Financial Condition in Cash in the Equity in commodity trading accounts. The variation margin on open contracts is presented gross on the Statements of Financial Condition in Unrealized profit or loss on futures or forwards contracts, respectively. The Fund is subject to agreements which support the ability to settle net with their counterparties; however, the Fund has elected to present the related balances on the Statements of Financial Condition on a gross basis. The net of these amounts less the restricted cash presented within the Cash in the Equity in commodity trading accounts on the Statements of Financial Condition represents the Fund’s net exposure.

 

The following table indicates the trading profits and losses, before brokerage commissions, by type/commodity industry sector, on derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012:

 

15



 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

December 31, 2012

 

Commodity Industry Sector

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

$

(10,831,497

)

$

18,252,148

 

$

(15,604,240

)

Currencies

 

23,750,878

 

22,068,047

 

(28,551,422

)

Energy

 

48,093,717

 

(19,454,292

)

(23,874,054

)

Interest rates

 

112,341,985

 

(54,443,134

)

58,632,850

 

Metals

 

(1,188,085

)

21,130,440

 

(23,650,501

)

Stock indices

 

(2,148,455

)

116,458,686

 

7,505,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, net

 

$

170,018,543

 

$

104,011,895

 

$

(25,541,918

)

 

The Fund is subject to the risk of insolvency of a counterparty, an exchange, a clearinghouse, MLPF&S or other BAC entities.  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

 

MLAI and the Fund entered into a transfer agency and investor services agreement with Financial Data Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of BAC and affiliate of MLAI. The Transfer Agent provides registrar, distribution disbursing agent, transfer agent and certain other services related to the issuance, redemption, exchange and transfer of Units. The fees charged by the Transfer Agent for its services are based on the aggregate net assets of funds managed or sponsored by MLAI. The fee rate ranges from 0.016% to 0.02% per year of the aggregate net assets managed or sponsored by MLAI. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the rate ranged from 0.018% to 0.02%.  The fee is payable monthly in arrears.  MLAI allocates the Transfer Agent fees to each of the managed or sponsored funds, including the Fund, on a monthly basis based on each fund’s net assets.  The Transfer Agent fee allocated to the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $189,331, $209,488 and $226,250, respectively, of which $34,694 and $33,843 was payable to the Transfer Agent as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Typically the vast majority of the Fund’s U.S. dollar assets are maintained at MLPF&S. MLPF&S and any other BAC affiliates that hold the Fund’s cash assets receive economic benefits, which may be substantial, from holding this cash, even in low interest rate environments in which the Fund receives little, or no, interest on these cash assets.  BAC’s “Interest Earning Program,” which offers interest on cash balances subject to a negotiated schedule, will generally apply to Fund cash assets at any time they are maintained by MLAI with its affiliates.  As of December 31, 2014, the interest rate under the Interest Earning Program on U.S. dollar cash balances is the daily effective federal funds rate less 20 basis points, recalculated and accrued daily, and subject to a floor of 0%. The daily effective federal funds rate is a volume-weighted average of rates on trades arranged by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York using data provided by brokers.  Interest is computed based upon the daily net equity balance of the Fund’s account and is posted to the Fund’s account on a monthly basis.

 

16



 

MLPF&S 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.

 

The Fund charges Sponsor fees on the month-end net assets after all other charges at annual rates equal to 1.5% for Class A Units, 2.5% for Class C Units, and 1.1% for Class I Units.  Class D Units, Class DS Units, Class DT Units, Class M Units, Class F Units, Class F1 Units and Class G Units are not charged a Sponsor fee.

 

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, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $4.08, $4.48 and $5.48, respectively.

 

Brokerage Commissions, Interest and Sponsor fees, as presented on the Statements of Operations, are all received from or paid to related parties. Equity in commodity trading accounts, including cash and Unrealized profit/loss, as presented on the Statements of Financial Condition are held with a related party.

 

5.                   ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

The Fund, MLAI and the Trading Advisor have entered into an advisory agreement.  The advisory agreement will continue in effect until December 31, 2016. Thereafter, the advisory agreement will be automatically renewed for successive three-year periods, on the same terms, unless terminated at any time by either the Trading Advisor or the Fund upon 90 days written notice to the other party.  Pursuant to the advisory agreement, the Trading Advisor has sole and exclusive authority and responsibility for directing the Fund’s trading, subject to MLAI’s fiduciary authority to intervene to overrule or unwind trades if MLAI deems that doing so is necessary or advisable for the protection of the Fund.

 

The Fund pays monthly management fees to the Trading Advisor based on the month-end net asset value of the Fund (prior to reduction for the management fees being calculated and any accrued performance fees or Sponsor fees).  The management fee rate is 2% per year for Class A Units, Class C Units, Class I Units, Class D Units, Class DS Units and Class M Units. The management fee rate is 1.5% per year for Class DT Units.  The management fee rate is 1.25% per year for Class G Units.  The management fee rate is 1% per year for Class F Units and Class F-1 Units.

 

With respect to the Class A Units, Class C Units, Class D Units, Class DS Units Class I Units and Class M Units, the Trading Advisor has agreed to share 50% of its management fee with MLAI. With respect to Class F Units and Class F-1 Units, the Trading Advisor has agreed to share 30% of its management fee with MLAI.  With respect to Class G Units, the Trading Advisor has agreed to share 36% of its management fee with MLAI.  The Trading Advisor has agreed to share the management fees with MLAI in order to defray costs in connection with and in consideration of BAC’s providing certain administrative and operational support for the Fund. This fee sharing arrangement does not apply in respect of Class DT Units.

 

The Fund pays a 20% quarterly performance to the Trading Advisor with respect to all Classes of Units, except Class DT Units for which the Fund pays a 15% quarterly performance fee to the Trading Advisor.  The performance fee is calculated based on any increase in the aggregate net asset value of the Classes of Units subject to the same rate of performance fees (each a “Class 

 

17



 

Group”), taken together, in excess of the Class Group’s highest net asset value as of any previous calendar quarter end after adjustment for subscriptions and the performance fee then paid (“High Water Mark”). The performance fee is also paid on net redemptions, and the High Water Mark is proportionately reduced.

 

6.              WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS

 

The weighted average number of Units outstanding for each Class is computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average Unit.  The weighted average number of Units, outstanding for each Class, for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012  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.

 

7.              MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS

 

The nature of this Fund has certain risks, which cannot all be presented in 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 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 it will, in fact, succeed in doing so.  These procedures focus primarily on monitoring the trading of the Trading Advisor, 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 the Trading Advisor 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 Trading Advisor monitoring, with the market risk controls being applied by the Trading Advisor.

 

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 (but not universally) provide clearinghouse arrangements in which the collective credit (in some cases limited in amount, in some cases not) of the members of the exchange/clearinghouse is pledged to support the financial integrity of the exchange/clearinghouse.  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 traded contracts, and in the over-the-counter markets counterparties may also require margin.

 

18



 

The credit risk associated with these instruments from counterparty nonperformance is the unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts, if any, included in the Statements of Financial Condition. MLAI, as sponsor of the Fund, has a general policy of maintaining clearing and prime brokerage arrangements with BAC affiliates, such as MLPF&S and MLI, although MLAI may engage non-BAC affiliated service providers as clearing brokers or prime brokers for the Fund. This policy may increase risk to the Fund by preventing the diversification of brokers used by the Fund.

 

The Fund, in its normal course of business, enters into various contracts, with MLPF&S acting as its futures clearing broker.  Due to the relationship with MLPF&S, in the event of default, all futures balances are eligible for offset with a net settlement due to MLPF&S.  Due to the relationship with MLI, in the event of default, all forwards balances are eligible for offset with a net settlement due to MLI.

 

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 certain parties, including BAC affiliates. 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 expects the risk of loss to be remote and, therefore, no provision has been recorded.

 

8.                   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Effective as of January 31, 2015, ML Winton FuturesAccess Ltd (the “Offshore Fund” or “WNTN FuturesAccess Ltd”) will be investing all of its assets into the Fund (the “Onshore Fund”) (the “Restructuring”). In connection with the Restructuring, the Fund will offer a new Class of Units, designated as Class DI, to the Offshore Fund. The Class DI Units will be offered only to the Offshore Fund.  Class DI Units will be subject to the same terms applicable to Class DS Units, including that the Class DI Units will also not be subject to any upfront sales commissions, Sponsor fees or fee sharing with the Sponsor.

 

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

 

19



 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *      *      *

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the

undersigned, the information contained in this

report is accurate and complete.

 

 

 

/s/Barbra E. Kocsis

 

 

Barbra E. Kocsis

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC

 

 

Sponsor of

 

 

ML Winton FuturesAccess LLC

 

 

20