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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015

or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 000-19511

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware    13-3619290

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Ceres Managed Futures LLC

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, NY

   10036
(Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code    (855) 672-4468

 

 

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes  x     No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every

Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during

the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     Yes  x     No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer ¨    Accelerated filer                   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes  ¨    No  x

As of October 31, 2015, 3,419,881.482 Limited Partnership Units were outstanding.


Table of Contents

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2015

 

   PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Financial Statements:   
   Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2015 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2014      2   
   Condensed Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2015 (Unaudited)      3   
   Condensed Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2014      4   
   Statements of Income and Expenses for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)      5   
   Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 (Unaudited)      6   
   Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)      7-17   

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations      18-22   

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk      22-27   

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures      27   
   PART II. OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings      28-34   

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors      35   

Item 4.

   Mine Safety Disclosures      35   
Item 6.    Exhibits      35   


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

     September 30,
2015
(Unaudited)
     December 31,
2014
 

ASSETS

     

Trading Equity:

     

Investments in U.S. Treasury bills, at fair value (amortized cost
$27,949,571 and $0, respectively)

     $ 27,950,479           $ -         

Unrestricted cash

     57,620,937           100,568,198     

Restricted cash

     14,152,593           13,490,625     

Net unrealized gain on open contracts

     3,355,537           6,462,482     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Trading Equity

     103,079,546           120,521,305     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Interest receivable

     83           565     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     103,079,629           120,521,870     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

     

Liabilities:

     

Accrued ongoing placement agent fees

     166,945           195,005     

Accrued General Partner fees

     166,945           195,005     

Accrued management fees

     145,955           169,133     

Redemptions payable to Limited Partners

     1,269,510           2,079,936     

Redemptions payable to General Partner

     80,028           -         
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     1,829,383           2,639,079     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital:

     

Limited Partners (3,467,677.384 and 3,861,976.161 Units, respectively)

     100,143,698           116,569,858     

General Partner (38,316.597 and 43,497.666 Units, respectively)

     1,106,548           1,312,933     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Partners’ Capital

     101,250,246           117,882,791     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

     $         103,079,629           $         120,521,870     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT

     $ 28.88           $ 30.18     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

2


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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

CONDENSED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

September 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

 

Futures and Forward Contracts Purchased

   Fair Value     % of
Partners’
Capital
 

Commodity

     $             (545,089     (0.54)    

Equity

     (111,863     (0.11)    

Foreign currency

     (247,349     (0.24)    

Interest rate

         2,278,484        2.25     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures and Forward Contracts Purchased

     1,374,183                        1.36     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Futures and Forward Contracts Sold

    

Commodity

     1,731,806        1.71     

Equity

     171,377        0.17     

Foreign currency

     230,903        0.23     

Interest rate

     (152,732     (0.15)    
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Futures and Forward Contracts Sold

     1,981,354        1.96     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain on Open Contracts

     3,355,537        3.32     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investments in U.S. Treasury bills

         % of
Partners’
 

  Face Amount  

 

  Maturity Date  

 

Description

   Fair Value     Capital  

  $14,150,000

  10/15/2015     U.S. Treasury bills, 0.005% (amortized cost of $14,149,778)      14,150,243        13.98     

  $13,800,000

  10/15/2015     U.S. Treasury bills, 0.005% (amortized cost of $13,799,793)      13,800,236        13.63     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments in U.S. Treasury bills

     27,950,479        27.61     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Fair Value

       $         31,306,016                30.93     
      

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

CONDENSED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

December 31, 2014

 

Futures and Forward Contracts Purchased

   Fair Value      % of
Partners’
Capital
 

Commodity

     $ (1,909,532)          (1.62)   % 

Equity

     236,709           0.20     

Foreign currency

     52,035           0.04     

Interest rate

     2,928,753           2.48     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Futures and Forward Contracts Purchased

     1,307,965                   1.10     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures and Forward Contracts Sold

     

Commodity

     4,259,593           3.61     

Equity

     (97,922)          (0.08)    

Foreign currency

     991,501           0.84     

Interest rate

     1,345           -      (1) 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Futures and Forward Contracts Sold

     5,154,517           4.37     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Gain on Open Contracts

     6,462,482           5.47     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net fair value

     $         6,462,482           5.47    % 
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amount less than 0.005%.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND EXPENSES

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
    2015     2014     2015     2014  

INVESTMENT INCOME

       

Interest income

    $ 1,952          $ 2,957          $ 5,876          $ 15,853     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EXPENSES

       

General Partner fees

    518,869          -              1,707,078          -         

Ongoing placement agent fees

    518,869          -              1,707,078          -         

Management fees

    455,701          447,116          1,493,863          1,490,657     

Brokerage fees

    -              1,119,912          -              4,378,408     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

    1,493,439          1,567,028          4,908,019          5,869,065     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT LOSS

    (1,491,487)         (1,564,071)         (4,902,143)         (5,853,212)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

TRADING RESULTS

       

Trading profit (loss):

       

Net realized

    (4,865,629)         8,004,639          2,756,600          5,594,451     

Net change in unrealized

    6,521,754          1,635,737          (2,428,669)         739,052     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Trading Results

          1,656,125          9,640,376          327,931          6,333,503     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

    $ 164,638          $ 8,076,305          $       (4,574,212)         $         480,291     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) ALLOCATION

       

Limited Partners

    162,822          7,978,882          (4,524,518)         474,730     

General Partner

    1,816          97,423          (49,694)         5,561     

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT*

       

Limited Partners

    0.05          1.87          (1.30)         0.57     

General Partner

    0.05          1.87          (1.30)         0.57     
    Units     Units     Units     Units  

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING

    3,598,663.983        4,470,260.830        3,733,528.114        4,908,508.532   

 

*

Represents the change in net asset value per Unit during the period.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

(Unaudited)

 

    Units of
Partnership
Interest
    Limited
Partners
    General
Partner
    Total  

Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2014

    3,905,473.827          $ 116,569,858          $ 1,312,933          $ 117,882,791     

Net Loss

    -              (4,524,518)         (49,694)         (4,574,212)    

Redemptions

    (399,479.846)         (11,901,642)         (156,691)         (12,058,333)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, September 30, 2015

    3,505,993.981          $ 100,143,698          $ 1,106,548          $ 101,250,246     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2013

    5,533,635.686          $ 144,651,488          $ 1,875,257          146,526,745     

Net Income

    -              474,730          5,561          480,291     

Redemptions

    (1,322,696.034)         (32,381,136)         (704,041)         (33,085,177)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, September 30, 2014

            4,210,939.652          $         112,745,082          $           1,176,777          $         113,921,859     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 30, 2015

(Unaudited)

1. Organization

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership organized in 1991 to engage primarily in the speculative trading of futures contracts, options on futures and forward contracts, and forward contracts on physical commodities and other commodity interests, including, but not limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments, metals, energy, and agricultural products (collectively, “Futures Interests”) (refer to Note 5. Financial Instruments). The Partnership is one of the Morgan Stanley Spectrum series of funds, comprised of the Partnership, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Currency and Commodity L.P., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Technical L.P. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Strategic L.P.

Ceres Managed Futures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, acts as the general partner (“Ceres” or the “General Partner”) and commodity pool operator for the Partnership. Ceres is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Holdings LLC (“MSSBH”). MSSBH is wholly-owned indirectly by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is doing business as Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management”). Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a principal subsidiary of MSSBH.

The clearing commodity broker for the Partnership is Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.”). MS&Co. also acts as the counterparty on all trading of foreign currency forward contracts. MS&Co. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The trading advisors to the Partnership are Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited (“Altis”), EMC Capital Management, Inc. (“EMC”), Graham Capital Management, L.P. (“Graham”) and Rabar Market Research, Inc. (“Rabar”) (individually, a “Trading Advisor”, or collectively, the “Trading Advisors”).

During June 2015, the General Partner determined to invest a portion of the Partnership’s excess cash (the Partnership’s assets not used for futures interest trading or required margin for such trading) in United States (“U.S.”) Treasury bills and/or other permitted investments. The Partnership will receive interest on U.S. Treasury bills or other permitted investments at the relevant coupon rate. There will be no change to the treatment of the excess cash not invested in U.S. Treasury bills or other permitted investments. The General Partner intends to hold the U.S. Treasury bills until maturity, but in the event that the General Partner is required to liquidate U.S. Treasury bills before they mature, to meet redemption requests or otherwise, the Partnership may incur a loss on such U.S. Treasury bills and/or may be subject to additional fees or other costs. The General Partner will endeavor to maintain sufficient cash in the Partnership’s accounts in order to avoid early liquidation of U.S. Treasury bills.

In July 2015, the General Partner delegated certain administrative functions to SS&C Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, currently doing business as SS&C GlobeOp (the “Administrator”). Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Administrator furnishes certain administrative services in connection with the operation of the Partnership, including the preparation of required books and records and reports to limited partners, government agencies and regulators; computation of net asset value; assistance in connection with certain limited partner communications; calculation and accrual of income, expenses, gains and losses; preparation of financial, performance and other reporting; coordination of the annual audit with the Partnership’s auditor; preparation of the Partnership’s draft annual financial statements and accompanying materials; assistance with updating periodic regulatory filings; provision of tax services as agreed with the General Partner; assistance in opening and operating the Partnership’s bank accounts; provision of daily profit and loss, estimated net asset value and position and reconciliation reports; and reconciliation of daily transactions, positions and cash balances to the Partnership’s brokerage and bank accounts. In addition, the Administrator will maintain certain books and records of the Partnership. The General Partner pays or reimburses the Partnership, from the General Partner fee (formerly, the administrative fee) it receives, the ordinary administrative expenses of the Partnership. This includes the expenses related to the engagement of the Administrator. Therefore, the engagement of the Administrator will not impact the Partnership’s break-even point.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

2. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying financial statements and accompanying notes are unaudited but, in the opinion of the General Partner, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial condition at September 30, 2015, the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and changes in partners’ capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. These financial statements present the results of interim periods and do not include all of the disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read together with the financial statements and notes included in the Partnership’s December 31, 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form10-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2014. The December 31, 2014 information has been derived from the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the General Partner to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and accompanying notes. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Amounts previously presented as unrealized currency gain (loss) on the Condensed Schedules of Investments and included in net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts on the Statements of Financial Condition are now reported as part of unrestricted cash on the Statements of Financial Condition.

Partnership’s Investments: The fair value of exchange-traded futures, option and forward contracts is determined by the various exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close of business on the last business day of the reporting period. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period from various exchanges. The fair value of non- exchange-traded foreign currency option contracts is calculated by applying an industry standard model application for options valuation of foreign currency options, using as input the spot prices, interest rates, and option implied volatilities quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period. U.S. Treasury bills are valued at the last available bid price received from independent pricing services as of the close of the last business day of the reporting period.

Restricted and Unrestricted Cash: As reflected on the Partnership’s Statements of Financial Condition, restricted cash equals the cash portion of assets on deposit to meet margin requirements plus the cash required to offset unrealized losses on foreign currency forwards and options contracts and offset unrealized losses only on the offsetting London Metal Exchange positions. All of these amounts are maintained separately. Cash that is not classified as restricted cash is therefore classified as unrestricted cash. Restricted and unrestricted cash includes cash denominated in foreign currencies of $(343,552) (proceeds of $351,881) and $(200,950) (cost of $468,997) as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Investment Company Status: The Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-08, “Financial Services — Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements” and based on the General Partner’s assessment, the Partnership has been deemed to be an investment company since inception. Accordingly, the Partnership follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of Topic 946 and reflects its investments at fair value with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected in the Statements of Income and Expenses.

Income Taxes: Income taxes have not been listed as each partner is individually liable for the taxes, if any, on its share of the Partnership’s income and expenses. The General Partner concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Partnership’s financial statements. The Partnership files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The 2011 through 2014 tax years remain subject to examination by U.S. federal and most state tax authorities. The General Partner does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

Net Income (Loss) per Unit: Net income (loss) per unit of limited partnership interest (“Unit(s)”) is calculated in accordance with investment company guidance. See Note 3. “Financial Highlights.

 

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Table of Contents

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement: In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2015-07, “Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)” which relates to disclosures for investments that calculate net asset value per share (potentially fund of fund structures). The ASU requires investments for which the practical expedient is used to measure fair value at net asset value be removed from the fair value hierarchy. Instead, an entity is required to include those investments as a reconciling line item so that the total fair value amount of investments in the disclosure is consistent with the amount on the balance sheet. Further, the ASU removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient. The standard is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Partnership has elected to adopt the guidance as of June 30, 2015. The adoption did not have any impact on the Partnership’s fair value measurement disclosures.

There have been no material changes with respect to the Partnership’s critical accounting policies as reported in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

3. Financial Highlights

Financial highlights for the limited partner class for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:

 

         Three Months Ended    
September 30,
         Nine Months Ended    
September 30,
 
     2015      2014      2015      2014  

Per Unit operating performance:

           

Net asset value at the beginning of the period:

     $ 28.83            $ 25.18            $ 30.18            $ 26.48      

Net Investment Loss(2)

     (0.42)          (0.36)          (1.32)          (1.23)    

Realized/Unrealized Gain/(Loss)

     0.47            2.23            0.02            1.80      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     0.05            1.87            (1.30)          0.57      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value at the end of the period:

     $       28.88            $       27.05            $       28.88            $       27.05      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Ratios to average net assets: (1)

           

Net Investment Loss(2)

     (5.7)%         (5.6)%         (5.8)%         (6.6)%   

Expenses before Incentive Fees

     5.7 %         5.6 %         5.8 %         6.6 %   

Incentive Fees

     0.0 %         0.0 %         0.0 %         0.0 %   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses after Incentive Fees

     5.7 %         5.6 %         5.8 %         6.6 %   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return before Incentive Fees

     0.2 %         7.4 %         (4.3)%         2.2 %   

Incentive Fees

     0.0 %         0.0 %         0.0 %         0.0 %   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return after Incentive Fees

     0.2 %         7.4 %         (4.3)%         2.2 %   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Annualized (except for incentive fees if applicable).

(2)

Interest income less total expenses.

The above ratios and total return may vary for individual investors based on the timing of capital transactions during the period. Additionally, these ratios are calculated for the limited partner class using the limited partners’ share of income, expenses and average net assets.

4. Related Party Transactions

The Partnership’s cash is on deposit in commodity brokerage accounts with Morgan Stanley and will be maintained in cash, U.S. Treasury bills and/or other permitted investments and segregated as customer funds, to the extent required by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations. From time to time, a portion of the Partnership’s excess cash (the Partnership’s assets not used for Futures Interest trading or required margin for such trading) may be invested by MS&Co. in permitted investments chosen by the General Partner from time to time. The Partnership will receive 100% of the interest income earned on any excess cash invested in permitted investments. For excess cash which is not invested, MS&Co. pays the Partnership interest income on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Partnership’s account during each month at a rate equal to 80% of the monthly average of the 4-week U.S. Treasury bill discount rate. MS&Co. retains any interest earned in excess of the interest paid by MS&Co. to the Partnership. For purposes of such interest payments, net assets do not include monies due to the Partnership on Futures Interests that have not been received. The Partnership pays a General Partner fee to the General Partner and an ongoing placement agent fee to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Prior to October 2014, a flat rate brokerage fee was payable to MS&Co. The General Partner pays or reimburses the Partnership for all fees and costs charged or incurred by MS&Co., the General Partner and/or its affiliates or any other entity acting as a commodity broker for the Partnership.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

5. Financial Instruments

The Partnership trades Futures Interests. Futures and forwards represent contracts for delayed delivery of an instrument at a specified date and price. Futures Interests are open commitments until the settlement date, at which time they are realized. They are valued at fair value, generally on a daily basis, and the unrealized gains and losses on open contracts (the difference between contract trade price and market price) are reported in the Statements of Financial Condition as a net unrealized gain or loss on open contracts. The resulting net change in unrealized gains and losses is reflected in the “Net change in unrealized trading profit (loss)” on open contracts from one period to the next on the Statements of Income and Expenses. The Partnership’s contracts are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Risk arises from changes in the value of these contracts and the potential inability of counterparties to perform under the terms of the contracts. There are numerous factors which may significantly influence the fair value of these contracts, including interest rate volatility.

The fair value of an exchange-traded contract is based on the settlement price quoted by the exchange on the day with respect to which fair value is being determined. If an exchange-traded contract could not have been liquidated on such day due to the operation of daily limits or other rules of the exchange, the settlement price will be equal to the settlement price on the first subsequent day on which the contract could be liquidated.

The net unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts, reported as a component of “Trading Equity” on the Statements of Financial Condition, and their longest contract maturities were as follows:

 

     Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Open Contracts      Longest Maturities

Date

   Exchange-Traded      Off-Exchange-Traded     Total      Exchange-Traded    Off-Exchange-Traded
     $      $     $            

Sep. 30, 2015

     3,434,920         (79,383     3,355,537       Dec. 2017    Dec. 2015

Dec. 31, 2014

     5,966,628         495,854        6,462,482       Mar. 2019    Mar. 2015

In general, the risks associated with off-exchange-traded contracts are greater than those associated with exchange-traded contracts because of the greater risk of default by the counterparty to an off-exchange-traded contract. The Partnership has credit risk associated with counterparty nonperformance. As of the date of the financial statements, the credit risk associated with the instruments in which the Partnership trades is limited to the unrealized gain amounts reflected in the Partnership’s Statements of Financial Condition. The net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts are further disclosed gross by type of contract and corresponding fair value level in Note 7. Fair Value Measurements.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The Partnership also has credit risk because MS&Co. acts as the commodity futures broker, or the counterparty, with respect to most of the Partnership’s assets. Exchange-traded futures, exchange-traded forward and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts are fair valued on a daily basis, with variations in value settled on a daily basis. MS&Co., which is acting as a commodity futures broker for the Partnership’s exchange-traded futures, exchange-traded forward and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts, is required, pursuant to regulations of the CFTC, to segregate from its own assets, and for the sole benefit of its commodity customers, total cash held by it with respect to exchange-traded futures, exchange-traded forward and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts, including an amount equal to the net unrealized gains on all open exchange-traded futures, exchange-traded forward and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts, which, in the aggregate, totaled $75,208,450 and $120,025,451 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. With respect to the Partnership’s off- exchange-traded forward currency contracts and forward currency option contracts, there are no daily settlements of variation in value, nor is there any requirement that an amount equal to the net unrealized gains (losses) on such contracts be segregated. However, the Partnership is required to meet margin requirements equal to the net unrealized loss on open forward currency contracts in the Partnership’s accounts with the counterparty, which is accomplished by daily maintenance of the cash balance in a custody account held at MS&Co., for the benefit of MS&Co. With respect to those off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts, the Partnership is at risk to the ability of MS&Co., the sole counterparty on all such contracts, to perform. The Partnership has a netting agreement with the counterparty. The primary terms are based on industry standard master netting agreements. This agreement, which seeks to reduce both the Partnership’s and the counterparty’s exposure on off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts, should materially decrease the Partnership’s credit risk in the event of MS&Co.’s bankruptcy or insolvency.

The General Partner monitors and attempts to control the Partnership’s risk exposure on a daily basis through financial, credit and risk management monitoring systems, and, accordingly, believes that it has effective procedures for evaluating and limiting the credit and market risks to which the Partnership may be subject. These monitoring systems generally allow the General Partner to statistically analyze actual trading results with risk adjusted performance indicators and correlation statistics. In addition, online monitoring systems provide account analysis of U.S. Treasury bills, futures, forward and option contracts by sector, margin requirements, gain and loss transactions and collateral positions.

The futures, forwards and options traded by the Partnership, along with the U.S. Treasury bills held by the Partnership, involve varying degrees of related market risk. Market risk is often dependent upon changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, and prices of financial instruments and commodities, factors that result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Partnership’s open positions, and consequently in its earnings, whether realized or unrealized, and cash flow.

Gains and losses on open positions of exchange-traded futures, exchange-traded forward and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts are settled daily through variation margin. Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts are settled upon termination of the contract. Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency option contracts are settled on an agreed-upon settlement date.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6. Derivatives and Hedging

The Partnership’s objective is to profit from speculative trading in Futures Interests. Therefore, the Trading Advisors for the Partnership will take speculative positions in Futures Interests where they feel the best profit opportunities exist for their trading strategies. As such, the average number of contracts outstanding in absolute quantities (the total of the open long and open short positions) has been presented as a part of the volume disclosure, as position direction is not an indicative factor in such volume disclosures. With regard to foreign currency forward trades, each notional quantity amount has been converted to an equivalent contract based upon an industry convention.

The following tables summarize the gross and net amounts recognized relating to the assets and liabilities of the Partnership’s derivative instruments and transactions eligible for offset subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2015:

 

          Gross Amounts
Offset in the
    Amounts
Presented in the
    Gross Amounts not Offset in the
  Statements of Financial Condition  
       
      Gross Amounts  
Recognized
      Statements of  
Financial
Condition
      Statements of  
Financial
Condition
    Financial
Instruments
    Cash Collateral
(Received)/
Pledged**
      Net Amount    

Assets

           

Futures

    $     5,256,807          $ (1,610,752)         $     3,646,055       $         -              $         -              $ 3,646,055     

Forwards

    1,071,027          (1,071,027)         -              -              -              -         
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    6,327,834          (2,681,779)         3,646,055          -              -              3,646,055     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

    (1,610,752)                1,610,752          -              -              -              -         

Forwards

    (1,361,545)         1,071,027          (290,518)      -              -              (290,518)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    (2,972,297)         2,681,779          (290,518)         -              -              (290,518)    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fair value

              $     3,355,537    ** 
           

 

 

 

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Offsetting of Derivative Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2014:

 

          Gross Amounts
Offset in the
    Amounts
  Presented in the  
    Gross Amounts not Offset in the
  Statements of Financial Condition  
       
      Gross Amounts  
Recognized
      Statements of  
Financial
Condition
      Statements of  
Financial
Condition
    Financial
Instruments
      Cash Collateral  
(Received)/
Pledged**
      Net Amount    

Assets

           

Futures

    $     7,228,527          $     (1,519,724)         $     5,708,803       $         -          $         -          $ 5,708,803     

Forwards

    2,346,025          (1,592,346)         753,679       -          -          753,679     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

    9,574,552          (3,112,070)         6,462,482          -          -          6,462,482     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

    (1,519,724)         1,519,724          -              -          -          -         

Forwards

    (1,592,346)         1,592,346          -              -          -          -         
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    (3,112,070)         3,112,070          -              -          -          -         
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fair value

                  $ 6,462,482    ** 
           

 

 

 

 

*

Included as a component of “Net unrealized gain on open contracts” on the Statements of Financial Condition.

**

In the event of default by the Partnership, MS&Co., the Partnership’s commodity futures broker and the sole counterparty to the Partnership’s off exchange-traded contracts, as applicable, has the right to offset the Partnership’s obligation with the Partnership’s cash held by MS&Co., thereby minimizing MS&Co.’s risk of loss. There is no collateral posted by MS&Co. and as such, in the event of default by MS&Co., the Partnership is exposed to the amount shown on the Statements of Financial Condition. In the case of exchange-traded contracts, the Partnership’s exposure to counterparty risk may be reduced since the exchange’s clearinghouse interposes its credit between buyer and seller and the clearinghouse’s guarantee fund may be available in the event of a default.

The effect of Trading Activities on the Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2015:

 

Futures and Forward Contracts

   Long
  Unrealized  
Gain
    Long
  Unrealized  
Loss
    Short
  Unrealized  
Gain
    Short
  Unrealized  
Loss
    Net
  Unrealized  
Gain/(Loss)
    Average
number of
contracts
outstanding
  for the period  
(absolute
quantity)
 

Commodity

     $ 397,873        $ (942,962)         $ 2,696,799          $ (964,993)         $ 1,186,717          3,661     

Equity

     50,292        (162,155)         203,229          (31,852)         59,514          852     

Foreign currency

     94,346        (341,695)         536,058          (305,155)         (16,446)         1,179     

Interest rate

     2,349,236        (70,752)         -              (152,732)         2,125,752          4,440     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts

     $     2,891,747        $     (1,517,564)         $     3,436,086          $   (1,454,732)         $     3,355,537       
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The effect of trading activities on the Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2014:

 

Futures and Forward Contracts

  Long
  Unrealized  
Gain
    Long
  Unrealized  
Loss
    Short
  Unrealized  
Gain
    Short
  Unrealized  
Loss
    Net Unrealized
  Gain/(Loss)  
    Average
number of
contracts
outstanding
  for the year  
(absolute
quantity)
 

Commodity

    $ 282,336          $ (2,191,868)         $ 4,475,726          $ (216,133)         $ 2,350,061          4,302     

Equity

    515,619          (278,910)         7,778          (105,700)         138,787          1,107     

Foreign currency

    161,381          (109,346)         1,083,928          (92,427)         1,043,536          1,707     

Interest rate

    3,045,534          (116,781)         2,250          (905)         2,930,098          4,621     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts

    $     4,004,870          $     (2,696,905)         $     5,569,682          $     (415,165)         $     6,462,482       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

The following tables summarize the net trading results of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The effect of trading activities on the Statements of Income and Expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 included in Total Trading Results:

 

Type of Instrument

   For the Three
Months Ended
    September 30, 2015    
     For the Nine
Months Ended
    September 30, 2015    
 

Commodity

     $ 2,165,636            $ (4,110,606)     

Equity

     (3,442,268)           (1,424,424)     

Foreign currency

     482,957            3,172,201      

Interest rate

     2,449,800            2,690,760      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $                 1,656,125            $                 327,931      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Line items on the Statements of Income and Expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 

Trading Results

   For the Three
Months Ended
    September 30, 2015    
     For the Nine
Months Ended
    September 30, 2015    
 

Net realized

   $ (4,865,629)         $ 2,756,600      

Net change in unrealized

     6,521,754            (2,428,669)     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Trading Results

   $                 1,656,125          $                 327,931      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The effect of trading activities on the Statements of Income and Expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 included in Total Trading Results:

 

Type of Instrument

   For the Three
Months Ended
    September 30, 2014    
     For the Nine
Months Ended
    September 30, 2014    
 

Commodity

     $ 4,004,766            $ 4,169,820      

Equity

     13,041            (1,899,782)     

Foreign currency

     4,508,660            1,527,221      

Interest rate

     1,113,909            2,536,244      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $                 9,640,376            $                 6,333,503      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Line items on the Statements of Income and Expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014:

 

Trading Results

   For the Three
Months Ended
    September 30, 2014    
     For the Nine
Months Ended
    September 30, 2014    
 

Net realized

     $ 8,004,639            $ 5,594,451      

Net change in unrealized

     1,635,737            739,052      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Trading Results

     $                 9,640,376            $                 6,333,503      
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

7. Fair Value Measurements

Financial instruments are carried at fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in

an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in the following three levels: Level 1 — unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2 — inputs other than unadjusted quoted market prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly (including unadjusted quoted market prices for similar investments, interest rates and credit risk); and Level 3 — unobservable inputs for the asset or liability (including the Partnership’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments).

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. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the investment.

Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period. During the period from January 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015, and the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 assets and liabilities and there were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2.

The Partnership’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized in the following tables by the type of inputs applicable to the fair value measurements.

 

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MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

September 30, 2015

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Investments in U.S. Treasury bills

     $ -               $ 27,950,479           $ -               $ 27,950,479     

Futures

     5,256,807           -               -               5,256,807     

Forwards

     828,557           242,470           -               1,071,027     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     6,085,364           28,192,949           -               34,278,313     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

     1,610,752           -               -               1,610,752     

Forwards

     1,039,692           321,853           -               1,361,545     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,650,444           321,853           -               2,972,297     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Net Fair Value

     $ 3,434,920           $ 27,871,096           $ -               $ 31,306,016     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Assets

           

Futures

     $ 7,228,527           $ -               $ -               $ 7,228,527     

Forwards

     1,699,736           646,289           -               2,346,025     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

     8,928,263           646,289           -               9,574,552     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

     1,519,724           -               -               1,519,724     

Forwards

     1,441,911           150,435           -               1,592,346     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     2,961,635           150,435           -               3,112,070     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*Net Fair Value

     $       5,966,628           $           495,854         $         -               $           6,462,482     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

This amount comprises the “Net unrealized gain on open contracts” and “Investment in U.S. Treasury bills” on the Statements of Financial Condition.

8. Subsequent Events

The General Partner evaluates events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The General Partner has assessed the subsequent events through the date of issuance and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment of, or disclosure in, the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As of September 30, 2015, the percentage of assets allocated to each market sector was approximately as follows: Interest Rate 26.41%; Currency 29.10%; Equity 9.19%; and Commodity 35.30%.

Liquidity. The Partnership deposits its assets with MS&Co. as its clearing commodity broker in separate futures, forward and option trading accounts established for each Trading Advisor. Such assets are used as margin to engage in trading and may be used as margin solely for the Partnership’s trading. The assets are held either in non-interest bearing bank accounts or in securities and instruments permitted by the CFTC for investment of customer segregated or secured funds. Since the Partnership’s sole purpose is to trade in futures, forwards, options and U.S. Treasury bills, it is expected that the Partnership will continue to own such liquid assets for margin purposes.

The Partnership’s investment in futures, forwards, options and U.S. Treasury bills may, from time to time, be illiquid. Most U.S. futures exchanges limit fluctuations in prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” Trades may not be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. If the price for a particular futures or options contract has increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in that futures or options contract can neither be taken nor liquidated unless traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. These market conditions could prevent the Partnership from promptly liquidating its futures or options contracts and result in restrictions on redemptions.

There is no limitation on daily price movements in trading forward contracts on foreign currencies. The markets for some world currencies have low trading volume and are illiquid, which may prevent the Partnership from trading in potentially profitable markets or prevent the Partnership from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions in such markets, subjecting it to substantial losses. Either of these market conditions could result in restrictions on redemptions. For the periods covered by this report, illiquidity has not materially affected the Partnership’s assets.

There are no known material trends, demands, commitments, events, or uncertainties at the present time that are reasonably likely to result in the Partnership’s liquidity increasing or decreasing in any material way.

As of September 30, 2015, approximately 85.61% of the Partnership’s total investment exposure is futures contracts which are exchange-traded while approximately 14.39% is forward contracts which are off-exchange traded.

Capital Resources. The Partnership does not have, nor does it expect to have, any capital assets. The Partnership’s only assets are its equity in trading accounts, consisting of restricted and unrestricted cash, net unrealized gain on open contracts and investments in U.S. Treasury bills at fair value, if applicable. Redemptions of Units in the future will affect the amount of funds available for investments in futures, forwards, options and U.S. Treasury bills in subsequent periods. It is not possible to estimate the amount, and therefore the impact, of future outflows of Units.

There are no known material trends, favorable or unfavorable, that would affect, nor any expected material changes to the Partnership’s capital resource arrangements at the present time.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations. The Partnership does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements,

nor does it have contractual obligations or commercial commitments to make future payments that would affect its liquidity or capital resources.

Results of Operations

General. The Partnership’s results depend on the Trading Advisors and the ability of each Trading Advisor’s trading program to take advantage of price movements in the futures, forward and options markets.

Altis trades its Global Futures Portfolio Program on behalf of the Partnership. It is a systematic, automated trading program that builds on the market experience of Altis’ principals and employs a unique proprietary Advanced Asset Allocator. The Advanced Asset Allocator was specifically developed to manage portfolios of derivative instruments in a robust and scalable manner. The portfolio management technology combines original, traditional and contrasting investment techniques into one complete and comprehensive trading system. Investment changes are implemented after considering their effect on the whole portfolio and not just on the individual markets concerned.

Graham currently trades its allocated portion of the Partnership’s assets pursuant to Graham’s Global Diversified Program, as described below, at 150% Leverage. The Global Diversified Program features the first trend system that Graham developed, which began trading client accounts in 1995. It utilizes multiple computerized trading models and offers broad diversification in both financial and non-financial markets, trading in approximately 65 global markets. The Global Diversified Program’s trend system is primarily long-term in nature and is intended to generate significant returns over time with an acceptable degree of risk and volatility. The computer models analyze on a daily basis the recent price action, the relative strength and the risk characteristics of each market and compare statistically the quantitative results of this data to years of historical data on each market.

EMC currently trades its Classic Program for the Partnership. EMC’s investment strategies are technical rather than fundamental in nature. In other words, they are developed from analysis of patterns of actual monthly, weekly, and daily price movements and are not based on analysis of fundamental supply and demand factors, general economic factors, or anticipated world events. EMC relies on historical analysis of these price patterns to interpret current market behavior and to evaluate technical indicators for trade initiations and liquidations.

EMC’s investment strategies used in its program are trend-following. This means that initiation and liquidation of positions in a particular market are generally in the direction of the price trend in that market, although at times counter-trend elements also may be employed.

EMC employs an investment strategy which utilizes a blend of systems (or, stated another way, a number of systems simultaneously). The strategies are diversified in that its program follows a number of futures interests and often invests in more than ten different interests at one time.

Rabar trades its investment strategy on behalf of the Partnership. The objective of Rabar’s investment strategy is to generate capital appreciation over the long run by investing exclusively in futures interests, including exchange-traded futures contracts, options on futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts and, to a very limited extent, cash commodities. Rabar may also engage in exchange for physical transactions, more commonly referred to as “EFPs”. Rabar’s strategy employs a diversified, systematic, technical, and trend-following approach, utilizing a blend of several separate and distinct quantitative models.

Prior to August 8, 2014, Northfield traded the Diversified Program on behalf of the Partnership. The Diversified Program was conceived, tested, and refined by Northfield’s principals. The approach was fully computerized and nondiscretionary. Money management principles were a critical element of the Diversified Program and had been carefully constructed and were rigorously applied to minimize risk exposure and to protect asset appreciation.

 

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The following chart sets forth the percentage and the amount of the Partnership’s net assets allocated to each Trading Advisor as of September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively, and the change during the three months ended September 30, 2015.

 

Trading Advisor

   Allocations as of
September 30,
2015 (%)
     Allocations as of
June 30,
2015 (%)
     Allocations as of
September 30,
2015 ($)
     Allocations as of
June 30,
2015 ($)
     Change
during the
period (%)
 

Altis

     22.91         20.95         23,190,615         22,032,084         5.26   

Graham

     33.37         31.64         33,788,610         33,275,767         1.54   

Rabar

     24.12         31.16         24,423,997         32,766,948         (25.46

EMC

     19.60         16.25         19,847,024         17,091,483         16.12   

The following presents a summary of the Partnership’s operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and a general discussion of its trading activities during each period. It is important to note, however, that the Trading Advisors trade in various markets at different times and that prior activity in a particular market does not mean that such market will be actively traded by the Trading Advisors or will be profitable in the future. Consequently, the results of operations of the Partnership are difficult to discuss other than in the context of the Trading Advisors’ trading activities on behalf of the Partnership during the period in question. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The Partnership’s results of operations set forth in the financial statements on pages 2 through 17 of this report are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the use of certain accounting policies that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements, including the following: the contracts the Partnership trades are accounted for on a trade-date basis and marked to market on a daily basis. The difference between their original contract value and market value is recorded on the Statements of Income and Expenses as “Net change in unrealized trading profit (loss)” on open contracts, and recorded as “Net realized trading profit (loss)” when open positions are closed out. The sum of these amounts constitutes the Partnership’s trading results. The market value of a futures contract is the settlement price on the exchange on which that futures contract is traded on a particular day. The value of a foreign currency forward contract is based on the spot rate as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.), the close of the business day. Interest income, as well as management fees, incentive fees, brokerage fees, General Partner fees and ongoing placement agent fees of the Partnership are recorded on an accrual basis.

The General Partner believes that, based on the nature of the operations of the Partnership, no assumptions relating to the application of critical accounting policies other than those presently used could reasonably affect reported amounts.

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

The Partnership recorded total trading results including interest income totaling $1,658,077 and expenses totaling $1,493,439, resulting in net income of $164,638 for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The Partnership’s net asset value per Unit increased from $28.83 at June 30, 2015 to $28.88 at September 30, 2015.

During the third quarter, the Partnership posted a gain in Net Asset Value as trading gains in the global interest rate, metals, energy, and currency sectors more than offset trading losses in the global stock index and agricultural sectors. The most significant gains were experienced within the global interest rate sector during September from long positions in European and U.S. fixed income futures as prices rallied after the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) decided to leave interest rates unchanged following its September meeting. Additional gains were recorded from long positions in Japanese fixed income futures. Within the metals sector, gains were experienced primarily during July from short positions in gold futures as prices declined as signs of further progress in the U.S. labor market boosted the case for the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates. Additional gains were experienced from short copper and nickel futures positions. Within the energy sector, gains were experienced primarily during September from short positions in crude oil and its related products as prices declined as record production in the U.S. and Middle East indicated the global supply glut would continue to grow. Additional gains were recorded from short positions in natural gas futures as prices fell as mild weather blanketed much of the U.S., limiting demand. Within the currency sector, gains were experienced primarily during July from short positions in various currencies, particularly the Australian dollar and Canadian dollar, against the U.S. dollar as the value of the U.S. dollar advanced amid signals from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen that the central bank may raise interest rates later in 2015 on the back of an improving U.S. economy. The Australian and Canadian dollars were also weighed down by falling commodity prices

 

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throughout the month. The Partnership’s trading gains during the third quarter were partially offset by trading losses within the global stock index sector throughout the quarter from long positions in Pacific Rim, European, and U.S. equity index futures as prices declined amid continuing concerns that China’s slowdown will weigh on the global economy. Within the agricultural sector, losses were incurred primarily during August from long positions in cocoa futures as prices declined amid good harvest conditions in West Africa and data indicating weak demand.

The Partnership recorded total trading results including interest income totaling $333,807 and expenses totaling $4,908,019, resulting in a net loss of $4,574,212 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Partnership’s net asset value per Unit decreased from $30.18 at December 31, 2014 to $28.88 at September 30, 2015.

During the first nine months of the year, the Partnership posted a loss in Net Asset Value as trading profits in currencies, global fixed income, and metals were more than offset by losses in the agricultural, global stock index, and energy sectors. The most significant losses were incurred in the agricultural sector primarily during June from short positions in soybean and wheat futures as prices rallied after heavy rainfall in the U.S. Midwest raised the potential for crop damage. Within the global stock index sector, losses were incurred throughout the third quarter from long positions in Pacific Rim, European, and U.S. equity index futures as prices declined amid continuing concerns that China’s slowdown will weigh on the global economy. Within the energy sector, losses were incurred primarily during February from short positions in crude oil and its related products, particularly gas oil and heating oil, as prices rallied on signs of higher demand and lower supply, including more bullish forecasts from both the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and the U.S. government. Smaller losses in this sector were recorded during the second quarter. The Partnership’s trading losses during the first nine months of the year were partially offset by trading gains within the currency sector from short positions in the euro versus the Swiss franc as the value of the Swiss franc soared against currencies globally during mid-January after the Swiss National Bank abandoned its exchange-rate cap, which had previously maintained a minimum exchange-rate for the Swiss franc against the euro. Additional currency gains were recorded from positions in the Canadian dollar during July. Within the global interest rate sector, gains were experienced primarily during January from long positions in U.S. fixed income futures as prices rose as tumbling oil prices crimped the outlook for inflation and fueled speculation the U.S. Federal Reserve may delay an interest-rate increase. Additional gains were experienced in the global interest rate sector during March from long positions in European fixed income futures as prices rose amid concern that Greece’s solvency will erode, boosting demand for the relative safety of government debt. Within the metals sector, gains were experienced primarily during July from short futures positions in base metals as prices moved lower amid concern a slowdown in the Chinese economy would weaken demand.

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

The Partnership recorded total trading results including interest income totaling $9,643,333 and expenses totaling $1,567,028, resulting in net income of $8,076,305 for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Partnership’s net asset value per Unit increased from $25.18 at June 30, 2014 to $27.05 at September 30, 2014.

During the third quarter, the Partnership posted a gain in net asset value per Unit as profits in the currency, agricultural, global interest rate, and metals sectors more than offset losses in the energy markets. Trading results in the global stock index sector were relatively flat for the quarter and had no material impact on the Partnership’s performance. The most significant gains were achieved within the currency sector, primarily during September, from short positions in the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar. The value of the U.S. dollar advanced as the U.S. employment rate fell to its lowest level since 2008 and the economy added more jobs than forecast, bolstering the case for the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next year. Additional gains in this sector were recorded from positions in the euro, Swiss franc, and New Zealand dollar. Within the agricultural sector, gains were recorded primarily during July and September from short positions in wheat futures as prices dropped to the lowest level in four years on speculation that rising global production will curb exports from the U.S. Additional gains in this sector were recorded from futures positions in sugar and corn. Within the global interest rate sector, gains were experienced primarily during August from long positions in European fixed income futures as prices advanced after reports showed euro-area manufacturing output expanded less than expected during July, boosting speculation the European Central Bank would increase stimulus measures. Within the metals sector, gains were achieved primarily during September from short positions in gold futures as prices declined on speculation that the U.S. Federal Reserve will raise U.S. interest rates sooner than forecast, crimping demand for the precious metal. A portion of the Partnership’s gains for the quarter was offset by losses experienced within the energy sector, primarily during July, from long futures positions in crude oil and its related products as prices declined after an industry report showed crude stockpiles increased in the U.S.

 

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The Partnership recorded total trading results including interest income totaling $6,349,356 and expenses totaling $5,869,065, resulting in net income of $480,291 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The Partnership’s net asset value per Unit increased from $26.48 at December 31, 2013 to $27.05 at September 30, 2014.

During the first nine months of the year, the Partnership posted a gain in net asset value per Unit as profits in the agricultural, global interest rate, and currency sectors more than offset losses in the energy, metals, and global stock index sectors. The most significant gains were recorded within the agricultural sector during January and February primarily from long positions in soybean and soybean meal futures as prices advanced after adverse weather conditions in the U.S. and Brazil lowered crop estimates. Additional gains were recorded from long positions in livestock futures as prices trended higher throughout a majority of the first half of the year. Within the global interest rate sector, gains were experienced during May from long positions in European fixed income futures as prices advanced as German unemployment unexpectedly increased and euro-area lending contracted, boosting demand for the relative “safety” of government debt. Additional gains were experienced during August as prices advanced after reports showed euro-area manufacturing output expanded less than expected during July, boosting speculation the European Central Bank would increase stimulus measures. Within the currency sector, gains were experienced primarily during September, from short positions in the euro and Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar. The value of the U.S. dollar advanced as the U.S. employment rate fell to its lowest level since 2008 and the economy added more jobs than forecast, bolstering the case for the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates next year. Additional gains in this sector were recorded from positions in the New Zealand dollar, Canadian dollar, and Swiss franc. A portion of the Partnership’s gains during the first nine months of the year was offset by trading losses within the energy sector during March from long positions in crude oil and its related products as prices declined in the first half of the month on speculation that U.S. inventories climbed higher. Additional losses in this sector were recorded during July from long futures positions in crude oil and its related products as prices declined after an industry report showed crude stockpiles increased in the U.S. Within the metals sector, losses were incurred primarily during January and February from short positions in gold futures as prices moved higher after geo-political turmoil and concern over the strength of the U.S. economy increased demand for the precious metal. Additional losses were incurred during January from long positions in copper futures as prices declined on speculation that rising borrowing costs in emerging markets will dampen economic growth, eroding demand for industrial metals. Within the global stock index sector, losses were recorded during January from long positions in European and Pacific Rim equity index futures as prices declined amid growing concern the global economic recovery is faltering.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Introduction

The Partnership is a commodity pool engaged primarily in the speculative trading of futures, forwards, and options. The market-sensitive instruments held by the Partnership are acquired for speculative trading purposes only and, as a result, all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets are at risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market-sensitive instruments is inherent to the primary business activity of the Partnership.

 

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The futures, forwards and options on such contracts traded by the Partnership and U.S. Treasury bills involve varying degrees of related market risk. Market risk is often dependent upon changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, and prices of financial instruments and commodities, factors that result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Partnership’s open positions, and consequently in its earnings, whether realized or unrealized, and cash flow. Gains and losses on open positions of exchange- traded futures, exchange-traded forward, and exchange-traded futures-styled option contracts are settled daily through variation margin. Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts and forward currency options contracts are settled upon termination of the contract. Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency option contracts are settled on an agreed-upon settlement date. U.S. Treasury bills are fair valued at the last available bid price received from independent pricing services as of the close of business on the last business day of the reporting period.

The Partnership’s total market risk may increase or decrease as it is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the diversification among the Partnership’s open positions, the volatility present within the markets, and the liquidity of the markets.

The face value of the market sector instruments held by the Partnership is typically many times the applicable margin requirements. Margin requirements generally range between 2% and 15% of contract face value. Additionally, the use of leverage causes the face value of the market sector instruments held by the Partnership typically to be many times the total capitalization of the Partnership.

The Partnership’s past performance is no guarantee of its future results. Any attempt to numerically quantify the Partnership’s market risk is limited by the uncertainty of its speculative trading. The Partnership’s speculative trading and use of leverage may cause future losses and volatility (i.e., “risk of ruin”) that far exceed the Partnership’s experience to date as discussed under the “Partnership’s Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors” section and significantly exceed the Value at Risk (“VaR”) tables disclosed.

Limited partners will not be liable for losses exceeding the current net asset value of their investment.

Quantifying the Partnership’s Trading Value at Risk

The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Partnership’s market risk exposures contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). All quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor, except for statements of historical fact.

The Partnership accounts for open positions on the basis of fair value accounting principles. Any loss in the market value of the Partnership’s open positions is directly reflected in the Partnership’s earnings and cash flow.

The Partnership’s risk exposure in the market sectors traded by the Trading Advisors is estimated below in terms of VaR. Please note that the VaR model is used to numerically quantify market risk for historic reporting purposes only and is not utilized by either Ceres or the Trading Advisors in their daily risk management activities.

 

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VaR is a measure of the maximum amount which the Partnership could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector. However, the inherent uncertainty of the Partnership’s speculative trading and the recurrence of market movements far exceeding expectations in the markets traded by the Partnership could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated VaR of the Partnership’s experience to date (i.e., “risk of ruin”). In light of the foregoing, as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that the Partnership’s losses in any market sector will be limited to VaR or by the Partnership’s attempts to manage its market risk.

Exchange maintenance margin requirements have been used by the Partnership as the measure of its VaR. Maintenance margin requirements are set by exchanges to equal or exceed the maximum losses reasonably expected to be incurred in the fair value of any given contract in 95% — 99% of any one-day interval. Maintenance margin has been used rather than the more generally available initial margin, because initial margin includes a credit risk component, which is not relevant to VaR.

The Partnership’s Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors

The following tables indicate the trading VaR associated with the Partnership’s open positions by market category as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and the highest, lowest and average values during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. All open position trading risk exposures of the Partnership have been included in calculating the figures set forth below. There has been no material change in the trading VaR information previously disclosed in the Form 10-K.

As of September 30, 2015, the Partnership’s total capitalization was approximately $101 million.

 

     September 30, 2015  

Primary Market

Risk Category

   VaR      % of
    Total Capitalization    
 

Currency

     $     4,713,739           4.66%    

Interest Rate

     4,277,993           4.22%    

Equity

     1,488,954           1.47%    

Commodity

     5,716,665           5.65%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $     16,197,351                       16.00%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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     Three Months Ended September 30, 2015  

Market Sector

   High VaR      Low VaR          Average VaR*      

Currency

     $         5,114,597           $         3,821,315           $         4,390,089     

Interest Rate

     4,277,993           1,782,242           3,015,648     

Equity

     3,827,305           1,488,954           2,642,706     

Commodity

     6,571,785           5,108,914           5,778,157     

*Average daily VaR.

As of December 31, 2014, the Partnership’s total capitalization was approximately $118 million.

 

     December 31, 2014  

Primary Market

Risk Category

   VaR      % of
    Total Capitalization    
 

Currency

     $ 3,463,207           2.94%    

Interest Rate

     4,154,671           3.52%    

Equity

     2,683,857           2.28%    

Commodity

     5,732,389           4.86%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     $     16,034,124                           13.60%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

     Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2014  

Market Sector

   High VaR      Low VaR          Average VaR*      

Currency

     $         6,606,820         $         2,634,268         $         4,468,570   

Interest Rate

     5,550,639         1,800,797         3,735,079   

Equity

     8,988,951         1,498,591         4,988,238   

Commodity

     10,980,753         4,544,149         7,230,083   

*Average daily VaR.

 

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Limitations on Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk

VaR models permit estimation of a portfolio’s aggregate market risk exposure, incorporating a range of varied market risks, reflect risk reduction due to portfolio diversification or hedging activities, and can cover a wide range of portfolio assets. However, VaR risk measures should be viewed in light of the methodology’s limitations, which include, but may not be limited to, the following:

 

   

past changes in market risk factors will not always result in accurate predictions of the distributions and correlations of future market movements;

 

   

changes in portfolio value caused by market movements may differ from those of the VaR model;

 

   

VaR results reflect past market fluctuations applied to current trading positions while future risk depends on future positions;

 

   

VaR using a one-day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged within one day; and

 

   

the historical market risk factor data used for VaR estimation may provide only limited insight into losses that could be incurred under certain unusual market movements.

Non-Trading Risk

The Partnership has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash balances not needed for margin. These balances and any market risk they may represent are immaterial.

A decline in short-term interest rates would result in a decline in the Partnership’s cash management income. This cash flow risk is not considered to be material.

Materiality, as used throughout this section, is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and any associated potential losses, taking into account the leverage, optionality, and multiplier features of the Partnership’s market-sensitive instruments, in relation to the Partnership’s net assets.

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures

The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Partnership’s market risk exposures — except for (A) those disclosures that are statements of historical fact and (B) the descriptions of how the Partnership manages its primary market risk exposures—constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The Partnership’s primary market risk exposures, as well as the strategies used and to be used by Ceres and the Trading Advisors for managing such exposures, are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of the Partnership’s risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation, and many other factors could result in material losses, as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and the risk management strategies of the Partnership. Investors must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Partnership.

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure

The Partnership and the Trading Advisors, separately, attempt to manage the risk of the Partnership’s open positions in essentially the same manner in all market categories traded. Ceres attempts to manage market exposure by diversifying the Partnership’s assets among different market sectors and trading approaches through the selection of the commodity trading advisors and by daily monitoring of their performance. In addition, the Trading Advisors establish diversification guidelines, often set in terms of the maximum margin to be committed to positions in any one market sector or market-sensitive instrument.

 

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Ceres monitors and controls the risk of the Partnership’s non-trading instrument, cash. Cash is the only Partnership investment directed by Ceres, rather than the Trading Advisors.

Item 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the General Partner, Ceres’ President (Ceres’ principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Ceres’ principal financial officer) have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2015. The Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information the Partnership is required to disclose in the reports that the Partnership files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the applicable rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, the President and Chief Financial Officer of Ceres have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Partnership were effective at September 30, 2015.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes during the period covered by this quarterly report in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting other than the engagement of an Administrator to provide the services described in Note 1 of Item 1 of this Part under the supervision of the General Partner.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met. Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Partnership, nor the General Partner.

The following information supplements and amends the discussion set forth under Part I, Item 3 “Legal Proceedings” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as updated by the Partnership’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015.

On June 1, 2011, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company. As a result of that conversion, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is now named Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.” or the “Company”).

MS&Co. is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a Delaware holding company. Morgan Stanley files periodic reports with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which include current descriptions of material litigation and material proceedings and investigations, if any, by governmental and/or regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations concerning Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries, including MS&Co. As a consolidated subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, MS&Co. does not file its own periodic reports with the SEC that contain descriptions of material litigation, proceedings and investigations. As a result, please refer to the “Legal Proceedings” section of Morgan Stanley’s SEC 10-K filings for 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

In addition to the matters described in those filings, in the normal course of business, each of Morgan Stanley and MS&Co. has been named, from time to time, as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation, arising in connection with its activities as a global diversified financial services institution. Certain of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. Each of Morgan Stanley and MS&Co. is also involved, from time to time, in investigations and proceedings by governmental and/or regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, fines or penalties. The number of these investigations and proceedings has increased in recent years with regard to many financial services institutions, including Morgan Stanley and MS&Co.

MS&Co. is a Delaware limited liability company with its main business office located at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. Among other registrations and memberships, MS&Co. is registered as a futures commission merchant and is a member of the National Futures Association.

Regulatory and Governmental Matters.

The Company has received subpoenas and requests for information from certain federal and state regulatory and governmental entities, including among others various members of the RMBS Working Group of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, such as the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division and several state Attorney General’s Offices, concerning the origination, financing, purchase, securitization and servicing of subprime and non-subprime residential mortgages and related matters such as residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”), collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), structured investment vehicles (“SIVs”) and credit default swaps backed by or referencing mortgage pass-through certificates. These matters, some of which are in advanced stages, include, but are not limited to, investigations related to the Company’s due diligence on the loans that it purchased for securitization, the Company’s communications with ratings agencies, the Company’s disclosures to investors, and the Company’s handling of servicing and foreclosure related issues.

On February 25, 2015, the Company reached an agreement in principle with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, Civil Division (collectively, the “Civil Division”) to pay $2.6 billion to resolve certain claims that the Civil Division indicated it intended to bring against the Company. While the Company and the Civil Division have reached an agreement in principle to resolve this matter, there can be no assurance that the Company and the Civil Division will agree on the final documentation of the settlement.

In May 2014, the California Attorney General’s Office (“CAAG”), which is one of the members of the RMBS Working Group, indicated that it has made certain preliminary conclusions that the Company made knowing and material misrepresentations regarding RMBS and that it knowingly caused material misrepresentations to be made regarding the Cheyne SIV, which issued securities marketed to the California Public Employees Retirement System. The CAAG has further indicated that it believes the Company’s conduct violated California law and that it may seek treble damages, penalties and injunctive relief. The Company does not agree with these conclusions and has presented defenses to them to the CAAG.

 

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On September 16, 2014, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office filed a civil lawsuit, styled Commonwealth of Virginia ex rel. Integra REC LLC v. Barclays Capital Inc., et al., against the Company and several other defendants in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond related to RMBS. The lawsuit alleges that the Company and the other defendants knowingly made misrepresentations and omissions related to the loans backing RMBS purchased by the Virginia Retirement System (“VRS”). The complaint alleges VRS suffered total losses of approximately $384 million on these securities, but does not specify the amount of alleged losses attributable to RMBS sponsored or underwritten by the Company. The complaint asserts claims under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, as well as common law claims of actual and constructive fraud, and seeks, among other things, treble damages and civil penalties. On January 20, 2015, the defendants filed a demurrer to the complaint and a plea in bar seeking dismissal of the complaint.

In October 2014, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (“IL AG”) sent a letter to the Company alleging that the Company knowingly made misrepresentations related to RMBS purchased by certain pension funds affiliated with the State of Illinois and demanding that the Company pay the IL AG approximately $88 million. The Company does not agree with these allegations and has presented defenses to them to the IL AG.

On January 13, 2015, the New York Attorney General’s Office (“NYAG”), which is also a member of the RMBS Working Group, indicated that it intends to file a lawsuit related to approximately 30 subprime securitizations sponsored by the Company. NYAG indicated that the lawsuit would allege that the Company misrepresented or omitted material information related to the due diligence, underwriting and valuation of the loans in the securitizations and the properties securing them and indicated that its lawsuit would be brought under the Martin Act. The Company does not agree with NYAG’s allegations and has presented defenses to them to NYAG.

On June 5, 2012, the Company consented to and became the subject of an Order Instituting Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 6(c) and 6(d) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions by the CFTC to resolve allegations related to the failure of a salesperson to comply with exchange rules that prohibit off-exchange futures transactions unless there is an Exchange for Related Position (“EFRP”). Specifically, the CFTC found that from April 2008 through October 2009, the Company violated Section 4c(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act and Commission Regulation 1.38 by executing, processing and reporting numerous off-exchange futures trades to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) as EFRPs in violation of CME and CBOT rules because those trades lacked the corresponding and related cash, OTC swap, OTC option, or other OTC derivative position. In addition, the CFTC found that the Company violated CFTC Regulation 166.3 by failing to supervise the handling of the trades at issue and failing to have adequate policies and procedures designed to detect and deter the violations of the Act and Regulations. Without admitting or denying the underlying allegations and without adjudication of any issue of law or fact, the Company accepted and consented to entry of findings and the imposition of a cease and desist order, a fine of $5,000,000, and undertakings related to public statements, cooperation and payment of the fine. The Company entered into corresponding and related settlements with the CME and CBOT in which the CME found that the Company violated CME Rules 432.Q and 538 and fined the Company $750,000 and CBOT found that the Company violated CBOT Rules 432.Q and 538 and fined the Company $1,000,000.

On July 23, 2014, the SEC approved a settlement by MS&Co. and certain affiliates to resolve an investigation related to certain subprime RMBS transactions sponsored and underwritten by those entities in 2007. Pursuant to the settlement, MS&Co. and certain affiliates were charged with violating Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, agreed to pay disgorgement and penalties in an amount of $275 million and neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s findings.

On April 21, 2015, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“CBOE”) and the CBOE Futures Exchange, LLC (“CFE”) filed statements of charges against the Company in connection with trading by one of the Company’s former traders of EEM options contracts that allegedly disrupted the final settlement price of the November 2012 VXEM futures. CBOE alleged that the Company violated CBOE Rules 4.1, 4.2 and 4.7, Sections 9(a) and 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. CFE alleged that the Company violated CFE Rules 608, 609 and 620. Both matters are ongoing.

On June 18, 2015, the Company entered into a settlement with the SEC and paid a fine of $500,000 as part of the Municipalities Continuing Disclosure Cooperation Initiative to resolve allegations that the Company failed to form a

 

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reasonable basis through adequate due diligence for believing the truthfulness of the assertions by issuers and/or obligors regarding their compliance with previous continuing disclosure undertakings pursuant to Rule 15c2-12 in connection with offerings in which the Company acted as senior or sole underwriter.

On August 6, 2015, the Company consented to and became the subject of an order by the CFTC to resolve allegations that the Company violated CFTC Regulation 22.9(a) by failing to hold sufficient US Dollars in cleared swap segregated accounts in the United States to meet all US Dollar obligations to cleared swaps customers. Specifically, the CFTC found that while the Company at all times held sufficient funds in segregation to cover its obligations to its customers, on certain days during 2013 and 2014, it held currencies, such as euros, instead of US dollars, to meet its US dollar obligations. In addition, the CFTC found that the Company violated Regulation 166.3 by failing to have in place adequate procedures to ensure that it complied with Regulation 22.9(a). Without admitting or denying the findings or conclusions and without adjudication of any issue of law or fact, the Company accepted and consented to the entry of findings, the imposition of a cease and desist order, a civil monetary penalty of $300,000, and undertakings related to public statements, cooperation, and payment of the monetary penalty.

Other Litigation

On December 23, 2009, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle filed a complaint against the Company and another defendant in the Superior Court of the State of Washington, styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. The amended complaint, filed on September 28, 2010, alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by the Company was approximately $233 million. The complaint raises claims under the Washington State Securities Act and seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On October 18, 2010, defendants filed a motion to dismiss the action. By orders dated June 23, 2011 and July 18, 2011, the court denied defendants’ omnibus motion to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint and on August 15, 2011, the court denied the Company’s individual motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 7, 2013, the court granted defendants’ motion to strike plaintiff’s demand for a jury trial. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $48 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $48 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On March 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco filed two complaints against the Company and other defendants in the Superior Court of the State of California. These actions are styled Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, et al., and Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. et al., respectively. Amended complaints filed on June 10, 2010 allege that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiff of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by the Company in these cases was approximately $704 million and $276 million, respectively. The complaints raise claims under both the federal securities laws and California law and seek, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On August 11, 2011, plaintiff’s federal securities law claims were dismissed with prejudice. The defendants filed answers to the amended complaints on October 7, 2011. On February 9, 2012, defendants’ demurrers with respect to all other claims were overruled. On December 20, 2013, plaintiff’s negligent misrepresentation claims were dismissed with prejudice. On January 26, 2015, as a result of a settlement with certain other defendants, the plaintiff requested and the court subsequently entered a dismissal with prejudice of certain of the plaintiff’s claims, including all remaining claims against the Company in the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, et al. action. On February 18, 2015, the court entered an order setting a number of claims for trial throughout 2016. Claims against the Company have not yet been set for trial. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in these cases was approximately $61 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of approximately $1 million. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss for this action up to the difference between the $61 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

 

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On July 15, 2010, China Development Industrial Bank (“CDIB”) filed a complaint against the Company, styled China Development Industrial Bank v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated et al., which is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (“Supreme Court of NY”). The complaint relates to a $275 million credit default swap referencing the super senior portion of the STACK 2006-1 CDO. The complaint asserts claims for common law fraud, fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment and alleges that the Company misrepresented the risks of the STACK 2006-1 CDO to CDIB, and that the Company knew that the assets backing the CDO were of poor quality when it entered into the credit default swap with CDIB. The complaint seeks compensatory damages related to the approximately $228 million that CDIB alleges it has already lost under the credit default swap, rescission of CDIB’s obligation to pay an additional $12 million, punitive damages, equitable relief, fees and costs. On February 28, 2011, the court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss the complaint. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss of up to approximately $240 million plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs.

On October 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago filed a complaint against the Company and other defendants in the Circuit Court of the State of Illinois, styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago v. Bank of America Funding Corporation et al. A corrected amended complaint was filed on April 8, 2011. The corrected amended complaint alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans and asserts claims under Illinois law. The total amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by the Company at issue in the action was approximately $203 million. The complaint seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the corrected amended complaint on May 27, 2011, which was denied on September 19, 2012. On December 13, 2013, the court entered an order dismissing all claims related to one of the securitizations at issue. After that dismissal, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to plaintiff by the Company was approximately $78 million. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $52 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $52 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On April 25, 2012, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain affiliates filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, styled The Prudential Insurance Company of America, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. On October 16, 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company is approximately $1.073 billion. The amended complaint raises claims under the New Jersey Uniform Securities Law, as well as common law claims of negligent misrepresentation, fraud, fraudulent inducement, equitable fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, and violations of the New Jersey Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and includes a claim for treble damages. On March 15, 2013, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On January 2, 2015, the court denied defendants’ renewed motion to dismiss the amended complaint. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $581 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $581 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On April 20, 2011, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston filed a complaint against the Company and other defendants in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston v. Ally Financial, Inc. F/K/A GMAC LLC et al. An amended complaint was filed on June 29, 2012 and alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to plaintiff by the Company was approximately $385 million. The amended complaint raises claims under the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act and common law and seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On May 26, 2011, defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. On October 11, 2012, defendants filed motions to

 

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dismiss the amended complaint, which were granted in part and denied in part on September 30, 2013. The defendants filed an answer to the amended complaint on December 16, 2013. Plaintiff has voluntarily dismissed its claims against the Company with respect to two of the securitizations at issue, such that the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to plaintiff by the Company is approximately $358 million. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $56 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $56 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On May 3, 2013, plaintiffs in Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank AG et al. v. Morgan Stanley et al. filed a complaint against the Company, certain affiliates, and other defendants in the Supreme Court of NY. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company to plaintiff was approximately $694 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against the Company for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, aiding and abetting fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and rescission and seeks, among other things, compensatory and punitive damages. On June 10, 2014, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss. On August 4, 2014, claims regarding two certificates were dismissed by stipulation. After these dismissals, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to plaintiff by the Company was approximately $644 million. On September 12, 2014, the Company filed a notice of appeal from the denial of the motion to dismiss. On January 12, 2015, the Company filed an amended answer to the complaint. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $277 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of approximately $81 million. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $277 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses.

On May 17, 2013, the plaintiff in IKB International S.A. in Liquidation, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company to plaintiff was approximately $132 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against the Company for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, aiding and abetting fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, and seeks, among other things, compensatory and punitive damages. On October 29, 2014, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss. All claims regarding four certificates were dismissed. After these dismissals, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to plaintiff by the Company was approximately $116 million. On August 26, 2015, the Company appealed from the portion of the Court’s decision denying the Company’s motion to dismiss. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $29 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of $58 million. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $29 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On September 23, 2013, the plaintiff in National Credit Union Administration Board v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”). The complaint alleges that defendants made untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state material facts in the sale to the plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates issued by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company to plaintiffs was approximately $417 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against the Company for violations of Section 11 and Section 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, violations of the Texas Securities Act, and violations of the Illinois Securities Law of 1953 and seeks, among other things, rescissory and compensatory damages. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on November 13, 2013. On January 22, 2014 the court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss with respect to claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and denied defendants’ motion to dismiss with respect to claims arising under Texas Securities Act and the

 

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Illinois Securities Law of 1953. On November 17, 2014, the plaintiff filed an amended complaint. On December 15, 2014, defendants answered the amended complaint. At September 25, 2015, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $194 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of $31 million. Based on currently available information, the Company believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $194 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against the Company, or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. The Company may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

Settled Civil Litigation

On August 25, 2008, the Company and two ratings agencies were named as defendants in a purported class action related to securities issued by a structured investment vehicle called Cheyne Finance PLC and Cheyne Finance LLC (together, the “Cheyne SIV”). The case was styled Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, et al. v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the ratings assigned to the securities issued by the Cheyne SIV were false and misleading, including because the ratings did not accurately reflect the risks associated with the subprime residential mortgage backed securities held by the Cheyne SIV. The plaintiffs asserted allegations of aiding and abetting fraud and negligent misrepresentation relating to approximately $852 million of securities issued by the Cheyne SIV. On April 24, 2013, the parties reached an agreement to settle the case, and on April 26, 2013, the court dismissed the action with prejudice. The settlement does not cover certain claims that were previously dismissed.

On July 9, 2010 and February 11, 2011, Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. filed two separate complaints against the Company and/or its affiliates and other defendants in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, both styled Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. v. Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., et al. The complaints asserted claims on behalf of certain clients of plaintiff’s affiliates and allege that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company and/or its affiliates or sold to plaintiff’s affiliates’ clients by the Company and/or its affiliates in the two matters was approximately $263 million. On February 11, 2014, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the litigation. On February 20, 2014, the court dismissed the action.

On October 25, 2010, the Company, certain affiliates and Pinnacle Performance Limited, a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”), were named as defendants in a purported class action related to securities issued by the SPV in Singapore, commonly referred to as “Pinnacle Notes.” The case is styled Ge Dandong, et al. v. Pinnacle Performance Ltd., et al. and was pending in the SDNY. On January 31, 2014, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which asserted common law claims of fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraudulent inducement, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On July 17, 2014, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation, which received final court approval on July 2, 2015.

On July 5, 2011, Allstate Insurance Company and certain of its affiliated entities filed a complaint against the Company in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Allstate Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. An amended complaint was filed on September 9, 2011, and alleges that the defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to the plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued and/or sold to the plaintiffs by the Company was approximately $104 million. The complaint raised common law claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, and negligent misrepresentation and seeks, among other things, compensatory and/or recessionary damages associated with the plaintiffs’ purchases of such certificates. On March 15, 2013, the court denied in substantial part the defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint, which order the Company appealed on April 11, 2013. On May 3, 2013, the Company filed its answer to the amended complaint. On January 16, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

On July 18, 2011, the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company and certain affiliated companies filed a complaint against the Company and other defendants in the Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, styled Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., et al. An amended complaint was filed on

 

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April 2, 2012 and alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of the certificates allegedly sold to plaintiffs by the Company was approximately $153 million. On June 8, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

On September 2, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, filed 17 complaints against numerous financial services companies, including the Company and certain affiliates. A complaint against the Company and certain affiliates and other defendants was filed in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Conservator v. Morgan Stanley et al. The complaint alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of residential mortgage pass-through certificates with an original unpaid balance of approximately $11 billion. The complaint raised claims under federal and state securities laws and common law and seeks, among other things, rescission and compensatory and punitive damages. On February 7, 2014, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the litigation. On February 20, 2014, the court dismissed the action.

On April 25, 2012, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and certain affiliates filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. An amended complaint was filed on June 29, 2012, and alleges that the defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to the plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten, and/or sold by the Company was approximately $758 million. The amended complaint raised common law claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, and aiding and abetting fraud and seeks, among other things, rescission, compensatory, and/or rescissionary damages, as well as punitive damages, associated with the plaintiffs’ purchases of such certificates. On April 11, 2014, the parties entered into a settlement agreement.

In re Morgan Stanley Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Litigation, which had been pending in the SDNY, was a putative class action involving allegations that, among other things, the registration statements and offering documents related to the offerings of certain mortgage pass-through certificates in 2006 and 2007 contained false and misleading information concerning the pools of residential loans that backed these securitizations. On December 18, 2014, the parties’ agreement to settle the litigation received final court approval, and on December 19, 2014, the court entered an order dismissing the action.

On November 4, 2011, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, as receiver for Franklin Bank S.S.B, filed two complaints against the Company in the District Court of the State of Texas. Each was styled Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Franklin Bank, S.S.B v. Morgan Stanley & Company LLC F/K/A Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and alleged that the Company made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiff of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of certificates allegedly underwritten and sold to plaintiff by the Company in these cases was approximately $67 million and $35 million, respectively. On July 2, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

On February 14, 2013, Bank Hapoalim B.M. filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Bank Hapoalim B.M. v. Morgan Stanley et al. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company to plaintiff was approximately $141 million. On July 28, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation, and on August 12, 2015, the plaintiff filed a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice.

Additional lawsuits containing claims similar to those described above may be filed in the future. In the course of its business, MS&Co., as a major futures commission merchant, is party to various civil actions, claims and routine regulatory investigations and proceedings that the General Partner believes do not have a material effect on the business of MS&Co. MS&Co. may establish reserves from time to time in connections with such actions.

 

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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously referenced in the Partnership’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014, as updated by the Partnership’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015.

 

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.01    Certification of President and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.02    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.01    Certification of President and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.02    Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*    XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Document
101.PRE*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document
101.DEF*    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document

Notes to Exhibits List

 

*

Submitted electronically herewith.

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

   

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

(Registrant)

    By:  

Ceres Managed Futures LLC

(General Partner)

November 12, 2015     By:  

/s/ Steven Ross

     

Steven Ross

      Chief Financial Officer
    By:  

/s/ Patrick T. Egan

      Patrick T. Egan
      President and Director

The General Partner which signed the above is the only party authorized to act for the registrant. The registrant has no principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller, or principal accounting officer and has no Board of Directors.