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EX-32.02 - EX-32.02 - ML SELECT FUTURES I LPa15-23233_1ex32d02.htm
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EX-31.02 - EX-31.02 - ML SELECT FUTURES I LPa15-23233_1ex31d02.htm
EX-32.01 - EX-32.01 - ML SELECT FUTURES I LPa15-23233_1ex32d01.htm
10-K - 10-K - ML SELECT FUTURES I LPa15-23233_110k.htm

Exhibit 13.01

 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

Financial Statements as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 and Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 



 

ML Select Futures I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

1

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

 

 

 

Statements of Financial Condition as of December 31, 2015 and 2014

2

 

 

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

3

 

 

Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

4

 

 

Financial Data Highlights for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

5

 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

6

 



 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Managers and Partners of ML Select Futures I LP:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statements of financial condition and the related statements of operations and of changes in partners’ capital and the financial data highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ML Select Futures I LP (the “Partnership”) at December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the results of its operations, the changes in its partners’ capital and its financial data highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2015 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial data highlights (hereafter referred to as the “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Partnership’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

 

March 18, 2016

 

 

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

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

 



 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2015 AND 2014

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity in commodity futures trading accounts:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash (includes restricted cash of $1,166,429 for 2015 and $2,811,494 for 2014)

 

$

24,387,681

 

$

31,411,744

 

Unrealized profit on open futures contracts

 

214,306

 

1,151,066

 

Unrealized profit on open forwards contracts

 

23,963

 

124,608

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

547,201

 

508,449

 

Accrued interest receivable

 

5,148

 

970

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

25,178,299

 

$

33,196,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on open futures contracts

 

$

190,624

 

$

151,613

 

Unrealized loss on open forward contracts

 

2,365

 

24,958

 

Redemptions payable

 

442,287

 

675,455

 

Wrap fee payable

 

119,721

 

158,222

 

Other liabilities

 

6

 

18

 

Total liabilities

 

755,003

 

1,010,266

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General Partner (0.41 Units and 2,991 Units)

 

92

 

750,192

 

Limited Partners (108,563 Units and 125,335 Units )

 

24,423,204

 

31,436,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Partners’ Capital

 

24,423,296

 

32,186,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

 

$

25,178,299

 

$

33,196,837

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT

 

 

 

 

 

(Based on 108,563 and 128,326 Units outstanding; unlimited Units authorized)

 

$

224.9680

 

$

250.8188

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

2



 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

TRADING PROFIT (LOSS), NET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized, net

 

$

(234,937

)

$

4,450,248

 

$

5,064,626

 

Change in unrealized, net

 

(1,053,823

)

(554,874

)

1,789,516

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total trading profit (loss), net

 

(1,288,760

)

3,895,374

 

6,854,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT INCOME (EXPENSE):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest, net

 

15,111

 

14,161

 

36,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wrap fee

 

1,704,741

 

2,215,044

 

3,446,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expenses

 

1,704,741

 

2,215,044

 

3,446,043

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

 

(1,689,630

)

(2,200,883

)

(3,409,088

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)

 

$

(2,978,390

)

$

1,694,491

 

$

3,445,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of General Partner and Limited Partner Units outstanding

 

120,342

 

167,291

 

268,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per weighted average General Partner and Limited Partner Unit

 

$

(24.75

)

$

10.13

 

$

12.84

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

3



 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 AND 2013

 

 

 

 

 

General

 

Limited

 

 

 

 

 

Units

 

Partner

 

Partners

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL, DECEMBER 31, 2012

 

307,292

 

$

1,318,046

 

$

66,186,205

 

$

67,504,251

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

47,043

 

3,398,011

 

3,445,054

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemptions

 

(104,891

)

(665,251

)

(22,925,571

)

(23,590,822

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL, DECEMBER 31, 2013

 

202,401

 

$

699,838

 

$

46,658,645

 

$

47,358,483

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions

 

72

 

 

16,000

 

16,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

50,354

 

1,644,137

 

1,694,491

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemptions

 

(74,147

)

 

(16,882,403

)

(16,882,403

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL, DECEMBER 31, 2014

 

128,326

 

$

750,192

 

$

31,436,379

 

$

32,186,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriptions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

9,574

 

(2,987,964

)

(2,978,390

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redemptions

 

(19,763

)

(759,674

)

(4,025,211

)

(4,784,885

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PARTNERS’ CAPITAL, DECEMBER 31, 2015

 

108,563

 

$

92

 

$

24,423,204

 

$

24,423,296

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4



 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

FINANCIAL DATA HIGHLIGHTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013

 

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

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Unit Operating Performance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, beginning of year

 

$

250.8188

 

$

233.9835

 

$

219.6744

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized trading profit (loss)

 

(3.6473

)

31.1590

 

19.3470

 

Change in unrealized, net

 

(8.2041

)

(1.0882

)

7.6793

 

Interest income, net

 

0.1302

 

0.0808

 

0.1358

 

Expenses (1)

 

(14.1296

)

(13.3163

)

(12.8530

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year

 

$

224.9680

 

$

250.8188

 

$

233.9835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return: (2) (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return

 

-10.31

%

7.20

%

6.51

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Partners’ Capital: (1) (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

5.75

%

5.79

%

5.79

%

Net investment loss

 

-5.70

%

-5.76

%

-5.73

%

 


(1) Includes the impact of brokerage commission expenses which are included in the wrap fee.

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

(3) Includes the impact of Performance fees of 0%, 0% and 0%, respectively.

 

See notes to financial statements.

 

5



 

ML SELECT FUTURES I L.P.

(A Delaware Limited Partnership)

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1.              SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Organization

 

ML Select Futures I L.P. (the “Partnership”), which is an investment company as defined by Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) guidance, was organized under the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act in August 1995 and commenced trading activities on April 16, 1996. The Partnership engages in the speculative trading of futures and forward contracts on a wide range of commodities. Sunrise Capital Partners, LLC (“Trading Advisor”) is the trading advisor of the Partnership. The Trading Advisor trades its Expanded Diversified Program (the “Trading Program”) for the Partnership.

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC (“MLAI”, the “Sponsor” or the “General Partner”), is the general partner and sponsor of the Partnership. MLAI is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. Bank of America Corporation and its affiliates are referred to herein as “BofA Corp.”  Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (“MLPF&S”) is currently the exclusive clearing broker for the Partnership. The General Partner may select other parties as clearing broker(s). Merrill Lynch International (“MLI”) is the primary foreign exchange (“F/X”) forward prime broker for the Partnership. The General Partner may select other of its affiliates, or third parties, as F/X or other over the counter (“OTC”) prime brokers. MLPF&S and MLI are BofA Corp. affiliates. MLAI and each limited partner share in the profits and losses of the Partnership in proportion to their respective interests in it.

 

As of December 31, 2015 there is one investor who owns 11.09% of the Partnership’s capital.

 

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

 

The Partnership considers all highly liquid investments, with a maturity of three months or less when acquired, to be cash equivalents. Cash was held at a nationally recognized financial institution.

 

Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.

 

Statement of Cash Flows

 

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

 

6



 

Revenue Recognition

 

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

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

 

The Partnership’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, it may transact business in U.S. dollars and in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect as of the dates of the Statements of Financial Condition.  Income and expense items denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect during the year.  Profits and losses, including adjustments resulting from the translation to U.S. dollars are included in Trading profit (loss), net in the Statements of Operations.

 

Equity in Commodity Trading Accounts

 

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

 

Operating Expenses and Selling Commissions

 

MLAI pays all routine operating expenses including legal, accounting, printing, postage and similar administrative expenses of the Partnership.  MLAI receives an administrative fee as well as a portion of the brokerage commissions paid to MLPF&S by the Partnership (see Note 4).

 

No selling commissions have been or are paid directly by the limited partners.  All selling commissions are paid by MLAI.

 

Income Taxes

 

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

 

The Partnership follows the ASC guidance on accounting for uncertain tax positions. This guidance provides how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements.  This guidance also requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Partnership’s financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority.  Tax positions with respect to tax at the Partnership level not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year.  A prospective investor should be aware that, among other things, income taxes could have a material adverse effect on the periodic calculations of the Net Asset Value of the Partnership, including reducing the Net Asset Value of the Partnership to reflect reserves for income taxes, such as foreign withholding taxes, that may be payable by the Partnership.

 

7



 

This could cause benefits or detriments to certain investors, depending upon the timing of their entry and exit from the Partnership. MLAI has analyzed the Partnership’s tax positions and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Partnership’s financial statements. The following is the major tax jurisdiction for the Partnership and the earliest tax year subject to examination: United States — 2012.

 

Distributions

 

The limited partners are entitled to receive, equally per Unit, any distributions which may be made by the Partnership.  No such distributions have been declared for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.

 

Subscriptions

 

Currently, the Partnership is closed to new investors.  Existing investors only are allowed to add to their existing positions.  Units may be purchased as of the first business day of any month at Net Asset Value, however the subscription request must be submitted at least ten calendar days before the end of the preceding month.  Subscriptions submitted less than ten calendar days before the end of a month will be applied to Unit subscriptions as of the beginning of the second month after receipt, unless revoked.

 

Redemptions

 

A limited partner may redeem any or all of such limited partner’s Units at Net Asset Value effective as of the last day of any calendar month upon ten days notice (“notice period”).  Partial redemptions are permitted, provided that the Net Asset Value of the limited partner’s Units following such redemption is no less than $10,000. Units redeemed on or before the end of the twelfth full month after purchase will be assessed an early redemption charge of 4% of their Net Asset Value as of the date of redemption.  If an investor makes multiple investments in the Partnership, investments are treated on a first-in, first-out basis in determining whether a redemption charge is applicable. Redemption charges are subtracted from redemption proceeds and paid to MLAI.

 

8



 

2.              CONDENSED SCHEDULES OF INVESTMENTS

 

The Partnership’s investments, defined as unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts on the Statements of Financial Condition, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, are as follows:

 

December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

Net Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Partners’ Capital

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Partners’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Partners’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

 

 

$

 

0.00

%

(78

)

$

(8,544

)

-0.03

%

$

(8,544

)

-0.03

%

February 2016 - May 2016

 

Currencies - Futures

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

(1

)

1,215

 

0.00

%

1,215

 

0.00

%

March 2016

 

Currencies - Forwards*

 

 

38,743

 

1,123

 

0.00

%

(1,966,349

)

20,475

 

0.08

%

21,598

 

0.08

%

March 2016

 

Interest rates

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

(14

)

1,904

 

0.01

%

1,904

 

0.01

%

June 2016

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

(68

)

(27,109

)

-0.11

%

(27,109

)

-0.11

%

January 2016 - February 2016

 

Metals

 

 

27

 

15,316

 

0.06

%

(74

)

(30,727

)

-0.13

%

(15,411

)

-0.07

%

February 2016 - March 2016

 

Stock indices

 

 

70

 

77,380

 

0.32

%

(28

)

(5,753

)

-0.02

%

71,627

 

0.30

%

January 2016 - March 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

$

93,819

 

0.38

%

 

 

$

(48,539

)

-0.20

%

$

45,280

 

0.18

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long Positions

 

Short Positions

 

Net Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Industry

 

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Number of

 

Unrealized

 

Percent of

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Percent of

 

 

 

Sector

 

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Partners’ Capital

 

Contracts/Notional*

 

Profit (Loss)

 

Partners’ Capital

 

on Open Positions

 

Partners’ Capital

 

Maturity Dates

 

Agriculture

 

 

102

 

$

(31,588

)

-0.10

%

(43

)

$

22,166

 

0.07

%

$

(9,422

)

-0.03

%

February 2015 - May 2015

 

Currencies - Futures

 

 

19

 

4,475

 

0.01

%

(186

)

105,885

 

0.33

%

110,360

 

0.34

%

March 2015

 

Currencies - Forwards*

 

 

531,051

 

(9,421

)

-0.03

%

(9,423,066

)

109,071

 

0.34

%

99,650

 

0.31

%

March 2015

 

Interest rates

 

 

109

 

32,879

 

0.10

%

 

 

0.00

%

32,879

 

0.10

%

March 2015 - December 2015

 

Energy

 

 

 

 

0.00

%

(37

)

302,195

 

0.94

%

302,195

 

0.94

%

January 2015 - November 2015

 

Metals

 

 

25

 

(69,844

)

-0.22

%

(58

)

63,050

 

0.20

%

(6,794

)

-0.02

%

February 2015 - March 2015

 

Stock indices

 

 

300

 

570,235

 

1.77

%

 

 

0.00

%

570,235

 

1.77

%

January 2015 - March 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

$

496,736

 

1.53

%

 

 

$

602,367

 

1.88

%

$

1,099,103

 

3.41

%

 

 

 


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

 

No individual contract’s unrealized profit or loss comprised greater than 5% of Partners’ Capital as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. With respect to each commodity industry sector listed in the above chart, the net unrealized profit (loss) on open positions is the sum of the unrealized profits (losses) of long positions and short positions netting unrealized losses against unrealized profits as applicable.  Net unrealized profit and loss provides a rough measure of the exposure of the Partnership to the various sectors as of the date listed, although such exposure can change at any time.

 

9



 

3.              FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Where the Partnership believes that quoted market prices are not available or that the market is not active, fair values are estimated by using observable prices of investments with similar characteristics and these are generally classified as Level II investments. The Partnership determined that Level II investments would include its forwards and certain futures contracts.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Partnership holds cash equivalents, which are considered Level II.

 

Transfers of investments between different levels of the fair value hierarchy, if any, are recorded as of the beginning of the reporting period. There were no transfers to or from any level during 2015 and 2014.

 

The Partnership’s unrealized profit (loss) on open forwards and futures contracts by the above fair value hierarchy levels, as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 

2015

 

Net unrealized profit (loss)
on open contracts

 

Total

 

Level I

 

Level II

 

Level III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

214,306

 

$

165,328

 

$

48,978

 

$

 

Forwards

 

23,963

 

 

23,963

 

 

 

 

$

238,269

 

$

165,328

 

$

72,941

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

190,624

 

$

115,180

 

$

75,444

 

$

 

Forwards

 

2,365

 

 

2,365

 

 

 

 

$

192,989

 

$

115,180

 

$

77,809

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

$

45,280

 

$

50,148

 

$

(4,868

)

$

 

 

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2014

 

Net unrealized profit (loss)
on open contracts

 

Total

 

Level I

 

Level II

 

Level III

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

1,151,066

 

$

1,129,816

 

$

21,250

 

$

 

Forwards

 

124,608

 

 

124,608

 

 

 

 

$

1,275,674

 

$

1,129,816

 

$

145,858

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Futures

 

$

151,613

 

$

65,519

 

$

86,094

 

$

 

Forwards

 

24,958

 

 

24,958

 

 

 

 

$

176,571

 

$

65,519

 

$

111,052

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2014

 

$

1,099,103

 

$

1,064,297

 

$

34,806

 

$

 

 

The Partnership’s volume of trading forwards and futures at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are representative of the activity throughout the years presented.

 

The Partnership engages in the speculative trading of futures, options on futures and forward contracts on a wide range of commodities. Such contracts meet the definition of a derivative as noted in the ASC guidance for accounting for derivative and hedging activities. The fair value amounts of, and the net profits and losses on, derivative instruments are disclosed in the Statements of Financial Condition and Statements of Operations, respectively. There are no credit related contingent features embedded in these derivative contracts. The total notional, number of contracts and fair values of derivative instruments by contract type/commodity sector are disclosed in Note 2.

 

The Partnership maintains margin deposits and cash collateral with its futures and forwards brokers, respectively, based on the greater of exchange margin or amounts determined by the respective broker. At December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the initial margin deposits (cash) are used to satisfy the margin requirements to establish the futures or forward contracts and are presented on the Statements of Financial Condition in Cash in the Equity in commodity trading accounts. The variation margin on open contracts is presented gross on the Statements of Financial Condition in Unrealized profit or loss on futures or forwards contracts, respectively. The Partnership is subject to agreements which support the ability to settle net with their counterparties; however, the Partnership has elected to present the related balances on the Statements of Financial Condition on a gross basis. The net of these amounts plus the restricted cash presented within the Cash in the Equity in commodity trading accounts on the Statements of Financial Condition represents the Partnership’s net exposure.

 

The following table indicates the trading profits and losses before brokerage commissions, by commodity industry sector for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

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Commodity Industry

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

Sector

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

Profit (loss) from trading, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agriculture

 

$

(409,117

)

$

262,187

 

$

478,801

 

Currencies

 

(1,024,801

)

1,956,862

 

488,421

 

Energy

 

401,000

 

2,224,231

 

(1,974,070

)

Interest rates

 

(231,887

)

368,190

 

(1,225,655

)

Metals

 

360,170

 

(1,112,781

)

1,894,769

 

Stock indices

 

(384,125

)

196,685

 

7,191,876

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total, net

 

$

(1,288,760

)

$

3,895,374

 

$

6,854,142

 

 

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

 

4.              RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

MLAI owns a General Partner interest which represents less than 1% of the Partnership’s Net Asset Value as of December 31, 2015.

 

MLAI, the Partnership and certain other FuturesAccessSM Funds, MLAI’s HedgeAccess® Program of hedge funds and other BofA Corp. funds (each a “Serviced Fund” and collectively, the “Serviced Funds”) have entered into a transfer agency and investor services agreement with Financial Data Services, Inc. (the “Transfer Agent”), a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp. and affiliate of MLAI.  The Transfer Agent provides registrar, distribution disbursing agent, transfer agent and certain other services related to the issuance, redemption, exchange and transfer of Units.  The fees charged by the Transfer Agent for its services were 0.02% per year of the aggregate net assets of the Serviced Funds. The fee is paid monthly in arrears.  The Transfer Agent also receives reimbursement for its out-of-pocket expenses and certain extraordinary expenses.  MLAI allocates the Transfer Agent fees to each of the Serviced Funds, including the Partnership, on a monthly basis based on each Serviced Fund’s net assets.  The Transfer Agent fee allocated to the Partnership for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, is paid on behalf of the Partnership by MLAI. These fees are included in the wrap fees discussed further below.

 

Typically the vast majority of the Partnership’s U.S. dollar assets are maintained at MLPF&S. MLPF&S and any other BofA Corp. affiliates that hold the Partnership’s cash assets receive economic benefits, which may be substantial, from holding this cash, even in low interest rate environments in which the Partnership receives little, or no, interest on these cash assets.  BofA Corp.’s “Interest Earning Program,” which offers interest on cash balances subject to a negotiated schedule, will generally apply to Partnership cash assets during any time they are maintained by the Sponsor with its affiliates. As of December 31, 2015, the interest rate under the Interest Earning Program on U.S. dollar cash balances is the daily effective federal funds rate less 20 basis points, recalculated and accrued daily, and subject to a floor of 0%. The daily effective federal funds rate is a volume-weighted average of rates on trades arranged by major brokers and is calculated by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York using data

 

13



 

provided by the brokers.  Interest is computed based upon the daily net equity balance of the Partnership’s account and is posted to the Partnership’s account on a monthly basis.

 

MLPF&S charges the Partnership at prevailing local interest rates for financing realized and unrealized losses on the Partnership’s non-U.S. dollar-denominated positions.  Such amounts are netted against interest income.

 

The Partnership’s brokerage commissions and administrative fees are included in the wrap fee which covers all of BofA Corp.’s costs and expenses, other than bid-ask spreads, certain trading fees and extraordinary expenses. Through the wrap fee the Partnership pays brokerage commissions to MLPF&S at a flat monthly rate equal to 1/12 of 5.5% (approximately 0.458%) of the Partnership’s month-end trading assets (a 5.5% annual rate). Additionally through the wrap fee the Partnership pays administrative fees to MLAI at a flat monthly rate equal to 1/12 of 0.25% (approximately 0.021%) of the Partnership’s month-end trading assets (a 0.25% annual rate). Month-end trading assets are not reduced, for purposes of calculating brokerage commissions and administrative fees, by any accrued brokerage commissions, administrative fees, Profit Share (defined in Note 5 below) or other fees or charges.

 

Wrap fees and interest, net, as presented on the Statements of Operations, are all received from or paid to related parties. Equity in commodity trading accounts, including cash and Unrealized profit (loss), as presented on the Statements of Financial Condition are held with a related party.

 

5.              ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

The Partnership entered into an advisory agreement with the Trading Advisor.  The advisory agreement will be automatically renewed for successive one-year periods, unless terminated by the Trading Advisor or the Partnership upon notice to the other party.  The Trading Advisor determines the commodity futures, options on futures and forward contracts traded by the Partnership, subject to certain trading policies and to certain rights reserved by MLAI.

 

The Partnership pays the Trading Advisor a profit share (“Profit Share”) equal to 23% of any New Trading Profit generated by the Partnership as of the end of each calendar year (or upon redemption of Units). “New Trading Profit” refers to the increase, if any, in cumulative net trading profits as of the end of any calendar year over the previous all-time high in cumulative net trading profits as of the end of any previous calendar year. New Trading Profits include all net trading profits but not interest income and after reduction for 3.75% of the annual brokerage commission.

 

6.              WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS

 

The weighted average number of Units outstanding is computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average Unit.  The weighted average number of Units outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 equals the Units outstanding as of such date, adjusted proportionately for Units sold or redeemed based on the respective length of time each was outstanding during the year.

 

7.              MARKET AND CREDIT RISKS

 

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

 

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Market Risk

 

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

 

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

 

Credit Risk

 

The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts are typically perceived to be less than those associated with over-the-counter (non-exchange-traded) transactions because exchanges typically (but not universally) provide clearinghouse arrangements in which the collective credit (in some cases limited in amount, in some cases not) of the members of the exchange/clearinghouse is pledged to support the financial integrity of the exchange/clearinghouse.  In over-the-counter transactions, on the other hand, traders must rely solely on the credit of their respective individual counterparties.  Margins, which may be subject to loss in the event of a default, are generally required in exchange traded contracts and in the over the counter markets counterparties may also require margin. The credit risk associated with these instruments from counterparty nonperformance is the unrealized profit (loss) on open contracts, if any, included in the Statements of Financial Condition.

 

MLAI, as sponsor of the Partnership, has a general policy of maintaining clearing and prime brokerage arrangements with BofA Corp. affiliates, such as MLPF&S and MLI, although MLAI may engage non-BofA Corp. affiliated service providers as clearing brokers or prime brokers for the Partnership. This policy may increase risk to the Partnership by preventing the diversification of brokers used by the Partnership.

 

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

 

15



 

Indemnifications

 

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

 

8.              SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

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

 

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*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

 

To the best of the knowledge and belief of the

undersigned, the information contained in this

report is accurate and complete.

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Barbra E. Kocsis

 

 

Barbra E. Kocsis

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Merrill Lynch Alternative Investments LLC

 

 

General Partner of

 

 

ML Select Futures I L.P.

 

 

17