Attached files

file filename
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - Cavendish Futures Fund LLCtm2020476d1_ex32-2.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Cavendish Futures Fund LLCtm2020476d1_ex32-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Cavendish Futures Fund LLCtm2020476d1_ex31-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Cavendish Futures Fund LLCtm2020476d1_ex31-1.htm

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2020

 

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 000-55213

 

CAVENDISH FUTURES FUND LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 38-3849454
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

c/o UBS Alternatives LLC

1285 Avenue of the Americas, 8th Floor

New York, New York 10019

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(212) 713-3234

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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 No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of the chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨
   

Non-accelerated filer x

Smaller reporting company ¨

   
Emerging Growth company ¨  

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by checkmark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

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 July 31, 2020, 66,388.338 Limited Liability Company Redeemable Units were outstanding.

 

 

 

CAVENDISH FUTURES FUND LLC

 

Form 10-Q

 

Index

 

   Page
   Number
PART I — Financial Information:      
Item 1.  Financial Statements:    
        
   Statements of Financial Condition at June 30, 2020 (unaudited) and December 31, 2019   3
        
   Statements of Operations and Changes in Members’ Capital for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 (unaudited)   4
        
   Notes to Financial Statements, including the Financial Statements of Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC (unaudited)   5 – 18
        
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   19 – 22
        
Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   23 – 24
        
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures   25
        
PART II — Other Information   26 – 28
     
Exhibits    
Exhibit 31.1 — Certification    
     
Exhibit 31.2 — Certification    
     
Exhibit 32.1 — Certification    
     
Exhibit 32.2 — Certification    
     
Exhibit 101.INS — XBRL Instance Document    
     
Exhibit 101.SCH — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.    
     
Exhibit 101.CAL — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.    
     
Exhibit 101.LAB — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.    
     
Exhibit 101.PRE — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.    
     
Exhibit 101.DEF — XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document.    

 

 

PART I

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Cavendish Futures Fund LLC

Statements of Financial Condition

 

   (Unaudited)
June 30, 2020
   December 31, 2019  
ASSETS           
            
Investment in Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC, at fair value  $58,726,893   $99,746,345  
Cash   182,912    629,266  
Receivable from Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC   2,234,802    1,504,212  
Total Assets  $61,144,607   $101,879,823  
            
LIABILITIES           
            
Subscriptions received in advance  $   $495,200  
Redemptions payable   2,105,769    1,312,233  
Accrued expenses:           
Advisory fees   76,168    126,534  
Administrative fees   25,389    42,178  
Professional fees and other expenses   210,388    157,333  
Total Liabilities   2,417,714    2,133,478  
            
MEMBERS’ CAPITAL           
            
Member Designee (25.000 Redeemable Units)   21,203    27,501  
Non-managing members (69,217.398 and 90,651.372 Redeemable Units)   58,705,690    99,718,844  
            
Total Members’ Capital   58,726,893    99,746,345  
Total Liabilities and Members’ Capital  $61,144,607   $101,879,823  
Members’ Capital per Redeemable Unit (based on 69,242.398 and 90,676.372 Redeemable Units)  $848.13   $1,100.03  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements and attached financial statements of Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC.

 

3

 

Cavendish Futures Fund LLC

Statements of Operations and Changes in Members’ Capital

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended   Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended   Six Months Ended
   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019   June 30, 2020   June 30, 2019
INVESTMENT INCOME                    
                     
Interest allocated from Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC  $238,925   $806,078   $618,014   $1,741,610 
                     
EXPENSES                    
                     
Expenses allocated from Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC   671,995    1,199,531    1,543,225    2,577,010 
Advisory fees   267,518    485,495    615,070    1,049,900 
Administrative fees   89,172    161,832    205,023    349,967 
Professional fees and other expenses   77,516    77,919    154,945    156,333 
Total Expenses   1,106,201    1,924,777    2,518,263    4,133,210 
                     
NET INVESTMENT (LOSS)   (867,276)   (1,118,699)   (1,900,249)   (2,391,600)
                     
TRADING RESULTS                    
                     
Net realized gain/(loss) allocated from Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC   (4,257,336)   (1,287,579)   (19,401,822)   (8,823,399)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) allocated from Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC   (4,282,657)   (735,293)   325,557    6,934,534 
Total Trading Results   (8,539,993)   (2,022,872)   (19,076,265)   (1,888,865)
                     
Net income/(loss)   (9,407,269)   (3,141,571)   (20,976,514)   (4,280,465)
                     
Subscriptions —  463.833, 1,027.501, 992.720 and 2,820.880 units of non-managing member interest, respectively   450,000    1,158,000    1,026,430    3,163,500 
Redemptions — 16,220.463, 22,129.878, 22,426.695 and 46,116.493 units of non-managing member interest, respectively   (14,800,351)   (24,681,210)   (21,069,368)   (51,096,982)
                     
Net increase/(decrease) in Members’ Capital   (23,757,620)   (26,664,781)   (41,019,452)   (52,213,947)
                     
Members’ Capital, beginning of period  $82,484,513   $136,759,768   $99,746,345   $162,308,934 
                     
Members’ Capital, end of period  $58,726,893   $110,094,987   $58,726,893   $110,094,987 
                     
Net income/(loss) per Redeemable Unit*  $(122.29)  $(29.62)  $(251.90)  $(34.11)
                     
Weighted average Redeemable Units outstanding   75,042.288    110,926.207    84,303.995    123,866.925 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements and attached financial statements of Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC.

 

* Represents the changes in Members' Capital per unit

 

4

 

Cavendish Futures Fund LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2020

(Unaudited)

 

1. General

 

Cavendish Futures Fund LLC (the “Fund”) is a Delaware limited liability company formed on August 7, 2012. Trading operations of the Fund commenced on February 19, 2013. The Fund’s investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation through speculative trading in U.S. and international futures, options on futures and forward markets. The Fund may also engage in swap and other derivative transactions upon approval of Sydling Futures Management LLC ("Sydling"). The Fund privately and continuously offers redeemable units of limited liability company interest in the Fund (“Redeemable Units”) to qualified investors and subscriptions are generally accepted monthly. There is no maximum number of Redeemable Units that may be sold by the Fund. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC (“Master Fund”), also a Delaware limited liability company, which has the same investment objective as the Fund. The Master Fund’s Statements of Financial Condition, including Condensed Schedules of Investments and Statements of Operations and Changes in Member’s Capital are included herein. The percentage of the Master Fund’s capital owned by the Fund at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was 100%. The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Master Fund.

 

The Fund is member managed for purposes of Delaware law. Pursuant to the Fund’s limited liability company agreement, as may be amended from time to time (the “LLC Agreement”), the members of the Fund (each, a “Member” and collectively, the “Members”) have appointed Sydling to act as the Fund’s commodity pool operator and trading manager. Sydling is registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor and is a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) effective August 10, 2011. Sydling, a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS Alternatives LLC, was formed on August 4, 2011. UBS Alternatives LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of UBS Americas Inc.

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations that provide indemnification for certain liabilities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, the Fund has not had any prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

Sydling, on behalf of the Fund, has entered into a selling agreement appointing UBS Financial Services Inc. ("UBS Financial Services") as selling agent to the Fund.

 

The Master Fund has entered into a customer agreement appointing UBS Securities LLC ("UBS Securities") as commodity broker to the Master Fund.

 

The Fund pays (or causes the Master Fund to pay on its behalf) an ongoing selling agent fee to UBS Financial Services equal to 3.5% per year of the adjusted month-end net assets of the Fund.

 

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. serves as administrator of the Fund (the "Administrator").

 

Winton Capital Management Limited (the “Advisor”) serves as the trading advisor to the Fund and the Master Fund.

 

Sydling and each Member share in the profits and losses of the Fund in proportion to the amount of limited liability company interest owned by each except that no Member shall be liable for obligations of the Fund in excess of such member's capital contribution and profits, if any, net of distributions and losses, if any.

 

Management has evaluated relevant conditions and events, which are known and reasonably knowable, and has determined that there are no conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Fund's ability to continue as a going concern.

 

The accompanying financial statements and notes are unaudited and are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). These financial statements present the results of interim periods and do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Fund’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

5

 

The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Sydling 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.

 

Due to the nature of commodity trading, the results of operations for the interim periods presented should not be considered indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

The Master Fund’s Statements of Financial Condition and Condensed Schedules of Investments as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and Statements of Operations and Changes in Member’s Capital for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented below:

 

6

 

Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC

Statements of Financial Condition

 

   (Unaudited)     
   June 30, 2020   December 31, 2019 
ASSETS          
           
Investment in U.S. Treasury Bills, at fair value (cost $49,987,542 and $84,907,799, respectively)   $49,984,292   $84,927,113 
Cash (including restricted cash of $0 and $12,857,135, respectively)    12,527,371    18,296,632 
Interest receivable    1,203    49,207 
Total Assets   $62,512,866   $103,272,952 
           
LIABILITIES AND MEMBER'S CAPITAL          
           
Net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts   $1,322,234   $1,670,355 
Redemptions payable    2,234,802    1,504,212 
Accrued expenses:          
Selling agent fees    178,325    296,178 
Professional fees and other expenses    50,612    55,862 
Total Liabilities    3,785,973    3,526,607 
           
MEMBER’S CAPITAL          
           
Member's Capital    58,726,893    99,746,345 
Total Liabilities and Member’s Capital   $62,512,866   $103,272,952 

 

7

 

 

Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC

Condensed Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2020

(Unaudited)

 

            Percent of 
Number of           Member’s 
Contracts       Fair Value   Capital 
     FUTURES CONTRACTS OWNED          
92    CURRENCIES  $(76,540)   (0.13)%
1    ENERGY   (101)   (0.00)%
2,054    FINANCIALS   578,566    0.99%
86    GRAINS   (166,430)   (0.28)%
4    INDEX   11,732    0.02%
3    MEATS   (1,225)   (0.00)%
208    METALS   459,270    0.78%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS OWNED   805,272    1.38%
                
     FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD          
(253 )  CURRENCIES   274,813    0.46%
(368 )  ENERGY   (469,789)   (0.80)%
(36 )  FINANCIALS   (387)   (0.00)%
(545 )  GRAINS   (40,985)   (0.07)%
(243 )  INDEX   (45,267)   (0.08)%
(44 )  MATERIALS   (31,170)   (0.05)%
(15 )  MEATS   19,820    0.03%
(537 )  METALS   (1,834,541)   (3.12)%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD   (2,127,506)   (3.63)%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS   (1,322,234)   (2.25)%
                
     U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES          
     U.S. TREASURY BILLS, 11.5%, DUE 9/17/2020 (COST, $49,987,542)   49,984,292    85.11%
     OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF OTHER LIABILITIES   10,064,835    17.14%
     TOTAL MEMBER’S CAPITAL  $58,726,893    100.00%

 

Percentages shown represent a percentage of member’s capital as of June 30, 2020.

 

8

 

 

Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC

Condensed Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2019

 

            Percent of 
Number of           Member’s 
Contracts       Fair Value   Capital 
     FUTURES CONTRACTS OWNED          
453    CURRENCIES  $306,299    0.31%
263    ENERGY   246,232    0.25%
1,180    FINANCIALS   (1,195,562)   (1.20)%
256    GRAINS   847    0.00%
727    INDEX   430,786    0.43%
4    MEATS   (1,138)   0.00%
690    METALS   149,711    0.15%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS OWNED   (62,825)   (0.06)%
                
     FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD          
(647 )  CURRENCIES   (886,868)   (0.89)%
(364 )  ENERGY   463,231    0.46%
(565 )  FINANCIALS   74,313    0.07%
(636 )  GRAINS   (862,314)   (0.86)%
(141 )  INDEX   (104,315)   (0.10)%
(1 )  MATERIALS   (2,405)   0.00%
(24 )  MEATS   (31,080)   (0.03)%
(258 )  METALS   (258,092)   (0.26)%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD   (1,607,530)   (1.61)%
     TOTAL FUTURES CONTRACTS   (1,670,355)   (1.67)%
                
     U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES          
     U.S. TREASURY BILLS, 1.775%, DUE 1/23/2020 (COST, $84,907,799)   84,927,113    85.14%
     OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF OTHER LIABILITIES   16,489,587    16.53%
     TOTAL MEMBER’S CAPITAL  $99,746,345    100.00%

 

Percentages shown represent a percentage of member’s capital as of December 31, 2019.

 

9

 

 

Sydling WNT Master Fund LLC

Statements of Operations and Changes in Member’s Capital 

(Unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019     June 30, 2020     June 30, 2019  
INVESTMENT INCOME                                
                                 
Interest income   $ 238,925     $ 806,078     $ 618,014     $ 1,741,610  
                                 
EXPENSES                                
                                 
Brokerage, clearing and transaction fees     21,860       40,719       55,661       74,723  
Selling agent fees     626,260       1,136,364       1,439,814       2,457,390  
Professional fees     23,875       22,448       47,750       44,897  
Total Expenses     671,995       1,199,531       1,543,225       2,577,010  
                                 
NET INVESTMENT (LOSS)     (433,070 )     (393,453 )     (925,211 )     (835,400 )
                                 
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN/(LOSS) FROM DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS                                
                                 
Net realized gain/(loss) from securities     45,616       -       45,616       -  
Net realized gain/(loss) from futures and foreign currency     (4,302,952 )     (1,287,579 )     (19,447,438 )     (8,823,399 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on securities     (277,317 )     -       (22,564 )     -  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on futures, foreign currency, and securities     (4,005,340 )     (735,293 )     348,121       6,934,534  
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss) from Derivative Instruments and securities     (8,539,993 )     (2,022,872 )     (19,076,265 )     (1,888,865 )
                                 
Net income/(loss)     (8,973,063 )     (2,416,325 )     (20,001,476 )     (2,724,265 )
                                 
INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN MEMBER’S CAPITAL FROM CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS                                
                                 
Subscriptions     450,000       1,158,000       1,026,430       3,163,500  
Redemptions     (15,234,557 )     (25,406,456 )     (22,044,406 )     (52,653,182 )
                                 
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Member’s Capital Derived from Capital Transactions     (14,784,557 )     (24,248,456 )     (21,017,976 )     (49,489,682 )
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Member’s Capital     (23,757,620 )     (26,664,781 )     (41,019,452 )     (52,213,947 )
Member’s Capital, Beginning of Period     82,484,513       136,759,768       99,746,345       162,308,934  
Member’s Capital, End of Period   $ 58,726,893     $ 110,094,987     $ 58,726,893     $ 110,094,987  

 

10

 

 

2.Financial Highlights

 

Changes in the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 are as follows:

 

Financial Highlights of the Fund:

 

   Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2020
   Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2019
   Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2020
   Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2019
 
Per share operating performance: (a)                    
Members’ capital per Redeemable Unit, beginning of period   $970.42   $1,122.14   $1,100.03   $1,126.62 
Income/(loss) from investment operations:                    
Net investment (loss) including incentive fee   (11.00)   (9.69)   (22.50)   (19.05)
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) from investment activities    (111.29)   (19.94)   (229.40)   (15.06)
Total from investment operations   (122.29)   (29.63)   (251.90)   (34.11)
Members’ capital per Redeemable Unit, end of period   $848.13   $1,092.51   $848.13   $1,092.51 
Ratio/Supplemental Data: (b)                    
Ratio of net investment loss to average Members’ capital    (4.93)%   (3.58)%   (4.67)%   (3.53)%
Ratio of total expenses to average Members’ capital    6.29%   6.16%   6.19%   6.09%
Ratio of incentive fee to average Members’ capital    -%   -%   -%   -%
Ratio of total expenses and incentive fee to average Members’ capital    6.29%   6.16%   6.19%   6.09%
Total return before incentive fee (c)    (12.60)%   (2.64)%   (22.90)%   (3.03)%
Incentive fee    -%   -%   -%  -%
Total return after incentive fee    (12.60)%   (2.64)%   (22.90)%   (3.03)%
Members’ capital at end of period   $58,726,893   $110,094,987   $58,726,893   $110,094,987 

 

 

Total return and the ratios to average Member’s capital are calculated for investor’s capital taken as a whole. An individual investor’s capital may vary from these ratios and total return based on the timing of capital transactions.

 

 

(a)Per share operating performance is calculated on a monthly basis by dividing each line item by the outstanding units at month-end prior to the reduction of redeemed units.

(b)The ratios to average Members’ capital are annualized. The average Members’ capital used in the above ratios is an average of each month-end Members’ capital during the period. Ratios include the Fund's share of income and expense allocated from the Master Fund.

(c)Total return assumes a purchase of an interest in the Fund at the beginning of the period and a sale of the interest on the last day of the period noted. Total return is reflected after all investment-related and operating expenses, including the Advisory and Administrative fees. Total return is not annualized.

 

11

 

 

Financial Highlights of the Master Fund:

 

   Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2020
   Three
Months Ended
June 30, 2019
   Six
Months Ended
June 30, 2020
   Six
Months Ended June 30, 2019
 
Ratio/Supplemental Data: (a)                    
Ratio of net investment loss to average member’s capital   (2.46)%   (1.26)%   (2.27)%   (1.23)%
Ratio of total expenses to average member’s capital   3.82%   3.84%   3.79%   3.80%
Total return (b)   (12.07)%   (2.09)%   (21.97)%   (1.94)%
Member’s capital at end of period  $58,726,893   $110,094,987   $58,726,893   $110,094,987 

 

Total return and the ratios to average Member’s capital are calculated for investor’s capital taken as a whole. An individual investor’s capital may vary from these ratios and total return based on the timing of capital transactions.

 

 

(a)The ratios to average Member’s capital are annualized. The average Member’s capital used in the above ratios is an average of each month-end member's capital during the period.

(b)Total return is calculated based on a time-weighted rate of return methodology. Monthly rates of return are compounded to derive the total return reflected above. Total return is reflected after all investment-related and operating expenses. Total return is not annualized.

 

12

 

 

 

 

3.Trading Activities

 

The Fund was formed for the purpose of trading contracts in a variety of commodity interests, including derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets through a “master/feeder” structure. The Fund’s pro rata share of the results of the Master Fund’s trading activities is shown in the Fund’s Statements of Operations and Changes in Members’ Capital.

 

The customer agreement between the Master Fund and UBS Securities gives the Master Fund the legal right to net unrealized gains and losses on open futures contracts. Futures contracts are executed on exchanges and are typically liquidated by entering into offsetting contracts. The Master Fund nets, for financial reporting purposes, the unrealized gains and losses on open futures contracts on the Master Fund’s Statements of Financial Condition.

 

All of the commodity interests owned by the Master Fund are held for trading purposes. The average number of futures contracts traded for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, based on a monthly calculation, was 2,512 and 4,054, respectively. The average number of futures contracts traded for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, based on a monthly calculation, was 3,375 and 3,929, respectively.

 

The following tables indicate the gross fair values of derivative instruments of the Master Fund's futures contracts as separate assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

 

    June 30, 2020     December 31,
2019
 
ASSETS            
Futures Contracts            
Currencies   $ 275,163     $ 308,678  
Energy     66,584       723,271  
Financials     587,212       97,797  
Grains     74,826       134,076  
Index     170,674       564,001  
Meats     19,820       370  
Metals     190,918       1,618,556  
Total unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts   $ 1,385,197     $ 3,446,749  
                 
LIABILITIES                
Futures Contracts                
Currencies   $ (76,890 )   $ (889,246 )
Energy     (536,474 )     (13,809 )
Financials     (9,033 )     (1,219,047 )
Grains     (282,241 )     (995,542 )
Index     (204,209 )     (237,530 )
Materials     (31,170 )     (2,405 )
Meats     (1,225 )     (32,588 )
Metals     (1,566,189 )     (1,726,937 )
Total unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts   $ (2,707,431 )   $ (5,117,104 )
                 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts*   $ (1,322,234 )   $ (1,670,355 )

 

 

* These amounts are presented as Net unrealized appreciation or (depreciation) on open futures contracts on the Master Fund’s Statements of Financial Condition.

 

13

 

 

The following table indicates the trading gains and losses, by market sector, on the Master Fund's derivative instruments and securities for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019.

 

   Three months ended
June 30, 2020
   Three months ended
June 30, 2019
   Six months ended
June 30, 2020
  

Six months ended
June 30, 2019

 
Sector  Gain/(loss) from
trading
   Gain/(loss) from
trading
   Gain/(loss) from
trading
   Gain/(loss) from
trading
 
Currencies  $(2,132,856)  $(722,584)  $(3,778,875)  $(1,395,330)
Energy   (1,259,321)   (2,754,467)   (3,061,822)   (5,993,465)
Financials   378,186    4,384,814    1,984,646    5,994,026 
Grains   217,291    (1,846,601)   (901,248)   93,651 
Index   (1,470,029)   682,516    (10,828,703)   2,275,071 
Industrials               (8,932)
Materials   (235,860)   269,145    73,785    167,555 
Meats   117,288    (1,073,052)   758,196    (1,470,553)
Metals   (3,922,991)   (967,973)   (3,345,296)   (1,556,218)
U.S. Treasury Bills   (231,701)   5,330    23,052    5,330 
   $(8,539,993)**  $(2,022,872)**  $(19,076,265)**  $(1,888,865)**

 

 

** These amounts are presented as “Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain/(Loss) from Derivative Instruments and Securities” on the Master Fund’s Statements of Operations and Changes in Member’s Capital.

 

14

 

 

4.Fair Value Measurements

 

Fund’s Investments. The Fund values its investment in the Master Fund at fair value and is represented by the Fund’s proportionate interest in the member’s capital of the Master Fund.

 

Fund’s and Master Fund’s Fair Value Measurements. FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements” (“ASC 820”), defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. Valuation techniques, as specified by ASC 820, are used to measure fair value.

 

All financial instruments at fair value are categorized into one of three fair value hierarchy levels, based upon the lowest level input that is significant to the financial instrument’s fair value measurement in its entirety:

 

Level 1—Quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2—Valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are market observable, either directly or indirectly.

 

Level 3—Valuation techniques which include significant inputs that are not based on observable market data.

 

U.S. GAAP provides guidance in determining whether there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for an asset or liability when compared with normal market activity for such asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities). U.S. GAAP also provides guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction with regards to such an asset or liability is not orderly. In its consideration, the Master Fund must consider inputs and valuation techniques used for each class of assets and liabilities. Judgment is used to determine the appropriate classes of assets and liabilities for which disclosures about fair value measurements are provided.

 

Fair value measurement disclosure for each class of assets and liabilities requires greater disaggregation than the Master Fund’s line items in the Statement of Financial Condition. The Master Fund determines the appropriate classes for those disclosures on the basis of the nature and risks of the assets and liabilities and their classification in the fair value hierarchy (i.e., Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3).

 

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis during the period, the Master Fund provides quantitative disclosures about the fair value measurements separately for each class of assets and liabilities, as well as a reconciliation of beginning and ending balances of Level 3 assets and liabilities broken down by class.

 

The Master Fund considers prices for U.S. Treasury bills, exchange-traded commodity futures, forwards and options contracts to be based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1). The values of non-exchange-traded forward, swap and certain options contracts for which market quotations are not readily available are priced by broker-dealers who derive fair values for those assets from observable inputs (Level 2) and for those contracts that are priced using unobservable inputs through the application of management’s assumptions and internal valuation pricing models (Level 3). As of and for the periods ended June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Master Fund did not hold any derivative instruments for which market quotations are not readily available and which are priced by broker-dealers who derive fair values for these assets from observable inputs (Level 2) or that are priced at fair value using unobservable inputs through the application of management’s assumptions and internal valuation pricing models (Level 3).

 

15

 

 

The following is a summary of the Master Fund’s investments at fair value. The inputs or methodology used for valuing derivative instruments are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those derivative instruments.

 

ASSET TABLE (Unaudited)                
                 
Description  Total Fair Value at
June 30, 2020
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
U.S. Treasury bills  $49,984,292   $49,984,292   $-   $- 
Futures Contracts   1,385,197    1,385,197    -    - 
Total Assets  $51,369,489   $51,369,489   $-   $- 

 

LIABILITIES TABLE (Unaudited)                
                 
Description  Total Fair Value at
June 30, 2020
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Futures Contracts  $2,707,431   $2,707,431   $-   $- 
Total Liabilities  $2,707,431   $2,707,431   $-   $- 
Net Assets and (Liabilities)  $48,662,058   $48,662,058   $-   $- 

 

ASSET TABLE                
                 
Description  Total Fair Value at
December 31, 2019
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
U.S. Treasury bills  $84,927,113   $84,927,113   $-   $- 
Futures Contracts   3,446,749    3,446,749    -    - 
Total Assets  $88,373,862   $88,373,862   $-   $- 

 

LIABILITIES TABLE                
                 
Description  Total Fair Value at
December 31, 2019
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Future Contracts  $5,117,104   $5,117,104   $-   $- 
Total Liabilities  $5,117,104   $5,117,104   $-   $- 
Net Assets and (Liabilities)  $83,256,758   $83,256,758   $-   $- 

 

5.Financial Instrument Risks

 

In the normal course of business, the Master Fund is party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, including derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments. These financial instruments may include futures, forwards and options on futures whose values are based upon an underlying asset, index, or reference rate, and generally represent future commitments to exchange currencies or cash balances, or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specific terms at specified future dates, or, in the case of derivative commodity instruments, to have a reasonable possibility to be settled in cash, through physical delivery or with another financial instrument. These instruments may be traded on an exchange, a swap execution facility ("SEF"), or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded instruments are standardized and include futures and certain forward and options contracts. OTC contracts are negotiated between contracting parties and include certain forward, option and swap contracts. Certain swap contracts may also be traded on a SEF. Specific market movements of commodities or futures contracts underlying an option cannot accurately be predicted. The purchaser of an option may lose the entire premium paid for the option. The writer, or seller, of an option has unlimited risk. Each of these instruments is subject to various risks similar to those related to the underlying financial instruments including market and credit risk. In general, the risks associated with OTC contracts are greater than those associated with exchange-traded or SEF traded instruments because of the greater risk of default by the counterparty to an OTC contract. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 the Master Fund traded futures contracts and U.S. Treasury bills.

 

16

 

 

The risk to the Members that have purchased interests in the Master Fund is limited to the amount of their capital contributions to the Master Fund and their share of the Master Fund’s assets and undistributed profits. This limited liability is a consequence of the organization of the Master Fund as a limited liability company under applicable law.

 

Market risk is the potential for changes in the value of the financial instruments traded by the Master Fund due to market changes, including interest and foreign exchange rate movements and fluctuations in commodity or security prices. Market risk is directly impacted by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded. The Master Fund is exposed to a market risk equal to the value of U.S. Treasury bills and futures contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short.

 

Credit risk is the possibility that a loss may occur due to the failure of a counterparty to perform according to the terms of a contract. The Master Fund’s risk of loss in the event of a counterparty default is typically limited to the amounts recognized in the Statements of Financial Condition and not represented by the contract or notional amounts of the instruments. The Master Fund has credit risk and concentration risk because the sole counterparty or broker with respect to the Master Fund’s assets is UBS Securities or a UBS affiliate. Credit risk with respect to exchange-traded instruments is reduced to the extent that through UBS Securities, the Master Fund’s counterparty is an exchange or clearing organization. Futures contracts are conducted through regulated exchanges which have margin requirements, and are settled in cash on a daily basis, thereby minimizing credit risk. The Fund posted securities as collateral with a fair value of $9,190,867 in connection with margin requirements as of June 30, 2020.

 

Certain impacts to public health conditions particular to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that occurred may have a significant negative impact on the operations and profitability of the Fund’s investments. The extent of the impact to the financial performance of the Fund will depend on future developments, including (i) the duration and spread of the outbreak, (ii) the restrictions and advisories, (iii) the effects on the financial markets, and (iv) the effects on the economy overall, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.

 

6.Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Fund’s and the Master Fund’s accounting policies are the same and are consistent with the accounting policies in the Fund’s financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

The Fund and the Master Fund have determined their status as investment companies and as such, follow the accounting and reporting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

Statement of Cash Flows. The Fund is not required to provide a Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with ASC 230 – Statement of Cash Flows.

 

Investment in Master Fund. The Fund records its investment in the Master Fund at fair value and is represented by the Fund’s proportionate interest in the capital of the Master Fund at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. Valuation of securities held by the Master Fund is discussed in the Notes to the Master Fund’s financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Fund records its pro rata share of the Master Fund’s income, expenses and realized and unrealized gains and losses. The performance of the Fund is directly attributable to the performance of the Master Fund. The Fund records its subscription and withdrawal of the capital account related to its investment in the Master Fund on the transaction date. The Master Fund will adjust the capital account of the Fund. Brokerage, clearing and transaction fees are incurred by the Master Fund and are reflected in the pro rata allocation received by the Fund from the Master Fund.

 

Subscriptions Received in Advance. Subscriptions received in advance represent amounts paid by the non-managing Members for a percentage ownership into the Fund which have not yet been added as Members’ capital as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019. The amount paid is held as cash in the Fund’s escrow account and represents the majority of the cash on the Fund’s Statements of Financial Condition.

 

Redemptions Payable. Pursuant to ASC Topic 480, Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, capital withdrawals effective June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 have been reflected as redemptions payable in the Statements of Financial Condition.

 

17

 

 

Income Taxes. The Fund is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the Fund will not pay U.S. federal income tax. As a result, no income tax liability or expense has been recorded in the financial statements. Each member will be subject to taxation on its share of the Fund’s ordinary income, capital gains and losses.

 

U.S. GAAP provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the financial statements and requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Master Fund’s financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority.

 

Tax positions with respect to tax at the Master Fund level not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Sydling has analyzed the Master Fund’s tax positions for the open tax period and has concluded that no provision is required in the Master Fund’s financial statements. The Master Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in its Statements of Operations and Changes in Member’s Capital. For the periods ended June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Master Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

The Master Fund earns interest income on 100% of the average daily equity in the Master Fund's brokerage account at a rate equal to the monthly average 30-day U.S. Treasury bill rate. Beginning June 1, 2019, the Master Fund placed the majority of its cash in U.S. Treasury bills. The Master Fund receives 100% of the interest earned on U.S. Treasury bills.

 

7.Subsequent Events

 

Sydling has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Fund through the date of the filing. Subsequent to June 30, 2020, redemptions of $2,354,569 will be paid to the non-managing Members. Sydling has determined that there were no additional subsequent events requiring recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

18

 

 

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Fund does not engage in sales of goods or services. Its only assets are its investment in the Master Fund, cash and receivables from the Master Fund. The Master Fund does not engage in the sale of goods or services. The Master Fund’s only assets are its equity in its trading accounts, consisting of cash, net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on open futures contracts, interest receivable and U.S. Treasury bills. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in commodity futures trading, relatively small price movements may result in substantial losses to the Fund, through its investment in the Master Fund. While substantial losses could lead to a material decrease in liquidity, no such illiquidity occurred during the second quarter of 2020.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Master Fund’s average margin to equity ratio was 11.94% and 8.98%, respectively.

 

The Fund’s capital consists of the capital contributions of the Members as increased or decreased by income/(loss) from its investment in the Master Fund and by expenses, interest income, redemptions of Redeemable Units and distributions of profits, if any.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Fund’s capital decreased 41.12% from $99,746,345 to $58,726,893. This decrease was attributable to a net loss from operations of $20,976,514 coupled with redemptions of Redeemable Units resulting in an outflow of $21,069,368, which was partially offset by subscriptions for Redeemable Units totaling $1,026,430. Future redemptions from the Fund could impact the amount of funds available for investment in the Master Fund in subsequent periods.

 

The Master Fund’s capital consists of the capital contributions of the investors of the Master Fund as increased or decreased by realized and/or unrealized gains or losses on trading and by expenses, interest income, withdrawals of interest from the Master Fund and distributions of profits, if any.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, the Master Fund’s capital decreased 41.12% from $99,746,345 to $58,726,893. This decrease was attributable to a net loss from operations of $20,001,476 coupled with the withdrawal of interest in the Master Fund resulting in an outflow of $22,044,406, which was partially offset by subscriptions for interest in the Master Fund totaling $1,026,430. Future withdrawals from the Master Fund can impact the amount of funds available for investments in commodity contract positions in subsequent periods.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires Sydling to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Sydling believes that the estimates and assumptions utilized in preparing the financial statements are reasonable. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 6. “Significant Accounting Policies.”

 

The Fund records all investments at fair value in its financial statements, with changes in fair value reported as a component of net realized gains/(losses) and change in net unrealized gains/(losses) in the Statements of Operations and Changes in Members’ Capital.

 

Results of Operations

 

During the Fund’s second quarter of 2020, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit decreased 12.6% from $970.42 to $848.13. The Fund, for its own account, through its investment in the Master Fund, experienced a net trading loss before brokerage fees and related fees in the second quarter of 2020 of $8,539,993. Losses were primarily attributable to the Master Fund’s trading of commodity futures in indices, currencies, metals, energy, softs and non-U.S. interest rates and were partially offset by gains in U.S. interest rates, livestock and grains.

 

During the quarter, a few economies including China and Europe appeared to be recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. This caused several securities across asset classes, particularly commodities and equity indices, to recover sharply from their steep declines in March 2020. The price action in 1Q20 triggered the Fund’s long-term trend following models to broadly position the Fund short commodities and equity indices coming into the second quarter. As these asset classes rose, the Fund experienced losses. The models reduced risk to some of them. Separately, the U.S. Dollar also declined for the same reasons after it rose in March 2020. The Fund was broadly positioned long U.S. Dollar that contributed to losses.

 

19

 

 

Metals were the biggest detractors in the quarter. Silver and Copper rose over 31% and 21% respectively in the quarter and were notable detractors. The Fund was short these commodities coming into the quarter and experienced losses from those positions.

 

Foreign Exchange was the next biggest detractor. Commodity linked currencies such as Australian Dollar rose against the U.S. Dollar on prospects of China recovering from the pandemic. In Europe, the Euro appreciated against the U.S. Dollar as European economies started to reopen. The Fund was short these currencies (against the U.S. Dollar) which were notable detractors in the quarter. As losses rose, the Fund reduced risk to these currencies and exited from its short position in Australian Dollar in June 2020.

 

Energy was a detractor in the quarter. Energy prices picked up in the quarter for the reasons mentioned above. Losses were driven by shorts in crude and distillates. Notable losers were shorts in WTI, Brent Crude, and RBOB.

 

Equity Indices contributed to losses in the quarter. Global equities generally rose in the quarter on the back of global central banks’ accommodative policies as they injected liquidity to stave off pandemic-driven recession. While the first quarter earnings showed the pandemic’s impact on corporate earnings, several companies beat analysts’ expectations (that were lowered significantly as the impact of the pandemic was not clear). Additionally, online spending and online ad revenue appeared to bounce back stronger than expected as people working from home spent more time shopping than before. This helped consumer and technology sectors. These, amongst others, caused global equities to rise in the quarter. The Fund was net short equities and lost they rose. Notable losers were shorts in Dow Jones Industrial Average, Nikkei 225 and TOPIX indices.

 

Interest Rates contributed modestly. As rates in the U.S. and other notable economies remained low, the Fund generated small gains from longs in Eurodollar, Euribor, short Sterling and Italian 10yr.

 

Softs were modest detractors. The Fund was short Sugar that declined significantly in the first quarter of 2020 and continued into April. However, in May and June of 2020, it bounced back strongly and gained nearly 14% in those two months. As a result, the short position in Sugar was the biggest detractor in this asset class. Long position in Cocoa was another detractor as Cocoa prices plummeted nearly 11% in just the last week of June 2020.

 

Live stock was a modest contributor with gains from shorts in hogs and live cattle.

 

During the Fund’s second quarter of 2019, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit decreased 2.64% from $1,122.14 to $1,092.51. The Fund, for its own account, through its investment in the Master Fund, experienced a net trading loss before brokerage fees and related fees in the second quarter of 2019 of $2,022,872. Losses were primarily attributable to the Master Fund’s trading of commodity futures in metals, currencies, energy, indices and softs and were partially offset by gains in grains, U.S. and non-U.S. interest rates and livestock.

 

In FX trading, the Fund generated losses from British Pound, Euro and Swiss Franc, which were partially offset by gains in Canadian Dollar, Australian Dollar and Mexican Peso. Among developed currencies, British Pound weakened the most, due to a change in leadership and increased odds of a no-deal Brexit. The Fund reversed its long positions as the Pound weakened vs the U.S. dollar.

 

Short positions in soybean complex and sugar were profitable as prices declined due to trade issues and higher supplies respectively. Those gains were offset by position reversals in meat markets, as U.S. pork exports to China declined during this period. Short positioning in wheat was also unprofitable as prices rallied more than 10% on lower acreage due to heavy rains in the spring season. In metals sector, aluminum and copper ranked among the top contributors while gold finished as the worst detractor for the quarter. Most industrial metals traded lower as Chinese manufacturing activity fell into recession territory in June. The Fund held net short positions in both precious and industrial metals during the quarter. Short positions in Gold were challenged by a 9% rally in the precious metal as market participants factored in potential rate cuts by the Fed.

 

The energy sector ranked the worst detractor as the fund cut long exposures in petroleum markets while switching from longs to shorts in natural gas. U.S. natural gas prices fell 13% on higher supplies even as blazing heat in June spurred air-conditioner use across eastern U.S. Crude prices were equally volatile as trade tensions undermined demand growth and geopolitical risks increased after sabotage attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman.

 

Seven out of the top ten markets during this period were in the fixed income sector. Among non-U.S. markets, Euribor, Euro-Bunds and Japanese Government Bond futures generated most gains, while U.S. Ultra Bond and Eurodollar futures also ranked among the top contributors. Eurozone manufacturing activity and consumer confidence deteriorated steadily during this period, as the ECB prepared to ease monetary policy, resulting in sizable gains for long positions held by the Fund. The Fed also signaled policy easing and the Fund switched from shorts to longs in U.S. interest rate futures.

 

20

 

 

The Fund maintained a long bias in equity index sector during the quarter even as volatility picked up in May. Most long positions held by the Fund were in the S&P 500 index which gained about 4%. Generally there was optimism about a U.S.-China trade deal going through, even as the U.S. imposed sanctions on Chinese tech giant Huawei. In the UK, Prime Minister May announced her resignation but the FTSE index recovered from its mid-quarter losses.

 

Commodity futures markets are highly volatile. Broad and rapid price fluctuations and rapid inflation increase the risks involved in commodity trading, but also increase the possibility for profit or loss. The profitability of the Fund (and the Master Fund) depends on the existence of major price trends and the ability of the Advisor to correctly identify those price trends. Price trends are influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, weather, public health epidemics, governmental, agricultural, commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events and changes in interest rates. To the extent that market trends exist and the Advisor is able to identify them, the Fund (and the Master Fund) expects to increase capital through operations.

 

Interest income on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Master Fund’s brokerage account with UBS Securities was earned at a 30-day U.S. Treasury bill rate. Beginning June 1, 2019, the Master Fund put the majority of its cash in U.S. Treasury bills. The Master Fund receives 100% of the interest earned on U.S. Treasury bills.

 

Interest income for the three months ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $567,153, as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower assets under management during the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

 

Interest income for the six months ended June 30, 2020 decreased by $1,123,596, as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The decrease in interest income was primarily due to lower assets under management during the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

 

Clearing and transaction fees are based on the number of round turns made in the Master Fund's account. Clearing and transaction fees of the Master Fund for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $21,860 and $40,719. The decrease in clearing and transaction fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is a result of a decrease in the number of futures contracts traded in the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

 

Clearing and transaction fees of the Master Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $55,661 and $74,723. The decrease in clearing and transaction fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is a result of a decrease in the number of futures contracts traded in the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019.

 

Ongoing selling agent fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund's capital account balance at the Master Fund as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions.

 

Ongoing selling agent fees of the Master Fund for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $626,260 and $1,136,364, respectively. The decrease in selling agent fees in the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the Fund's average capital account balance at the Master Fund.

 

Ongoing selling agent fees of the Master Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $1,439,814 and $2,457,390, respectively. The decrease in selling agent fees in the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the Fund's average capital account balance at the Master Fund.

 

Advisory fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s adjusted net asset value as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions.

 

Advisory fees of the Fund for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $267,518 and $485,495, respectively. The calculation of advisory fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was based on a monthly average net asset value of $71,337,896 and $129,465,449, respectively. The decrease in advisory fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the average net assets.

 

Advisory fees of the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $615,070 and $1,049,900, respectively. The calculation of advisory fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was based on a monthly average net asset value of $82,009,269 and $139,986,689, respectively. The decrease in advisory fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the average net assets.

 

21

 

 

Administrative fees are paid to Sydling for administering the business and affairs of the Fund. Sydling pays a portion of the administrative fee to the Administrator. These fees are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s adjusted net asset value as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions.

 

Administrative fees of the Fund for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $89,172 and $161,832, respectively. The calculation of administrative fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was based on a monthly average net asset value of $71,337,896 and $129,465,449, respectively. The decrease in administrative fees for the three months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the average net assets.

 

Administrative fees of the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 were $205,023 and $349,967, respectively. The calculation of administrative fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 was based on a monthly average net asset value of $82,009,269 and $139,986,689, respectively. The decrease in administrative fees for the six months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in 2019 is due to a decrease in the average net assets.

 

Incentive fees to the Advisor are based on the new trading profits generated by the Advisor, paid at the end of each quarter, as defined in the Trading Advisory Agreement among the Master Fund, the Fund, Sydling and the Advisor. There were no incentive fees earned during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 or 2019.

 

In allocating substantially all of the assets of the Fund to the Master Fund, Sydling considers the Advisor’s past performance, trading style, volatility of markets traded and fee requirements. Sydling may modify or terminate the allocation of assets to the Advisor at any time.

 

22

 

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

All of the Fund’s assets are subject to the risk of trading loss through its investment in the Master Fund.

 

The Master Fund is a speculative commodity pool. The market sensitive instruments held by the Master Fund are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or substantially all of the Fund’s capital is subject to the risk of trading loss through its investment in the Master Fund. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to the Master Fund’s and the Fund’s main line of business.

 

The risk to the Members that have purchased Redeemable Units is limited to the amount of their capital contributions to the Fund and their share of Fund assets and undistributed profits. This limited liability is a consequence of the organization of the Fund as a limited liability company under Delaware law.

 

Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Master Fund’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash balances. The Master Fund’s and the Fund’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Master Fund’s open contracts and the liquidity of the markets in which the Master Fund trades.

 

The Master Fund rapidly acquires and liquidates both long and short positions in a range of different markets. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how a particular future market scenario will affect performance, and the Master Fund’s past performance is not necessarily indicative of its future results.

 

Quantifying the Fund’s Trading Value at Risk

 

The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Master Fund’s and the Fund’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 (such as the terms of particular contracts and the number of market risk sensitive instruments held during or at the end of the reporting period).

 

“Value at Risk” is a measure of the maximum amount which the Master Fund could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector. However, the inherent uncertainty of the Master Fund’s speculative trading and the recurrence in the markets traded by the Master Fund of market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated Value at Risk or the Master Fund’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 Master Fund’s losses in any market sector will be limited to Value at Risk or by the Master Fund’s attempts to manage its market risk.

 

Exchange maintenance margin requirements have been used by the Master Fund as the measure of its Value at Risk. 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 Value at Risk.

 

Value at Risk tables represent a probabilistic assessment of the risk of loss in market risk sensitive instruments. The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Master Fund’s open positions by market category as of June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, and the highest, lowest and average value during the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. All open position trading risk exposures of the Master Fund have been included in calculating the figures set forth below. There has been no material change in the trading Value at Risk information previously disclosed in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

 

 23 

 

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Master Fund’s total capitalization was $58,726,893, and the Fund owned 100% of the Master Fund. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Master Fund. The Master Fund’s Value at Risk as of June 30, 2020 was as follows:

 

           Three and six months ended June 30, 2020 (unaudited) 
Market Sector  Value
at Risk
   % of Total
Capitalization
   High Value
at Risk
   Low Value
at Risk
   Average Value
at Risk*
 
Currencies  $1,032,747    1.76%  $2,706,895   $761,538   $1,784,736 
Energy  $1,016,578    1.73%  $1,431,251   $477,476   $826,630 
Grains  $991,075    1.69%  $1,612,136   $870,342   $1,115,127 
Index  $774,731    1.32%  $2,212,293   $414,079   $1,199,360 
Interest Rate Non-U.S.  $1,685,174    2.87%  $1,697,791   $892,510   $1,243,667 
Interest Rate U.S.  $1,531,128    2.61%  $1,673,997   $332,315   $992,056 
Livestock  $53,829    0.09%  $323,765   $44,499   $158,918 
Metals  $1,247,032    2.12%  $1,691,434   $735,432   $1,217,027 
Softs  $858,572    1.46%  $1,244,092   $539,148   $813,181 
Total  $9,190,867    15.65%               

 

*Average daily Value at Risk.

** Due to rounding

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Master Fund’s total capitalization was $99,746,345 and the Fund owned 100% of the Master Fund. The Fund invests substantially all of its assets in the Master Fund. The Master Fund’s Value at Risk as of December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

December 31, 2019

(unaudited)

 

Market Sector  Value
at Risk
   % of Total
Capitalization
   High Value
at Risk
   Low Value
at Risk
   Average Value
at Risk*
 
Currencies  $2,574,907    2.58%  $3,510,819   $1,560,352   $2,414,343 
Energy  $1,338,262    1.34%  $1,828,566   $255,075   $941,181 
Grains  $1,141,434    1.14%  $2,119,844   $586,307   $1,315,652 
Index  $2,157,302    2.16%  $2,157,302   $856,340   $1,217,102 
Interest Rate Non-U.S.  $1,353,333    1.36%  $3,043,133   $1,069,630   $1,921,497 
Interest Rate U.S.  $1,762,317    1.77%  $2,752,547   $508,957   $1,659,291 
Livestock  $65,531    0.07%  $332,219   $46,664   $154,100 
Lumber  $    %  $2,512   $   $2,192 
Metals  $1,652,318    1.66%  $1,652,318   $669,863   $1,097,021 
Softs  $811,731    0.81%  $2,098,447   $803,469   $1,171,822 
Total  $12,857,135    12.89%               

 

*Average daily Value at Risk.

** Due to rounding

 

 24 

 

 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

The Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund on the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods expected in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Fund in the reports it files is accumulated and communicated to Sydling, including the President and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) of Sydling, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure and appropriate SEC filings.

 

Sydling is responsible for ensuring that there is an adequate and effective process for establishing, maintaining and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures for the Fund’s external disclosures.

 

Sydling’s President and CFO have evaluated the effectiveness of the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of June 30, 2020 and, based on that evaluation, Sydling’s President and CFO have concluded that, at that date, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

The Fund’s internal control over financial reporting is a process under the supervision of Sydling’s President and CFO to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These controls include policies and procedures that:

 

·pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Fund;

 

·provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and (ii) the Fund’s receipts are handled and expenditures are made only pursuant to authorizations of Sydling; and

 

·provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection and correction of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Fund’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

There were no changes in the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting process during the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 25 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

 

There are no material changes to the discussion set forth under Item 3. “Legal Proceedings” in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 as updated by the Fund's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Fund and Sydling.

 

Item 1A.Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth under Part 1, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Fund's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.

 

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, there were additional subscriptions of 463.833 Redeemable Units totaling $450,000. The Redeemable Units were issued in reliance upon applicable exemptions from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and Section 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. These Redeemable Units were purchased by accredited investors as defined in Regulation D. In determining the applicability of the exemption, Sydling relied on the fact that the Redeemable Units were purchased by accredited investors in a private offering.

 

Proceeds of net offering were used for the trading of commodity interests, including futures and option contracts.

 

The following chart sets forth the purchases of Redeemable Units by the Fund.

 

Period  (a) Total Number
of Redeemable
Units Purchased*
   (b) Average Price
Paid per
Redeemable
Unit**
   (c) Total Number
of Redeemable
Units Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
  (d) Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value) of
Redeemable Units
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs
April 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020   6,265.464   $959.59   N/A  N/A
May 1, 2020 – May 31, 2020   7,472.191   $894.29   N/A  N/A
June 1, 2020 – June 30, 2020   2,482.808   $848.13   N/A  N/A
Total   16,220.463   $900.67       

 

 

* Generally, Members are permitted to redeem their Redeemable Units as of the end of each month on five business days’ notice to Sydling. Under certain circumstances, Sydling can compel redemption, although to date, it has not exercised this right. Purchases of Redeemable Units by the Fund reflected in the chart above were made in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business in connection with effecting redemptions for Members.

** Redemptions of Redeemable Units are effected as of the end of each month at the net asset value per Redeemable Unit as of that day.

 

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities — None

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures — Not Applicable

 

Item 5.Other Information — None

 

 26 

 

 

Item 6.Exhibits

 

Exhibit 3.1   Certificate of Formation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
(a) Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Formation (filed as Exhibit 3.1(a) to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
Exhibit 3.2   Application for Authority (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 3.3   Limited Liability Company Agreement (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(a) Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 9, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 10.1   Customer Agreement between the Master Fund and UBS Securities (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 10.2   Selling Agent Agreement between the Fund and UBS Financial Services (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(a) Amended and Restated Selling Agent Agreement between the Fund and UBS Financial Services (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(b) Second Amended and Restated Selling Agent Agreement between the Fund and UBS Financial Services (filed as exhibit 10.2(b) to the Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 10.3   Trading Manager Agreement among the Fund, the Master Fund and Sydling (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 10.4   Trading Advisory Agreement among the Master Fund, the Fund, Sydling and the Advisor (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
(a) Letter from Sydling extending the Trading Advisory Agreement until June 30, 2015, dated June 29, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 10.4(a) to the Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(b) Letter from Sydling extending the Trading Advisory Agreement until June 30, 2016, dated June 26, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 10.4(b) to the Form 10-Q filed on August 14, 2015 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(c) Letter from Sydling extending the Trading Advisory Agreement until June 30, 2017, dated June 16, 2016 (filed as Exhibit 10.4(c) to the Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(d) Letter from Sydling extending the Trading Advisory Agreement until June 30, 2018, dated July 6, 2017 (filed as Exhibit 10.4(d) to the Form 10-Q filed on November 14, 2017 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(e) Amendment Agreement to the Trading Advisory Agreement, dated December 13, 2018 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2018 and incorporated herein by reference). 
     
Exhibit 10.5   Fee Arrangement Agreement among Sydling, the Master Fund and UBS Securities (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).  
     
(a) First Amended and Restated Fee Arrangement Agreement among Sydling, the Master Fund and UBS Securities (filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Form 10-Q filed on August 15, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference). 

 

Exhibit 31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Certification of President and Director filed herewith).

27

 

     
Exhibit 31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Certification of Chief Financial Officer filed herewith).
     
Exhibit 32.1   Section 1350 Certification (Certification of President and Director filed herewith).
     
Exhibit 32.2   Section 1350 Certification (Certification of Chief Financial Officer filed herewith).
     
Exhibit 99.1   Annual Report of the Fund for the period ended December 31, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
Exhibit 99.2   Organization Chart (filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the amended general form for registration of securities on Form 10 filed on May 29, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference).
     
Exhibit 101.INS   XBRL Instance Document.
     
Exhibit 101.SCH   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
     
Exhibit 101.CAL   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
     
Exhibit 101.LAB   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
     
Exhibit 101.PRE   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
     
Exhibit 101.DEF   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document.

 

 28 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

CAVENDISH FUTURES FUND LLC  
(Registrant)  
   
     
By: Sydling Futures Management LLC  
     
     
By: /s/ Jerry Pascucci  
  Jerry Pascucci  
  President and Director  
     
Date: August 14, 2020  

 

 29