Attached files

file filename
EX-32.02 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - FUTURES PORTFOLIO FUND L.P.ex32-02.htm
EX-32.01 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - FUTURES PORTFOLIO FUND L.P.ex32-01.htm
EX-31.02 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER - FUTURES PORTFOLIO FUND L.P.ex31-02.htm
EX-31.01 - CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER - FUTURES PORTFOLIO FUND L.P.ex31-01.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021

 

Commission file number: 000-50728

 

FUTURES PORTFOLIO FUND, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

 

Organized in Maryland  IRS Employer Identification No.: 52-1627106

 

Address: c/o Steben & Company, LLC,

687 Excelsior Boulevard,

Excelsior, MN 55331

Telephone: (952) 767-6900

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: N/A

 

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 this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes ☒  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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer
  Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company
      Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark 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 ☒

 

 

 

 

 

PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Statements of Financial Condition

March 31, 2021 (unaudited) and December 31, 2020

 

   March 31,     
   2021   December 31, 
   (Unaudited)   2020 
Assets        
Equity in broker trading accounts          
Cash  $40,788,575   $44,519,197 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts   819,764    8,169,982 
Net open futures options contracts (net premium paid $0 and $308,675)       150,900 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts   510,294    (17,929)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on swap contracts   97     
Total equity in broker trading accounts   42,118,730    52,822,150 
Cash and cash equivalents   8,632,899    6,050,682 
Investment in private investment company, at fair value (cost$ 4,166,667 and $0)   3,986,132     
Investment in securities, at fair value (cost $114,155,430 and $119,021,021)   114,711,526    119,837,286 
General Partner 1% allocation receivable       119,874 
Exchange membership, at fair value (cost $189,000 and $189,000)   46,000    51,000 
Total assets  $169,495,287   $178,880,992 
           
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value)          
Liabilities          
Trading Advisor management fees payable  $255,835   $254,786 
Trading Advisor incentive fees payable   304,999     
Commissions and other trading fees payable on open contracts   25,288    30,761 
Cash Managers fees payable   34,881    36,558 
General Partner management and performance fees payable   210,467    223,028 
General Partner 1% allocation payable   17,380     
Selling Agent payable - General Partner   192,789    205,514 
Broker dealer servicing fees payable - General Partner   7,439    7,784 
Administrative fee payable - General Partner   62,444    66,263 
Dividend and interest payable   2,510     
Redemption payable   5,191,505    5,585,666 
Subscriptions received in advance   300,000    33,000 
Total liabilities   6,605,537    6,443,360 
           
Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value)          
Class A Interests – 28,924.7788 and 31,093.6904 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   111,465,264    118,745,248 
Class A2 Interests – 340.7057 and 523.0963 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   345,152    523,333 
Class A3 Interests – 38.0000 and 86.0607 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   37,354    83,577 
Class B Interests – 7,037.5313 and 7,397.6585 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   43,433,557    45,043,756 
Class I Interests – 256.4767 and 256.4767 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   266,696    262,500 
Class R Interests – 7,135.6299 and 7,667.4336 units outstanding at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively   7,341,727    7,779,218 
Total partners’ capital (net asset value)   162,889,750    172,437,632 
           
Total liabilities and partners’ capital (net asset value)  $169,495,287   $178,880,992 

 

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

 

 1

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Condensed Schedule of Investments 

March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

                        % of Partners’  
                        Capital (Net  
      Description       Fair Value     Asset Value)  
INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES                
U.S. Treasury Securities                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
$ 6,000,000 10/31/21 U.S. Treasury 2.00%     $ 6,117,887     3.76 %
  6,000,000 1/31/22 U.S. Treasury 1.38%       6,078,362     3.73 %
Total U.S. Treasury securities (cost: $12,264,375)       12,196,249     7.49 %
                         
U.S. Commercial Paper                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
Diversified financial services                
$ 1,200,000 5/3/21 DCAT, LLC 0.15%     1,199,840     0.73 %
  1,200,000 4/27/21 Gotham Funding Corporation 0.12%       1,199,896     0.73 %
  1,200,000 4/5/21 Manhattan Asset Funding Company LLC 0.10%       1,199,984     0.74 %
Energy                
  1,200,000 4/13/21 ONE Gas, Inc. 0.13%       1,199,944     0.74 %
Healthcare                
  1,200,000 4/21/21 UnitedHealth Group Incorporated 0.12%       1,199,913     0.74 %
Manufacturing                
  1,200,000 4/6/21 Sheffield Receivables Company LLC 0.12%       1,199,977     0.74 %
Water                
  1,200,000 4/5/21 American Water Capital Corp. 0.10%       1,199,984     0.74 %
Total U.S. commercial paper (cost: $8,398,358)       8,399,538     5.16 %

 

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

 

 2

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership 

Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)

March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

                        % of Partners’  
                        Capital (Net  
      Description       Fair Value     Asset Value)  
Foreign Commercial Paper                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
Banks                
$ 1,200,000 4/22/21 DBS Bank Ltd. 0.11%     $ 1,199,923     0.74 %
  1,200,000 4/23/21 KfW 0.10%       1,199,927     0.74 %
  1,200,000 5/10/21 National Bank of Canada 0.14%       1,199,818     0.73 %
  1,200,000 4/20/21 Nordea Bank Abp 0.14%       1,199,905     0.74 %
  1,200,000 6/16/21 Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ.) 0.00%       1,199,620     0.73 %
  1,200,000 6/2/21 United Overseas Bank Limited 0.10%       1,199,793     0.73 %
  1,200,000 4/12/21 Westpac Banking Corporation 0.15%       1,199,941     0.74 %
Chemicals                
  1,200,000 5/25/21 BASF SE 0.18%       1,199,676     0.73 %
Diversified financial services              
  1,200,000 4/7/21 Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation B.V. 0.12%       1,199,972     0.74 %
Energy                
  1,200,000 4/28/21 Total Capital Canada Ltd. 0.14%       1,199,874     0.74 %
Insurance                
  1,200,000 4/7/21 Prudential plc 0.06%       1,199,986     0.74 %
Total foreign commercial paper (cost: $13,196,500)       13,198,435     8.10 %
Total commercial paper (cost: $21,594,858)       21,597,973     13.26 %
                           
U.S. Corporate Notes                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
Aerospace                
$ 4,000,000 5/1/22 Boeing Company 2.70%       4,130,256     2.54 %
  1,600,000 8/16/23 Raytheon Technologies Corporation 3.65%       1,716,198     1.05 %
Agriculture                
  4,850,000 5/5/21 Altria Group, Inc. 4.75%       4,961,569     3.05 %
Banks                
  4,000,000 5/5/23 Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch 1.00%       4,035,742     2.48 %
  5,000,000 4/25/23 JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.78%       5,178,222     3.18 %
  4,000,000 5/17/22 SunTrust Bank 2.80%       4,146,545     2.55 %
  4,250,000 1/24/24 Wells Fargo & Company 3.75%       4,625,701     2.84 %
Diversified financial services                
  4,000,000 1/8/24 Athene Global Funding 0.95%       4,009,209     2.46 %
  4,250,000 4/26/22 Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 3.00%       4,310,200     2.65 %
  600,000 12/7/23 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation 0.35%       599,868     0.37 %
Equipment                
  3,500,000 4/24/23 Micron Technology, Inc. 2.50%       3,669,035     2.25 %
Food                
  2,000,000 4/16/21 General Mills, Inc. 3.20%       2,031,105     1.25 %
Healthcare                
  3,000,000 6/1/21 CVS Health Corporation 2.13%       3,024,700     1.86 %
Pharmaceuticals                
  3,500,000 6/25/21 Bayer US Finance II LLC 0.83%       3,502,879     2.15 %
  4,000,000 5/16/22 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company 2.60%       4,136,084     2.54 %
  3,500,000 2/1/23 Zoetis Inc. 3.25%       3,667,323     2.25 %
Telecommunications                
  4,000,000 2/9/22 Apple Inc. 2.50%       4,083,952     2.51 %
  3,500,000 6/30/22 AT&T Inc. 3.00%       3,624,272     2.22 %
Total U.S. corporate notes (cost: $64,852,871)       65,452,860     40.20 %

 

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

 

 3

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership 

Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)

March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

                        % of Partners’  
                        Capital (Net  
      Description       Fair Value     Asset Value)  
Foreign Corporate Notes                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
Banks                
$ 3,000,000 6/9/23 Nordea Bank Abp 1.00%     $ 3,035,526     1.86 %
Insurance                
  4,000,000 9/20/21 AIA Group Limited 0.71%       4,004,273     2.46 %
Total foreign corporate notes (cost: $6,996,910)       7,039,799     4.32 %
Total corporate notes (cost: $71,849,781)       72,492,659     44.52 %
                 
U.S. Asset Backed Securities                
  Face Value Maturity Date Name Yield 1                
Automotive                
$ 190,733 1/18/23 Americredit Automobile Receivables Trust 2019-3 2.17%       191,248     0.12 %
  371,000 8/15/28 Ford Credit Auto Owner Trust 2017-Rev1 2.62%       378,828     0.23 %
  203,062 6/20/22 Honda Auto Receivables 2019-4 Owner Trust 1.86%       203,830     0.13 %
  108,504 5/15/23 Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2020-2 0.62%       108,597     0.07 %
  146,319 4/20/22 Santander Retail Auto Lease Trust 2019-B 2.29%       146,731     0.09 %
  700,000 3/20/25 TESLA 2021-A A2 0.36%       699,874     0.43 %
  276,922 4/20/22 Tesla Auto Lease Trust 2019-A 2.13%       279,172     0.17 %
  111,316 8/15/23 World Omni Select Auto Trust 2019-A 2.06%       111,704     0.07 %
  427,860 12/15/23 World Omni Auto Receivables Trust 2020-C 0.35%       428,219     0.26 %
  462,811 6/17/24 World Omni Select Auto Trust 2020-A 0.47%       463,289     0.27 %
 Credit cards                        
  575,000 9/15/21 American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2018 - 8 3.18%       583,615     0.36 %
  250,000 9/15/24 Synchrony Card Issuance Trust, Series 2018-1 3.38%       253,915     0.16 %
  250,000 5/15/24 Synchrony Credit Card Master Note Trust 2016-2 2.21%       250,848     0.15 %
Equipment                
  600,000 10/22/24 Dell Equipment Finance Trust 2019-2 1.91%       607,204     0.37 %
  604,470 6/22/22 Dell Equipment Finance Trust 2020-1 2.26%       610,155     0.37 %
  546,293 6/15/22 GreatAmerica Leasing Receivables Funding, LLC 1.76%       549,543     0.34 %
  775,000 7/22/30 HPEFS Equipment Trust 2020-2 0.69%       777,083     0.48 %
  1,000,000 3/20/31 HPEFS Equipment Trust 2021-1 0.27%       1,000,060     0.61 %
  383,907 4/20/23 Verizon Owner Trust 2018-A 3.23%       388,447     0.24 %
  375,000 7/22/24 Verizon Owner Trust 2020-A 1.85%       382,573     0.23 %
Student loans                
  9,704 11/25/27 SLM Student Loan Trust 2011-2 0.71%       9,710     0.01 %
Total U.S. asset backed securities (cost: $8,446,416)       8,424,645     5.16 %
Total investments in securities (cost: $114,155,430)     $ 114,711,526     70.43 %

  

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

 

 4

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

      Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
 Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS
Long U.S. Futures Contracts
                   
      Agricultural commodities   $ 582,708     0.36 %
      Currencies     (80,825 )   (0.05 )%
      Energy     (578,310 )   (0.36 )%
      Equity indices     291,641     0.18 %
      Interest rate instruments     (707,270 )   (0.43 )%
      Metals2     2,123,542     1.30 %
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open long U.S. futures contracts     1,631,486     1.00 %
                     
Short U.S. Futures Contracts                    
      Agricultural commodities     (16,676 )   (0.01 )%
      Currencies     98,276     0.06 %
      Energy     41,253     0.03 %
      Equity indices     122,583     0.08 %
      Interest rate instruments     468,909     0.29 %
      Metals2     (1,846,380 )   (1.14 )%
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open short U.S. futures contracts     (1,132,035 )   (0.69 )%
                     
Total U.S. Futures Contracts - net unrealized gain (loss) on open U.S. futures contracts     499,451     0.31 %
                     
Long Foreign Futures Contracts                    
      Agricultural commodities     (31,070 )   (0.02 )%
      Currencies     33,094     0.02 %
      Energy     257,619     0.16 %
      Equity indices     550,635     0.34 %
      Interest rate instruments     (351,726 )   (0.22 )%
      Metals     343     0.00 %
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open long foreign futures contracts     458,895     0.28 %
                     
Short Foreign Futures Contracts                    
      Agricultural commodities   (1,614 )   0.00 %
      Currencies     27,410     0.02 %
      Equity indices     (242,218 )   (0.15 )%
      Interest rate instruments     80,351     0.05 %
      Metals     (2,511 )   0.00 %
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open short foreign futures contracts     (138,582 )   (0.08 )%
                     
Total foreign futures contracts - net unrealized gain (loss) on open foreign futures contracts     320,313     0.20 %
                     
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts   $ 819,764     0.51 %

 

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

 

 5

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

      Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
 Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
OPEN FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
U.S. Forward Currency Contracts
             
      Long2   $ (2,463,374 )   (1.51 )%
      Short2     2,779,594     1.71 %
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open U.S. forward currency contracts     316,220     0.20 %
                     
Foreign Forward Currency Contracts              
      Long     179,930     0.11 %
      Short     14,144     0.01 %
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open foreign forward currency contracts     194,074     0.12 %
                     
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts   $ 510,294     0.32 %
                     
TOTAL RETURNS SWAP CONTRACTS              
      Long   $ 97     0.00 %
INVESTMENT IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMPANY 3              
      Investment in private investment company (cost :$4,166,667)     3,986,132     2.45 %

 

1 Represents the annualized yield at date of purchase for discount securities or the stated coupon rate for coupon-bearing securities.

 

2 No individual futures or forward currency contract position constituted one percent or greater of partners’ capital (net asset value). Accordingly, the number of contracts and expiration dates are not presented.

 

3 Private investment company is managed by a Commodity Trading Advisor (“CTA”) that trades global commodities markets primarily through futures contracts. The CTA is paid a management fee of up to 1.00% and a 20% share of the trading profits. The Fund may redeem any portion of its investment on a daily basis. Any requested redemption will be satisfied within two days. There are no restrictions on liquidity for the Fund.

  

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

 6

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2020

 

      Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
 Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 

INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES

U.S. Treasury Securities

                         
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
$  6,000,000     10/31/21     U.S. Treasury     2.00 % $ 6,113,365     3.55 %
  6,000,000     1/31/22     U.S. Treasury     1.38 %   6,115,149     3.55 %
Total U.S. Treasury securities (cost:  $12,320,011)           12,228,514     7.10 %
                                   
U.S. Commercial Paper                          
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
Banks                                
$  1,200,000     1/21/21     Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corporation (U.S.A.)     0.19 %   1,199,867     0.70 %
  1,200,000     2/8/21     Mizuho Bank Ltd. , New York Branch     0.20 %   1,199,734     0.69 %
  1,200,000     2/3/21     United Overseas Bank Limited     0.17 %   1,199,802     0.70 %
Diversified financial services                          
  1,200,000     2/1/21     DCAT, LLC     0.15 %   1,199,845     0.70 %
  1,200,000     2/5/21     Manhattan Asset Funding Company LLC     0.18 %   1,199,790     0.70 %
 Manufacturing                          
  1,200,000     3/2/21     Koch Industries, Inc.     0.18 %   1,199,640     0.69 %
  1,200,000     2/3/21     Sheffield Receivables Company LLC’     0.20 %   1,199,769     0.69 %
 Total U.S. commercial paper (cost:  $8,397,259)           8,398,447     4.87 %

 

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

 

 7

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020

 

              Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
 Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
Foreign Commercial Paper                          
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
Automotive                                
$  1,200,000     1/2/20     Nationwide Building Society     0.14 % $ 1,199,977     0.70 %
 Banks                                
  1,200,000     2/11/21     DNB Bank ASA     0.19 %   1,199,740     0.69 %
  1,200,000     2/23/21     Commonwealth Bank of America     0.22 %   1,199,611     0.69 %
  1,200,000     1/21/21     National Australia Bank Limited     0.16 %   1,199,887     0.70 %
  1,200,000     3/1/21     Skandinaviska Enskida Banken AB(publ.)     0.20 %   1,199,597     0.69 %
  1,200,000     1/22/21     Standard Chartered Bank     0.17 %   1,199,874     0.70 %
  1,200,000     3/24/21     The Toronto- Domomion Bank     0.25 %   1,199,303     0.69 %
  1,200,000     1/12/21     Westpac Banking Corporation     0.14 %   1,199,945     0.70 %
Diversified financial services                          
  1,200,000     1/19/21     Anglesea Funding Plc     0.19 %   1,199,880     0.70 %
  1,200,000     1/8/21     Longship Funding Designated Activity Company     0.13 %   1,199,965     0.70 %
 Energy                          
  1,200,000     1/28/21     Total Capital Canada Ltd.     0.14 %   1,199,874     0.69 %
 Telecommunications                          
 Total foreign commercial paper (cost:  $13,195,645)           13,197,653     7.65 %
 Total commercial paper (cost:  $21,592,904)           21,596,100     12.52 %
                                   
U.S. Corporate Notes                    
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
Aerospace                                
$  4,000,000     5/1/22     Boeing Company     2.70 %   4,115,948     2.39 %
  600,000     8/16/23     Raytheon Technologies Corporation     3.65 %   654,625     0.38 %
Agriculture                                
  4,850,000     5/5/21     Altria Group, Inc.     4.75 %   4,955,274     2.87 %
Banks                                
  4,000,000     5/5/23     Credit Suisse AG, New York Branch     1.00 %   4,069,774     2.36 %
  3,000,000     4/25/23     JPMorgan Chase & Co.     2.78 %   5,187,922     3.01 %
  4,000,000     5/17/22     SunTrust Bank     2.80 %   4,144,297     2.40 %
  4,750,000     1/15/21     Wells Fargo Bank, National Association     2.60 %   4,806,985     2.79 %
Diversified financial services                          
  4,250,000     4/26/22     Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.     3.00 %   4,308,632     2.50 %
  600,000     12/7/23     The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation     0.35 %   600,814     0.35 %
Energy                                
  4,850,000     2/15/21     Enterprise Products Operating LLC     2.80 %   4,907,287     2.85 %
Equipment                                
  3,500,000     4/24/23     Micron Technology, Inc.     2.50 %   3,667,014     2.13 %
Food                                
  2,000,000     4/16/21     General Mills, Inc.     3.20 %   2,029,905     1.18 %
Healthcare                                
  5,000,000     9/17/21     Cigna Corporation     3.40 %   5,157,401     2.99 %
  3,000,000     6/1/21     CVS Health Corporation     2.13 %   3,024,078     1.75 %
 Pharmaceuticals                                
  3,500,000     6/25/21     Bayer US Finance II LLC     0.88 %   3,507,152     2.03 %
  4,000,000     5/16/22     Bristol-Myers Squibb Company     2.60 %   4,127,928     2.39 %
  3,500,000     2/1/23     Zoetis Inc.     3.25 %   3,731,114     2.16 %
Telecommunications                                
  4,000,000     2/9/22     Apple Inc.     2.50 %   4,132,312     2.40 %
  3,500,000     6/30/22     AT&T Inc.     3.00 %   3,621,045     2.10 %
Total U.S. corporate notes (cost:  $69,880,261)           70,749,507     41.03 %

 

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

 

 8

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020

 

              Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
 Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
Foreign Corporate Notes                          
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
 Banks                                
$  3,000,000     6/9/23     Nordea Bank Abp     1.00 % $ 3,038,160     1.76 %
 Insurance                                
  4,000,000     9/20/21     AIA Group Limited     0.76 %   4,000,771     2.32 %
 Total foreign corporate notes (cost:  $6,996,909)           7,038,931     4.08 %
 Total corporate notes (cost:  $76,877,170)           77,788,438     45.11 %
                                   
U.S. Asset Backed Securities                          
  Face Value     Maturity Date     Name     Yield1              
 Automotive                                
$ 33,644     9/19/22     Americredit Automobile Receivales Trust 2019-2     2.43 %   33,725     0.02 %
  440,163     1/18/23     Americredit Automobile Receivables Trust 2019-3     2.17 %   442,057     0.26 %
  86,991     7/20/21     BMW Vehicle Lease Trust 2018-1     3.26 %   87,186     0.05 %
  400,000     7/15/22     Carmax Auto Owner Trust 2016-4     2.26 %   400,607     0.23 %
  353,042     6/20/22     Honda Auto Receivables 2019-4 Owner Trust     1.86 %   355,128     0.21 %
  248,998     4/20/22     Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2019-B     2.29 %   250,474     0.15 %
  186,940     5/15/23     Santander Drive Auto Receivables Trust 2020-2     0.62 %   186,689     0.11 %
  354,181     4/20/22     Tesla Auto Lease Trust 2019-A     2.13 %   358,011     0.21 %
  199,302     8/15/23     World Omni Selecgt Auto Trust 2019-A     2.06 %   200,366     0.12 %
  450,000     12/15/23     World Omni Auto Receivables Trust 2020-C     0.35 %   450,177     0.26 %
  562,000     6/17/24     World Omni Auto Receivables Trust 2020-A     0.47 %   563,057     0.33 %
 Credit cards                                
  575,000     4/15/24     American Express Credit Account Master Trust 2018-8     3.18 %   587,735     0.34 %
  250,000     5/15/24     Synchrony Credit Card Master Note Trust 2016-2     2.21 %   251,619     0.15 %
 Equipment                                
  600,000     10/22/24     Dell Equipment Finance Trust 2019-2     1.91 %   610,611     0.35 %
  826,000     6/22/22     Dell Equipment Finance Trust 2020-1     2.26 %   836,041     0.48 %
  84,761     5/20/22     DLL 2019-2 LLC     2.27 %   85,024     0.04 %
  752,245     6/15/22     GreatAmerica Leasing Receivables Funding LLC     1.76 %   757,972     0.44 %
  775,000     7/22/30     HPEFS EquipmentTrust 2020-2     0.69 %   777,815     0.45 %
  585,609     4/20/23     Verizon Owner Trust 2018-A     3.23 %   593,710     0.34 %
  375,000     7/22/24     Verizon Owner Trust 2020-A     1.85 %   383,342     0.22 %
 Student loans                                
  12,900     11/25/27     SLM Student Loan Trust 2011-2     0.75 %   12,888     0.01 %
 Total U.S. asset backed securities (cost:  $8,230,936)           8,224,834     4.77 %
Total investments in securities (cost:  $119,021,021)         $ 119,837,286     69.50 %

 

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

 

 9

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020

  

  Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
Capital (Net
Asset Value)
   
OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS                
Long U.S. Futures Contracts                  
  Agricultural commodities   $ 2,135,596     1.24 %  
  Currencies     185,459     0.11 %  
  Energy     247,270     0.14 %  
  Equity indices     1,377,249     0.80 %  
  Interest rate instruments     176,792     0.10 %  
  Metals     7,267,230     4.21 %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open long U.S. futures contracts     11,389,596     6.60 %  
                   
Short U.S. Futures Contracts                  
  Agricultural commodities     (341,526)     (0.20) %  
  Currencies     (16,365)     (0.01) %  
  Energy     35,440     0.02 %  
  Equity indices     (230,173)     (0.13) %  
  Interest rate instruments     (128,860)     (0.07) %  
  Metals     (5,147,830)     (2.99) %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open short U.S. futures contracts     (5,829,315)     (3.38) %  
                   
Total U.S. Futures Contracts - net unrealized gain (loss) on open U.S. futures contracts     5,560,281     3.22 %  
                   
Long Foreign Futures Contracts                  
  Agricultural commodities     270,069     0.16 %  
  Currencies     (7,733)     0.00 %  
  Energy     251,686     0.15 %  
  Equity indices     14,770,692     0.86 %  
  Interest rate instruments     466,173     0.27 %  
  Metals     2,942     0.00 %  
  Single stock futures     403     0.00 %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open long foreign futures contracts     2,460,632     1.44 %  

 

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

 

 10

 

 

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
Condensed Schedule of Investments (continued)
December 31, 2020

 

  Description   Fair Value   % of Partners’
Capital (Net
Asset Value)
   
OPEN FUTURES CONTRACTS (continued)                
Short Foreign Futures Contracts                
  Agricultural commodities   $ (1,367)     0.00 %  
  Currencies     57,417     0.03 %  
  Energy     (71,502)     (0.04) %  
  Equity indices     104,496     0.06 %  
  Interest rate instruments     60,025     0.03 %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open short foreign futures contracts     149,069     0.08 %  
                   
Total foreign futures contracts - net unrealized gain (loss) on open foreign futures contracts     2,609,701     1.52 %  
                   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts   $ 8,169,982     4.74 %  
                   
OPEN FUTURE OPTIONS CONTRACTS                
Long U.S. Future Options Contracts                
  Equity Indices (premium paid $588,413)   $ 264,100     0.15 %  
                   
Short U.S. Future Options Contracts                
  Equity Indices (premium paid $279,738)                
      (113,200)     (0.07) %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures options contracts   $ 150,900     0.08 %  
                   
OPEN FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS                
U.S. Forward Currency Contracts                
  Long2   $ 2,003,451     1.16 %  
  Short2     (2,376,232)     (1.38) %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open U.S. forward currency contracts     (372,781)     (0.22) %  
                   
Foreign Forward Currency Contracts                
  Long     189,777     0.11 %  
  Short     165,075     0.10 %  
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open foreign forward currency contracts     354,852     0.21 %  
                   
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts   $ (17,929)     (0.01) %  

 

 

1 Represents the annualized yield at date of purchase for discount securities, the stated coupon rate for coupon-bearing securities, or the stated interest rate for certificates of deposit.

 

2 No individual futures or forward currency contract position constituted one percent or greater of partners’ capital (net asset value). Accordingly, the number of contracts and expiration dates are not presented.

 

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

 

 11

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
Realized and Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments          
Net realized gain (loss) on:          
Futures, swaps and forward contracts  $11,273,818   $(27,101,585)
Investments in SMFSF       (2,753,150)
Investments in securities   263,047    278,233 
Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on:          
Futures, swaps and forward contracts   (6,664,122)   6,092,379 
Investments in SMFSF       2,882,001 
Investment in private investment company   (180,535)    
Investments in securities   (603,832)   (1,146,766)
Exchange membership   (5,000)   17,500 
Brokerage commissions and trading expenses   (269,129)   (529,032)
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments   3,814,247    (22,260,420)
           
Net Investment Income (Loss)          
Income          
Interest income (loss)   328,865    1,083,448 
           
Expenses          
Trading Advisor management fee   626,580    889,708 
Trading Advisor incentive fee   304,999    213,562 
Cash Manager fees   39,491    51,205 
General Partner management and performance fees   636,442    875,437 
Selling agent fees – General Partner   584,079    782,424 
Broker dealer servicing fees – General Partner   22,340    32,098 
General Partner 1% allocation   17,380    (242,554)
Administrative expenses – General Partner   191,153    234,010 
Total expenses   2,422,464    2,835,890 
Net investment income (loss)   (2,093,599)   (1,752,442)
Net Income (Loss)  $1,720,648   $(24,012,862)

 

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

 

 12

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Statements of Operations (continued)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(unaudited)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2021  
      Class A     Class A2     Class A3     Class B     Class I     Class R  
Increase (decrease) in net asset value per unit   $ 34.68   $ 12.60   $ 11.86   $ 82.78   $ 16.36   $ 14.30  
Net income (loss) per unit†   $ 32.59   $ 12.25   $ 12.67   $ 80.28   $ 16.36   $ 14.26  
                                       
Weighted average number of units outstanding     30,085.4184     454.8693     62.0304     7,242.2796     256.4767     7,456.7224  

 

    Three Months Ended March 31, 2020  
      Class A     Class A2     Class A3     Class B     Class I     Class R  
Increase (decrease) in net asset value per unit   $ (413.29 ) $ (103.55 ) $ (101.01 ) $ (622.14 ) $ (101.38 ) $ (102.99 )
Net income (loss) per unit†   $ (398.49 ) $ (107.66 ) $ (101.00 ) $ (618.84 ) $ (101.38 ) $ (88.13 )
                                       
Weighted average number of units outstanding     40,634.2480     597.4029     86.0607     10,583,8129     1,769.1082     11,556.0472  

 

† (based on weighted average number of units outstanding during the period)

 

 13

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Statements of Cash Flows

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2021   2020 
Cash flows from operating activities          
Net income (loss)  $1,720,648   $(24,012,862)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities          
Net change in unrealized (gain) loss from futures and forwards trading    6,972,798    (6,092,379)
Net realized and change in unrealized (gain) loss on SMFSF, securities and certificates of deposit   521,320    739,682 
Purchases of securities, private investment company and certificates of deposit   (83,697,426)   (156,019,995)
Proceeds from disposition of SMFSF, securities and certificates of deposit   84,315,734    187,974,570 
Changes in          
Exchange membership   5,000    (17,500)
Trading Advisor management fee payable   1,049    (115,005)
Trading Advisor incentive fee payable   304,999    (388,846)
Commissions and other trading fees payable on open contracts   (5,473)   (32,138)
Cash Manager fees payable   (1,677)   51,205 
General Partner management and performance fees payable   (12,561)   (50,393)
General Partner 1% allocation receivable/payable   137,254    (323,031)
Selling agent fees payable – General Partner   (12,725)   (45,767)
Broker dealer servicing fees payable – General Partner   (345)   (1,338)
Administrative fee payable – General Partner   (3,819)   15,497 
Dividend and interest payable   2,510     
Net cash provided by operating activities   10,247,286    1,681,700 
           
Cash flows from financing activities          
Subscriptions   136,000    248,803 
Subscriptions received in advance   300,000    121,911 
Redemptions   (11,831,691)   (16,710,308)
Net cash used in financing activities   (11,395,691)   (16,339,594)
           
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   (1,148,405)   (14,657,894)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   50,569,879    69,988,877 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $49,421,474   $55,330,983 
           
End of period cash and cash equivalents consists of          
Cash in broker trading accounts  $40,788,575   $37,373,064 
Cash and cash equivalents not in broker trading accounts   8,632,899    17,957,919 
Total end of period cash and cash equivalents  $49,421,474   $55,330,983 
           
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information          
Prior period redemptions paid  $5,585,666   $4,780,643 
Prior period subscriptions received in advance  $33,000   $266,000 
           
Supplemental schedule of non-cash financing activities          
Redemptions payable  $5,191,505   $4,442,475 

 

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

 

 14

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital (Net Asset Value)

For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020

(Unaudited)

 

   Class A   Class A2   Class A3   Class B   Class I   Class R   Total 
Three Months Ended                                   
March 31, 2021                                   
Balance at December 31, 2020  $118,745,248   $523,333   $83,577   $45,043,756   $262,500   $7,779,218   $172,437,632 
Net income (loss)   1,006,946    6,418    939    593,906    4,196    108,243    1,720,648 
Subscriptions   136,000            33,000            169,000 
Redemptions   (8,297,140)   (184,599)   (47,162)   (2,362,895)       (545,734)   (11,437,530)
Transfers   (125,790)           125,790             
Balance at March 31, 2021  $111,465,264   $345,152   $37,354   $43,433,557   $266,696   $7,341,727   $162,889,750 
                                    
Three Months Ended                                   
March 31, 2020                                   
Balance at December 31, 2019  $166,191,101   $544,240   $86,512   $66,498,788   $1,846,574   $13,081,928   $248,249,143 
Net income (loss)   (16,192,422)   (64,315)   (8,692)   (6,549,700)   (179,354)   (1,018,379)   (24,012,862)
Subscriptions   303,803    98,000        113,000            514,803 
Redemptions   (9,387,547)           (4,207,077)       (2,777,516)   (16,372,140)
Transfers   (219,684)           219,684             
Balance at March 31, 2020  $140,695,251   $577,925   $77,820   $56,074,695   $1,667,220   $9,286,033   $208,378,944 

 

   Units 
                         
   Class A   Class A2   Class A3   Class B   Class I   Class R 
Three Months Ended                              
March 31, 2021                              
Balance at December 31, 2020   31,093.6903    523.0963    86.0607    7,397.6586    256.4767    7,667.4336 
Subscriptions   36.3455            5.4197         
Redemptions   (2,171.6400)   (182.39)   (48.06)   (386.6001)       (531.8037)
Transfers   (33.6170)           21.0531         
Balance at March 31, 2021   28,924.7788    340.7057    38.0000    7,037.5313    256.4767    7,135.6299 
                               
Three Months Ended                              
March 31, 2020                              
Balance at December 31, 2019   41,522.9804    526.3226    86.0607    10,608.5075    1,769.1082    12,549.5403 
Subscriptions   78.0348    94.7737        18.1358         
Redemptions   (2,342.9460)           (731.9210)       (2,664.7698)
Transfers   (57.3538)           36.5057         
Balance at March 31, 2020   39,200.7154    621.0963    86.0607    9,931.228    1,769.1082    9,884.7705 

  

    Net Asset Value per Unit 
                          
    Class A   Class A2   Class A3   Class B   Class I   Class R 
                          
March 31, 2021   $3,853.63   $1,013.05   $983.01   $6,171.70   $1,039.85   $1,028.88 
December 31, 2020    3,818.95    1,000.45    971.15    6,088.92    1,023.49    1,014.58 
March 31, 2020    3,589.10    930.49    904.24    5,646.30    942.41    939.43 
December 31, 2019    4,002.39    1,034.04    1,005.25    6,268.44    1,043.79    1,042.42 

 

 

 15

 

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership

Notes to Financial Statements

 

1.Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Description of the Fund

 

Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership (“Fund”) is a Maryland limited partnership, which operates as a commodity investment pool that commenced trading operations on January 2, 1990. The Fund issues units of limited partner interests (“Units”) in six classes, Class A, A2, A3, B, I and R, which represent units of fractional undivided beneficial interest in and ownership of the Fund. The Fund will automatically terminate on December 31, 2025, unless terminated earlier as provided in the Third Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement (“Partnership Agreement”).

 

The Fund uses commodity trading advisors to engage in the speculative trading of futures contracts, forward currency contracts and other financial instruments traded in the United States (“U.S.”) and internationally.

 

The Fund is a registrant with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“1934 Act”). As a registrant, the Fund is subject to the regulations of the SEC and the disclosure requirements of the 1934 Act. As a commodity pool, the Fund is subject to the regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”), an agency of the U.S. Government, which regulates most aspects of the commodity futures industry; rules of the National Futures Association (“NFA”), an industry self-regulatory organization; rules of Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), an industry self-regulatory organization; and the requirements of commodity exchanges where the Fund executes transactions. Additionally, the Fund is subject to the requirements of the futures brokers and interbank market makers through which the Fund trades.

 

Steben & Company, Inc. (“General Partner”), is the general partner of the Fund and a Maryland limited liability company registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and is also registered with the SEC as a registered investment advisor. The General Partner is a member of the NFA. The General Partner manages all aspects of the Fund’s business and serves as one of the Fund’s selling agents.

 

The six classes of Units in the Fund differ only in the fees applicable to each class. Class A Units are subject to a 2% per annum selling agent fee. Class A2 Units may pay an up-front sales commission of up to 3% of the offering price and a 0.6% per annum selling agent fee. Class A3 Units may pay an up-front sales commission of up to 2% of the offering price and a 0.75% per annum selling agent fee. Class B Units are subject to a 0.2% per annum broker dealer servicing fee. Class I Units are subject to higher minimum investments requirements and lower General Partner management fees (0.75% per annum instead of 1.50% per annum) as well as a General Partner performance fee (7.5% of new profits, described more fully in Footnote 4). Class R Units do not pay selling compensation or servicing fees to selling agents, and are generally intended for clients of registered investment advisors.

 

At March 31, 2021, the Fund did not own any Class I shares of the Steben Managed Futures Strategy Fund (“SMFSF”), having fully liquidated its investment in January 2020. SMFSF was a non-diversified series of shares of beneficial interest of Steben Alternative Investment Funds (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and was registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end investment company.  SMFSF reorganized into shares of another mutual fund and is no longer operating so the Fund will make no further investments in SMFSF.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

Accounting Principles

The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Under GAAP, the Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

16

 

 

Use of Estimates

Preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

Futures, forward currency contracts, investments in securities, certificates of deposit, and the exchange membership are recorded on a trade date basis, and gains or losses are realized when contracts/positions are liquidated. Realized gains and losses on investments in securities and certificates of deposit are determined on a specific identification basis and are included in net realized gain (loss) in the statements of operations. Unrealized gains and losses on open contracts (the difference between contract trade price and fair value) are reported in the statements of financial condition as net unrealized gain or loss, as there exists a right of offset of any unrealized gains or losses. The difference between cost and the fair value of open investments in securities and certificates of deposit is reflected as unrealized gain or loss on investments in securities and certificates of deposit. Any change in net unrealized gain or loss from the preceding period is reported in the statements of operations. Interest income earned on investments in securities, certificates of deposit and other cash and cash equivalent balances is recorded on an accrual basis. Market discounts and premiums on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security using the effective yield method.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Financial instruments are recorded at fair value, the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are classified within a fair value hierarchy based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. This fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

 

Level 1 –Fair value is based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets. Financial instruments utilizing Level 1 inputs include futures contracts, U.S. Treasury securities and mutual funds.

 

Level 2 –Fair value is based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the financial instrument, such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals using a market approach. Financial instruments utilizing Level 2 inputs include forward currency contracts, commercial paper, corporate notes, asset backed securities and the exchange membership.

 

Level 3 –Fair value is based on valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. The Fund has no financial instruments utilizing Level 3 inputs.

 

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Fund’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 Fund assesses the classification of the instruments at each measurement date, and any transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer in accordance with the Fund’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. For the period ended March 31, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020, there were no such transfers between levels.

 

A description of the valuation techniques applied to the Fund’s major categories of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis follows.

 

U.S. Treasury securities are recorded at fair value based on bid and ask quotes for identical instruments. Commercial paper, certificates of deposit, corporate notes, asset backed securities and the exchange membership are recorded at fair value based on bid and ask quotes for similar, but not identical, instruments. Accordingly, U.S. Treasury securities are classified within Level 1, and commercial paper, certificates of deposit, corporate notes, asset backed securities, swaps and exchange memberships are classified within Level 2.

 

The investment in a money market fund and futures contracts are valued using quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets and are classified within Level 1. The money market fund is included in cash and cash equivalents in the statements of financial condition. The fair values of forward currency contracts are based upon third-party quoted dealer values on the interbank market and are classified within Level 2. The Fund’s valuation policy for swaps is that fair value is based on the terms of the contracts (such as the notional amount and the contract maturity) and current market data and counterparty credit risk. Swaps are generally categorized as level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund’s investment in a private investment company is valued at net asset value as provided by the private fund’s administrator. This use of net asset value as the practical expedient to approximate fair value under ASC 820 is advisable due to the investment not having a readily determinable fair value. Investments measured at fair value using the new asset value practical expedient are not categorized in the fair value hierarchy.

 

17

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents may include cash, funds held in money market accounts and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition and that are not held for sale in the normal course of business. The Fund maintains deposits with financial institutions in amounts that are in excess of federally insured limits; however, the Fund does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk.

 

Exchange Membership

The Fund incurs reduced fees for transactions on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) due to a membership interest in the CME. The membership is accounted at its fair value and changes in fair value are reported in net change in unrealized gain (loss) in exchange membership on the statement of operations.

 

Brokerage Commissions and Trading Expenses

Brokerage commissions and trading expenses include brokerage and other trading fees, and are charged to expense when contracts are opened and closed.

 

Redemptions Payable

Redemptions payable represent redemptions that meet the requirements of the Fund and have been approved by the General Partner prior to period-end. These redemptions have been recorded using the period-end net asset value per Unit.

 

Income Taxes

The Fund prepares calendar year U.S. and applicable state and local tax returns. The Fund is not subject to federal income taxes as each partner is individually liable for his or her allocable share of the Fund’s income, expenses and trading gains or losses. The Fund evaluates the tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are more-likely-than-not to be sustained when examined by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense and asset or liability in the current year. Management has determined there are no material uncertain income tax positions through March 31, 2010. With few exceptions, the Fund is no longer subject to U.S. federal, or state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2016.

 

Foreign Currency Transactions

The Fund has certain investments denominated in foreign currencies. The purchase and sale of investments, and income and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of investments held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and change in unrealized gain or loss on such investments in the statements of operations.

 

Reclassification

Certain amounts reported in the 2020 financial statements may have been reclassified to conform to the 2021 presentation without affecting previously reported partners’ capital (net asset value) or net income (loss).

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

There are no relevant new accounting pronouncements to note for this period.

 

2.Fair Value Disclosures

 

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

 

At March 31, 2021                
   Level 1   Level 2   Practical Expedient   Total 
Equity in broker trading accounts:                    
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts*  $819,764   $   $   $819,764 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts*       510,294        510,294 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on swap contracts*       97        97 
Cash and cash equivalents:                    
Money market fund   1,584,834            1,584,834 
Investment in private investment company           3,986,132    3,986,132 
Investments in securities:                    
U.S. Treasury securities*   12,196,249            12,196,249 
Asset backed securities*       8,424,645        8,424,645 
Commercial paper*       21,597,973        21,597,973 
Corporate notes*       72,492,659        72,492,659 
Exchange membership       46,000        46,000 
Total  $18,586,979   $103,071,668   $3,986,132   $121,658,550 

 

*See the condensed schedule of investments for further description.

 

18

 

 

At December 31, 2020            
   Level 1   Level 2   Total 
Equity in broker trading accounts:               
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts*  $8,169,982   $   $8,169,982 
    Net open futures options contracts*   150,900        150,900 
    Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts*       (17,929)   (17,929)
Cash and cash equivalents:              
    Money market fund   1,413,139        1,413,139 
Investments in securities:               
    U.S. Treasury securities*   12,228,514        12,228,514 
    Asset backed securities*       8,224,234    8,224,234 
    Commercial paper*       21,596,100    21,596,100 
    Corporate notes*       77,788,438    77,788,438 
Exchange membership       51,000    51,000 
Total  $21,962,535   $107,641,843   $129,604,378 

*See the condensed schedule of investments for further description.

 

There were no Level 3 holdings at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, or during the periods then ended.

 

In addition to the financial instruments listed above, substantially all of the Fund’s other assets and liabilities are considered financial instruments and are reflected at fair value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.

 

3.Derivative Instruments Disclosures

 

The Fund’s derivative contracts are comprised of futures and forward currency contracts, none of which are designated as hedging instruments. At March 31, 2021, the Fund’s derivative contracts had the following impact on the statement of financial condition:

 

March 31, 2021            
   Derivative Assets and Liabilities, at fair value 
Statements of Financial Condition Location  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets   Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition   Net Amount of Assets Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition 
Equity in broker trading accounts:               
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts               
Agricultural commodities  $982,109   $(448,761)  $533,348 
Currencies   339,413    (261,458)   77,955 
Energy   449,122    (728,560)   (279,438)
Equity indices   1,187,033    (464,392)   722,641 
Interest rate instruments   718,083    (1,227,819)   (509,736)
Metals   7,893,639    (7,618,645)   274,994 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts  $11,569,399   $(10,749,635)  $819,764 
                
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts  $5,068,028   $(4,557,734)  $510,294 
                
Net unrealized gain (loss) on swap contracts  $97   $   $97 

 

19

 

 

At March 31, 2021, there were 13,589 open futures contracts and 4,993 open forward currency contracts,

 

The Fund’s financial assets, derivative assets, and cash collateral held by counterparties at March 31, 2021 were:

 

  Net Amount of Assets in the Statements of   Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition     
Counterparty  Financial Condition   Financial Instruments   Cash Collateral Received   Net
Amount
 
Deutsche Bank AG  $(360,312)  $   $   $(360,312)
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc,   472,182            472,182 
SG Americas Securities, LLC   1,218,188            1,218,188 
Total  $1,330,058   $   $   $1,330,058 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Fund’s derivative contracts had the following impact on the statements of operations:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31, 2021
 
Types of Exposure  Net realized
gain (loss)
   Net change
 in unrealized
 gain (loss)
 
Futures contracts          
Agricultural commodities  $3,651,827   $(1,529,423)
Currencies   328,520    (140,822)
Energy   3,100,320    (742,333)
Equity indices   9,318,414    (2,006,169)
Interest rate instruments   (4,822,926)   (1,083,867)
Metals   1,434,908    (1,847,347)
Single stock futures   1,166    (257)
Total futures contracts   13,012,229    (7,350,218)
           
Forward currency contracts   (1,457,480)   528,224 
           
Net open futures options contracts   (308,675)   157,775 
           
Swap contracts   (2,403)   97 
           
Total futures and forward currency contracts  $11,243,671   $(6,664,122)

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the number of futures contracts closed was 109,653 and the number of forward currency contracts closed was 80,422.

 

20

 

 

At December 31, 2020, the Fund’s derivative contracts had the following impact on the statements of financial condition:

 

December 31, 2020  Derivative Assets and Liabilities, at fair value 
Statements of Financial Condition Location  Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets   Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition   Net Amount of Assets Presented in the Statements of Financial Condition 
Equity in broker trading accounts:
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts
               
Agricultural commodities  $2,470,055   $(407,283)  $2,062,772 
Currencies   361,197    (142,419)   218,778 
Energy   744,460    (281,566)   462,894 
Equity indices   3,161,199    (432,535)   2,728,664 
Interest rate instruments   1,141,875    (567,745)   574,130 
Metals   8,252,934    (6,130,593)   2,122,341 
Single stock futures   403        403 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts  $16,132,123   $(7,962,141)  $8,169,982 
                
Net open futures options contracts  $264,100   $(113,200)  $150,900 
                
Net unrealized gain (loss) on open forward currency contracts  $3,468,798   $(3,486,727)  $(17,929)

 

At December 31, 2020, there were 15,961 open futures contracts, 476 open futures options contracts and 4,292 open forward currency contracts.

 

The Fund’s financial assets, derivative assets, and cash collateral held by counterparties at December 31, 2020 were:

 

   Net Amount of Assets in the Statements of    Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Financial Condition     
Counterparty  Financial Condition   Financial Instruments   Cash Collateral Received   Net
Amount
 
Deutsche Bank AG  $635,784   $   $   $635,784 
Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc,   1,914,073            1,914,073 
JP Morgan Securities, LLC   128,687            128,687 
SG Americas Securities, LLC   5,624,409            5,624,409 
Total  $8,302,953   $   $   $8,302,953 

 

 21

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Fund’s derivative contracts had the following impact on the statements of operations:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31, 2020
 
Types of Exposure  Net realized
gain (loss)
   Net change
in unrealized
gain (loss)
 
Futures contracts          
Agricultural commodities  $(938,879)  $534,958 
Currencies   (1,151,820)   253,725 
Energy   12,909,252    927,610 
Equity indices   (50,708,920)   (642,511)
Interest rate instruments   13,209,473    3,975,093 
Metals   1,489,447    87,436 
Single stock futures   (431,297)   (113,646)
Total futures contracts   (25,622,744)   5,022,665 
           
Forward currency contracts   (1,487,948)   1,069,714 
           
Total futures and forward currency contracts  $(27,110,692)  $6,092,379 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the number of futures contracts closed was 227,913 and the number of forward currency contracts closed was 158,865.

 

4.General Partner

 

The General Partner does not maintain a capital balance in the Fund. Pursuant to the terms of the Partnership Agreement, each year the General Partner receives from the Fund 1% of any net income earned by the Fund. Conversely, the General Partner pays to the Fund 1% of any net loss incurred by the Fund. Such amounts are reflected as General Partner 1% allocation receivable or payable in the statements of financial condition and as General Partner 1% allocation in the statements of operations. The majority shareholder of the General Partner did not have an investment in the Fund at March 31, 2021.

 

The following fees are paid to the General Partner:

 

General Partner Management Fee – the Fund incurs a monthly fee on Class A, A2, A3, B and R Units equal to 1/12th of 1.5% of the month-end net asset value of the Class A, A2, A3, B and R Units, payable in arrears. The Fund incurs a monthly fee on Class I Units equal to 1/12th of 0.75% of the month-end net asset value of the Class I Units, payable in arrears.

 

General Partner Performance Fee – the Fund incurs a monthly fee on Class I Units equal to 7.5% of any Net New Trading Profits of the Class I Units calculated monthly. In determining Net New Trading Profits, any trading losses incurred by the Class I Units in prior periods is carried forward, so that the incentive fee is assessed only if and to the extent the profits generated by the Class I units exceed any losses from prior periods. The general partner performance fee is payable quarterly in arrears.

 

Selling Agent Fees – the Class A Units incur a monthly fee equal to 1/12th of 2% of the month-end net asset value of the Class A Units. Class A2 Units may pay an up-front sales commission of up to 3% of the offering price and a 0.6% per annum selling agent fee. Class A3 Units may pay an up-front sales commission of up to 2% of the offering price and a 0.75% per annum selling agent fee. The General Partner, in turn, pays the selling agent fees to the respective selling agents. If there is no designated selling agent or the General Partner was the selling agent, such portions of the selling agent fees are retained by the General Partner.

 

Broker Dealer Servicing Fees – the Class B Units incur a monthly fee equal to 1/12th of 0.2% of the month-end net asset value of the Class B Units. The General Partner, in turn, pays the fees to the respective selling agents. If there is no designated selling agent or the General Partner was the selling agent, such portions of the broker dealer servicing fees are retained by the General Partner.

 

 22

 

 

Administrative Expenses – the Fund incurs a monthly fee equal to 1/12th of 0.45% of the month-end net asset value of the Fund, payable in arrears to the General Partner. In return, the General Partner provides operating and administrative services, including accounting, audit, legal, marketing, and administration (exclusive of extraordinary costs and administrative expenses charged by other funds in which the Fund may have investments).

  

5.Trading Advisors and Cash Manager

 

The Fund has advisory agreements with various commodity trading advisors, pursuant to which the Fund incurs a monthly advisor management fee that ranges from 0% to 3% per annum of allocated net assets (as defined in each respective advisory agreement as the amount of Fund assets deposited in the account maintained with the broker plus any notional funds which may be allocated to the Trading Advisor, which, in aggregate, is typically greater than the Fund’s net assets), paid monthly or quarterly in arrears. Additionally, the Fund incurs advisor incentive fees, payable quarterly in arrears, ranging from 0% to 30% of net new trading profits (as defined in each respective advisory agreement).

 

Principal Global Investors, LLC serves as the cash manager for the Fund. The Fund incurs monthly fees, payable in arrears to the Cash Manager, equal to approximately 1/12th of 0.13% and 0.15% of the investments in securities and certificates of deposit as of the period ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

 

6.Deposits with Brokers

 

To meet margin requirements, the Fund maintains assets, including cash, equity in futures and forward currency contracts, and investments in securities, with brokers, subject to CFTC regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the Fund had assets totaling $42,118,730 and $52,822,150, respectively, with brokers and margin deposit requirements of $20,022,479 and $31,615,705, respectively.

 

7.Subscriptions, Distributions and Redemptions

 

Investments in the Fund are made by subscription agreement and must be received within five business days of the end of the month, subject to acceptance by the General Partner. The minimum investment is $10,000 for Class A, A2, A3, B and R units and $2,000,000 for Class I units. Units are sold at the respective net asset value per unit for Class A, A2, A3, B, I or R interests as of the close of business on the last day of the month in which the subscription is accepted. Investors whose subscriptions are accepted are admitted as limited partners as of the beginning of the month following the month in which their subscriptions were accepted.

 

The Fund is not required to make distributions, but may do so at the sole discretion of the General Partner. A limited partner may request and receive redemption of Class A, A2, A3, B, I or R Units owned at the end of any month, subject to five business days’ prior written notice to the General Partner, and in certain circumstances, restrictions in the Partnership Agreement.

 

The General Partner may require a limited partner to redeem from the Fund if the General Partner deems the redemption (a) necessary to prevent or correct the occurrence of a non-exempt prohibited transaction under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, (b) beneficial to the Fund, or (c) necessary to comply with applicable government or other self-regulatory organization regulations.

 

8.Trading Activities and Related Risks

 

The Fund engages in the speculative trading of futures, options and over-the-counter contracts, including forward currency contracts traded in the U.S. and internationally. Trading in derivatives exposes the Fund to both market risk, the risk arising from a change in the fair value of a contract, and credit risk, the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.

 

The Portfolios are subject to investment and operational risks associated with financial, economic and other global market developments and disruptions, including those arising from war, terrorism, market manipulation, government interventions, defaults and shutdowns, political changes or diplomatic developments, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious diseases, pandemics and epidemics) and natural/environmental disasters, which can all negatively impact the securities markets and cause a Portfolio to lose value. These events can also impair the technology and other operational systems upon which the Portfolios’ service providers rely, and could otherwise disrupt the ability of the Portfolios’ service providers to perform essential tasks.

 

 23

 

 

The recent spread of an infectious respiratory illness caused by a novel strain of coronavirus (known as COVID-19) has caused volatility, severe market dislocations and liquidity constraints in many markets, including markets for the securities the Portfolios hold, and may adversely affect the Portfolios’ investments and operations. The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things: quarantines and travel restrictions, including border closings, strained healthcare systems, event cancellations, disruptions to business operations and supply chains, and a reduction in consumer and business spending, as well as general concern and uncertainty that has negatively affected the economy. These disruptions have led to instability in the market place, including equity and debt market losses and overall volatility, and the jobs market. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, the financial well-being and performance of individual issuers, borrowers and sectors and the health of the markets generally in potentially significant and unforeseen ways. In addition, the impact of infectious illnesses, such as COVID-19, in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. This crisis or other public health crises may exacerbate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally.

 

The foregoing could lead to a significant economic downturn or recession, increased market volatility, a greater number of market closures, higher default rates and adverse effects on the values and liquidity of securities or other assets. Such impacts, which may vary across asset classes, may adversely affect the performance of the Portfolios. In certain cases, an exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities or even the entire market, which may result in the Portfolios being, among other things, unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments or to accurately price their investments.

 

Purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with the futures brokers. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss of contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act (“CEAct”) requires a broker to segregate all customer transactions and assets from such broker’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other property (for example, U.S. Treasury securities) deposited with a broker are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the broker’s segregation requirements. In the event of a broker’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available. It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than (or none of) the total cash and other property deposited. The Fund uses with SG Americas Securities, LLC, JP Morgan Securities, LLC, and Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. as its futures brokers. The Fund uses Société Générale International Limited, Deutsche Bank AG, and UBS AG as its forward currency counterparties.

 

For futures contracts, risks arise from changes in the fair value of the contracts. Theoretically, the Fund is exposed to a market risk equal to the value of futures and forward currency contracts purchased, and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short.

 

In addition to market risk, upon entering into commodity interest contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Fund. The counterparty for futures and options on futures contracts traded in the U.S. and on most non-U.S. futures exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with such exchanges. In general, clearinghouses are backed by the corporate members of the clearinghouse who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases where the clearinghouse is not backed by the clearing members, like some non-U.S. exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.

 

In the case of forward currency contracts, which are traded on the interbank or other institutional market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearinghouse backed by a group of financial institutions; thus, there likely will be greater counterparty credit risk. While the Fund trades only with those counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy, there can be no assurance that any clearing member, clearinghouse or other counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Fund.

 

The Fund trades forward currency contracts in unregulated markets between principals and assumes the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. Accordingly, the risks associated with forward currency contracts are generally greater than those associated with exchange-traded contracts because of the greater risk of counterparty default. Additionally, the trading of forward currency contracts typically involves delayed cash settlement.

 

The Fund has a portion of its assets on deposit with interbank market makers and other financial institutions in connection with its trading of forward currency contracts and its cash management activities. In the event of an interbank market maker’s or financial institution’s insolvency, recovery of Fund assets on deposit may be limited to account insurance or other protection afforded such deposits.

 

 24

 

 

The Cash Managers manage the Fund’s cash and excess margin through investments in fixed income instruments, pursuant to investment parameters established by the General Partner. Fluctuations in prevailing interest rates could cause mark-to-market losses on the Fund’s fixed income instruments.

 

Through its investments in debt securities and certificates of deposit, the Fund has exposure to U.S. and foreign enterprises. 

 

The following table presents the exposure at March 31, 2021,

 

Country or Region  U.S. Treasury
Securities
   Commercial
Paper
   Corporate Notes   Asset Backed
Securities
   Total   % of Partners’
Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
United States  $12,196,249   $8,399,538   $65,452,860   $8,424,645   $94,473,292    58.00%
Canada       2,399,692            2,399,692    1.47%
United Kingdom       1,199,986            1,199,986    0.74%
Hong Kong           4,004,273        4,004,273    2.46%
Netherlands       1,199,972            1,199,972    0.74%
Sweden       1,199,620            1,199,620    0.74%
Finland       1,199,905    3,035,526        4,235,431    2.60%
Australia       1,199,941            1,199,941    0.74%
Singapore       2,399,716            2,399,716    1.47%
Germany       2,399,603            2,399,603    1.47%
  Total  $12,196,249   $21,597,973   $72,492,659   $8,424,645   $114,711,526    70.43%

 

The following table presents the exposure at December 31, 2020,

 

Country or Region  U.S. Treasury
Securities
   Commercial
Paper
   Corporate Notes   Asset Backed
Securities
   Total   % of Partners’
Capital (Net
Asset Value)
 
United States  $12,228,514   $8,398,447   $70,749,507   $8,224,234   $99,600,702    57.76%
Canada       2,399,177            2,399,177    1.39%
Ireland       2,399,845            2,399,845    1.39%
United Kingdom       2,399,851            2,399,851    1.39%
Hong Kong           4,000,771        4,000,771    2.32%
Sweden       1,199,597            1,199,597    0.70%
Finland           3,038,160        3,038,160    1.76%
Australia       3,599,443             3,599,443    2.09%
Singapore       1,199,740             1,199,740    0.70%
  Total  $12,228,514   $21,596,100   $77,788,438   $8,224,234   $119,837,286    69.50%

 

9.        Indemnifications

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties, and which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be estimated. However, the Fund believes that it is unlikely it will have to make material payments under these arrangements and has not recorded any contingent liability in the financial statements for such indemnifications.

 

10. Interim Financial Statements

 

The statements of financial condition, including the condensed schedule of investments, at March 31, 2021, the statements of operations, the statements of cash flows, and statement of changes in partners’ capital (net asset value) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and the accompanying notes to the financial statements are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP may be omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, such financial statements and accompanying disclosures reflect all adjustments, which were of a normal and recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position at March 31, 2021, results of operations, cash flows and changes in partners’ capital (net asset value) for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other period. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Fund’s Form 10-K as filed with the SEC.

 

 25

 

 

11.Financial Highlights

 

The following information presents per unit operating performance data and other ratios for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, assuming the unit was outstanding throughout the entire period:

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 
   Class A   Class A2   Class A3   Class B   Class I   Class R 
Per Unit Operating Performance                              
                               
Net asset value per unit, beginning of period  $3,818.95   $1,000.45   $971.15   $6,088.92   $1,023.49   $1,014.58 
                               
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments (1)   86.56    22.24    21.38    138.94    23.52    23.23 
Net investment income (loss) (1)   (51.88)   (9.64)   (9.52)   (56.16)   (7.16)   (8.93)
Total income (loss) from operations   34.68    12.60    11.86    82.78    16.36    14.30 
                               
Net asset value per unit, end of period  $3,853.63   $1,013.05   $983.01   $6,171.70   $1,039.85   $1,028.88 
                               
Total return (4)   0.91%   1.26%   1.22%   1.36%   1.60%   1.41%
                               
Other Financial Ratios                              
Ratios to average net asset value                              
Expenses prior to General Partner 1% allocation (2)(3)   6.34%   5.23%   5.52%   4.49%   3.50%   4.31%
General Partner 1% allocation   0.01%   0.01%   0.02%   0.01%   0.02%   0.01%
Net total expenses   6.35%   5.24%   5.54%   4.50%   3.52%   4.32%
                               
Net investment income
(loss) (2)(3) (5)
   (5.55)%   (4.39)%   (4.63)%   (3.71)%   (2.73)%   (3.52)%

 

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 
   Class A   Class A2   Class A3   Class B   Class I   Class R 
Per Unit Operating Performance                              
                               
Net asset value per unit, beginning of period  $4,002.39   $1,034.04   $1,005.25   $6,268.44   $1,043.79   $1,042.42 
                               
Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments (1)   (378.57)   (98.03)   (95.49)   (595.73)   (99.40)   (98.25)
Net investment income (loss) (1)   (34.72)   (5.52)   (5.52)   (26.41)   (1.98)   (4.74)
Total income (loss) from operations   (413.29)   (103.55)   (101.01)   (622.14)   (101.38)   (102.99)
                               
Net asset value per unit, end of period  $3,589.10   $930.49   $904.24   $5,646.30   $942.41   $939.43 
                               
Total return (4)   (10.33)%   (10.01)%   (10.05)%   (9.92)%   (9.71)%   (9.88)%
                               
Other Financial Ratios                              
Ratios to average net asset value                              
Expenses prior to General Partner 1% allocation (2)(3)   5.89%   4.53%   4.50%   4.03%   3.01%   4.25%
General Partner 1% allocation   (0.10)%   (0.11)%   (0.10)%   (0.10)%   (0.10)%   (0.09)%
Net total expenses   5.79%   4.42%   4.40%   3.93%   2.91%   4.16%
                               
Net investment income
(loss)(2)(3) (5)
   (4.04)%   (2.62)%   (2.67)%   (2.17)%   (1.18)%   (2.34)%

 

 26

 

 

Total returns are calculated based on the change in value of a Class A, Class A2, Class A3, Class B, Class I or Class R Unit during the period. An individual partner’s total returns and ratios may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of subscriptions and redemptions.

 

(1) The net investment income (loss) per unit is calculated by dividing the net investment income (loss) by the average number of Class A, A2, A3, B, I or R Units outstanding during the period, Net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per unit with the other per unit information, Such balancing amount may differ from the calculation of net realized and change in unrealized gain (loss) on investment per unit due to the timing of investment gains and losses during the period relative to the number of units outstanding,

 

(2) The net investment income (loss) includes interest income and excludes net realized and net change in unrealized gain (loss) from investment activities as shown in the statements of operations, The total amount is then reduced by all expenses, excluding brokerage commissions, which are included in net investment gain (loss) in the statements of operations, The resulting amount is divided by the average net asset value for the period,

 

(3) Ratios have been annualized.

 

(4) Ratios have not been annualized.

 

(5) Ratio excludes General Partner 1% allocation.

 

12. Subsequent Events

 

Subsequent to quarter end, there were $372,492 of contributions and $4,315,198 of redemptions from the Fund. 

 

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

 

Current Positioning

 

Sector risk allocations and net positioning as of March 31, 2021 and first quarter 2021 gross performance contribution by sector was as follows:

 

Risk Allocation  

Net

Position

  Sector  Gross Performance Contribution 
 10%  Long  Agriculture   1.25%
 17%  Long  Energy   1.29%
 9%  Long  Metals   (0.25)%
 29%  Short USD  Currencies   (0.37)%
 25%  Long  Equity indices   4.32%
 10%  Long  Interest rates   (3.37)%

 

The Fund’s profitable Q1 return was driven by trading in equity and commodity markets while fixed income positions had losses. In equity markets, gains were widespread as the continued rally in global stocks aided long U.S., Asian, and European positions. Gains in commodities were led by trading in energy, agricultural, and base metals, partially offset by losses in precious metals. Profitable trading in energy was attributable to oil and oil products positions, notably long exposure in brent crude which moved higher on economic recovery hopes. In agricultural markets, strong gains from long positions in soybean and corn boosted returns. A long position in lean hogs was also profitable, as the African swine outbreak in Asia and strong demand lifted prices. While precious metals exposure shifted short during the quarter, long silver and gold positions were

unprofitable as prices declined. In fixed income, long exposure in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, Europe, was unprofitable as the Fund was hurt by rising interest rates. The bulk of those losses were from positions on the long end of the curve. Finally, trading in currencies was modestly unprofitable with gains from a short Yen position offset by losses elsewhere, most notably emerging market currencies.

 

At the end of the first quarter, the Fund’s largest risk exposure was in equities, currency, and energy markets. In equities, positioning remained persistently long across all major regions including the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, Europe, and Asia. Currency exposure ended the quarter short foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar. In commodities, agricultural, energy, and metal markets were long biased at the end of March. Finally, fixed income exposure was long at the end of the quarter, though medium- and long-term fixed income positions shifted short for stretches during the quarter. The portfolio’s exposures tend to evolve dynamically based on the tactical opportunities perceived by the Fund’s systematic trading programs. Should macroeconomic trends change course, we would expect the portfolio’s exposures to adapt accordingly.

 

 27

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The returns for each Class of Units for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 were:

 

Class of Units  2021   2020 
  Class A   0.91%   (10.33)%
  Class A2   1.26%   (10.01)%
  Class A3   1.22%   (10.05)%
  Class B   1.36%   (9.92)%
  Class I   1.60%   (9.71)%
  Class R   1.41%   (9.88)%

 

Results from past periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any future period. Monthly analysis of the trading gains and losses is provided below.

 

2021

January

Much of January was marked by increasing confidence in a post-pandemic global recovery along with ongoing accommodative monetary policy which helped lift equities for the greater part of the month. Ultimately global stocks finished down in January, however, as COVID variants and unusual retail activity in several highly shorted stocks rattled investor confidence late in the month. Global bond yields rose (prices fell) with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield surging above 1%, buoyed by expectations for additional stimulus. Commodity prices also moved higher led by gains in energy and agricultural markets. In oil markets, Saudi Arabia unexpectedly cut production helping to boost prices. Finally, the U.S. Dollar strengthened on higher Treasury yields and expectations for fiscal stimulus.

 

The Fund was profitable for most of January, continuing to build on bullish trends in agricultural products and equities. However, the volatility of the markets in the last few days of the month (the VIX spiked 62% on Jan. 27th) worked to offset those gains, resulting in a loss for the Fund that could not recovered before month-end. Overall, during the month unprofitable trading in currency and fixed income markets more than offset positive contributions from positions in agricultural commodities and, to a lesser extent, equities. Long foreign currency positions including the Euro and Yen were hurt by the rallying dollar, which clawed back some of its losses from last year. In fixed income trading, long exposure in the U.S. and Europe were hurt by rising rates. Long positions in agricultural commodities provided a lift, particularly in corn and soybean. The Fund finished with a net loss of (2.02)%, (1.90)%, (1.92)%, (1.87)%, (1.80)% and (1.86)% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively.

 

February

In February, the reflation trade remained the dominant theme for investors as encouraging economic data along with surging vaccination rates and declining COVID cases/hospitalization helped spur optimism. Against this backdrop, global equities moved higher with the rotation towards “re-opening stocks” continuing. Commodities prices soared as oil surged nearly 20% on the improving economic outlook along with constrained production. Copper moved above $4 per pound, its highest level since 2011. The bond market, as measured by the Bloomberg Barclay’s U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, was also impacted by the reflation trade and is now down -2.15% in 2021. These concerns led to a jump of approximately 50 basis-point in the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield, to 1.4%.

 

The Fund had a positive return for February, bringing its YTD return back into the black. Profitable trading in equity and commodity markets were the largest contributors as long positions benefitted from the upward push in risk assets. Within commodities, the largest gains stemmed from long exposure in energy, notably oil, while trading in metals and agricultural markets was also profitable. Fixed income produced losses, as rates seemed to have found a bottom, and the uptick hurt the Fund’s long positions. Trading models responded accordingly, and as a result, long exposure fell sharply with long- and medium-term instruments shifting short by the end of the month. The Fund finished with a net gain of 2.91%, 3.03%, 3.02%, 3.07%, 3.15% and 3.08% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively.

 

 28

 

 

March

In March, the Fed communicated its intention to maintain easy monetary policy until the economy is further along in its recovery. Market participants, however, were increasingly concerned about building inflationary pressure in the U.S. from improving economic growth, the rapid acceleration in vaccinations, and implications of the massive proposed $2 trillion infrastructure package and the recently passed $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. Accordingly, the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield climbed to 1.75% intramonth as investors fear the Fed may need to act sooner than it is currently communicating. Yields in Europe were little changed, however, as the increasing number of COVID cases and potential for further lockdowns weighed on economic growth expectations. Global equities moved higher as the rotation toward cyclical “recovery” stocks continued. Commodity prices retreated with oil correcting on demand worries from European lockdowns/vaccine rollout along with the stronger dollar.

 

The Fund had a positive return in March. Profitable trading in equity and foreign currency positions were the largest contributors. Long positions in equities were buoyed by the continued strength in stocks, led by gains in European markets and, to a lesser extent, in the United States. Rising yields in the U.S. contributed to USD strength, which benefitted long dollar/short foreign currency positions, particularly in the Yen. The largest losses during the month were from commodities, particularly long silver positions as precious metals were pressured by rising yields and the strengthening dollar. The Fund finished with a net gain of 0.07%, 0.19%, 0.17%, 0.22%, 0.30% and 0.24% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively. 

 

2020

January

In January, capital markets were impacted by two significant developments. Early in the month, Iranian General Qassem Soleimani was killed in a U.S. airstrike. Iran responded with their own missile attack against a U.S. military base in Iraq, though tensions de-escalated from there. While global equity markets shrugged off these events, they fell later in the month as mounting concerns regarding the coronavirus outbreak fueled a risk-off stance by market participants. Speculation regarding the virus’ future effect on Chinese and global economic growth helped drive rates lower/bond prices higher. Gold also continued to surge as investors sought safe haven assets while oil prices sold-off sharply.

 

The Fund enjoyed a strong start to the year with the largest gains from long fixed income positions, which were boosted by falling rates. Foreign currency trading was profitable as long U.S. Dollar positions benefitted from the greenback’s strength. Long positions in equities were unprofitable, as stocks were hurt by the coronavirus fears during the second half of January. In commodities, long precious metals exposure was profitable. Energy trading also enjoyed gains as plunging natural gas prices provided a lift to short positions. Trading in agricultural commodities was not a significant factor. The Fund finished with a net gain of 3.19%, 3.31%, 3.30%, 3.34%, 3.43% and 3.36% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively.

 

February

After the S&P 500 reached a new high in mid-February, intensifying coronavirus fears contributed to a massive sell-off in equities while the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield fell to an all-time low. The rapidity of the correction in the S&P 500 was historic as the Index experienced its fastest ever 10% sell-off. With the outbreak spreading outside of China and cases in Italy, Iran, and South Korea soaring, investors fled risk assets in droves as they grappled with how deeply and for how long quarantines, reduced travel, factories shutting down, school closures, etc. will negatively impact economic growth and corporate profitability. While the severity of the economic toll may be unknowable at this time, some recent datapoints, like the official Chinese PMI indicator which plunged to an all-time low of 35.7 in February, are certainly worrisome. As expectations for the Fed to take action quickly ramped, bond yields plunged. The U.S. dollar weakened and failed to act as a traditional safe haven asset. Meanwhile, the Japanese Yen and Euro rallied. In commodities, oil prices continued their collapse while gold, another traditional safe haven asset, declined during the market correction.

 

The Fund finished with a negative return for the month as the massive risk-off move by investors hurt long exposure in equities. Overall, foreign currency trading was not a significant factor during February though during the market correction a long U.S. dollar position was hurt by softness in the greenback. In commodities, short energy positions benefitted from declining oil and natural gas prices as economic growth concerns weighed heavily. Fixed income trading was the largest positive contributor for the Fund as weakening growth and rate cut expectations fueled the collapse in yields which benefitted long positions. The Fund finished with a net loss of (6.57)%, (6.46)%, (6.48)%, (6.43)%, (6.36)% and (6.42)% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively.

 

March

As the COVID-19 global pandemic worsened and the world economy was brought to its knees, the stock market continued to plummet. At the steepest point of its drawdown, the S&P 500 fell -33.8% from its high before recovering late in the month. The actions taken to stem the advance of the virus are having an unprecedented effect on business activity. Second quarter GDP growth estimates are as dire as -40% while unemployment is expected to exceed the post-World War II high of 10.8%. In response to the crisis, massive stimulus measures have been undertaken by central banks and governments around the globe to inject liquidity and stabilize markets. U.S. Treasury yields reached historical lows in March. Briefly during the month, bonds failed to act as a safe haven asset as yields unexpectedly moved higher when bond prices fell. Meanwhile, oil prices collapsed as OPEC failed to reach a production cut agreement with Russia, resulting in an oil price war that coincided with an historic collapse in demand.

 

 29

 

 

Positive returns during the 2nd half of March, were not enough to offset losses during the first two weeks of the month. While equity exposure had shifted neutral by the end of the month, the Fund was hurt by long positions during that transition as stock prices continued their collapse. Fixed income trading has been highly profitable in 2020, but had small losses in March as gains from positions in U.S. Treasuries were offset by losses from overseas trading. Foreign currency trading was unprofitable while in commodities, short positions in energy were highly profitable as oil prices plummeted. The Fund finished with a net loss of (6.99)%, (6.88)%, (6.89)%, (6.85)%, (6.77)% and (6.83)% for Class A, A2, A3, B, I, and R Units, respectively.

 

Liquidity

 

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

 

Capital Resources

 

The Fund intends to raise additional capital through the continued sale of Units and does not intend to raise capital through borrowing. Due to the nature of the Fund’s business, the Fund does not contemplate making capital expenditures. The Fund does not have, nor does it expect to have, any capital assets. Redemptions, exchanges and sales of Units in the future will affect the amount of funds available for investment in futures contracts, etc. in subsequent periods. It is not possible to estimate the amount, and therefore the impact, of future inflows and outflows funds related to the sale and redemption of Units. There are no known material trends, favorable or unfavorable, that would affect, nor any expected material changes to, the Fund’s capital resource arrangements at the present time.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The Fund does not have any contractual obligations of the type contemplated by Item 303(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Fund’s sole business is trading futures and forward currency contracts, both long (contracts to buy) and short (contracts to sell).

 

Off-Balance Sheet Risk

 

The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in future obligation or loss. The Fund trades in futures and forward currency contracts, and is therefore a party to financial instruments with elements of off-balance sheet market and credit risk. In entering into these contracts there exists a risk to the Fund that such contracts may be significantly influenced by market conditions, such as interest rate volatility, resulting in such contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the futures interests positions of the Fund at the same time, and if the trading advisors were unable to offset futures interest positions of the Fund, the Fund could lose all of its assets and the limited partners would realize a 100% loss. The General Partner minimizes market risk through diversification of the portfolio allocations to multiple trading advisors, and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 35%.

 

In addition to subjecting the Fund to market risk, upon entering into futures and forward currency contracts there is a risk that the counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Fund. The counterparty for futures contracts traded in the U.S. and on most foreign exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with such exchange. In general, clearinghouses are backed by the corporate members of the clearinghouse who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this risk. In cases where the clearinghouse is not backed by the clearing members, as is the case with some foreign exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.

 

In the case of forward currency contracts, which are traded on the interbank market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a group of financial institutions, thus there may be a greater counterparty risk. The General Partner utilized only those counterparties that it believes to be creditworthy for the Fund. All positions of the Fund are valued each day on a mark-to-market basis. There can be no assurance, however, that any clearing member, clearinghouse or other counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Fund.

 

 30

 

 

The Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. and foreign government sponsored enterprise notes, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, asset backed securities and corporate notes. Should an issuing entity default on its obligation to the Fund and such entity is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received. The Fund minimizes this risk by only investing in securities and certificates of deposit of firms with high quality debt ratings.

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

A summary of the Fund’s significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to the financial statements.

 

The Fund’s most significant accounting policy is the valuation of its assets invested in U.S. and foreign futures and forward currency contracts, fixed income instruments and investments in private investment companies. The Fund’s futures contracts are exchange-traded, with the fair value of these contracts based on exchange settlement prices. The fair values of non-exchange-traded contracts, such as forward currency contracts, are based on third-party quoted dealer values on the interbank market. The fair value of money market funds is based on quoted market prices for identical shares. U.S. Treasury securities are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices for identical assets in an active market. Notes of U.S. and foreign government sponsored enterprises, as well as certificates of deposit, commercial paper, asset backed securities and corporate notes, are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices for similar assets in an active market. Given the valuation sources, there is little judgment or uncertainty involved in the valuation of these assets, and it is unlikely that materially different amounts would be reported under different valuation methodologies or assumptions. The Fund’s investment in a private investment company is valued at net asset value as provided by the private fund’s administrator. This use of net asset value as the practical expedient to approximate fair value under ASC 820 is advisable due to the investment not having a readily determinable fair value.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Introduction

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Standard of Materiality

 

Materiality as used in this section, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the leverage, and multiplier features of the Fund’s market sensitive instruments.

 

Quantifying the Fund’s Trading Value at Risk

 

The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Fund’s market risk exposures contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. 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.

 

 31

 

 

Value at Risk is a measure of the maximum amount which the Fund could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector. However, the inherent uncertainty of the Fund’s speculative trading and the recurrence in the markets traded by the Fund to market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated Value at Risk or the Fund’s experience to date (i.e., “risk of ruin”). Risk of ruin is defined to be no more than a 5% chance of losing 20% or more on a monthly basis. In light of the foregoing as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification included in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that the Fund’s losses in any market sector will be limited to Value at Risk or by the Fund’s attempts to manage its market risk.

 

The Fund’s risk exposure in the various market sectors traded by the Fund’s Trading Advisors is quantified below in terms of Value at Risk. Due to mark-to-market accounting, any loss in the fair value of the Fund’s open positions is directly reflected in the Fund’s earnings.

 

Exchange margin requirements have been used by the Fund as the measure of its Value at Risk. 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. The margin levels are established by dealers and exchanges using historical price studies as well as an assessment of current market volatility and economic fundamentals to provide a probabilistic estimate of the maximum expected near-term one-day price fluctuation.

 

In the case of market sensitive instruments that are not exchange-traded (includes currencies, certain energy products and metals), the margin requirements required by the forward counterparty is used as Value at Risk.

 

In quantifying the Fund’s Value at Risk, 100% positive correlation in the different positions held in each market risk category has been assumed. Consequently, the margin requirements applicable to the open contracts have simply been aggregated to determine each trading category’s aggregate Value at Risk. The diversification effects resulting from the fact that the Fund’s positions are rarely, if ever, 100% positively correlated, have not been reflected.

 

Value at Risk as calculated herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by others

 

The Fund’s Trading Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors

 

The following table indicates the trading Value at Risk associated with the Fund’s open positions by market sector at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. All open position trading risk exposures of the Fund have been included in calculating the figures set forth below.

 

   March 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Market Sector  Value at Risk  

% of Total  

Capitalization

   Value at Risk  

% of Total

Capitalization

 
                 
Agricultural commodities  $630,321    0.37%  $505,567    0.28%
Currencies   1,853,323    1.10    1,552,560    0.87 
Energy   1,072,976    0.64    561,558    0.32 
Equity indices   1,610,217    0.96    1,851,928    1.04 
Interest rate instruments   676,200    0.40    1,450,921    0.82 
Metals   600,502    0.36    995,154    0.56 
Single stock futures   0    0.00    392    0.00 
Total  $6,443,540    3.83%  $6,918,080    3.90%

 

Material Limitations on Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk.

 

The face value of the market sector instruments held by the Fund is typically many times the applicable margin requirement (margin requirements generally range between 1% and 10% of contract face value) as well as many times the capitalization of the Fund. The magnitude of the Fund’s open positions creates a “risk of ruin” not typically found in most other investment vehicles. Because of the size of its positions, certain market conditions - unusual, but historically recurring from time to time - could cause the Fund to incur severe losses over a short period of time. The foregoing Value at Risk table – as well as the past performance of the Fund – gives no indication of this “risk of ruin.”

 

32 

 

 

Non-Trading Risk

 

The Fund has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash balances not needed for margin. However, these balances (as well as the market risk they represent) are immaterial. The Fund also has non-trading market risk as a result of investing a substantial portion of its available assets in U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. government sponsored enterprise notes, commercial paper, asset backed securities, corporate notes and certificates of deposit. Although these investments are considered to be high quality, some of the securities purchased are neither guaranteed by the U.S. government nor supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. There is some risk that a security issuer may fail to pay the interest and principal in a timely manner, or that negative perceptions about the issuer’s ability to make such payments will cause the price of these instruments to decline in value.

 

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures.

 

The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Fund’s market risk exposures - except for those disclosures that are statements of historical fact and the descriptions of how the Fund manages its primary market risk exposures - constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, (“1933 Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (“1934 Act”). The Fund’s primary market risk exposures as well as the strategies used and to be used by the Fund’s Trading Advisors for managing such exposures are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of the Fund’s risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation and many other factors could result in material losses as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and the risk management strategies of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s current market exposure and/or risk management strategies will not change materially or that any such strategies will be effective in either the short- or long-term. Investors must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Fund.

 

The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the Fund as of March 31, 2021, by market sector.

 

Agricultural Commodities

The Fund takes positions in a broad range of agricultural futures, including soybeans, wheat, corn, sugar, and cotton among others. Prices in these markets can be affected by changes in demand, as well changes in supply factors such as weather and inventory levels.

 

Currencies

The Fund trades in foreign exchange markets by taking positions in currency futures and forward contracts for a large number of developed and emerging market currencies. Exposures may take the form of direct exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, or cross-rates between two foreign currencies. Exchange rates can be impacted by economic differences between regions (such as interest rate differentials or economic growth differentials), political events, as well as investor risk sentiment.

 

Energy

The Fund gains trading exposure in energy markets through oil and gas futures, which include WTI crude oil, Brent crude oil, distillates such as heating oil, and natural gas. Prices have historically been highly volatile, driven by demand side factors such as global economic growth and weather conditions, as well as supply side factors such as Middle East conflicts, OPEC production agreements, and shale production.

 

Equity Indices

The Fund has exposure to major stock market indices around the world through equity index futures. Primary exposures are in developed markets such as the U.S., the UK, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong and Australia, but there can also be exposure to smaller developing market stock indices. Equity index price movements can be affected by microeconomic factors such as corporate earnings, by macroeconomic factors such as government fiscal and monetary policy, as well as by investor sentiment.

 

Interest Rate Instruments

The Fund has exposure to global fixed income markets through bond futures and interest rate futures in countries such as the U.S., the UK, Germany, Japan and Australia. The Fund has exposure across the yield curve with positions in the futures for both short term and long-term instruments. The yield curve (and futures prices) can be affected by economic growth, inflation expectations, monetary policy and investor risk aversion.

 

33 

 

 

Metals

The Fund has exposure to metals futures, including both precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum, as well as industrial metals such as copper, aluminum and zinc. Metals prices can be volatile. Precious metals prices are often driven by inflation expectations, risk aversion, and mining output. Industrial metals prices tend to be impacted by industrial demand relative to production.

 

Single Stock Futures

The Fund has a small exposure to single stock futures, with positions primarily in companies that trade on U.S. exchanges. The price drivers here tend to be more microeconomic with corporate earnings and industry trends being important. However, macroeconomic and market-wide factors can also affect single stock futures prices.

 

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure

 

The following were the only non-trading risk exposures of the Fund as of March 31, 2021.

 

Foreign Currency Balances 

The Fund’s primary foreign currency balances are in euros, Japanese yen, British pounds, Australian dollars, Hong Kong dollars and Canadian dollars. The Fund controls the non-trading risk of these balances by regularly converting these balances back into dollars (no less frequently than once a week).

 

U.S. Treasury Securities, U.S. and Foreign Government Sponsored Enterprise Notes, Commercial Paper, Corporate Notes, Asset Backed Securities and Certificates of Deposit

Monies in excess of margin requirements are invested in fixed income instruments, including U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. and foreign government sponsored enterprise notes, commercial paper, corporate notes, asset backed securities and certificates of deposit. Fluctuations in prevailing interest rates could cause mark-to-market gains or losses on the Fund’s investments; although substantially all of these investments are held to maturity.

 

Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure

 

The means by which the Fund and the Fund’s trading advisors, severally, attempt to manage the risk of the Fund’s open positions is essentially the same in all market sectors traded. The Fund’s trading advisors apply risk management policies to their respective trading which generally limit the total exposure that may be taken. In addition, the trading advisors generally follow proprietary diversification guidelines (often formulated in terms of the balanced volatility between markets and correlated groups).

 

The Fund is unaware of any (i) anticipated known demands, commitments or capital expenditures; (ii) material trends, favorable or unfavorable, in its capital resources; or (iii) trends or uncertainties that will have a material effect on operations. From time to time, certain regulatory agencies have proposed increased margin requirements on futures contracts. Because the Fund generally will use a small percentage of assets as margin, the Fund does not believe that any increase in margin requirements, as proposed, will have a material effect on the Fund’s operations.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

The General Partner, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures at March 31, 2021 (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on their evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

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

 

PART II: OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

None.

 

34 

 

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

As mentioned in Note 8 in the Notes to the Financial Statements, we note the market disruption risk such as what has been experienced with the COVID virus outbreak. Other than that market disruption risk, there have been no material changes from risk factors disclosed in the Fund’s Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2020.

 

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

 

There were no sales of unregistered securities of the Fund during the three months ended March 31, 2021. Under the Fund’s Partnership Agreement, limited partners may redeem their Units at the end of each calendar month at the then current month-end net asset value per Unit. Redemptions of Units during the three months ended March 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

   January   February   March   Total 
A Units                    
Units redeemed   (659.5814)   (581.3586)   (964.3170)   (2,205.2570)
Average net asset value per unit  $3,741.87   $3,850.89   $3,853.63   $3,819.48 
                     
A2 Units                    
Units redeemed   --    (90.5174)   (91.8732)   (182.3906)
Average net asset value per unit  $--   $1,011.16   $1,013.05   $1,012.11 
                     
A3 Units                    
Units redeemed   --    

(48.06)

    --    -- 
Average net asset value per unit   --   $

981.30

    --    -- 
                     

B Units

                    
Units redeemed   (89.8820)   (92.4639)   (183.2011)   (365.5470)
Average net asset value per unit  $5,974.91   $6,158.15   $6,171.70   $6,119.88 
                     
I Units                    
Units redeemed   --    --    --    -- 
Average net asset value per unit   --    --    --    -- 
                     
R Units                    
Units redeemed   (23.8262)   (263.3885)   (244.5890)   (531.8037)
Average net asset value per unit  $995.75   $1,026.45   $1,028.88   $1,026.19 

 

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

35 

 

 

Item 6. Exhibit

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith of incorporated by reference.

 

Exhibit No.

Description of Exhibit

 

1.1(a) Form of Selling Agreement
3.1(a) Maryland Certificate of Limited Partnership
4.1(a) Limited Partnership Agreement
10.1(a) Form of Subscription Agreement
31.01 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.01 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of the General Partner in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.02 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner in accordance with Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

(a)Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Registrant’s registration statement (File no, 000-50728) filed on April 29, 2004 on Form 10 under the 1934 Act, as amended.

 

36 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the General Partner of the Registrant in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Dated:  May 17, 2021 Futures Portfolio Fund, Limited Partnership
     
     
  By: Steben & Company, LLC  
    General Partner
     
  By: /s/ Kevin M, Kinzie  
  Name: Kevin M. Kinzie
  Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the General Partner
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
  By: /s/ Jon C, Essen  
  Name: Jon C. Essen
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
    (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
     

37