(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Title of each class | Trading symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
N/A | N/A | N/A |
Large accelerated filer |
Accelerated filer |
Non-accelerated filerX | ||
Smaller reporting company |
Emerging growth company |
PART I
Item 1. Business.
(a) General development of business. Ceres Orion L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a limited partnership organized on March 22, 1999, under the partnership laws of the State of New York, to engage, directly or indirectly, in the speculative trading of a diversified portfolio of commodity interests, including futures, option, swap and forward contracts. The sectors traded include currencies, energy, grains, livestock, indices, United States (“U.S.”) and non-U.S. interest rates, softs and metals. The commodity interests that are traded by the Partnership, directly and indirectly through its investment in the Funds (as defined below), are volatile and involve a high degree of market risk. The Partnership commenced trading on June 10, 1999. The Partnership privately and continuously offers redeemable units of limited partnership interest (“Redeemable Units”) to qualified investors. There is no maximum number of Redeemable Units that may be sold by the Partnership. The General Partner (as defined below) may also determine to invest up to all of the Partnership’s assets (directly or indirectly through its investment in the Funds) in U.S. Treasury bills and/or money market mutual funds, including money market mutual funds managed by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates.
During the initial offering period (March 31, 1999 through June 10, 1999) the Partnership sold 10,499 Redeemable Units at $1,000 per Redeemable Unit. The Partnership commenced trading activities on June 10, 1999.
Subscriptions and redemptions of Redeemable Units and General Partner contributions and redemptions for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 are reported in the Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital under “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
Ceres Managed Futures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, acts as the general partner (the “General Partner”) and commodity pool operator of the Partnership, is the trading manager (the “Trading Manager”) of Transtrend Master (as defined below) and Drakewood Master (as defined below) and was the trading manager of NL Master (as defined below). The General Partner is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Capital Management LLC (“MSCM”). MSCM is ultimately owned by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is a publicly held company whose shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Morgan Stanley is engaged in various financial services and other businesses.
As of December 31, 2024, all trading decisions were made for the Partnership by Transtrend B.V. (“Transtrend”), John Street Capital Limited (“JSCL”), Quantica Capital AG (“Quantica”), Opus Futures LLC (“Opus”) and Drakewood Capital Management Limited (“Drakewood”) (each an “Advisor” and, collectively, the “Advisors”), each of which is a registered commodity trading advisor, or has otherwise represented that it is exempt from registration as a commodity trading advisor. On December 31, 2024, the Partnership fully redeemed its investment from CMF NL Master Fund LLC (“NL Master”). Also effective December 31, 2024, Breakout Funds LLC (“Breakout”) ceased to act as commodity trading advisor to the Partnership. Effective December 31, 2024, Northlander Commodity Advisors LLP (“Northlander”) ceased to act as a commodity trading advisor to the Partnership. Effective October 31, 2022, Pan Capital Management L.P. (“Pan”) ceased to act as a commodity trading advisor to the Partnership. Effective January 31, 2022, Greenwave Capital Management LLC (“Greenwave”) ceased to act as a commodity trading advisor to the Partnership. References herein to the “Advisors” may include, as relevant, Breakout, Northlander, Greenwave and Pan. Each Advisor is allocated a portion of the Partnership’s assets to manage. The Partnership invests the portion of its assets allocated to each of the Advisors either directly, through a managed account in the Partnership’s name, or indirectly, through its investment in the Funds. In addition, the General Partner may allocate the Partnership’s assets to additional non-major trading advisors (i.e., commodity trading advisors intended to be allocated less than 10% of the Partnership’s assets). Information about advisors allocated less than 10% of the Partnership’s assets may not be disclosed.
Effective July 1, 2024, Opus directly trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to Opus’s Advanced Ag Program. The General Partner and Opus have agreed that Opus will trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to Opus at 1.5 times the amount of the assets allocated. The amount of leverage may be increased or decreased in the future, subject to certain restrictions.
Effective October 1, 2020, Quantica directly trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to the Quantica Managed Futures Program. The General Partner and Quantica have agreed that Quantica will trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to Quantica at 1.25 times the amount of the assets allocated. The amount of leverage may be increased or decreased in the future.
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JSCL directly trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to the Systematic Strategy Program. The General Partner and JSCL have agreed that JSCL will trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to it at a level that is up to 2 times the amount of assets allocated to it; provided that if the assets allocated to JSCL are $80 million or less, JSCL will trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to it at the level that is up to 1.5 times the amount of assets allocated to it. The amount of leverage may be increased or decreased in the future.
Prior to its termination effective December 31, 2024, Breakout directly traded a portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to an enhanced version of Breakout’s Propeller Program. The General Partner and Breakout had agreed that Breakout would trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to Breakout at 1.0 times the amount of the assets allocated. The amount of leverage may be increased or decreased in the future, subject to certain restrictions.
Prior to its termination effective January 31, 2022, Greenwave directly traded the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to an enhanced version of Greenwave’s Flagship Plus 2X Program. The General Partner and Greenwave had agreed that Greenwave would trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to Greenwave at a level that was up to 2 times the amount of the assets allocated.
Prior to its termination effective October 31, 2022, Pan directly traded the Partnership’s assets allocated to it through a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to Pan’s Energy Trading Program.
On June 1, 2011, the Partnership began offering “Class A” Redeemable Units and “Class Z” Redeemable Units pursuant to the offering memorandum. All Redeemable Units issued prior to June 1, 2011 were deemed Class A Redeemable Units. The rights, powers, duties and obligations associated with investment in Class A Redeemable Units were not changed. Class A Redeemable Units are available to taxable U.S. individuals and institutions, U.S. tax exempt individuals and institutions and non-U.S. investors. Class Z Redeemable Units were first issued on August 1, 2011. Class Z Redeemable Units are offered to limited partners who receive advisory services from Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (doing business as Morgan Stanley Wealth Management) (“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management”) and certain employees of Morgan Stanley and/or its subsidiaries (and their family members). Class A Redeemable Units and Class Z Redeemable Units will each be referred to as a “Class” and collectively referred to as the “Classes.” The Class of Redeemable Units that a limited partner receives upon a subscription will generally depend upon the status of the limited partner, although the General Partner may determine to offer a particular Class of Redeemable Units to investors at its discretion.
During the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Partnership’s/Funds’ commodity broker was Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.”), a registered futures commission merchant. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JPMorgan”) was also a foreign exchange forward contract counterparty for certain Funds.
The Partnership and CMF TT II, LLC (“Transtrend Master”) have entered into futures brokerage account agreements and foreign exchange brokerage account agreements with MS&Co. CMF Drakewood Master Fund LLC (“Drakewood Master”) has, and prior to its full redemption, NL Master had, entered into futures brokerage account agreements with MS&Co. Transtrend Master and Drakewood Master are collectively referred to as the “Funds.” References herein to “Funds” may also include, as relevant, NL Master.
Transtrend Master entered into certain agreements with JPMorgan in connection with trading in forward foreign currency contracts on behalf of the referenced Funds and indirectly, the Partnership. These agreements include a foreign exchange and bullion authorization agreement (“FX Agreement”), an International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. master agreement (“Master Agreement”), a schedule to the Master Agreement, a 2016 credit support annex for variation margin to the schedule and an institutional account agreement. Under each FX Agreement, JPMorgan charges or charged a fee on the aggregate foreign currency transactions entered into on behalf of the respective Fund during a month.
The Partnership, directly and indirectly through its investment in the Funds, pays MS&Co. trading fees for the clearing, and where applicable, the execution of transactions.
The Partnership will be liquidated upon the first to occur of the following: December 31, 2055; the net asset value per Redeemable Unit of any Class decreases to less than $400 as of the close of any business day; or under certain other circumstances as set forth in the limited partnership agreement of the Partnership, as may be amended from time to time (the “Limited Partnership Agreement”). In addition, the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, cause the Partnership to dissolve if the aggregate net assets of the Partnership decline to less than $1,000,000.
On June 1, 2011, the Partnership allocated a portion of its assets to Transtrend Master, a limited liability company organized under the limited liability company laws of the State of Delaware. Transtrend Master permits accounts managed by Transtrend using the Diversified Trend Program-Enhanced Risk Profile (US Dollar), a proprietary, systematic trading system, to invest together in one trading vehicle. Transtrend generally trades its Enhanced Risk Profile (US Dollar) using 1.5 times the leverage employed by the Standard Risk Profile. The General Partner is also the Trading Manager of Transtrend Master. Individual and pooled accounts managed by Transtrend, including the Partnership, are permitted to be members of Transtrend Master. The Trading Manager and Transtrend believe that trading through this structure promotes efficiency and economy in the trading process.
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On April 1, 2019, the Partnership allocated a portion of its assets to NL Master, a limited liability company organized under the limited liability company laws of the State of Delaware. NL Master permitted accounts managed by Northlander using Northlander’s Commodity Program, a proprietary, discretionary trading system, to invest together in one trading vehicle. The General Partner was also the trading manager of NL Master. On December 31, 2024, the Partnership fully redeemed its investment from NL Master.
On May 1, 2022, the Partnership allocated a portion of its assets to Drakewood Master, a limited liability company organized under the limited liability company laws of the State of Delaware. Drakewood Master permits accounts managed by Drakewood using the Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy, a proprietary, discretionary trading system, to invest together in one trading vehicle. The General Partner is also the Trading Manager of Drakewood Master. Individual and pooled accounts managed by Drakewood, including the Partnership, are permitted to be members of Drakewood Master. The Trading Manager and Drakewood believe that trading through this structure promotes efficiency and economy in the trading process.
The General Partner is not aware of any material changes to any of the trading programs discussed above during the year ended December 31, 2024.
The Funds’ and the Partnership’s trading of futures, forward, swap and option contracts, if applicable, on commodities is done primarily on U.S. and foreign commodity exchanges. The Funds and the Partnership engage in such trading through commodity brokerage accounts maintained with MS&Co.
Generally, a limited partner/member in the Funds withdraws all or part of its capital contribution and undistributed profits, if any, from the Funds as of the end of any month (the “Redemption Date”) after a request has been made to the General Partner/Trading Manager at least three days in advance of the Redemption Date. Such withdrawals are classified as a liability when the limited partner/member elects to redeem and informs the Funds. However, a limited partner/member may request a withdrawal as of the end of any day if such request is received by the General Partner/Trading Manager at least three days in advance of the proposed withdrawal day.
Management fees, ongoing selling agent fees, the General Partner fee and incentive fees are charged at the Partnership level, except for management and incentive fees payable to Transtrend, which are charged at the Transtrend Master level. Clearing fees are borne by the Funds and allocated to the Funds’ limited partners/members, including the Partnership. Clearing fees are also borne by the Partnership directly. Professional fees are borne by the Funds and allocated to the Partnership and are also charged directly at the Partnership level.
The General Partner fee, management fees, incentive fees and professional fees of the Partnership are allocated proportionally to each Class based on the net asset value of the Class.
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For the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, the approximate average market sector distribution for the Partnership was as follows:
At December 31, 2024, the Partnership owned 100.0% of Transtrend Master and approximately 58.7% of Drakewood Master. At December 31, 2023, the Partnership owned 100.0% of Transtrend Master, approximately 71.7% of NL Master and approximately 64.5% of Drakewood Master. It is the Partnership’s intention to continue to invest in the Funds. The performance of the Partnership is directly affected by the performance of the Funds. Expenses to limited partners as a result of investment in the Funds are approximately the same as they would be if the Partnership traded directly and redemption rights are not affected.
The General Partner administers the business and affairs of the Partnership, including selecting one or more advisors to make trading decisions for the Partnership. The Partnership pays the General Partner a monthly fee (the “General Partner fee”) equal to 1/12 of 0.75% (0.75% per year) of month-end net assets. Month-end net assets, for the purpose of calculating the General Partner fee, are Net Assets, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, prior to the reduction of the current month’s incentive fee accruals, the monthly management fees, the General Partner fee and any redemptions or distributions as of the end of such month.
The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, has entered into management agreements (each, a “Management Agreement”) with the Advisors. The Advisors are not affiliated with one another, the General Partner or MS&Co., and are not responsible for the organization or operation of the Partnership.
Effective May 1, 2022, Drakewood receives a monthly management fee equal to 1.5% per year of the month-end net assets allocated to Drakewood. Effective October 1, 2020, Quantica receives a monthly management fee equal to 0.60% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Quantica. To the extent that the month-end net assets allocated to Quantica are less than $50 million, Quantica will receive a management fee equal to 0.75% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Quantica. Effective July 1, 2024, the Partnership pays Opus a monthly management fee equal to 1/12 of 1.0% (1.0% per year) of month-end net assets allocated to Opus. Effective February 1, 2019, JSCL receives a monthly management fee of 1.35% per year of month-end net assets allocated to JSCL. To the extent that the month-end net assets allocated to JSCL are less than $80 million, JSCL will receive a monthly management fee equal to 1.5% per year of month-end net assets allocated to JSCL. From July 1, 2021 until its termination on December 31, 2024, Breakout received a monthly management fee equal to 1% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Breakout. From April 1, 2019 until its termination December 31, 2024, Northlander received a monthly management fee equal to 1.25% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Northlander. From February 1, 2020 until its termination on October 31, 2022, Pan received a monthly management fee equal to 1.25% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Pan. Prior to its termination on January 31, 2022, Greenwave received a monthly management fee equal to 0.75% per year of month-end net assets allocated to Greenwave. Month-end net assets, for the purpose of calculating management fees, are Net Assets, as defined in the Limited Partnership Agreement, prior to the reduction of the current month’s incentive fee accruals, the monthly management fees, the General Partner fee and any redemptions or distributions as of the end of such month.
Transtrend Master pays Transtrend a monthly management fee of 0.85% per year on the aggregate net assets of Transtrend Master
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as of the first day of each month. Effective October 1, 2023, the management fee paid by Transtrend Master is included in the Management fees presented on the consolidated statements of income and expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the management fee paid by Transtrend Master is allocated to the Partnership based on its proportionate ownership interest of Transtrend Master.
The Partnership is obligated to pay Quantica and Drakewood an incentive fee, payable annually, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in each Management Agreement, earned by Quantica and Drakewood, respectively, for the Partnership during each calendar year. The Partnership is obligated to pay Opus an incentive fee, payable annually, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in its Management Agreement, earned by Opus for the Partnership during each calendar year. The Partnership is obligated to pay JSCL an incentive fee, payable quarterly, equal to 22.5% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in its Management Agreement, earned by JSCL for the Partnership during each calendar quarter. To the extent that the month-end net assets allocated to JSCL are less than $80 million, the Partnership will be obligated to pay JSCL an incentive fee, payable quarterly, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in the Management Agreement, earned by JSCL for the Partnership during each calendar quarter. Prior to their termination effective December 31, 2024, Breakout was eligible to receive an incentive fee, payable quarterly, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in the Management Agreement, earned by Breakout, for the Partnership during each calendar quarter. Prior to its termination effective December 31, 2024, Northlander was eligible to receive an incentive fee, payable annually, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in its Management Agreement, earned by Northlander for the Partnership. Prior to their respective terminations effective October 31, 2022 and January 31, 2022, Pan and Greenwave were each eligible to receive an incentive fee, payable quarterly, equal to 20% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in each Management Agreement, earned by Pan and Greenwave, for the Partnership during each calendar quarter. Effective January 1, 2021, Transtrend is eligible to receive an incentive fee equal to 16% of the New Trading Profits, as defined in its Management Agreement, earned by Transtrend Master and payable at the end of each calendar half year. Only the incentive fees paid by Transtrend Master for New Trading Profits, as defined in its Management Agreement, earned for the Partnership are allocated to the Partnership. To the extent an Advisor incurs a loss for the Partnership, the Advisor will not be paid incentive fees until the Advisor recovers the net loss incurred and earns additional new trading profits for the Partnership.
Each Management Agreement may be terminated upon notice by either party.
In allocating the assets of the Partnership among the Advisors, the General Partner considers, among other factors, each Advisor’s past performance, trading style, volatility of markets traded and fee requirements. The General Partner may modify or terminate the allocation of assets to the Advisors and may allocate the assets to additional advisors at any time.
The Partnership has entered into a futures brokerage account agreement with MS&Co. (the “Partnership Customer Agreement”). Under the Partnership Customer Agreement and the foreign exchange brokerage account agreement (described in Note 1, “Organization”), the Partnership pays MS&Co. (or will reimburse MS&Co. if previously paid) its allocable share of trading fees for the clearing and, where applicable, the execution of transactions, as well as its allocable share of exchange, user, give-up and National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees (collectively, “clearing fees”) directly and indirectly through its investment in the Funds. Clearing fees are allocated to the Partnership based on its proportionate ownership interest of each Fund. The Partnership’s assets available for trading in commodity interests not held in the Funds’ brokerage accounts at MS&Co. and JPMorgan are deposited in the Partnership’s brokerage account at MS&Co. The Partnership’s cash deposited with MS&Co. is held in segregated bank accounts to the extent required by Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) regulations. The Partnership’s restricted cash is equal to the cash portion of assets on deposit to meet margin requirements, as determined by the exchange or counterparty, and required by MS&Co. At December 31, 2024 and 2023, the amount of cash held by the Partnership for margin requirements was $45,609,297 and $64,815,574, respectively. Cash that is not classified as restricted cash is therefore classified as unrestricted cash. MS&Co. has agreed to pay the Partnership interest on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Partnership’s (or the Partnership’s allocable portion of the Funds’, except for Transtrend Master’s) brokerage account during each month at the rate equal to the monthly average of the 4-week U.S. Treasury bill discount rate. MS&Co. has agreed to pay Transtrend Master interest on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in Transtrend Master’s brokerage account during each month at the rate equal to the monthly average of the 4-week U.S. Treasury bill discount rate less 0.15% during such month but in no event less than zero. When the effective rate is less than zero, no interest is earned. For purposes of these interest credits, daily funds do not include monies due to Transtrend Master on or with respect to futures, forward, or option contracts that have not been received. The Partnership Customer Agreement may generally be terminated upon notice by either party.
The Partnership has entered into a selling agent agreement with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (as amended, the “Selling Agreement”). Pursuant to the Selling Agreement, the Partnership pays Morgan Stanley Wealth Management a monthly ongoing selling agent fee at a flat annual rate equal to 0.75% per year of the adjusted net assets of Class A Redeemable Units (computed monthly by multiplying the adjusted net assets of the Class A Redeemable Units by 0.75% and dividing the result thereof by 12). Class Z Redeemable Units are not subject to an ongoing selling agent fee. The Partnership may pay an ongoing selling agent fee to other properly licensed and/or registered selling agents who sell Class A Redeemable Units, and such additional selling agents may share all or a substantial portion of such fees with their properly registered or exempted financial advisors who have sold Class A Redeemable Units.
The Partnership has entered into an alternative investment placement agent agreement (the “Harbor Selling Agreement”), by and among the Partnership, the General Partner, Morgan Stanley Distribution Inc. (“MSDI”), and Harbor Investment Advisory, LLC, a
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Maryland limited liability company (“Harbor”), which supersedes and replaces the alternative investment selling agent agreement, dated January 19, 2018, between the Partnership, the General Partner and Harbor. Pursuant to the Harbor Selling Agreement, MSDI and Harbor have been appointed as a non-exclusive selling agent and sub-selling agent, respectively, of the Partnership for the purpose of finding eligible investors for Redeemable Units through offerings that are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) thereof and Rule 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder and for Harbor to serve as an investment advisor to its customers investing in one or more of the partnerships party to the Harbor Selling Agreement; provided, that, included within such appointment, Harbor will provide certain services to certain holders of Redeemable Units of the Partnership, who had acquired such Redeemable Units prior to such holders becoming clients of Harbor. The Harbor Selling Agreement continues in effect until September 30, 2025, unless terminated in certain circumstances as set forth in the Harbor Selling Agreement, including by any party on thirty days’ prior written notice, after which the General Partner or the Partnership may, in its sole discretion, renew the Harbor Selling Agreement for additional one-year periods. Pursuant to the Harbor Selling Agreement, the Partnership pays Harbor a monthly ongoing selling agent fee at a flat annual rate equal to 0.75% per year of the adjusted net assets of Class A Redeemable Units (computed monthly by multiplying the adjusted net assets of the Class A Redeemable Units by 0.75% and dividing the result there of by 12).
The General Partner has delegated certain administrative functions to SS&C Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, currently doing business as SS&C GlobeOp (the “Administrator”). Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Administrator furnishes certain administrative, accounting, regulatory reporting, tax and other services as agreed from time to time. In addition, the Administrator maintains certain books and records of the Partnership. The cost of retaining the Administrator is allocated among the pools operated by the General Partner, including the Partnership.
(b) Financial Information about Segments. The Partnership’s business consists of only one segment, speculative trading of commodity interests. The Partnership does not engage in sales of goods or services. The Partnership’s capital as of December 31, 2024 was $276,255,829.
(c) Narrative Description of Business. See Paragraphs (a) and (b) above.
(i) through (xii) — Not applicable.
(xiii) — The Partnership has no employees.
(d) Financial Information About Geographic Areas. The Partnership does not engage in sales of goods or services or own any long-lived assets, and therefore this item is not applicable.
(e) Available Information. The Partnership does not have an Internet address. The Partnership will provide paper copies of its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports free of charge upon request.
(f) Reports to Security Holders. Not applicable.
(g) Enforceability of Civil Liabilities Against Foreign Persons. Not applicable.
(h) Smaller Reporting Companies. Not applicable.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Risks Relating to our Business
As a result of leverage, small changes in the price of the Partnership’s positions may result in major losses.
The trading of commodity interests is speculative, volatile and involves a high degree of leverage. A small change in the market price of a commodity interest contract can produce major losses for the Partnership. Market prices can be influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, governmental, agricultural, commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events, weather and climate conditions, insects and plant disease, purchases and sales by foreign countries, changing interest rates, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises.
An investor may lose all of their investment.
Due to the speculative nature of trading commodity interests, an investor could lose all of their investment in the Partnership.
The Partnership will pay substantial fees and expenses regardless of profitability.
Regardless of its trading performance, the Partnership will incur fees and expenses, including, but not limited to, ongoing selling agent fees, clearing fees, management fees, and the General Partner fee. Substantial incentive fees may be paid to one or more of the Advisors even if the Partnership experiences a net loss for the full year.
An investor’s ability to redeem or transfer Redeemable Units is limited.
An investor’s ability to redeem Redeemable Units is limited and no market exists for the Redeemable Units.
Conflicts of interest exist.
The Partnership is subject to numerous conflicts of interest including those that arise from the fact that:
1. | The General Partner and the Partnership’s/Funds’ commodity broker are affiliates; |
2. | Each of the Advisors, the Partnership’s/Funds’ commodity broker, the General Partner, and their respective principals and affiliates may trade in commodity interests for their own accounts; |
3. | An investor’s financial advisor will receive ongoing compensation for providing services to the investor’s account with respect to Class A Redeemable Units; and |
4. | The General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, may purchase shares from money market mutual funds affiliated and/or unaffiliated with the General Partner. |
Investing in Redeemable Units may not provide the desired diversification of an investor’s overall portfolio.
One of the Partnership’s objectives is to add an element of diversification to a traditional stock and bond portfolio, but any benefit of portfolio diversification is dependent upon the Partnership/Funds achieving positive returns and such returns being independent of stock and bond market returns.
Past performance is no assurance of future results.
The Advisors’ trading strategies may not perform as they have performed in the past, and past performance does not necessarily predict future returns. The Advisors have from time to time incurred substantial losses in trading on behalf of clients.
An investor’s tax liability may exceed cash distributions.
Investors are taxed on their share of the Partnership’s income, even though the Partnership does not intend to make any distributions.
The General Partner may allocate the Partnership’s assets to undisclosed advisors.
The General Partner at any time may select and allocate the Partnership’s assets to undisclosed advisors. Investors may not be advised of such changes in advance, or at all. Investors must rely on the ability of the General Partner to select commodity trading advisors and allocate assets among them.
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Regulatory changes could restrict the Partnership’s operations and increase its operational costs.
Regulatory changes could adversely affect the Partnership by restricting its markets or activities, limiting its trading and/or increasing the costs or taxes to which investors are subject. Pursuant to the mandate of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, signed into law on July 21, 2010, the CFTC and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) have promulgated rules to regulate trading in swaps and swap dealers and to mandate additional reporting and disclosure requirements and continue to promulgate rules regarding capital and margin requirements, to require that certain swaps be traded on an exchange or a swap execution facility, and to require that derivatives (such as those traded by the Partnership) be moved into central clearinghouses. The CFTC and the prudential regulators that oversee swap dealers have adopted rules regarding margin requirements for certain derivatives. In addition, the CFTC and such prudential regulators have adopted rules regarding capital requirements for swap dealers. These rules may negatively impact the manner in which swap contracts are traded and/or settled, increase the cost of such trading, and limit trading by speculators (such as the Partnership) in futures and over-the-counter (“OTC”) markets.
Speculative position and trading limits may reduce profitability.
The CFTC and U.S. exchanges have established speculative position limits on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person or a group of persons may hold or control in particular futures and options on futures. In January 2021, the CFTC finalized new rules that impose position limits on certain futures and option contracts and physical commodity swaps that are “economically equivalent” to such contracts. In addition to speculative position limits, most commodity exchanges also limit fluctuations in futures contract prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” Such regulations could have an adverse effect on an Advisor’s trading for the Partnership/Funds. The trading instructions of an Advisor may have to be modified, and positions held by the Partnership/Funds may have to be liquidated, in order to avoid exceeding these limits. Such modification or liquidation could adversely affect the operations and profitability of the Partnership/Funds by increasing transaction costs to liquidate positions and limiting potential profits on liquidated positions.
The General Partner, the Partnership or the Funds and their respective service providers (including the Advisors) and operations are potentially vulnerable to cyber-security attacks or incidents.
Like other business enterprises, the use of the internet and other electronic media and technology exposes the General Partner, the Partnership, the Funds and their respective service providers and operations, to potential risks from cyber-security attacks or incidents (collectively, “cyber events”). Cyber events may include, for example, unauthorized access to systems, networks or devices, infection from computer viruses or other malicious software code, mishandling or misuse of information and attacks which shut down, disable, slow or otherwise disrupt operations, business processes or website access or functionality. In addition to intentional cyber events, unintentional cyber events can occur. Unintentional cyber events may include, for example, the inadvertent release of confidential information, the mishandling or misuse of information and/or technological limitations or hardware failures (in the markets or otherwise) that constrain the Partnership’s and/or the Funds’ ability to gather, process and communicate information efficiently and securely, without interruption.
Any cyber event could adversely affect the Partnership’s and/or the Funds’ business, financial condition or results of operations and cause the Partnership and/or the Funds to incur financial loss and expense, as well as face exposure to regulatory penalties or legal claims, reputational damage and additional costs associated with corrective measures. A cyber-security breach could also jeopardize a limited partner’s personal, confidential, proprietary or other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, the General Partner’s or a service provider’s computer systems. A cyber event may cause the Partnership, the Funds or their respective service providers to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, lose operational capacity (such as, for example, the loss of the ability to process transactions, calculate the Partnership’s net asset value, or allow investors to transact business) and/or fail to comply with applicable privacy and other laws. Among other potentially harmful effects, cyber events also may result in theft, unauthorized monitoring and failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the Partnership, the Funds or their respective service providers.
The nature of malicious cyber-attacks is becoming increasingly sophisticated and none of the General Partner, the Partnership nor the Funds can control whether a cyber event will adversely affect the cyber systems of the Advisors or other third-party service providers.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.
This section describes the major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is subject. There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Partnership or the General Partner.
On June 1, 2011, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company. As a result of that conversion, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is now named Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.” or “the Company”).
The Company is a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a Delaware holding company. Morgan Stanley files periodic reports with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) which include current descriptions of material litigation and material proceedings and investigations, if any, by governmental and/or regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations concerning Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries, including the Company. As a consolidated subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, the Company does not file its own periodic reports with the SEC that contain descriptions of material litigation, proceedings and investigations. As a result, we refer you to the “Legal Proceedings” section of Morgan Stanley’s SEC 10-K filings for 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. In addition, the Company annually prepares an Audited, Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition (“Audited Financial Statement”) that is publicly available on Morgan Stanley’s website at www.morganstanley.com. We refer you to the Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies – Legal section of the Company’s 2023 Audited Financial Statement.
In addition to the matters described in those filings, in the normal course of business, each of Morgan Stanley and the Company has been named, from time to time, as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation, arising in connection with its activities as a global diversified financial services institution. Certain of the actual or threatened legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. In some cases, the third-party entities that are, or would otherwise be, the primary defendants in such cases are bankrupt, in financial distress, or may not honor applicable indemnification obligations. These actions have included, but are not limited to, antitrust claims, claims under various false claims act statutes, and matters arising from our sales and trading businesses and our activities in the capital markets.
Each of Morgan Stanley and the Company is also involved, from time to time, in other reviews, investigations and proceedings (both formal and informal) by governmental or other regulatory agencies regarding the Company’s business and involving, among other matters, sales, trading, financing, prime brokerage, market-making activities, investment banking advisory services, capital market activities, financial products or offerings sponsored, underwritten, or sold by the Company, wealth and investment management services, and accounting and operational matters, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties, disgorgement, restitution, forfeiture, injunctions, limitations on our ability to conduct certain business, or other relief.
The Company is a Delaware limited liability company with its main business office located at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. Among other registrations and memberships, the Company is registered as a futures commission merchant and is a member of the National Futures Association.
During the preceding five years, the following administrative, civil, or criminal actions pending, on appeal or concluded against the Company or any of its principals are material within the meaning of CFTC Rule 4.24(l)(2) or 4.34(k)(2):
Regulatory and Governmental Matters
On January 12, 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York (“USAO”) and the SEC announced they had reached settlement agreements with the Company in connection with their investigations into the Company’s blocks business. Specifically, the Company entered into a three-year non-prosecution agreement (“NPA”) with the USAO that included the payment of forfeiture, restitution, and a criminal fine for making false statements in connection with the sale of certain block trades from 2018 through August 2021. The NPA required the Company to admit responsibility for certain acts of its employees and to continue to cooperate with and provide certain information to the USAO for the term of the agreement. Additionally, the SEC charged the Company with violations of Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5(b) thereunder for the disclosure of confidential information about block trades and also violations of Section 15(g) of the Exchange Act for the failure to enforce its policies concerning the misuse of material non-public information related to block trades. As part of the SEC agreement, the Company paid disgorgement and a civil penalty. After the agreed-upon credits were applied, the Company paid a total amount of approximately $249 million under both settlements.
On September 30, 2020, the SEC entered into a settlement order with the Company settling an administrative action which relates to the Company’s violations of the order marking requirements of Regulation SHO of the Exchange Act resulting from its improper use of aggregation units in structuring the Company’s equity swaps business. The order found that the Company improperly operated its equity swaps business without netting certain “long” and “short” positions as required by Rule 200(c) of Regulation SHO. The order
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found that the long exposure to an equity security (the “Long Unit”) and the short exposure to an equity security (the “Short Unit”) were not independent from one another and did not have separate trading strategies or objectives without regard to each other, and that the Long and Short Units were not eligible for the exception in Rule 200(f) of Regulation SHO. The order found that the Company willfully violated Section 200(g) of Regulation SHO. The Company consented, without admitting or denying the findings and without adjudication of any issue of law or fact, to a censure; to cease and desist from committing or causing future violations; to pay a civil penalty of $5 million; and to comply with the undertaking enumerated in the order.
The Firm has reached agreements in principle with two regulatory agencies—the SEC for $125 million and the CFTC for $75 million— to resolve record-keeping related investigations by those agencies relating to business communications on messaging platforms that had not been approved by the Firm. The Company was one of the entities involved in these investigations, and has recognized a provision of $63 million in anticipation of concluding the settlement with the SEC. On September 27, 2022, the Firm’s settlements with the SEC and the CFTC became effective.
Civil Litigation
On May 17, 2013, the plaintiff in IKB International S.A. in Liquidation, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. filed a complaint against the Company and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (“Supreme Court of NY”). The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to the plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by the Company to the plaintiff was approximately $133 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against the Company for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, aiding and abetting fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, and seeks, inter alia, compensatory and punitive damages. On October 29, 2014, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion to dismiss. All claims regarding four certificates were dismissed. After these dismissals, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by the Company or sold to the plaintiff by the Company was approximately $116 million. On August 11, 2016, the Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s order denying in part the Company’s motion to dismiss the complaint. On July 15, 2022, the Company filed a motion for summary judgment on all remaining claims. On March 1, 2023, the court granted in part and denied in part the Company’s motion for summary judgment, narrowing the alleged misrepresentations at issue in the case. On March 26, 2024, the Appellate Division affirmed the trial court’s summary judgment order. On August 27, 2024, the plaintiff notified the court that in light of the court’s rulings to exclude certain evidence at trial, the plaintiff could not prove its claims at trial, and requested that the court dismiss the case, subject to its right to appeal the evidentiary rulings. On August 28, 2024, the court dismissed the case, and judgment was entered in the Company’s favor. The plaintiff has filed notices of appeal.
Beginning in February of 2016, the Company was named as a defendant in multiple purported antitrust class actions now consolidated into a single proceeding in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”) styled In Re: Interest Rate Swaps Antitrust Litigation. Plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that the Company, together with a number of other financial institution defendants, violated U.S. and New York state antitrust laws from 2008 through December of 2016 in connection with alleged efforts to prevent the development of electronic exchange-based platforms for interest rate swaps trading. Complaints were filed both on behalf of a purported class of investors who purchased interest rate swaps from defendants, as well as on behalf of three operators of swap execution facilities that allegedly were thwarted by the defendants in their efforts to develop such platforms. The consolidated complaints seek, inter alia, certification of the investor class of plaintiffs and treble damages. On July 28, 2017, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaints. On December 15, 2023, the court denied the class plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On December 29, 2023, the class plaintiffs petitioned the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit for leave to appeal that decision. On February 28, 2024, the parties reached an agreement in principle to settle the class claims. On July 11, 2024, the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement.
On August 13, 2021, the plaintiff in Camelot Event Driven Fund, a Series of Frank Funds Trust v. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, et al. filed in the Supreme Court of NY a purported class action complaint alleging violations of federal securities laws against ViacomCBS (“Viacom”), certain of its officers and directors, and the underwriters, including the Company, of two March 2021 Viacom offerings: a $1,700 million Viacom Class B Common Stock offering and a $1,000 million offering of 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively, the “Offerings”). The complaint seeks certification of the class of plaintiffs and unspecified compensatory damages and alleges, inter alia, that the Viacom offering documents for both issuances contained material misrepresentations and omissions because they did not disclose that certain of the underwriters, including the Company, had prime brokerage relationships and/or served as counterparties to certain derivative transactions with Archegos Capital Management LP (“Archegos”), a fund with significant exposure to Viacom securities across multiple prime brokers. The complaint also alleges that the offering documents did not adequately disclose the risks associated with Archegos’s concentrated Viacom positions at the various prime brokers, including that the unwind of those positions could have a deleterious impact on the stock price of Viacom. On November 5, 2021, the complaint was amended to add allegations that defendants failed to disclose that certain underwriters, including the Company, had intended to unwind Archegos’s Viacom positions while simultaneously distributing the Offerings. On February 6, 2023, the court issued a decision denying motions to dismiss as to the Company and the other underwriters, but granting the motion to dismiss as to Viacom and the Viacom individual defendants. On February 15, 2023, the underwriters, including the Company, filed their notices of appeal of the denial of their motions to dismiss. On March 10, 2023, the plaintiff appealed the dismissal of Viacom and
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the individual Viacom defendants. On April 4, 2024, the Appellate Division upheld the lower court’s decision as to the Company and other underwriter defendants that had prime brokerage relationships and/or served as counterparties to certain derivative transactions with Archegos, dismissed the remaining underwriters, and upheld the dismissal of Viacom and its officers and directors. On July 25, 2024, the Appellate Division denied the plaintiff’s and the Company’s respective motions for leave to reargue or appeal the April 4, 2024 decision. On January 4, 2024, the court granted the plaintiff’s motion for class certification, which the defendants have appealed.
The Company is a defendant in three antitrust class action complaints which have been consolidated into one proceeding in the United States District Court for the SDNY under the caption City of Philadelphia, et al. v. Bank of America Corporation, et al. Plaintiffs allege, inter alia, that the Company, together with a number of other financial institution defendants, violated U.S. antitrust laws and relevant state laws in connection with alleged efforts to artificially inflate interest rates for Variable Rate Demand Obligations (“VRDO”). The consolidated complaint seeks, inter alia, certification of the class of plaintiffs and treble damages. The complaint was filed on behalf of a class of municipal issuers of VRDO for which defendants served as remarketing agent. On November 2, 2020, the court granted in part and denied in part the defendants’ motion to dismiss the consolidated complaint, dismissing state law claims, but denying dismissal of the U.S. antitrust claims. On September 21, 2023, the court granted plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On February 5, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit granted leave to appeal that decision.
On February 21, 2025, the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority announced a settlement with an affiliate of the Company, as well as other financial institutions, in connection with its investigation of suspected anti-competitive arrangements in the financial services sector, specifically regarding the affiliate’s activities concerning certain liquid fixed income products between 2009 and 2012. Separately, on June 16, 2023, the affiliate and the Company, together with a number of other financial institutions, were named as defendants in a purported antitrust class action in the United States District Court for the SDNY styled Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, et al., alleging, inter alia, that they violated U.S. antitrust laws in connection with their alleged effort to fix prices of gilts traded in the United States between 2009 and 2013. The complaint seeks, inter alia, certification of the class of plaintiffs and treble damages. On September 16, 2024, the court granted defendants’ joint motion to dismiss, and the complaint was dismissed without prejudice. The Firm and other defendants have reached an agreement in principle to settle the U.S. litigation.
Settled Civil Litigation
On August 18, 2009, Relators Roger Hayes and C. Talbot Heppenstall, Jr., filed a qui tam action in New Jersey state court styled State of New Jersey ex. rel. Hayes v. Bank of America Corp., et al. The complaint, filed under seal pursuant to the New Jersey False Claims Act, alleged that the Company and several other underwriters of municipal bonds had defrauded New Jersey issuers by misrepresenting that they would achieve the best price or lowest cost of capital in connection with certain municipal bond issuances. On March 17, 2016, the court entered an order unsealing the complaint. On November 17, 2017, Relators filed an amended complaint to allege the Company mispriced certain bonds issued in twenty-three bond offerings between 2008 and 2017, having a total par amount of $6,900 million. The complaint sought, among other relief, treble damages. On February 22, 2018, the Company moved to dismiss the amended complaint, and on July 17, 2018, the court denied the Company’s motion. On October 13, 2021, following a series of voluntary and involuntary dismissals, Relators limited their claims to certain bonds issued in five offerings the Company underwrote between 2008 and 2011, having a total par amount of $3,900 million. On August 22, 2023, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. The final agreement became effective on January 30, 2024.
On July 15, 2010, China Development Industrial Bank (“CDIB”) filed a complaint against the Company, styled China Development Industrial Bank v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated et al., in the Supreme Court of NY. The complaint related to a $275 million credit default swap (“CDS”) referencing the super senior portion of the STACK 2006-1 CDO. The complaint asserted claims for common law fraud, fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment and alleges that the Company misrepresented the risks of the STACK 2006-1 CDO to CDIB, and that the Company knew that the assets backing the CDO were of poor quality when it entered into the CDS with CDIB. On March 22, 2021, the parties entered into a settlement agreement. On April 16, 2021, the court entered a stipulation of voluntary discontinuance, with prejudice.
On October 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago filed a complaint against the Company and other defendants in the Circuit Court of the State of Illinois, styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago v. Bank of America Funding Corporation et al. A corrected amended complaint was filed on April 8, 2011, which alleged that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans and asserts claims under Illinois law. The total amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by the Company at issue in the action was approximately $203 million. The complaint sought, inter alia, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On November 4, 2021, the Company entered into an agreement to settle the litigation.
In August of 2017, the Company was named as a defendant in a purported antitrust class action in the United States District Court for the SDNY styled Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System et al. v. Bank of America Corporation et al. Plaintiffs alleged, inter alia, that the Company, together with a number of other financial institution defendants, violated U.S. antitrust laws and New York
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state law in connection with their alleged efforts to prevent the development of electronic exchange-based platforms for securities lending. The complaint was filed on behalf of a purported class of borrowers and lenders who entered into stock loan transactions with the defendants. The complaint sought, inter alia, certification of the class of plaintiffs and treble damages. On September 27, 2018, the court denied the defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint. Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification was referred by the District Court to a magistrate judge who, on June 30, 2022, issued a report and recommendation that the District Court certify a class. The motion for class certification and the parties’ objections to the report and recommendation are pending before the District Court. On May 20, 2023, the Company reached an agreement in principle to settle the litigation. On September 11, 2024, the court granted final approval of the settlement.
Beginning on March 25, 2019, the Company was named as a defendant in a series of putative class action complaints filed in the United States District Court for the SDNY, the first of which is styled Alaska Electrical Pension Fund v. BofA Secs., Inc., et al. Each complaint alleged a conspiracy to fix prices and restrain competition in the market for unsecured bonds issued by the following Government-Sponsored Enterprises: the Federal National Mortgage Association; the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation; the Federal Farm Credit Banks Funding Corporation; and the Federal Home Loan Banks. The purported class period for each suit is from January 1, 2012 to June 1, 2018. Each complaint raised a claim under Section 1 of the Sherman Act and sought, inter alia, injunctive relief and treble compensatory damages. On May 23, 2019, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint styled In re GSE Bonds Antitrust Litigation, with a purported class period from January 1, 2009 to January 1, 2016. On June 13, 2019, the defendants filed a joint motion to dismiss the consolidated amended complaint. On August 29, 2019, the court denied the Company’s motion to dismiss. On December 15, 2019, the Company and certain other defendants entered into a stipulation of settlement to resolve the action as against each of them in its entirety. On June 16, 2020, the court granted final approval of the settlement.
Additional lawsuits containing claims similar to those described above may be filed in the future. In the course of its business, the Company, as a major futures commission merchant, is party to various civil actions, claims and routine regulatory investigations and proceedings that the General Partner believes do not have a material effect on the business of the Company. The Company may establish reserves from time to time in connections with such actions.
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Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures. Not Applicable.
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PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
(a) | Market Information. The Partnership has issued no stock. There is no public market for the Redeemable Units. |
(b) | Holders. The number of holders of Redeemable Units as of February 28, 2025 was 2,139 for Class A Redeemable Units and 36 for Class Z Redeemable Units. |
(c) | Dividends. The Partnership did not declare any distributions in 2024 or 2023. The Partnership does not intend to declare distributions in the foreseeable future. |
(d) | Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans. None. |
(e) | Performance Graph. Not applicable. |
(f) | Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds from Registered Securities. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024, there were subscriptions of 1,340.4160 Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $4,501,680 and 151.3150 Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $204,425. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, there were subscriptions of 3,537.2660 Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $12,751,279 and 329.3770 Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $495,000. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, there were subscriptions of 5,048.2520 Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $18,407,264 and 1,419.3580 Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $2,155,000. The Redeemable Units were issued in reliance upon applicable exemptions from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act, and Section 506 of Regulation D promulgated thereunder. The Redeemable Units were purchased by accredited investors as described in Regulation D. In determining the applicability of the exemption, the General Partner relied on the fact that the Redeemable Units were purchased by accredited investors in a private offering. |
Proceeds of net offering were used for the trading of commodity interests including futures, option and forward contracts and any other interests pertaining thereto, including interests in commodity pools. |
(g) | Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers. |
The following chart sets forth the purchases of Redeemable Units for each Class by the Partnership.
Period | Class A (a) Total Number of Units Purchased* |
Class A (b) Average |
Class Z (a) Total Number of Units Purchased* |
Class Z (b) Average |
(c) Total Number of Units Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |
(d) Maximum Number that May Yet Be | ||||||||||||||
October 1, 2024 - October 31, 2024 |
1,283.6520 | $ | 3,164.70 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||
November 1, 2024 - November 30, 2024 |
1,086.7540 | $ | 3,230.50 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||
December 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024 |
517.2200 | $ | 3,236.88 | 291.9180 | $ | 1,366.17 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||
2,887.6260 | $ | 3,202.39 | 291.9180 | $ | 1,366.17 |
* | Generally, limited partners are permitted to redeem their Redeemable Units as of the end of each month on three business days’ notice to the General Partner. Under certain circumstances, the General Partner may compel redemption, although to date the General Partner has not exercised this right. Purchases of Redeemable Units by the Partnership reflected in the chart above were made in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business in connection with effecting redemptions for limited partners. |
** | Redemptions of Redeemable Units are effected as of the end of each month at the net asset value per Redeemable Unit as of that day. No fee will be charged for redemptions. |
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Item 6. Reserved.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Overview
The Partnership seeks to achieve substantial capital appreciation through speculative trading, directly or indirectly through its investment in the Funds, in U.S. and international markets for currencies, interest rates, stock indices, agricultural and energy products and precious and base metals. The Partnership/Funds may employ futures, options on futures and forward contracts in those markets. The Partnership/Funds may also engage in swap transactions and other derivative transactions with the approval of the General Partner/Trading Manager.
The General Partner/Trading Manager manages all business of the Partnership/Funds. The General Partner has delegated its responsibility for the investment of the Partnership’s capital to the Advisors. The General Partner/Trading Manager engages a team of approximately 9 professionals whose primary emphasis is on attempting to maintain quality control among the Advisors to the funds operated or managed by the General Partner/Trading Manager. A full-time staff of due diligence professionals use proprietary technology and on-site evaluations to monitor new and existing futures money managers. The accounting and operations staff provide processing of subscriptions and redemptions and reporting to limited partners and regulatory authorities. The General Partner also engages staff involved in marketing and sales support.
Responsibilities of the General Partner include:
• | due diligence examinations of the Advisors; |
• | selection, appointment and termination of the Advisors; |
• | negotiation of the Management Agreements; and |
• | monitoring the activity of the Advisors. |
In addition, the General Partner/Trading Manager will prepare, or will assist the Administrator in preparing, the books and records and will provide, or will assist the Administrator in providing, the administrative and compliance services that are required by law or regulation, from time to time, in connection with the operation of the Partnership/Funds. While the Partnership and the Funds have the right to seek lower commission rates from other commodity brokers at any time, the General Partner/Trading Manager believes that the customer agreements and other arrangements with the commodity broker are fair, reasonable, and competitive.
The programs traded by each Advisor on behalf of the Partnership are: Opus - Opus Advanced Ag Program; Drakewood – Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy; Breakout – an enhanced version of Breakout’s Propeller Program; Quantica – Quantica Managed Futures Program; Transtrend – Diversified Trend Program – Enhanced Risk Portfolio (US Dollar); Northlander – Northlander Commodity Program; JSCL – Systematic Strategy Program; prior to its termination effective October 31, 2022, Pan – Energy Trading Program; prior to its termination effective January 31, 2022, Greenwave – an enhanced version of the Flagship Plus 2X Program. As of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, the Partnership’s assets were allocated among the Advisors in the following approximate percentages:
Advisor |
December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2024 (percentage of Partners’ Capital) |
September 30, 2024 | September 30, 2024 (percentage of Partners’ Capital) |
||||||||||||
Transtrend |
$ | 64,846,007 | 23 | % | $ | 60,550,462 | 21 | % | ||||||||
Northlander |
$ | 9,309,874 | 3 | % | $ | 16,025,947 | 6 | % | ||||||||
Drakewood |
$ | 24,935,234 | 9 | % | $ | 28,650,630 | 10 | % | ||||||||
JSCL |
$ | 71,264,344 | 26 | % | $ | 70,128,963 | 24 | % | ||||||||
Quantica |
$ | 47,553,672 | 17 | % | $ | 49,636,942 | 17 | % | ||||||||
Breakout |
$ | 13,163,883 | 5 | % | $ | 20,436,363 | 7 | % | ||||||||
Opus |
$ | 24,185,894 | 9 | % | $ | 22,972,165 | 8 | % | ||||||||
Unallocated |
$ | 20,996,921 | 8 | % | $ | 19,175,792 | 7 | % |
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Opus Futures, LLC
Opus trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it directly pursuant to Opus’ Advanced Ag Program (the “Program”). The General Partner and Opus have agreed that Opus will trade the Partnership’s assets allocated to Opus at 1.5 times the amount of the assets allocated. The Program is a fundamental discretionary strategy primarily focused on agricultural commodities, specifically grains, oilseeds, and livestock. Opus takes a medium-to-long term outlook, typically holding trades for several weeks up to several months, depending on the opportunity set.
Opus only trades on liquid North American exchanges, using both futures and options on futures to express ideas using directional positions and, occasionally, using spread trades, such as inter-commodity and calendar spreads. Typically trades focus on ‘old crop vs, new crop’, weather and cyclical seasonality. Fundamental analysis is used in forecasting U.S. and world supply and demand tables, monitoring U.S. and world weather, studying domestic and international freight values, and tracking underlying cash values associated with agriculture futures markets.
The portfolio is intentionally concentrated on a limited number of grains and livestock markets. Position and risk management are at the trader’s discretion, meaning there were no hard-coded portfolio or position stop-outs.
Breakout Funds, LLC
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that were allocated to Breakout were traded directly in a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to an enhanced version of Breakout’s Propeller Program.
The Propeller Program is a discretionary global macro strategy that utilizes both fundamental and quantitative methods to identify market opportunities. Breakout aims to improve upon the traditional global macro strategy by using more of a tactical approach, with a shorter-term time horizon. At any given time, Breakout develops and monitors 1 to 7 high conviction themes, with a time horizon of 1 to 10 days. Independent of trade conviction, the portfolio manager will not engage in a trade without a minimum of a three to one expected reward/risk ratio. Key differentiators include low downside volatility and low historical drawdowns. In order to control downside volatility, Breakout engages in rigorous risk management with a focus on liquid markets and defined risk. The returns are uncorrelated to actively managed macro, CTA, and equity strategies.
Quantica Capital AG
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that are allocated to Quantica are traded directly in a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to the Quantica Managed Futures Program. The Quantica Managed Futures Program is a fully systematic investment program that aims to detect medium-term trend-following market inefficiencies in a diversified, liquid investment universe. Quantica’s investment philosophy centers on the belief that quality risk-adjusted returns can be systematically captured from liquid markets by statistically analyzing risk-adjusted outperformance of one market versus other markets in the investment universe. The goal of the investment philosophy is to generate optimized long-term risk-adjusted compounded returns that are largely uncorrelated to traditional asset classes such as stocks and bonds. To achieve this goal, Quantica employs a unique and proprietary, fully systematic approach to medium term trend-following that is based on risk-adjusted, relative trend identification that delivers style-consistent trend-following returns with the ability to enhance efficiency and diversification.
Drakewood Capital Management Limited
Drakewood trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it pursuant to the Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy. Pursuant to the Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy, Drakewood invests the Partnership’s assets primarily in a portfolio of risk positions in precious, non-ferrous and ferrous metal futures, forward contracts and related options, and derivative instruments. Other commodities may be traded from time to time, and may also invest in LME warrants, although these instruments are expected to constitute a relatively minor part of the portfolio. Investments made pursuant to the Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy investments are expected to be concentrated in precious, non-ferrous and ferrous metal strategies and the Program’s investments are not expected to be diversified.
The Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy is designed to gain exposure to opportunities in the majority of actively traded metals while limiting exposure in any one particular metal. The intent of this strategy is to increase opportunities for gain, while managing risk in order to provide more consistent returns.
Based on the fundamentally driven investment approach of the Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy, Drakewood will often hold generally directional positions – either predominantly long or short depending on price drivers for each individual metal. The Drakewood Prospect Fund Strategy is expected to be neither long nor short biased through the cycle but rather to take a fundamental view over a one, two, five and ten year time frame and take positions accordingly. Long long-term core positions will be augmented by shorter shorter-term trading positions around each core position to manage short short-term price risk. In normal circumstances there may be daily trading activity on the portfolio even though the core fundamental view will persist for a year or more. Due to the nature of commodities futures trading, gross exposures may be much higher than net asset value due to the nature of having numerous offsetting positions, such as calendar spreads.
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Transtrend B.V.
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that are currently allocated to Transtrend for trading are not invested in commodity interests directly. Transtrend’s allocation of the Partnership’s assets is currently invested in Transtrend Master. Transtrend trades Transtrend Master’s assets, and thereby the Partnership’s assets, in accordance with its Diversified Trend Program-Enhanced Risk Profile (US Dollar), a proprietary, systematic trading system. Transtrend generally trades its Enhanced Risk Profile using 1.5 times the leverage employed by the Standard Risk Profile.
Transtrend Master currently trades Financial Instruments (i.e., futures, options, options on futures, swaps, swaps on futures, forward contracts on foreign exchange, interest rates, interest rates instruments, commodities and equity related indices and instruments and other indices) on U.S. and non-U.S. exchanges, other venues and/or OTC markets. One of the potential strengths of the program is the disciplined, systematic and dynamic nature of market participation. The overall performance is determined by the entirety of all markets and all trades. In a systematic market approach, the disciplined application by Transtrend and a consistent participation by the client are both essential to realize the pursued returns over the course of time, although profitability cannot be guaranteed and clients may incur substantial losses on their investment.
Transtrend’s market approach attempts to benefit from directional price moves in outright Financial Instruments and in intra-market and inter-market combinations of Financial Instruments.
Under the Diversified Trend Program’s Standard Risk Profile, Transtrend generally commits an average of approximately 16% of the assets in a client’s account as margin or a premium for Financial Instruments positions. Such percentage has varied, however, and is affected by various factors including, without limitation, nominal account size, market conditions, traded markets or the level of margins set by brokers and clearing houses. The Diversified Trend Program’s Enhanced Risk Profile generally includes 1.5 times the leverage, and as such the average margin commitments, of the Standard Risk Profile.
Northlander Commodity Advisors LLP
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that were allocated to Northlander for trading were not invested in commodity interests directly. Northlander’s allocation of the Partnership’s assets was invested in NL Master. Northlander trades the Partnership’s assets allocated to it pursuant to its Northlander Commodity Program. The Northlander Commodity Program was a commodity focused trading program which invested in energy products globally, but with an emphasis on European power, European gas, European emissions, and international coal markets. The program was an absolute return strategy which seeks to identify value in mispriced markets through careful fundamental analysis by focusing on market dynamics and market structure and then expressing its thesis through its proprietary portfolio construction and risk management procedures.
John Street Capital Limited/John Street Capital LLP
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that are allocated to JSCL (and prior to the JSCL Novation Agreement, John Street) are traded directly in a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to JSCL’s/John Street’s Systematic Strategy Program. The Systematic Strategy Program seeks to profit from price movements in global markets and employs a systematic approach to trading. This means that the vast majority of the Systematic Strategy Program’s trades will be made without discretion, based on the orders generated by the advisor’s proprietary trading system. The Systematic Strategy Program employs a multi-model approach, applying different trading methods across different time horizons with the goal of having a diversified mix of potential return drivers within the strategy.
The Systematic Strategy Program trades exchange-traded futures and OTC derivatives. The exchange-traded futures represent a wide range of underlying asset classes, including, but not limited to, equities, bonds, interest rates, currencies, energies, metals and agricultural products.
Pan Capital Management LP
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that were allocated to Pan were traded directly in a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to Pan’s Energy Trading Program, a proprietary, discretionary trading program. The Energy Trading Program’s primary objective was to produce absolute returns through active trading of the U.S. energy markets, while offering investors an opportunity to diversify their overall portfolios. The Energy Trading Program also strived to minimize the risk of capital loss.
Pan traded listed exchange-traded futures and options on futures in the U.S. natural gas market and, with the consent of the General Partner, other liquid U.S. energy markets, including, but not limited to, electricity and crude oil. With the General Partner’s consent Pan may have also traded swaps on behalf of the Partnership. Pan based energy trading on fundamental analysis rather than market timing and seeked to structure trades with asymmetric risk return.
Pan firmly believes solid and thorough fundamental analysis, rigorous risk management and deep understanding of energy markets are required to achieve the Energy Trading Program’s investment objectives.
20
Greenwave Capital Management LLC
The portion of the Partnership’s assets that were allocated to Greenwave were traded directly in a managed account in the name of the Partnership pursuant to an enhanced version of Greenwave’s Flagship Plus 2X Program. Greenwave’s Flagship Plus 2X Program employed a discretionary global macro approach with an emphasis on G20 currencies. Greenwave incorporated a two-step investment process. It began with top down, macroeconomic analysis to determine the fundamental themes in which to engage. The goal was to identify the dominant drivers in the current market environment with a focus on central bank activity, political trends and geopolitical events. From this, Greenwave developed fundamental themes typically looking six to twelve months forward.
In the second step, Greenwave employed a multi-layered quantitative process to identify the optimal timing and trade location at which to deploy risk in these themes. While themes were typically six to twelve months in duration, Greenwave would tactically trade around these core exposures. In addition, Greenwave would take shorter term tactical trades based purely on technical analysis when the opportunity presented itself.
Finally, as part of the enhancement agreed upon with the General Partner, Greenwave could have from time to time increased or decreased exposures on a discretionary basis with the goal of exploiting potential opportunities created during market stress or episodes of volatility.
21
Specific Fund level performance information is included in Note 6 to the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements included in “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
For the period January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, the average allocation by commodity market sector for each of the Funds was as follows:
Transtrend Master
Currencies |
31.0 | % | ||||
Energy |
7.6 | % | ||||
Grains |
11.0 | % | ||||
Indices |
18.6 | % | ||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
6.0 | % | ||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
11.3 | % | ||||
Livestock |
1.8 | % | ||||
Metals |
6.2 | % | ||||
Softs |
6.5 | % |
NL Master
Energy |
100.0 | % |
Drakewood Master
Currencies |
1.8 | % | ||||
Metals |
98.2 | % |
22
(a) Liquidity.
The Partnership does not engage in sales of goods or services. Its assets are its (i) investment in the Funds, (ii) redemptions receivable from the Funds, (iii) equity in trading account, consisting of unrestricted and restricted cash, net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts, net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts, options purchased at fair value and investment in U.S. Treasury bills at fair value, if applicable, and (iv) interest receivable. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in commodity futures trading, relatively small price movements may result in substantial losses to the Partnership, through its investment in the Funds and direct investments. While substantial losses could lead to a material decrease in liquidity, no such illiquidity occurred during the year ended December 31, 2024.
To minimize the risk relating to low margin deposits, the Partnership and Funds follow certain trading policies, including:
(i) | The Partnership/Funds invest their assets only in commodity interests that an Advisor believes are traded in sufficient volume to permit ease of taking and liquidating positions. Sufficient volume, in this context, refers to a level of liquidity that an Advisor believes will permit it to enter and exit trades without noticeably moving the market. |
(ii) | An Advisor will not initiate additional positions in any commodity if these positions would result in aggregate positions requiring a margin of more than 66 2/3% of the Partnership’s net assets allocated to that Advisor. |
(iii) | The Partnership/Funds may occasionally accept delivery of a commodity. Unless such delivery is disposed of promptly by retendering the warehouse receipt representing the delivery to the appropriate clearinghouse, the physical commodity position is fully hedged. |
(iv) | The Partnership/Funds do not employ the trading technique commonly known as “pyramiding,” in which the speculator uses unrealized profits on existing positions as margin for the purchase or sale of additional positions in the same or related commodities. |
(v) | The Partnership/Funds do not utilize borrowings other than short-term borrowings if the Partnership/Funds take delivery of any cash commodities. |
(vi) | The Advisors may, from time to time, employ trading strategies such as spreads or straddles on behalf of the Partnership/Funds. “Spreads” and “straddles” describe commodity futures trading strategies involving the simultaneous buying and selling of futures contracts on the same commodity but involving different delivery dates or markets. |
(vii) | The Partnership/Funds will not permit the churning of their commodity trading accounts. The term “churning” refers to the practice of entering and exiting trades with a frequency unwarranted by legitimate efforts to profit from the trades, driven by the desire to generate commission income. |
From January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, the Partnership’s average margin to equity ratio (i.e., the percentage of assets on deposit required for margin) was approximately 12.6%. The foregoing margin to equity ratio takes into account cash held in the Partnership’s name, as well as the allocable value of the positions and cash held on behalf of the Partnership in the name of the Funds.
In the normal course of business, the Partnership and the Funds are parties to financial instruments with off-balance-sheet risk, including derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments. These financial instruments may include forwards, futures, options, and swaps, whose values are based upon an underlying asset, index, or reference rate, and generally represent future commitments to exchange currencies or cash balances, or to purchase or sell other financial instruments at specific terms at specified future dates, or, in the case of derivative commodity instruments, to have a reasonable possibility to be settled in cash, through physical delivery or with another financial instrument. These instruments may be traded on an exchange, a swap execution facility or over-the-counter (“OTC”). Exchange-traded instruments include futures and certain standardized forward, option and swap contracts. Certain swap contracts may also be traded on a swap execution facility or OTC. OTC contracts are negotiated between contracting parties and also include certain forward and option contracts. Specific market movements of commodities or futures contracts underlying an option cannot accurately be predicted. The purchaser of an option may lose the entire premium paid for the option. The writer or seller of an option has unlimited risk. Each of these instruments is subject to various risks similar to those relating to the underlying financial instruments, including market and credit risk. In general, the risks associated with OTC contracts are greater than those associated with exchange-traded instruments because of the greater risk of default by the counterparty to an OTC contract. The General Partner estimates that at any given time approximately 1.3% to 13.4% of the Partnership’s/Funds’ contracts are traded OTC.
23
As both a buyer and seller of options, the Partnership/Funds pay or receive a premium at the outset and then bear the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the contract underlying the option. Written options expose the Partnership/Funds to potentially unlimited liability; for purchased options, the risk of loss is limited to the premiums paid. Certain written put options permit cash settlement and do not require the option holder to own the reference asset. The Partnership/Funds do not consider these contracts to be guarantees.
The Partnership and the Funds do not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising from the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations due to changes in market prices of investments held. Such fluctuations are included in total trading results in the Partnership’s/Funds’ Statements of Income and Expenses.
Market risk is the potential for changes in the value of the financial instruments traded by the Partnership/Funds due to market changes, including interest and foreign exchange rate movements and fluctuations in commodity or security prices. Market risk is directly impacted by the volatility and liquidity in the markets in which the related underlying assets are traded. The Partnership and the Funds are exposed to market risk equal to the value of the futures and forward contracts held and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short.
Credit risk is the possibility that a loss may occur due to the failure of a counterparty to perform according to the terms of a contract. The Partnership’s/Funds’ risk of loss in the event of a counterparty default is typically limited to the amounts recognized in the Partnership’s/Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and is not represented by the contract or notional amounts of the instruments. The Partnership’s/Funds’ risk of loss is reduced through the use of legally enforceable master netting agreements with counterparties that permit the Partnership/Funds to offset unrealized gains and losses and other assets and liabilities with such counterparties upon the occurrence of certain events. The Partnership/Funds have credit risk and concentration risk as MS&Co. or an MS&Co. affiliate are counterparties or brokers with respect to the Partnership’s and the Funds’ assets. For certain OTC contracts traded by certain Funds, JPMorgan is the counterparty with respect to those assets. Credit risk with respect to exchange-traded instruments is reduced to the extent that, through MS&Co. or an MS&Co. affiliate, the Partnership’s/Funds’ counterparty is an exchange or clearing organization.
The General Partner/Trading Manager monitors and attempts to mitigate the Partnership’s/Funds’ risk exposure on a daily basis through financial, credit and risk management monitoring systems, and accordingly, believes that it has effective procedures for evaluating and limiting the credit and market risks to which the Partnership/Funds may be subject. These monitoring systems generally allow the General Partner/Trading Manager to statistically analyze actual trading results with risk-adjusted performance indicators and correlation statistics. In addition, online monitoring systems provide account analysis of futures, exchange-cleared swaps, forward and option contracts by sector, margin requirements, gain and loss transactions and collateral positions. (See also “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” for further information on financial instrument risk included in the notes to consolidated financial statements.)
The majority of these financial instruments mature within one year of the inception date. However, due to the nature of the Partnership’s/Funds’ business, these instruments may not be held to maturity.
The risk to the limited partners that have purchased Redeemable Units is limited to the amount of their share of the Partnership’s net assets and undistributed profits. This limited liability is a result of the organization of the Partnership as a limited partnership under New York law.
Other than the risks inherent in U.S. Treasury bills, money market mutual fund securities, commodity futures, forward, option and swap contracts, the Partnership and the Funds know of no trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties which will result in or which are reasonably likely to result in the Partnership’s/Funds’ liquidity increasing or decreasing in any material way. The Limited Partnership Agreement provides that the Partnership shall terminate under certain circumstances including a decrease in net asset value per Redeemable Unit to less than $400 as of the close of business on any business day. In addition, the General Partner may, in its sole discretion, cause the Partnership to dissolve if the Partnership’s aggregate net assets decline to less than $1,000,000.
(b) Capital Resources.
(i) The Partnership has made no material commitments for capital expenditures.
(ii) The Partnership’s capital consists of the capital contributions of the partners, as increased or decreased by net income or losses on trading and by expenses, interest income, redemptions of Redeemable Units and distributions of profits, if any. Gains or losses on trading cannot be predicted. Market movements in commodities are dependent upon fundamental and technical factors which the Advisors may or may not be able to identify, such as changing supply and demand relationships, pandemics, epidemics and other public health crises, weather, government, agricultural, commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events and changes in interest rates. Partnership expenses consist of, among other things, clearing fees, ongoing selling agent fees, management fees, the General Partner fee and expenses allocated from Funds. The level of these expenses is dependent upon trading performance and the level of net assets maintained. In addition, the amount of interest income earned by the Partnership/Funds is dependent upon (1) the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Partnership’s and/or the Funds’ accounts, (2) the amount of U.S. Treasury bills and/or money market mutual fund securities held by the Partnership and/or the Funds and (3) interest rates over which none of the Partnership, the Funds, MS&Co. or JPMorgan has control.
24
No forecast can be made as to the level of redemptions in any given period. A limited partner may require the Partnership to redeem some or all of their Redeemable Units at the net asset value per Redeemable Unit as of the end of each month on three business days’ notice to the General Partner. There is no fee charged to limited partners in connection with redemptions. Redemptions are generally funded out of the Partnership’s cash holdings and/or redemptions from the Funds. For the year ended December 31, 2024, 13,997.9410 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A were redeemed totaling $47,555,135, 667.5770 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $943,147 and 404.4100 General Partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $575,430. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 10,668.0200 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A were redeemed totaling $37,489,122, 1,047.3910 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $1,566,196 and 178.3530 General Partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $250,016. For the year ended December 31, 2022, 11,595.8130 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A were redeemed totaling $42,915,882, 1,143.3990 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $1,579,926 and 332.3780 General Partner Redeemable Units of Class Z were redeemed totaling $500,000.
The Partnership continues to offer Redeemable Units at the net asset value per Redeemable Unit as of the end of each month. For the year ended December 31, 2024, there were subscriptions of 1,340.4160 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $4,501,680 and 151.3150 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $204,425. For the year ended December 31, 2023, there were subscriptions of 3,537.2660 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $12,751,279 and 329.3770 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $495,000. For the year ended December 31, 2022, there were subscriptions of 5,048.2520 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class A totaling $18,407,264 and 1,419.3580 limited partner Redeemable Units of Class Z totaling $2,155,000.
(c) Results of Operations.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class A decreased 3.3% from $3,346.39 to $3,236.88. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class Z decreased 2.5% from $1,401.81 to $1,366.17. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class A decreased 7.5% from $3,618.20 to $3,346.39. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class Z decreased 6.8% from $1,504.31 to $1,401.81. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class A increased 12.4% from $3,219.06 to $3,618.20. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the net asset value per Redeemable Unit for Class Z increased 13.3% from $1,328.23 to $1,504.31.
The Partnership experienced a net trading loss of $8,792,019 before fees and expenses in 2024. Losses were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s/Funds’ trading in currencies, energy, grains, livestock, metals and non-U.S. interest rates and were partially offset by gains in indices, U.S. interest rates and softs.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Partnership’s largest gains were achieved within the agricultural markets from long positions in cocoa futures as prices surged higher during each month of the first quarter amid concerns extremely hot weather in key West African growing regions would damage crops. Gains within the global stock index sector were also achieved during each month of the first quarter from long positions in Asian, European, and U.S. equity index futures amid an outlook for global central banks to be aggressive in cutting interest rates. Additional gains for the first quarter were achieved within the currency sector during January, February and March primarily from short positions in the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar as the dollar strengthened relative to the yen. In the energies, gains were recorded throughout the first quarter from long positions in Brent crude oil futures as oil prices moved higher amid strengthening demand and on concerns mounting geopolitical tensions could curtail oil production. Gains were also achieved throughout the first quarter from long positions in shipping freight index futures as attacks on shipping tankers in the Red Sea pushed prices higher. A portion of the Partnership’s overall gains for the first quarter was offset by losses incurred within the global fixed income sector primarily during January and February from long positions in European fixed income futures amid a murky outlook on Eurozone central bank actions to battle inflation.
During the second quarter of 2024, the Partnership’s largest losses were recorded in the energies from long positions in crude oil futures and its refined products during April, May, and June as prices reversed lower amid data indicating growing inventories. In the global stock index markets, losses were recorded during April from long positions in U.S., Asian, and European stock index futures amid a “risk-off” move by investors. Losses in the agriculturals were also experienced in the second quarter from short positions in wheat futures during April and June as prices advanced amid high demand for U.S. grain exports. Further losses were experienced within the global fixed income markets from short positions in European fixed income futures during April and June and from short positions in U.S. Treasury bond and Treasury note futures during May and June. In currencies, losses were incurred primarily during June from long positions in the Mexican peso as the value of peso dropped after proposed government reform’s spooked investors. A portion of the losses for the second quarter was offset by gains achieved within the metals sector during April and May from long positions in copper futures as prices rallied amid speculation of Chinese stimulus measures. Additional gains were experienced during April from long positions in global shipping freight index futures as continued attacks on tankers in the Red Sea boosted prices.
25
During the third quarter of 2024, the Partnership’s most notable losses were incurred within the currency sector during July and August from short positions in the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar as the relative value of the yen surged higher as the Bank of Japan raised interest rates. In the energies, losses were recorded from long positions in crude oil futures throughout the quarter as oil prices steadily declined amid high global inventories. Losses in the global stock index sector were experienced primarily during August from long positions in Asian, European, and U.S. equity index futures as stock prices dropped amid a sell-off in technology stocks. In the agricultural complex, losses were incurred during September from short positions in soybean, wheat, and corn futures as grain prices reversed higher amid a wave of global buying. In the metals, losses were experienced during July from long positions in copper futures as prices declined. A portion of the Partnership’s losses for the third quarter was offset by gains achieved within the global fixed income sector during September from long positions in U.S., Canadian, and European fixed income futures as prices rose and interest rate yields across the globe fell. Additional gains were recorded in July and September from long positions in shipping freight futures as prices rallied amid concerns growing tensions in the Middle East would disrupt key trade routes.
During the fourth quarter 2024, the Partnership’s most significant losses were incurred during October from long positions in U.S., Canadian and European fixed income futures as persistent inflation cast doubt on future interest rate cuts by global central banks. In the energies, losses were recorded during November and December from short positions in European electrical power futures. Losses in the global stock index markets for the fourth quarter were incurred during October and December from long positions in U.S. equity index futures as investors pulled back from stock purchasing. Additional losses during the fourth quarter were recorded in November from long positions in gold futures. A portion of the Partnership’s losses for the fourth quarter was offset by gains achieved in currencies during December from short positions in the Canadian dollar and euro versus the U.S. dollar. Gains in the agricultural markets were recorded during November and December from long positions in cocoa futures as continued adverse weather threatened crops in Africa. Gains from long positions in global freight futures were also experienced throughout the fourth quarter.
The Partnership experienced a net trading loss of $28,197,799 before fees and expenses in 2023. Losses were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s/Funds’ trading in energy, grains, metals, U.S. and non-U.S. interest rates and were partially offset by gains in currencies, indices, livestock, and softs.
During the first quarter of 2023, the Partnership’s largest losses were experienced within the global fixed income markets during January and March. In January, losses were recorded from short positions in European and U.S. fixed income futures as an apparent slowing of inflation growth boosted bond prices. During March, further losses were recorded from short European and U.S. fixed income positions as bond buying surged in a “flight-to-quality” amid contagion concerns following the collapse of two regional banks in the U.S. Additional losses during the first quarter were recorded in the energy markets during March primarily from long futures positions in Brent crude oil as prices fell amid fears of a global economic slowdown. In the metals, losses for the first quarter were recorded from positions in copper futures during February and March as copper prices remained range-bound. A portion of the Partnership’s overall losses for the first quarter was offset by gains recorded during February in the global stock index sector from long positions in European equity index futures and short futures positions in U.S. indices as investor appetites for risk assets differed in the two regions. Further profits were achieved in the currency markets from long positions in the Mexican peso as the value of the peso rallied against the U.S. dollar. Smaller gains were also recorded from long positions in freight index futures as prices trended higher throughout much of the quarter.
During the second quarter of 2023, the Partnership’s largest gains for the quarter were recorded in the currency markets from short positions in the Japanese yen as the value of the yen declined against the U.S. dollar on expectations the Bank of Japan would support its dovish monetary policy. In global stock indices, long futures positions in Asian equity indices profited during May and June as prices rose amid economic data supporting investors’ “risk-on” stance. In global fixed income, short positions in European fixed income futures achieved gains as prices dropped throughout a majority of the quarter on expectations the European Central Bank would need to maintain its hawkish interest rate policy to combat inflation. Smaller gains were recorded in the energy sector from short futures positions in natural gas and European electricity. A portion of the gains for the second quarter was offset by losses incurred from long positions in gold and platinum futures as precious metals prices reversed lower during May on the U.S. dollar’s broader strength. Losses were also experienced from long positions in copper futures as prices reversed lower in April.
26
During the third quarter of 2023, the Partnership’s most notable losses for the third quarter were experienced in global stock indices from short positions in U.S. equity index futures during July as stock prices climbed higher on stronger-than-expected corporate earnings and economic data suggesting the rate of U.S. inflation was slowing. In the metals markets, long positioning in gold resulted in losses during August and September as prices were forced lower by strength in the U.S. dollar. In currencies, losses were incurred during July from crossrate positions in the euro and British pound against several of their European counterparts. Smaller losses for the quarter were recorded from short positions in Baltic freight index futures during September. A portion of the Partnership’s trading losses for the third quarter was offset by gains recorded in the agricultural markets from long positions in sugar and cocoa as prices climbed to new multi-year highs numerous times throughout the quarter amid ongoing reports of tight supplies. In global fixed income, short positions in U.S. government debt futures profited during September as prices dropped. In the energies, gains were achieved during September from long positions in crude oil and several of its refined products as prices rose amid announcements of supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Partnership’s most significant losses were incurred in the currencies during November and December from short positions in the Japanese yen and euro versus the U.S. dollar as the relative value of the dollar declined amid speculation the Fed would start cutting interest rates in 2024. In the energies, losses were recorded during October from long positions in crude oil and its refined products as prices fell amid a glut of global energy supplies. Further losses were experienced during November and December from short positions in U.S. fixed income futures as prices rose and interest rates declined during this period. Additional losses were incurred during November from short positions in U.S. equity index futures as positive investor sentiment pushed stock prices higher. Smaller losses were experienced within the metals markets during December as losses from positions in silver, gold, and palladium were partially offset by gains from long positions in iron ore futures. During the quarter, overall trading results within the agricultural complex were relatively flat and had no material impact on the Partnership’s performance.
The results of operations for the twelve months ended 2022 is discussed under “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Interest income is earned on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Partnership’s (or the Partnership’s allocable portion of a Fund’s, except for Transtrend Master’s) brokerage account during each month at the rate equal to the monthly average of the 4-week U.S. Treasury bill discount rate. MS&Co. will pay monthly interest to Transtrend Master on 100% of the average daily equity maintained in cash in Transtrend Master’s brokerage account during each month at the rate equal to the monthly average of the 4-week U.S. Treasury bill discount rate less 0.15% during such month but in no event less than zero. When the effective rate is less than zero, no interest is earned. For the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership/Funds will not receive interest on amounts in the futures brokerage account that are committed to margin. Any interest earned on the Partnership’s and/or each Fund’s cash account in excess of the amounts described above, if any, will be retained by MS&Co. and/or shared with the General Partner. All interest earned on U.S. Treasury bills and money market mutual fund securities will be retained by the Partnership and/or the Funds, as applicable. Any interest income earned on collateral or excess cash deposited by certain of the Funds and held by JPMorgan in its capacity as such Funds’ forward foreign currency counterparty will be retained by such Funds, and the Partnership will receive its allocable portion of such interest from the applicable Fund. Interest income earned by the Partnership for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $1,080,153 and $1,686,219, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in interest income is primarily due to lower interest rates during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. Interest earned by the Partnership will increase the net asset value of the Partnership. The amount of interest income earned by the Partnership depends on (1) the average daily equity maintained in cash in the Partnership’s and/or the Funds’ accounts, (2) the amount of U.S. Treasury bills and/or money market mutual fund securities held by the Partnership and/or the Funds and (3) interest rates over which none of the Partnership, the Funds, MS&Co. or JPMorgan has control.
Certain clearing fees are based on the number of trades executed by the Advisors for the Partnership/Funds. Accordingly, they must be compared in relation to the number of trades executed during the period. Clearing fees related to direct investments for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $184,323 and $272,561, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in these clearing fees is primarily due to a decrease in the number of direct trades made by the Partnership during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
Ongoing selling agent fees are calculated as a percentage of the Partnership’s adjusted net asset value for Class A Redeemable Units as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions. Ongoing selling agent fees for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $128,849 and $425,429, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in ongoing selling agent fees is primarily due to lower average adjusted net assets during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
27
Management fees, except fees payable to Transtrend, are calculated as a percentage of the Partnership’s adjusted net asset value as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions. Accordingly, they must be compared in relation to the fluctuations in the monthly net asset values. Management fees payable to Transtrend are charged at the Transtrend Master level and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions of Transtrend Master. Management fees for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $240,156 and $243,648, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in management fees is due to lower average adjusted net assets during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
Fees are paid to the General Partner for administering the business and affairs of the Partnership including, among other things, (i) selecting, appointing and terminating the Partnership’s commodity trading advisors, (ii) allocating and reallocating the Partnership’s assets among the commodity trading advisors and (iii) monitoring the activities of the commodity trading advisors. These fees are calculated as a percentage of the Partnership’s adjusted net asset value as of the end of each month and are affected by trading performance, subscriptions and redemptions. Accordingly, they must be compared in relation to the fluctuations in the monthly net asset values. The General Partner fee for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 decreased by $131,373 and $433,697, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in the General Partner fee is due to lower average adjusted net assets during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2023.
Incentive fees paid by the Partnership are based on the New Trading Profits, as defined in the respective Management Agreements among the Partnership, the General Partner and each Advisor, generated by each Advisor at the end of the quarter, calendar half year or annually, as applicable. Trading performance for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 resulted in incentive fees of $165,306 and $1,178,462, respectively. Trading performance for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 resulted in incentive fees of $0 and $172,212, respectively. To the extent an Advisor incurs a loss for the Partnership, the Advisor will not be paid an incentive fee until such Advisor recovers any net loss incurred by the Advisor and earns additional new trading profits for the Partnership.
The Partnership pays professional fees, which generally include legal, accounting expenses, administrative, filing, reporting and data processing fees. Professional fees for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 were $994,763 and $850,814, respectively.
In the General Partner’s opinion, the Partnership’s Advisors continue to employ trading methods consistent with the objectives of the Partnership. The General Partner monitors the Advisors’ performance on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis to assure these objectives are met.
Commodity futures markets are highly volatile. Broad price fluctuations and rapid inflation increase the risks involved in commodity trading, but also increase the possibility of profit. The profitability of the Partnership/Funds depends on the existence of major price trends and the ability of the Advisors to correctly identify those price trends. Price trends are influenced by, among other things, changing supply and demand relationships, pandemics, epidemics, and other health crises, weather, governmental, agricultural, commercial and trade programs and policies, national and international political and economic events and changes in interest rates. To the extent that market trends exist and the Advisors are able to identify them, the Funds and the Partnership expect to increase capital through operations.
In allocating the assets of the Partnership among the Advisors, the General Partner considers, among other factors, each Advisor’s past performance, trading style, volatility of markets traded and fee requirements. The General Partner may modify or terminate the allocation of assets among the Advisors and may allocate assets to additional advisors at any time. Each Advisor’s percentage allocation and trading program is described in the “Overview” section of this Item 7.
(d) Off-balance Sheet Arrangements. None.
(e) Contractual Obligations. None.
(f) Operational Risk.
The Partnership, directly or indirectly through its investment in the Funds, is exposed to market risk and credit risk, which arise in the normal course of its business activities. Slightly less direct, but of critical importance, are risks pertaining to operational and back office support. This is particularly the case in a rapidly changing and increasingly global environment with increasing transaction volumes and an expansion in the number and complexity of products in the marketplace.
Such risks include:
Operational/Settlement Risk — the risk of financial and opportunity loss and legal liability attributable to operational problems, such as inaccurate pricing of transactions, untimely trade execution, clearance and/or settlement, or the inability to process large volumes of transactions. The Partnership/Funds are subject to increased risks with respect to their trading activities in emerging market instruments, where clearance, settlement, and/or custodial risks are often greater than in more established markets.
Technological Risk — the risk of loss attributable to technological limitations or hardware failure that constrain the Partnership’s/Funds’ ability to gather, process, and communicate information efficiently and securely, without interruption, to customers and in the markets where the Partnership/Funds participate. Additionally, the General Partner’s computer systems may be vulnerable to unauthorized access, mishandling or misuse, computer viruses or malware, cyber-attacks and other events that could have a security impact on such systems. If one or more of such events occur, this potentially could jeopardize a limited partner’s personal, confidential, proprietary or other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, the General Partner’s
28
computer systems, and adversely affect the Partnership’s business, financial condition or results of operations.
Legal/Documentation Risk — the risk of loss attributable to deficiencies in the documentation of transactions (such as trade confirmations) and customer relationships (such as master netting agreements) or errors that result in non-compliance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
Financial Control Risk — the risk of loss attributable to limitations in financial systems and controls. Strong financial systems and controls ensure that assets are safeguarded, that transactions are executed in accordance with the General Partner’s authorization, and that financial information utilized by the General Partner and communicated to external parties, including the Partnership’s Redeemable Unit holders, creditors, and regulators, is free of material errors.
(g) Critical Accounting Policies.
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the General Partner to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. A summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies is described in Note 2 to the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements included in “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
The Partnership’s most significant accounting policy is the valuation of its investment in the Funds and in futures, option and forward contracts and U.S. Treasury bills, as applicable. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2024, the Partnership carries its investment in Drakewood Master based on the Partnership’s (1) net contributions to Drakewood Master and (2) its allocated share of the undistributed profit and losses, including realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses) of NL Master and Drakewood Master. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Partnership carries its investment in NL Master and Drakewood Master based on the Partnership’s (1) net contributions to NL Master and Drakewood Master and (2) its allocated share of the undistributed profits and losses, including realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses), of NL Master and Drakewood Master. The fair value of exchange-traded futures, option and forward contracts is determined by the various exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close of business on the last business day of the reporting period. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period from various exchanges. The fair value of non-exchange-traded foreign currency option contracts is calculated by applying an industry standard model application for options valuation of foreign currency options, using as inputs the spot prices, interest rates, and option implied volatilities quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period. U.S. Treasury bills are valued at the last available bid price received from independent pricing services as of the close of the last business day of the reporting period
29
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Partnership/Funds are speculative commodity pools. The market sensitive instruments held by the Partnership/Funds are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or substantially all of the Partnership’s/Funds’ 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 Partnership’s/Funds’ main line of business.
The limited partners will not be liable for losses exceeding the current net asset value of their investment. This limited liability is a result of the organization of the Partnership as a limited partnership under New York law.
Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Partnership’s/Funds’ open contracts and, consequently, in their earnings and cash balances. The Partnership’s/Funds’ market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors. These primarily include factors which affect energy price levels, including supply factors and weather conditions, but could also include the level and volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Partnership’s/Funds’ open contracts and the liquidity of the markets in which they trade.
The Partnership/Funds rapidly acquire and liquidate 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 Partnership’s/Funds’ past performances is not necessarily indicative of their future results.
“Value at Risk” is a measure of the maximum amount which the Partnership/Funds could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector. However, the inherent uncertainty of the Partnership’s/Funds’ speculative trading and the recurrence in the markets traded by the Partnership/Funds of market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated Value at Risk or the Partnership’s/Funds’ experience to date (i.e., “risk of ruin”). In light of the foregoing, as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that the Partnership’s/Funds’ losses in any market sector will be limited to Value at Risk or by the Partnership’s/Funds’ attempts to manage their market risk.
Materiality as used in this section is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the leverage, optionality and multiplier features of the Partnership’s/Funds’ market sensitive instruments.
Quantifying the Partnership’s Trading Value at Risk
The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Partnership’s/Funds’ market risk exposures contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)). All quantitative disclosures in this section are deemed to be forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor except for statements of historical fact (such as the terms of particular contracts and the number of market risk sensitive instruments held during or at the end of the reporting period).
The Partnership’s/Funds’ risk exposure in the various market sectors traded by the Advisors is quantified below in terms of Value at Risk. Due to the Partnership’s/Funds’ mark-to-market accounting, any loss in the fair value of the Partnership’s/Funds’ open positions, including investment in the Funds, is directly reflected in the Partnership’s earnings (realized or unrealized) and cash balances.
Exchange margin requirements have been used by the Partnership/Funds as the measure of their 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 (including the implied volatility of the options on a given futures contract) 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 which are not exchange-traded (almost exclusively currencies in the case of the Partnership/Funds), the margin requirements for the equivalent futures positions have been used as Value at Risk. In those rare cases in which a futures-equivalent margin is not available, dealers’ margins have been used.
The fair value of the Partnership’s/Funds’ futures and forward positions does not have any optionality component. However, the Advisors do trade commodity options. Where this instrument is a futures contract, the futures margin has been used, and where this instrument is a physical commodity, the futures-equivalent margin has been used. This calculation is conservative in that it assumes that the fair value of an option will decline by the same amount as the fair value of the underlying instrument, whereas, in fact, the fair values of the options traded by the Partnership/Funds in almost all cases fluctuate to a lesser extent than those of the underlying instruments.
In quantifying the Partnership’s/Funds’ 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 added to determine each trading category’s aggregate Value at Risk. The diversification effects resulting from the fact that the Partnership’s/Funds’ positions are rarely, if ever, 100% positively correlated have not been reflected.
30
The Partnership’s and the Funds’ Trading Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors
Value at Risk tables represent a probabilistic assessment of the risk of loss in market risk sensitive instruments. As of December 31, 2024, JSCL, Quantica, Breakout and Opus directly traded managed accounts in the name of the Partnership. Transtrend, Northlander and Drakewood trade the Partnership’s assets indirectly in master fund managed accounts established in the name of the master funds over which they have been granted limited authority to make trading decisions. The first two trading Value at Risk tables reflect the market sensitive instruments held by the Partnership directly and through its investment in the Funds. The remaining trading Value at Risk tables reflect the market sensitive instruments held by the Partnership directly (i.e. in the managed accounts in the Partnership’s name traded by JSCL, Quantica, Breakout and Opus, as applicable) and indirectly by each Fund separately as of December 31, 2024 and 2023.
The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Partnership’s open positions by market category as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the Partnership’s total capitalization was $276,255,829.
December 31, 2024
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
||||||
Currencies |
$ | 9,580,853 | 3.47 | % | ||||
Energy |
6,737,403 | 2.44 | ||||||
Grains |
4,691,569 | 1.70 | ||||||
Indices |
7,972,540 | 2.89 | ||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
3,425,445 | 1.24 | ||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
4,175,916 | 1.51 | ||||||
Livestock |
1,676,071 | 0.61 | ||||||
Metals |
7,628,132 | 2.76 | ||||||
Softs |
3,427,044 | 1.24 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 49,314,973 | 17.86 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2023, the Partnership’s total capitalization was $329,200,714.
December 31, 2023
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
||||||
Currencies |
$ | 8,417,014 | 2.56 | % | ||||
Energy |
20,046,438 | 6.09 | ||||||
Grains |
5,169,656 | 1.57 | ||||||
Indices |
14,118,622 | 4.29 | ||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
3,341,889 | 1.02 | ||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
5,382,386 | 1.63 | ||||||
Livestock |
669,653 | 0.20 | ||||||
Metals |
9,288,466 | 2.82 | ||||||
Softs |
2,654,922 | 0.81 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 69,089,046 | 20.99 | % | ||||
|
|
|
|
31
The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Partnership’s direct investments and indirect investments in the Funds by market category as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the highest and lowest at any point and average value during the years. All open position trading risk exposures have been included in calculating the figures set forth below.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Partnership’s Value at Risk for the portion of its assets that were traded directly was as follows:
December 31, 2024
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 3,538,222 | 1.28 | % | $ | 5,906,349 | $ | 1,235,256 | $ | 3,340,748 | ||||||||||
Energy |
5,024,692 | 1.82 | 16,471,138 | 4,112,211 | 6,984,108 | |||||||||||||||
Grains |
2,372,341 | 0.86 | 3,369,761 | 1,227,310 | 2,064,105 | |||||||||||||||
Indices |
5,385,437 | 1.95 | 10,982,037 | 3,410,115 | 6,425,361 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
2,232,780 | 0.81 | 4,159,563 | 912,707 | 2,367,314 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
2,273,366 | 0.82 | 3,407,293 | 1,312,185 | 2,339,506 | |||||||||||||||
Livestock |
696,548 | 0.25 | 863,858 | 244,173 | 592,765 | |||||||||||||||
Metals |
2,105,866 | 0.76 | 5,237,520 | 1,052,863 | 2,491,318 | |||||||||||||||
Softs |
1,560,169 | 0.56 | 3,620,646 | 928,600 | 1,935,506 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 25,189,421 | 9.11 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
December 31, 2023
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 3,685,615 | 1.12 | % | $ | 9,642,187 | $ | 3,145,564 | $ | 5,387,331 | ||||||||||
Energy |
16,471,138 | 5.00 | 17,355,253 | 4,908,703 | 9,738,993 | |||||||||||||||
Grains |
1,761,099 | 0.53 | 4,524,557 | 1,276,438 | 2,559,094 | |||||||||||||||
Indices |
10,022,931 | 3.04 | 19,578,791 | 3,769,917 | 8,061,401 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
1,779,309 | 0.54 | 5,873,265 | 373,928 | 2,414,140 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
2,460,006 | 0.75 | 6,606,019 | 1,029,342 | 2,929,148 | |||||||||||||||
Livestock |
269,170 | 0.08 | 1,044,560 | 156,478 | 651,607 | |||||||||||||||
Metals |
4,634,724 | 1.41 | 8,601,091 | 1,558,883 | 4,065,094 | |||||||||||||||
Softs |
1,443,017 | 0.44 | 4,281,104 | 1,353,582 | 2,083,574 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 42,527,009 | 12.91 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
32
At December 31, 2024, Transtrend Master’s total capitalization was $64,846,307 and the Partnership owned 100.0% of Transtrend Master. As of December 31, 2024, Transtrend Master’s Value at Risk for its assets (including the portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to Transtrend for trading) was as follows:
December 31, 2024
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 6,020,096 | 9.28 | % | $ | 11,495,430 | $ | 3,731,646 | $ | 6,726,733 | ||||||||||
Energy |
1,712,711 | 2.64 | 2,768,692 | 221,450 | 1,611,431 | |||||||||||||||
Grains |
2,319,228 | 3.58 | 3,788,403 | 671,194 | 2,379,264 | |||||||||||||||
Indices |
2,587,103 | 3.99 | 5,614,611 | 2,242,760 | 3,984,858 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
1,192,665 | 1.84 | 2,851,300 | 191,081 | 1,301,359 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
1,902,550 | 2.93 | 3,392,189 | 1,460,160 | 2,408,229 | |||||||||||||||
Livestock |
979,523 | 1.51 | 979,523 | 80,075 | 367,249 | |||||||||||||||
Metals |
1,537,540 | 2.37 | 1,640,189 | 782,875 | 1,281,369 | |||||||||||||||
Softs |
1,866,875 | 2.88 | 1,866,875 | 942,578 | 1,361,640 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 20,118,291 | 31.02 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
At December 31, 2023, Transtrend Master’s total capitalization was $68,745,931 and the Partnership owned 100.0% of Transtrend Master. As of December 31, 2023, Transtrend Master’s Value at Risk for its assets (including the portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to Transtrend for trading) was as follows:
December 31, 2023
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 4,632,920 | 6.74 | % | $ | 7,669,295 | $ | 3,414,047 | $ | 5,796,343 | ||||||||||
Energy |
1,942,649 | 2.83 | 2,464,257 | 506,523 | 1,480,316 | |||||||||||||||
Grains |
3,408,557 | 4.96 | 3,547,377 | 735,363 | 2,311,443 | |||||||||||||||
Indices |
4,095,691 | 5.96 | 4,404,360 | 2,369,487 | 3,442,180 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
1,562,580 | 2.27 | 2,803,620 | 608,998 | 1,397,228 | |||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
2,922,380 | 4.25 | 4,004,932 | 1,453,313 | 2,486,104 | |||||||||||||||
Livestock |
400,483 | 0.58 | 612,425 | 207,433 | 335,917 | |||||||||||||||
Metals |
1,280,032 | 1.86 | 1,533,528 | 382,213 | 1,016,166 | |||||||||||||||
Softs |
1,211,905 | 1.76 | 1,988,310 | 982,191 | 1,489,521 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 21,457,197 | 31.21 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
33
At December 31, 2023, NL Master’s total capitalization was $40,737,626 and the Partnership owned approximately 71.7% of NL Master. As of December 31, 2023, NL Master’s Value at Risk for its assets (including the portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to Northlander for trading) was as follows:
December 31, 2023
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Energy |
$ | 2,277,059 | 5.59 | % | $ | 4,647,914 | $ | 832,520 | $ | 2,281,544 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 2,277,059 | 5.59 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
At December 31, 2024, Drakewood Master’s total capitalization was $42,341,747 and the Partnership owned 58.7% of Drakewood Master. As of December 31, 2024, Drakewood Master’s Value at Risk for its assets (including the portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to Drakewood for trading) was as follows:
December 31, 2024
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 38,390 | 0.09 | % | $ | 204,050 | $ | - | $ | 106,063 | ||||||||||
Metals |
6,788,289 | 16.03 | 9,052,374 | 3,500,321 | 6,499,735 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 6,826,679 | 16.12 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
At December 31, 2023, Drakewood Master’s total capitalization was $46,153,273 and the Partnership owned 64.5% of Drakewood Master. As of December 31, 2023, Drakewood Master’s Value at Risk for its assets (including the portion of the Partnership’s assets allocated to Drakewood for trading) was as follows:
December 31, 2023
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Market Sector |
Value at Risk | % of Total Capitalization |
High Value at Risk |
Low Value at Risk |
Average Value at Risk* |
|||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | 152,680 | 0.33 | % | $ | 355,410 | $ | 108,130 | $ | 205,414 | ||||||||||
Metals |
5,230,558 | 11.33 | 7,224,155 | 2,376,417 | 4,343,085 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 5,383,238 | 11.66 | % | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Annual average of daily Values at Risk. |
34
Material Limitations on Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
The face value of the market sector instruments held by the Partnership/Funds is typically many times the applicable maintenance margin requirement (margin requirements generally range between 1% and 15% of contract face value, although an exchange may increase margin requirements on short notice) as well as many times the capitalization of the Partnership/Funds. The magnitude of the Partnership’s/Funds’ open positions creates a “risk of ruin” not typically found in most other investment vehicles. Because of the size of the Partnership’s/Funds’ positions, certain market conditions—unusual, but historically recurring from time to time —could cause the Partnership/Funds to incur severe losses over a short period of time. The foregoing Value at Risk tables—as well as the past performance of the Partnership/Funds—give no indication of this “risk of ruin.”
35
Non-Trading Risk
The Partnership/Funds have non-trading market risk on their foreign cash balances not needed for margin. However, these balances (as well as any market risk they represent) are immaterial.
A decline in short-term interest rates would result in a decline in the Partnership’s cash management income. This cash flow risk is not considered to be material.
Materiality, as used throughout this section, is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and any associated potential losses, taking into account the leverage, optionality and multiplier features of the Partnership’s/Funds’ market-sensitive instruments, in relation to the Partnership’s/Funds’ net assets.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures
The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Partnership’s/Funds’ market risk exposures — except for (i) those disclosures that are statements of historical fact and (ii) the descriptions of how the Partnership/Funds manage their primary market risk exposures— constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The Partnership’s/Funds’ primary market risk exposures, as well as the strategies used and to be used by the General Partner and the Advisors for managing such exposures, are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of the Partnership’s/Funds’ risk control to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, pandemics, epidemics, and other public health crises, 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 management strategies of the Partnership/Funds. There can be no assurance that the Partnership’s/Funds’ 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 Partnership.
The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the Partnership/Funds on December 31, 2024, by market sector. It may be anticipated, however, that these market exposures will vary materially over time.
Currencies. The Partnership’s currency exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations that disrupt the historical pricing relationships between different currencies and currency pairs. These fluctuations are influenced by interest rate changes as well as political and general economic conditions. The General Partner does not anticipate that the risk profile of the Partnership’s currency sector will change significantly in the future.
Equities. The Partnership’s primary equity exposure is to equity price risk in the G20 countries. The stock index futures traded by the Partnership are limited to futures on broadly based indices. As of December 31, 2024, the Partnership’s primary exposures were in the Nikkei 225 (Japan), DAX (Germany), S&P/TSX 60 (Canada), SPI 200 (Australia), CBOE VIX Volatility Index (U.S.), IBEX 35 (Spain), CAC 40 (France), SGX MSCI Singapore (Singapore), and Hang Seng (Hong Kong/China) stock indices. The Partnership is primarily exposed to the risk of adverse price trends or static markets in the major Asian, European, and North American indices, as well as in global emerging markets. Static markets would not cause major market changes but would make it difficult for the Partnership to avoid being “whipsawed” into numerous small losses.
Interest Rates. Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the futures positions held by the Partnership and indirectly the value of its stock index and currency positions. Interest rate movements in one country as well as relative interest rate movements between countries materially affect the Partnership’s profitability. The Partnership’s primary interest rate exposure is to interest rate fluctuations in the United States and the other G7 countries. However, the Partnership may also take futures positions on the government debt of smaller economies — e.g., Australia and New Zealand.
Commodities:
Grains. The Partnership’s trading risk exposure in the grains is primarily to agricultural price movements, which are often directly affected by severe or unexpected weather conditions. Wheat, corn, palm oil, and the soybean complex accounted for the majority of the Partnership’s grain exposure as of December 31, 2024.
Metals. The Partnership’s primary metal market exposure as of December 31, 2024, was to fluctuations in the prices of industrial metals (such copper, iron, lead, nickel, tin, zinc, and aluminum) and precious metals (such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium). Price movement in both industrial and precious metals can be driven by fluctuation in the valuations between currency pairs, geopolitical events, economic conditions globally and regionally, trade policies, regulatory restrictions, as well as other supply and demand related factors.
Softs. The Partnership’s trading risk exposure in the soft commodities is to agricultural-related price movements, which are often directly affected by severe or unexpected weather conditions, as well as geopolitical events and other supply/demand related factors. Coffee, cocoa, sugar, and cotton accounted for the majority of the Partnership’s soft commodities exposure as of December 31, 2024.
36
Energy. The Partnership’s primary energy market exposure is to oil and natural gas price movements, often resulting from political developments in the Middle East, weather conditions, and other factors contributing to supply and demand. Further energy market exposure is to prices for European electric power, carbon emissions allowances, and coal, which can be driven by geopolitical events, climate related regulations, local government imposed regulations, weather related factors, availability of substitute power and fuel sources, and other supply/demand related factors. Energy prices can be volatile and substantial profits and losses, which have been experienced in the past, are expected to continue to be experienced in these markets in the future.
Livestock. The Partnership’s primary risk exposure in livestock is to fluctuations in U.S. cattle and hog prices.
Freight and Shipping. The Partnership’s primary risk exposure in freight and shipping is to changes in the costs involved in the transportation of raw materials, as well as geopolitical events that may affect access to shipping routes.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following was the only non-trading risk exposure of the Partnership/Funds as of December 31, 2024.
Foreign Currency Balances. The Partnership/Funds may hold various foreign currency balances. The Advisors regularly convert foreign currency balances to U.S. dollars in an attempt to control the Partnership’s/Funds’ non-trading risk.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure
The General Partner/Trading Manager monitors and attempts to mitigate the Partnership’s/Funds’ risk exposure on a daily basis through financial, credit and risk management monitoring systems and accordingly, believes that it has effective procedures for evaluating and limiting the credit and market risks to which the Partnership/Funds may be subject.
The General Partner/Trading Manager monitors the Partnership’s/Funds’ performance and the concentration of their open positions, and consults with the Advisors concerning the Partnership’s/Funds’ overall risk profile. If the General Partner/Trading Manager felt it necessary to do so, the General Partner/Trading Manager could require the Advisors to close out positions as well as enter positions traded on behalf of the Partnership/Funds. However, any such intervention would be a highly unusual event. The General Partner/Trading Manager primarily relies on the Advisors’ own risk control policies while maintaining a general supervisory overview of the Partnership’s/Funds’ market risk exposures.
The Advisors apply their own risk management policies to their trading. The Advisors often follow diversification guidelines, margin limits and stop loss points to exit a position. The Advisors’ research of risk management often suggests ongoing modifications to their trading programs.
As part of the General Partner’s risk management, the General Partner periodically meets with each Advisor to discuss its risk management and to look for any material changes to the Advisor’s portfolio balance and trading techniques. Each Advisor is required to notify the General Partner of any material changes to its programs.
37
![]() | ||
By: |
Patrick T. Egan | |
President and Director | ||
Ceres Managed Futures LLC | ||
General Partner, | ||
Ceres Orion L.P. | ||
Ceres Managed Futures LLC | ||
1585 Broadway | ||
New York, NY 10036 | ||
(855) 672-4468 |
(i) | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Partnership; |
(ii) | provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Partnership are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Partnership; and |
(iii) | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection and correction of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. |
![]() |
![]() | |||
Patrick T. Egan |
Brooke Lambert | |||
President and Director |
Chief Financial Officer | |||
Ceres Managed Futures LLC |
Ceres Managed Futures LLC | |||
General Partner, |
General Partner, | |||
Ceres Orion L.P. |
Ceres Orion L.P. |
![]() |
Ernst & Young LLP 200 Clarendon Street Boston, MA 02116 |
Tel: +1 617 266 2000 Fax: +1 617 266 5843 www.ey.com |
December 31, 2024 |
December 31, 2023 |
|||||||
Assets: |
||||||||
Investment in the Funds (1) , at fair value (Note 6) |
$ | $ | ||||||
Redemptions receivable from the Funds |
||||||||
Equity in trading account: |
||||||||
Unrestricted cash (Note 3c) |
||||||||
Restricted cash (Note 3c) |
||||||||
Foreign cash (cost $ at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) |
||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
||||||||
Options purchased, at fair value (premiums paid $ at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) |
||||||||
Total equity in trading account |
||||||||
Interest receivable (Note 3c) |
||||||||
Total assets |
$ | $ | ||||||
Liabilities and Partners’ Capital: |
||||||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||
Net unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
$ | $ | ||||||
Options written, at fair value (premiums received $ December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively) |
||||||||
Accrued expenses: |
||||||||
Ongoing selling agent fees (Note 3d and 3e) |
||||||||
Management fees (Note 3b) |
||||||||
General Partner fees (Note 3a) |
||||||||
Incentive fees |
||||||||
Professional fees |
||||||||
Redemptions payable to General Partner (Note 7) |
||||||||
Redemptions payable to Limited Partners (Note 7) |
||||||||
Total liabilities |
||||||||
Partners’ Capital (Notes 1 and 7): |
||||||||
General Partner, Class Z, outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively |
||||||||
Limited Partners, Class A, outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively |
||||||||
Limited Partners, Class Z, outstanding at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively |
||||||||
Total partners’ capital (net asset value) |
||||||||
Total liabilities and partners’ capital |
$ | |
$ | |
||||
Net asset value per Redeemable Unit: |
||||||||
Class A |
$ | $ | ||||||
Class Z |
$ | $ | ||||||
Number of Contracts |
Fair Value |
% of Partners’ Capital |
||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts Purchased |
||||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | ( |
) | ( |
) % | |||||||||||||
Energy |
||||||||||||||||||
Grains |
||||||||||||||||||
Indices |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Livestock |
||||||||||||||||||
Metals |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Softs |
||||||||||||||||||
Total futures contracts purchased |
||||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts Sold |
||||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
||||||||||||||||||
Energy |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Grains |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Indices |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
||||||||||||||||||
Livestock |
( |
) | ( |
) * | ||||||||||||||
Metals |
||||||||||||||||||
Softs |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Total futures contracts sold |
||||||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Appreciation on Open Forward Contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | $ | % | |||||||||||||||
Metals |
||||||||||||||||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Depreciation on Open Forward Contracts |
||||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | $ | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Metals |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
Options Purchased |
||||||||||||||||||
Puts |
||||||||||||||||||
Grains |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
Livestock |
||||||||||||||||||
Total options purchased (premiums paid $ |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||||
Options Written |
||||||||||||||||||
Calls |
||||||||||||||||||
Grains |
( |
) | ( |
) % | ||||||||||||||
Puts |
||||||||||||||||||
Grains |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Livestock |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Total options written (premiums received $ |
$ | ( |
) | ( |
)% | |||||||||||||
Investment in the Funds |
||||||||||||||||||
CMF Drakewood Master Fund LLC |
$ | |
|
% | ||||||||||||||
* Due to rounding. |
Number of |
% of Partners’ |
|||||||||||||||
Contracts |
Fair Value |
Capital |
||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts Purchased |
||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||
Energy |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Grains |
||||||||||||||||
Indices |
||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
||||||||||||||||
Livestock |
||||||||||||||||
Metals |
||||||||||||||||
Softs |
||||||||||||||||
Total futures contracts purchased |
||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts Sold |
||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Energy |
||||||||||||||||
Grains |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Indices |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Livestock |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Metals |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Softs |
||||||||||||||||
Total futures contracts sold |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||
Unrealized Appreciation on Open Forward Contracts |
||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ |
$ | % | |||||||||||||
Metals |
||||||||||||||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
||||||||||||||||
Unrealized Depreciation on Open Forward Contracts |
||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ |
( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||
Metals |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
$ | ( |
) | ( |
)% | |||||||||||
Options Purchased |
||||||||||||||||
Puts |
||||||||||||||||
Indices |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||
Total options purchased (premiums paid $ |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||
Investment in the Funds |
||||||||||||||||
CMF NL Master Fund LLC |
$ | % | ||||||||||||||
CMF Drakewood Master Fund LLC |
||||||||||||||||
Total investment in the Funds |
$ | |
% | |||||||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
2022 (1) |
||||||||||
Investment Income: |
||||||||||||
Interest income |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
Interest income allocated from the Funds |
||||||||||||
Total investment income |
||||||||||||
Expenses: |
||||||||||||
Expenses allocated from the Funds |
||||||||||||
Clearing fees related to direct investments (Note 3c) |
||||||||||||
Ongoing selling agent fees (Notes 3d and 3e) |
||||||||||||
Management fees (Note 3b) |
||||||||||||
General Partner fees (Note 3a) |
||||||||||||
Incentive fees (Note 3b) |
||||||||||||
Professional fees |
||||||||||||
Total expenses |
||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
( |
) | ||||||||||
Trading Results: |
||||||||||||
Net gains (losses) on trading of commodity interests and investment in the Funds: |
||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on closed contracts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on closed contracts allocated from the Funds |
( |
) | ||||||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts allocated from the Funds |
( |
) | ||||||||||
Total trading results |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
Net income (loss) per Redeemable Unit* (Note 8): |
||||||||||||
Class A |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
Class Z |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||
Weighted average Redeemable Units outstanding: |
||||||||||||
Class A |
||||||||||||
Class Z |
||||||||||||
(1) |
Not consolidated. |
* | Represents the change in net asset value per Redeemable Unit. |
Class A |
Class Z |
Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Amount |
Redeemable Units |
Amount |
Redeemable Units |
Amount |
Redeemable Units | |||||||||||||||||||
Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2021 (1) |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Subscriptions - Limited Partners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemptions - General Partner |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Redemptions - Limited Partners |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
- | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2022 (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscriptions - Limited Partners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemptions - General Partner |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Redemptions - Limited Partners |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
( |
) | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | - | |||||||||||||||
Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subscriptions - Limited Partners |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Redemptions - General Partner |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||
Redemptions - Limited Partners |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
( |
) | - | ( |
) | - | ( |
) | - | |||||||||||||||
Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2024 |
$ | |
$ | |
$ | |
||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
Class Z |
|||||||
2022 |
$ | $ | |
|||||
2023 |
$ | $ | ||||||
2024 |
$ | $ | ||||||
(1) |
Not consolidated. |
1. |
Organization: |
2. |
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: |
a. | Use of Estimates. |
b. | Profit Allocation. |
c. | Statement of Cash Flows. “Statement of Cash Flows.” |
d. | Consolidation/Partnership’s Investment in the Funds. |
e. | Partnership’s/Funds’ Derivative Investments. first-in, first-out method. Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts are included as a component of equity in trading account in the Partnership’s/Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Net realized gains or losses and net change in unrealized gains or losses are included in the Partnership’s/Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Income and Expenses. |
f. | Partnership’s Cash. |
g. | Income Taxes. Taxes,” “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained “when challenged” or “when examined” by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions determined not to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or liability in the Partnership’s Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition for the current year. If a tax position does not meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid the incurring of penalties, an expense for the amount of the statutory penalty and interest, if applicable, shall be recognized in the Partnership’s Consolidated Statements of Income and Expenses in the years in which the position is claimed or expected to be claimed. The General Partner has concluded that there are |
h. | Investment Company Status. 2013-08 “Financial Services—Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements” |
i. | Net Income (Loss) Per Redeemable Unit. “Financial Services—Investment Companies.” |
j. | Segment Reporting. No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, 2023-07), which requires incremental disclosures related to a public entity’s reportable segments. The Partnership operates as a single reportable segment, as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM) monitors the operating results of the fund as a whole against its investment objective, which is included in Note 1. The Partnership’s President acts as the Partnership’s CODM and is responsible for assessing the performance of the Partnership’s single segment and deciding how to allocate the segment’s resources. To perform this function, the CODM reviews the total trading results as reflected in the accompanying statements of income and expenses and total return as reflected in the financial highlights as included in the notes to the Partnership’s Financial Statements. Additionally, segment assets are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition and significant segment expenses are reported in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income and Expenses. |
3. |
Agreements: |
a. | Limited Partnership Agreement: |
b. | Management Agreement: |
c. | Customer Agreement: |
d. | Selling Agreement: |
e. | Harbor Selling Agreement: |
4. |
Trading Activities: |
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2024 |
Gross Amounts Recognized |
Financial Instruments |
Cash Collateral Received/ Pledged* |
Net Amount |
||||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
MS&Co. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
( |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
MS&Co. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
( |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Net fair value |
$ | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
Amounts Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition |
||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 |
Gross Amounts Recognized |
Financial Instruments |
Cash Collateral Received/ Pledged* |
Net Amount |
||||||||||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
MS&Co. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
( |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
MS&Co. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
( |
) | ( |
) | |||||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwards |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
Net fair value |
$ | * | ||||||||||||||||||||||
* | In the event of default by the Partnership, MS&Co., the Partnership’s commodity futures broker and the sole counterparty to the Partnership’s non-exchange-traded contracts, as applicable, has the right to offset the Partnership’s obligation with the Partnership’s cash and/or U.S. Treasury bills held by MS&Co., thereby minimizing MS&Co.’s risk of loss. In certain instances, MS&Co. may not post collateral and as such, in the event of default by MS&Co., the Partnership is exposed to the amount shown in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. In the case of exchange-traded contracts, the Partnership’s exposure to counterparty risk may be reduced since the exchange’s clearinghouse interposes its credit between buyer and seller and the clearinghouse’s guarantee funds may be available in the event of a default. In some instances, the actual collateral received and/or pledged may be more than the amount shown due to overcollateralization. |
December 31, 2024 |
||||
Assets |
||||
Futures Contracts |
||||
Currencies |
$ | |||
Energy |
||||
Grains |
||||
Indices |
||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
||||
Livestock |
||||
Metals |
||||
Softs |
||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
||||
Liabilities |
||||
Futures Contracts |
||||
Currencies |
( |
) | ||
Energy |
( |
) | ||
Grains |
( |
) | ||
Indices |
( |
) | ||
Interest Rates U.S. |
( |
) | ||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
( |
) | ||
Livestock |
( |
) | ||
Metals |
( |
) | ||
Softs |
( |
) | ||
Total unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts |
( |
) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
$ | * | ||
Assets |
||||
Forward Contracts |
||||
Currencies |
$ | |||
Metals |
||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
||||
Liabilities |
||||
Forward Contracts |
||||
Currencies |
$ | ( |
) | |
Metals |
( |
) | ||
Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
( |
) | ||
Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
$ | ** | ||
Assets |
||||
Options Purchased |
||||
Grains |
$ | |||
Livestock |
||||
Total options purchased |
$ | *** | ||
Liabilities |
||||
Options Written |
||||
Grains |
$ | ( |
) | |
Livestock |
( |
) | ||
Total options written |
$ | ( |
) **** | |
* | This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
** | This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts” in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. |
*** | This amount is in “Options purchased, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
**** | This amount is in “Options written, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
December 31, 2023 |
||||||
Assets |
||||||
Futures Contracts |
||||||
Currencies |
$ | |||||
Energy |
||||||
Grains |
||||||
Indices |
||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
||||||
Livestock |
||||||
Metals |
||||||
Softs |
||||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
||||||
Liabilities |
||||||
Futures Contracts |
||||||
Currencies |
( |
) | ||||
Energy |
( |
) | ||||
Grains |
( |
) | ||||
Indices |
( |
) | ||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
( |
) | ||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
( |
) | ||||
Livestock |
( |
) | ||||
Metals |
( |
) | ||||
Softs |
( |
) | ||||
Total unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts |
( |
) | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts |
$ | * | ||||
Assets |
||||||
Forward Contracts |
||||||
Currencies |
$ | |||||
Metals |
||||||
Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts |
||||||
Liabilities |
||||||
Forward Contracts |
||||||
Currencies |
$ | ( |
) | |||
Metals |
( |
) | ||||
Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
( |
) | ||||
Net unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts |
$ | ( |
) ** | |||
Assets |
||||||
Options Purchased |
||||||
Indices |
$ | |||||
Total options purchased |
$ | *** | ||||
* | This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
** | This amount is in “Net unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts” in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Condition. |
*** | This amount is in “Options purchased, at fair value” in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. |
Sector |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 (1) |
|||||||||||||||||||
Currencies |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||||||||
Energy |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||
Grains |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||
Indices |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates U.S. |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rates Non-U.S. |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||
Livestock |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||
Metals |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||
Softs |
( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ | ***** | $ | ( |
) ***** | $ | ***** | |||||||||||||||
(1) |
Not consolidated. |
***** | This amount is included in “Total trading results” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Expenses. |
5. |
Fair Value Measurements: |
December 31, 2024 |
Total |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Forwards |
||||||||||||||||
Options purchased |
||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Forwards |
||||||||||||||||
Options written |
||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 |
Total |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
||||||||||||
Assets |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Forwards |
||||||||||||||||
Options purchased |
||||||||||||||||
Total assets |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Liabilities |
||||||||||||||||
Futures |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Forwards |
||||||||||||||||
Total liabilities |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
6. |
Investment in the Funds: |
December 31, 2024 |
||||||||||||
Total Assets |
Total Liabilities |
Total Capital |
||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
$ | |
$ | |
$ | |
||||||
NL Master |
||||||||||||
Drakewood Master |
||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Total Assets |
Total Liabilities |
Total Capital |
||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
NL Master |
||||||||||||
Drakewood Master |
For the year ended ended December 31, 2024 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
Total Trading Results |
Net Income (Loss) |
||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
NL Master |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Drakewood Master |
( |
) | ( |
) |
For the year ended ended December 31, 2023 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
Total Trading Results |
Net Income (Loss) |
||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
$ | $ | $ | |||||||||
NL Master |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Drakewood Master |
( |
) | ( |
) |
For the year ended ended December 31, 2022 |
||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
Total Trading Results |
Net Income (Loss) |
||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
$ | ( |
) | $ | $ | |||||||
NL Master |
||||||||||||
Drakewood Master (a) |
( |
) | ( |
) |
December 31, 2024 |
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
% of |
Expenses |
Net |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Funds |
Partners’ Capital |
Fair Value |
Income (Loss) |
Clearing Fees |
Professional Fees |
Management Fees |
Incentive Fee |
Income (Loss) |
Investment Objective |
Redemptions Permitted |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
% |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NL Master |
% |
( |
) |
- |
- |
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drakewood Master |
% |
( |
) |
- |
- |
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
( |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2023 |
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
% of |
Expenses |
Net |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Partners’ |
Income |
Clearing |
Professional Fees |
Management |
Incentive |
Income |
Investment |
Redemptions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Funds |
Capital |
Fair Value |
(Loss) |
Fees |
Fees |
Fee |
(Loss) |
Objective |
Permitted |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
% |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NL Master |
% |
( |
) |
- |
- |
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drakewood Master |
% |
( |
) |
- |
- |
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2022 |
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
% of |
Expenses |
Net |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Partners’ |
Income |
Clearing |
Professional Fees |
Management |
Incentive |
Income |
Investment |
Redemptions |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Funds |
Capital |
Fair Value |
(Loss) |
Fees |
Fees |
Fee |
(Loss) |
Objective |
Permitted |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Transtrend Master |
% |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NL Master |
% |
- |
- |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Drakewood Master (a) |
% |
( |
) |
- |
- |
( |
) |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | From May 1, 2022, commencement of operations for Drakewood Master, through December 31, 2022. |
7. |
Subscriptions, Distributions and Redemptions: |
8. |
Financial Highlights: |
2024 |
2023 |
2022 (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
Class Z |
Class A |
Class Z |
Class A |
Class Z |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Per Redeemable Unit Performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the year):* |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) |
$ |
( |
$ |
( |
$ |
( |
$ |
( |
$ |
$ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
( |
( |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Increase (decrease) for the year |
( |
( |
( |
( |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value per Redeemable Unit, beginning of year |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value per Redeemable Unit, end of year |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 |
2023 |
2022 (1) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A |
Class Z |
Class A |
Class Z |
Class A |
Class Z |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Limited Partners’ Capital: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss)** |
%*** | % | % | % | ( |
% | ( |
% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expense |
% | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive fees |
% | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total expenses |
% | % | % | % | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total return: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total return before incentive fees |
( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incentive fees |
( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total return after incentive fees |
( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | ( |
% | % | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) | Not consolidated. |
* | Net investment income (loss) per Redeemable Unit is calculated by dividing the interest income less total expenses by the average number of Redeemable Units outstanding during the period. The net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per Redeemable Unit is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per Redeemable Unit with the other per unit information. |
** | Interest income less total expenses. |
*** | Due to rounding. |
9. |
Financial Instrument Risks: |
10. |
Subsequent Events: |
Selected unaudited quarterly financial data for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are summarized below: |
||||||||||||||||
For the period from October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024 |
For the period from July 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 |
For the period from April 1, 2024 to June 30, 2024 |
For the period from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2024 |
|||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Total trading results |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in Net Asset Value per Redeemable Unit of Class A |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in Net Asset Value per Redeemable Unit of Class Z |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ||||||
For the period from October 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 |
For the period from July 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023 (1) |
For the period from April 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023 (1) |
For the period from January 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023 (1) |
|||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
Total expenses |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
Total trading results |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||
Net income (loss) |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in Net Asset Value per Redeemable Unit of Class A |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||
Increase (decrease) in Net Asset Value per Redeemable Unit of Class Z |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | ||||||
● | pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Partnership; |
● | provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (ii) the Partnership’s receipts are handled and expenditures are made only pursuant to authorizations of the General Partner; and |
● | provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection and correction of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Partnership’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. |
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
(a) Security ownership of certain beneficial owners. As of February 28, 2025, the Partnership knows of no person who beneficially owns more than five percent (5%) of the Redeemable Units outstanding.
(b) Security ownership of management. Under the terms of the Limited Partnership Agreement, the Partnership’s affairs are managed by the General Partner.
The following table indicates securities owned by management as of December 31, 2024:
(1) Title of Class |
(2) Name of Beneficial Owner |
(3) Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
(4) Percent of Class | |||
Class Z Redeemable Units |
General Partner | 2,155.6123 | 46.2% |
(c) Changes in control. None.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
(a) Transactions with related persons. None.
(b) Review, approval or ratification of transactions with related persons. Not applicable.
(c) Promoters and certain control persons. MS&Co., Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and the General Partner could be considered promoters for purposes of Item 404(c) of Regulation S-K. The nature and the amounts of compensation each promoter received or will receive, if any, from the Partnership are set forth under “Item 1. Business.”, “Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” and “Item 11. Executive Compensation.”
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(1) Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 for the audit of the Partnership’s annual consolidated financial statements, review of consolidated financial statements included in the Partnership’s Forms 10-Q and 10-K and other services normally provided in connection with regulatory filings or engagements were:
2024 $220,559
2023 $215,555
(2) Audit-Related Fees. None.
(3) Tax Fees. The Partnership did not pay EY any amounts in 2024 and 2023 for professional services in connection with tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
(4) All Other Fees. None.
(5) Not Applicable.
(6) Not Applicable.
70
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(1) Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Consolidated Condensed Schedules of Investments at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Consolidated Statements of Income and Expenses for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) Exhibits:
3.1 | ||||
3.2(a) | ||||
(b | ) | |||
(c | ) | |||
(d | ) | |||
(e | ) | |||
(f | ) | |||
(g | ) | |||
(h | ) | |||
(i | ) | |||
(j | ) | |||
(k | ) | |||
(l | ) | |||
(m | ) |
71
4.1 | ||
10.1 | ||
10.2(a) | ||
(b) | ||
10.3(a) | ||
(b) | ||
10.4(a) | ||
(b) | ||
10.5(a) | ||
(b) | ||
10.6 | ||
10.7 | ||
10.8(a) | ||
(b) | ||
(c) | ||
10.9(a) | ||
(b) | ||
(c) | ||
10.10 | ||
10.11(a) |
72
(b) | ||||
10.12 | ||||
10.13 | ||||
10.14 | ||||
10.15 | ||||
10.16 | ||||
10.17 | ||||
11.1 | ||||
11.2 | ||||
11.3 | ||||
11.4 | ||||
11.5 | ||||
11.6 | ||||
11.7 | ||||
11.8 | ||||
11.9 | ||||
11.10 | ||||
11.11 | ||||
11.12 | ||||
11.13 | ||||
11.14 | ||||
11.15 |
73
12.1 | ||
12.2 | ||
12.3(a) | ||
(b) | ||
(c) | ||
19.1 | Investment Management Insider Trading Policy (filed herewith). | |
99.1 | ||
99.2 | ||
99.3 | ||
The exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulations S-K are incorporated herein by reference. | ||
31.1 — Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Certification of President and Director) (filed herewith). | ||
31.2 — Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification (Certification of Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith). | ||
32.1 — Section 1350 Certification (Certification of President and Director) (filed herewith). | ||
32.2 — Section 1350 Certification (Certification of Chief Financial Officer) (filed herewith). | ||
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document. | ||
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | ||
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | ||
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | ||
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | ||
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document. | ||
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
74
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CERES ORION L.P.
By: |
Ceres Managed Futures LLC (General Partner) | |
By: |
/s/ Patrick T. Egan | |
Patrick T. Egan | ||
President and Director | ||
Date: March 20, 2025 |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
/s/ Patrick T. Egan |
/s/ Tatiana Segal |
|||||
Patrick T. Egan |
Tatiana Segal |
|||||
President and Director |
Director |
|||||
Ceres Managed Futures LLC |
Ceres Managed Futures LLC |
|||||
Date: March 20, 2025 |
Date: March 20, 2025 |
|||||
/s/ Brooke Lambert |
/s/ Victoria Eckstein |
|||||
Brooke Lambert |
Victoria Eckstein |
|||||
Chief Financial Officer |
Director |
|||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
Ceres Managed Futures LLC |
|||||
Ceres Managed Futures LLC |
Date: March 20, 2025 |
|||||
Date: March 20, 2025 |
Supplemental Information to be Furnished With Reports Filed Pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act by Registrants Which Have Not Registered Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.
Annual Report to limited partners
No proxy material has been sent to limited partners.
75