Item 1. Business
Overview
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust (the “Registrant” or the “Trust”) is a Trust which was formed on May 3, 2000 under the Delaware Business Trust Act. The Registrant operates as a commodity investment pool, whose purpose is to trade speculatively in the U.S. and international futures, forward and options markets. Specifically, the Trust trades a portfolio primarily focused on financial futures, which are instruments designed to hedge or speculate on changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates or stock index values. A secondary emphasis is on metals, energy and agriculture values.
The trustee of the Trust is U.S. Bank National Association (the “Trustee”) (formerly Wachovia Trust Company, National Association). The managing owner and trading advisor of the Registrant is Campbell & Company, Inc. (“Campbell & Company”). In addition to making all trading decisions in its capacity as trading advisor, Campbell & Company conducts and manages all aspects of the business and administration of the Registrant in its role as managing owner. Campbell & Company uses a systematic trading approach combined with quantitative portfolio management analysis and seeks to identify and profit from price movements in the futures, forward and option markets. Multiple trading models are utilized across most markets traded. Each model analyzes market movements and internal market and price configurations in order to generate signals to be executed through a variety of execution platforms.
As a registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Trust is subject to the regulatory requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a commodity investment pool, the Trust is subject to the provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act, regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an agency of the United States (U.S.) government which regulates most aspects of the commodity futures industry; rules of the National Futures Association, an industry self-regulatory organization; and the requirements of the various commodity exchanges where the Trust executes transactions. Additionally, the Trust is subject to the requirements of futures commission merchants (brokers) and interbank market makers through which the Trust trades.
The Registrant originally filed a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale of a minimum of $8,000,000 and a maximum of $50,000,000 in Units of Beneficial Interest at $1,000 each, which registration statement was effective on May 15, 2001. The Trust has since filed additional registration statements with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to bring the sum of existing and offered Units of Beneficial Interest to a maximum of approximately $250,000,000 through March 2003. The Unit selling price during the initial offering period, which lasted for approximately 130 days and ended on September 30, 2001, was $1,000. Since September 30, 2001, Units of Beneficial Interest of the Trust have been offered on an ongoing basis during the Trust’s continuing offering period. During the continuing offering period, subscriptions are accepted monthly and proceeds are transferred to bank and brokerage accounts for trading purposes. The Unit selling price during the continuing offering period is the net asset value per unit as of the last business day of the month in which the subscription is accepted.
Units were offered to the public until Campbell & Company terminated the continuing offering to the public effective December 31, 2002. The current offering is only available to the Campbell & Company, Inc. 401(k) Plan.
A total of $56,618,830 was raised in the initial and continuing offering periods through December 31, 2010.
Under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement, the Trustee has delegated to Campbell & Company the exclusive management of all aspects of the business and administration of the Registrant.
The Registrant will be terminated and dissolved promptly thereafter upon the happening of the earlier of: (a) the expiration of the Registrant’s stated term of December 31, 2030; (b) an election to dissolve the Registrant at any time by Unitholders owning more than 50% of the Units then outstanding; (c) the withdrawal of Campbell & Company unless one or more new managing owners have been elected or appointed pursuant to the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement; (d) a decline in the aggregate net assets of the Trust to less than $500,000 (e) any event which shall make unlawful the continuing existence of the Registrant or (f) the Registrant is dissolved by operation of law.
Campbell & Company, Inc. (Campbell) has made the decision to cease the Trust offering, effective April 22, 2011. The decision to cease the offering is the precursor to closing the Trust as of May 31, 2011. The Trust initially began trading in October 2001 but has not offered units to the public since December 2002; however, the registered units continued to be offered exclusively for sale to the Campbell & Company, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the Plan).
The assets of the Trust are largely comprised (87%) of affiliated entities of Campbell; Campbell’s management team has elected to construct a more suitable entity to facilitate the Plan. The current, non-affiliated, investors in the Trust may have opportunities to invest in other Campbell fund or trust offerings based on suitability requirements and in consideration with ERISA capacity. This change is part of Campbell’s continuing efforts to focus administrative resources on our currently available offerings which hold the majority of Campbell & Company, Inc. assets.
Regulation
Under the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “Act”), commodity exchanges and commodity futures trading are subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”). The National Futures Association (the “NFA”), a registered futures association under the Act, is the only non-exchange self-regulatory organization for commodity industry professionals. The CFTC has delegated to the NFA responsibility for the registration of “commodity trading advisors,” “commodity pool operators,” “futures commission merchants,” “introducing brokers” and their respective associated persons and “floor brokers.” The Act requires “commodity pool operators,” and “commodity trading advisors,” such as Campbell & Company, and commodity brokers or “futures commission merchants,” such as the Registrant’s commodity broker, to be registered and to comply with various reporting and recordkeeping requirements. Campbell & Company and the Registrant’s commodity broker are members of the NFA. The CFTC may suspend a commodity pool operator’s or commodity trading advisor’s registration if it finds that its trading practices tend to disrupt orderly market conditions, or as the result of violations of the Commodity Exchange Act or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In the event Campbell & Company’s registration as a commodity pool operator or commodity trading advisor were terminated or suspended, Campbell & Company would be unable to continue to manage the business of the Registrant. Should Campbell & Company’s registration be suspended, termination of the Registrant might result.
In addition to such registration requirements, the CFTC and certain commodity exchanges have established limits on the maximum net long and net short positions which any person, including the Registrant, may hold or control in particular commodities. Most exchanges also limit the maximum changes in futures contract prices that may occur during a single trading day. The Registrant also trades in dealer markets for forward and option contracts, which are not regulated by the CFTC. Federal and state banking authorities also do not regulate forward trading or forward dealers. In addition, the Registrant trades on foreign commodity exchanges, which are not subject to regulation by any United States government agency.
The CFTC has recently proposed the imposition of position limits on energy futures contracts such as crude oil, heating oil, natural gas, gasoline and other energy products. We do not anticipate these limits, if accepted, will affect the Trust’s ability to trade, but it is possible that they may in the future if either or both Trust’s assets increase dramatically.
It is impossible to predict what additional interim or permanent governmental restrictions may be imposed on the markets and/or the effect of such restrictions on the trading strategies. However, the trading advisor believes that there is a high likelihood of significantly increased regulation of the financial markets, and that such increased regulation could be detrimental to the Trust.
Operations
The Registrant conducts its business in one industry segment, the speculative trading of futures, forward and option contracts. The Registrant is a market participant in the “managed futures” industry. The managed futures industry has grown substantially in the previous ten years. Market participants include all types of investors, such as corporations, employee benefit plans, individuals and foreign investors. Service providers of the managed futures industry include (a) pool operators, which conduct and manage all aspects of trading funds (except trading decisions), such as the Registrant, (b) trading advisors, which make the specific trading decisions, and (c) commodity brokers, which execute and clear the trades pursuant to the instructions of the trading advisor. The Registrant has no employees, and does not engage in the sale of goods or services.
The Registrant engages in financial instrument trading in approximately 55 financial instrument contracts on domestic and international markets. All of the Trust’s assets are currently allocated to the Financial, Metal & Energy Large Portfolio (“FME Large”). The FME Large Portfolio seeks exposure to financial markets, such as interest rates, foreign exchange and stock indices, as well as metals, energy products, soft commodities and other commodities. The FME Large Portfolio seeks exposure to these markets by following signals generated by a series of systematic computer models. The FME Large Portfolio employs a broad spectrum of models including traditional and factor-based trend following models, as well as a number of macroeconomic-based models. As of December 2010, the percentage of component risk for each major sector was as follows: 23% to currencies, 36% to commodity products, 24% to stock indices and 17% to interest rates. The contracts traded by the Registrant will fluctuate from time to time.
The Registrant may, in the future, experience increased competition for the futures and other contracts in which it trades. Campbell & Company will recommend similar or identical trades for other accounts under its management. Such competition may also increase due to the widespread utilization of computerized methods similar to those used by Campbell & Company.
The Trust appointed Wilmington Trust Investment Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilmington Trust Corporation (the “Cash Manager”) as a cash manager under the non-custody Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 8, 2009. The cash manager is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
The Trust opened a custodial account at The Northern Trust Company (the “Custodian”), and has granted the Cash Manager authority to make certain investments on behalf of the Trust provided such investments are consistent with the investment guidelines created by the trading advisory to the Trust. Such investments include, but are not limited to, U.S. Treasury securities, securities issued by U.S. Government Agencies, high quality money-market securities and repurchase agreements. All securities purchased by the Cash Manager on behalf of the Trust or other liquid funds of the Trust will be held in its custody account at the Custodian. The Cash Manager will have no beneficial or other interest in the securities and cash in such a custody account.
Charges
The following is a description of the current charges to the Trust.
RECIPIENT
NATURE OF PAYMENT
AMOUNT OF PAYMENT
Campbell & Company
Brokerage Fee
The Trust will pay Campbell & Company a brokerage fee of up to 2.85% of the Trust’s month-end net asset value per annum (prior to accruals for such brokerage fee or performance fees), irrespective of profitability, of which up to 0.35% is paid to the selling agents. Campbell & Company retains the remaining 2.50%.
Campbell & Company
Performance Fee
Campbell & Company will be paid a quarterly performance fee equal to 20% of aggregate cumulative appreciation in the Trust’s net asset value per unit, if any, excluding interest income and as adjusted for subscriptions and redemptions.
Campbell & Company
Offering Costs
Campbell & Company pays the Trust’s offering costs and is subsequently reimbursed by the Trust. Reimbursement of the Trust’s offering costs are not to exceed 0.9% of the aggregate subscriptions accepted by Campbell & Company.
Cash Manager and Custodian Fees
Cash Management and Custody fees
Cash management and custodial fees for the Trust’s non-margin assets is estimated at 0.10% per annum based on the percentage of assets under management by the cash managers.
Other Information
The Trust files quarterly, annual and current reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). These reports are available to read and copy at the SEC’s Public Reference Facilities in Washington, D.C. at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC’s toll free number, 1-800-SEC-0330, for further information. The Trust does not maintain a website where these reports are posted. However, the Trust’s filings are posted on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following is a discussion of the risk factors applicable to the Registrant.
Market Risks
You Could Possibly Lose Your Total Investment in the Trust
Futures, forward and option contracts have a high degree of price variability and are subject to occasional rapid and substantial changes. Consequently, you could lose all or a substantial amount of your investment in the Trust.
The Trust is Highly Leveraged
Because the amount of margin funds necessary to be deposited in order to enter into a futures, forward or option contract position is typically about 2% to 10% of the total value of the contract, Campbell & Company is able to hold positions in the Trust’s account with face values equal to several times the Trust’s net assets. The ratio of margin to equity is typically 10% to 30%. As a result of this leveraging, even a small movement in the price of a contract can cause major losses.
Changes In Financing Policies or the Imposition of Other Credit Limitations or Restrictions Could Compel the Trust to Liquidate Positions at Disadvantageous Prices
The Trust may utilize and may depend on the availability of credit in order to trade its portfolio. There can be no assurance that the Trust will be able to maintain adequate financing arrangements under all market circumstances. As a general matter, the dealers that provide financing to the Trust can apply essentially discretionary margin, haircut, financing security and collateral valuation policies. Changes by dealers in such financing policies, or the imposition of other credit limitations or restrictions, whether due to market circumstances or governmental, regulatory or judicial action, may result in large margin calls, loss of financing, forced liquidation of positions at disadvantageous prices, termination of swap and repurchase agreements and cross-defaults to agreements with other dealers. Any such adverse effects may be exacerbated in the event that such limitations or restrictions are imposed suddenly and/or by multiple market participants at or about the same time. The imposition of such limitations or restrictions could compel the Trust to liquidate all or part of its portfolio at disadvantageous prices. In 2009, banks and dealers substantially curtailed financing activities and increased collateral requirements, forcing many hedge funds to liquidate.
Your Investment Could Be Illiquid
Futures, forward and option positions cannot always be liquidated at the desired price; this can occur when the market is thinly traded (i.e., a relatively small volume of buy and sell orders) or in the event of disrupted markets and other extraordinary events in which historical pricing relationships become materially distorted. The financing available to the Trust from banks, dealers and other counterparties is likely to be restricted in disrupted markets. The Trust may incur material losses and the risk of loss from pricing distortions is compounded by the fact that in disrupted markets many positions become illiquid making it difficult or impossible to close out positions against which the markets are moving. For example, in 1994, 1998 and again in 2007-2009 there was a sudden restriction of credit by the dealer community that resulted in forced liquidations and major losses for a number of private investment funds. It is possible that in the future, in such situations, Campbell & Company may be unable for some time to liquidate certain unprofitable positions thereby increasing the loss to the Trust from the trade. Additionally, foreign governments may take or be subject to political actions which disrupt the markets in their currency or major exports, such as energy products or metals. Market disruptions caused by unexpected political, military and terrorist events may from time to time cause dramatic losses for the Trust, and such events can result in otherwise historically low-risk strategies performing with unprecedented volatility and risk. Any of these actions could also result in losses to the Trust. A subscription for Units should be considered only by persons financially able to maintain their investment and who can afford the loss of all or substantially all of such investment.
Suspension of Redemptions
Also, there is no secondary market for the Units and none is expected to develop. While the Units have redemption rights, there are restrictions. For example, redemptions can occur only at the end of a month. If a large number of redemption requests were to be received at one time, the Trust might have to liquidate positions to satisfy the requests. Such a forced liquidation could adversely affect the Trust and consequently your investment.
Transfers of interest in the Units are subject to limitations, such as 30 days’ advance written notice of any intent to transfer. Also, Campbell & Company may deny a request to transfer if it determines that the transfer may result in adverse legal or tax consequences for the Trust. See “Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement - Dispositions.”
Market Disruptions: Governmental Intervention; The Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Reform Act”)
The global financial markets have in the past few years gone through pervasive and fundamental disruptions that have led to extensive and unprecedented governmental intervention. Such intervention has in certain cases been implemented on an “emergency” basis, suddenly and substantially eliminating market participants’ ability to continue to implement certain strategies or manage the risk of their outstanding positions. In addition, as one would expect given the complexities of the financial markets and the limited time frame within which governments have felt compelled to take action, these interventions have typically been unclear in scope and application, resulting in confusion and uncertainty which in itself has been materially detrimental to the efficient functioning of the markets as well as previously successful investment strategies.
The Trust may incur major losses in the event of disrupted markets and other extraordinary events in which historical pricing relationships become materially distorted. The risk of loss from pricing distortions is compounded by the fact that in disrupted markets many positions become illiquid, making it difficult or impossible to close out positions against which the markets are moving. The financing available to the Trust from its banks, dealers and other counterparties is typically reduced in disrupted markets. Such a reduction may result in substantial losses to the Trust. Market disruptions may from time to time cause dramatic losses for the Trust, and such events can result in otherwise historically low-risk strategies performing with unprecedented volatility and risk.
In response to the recent financial crises, the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress proposed sweeping reform of the U.S. financial regulatory system. After over a year of debate, the Reform Act became law in July 2010. The Reform Act seeks to regulate markets, market participants and financial instruments that previously have been unregulated and substantially alters the regulation of many other markets, market participants and financial instruments. Because many provisions of the Reform Act require rulemaking by the applicable regulators before becoming fully effective and the Reform Act mandate multiple agency reports and studies (which could result in additional legislative or regulatory action), it is difficult to predict the impact of the Reform Act on the Trust, Campbell & Company, and the markets in which they trade and invest. The Reform Act could result in certain investment strategies in which the Trust engages or may have otherwise engaged becoming non-viable or non-economic to implement. The Reform Act and regulations adopted pursuant to the Reform Act could have material adverse impact on the profit potential of the Trust.
Speculative Position Limits
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and certain exchanges have established position limits on the maximum net long or short futures and options positions which any person or group of persons acting in concert may hold or control in particular futures contracts. The CFTC has adopted a rule generally requiring each domestic U.S. exchange to set speculative position limits, subject to CFTC approval, for all futures contracts and options traded on such exchanges which are not already subject to speculative position limits established by the CFTC or such exchange. The CFTC has jurisdiction to establish speculative position limits with respect to all futures contracts and options traded on exchanges located in the United States, and any such exchange may impose additional limits on positions on that exchange. Generally, no speculative position limits are in effect with respect to the trading of forward contracts or trading on non-U.S. exchanges. All trading accounts owned or managed by Campbell & Company acting on behalf of the Trust, its respective principals and affiliates will be combined for speculative position limit purposes. Because future position limits allow a commodity trading advisor and its principals to control only a limited number of contracts in any one commodity, Campbell & Company and their principals are potentially subject to a conflict among the interests of all accounts the Trust and its principals control which are competing for shares of that limited number of contracts. Although Campbell & Company may be able to achieve the same performance results with OTC substitutes for futures contracts, the OTC market may be subject to differing prices, lesser liquidity and greater counterparty risks than the regulated U.S. commodities exchanges. Campbell & Company may in the future reduce the size of the positions which would otherwise be taken or not trade in certain markets on behalf of the Trust in order to avoid exceeding such limits. Modification of such trades that would otherwise be made by Campbell & Company, if required, could adversely affect the Trust’s operations and profitability. Such modification, if required, could require the Trust to liquidate certain positions more rapidly than might otherwise be desirable, and could adversely affect the performance of the Trust. A violation of speculative position limits by the Trust could lead to regulatory action materially adverse to the Trust’s prospects for profitability.
The CFTC has proposed and invited public comment regarding a new rule to implement speculative position limits for futures and options contracts in certain energy commodities. Such speculative position limits may apply to traders engaged in trading that is neither for bona fide hedging nor swap dealer risk management purposes. Depending on the outcome of this or any future CFTC regulatory action, the rules concerning speculative position limits may be amended in a manner that is either detrimental or favorable to the Trust. For example, if the amended rules are detrimental to the Trust, the Trust’s ability to invest in additional commodity futures contracts may be limited to the extent these activities would cause the Trust to exceed the applicable speculative position limits.
In addition, it is possible that the CFTC may propose new rules that would consider futures contracts underlying OTC transactions in calculating position limits. Such a change could alter, perhaps to a material extent the nature of an investment in the Trust to continue to implement its investment approach.
Over-the-Counter Transactions are Subject to Little, if Any, Regulation
The Trust trades forward and option contracts in foreign currencies. Such contracts are typically traded over-the-counter through a dealer market, which is dominated by major money center and investment banks, and is not regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Thus, you do not receive the protection of CFTC regulation or the statutory scheme of the Commodity Exchange Act in connection with this trading activity by the Trust. The market for forward and option contracts relies upon the integrity of market participants in lieu of the additional regulation imposed by the CFTC on participants in the futures markets. This regulation includes, for example, trading practices and other customer protection requirements, and minimum financial and trade reporting requirements. The absence of regulation could expose the Trust to significant losses in the event of trading abuses or financial failure by participants in the forward and option markets which it might otherwise have avoided.
Over-the-Counter Transactions May Be Subject to the Risk of Counterparty Default
The Trust faces the risk of non-performance by its counterparties to forward and option contracts and such non-performance may cause some or all of its gains to remain unrealized. Unlike in futures contracts, the counterparty to these contracts is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearing organization backed by a group of financial institutions. As a result, there will be greater counterparty credit risk in these transactions. The clearing member, clearing organization or other counterparty may not be able to meet its obligations, in which case, your Units could suffer significant losses on these contracts.
Options on Futures and Over-the-Counter Contracts are Speculative and Highly Leveraged
Options on futures and over-the-counter contracts may be used by the Trust to generate premium income or capital gains. The buyer of an option risks losing the entire purchase price (the premium as well as any commissions and fees) of the option. The writer (seller) of an option risks losing the difference between the premium received for the option and the price of the commodity, futures or forward contract underlying the option which the writer must purchase or deliver upon exercise of the option (which losses can be unlimited). Specific market movements of the commodity, futures or forward contracts underlying an option cannot accurately be predicted. Successful options trading requires an accurate assessment of near-term volatility in the underlying instruments, as that volatility is immediately reflected in the price of the option. Correct assessment of market volatility can therefore be of much greater significance in trading options than it is in trading futures and forwards, where volatility may not have as great an effect on price.
An Investment in the Trust May Not Diversify an Overall Portfolio
Historically, alternative investments such as managed futures funds have been generally non-correlated to the performance of other asset classes such as stocks and bonds. Non-correlation means that there is no statistically valid relationship between the past performance of futures, forward and option contracts on the one hand and stocks or bonds on the other hand. Non-correlation should not be confused with negative correlation, where the performance of two asset classes would be exactly opposite.
Because of this non-correlation, the Trust cannot be expected to be automatically profitable during unfavorable periods for the stock market, or vice versa. The futures, forward and option markets are fundamentally different from the securities markets in that for every gain made in a futures, forward or option transaction, the opposing side of that transaction will have an equal and off-setting loss. If the Trust does not perform in a manner non-correlated with the general financial markets or does not perform successfully, you will obtain no diversification benefits by investing in the Units and the Trust may have no gains to offset your losses from other investments.
The Regulatory Risk Associated with Futures Contracts Could Adversely Affect the Trust’s Operations and The Profitability of Your Investment
The CFTC has recently proposed and invited public comment regarding a new rule to implement position limits on energy futures contracts such as crude oil, heating oil, natural gas, gasoline and other energy products and has solicited public comment regarding that advisability of imposing similar limits in the metals futures markets. We do not anticipate these limits will affect the Trust’s ability to trade, but it is possible that they may in the future if the assets under management increase dramatically.
Regulatory Changes or Actions May Alter the Operations and Profitability of the Trust
Considerable regulatory attention has been focused on non-traditional investment pools. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in the Trust or the ability of the Trust to continue to implement its investment strategies.
The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. In addition, the CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the United States is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. The effect of any future regulatory change on the Trust is impossible to predict, but could be substantial and adverse.
Trading Risks
There are Disadvantages to Making Trading Decisions Based Primarily on Technical Market Data
The trading systems used by Campbell & Company for the Trust are primarily technical. The profitability of trading under these systems depends on, among other things, the occurrence of significant price movements, up or down, in futures, forward and option prices. Such price movements may not develop; there have been periods in the past without such price movements.
The likelihood of the Units being profitable could be materially diminished during periods when events external to the markets themselves have an important impact on prices. During such periods, Campbell & Company’s historic price analysis could establish positions on the wrong side of the price movements caused by such events.
Increased Competition from Other Trend-Following Traders Could Reduce Campbell & Company’s Profitability
There has been a dramatic increase in the volume of assets managed by trend-following trading systems like some of the Campbell & Company programs. For example in 1980, the assets in the managed futures industry were estimated at approximately $300 million; by the end of 2009, this estimate had risen to approximately $213.6 billion. Increased trading competition from other trend-following traders could operate to the detriment of the Trust. It may become more difficult for the Trust to implement its trading strategy if other trading advisors using technical systems are, at the same time, also attempting to initiate or liquidate futures, forward or option positions, or otherwise alter trading patterns.
Limits Imposed by Futures Exchanges or Other Regulatory Organizations, Such As Speculative Position Limits and Daily Price Fluctuation Limits, May Alter Trading Decisions for the Trust
The CFTC and U.S. futures exchanges have established limits, known as speculative position limits, on the maximum net long or net short positions which any person may hold or control in certain futures and options on futures contracts. Most U.S. futures exchanges also have established -daily price fluctuation limits which preclude the execution of trades at prices outside of the limit. Contract prices have occasionally moved the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. All accounts controlled by Campbell & Company, including the account of the Trust, are combined for speculative position limit purposes. If positions in those accounts were to approach the level of the particular speculative position limit, or if prices were to approach the level of the daily limit, such limits could cause a modification of Campbell & Company’s trading decisions for the Trust or force liquidation of certain futures or options on futures positions. Either of these actions may not be in the best interest of the investors. From time to time, the CFTC or the exchanges may suspend trading in market disruption circumstances. In these cases, it is possible that Campbell & Company, as trading advisor, could be required to maintain a losing position that it otherwise would exit and incur significant losses or be unable to establish a position and miss a profit opportunity.
Increase in Assets Under Management May Make Profitable Trading More Difficult
Campbell & Company has not agreed to limit the amount of additional equity which it may manage, and is actively engaged in raising assets for existing and new accounts. Should the amount of equity that Campbell & Company manages increase, it may be more difficult for Campbell & Company to trade profitably because of the difficulty of trading larger positions without adversely affecting prices and performance. Accordingly, such increases in equity under management may require Campbell & Company to modify its trading decisions for the Trust which could have a detrimental effect on your investment. Such considerations may also cause Campbell & Company to eliminate smaller markets from consideration for inclusion in its Financial, Metal & Energy Large Portfolio, reducing the range of markets in which trading opportunities may be pursued. Campbell & Company reserves the right to make distributions of profits to Unitholders in an effort to control asset growth. In addition, Campbell & Company may have an incentive to favor other accounts because the compensation received from some other accounts does exceed the compensation it receives from managing the Trust’s account. Because records with respect to other accounts are not accessible to Unitholders in the Trust, the Unitholders will not be able to determine if Campbell & Company is favoring other accounts. See “Campbell & Company, Inc. - Trading Capacity.”
Investors Will Not Be Able to Review the Trust’s Holdings on a Daily Basis
Campbell & Company makes the Trust’s trading decisions. While Campbell & Company receives daily trade confirmations from the futures broker and over-the-counter counterparty, the Trust’s trading results are reported to Unitholders monthly. Accordingly, an investment in the Trust does not offer Unitholders the same transparency, i.e., an ability to review all investment positions daily, that a personal trading account offers.
Tax Risks
Investors are Taxed Based on Their Share of the Trust’s Profits
Investors are taxed each year on their share of the Trust’s profits, if any, irrespective of whether they redeem any units or receive any cash distribution from the Trust. The managing owner has the authority to make such distributions at any time in its sole discretion.
All performance information included in this Offering Memorandum is presented on a pre-tax basis; the investors (other than tax-exempt investors) who experienced such performance had to pay the related taxes from other sources.
Tax Could be Due from Investors on Their Share of the Trust’s Ordinary Income Despite Overall Losses
Investors may be required to pay tax on their allocable share of the Trust’s ordinary income, which in the case of the Trust is the Trust’s interest income, gain on some foreign futures contracts, and certain other investment assets, even though the Trust incurs overall losses. Capital losses of individual taxpayers can be used only to offset capital gains and, in the case of non-corporate investors, $3,000 of ordinary income each year. Consequently, if an individual investor were allocated $5,000 of ordinary income and $10,000 of capital losses, the investor would owe tax on $2,000 of ordinary income even though the investor would have a $5,000 economic loss for the year. The remaining $7,000 capital loss could be used in subsequent years to offset capital gain and ordinary income, but subject to the same annual limitation on its deductibility against ordinary income.
There Could be a Limit on the Deductibility of Management and Performance Fees
Although the Trust treats the management and performance fees paid to the managing owner as ordinary and necessary business expenses, upon an IRS audit, the Trust may be required to treat such fees as “investment advisory fees” if the Trust’s trading activities did not constitute a trade or business for tax purposes. Investment advisory fees are subject to substantial restrictions on deductibility for federal income tax purposes. Such treatment would likely create or increase the tax liability of non-corporate unitholders.
Other Risks
Fees and Commissions are Charged Regardless of Profitability and are Subject to Change
The Trust is subject to substantial charges payable irrespective of profitability, in addition to performance fees which are payable based on the Trust’s profitability. Included in these charges are brokerage fees and operating expenses. On the Trust’s forward and option trading, -bid-ask spreads and prime brokerage fees are incorporated into the pricing of the Trust’s forward and option contracts by the counterparties in addition to the brokerage fees paid by the Trust. It is not possible to quantify the -bid-ask spreads paid by the Trust because the Trust cannot determine the profit its counterparty is making on the forward and option transactions. Such spreads can at times be significant. In addition, while currently not contemplated, the Trust Agreement allows for changes to be made to the brokerage fee and performance fee upon sixty days’ notice to the Unitholders.
The Trust’s Service Providers Could Fail
The institutions with which the Trust trades or invests may encounter financial difficulties that impair the operational capabilities or the capital position of the Trust. The futures broker is generally required by U.S. law to segregate all funds received from such broker’s customers from such broker’s proprietary assets. If the futures broker fails to do so to the full extent required by law, the assets of the Trust might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the futures broker. Furthermore, in the event of the futures broker’s bankruptcy, the Trust could lose the entire amount, or be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the futures broker’s combined customer accounts, even though certain property specifically traceable to the Trust (for example, Treasury bills deposited by the Trust with the futures broker as margin) was held by the futures broker. Furthermore, dealers in forward and option contracts are not regulated by the Commodity Exchange Act and are not obligated to segregate customer assets. The futures broker has been the subject of regulatory and private causes of action, as described under “The Futures Broker”.
Although the managing owner regularly monitors the financial condition of the counterparties it uses, if the Trust’s counterparties were to become insolvent or the subject of liquidation proceedings in the United States (either under the Securities Investor Protection Act of the United States Bankruptcy Code), there exists the risk that the recovery of the Trust’s assets from such counterparty will be delayed or be a value less than the value of the assets originally entrusted to such counterparty.
Inadequate Models Could Negatively Affect the Trust’s Portfolio
Campbell & Company’s trading is highly model driven, and is materially subject to possible flaws in the models. As market dynamics (for example, due to changed market conditions and participants) shift over time, a previously highly successful model often becomes outdated or inaccurate, sometimes without Campbell & Company recognizing that fact before substantial losses are incurred. In particular, the Trust may incur major losses in the event of disrupted markets and other extraordinary events that cause Campbell & Company’s pricing models to generate prices which deviate from the market. The risk of loss to the Trust in the case of disrupted markets is compounded by the number of different investment models of pricing, each of which may independently become wholly unpredictable during market disruptions. In addition, in disrupted derivatives markets, many positions may become illiquid, making it difficult or impossible to close out positions against which the markets are moving. There can be no assurance that Campbell & Company will be successful in continuing to develop and maintain effective quantitative models.
Investors Must Not Rely on the Past Performance of Either Campbell & Company or the Trust in Deciding Whether to Buy Units
The future performance of the Trust is not predictable, and no assurance can be given that the Trust and Campbell & Company will perform successfully in the future in as much as past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. The trading advisor’s trading systems are continually evolving and the fact that the Trust and the trading advisor may have traded successfully in the past does not mean that they will do so in the future. Additionally, the markets in which the Trust operates have been severely disrupted over the past year or more, so results observed in earlier periods may have little relevance to the results observable in the current environment.
The past performance of the Trust may not be construed as an indication of the future results. The personnel of Campbell & Company responsible for managing the investment portfolio have substantial experience in managing investments and private investment funds and have provided and continue to provide advisory and management services to clients and private and registered investment funds.
Parties to the Trust Have Conflicts of Interest
Campbell & Company has not established any formal procedures to resolve the following conflicts of interest. Consequently, there is no independent control over how Campbell & Company resolves these conflicts which can be relied upon by investors as ensuring that the Trust is treated equitably with other Campbell & Company clients.
Campbell & Company has a conflict of interest because it acts as the managing owner and sole trading advisor for the Trust.
Since Campbell & Company acts as both trading advisor and managing owner for the Trust, it is very unlikely that its advisory contract will be terminated by the Trust. The fees payable to Campbell & Company were established by it and were not the subject of arm’s-length negotiation. These fees consist of up to a 3.5% brokerage fee (of which 2.5% is retained) and a 20% performance fee. Campbell & Company, as managing owner, determines whether or not distributions are made and it receives increased fees to the extent distributions are not made. Campbell & Company has the authority to make such distributions at any time in its sole discretion.
Other conflicts are also present in the operation of the Trust. See “Conflicts of Interest.”
There are No Independent Experts Representing Investors
Campbell & Company has consulted with counsel, accountants and other experts regarding the formation and operation of the Trust. No counsel has been appointed to represent the Unitholders in connection with the offering of the Units. Accordingly, each prospective investor should consult his own legal, tax and financial advisers regarding the desirability of an investment in the Trust.
The Trust Places Significant Reliance on Campbell & Company and the Incapacity of its Principals Could Adversely Affect the Trust
The incapacity of Campbell & Company’s principals could have a material and adverse effect on Campbell & Company’s ability to discharge its obligations under the Trust Agreement. However, there are no individual principals at Campbell & Company whose absence would result in a material and adverse effect on Campbell & Company’s ability to adequately carry out its advisory responsibilities.
The Trust Could Terminate Before You Achieve Your Investment Objective, Causing Potential Loss of Your Investment or Disrupting Your Investment Portfolio Allocation
As managing owner, Campbell & Company may withdraw from the Trust upon 120 days’ notice, which would cause the Trust to terminate unless a substitute managing owner were obtained. Other events, such as a long-term substantial loss suffered by the Trust, could also cause the Trust to terminate before the expiration of its stated term. This could cause you to liquidate your investments and upset the overall maturity and timing of your investment portfolio. If the registrations with the CFTC or memberships in the National Futures Association of Campbell & Company or the futures broker were revoked or suspended, such entity would no longer be able to provide services to the Trust.
The Trust Is Not A Regulated Investment Company and Is Therefore Subject to Different Protections Than a Regulated Investment Company
Although the Trust and Campbell & Company are subject to regulation by the CFTC, the Trust is not an investment company subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Campbell & Company is not registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisors Act of 1940. Accordingly, you do not have the protections afforded by those statutes which, for example, require investment companies to have a majority of disinterested directors and regulates the relationship between the adviser and the investment company.
Forwards, Options, Swaps, Hybrids and Other Derivatives Are Not Subject to CFTC Regulation, Therefore, the Trust Will Not Receive the Same Protections on These Transactions
The Trust trades foreign exchange contracts and options in the interbank market. In the future, the Trust may also trade swap agreements, hybrid instruments and other off-exchange contracts. Swap agreements involve trading income streams such as fixed rate for floating rate interest. Hybrids are instruments which combine features of a security with those of a futures contract. The dealer market for off-exchange instruments is becoming more liquid. There is no exchange or clearinghouse for these contracts and they are not regulated by the CFTC. The Trust will not receive the protections which are provided by the CFTC’s regulatory scheme for these transactions.
The Trust is Subject to Foreign Market Credit and Regulatory Risk
A substantial portion of Campbell & Company’s trades takes place on markets or exchanges outside the United States. From time to time, over 50% of the Trust’s overall market exposure could involve positions taken on foreign markets. The risk of loss in trading foreign futures contracts and foreign options can be substantial. Participation in foreign futures contracts and foreign options transactions involves the execution and clearing of trades on, or subject to the rules of, a foreign board of trade. Non-U.S. markets may not be subject to the same degree of regulation as their U.S. counterparts. None of the CFTC, NFA or any domestic exchange regulates activities of any foreign boards of trade, including the execution, delivery and clearing of transactions, nor do they have the power to compel enforcement of the rules of a foreign board of trade or any applicable foreign laws. Trading on foreign exchanges also presents the risks of exchange controls, expropriation, taxation and government disruptions.
The Trust is Subject to Foreign Exchange Risk
The price of any foreign futures or foreign options contract and, therefore, the potential profit and loss thereon, may be affected by any variance in the foreign exchange rate between the time a position is established and the time it is liquidated, offset or exercised. Certain foreign exchanges may also be in a more or less developmental stage so that prior price histories may not be indicative of current price dynamics. In addition, the Trust may not have the same access to certain positions on foreign exchanges as do local traders, and the historical market data on which Campbell & Company bases its strategies may not be as reliable or accessible as it is in the United States. The rights of clients (such as the Trust) in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a non-U.S. market or broker are also likely to be more limited than in the case of U.S. markets or brokers.
Transfers Could Be Restricted
You may transfer or assign your Units only upon 30 days’ prior written notice to Campbell & Company and only if Campbell & Company is satisfied that the transfer complies with applicable laws and would not result in adverse legal or tax consequences for the Trust.
Restrictions on Investment by ERISA Plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
The managing owner anticipates that the underlying assets of the Trust may be considered for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), as amended, and Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to be assets of certain employee benefit plans and other Plans that purchase units. Under such circumstances, the investments of the Trust and the activities of the managing owner will be subject to and, in certain cases, limited by, ERISA and the Code.
When considering an investment in the Trust of the assets of an ERISA Plan, a fiduciary with respect to such plan should consider, among other things: (i) the definition of “Plan assets” under ERISA and regulations issued by the Department of Labor (“DOL”) regarding the definition of Plan assets; (ii) whether the investment satisfies the diversification requirements of Section 404(a)(1) of ERISA; (iii) whether the investment satisfies the prudence requirements of Section 404(a)(1) of ERISA; and (iv) that there will be no secondary market in which such fiduciary can sell or otherwise dispose of the units.
A Single-Advisor Fund May be More Volatile Than a Multi-Advisor Fund
The Trust is currently structured as a single-advisor managed futures fund. You should understand that many managed futures funds are structured as multi-advisor funds in order to attempt to control risk and reduce volatility through combining advisors whose historical performance records have exhibited a significant degree of non-correlation with each other. As a single-advisor managed futures fund, the Trust may have increased performance volatility and a higher risk of loss than investment vehicles employing multiple advisors. Campbell & Company may retain additional trading advisors on behalf of the Trust in the future.
The Performance Fee Could Be an Incentive to Make Riskier Investments
Campbell & Company employs a speculative strategy for the Trust and receives performance fees based on the trading profits earned by it for the Trust. Campbell & Company would not agree to manage the Trust’s account in the absence of such a performance fee arrangement. Accordingly, Campbell & Company may make investments that are riskier than might be made if the Trust’s assets were managed by a trading advisor that did not require performance-based compensation.
The Trust May Distribute Profits to Unitholders at Inopportune Times
Campbell & Company reserves the right to make distributions of profits of the Trust to the unitholders at any time in its sole discretion in order to control the growth of the assets under Campbell & Company’s management. Unitholders will have no choice in receiving these distributions as income, and may receive little notice that these distributions are being made. Distributions may be made at an inopportune time for the unitholders.
Potential Inability to Trade or Report Due to Systems Failure
Campbell & Company’s strategies are dependent to a significant degree on the proper functioning of its internal computer systems. Accordingly, systems failures, whether due to third party failures upon which such systems are dependent or the failure of Campbell & Company’s hardware or software, could disrupt trading or make trading impossible until such failure is remedied. Any such failure, or consequential inability to trade (even for a short time), could, in certain market conditions, cause the Trust to experience significant trading losses or to miss opportunities for profitable trading. Additionally, any such failures could cause a temporary delay in reports to investors.
Failure to Receive Timely and Accurate Market Data from Third Party Vendors Could Cause Disruptions or the Inability to Trade
Campbell & Company’s strategies are dependent to a significant degree on the receipt of timely and accurate market data from third party vendors. Accordingly, the failure to receive such data in a timely manner or the receipt of inaccurate data, whether due to the acts or omissions of such third party vendors or otherwise, could disrupt trading to the detriment of the Trust or make trading impossible until such failure or inaccuracy is remedied. Any such failure or inaccuracy could, in certain market conditions, cause the Trust to experience significant trading losses, effect trades in a manner which it otherwise would not have done, or miss opportunities for profitable trading. For example, the receipt of inaccurate market data may cause the Trust to establish (or exit) a position which it otherwise would not have established (or exited), or fail to establish (or exit) a position which it otherwise would have established (or exited), and any subsequent correction of such inaccurate data may cause the Trust to reverse such action or inaction, all of which may ultimately be to the detriment of the Trust.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
The Registrant does not use any physical properties in the conduct of its business. Its assets currently consist of futures and other contracts, cash, U.S. Treasury Bills, and other fixed income securities.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Campbell & Company is not aware of any material legal proceedings to which the Registrant is a party or to which any of their assets are subject.
Item 4.
Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity , Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Units of Beneficial Interest are not publicly traded. Units may be transferred or redeemed subject to the conditions imposed by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement. As of December 31, 2010, there were 84 Unitholders in the Registrant and 16,954.41 Units of Beneficial Interest outstanding.
Campbell & Company has sole discretion in determining what distributions, if any, the Registrant will make to its Unit holders. Campbell & Company has not made any distributions as of the date hereof.
The Registrant has no securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Dollars in thousands, except per Unit amounts
The following summarized financial information is for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
*
- Based on weighted average number of units outstanding during the period.
The following summarized quarterly financial information (unaudited) presents the results of operations for the three-month periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2010 and 2009.
*
- Based on weighted average number of units outstanding during the period.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Introduction
The offering of Campbell Alternative Asset Trust’s (the “Trust”) Units of Beneficial Interest commenced on May 15, 2001, and the initial offering terminated on September 30, 2001 with proceeds of $15,821,743. The continuing offering period commenced immediately after the termination of the initial offering period; additional subscriptions totaling $40,797,087 have been accepted during the continuing offering period as of December 31, 2010. Redemptions over the same time period total $44,580,834. The Trust commenced operations on October 1, 2001.
As of December 31, 2002, units are no longer offered to the public, but are offered exclusively for sale to the Campbell & Company, Inc. 401(K) Plan.
Campbell & Company, Inc. (Campbell) has made the decision to cease the Trust offering, effective April 22, 2011. The decision to cease the offering is the precursor to closing the Trust as of May 31, 2011. The Trust initially began trading in October 2001 but has not offered units to the public since December 2002; however, the registered units continued to be offered exclusively for sale to the Campbell & Company, Inc. 401(k) Plan (the Plan).
The assets of the Trust are largely comprised (87%) of affiliated entities of Campbell; Campbell’s management team has elected to construct a more suitable entity to facilitate the Plan. The current, non-affiliated, investors in the Trust may have opportunities to invest in other Campbell fund or trust offerings based on suitability requirements and in consideration with ERISA capacity. This change is part of Campbell’s continuing efforts to focus administrative resources on our currently available offerings which hold the majority of Campbell & Company, Inc. assets.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Management believes that the estimates utilized in preparing the financial statements are reasonable and prudent; however, actual results could differ from those estimates. The Trust’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 1 of the Financial Statements.
The Trust records all investments at fair value in its financial statements, with changes in fair value reported as a component of realized and change in unrealized trading gain (loss) in the Statements of Operations. Generally, fair values are based on market prices; however, in certain circumstances, estimates are involved in determining fair value in the absence of an active market closing price (e.g. forward and option contracts which are traded in the inter-bank market).
Capital Resources
The Trust will raise additional capital only through the sale of Units offered pursuant to the continuing offering, and does not intend to raise any capital through borrowing. Due to the nature of the Trust’s business, it will make no capital expenditures and will have no capital assets which are not operating capital or assets.
The Trust maintains 40-80% of its net asset value in cash, cash equivalents or other liquid positions in its cash management program over and above that needed to post as collateral for trading. These funds are available to meet redemptions each month. After redemptions and additions are taken into account each month, the trade level of the Trust are adjusted and positions in the instruments the Trust trades are added or liquidated on a pro-rata basis to meet those increases or decreases in trade levels.
Liquidity
Most United States futures exchanges limit fluctuations in futures contracts prices during a single day by regulations referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.” During a single trading day, no trades may be executed at prices beyond the daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract has reached the daily limit for that day, positions in that contract can neither be taken nor liquidated. Futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little or no trading. Similar occurrences could prevent the Trust from promptly liquidating unfavorable positions and subject the Trust to substantial losses which could exceed the margin initially committed to such trades. In addition, even if futures prices have not moved the daily limit, the Trust may not be able to execute futures trades at favorable prices, if little trading in such contracts is taking place. Other than these limitations on liquidity, which are inherent in the Trust’s commodity futures trading operations, the Trust’s assets are expected to be highly liquid.
The entire offering proceeds, without deductions, will be credited to the Trust’s bank brokerage and/or cash management accounts. The Trust meets margin requirements for its trading activities by depositing cash and U.S. government securities with the futures broker and the over-the-counter counterparties. This does not reduce the risk of loss from trading activities. The Trust receives all interest earned on its assets. No other person shall receive any interest or other economic benefits from the deposit of Trust assets.
Approximately 10% to 30% of the Trust’s assets normally are committed as required margin for futures contracts and held by the futures broker, although the amount committed may vary significantly. Such assets are maintained in the form of cash or U.S. Treasury bills in segregated accounts with the futures broker pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act and regulations thereunder. Approximately 10% to 30% of the Trust’s assets are deposited with over-the-counter counterparties in order to initiate and maintain forward contracts. Such assets are not held in segregation or otherwise regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act, unless such over-the-counter counterparty is registered as a futures commission merchant. These assets are held either in U.S. government securities or short-term time deposits with U.S.-regulated bank affiliates of the over-the-counter counterparties.
The managing owner deposits the majority of those assets of the Trust that are not required to be deposited as margin with the futures broker and over-the-counter counterparty in a custodial account with Northern Trust Company. The assets deposited in the custodial account with Northern Trust Company are segregated. The custodial account constitutes approximately 40% to 80% of the Trust’s assets and is invested directly by Wilmington Trust Investment Management LLC (“Wilmington”). Wilmington is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Wilmington does not guarantee any interest or profits will accrue on the Trust’s assets in the custodial account. Wilmington will invest according to agreed upon investment guidelines that are modeled after those investments allowed by the futures broker as defined under The Commodity Exchange Act, Title 17, Part 1, § 1.25 Investment of customer funds. Investments can include, but are not limited to, (i) U.S. Government Securities, Government Agency Securities, Municipal Securities, banker acceptances and certificates of deposits; (ii) commercial paper; and (iii) corporate debt.
The Trust occasionally receives margin calls (requests to post more collateral) from its futures broker or over-the-counter counterparties, which are met by moving the required portion of the assets held in the custody account at Northern Trust to the margin accounts. In the past three years, the Trust has not needed to liquidate any position as a result of a margin call.
The Trust’s assets are not and will not be, directly or indirectly, commingled with the property of any other person in violation of law or invested with or loaned to Campbell & Company or any affiliated entities.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk
The term “off-balance sheet risk” refers to an unrecorded potential liability that, even though it does not appear on the balance sheet, may result in future obligation or loss. The Trust trades in futures, forward and options contracts and is therefore a party to financial instruments with elements of off-balance sheet market and credit risk. In entering into these contracts there exists a risk to the Trust, market risk, that such contracts may be significantly influenced by market conditions, such as interest rate volatility, resulting in such contracts being less valuable. If the markets should move against all of the futures interests positions of the Trust at the same time, and if the Trust’s trading advisor was unable to offset futures interests positions of the Trust, the Trust could lose all of its assets and the Unitholders would realize a 100% loss. Campbell & Company, Inc., the managing owner (who also acts as trading advisor), minimizes market risk through real-time monitoring of open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 30%.
In addition to market risk, in entering into futures, forward and option contracts there is a credit risk that a counterparty will not be able to meet its obligations to the Trust. The counterparty for futures contracts traded in the United States and on most foreign exchanges is the clearinghouse associated with such exchange. In general, clearinghouses are backed by the corporate members of the clearinghouse who are required to share any financial burden resulting from the non-performance by one of their members and, as such, should significantly reduce this credit risk. In cases where the clearinghouse is not backed by the clearing members, like some foreign exchanges, it is normally backed by a consortium of banks or other financial institutions.
In the case of forward and option contracts, which are traded on the interbank market rather than on exchanges, the counterparty is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a group of financial institutions; thus there may be a greater counterparty credit risk. Campbell & Company trades for the Trust only with those counterparties which it believes to be creditworthy. All positions of the Trust are valued each day on a mark-to-market basis. There can be no assurance that any clearing member, clearinghouse or other counterparty will be able to meet its obligations to the Trust.
Disclosures About Certain Trading Activities that Include Non-Exchange Traded Contracts Accounted for at Fair Value
The Trust invests in futures, forward currency and options on forward currency contracts. The market value of futures (exchange-traded) contracts is determined by the various futures exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close of the last business day of the reporting period. The market value of forward (non-exchange traded) contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) of the last business day of the reporting period. The market value of option (non-exchange traded) contracts is calculated by applying an industry-standard adaptation of the Black-Scholes options valuation model to foreign currency options, using as input, the spot prices, interest rates and option implied volatilities quoted as of 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period.
Results of Operations
The returns for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 were 14.04%, (5.78)%, and 1.77%, respectively. The following is a discussion of the brokerage and performance fees accrued and paid. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Trust accrued brokerage fees in the amount of $802,334, $941,871, and $1,055,055, respectively, and paid brokerage fees in the amounts of $805,793, $952,313, and $1,063,516, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, the Trust accrued and paid performance fees in the amount of $0, $0, and $0, respectively.
For the 2010 increase of 14.04%, approximately 17.51% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 0.34% due to investment income offset by approximately (3.81)% due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust. An analysis of the 17.51% trading gain by sector is as follows:
The New Year began with an equity sell-off in the second half of the month as global confidence in a steady recovery, again, began to waver, resulting in trading losses for the Trust’s net long equity indices positions. Primary drivers were related to: (1) China’s efforts to manage growth; (2) questionable stability of the European Union as Greece potentially defaults on sovereign debt; and (3) the potential heavy-handed regulation of the U.S. banking system. As the global risk trade unwound, the Trust’s commodity positions also produced losses, largely in the energy complex and in base metals. The global negative news detracted from a relative positive earnings season and signs of improved economic data. Further losses were recorded in currency trading as the U.S. Dollar was, once again, seen as a safe haven as the economic health of several nations was called into question. Marginal gains were recorded in fixed income as we were able to benefit from the steepening of the yield curve as a result of short-term interest rates being kept at extremely low levels by global central banks.
The first half of February was somewhat subdued as the market digested mixed U.S. employment numbers versus the unemployment rate. By mid-month, the Federal Reserve surprised the markets by decided to hike the discount rate, in a clear sign that the pace of their exit strategy may be more aggressive than originally anticipated. Our long position in short-term rates, both in the U.S. and Europe, fueled strong gains in the sector for the remainder of the month. Gains were also recorded in currency trading as the Euro currency weakened against most majors on accelerated sovereign fears evidenced by the record high cost of insuring Greek and Portuguese debt. Global equity indices trading produced small losses for the Trust as a result of dealing with diverse global macroeconomic challenges (weakening Euro, China central bank intervention and U.S. employment and earnings season results). While the market finished generally negative in Europe and Asia, the U.S. managed to record a gain on largely upbeat fourth quarter earnings announcements with many S&P constituents beating consensus expectations. Commodity trading resulted in generally negative results as the structural imbalances in Europe, and the strong relative performance of the U.S. economy versus the Eurozone helped “de-link” Europe from the risk trade, keeping commodities in alignment with U.S. stocks. While energy prices rallied for most of the month, precious metals sold off early only to turn positive as the market used gold as a safe haven against Eurozone turmoil.
March proved to be a very strong month for trends as our long positions in energies and base metals benefited from prices moving higher on climbing global economic growth prospects. Global equity indices also provided gains for the Trust’s long positions as prices surged on renewed merger and acquisition activity, positive news centered on economic releases, and subdued fears regarding Greece’s finances. Marginal gains were recorded in the foreign exchange markets as the return of the carry trade pushed commodity linked currencies higher. Almost all central banks have acknowledged that the worst has passed; however, the lack of flexibility to induce fresh fiscal or monetary stimulus has forced a lower for longer interest rate policy globally. The Trust’s net gains were partially offset by losses in the fixed income markets from long positions in U.S. Treasury futures as prices fell during the month. In the U.S. fixed income market, heavy supply put pressure on bond prices, and U.S. Treasury yields were higher than swap yields for the first time on record.
April performance was led by strong gains in the fixed income markets from long positions in Europe and from U.S. bond prices that moved higher during the month as the Greece sovereign debt concerns and fears of contagion played center stage in global markets. Currency trading also benefited from the sovereign debt fears and from perceived signs of positive economic growth beginning to materialize. Further gains were recorded in energy and precious metals, as energy markets continued its high correlation to the S&P and investor demand for precious metals continued to grow. Marginal losses were incurred in base metals trading as these markets moved lower on U.S. dollar strength. Global equity indices trading produced flat performance, with net longs across the board producing positive results in the U.S., negative results in Europe, and flat performance in Asia.
As European sovereign debt concerns persisted and China tightened credit in an attempt to cool overheating in its property sector, the decline in equity markets by the end of May was wide-spread across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Certainly the “flash crash” on May 6th only added to the unsettling nature of equity market price behavior throughout the month. While the Trust experienced losses in equity indices, gains in fixed income help offset the flight from risky assets in favor of government debt. Commodity trading was difficult for the Trust, particularly in the energy sector, as the complex fell in tandem with the equity markets until a late month bounce. While BP’s spill in the Gulf continued to flow uncontrollably, the disaster has not significantly affected the supply of oil into the U.S. to date. Along with the scare in Greece, the Euro came under pressure against the U.S. Dollar as comments from Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke raised concerns over the Eurozone’s bank funding. The U.S. Dollar was, once again, viewed as a safe position trade as risk aversion, volatility and liquidity dominated currency markets contributing to gains in the foreign exchange sector for the Trust.
In June, another month of the “risk off” trade gave government bonds a bid, which produced healthy gains from long global fixed income positions. Unfortunately, these gains were offset by losses in equity indices, foreign exchange and commodities. Long equity positions suffered from an equity sell-off, which primarily stemmed from weaker than expected U.S. and Chinese economic data, negative corporate news and interbank funding concerns in the European region. Foreign exchange trading generated losses primarily from the Trust’s short Swiss Franc position as the currency rallied 7% vs. the U.S. Dollar based on Swiss National Bank comments softening its intervention language. Commodity trading produced minimal losses, largely from our trading in natural gas futures which ended up 3.6% after finally breaking out of a three-month range. The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has not been a significant factor on short-term price movements but most analysts agree that the real impact will be long-term as the cost of production is almost sure to go higher on the back of tighter regulation.
Catalysts for the equity rally in July hinged on strong economic data out of Europe, positive results from European bank stress tests and an increase in positive sentiment out of China. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones recorded gains of approximately 7% in July, adding another twist to their rollercoaster paths. Small gains were recorded in the European and U.S. equity markets from long positions in stock index futures as over-sold conditions paved the way for a reversal higher. Stocks rallied on better-than-expected second quarter earnings, increased M&A activity, higher dividends and additional buybacks. The Trust experienced losses in commodities, primarily from short positions in crude oil and long positions in precious metals. The correlation between equities and energies remained high and the rally in global equities sparked profit taking, reducing investor demand for gold as a safe haven. The Trust had additional losses in foreign exchange from short positions in the Euro/Yen cross, as the Euro showed renewed signs of life, appreciating more than 4% against the Yen. Losses were offset by gains in equities trading and in short-term fixed income markets from long positions in Eurodollar interest rate futures. Weaker-than-expected U.S. economic data led the market to believe that the U.S. Federal Reserve will need to keep interest rates low for an extended period.
The release of the August U.S. Federal Reserve meeting minutes resulted in yet another sell-off of “risk assets,” which helped contributed to the rise in fixed income prices. Yields reached multi-year lows in the U.S., Europe, and U.K., resulting in gains from the Trust’s long fixed income positions, especially on the long end of the curve. Smaller gains were realized in the commodity markets, primarily in precious metals. Gold fully retraced July’s corrective sell-off, with its August month-end market value closing several ticks higher than the June close. The Trust’s long gold position benefitted from gold’s safe-haven status, as well as from news out of China, the world’s largest consumer and producer of gold, that they will allow greater access to trading of the metal. The Trust’s long silver position also produced favorable results due to its lock-step trading with gold. Long global equity indices holdings resulted in losses for the month. Weak labor and housing data releases, coupled with the Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s downgrade of its assessment of the U.S. economic outlook, contributed to the poor performance of U.S. market indices. Japanese equities fared worse, as the stubbornly strong Japanese Yen weighs on Japanese exporters. By month-end, the Euro Stoxx 50 lost nearly 4.5%, the S&P 500 fell about 4.75%, and the Japanese Nikkei lost almost 7.5%. Additional losses were recorded in the foreign exchange markets from short positions in the Euro/Yen cross as the Euro appreciated more than 4% against the Japanese Yen. The Euro moved higher against most currencies as investors covered short positions as the Euro showed renewed signs of life.
Asset prices during the month of September were driven by FOMC hinting that the Federal Reserve is ready and willing to undergo a second round of quantitative easing. While the U.S. Dollar and interest rates fell, equities and commodities rose significantly. Commodity trading was the dominant contributor to positive performance for the month, particularly in precious and base metals, grains and soft commodities. Gold prices reached all-time highs, while silver rallied 12% to levels not seen since the early 1980s. Aluminum and nickel prices also posted double-digit increases during the month. Elevated demand and weather-related supply concerns pushed sugar, cotton and corn prices up over 22%, 17% and 10%, respectively. While commodity trading was a strong driver, foreign exchange was also a material contributor to performance, particularly from commodity-linked currencies. The month brought U.S. Dollar weakness against all major currencies as investors bet the Federal Reserve would implement a fresh round of asset purchases to jump-start the slowing U.S. economy. Smaller gains were recorded in the equity markets as prices surged higher on fewer concerns of a “double-dip” U.S. recession and a continued increase in M&A activity. Stocks in Asia took the lead, followed by the U.S. and Europe, which lagged due to ongoing sovereign debt level concerns. A portion of the Portfolio’s gains were offset by losses in fixed income markets as bond prices were extremely volatile during September.
Financial markets in October were fixated on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s intentions to engage in a second round of Quantitative Easing (“QE2”). In September, markets began pricing in the anticipated QE2 stimulus, which clearly continued into October. Over the course of the month the U.S. Treasury markets shifted from speculating on a future deflationary environment to pricing in future inflation in the TIPS market. Perhaps the markets were reacting to Chairman Bernanke’s comments that inflation is too low and unemployment is too high. Commodity trading was a primary driver of gains for the Trust as silver and gold reached new highs mid-month, and zinc and copper surged higher in the base metal category. Sugar and cotton both rose over 22% on supply/demand imbalances, while grains continued their upward trend with corn leading the way in performance for the sector. The growing expectations of QE2 in the U.S., third quarter earnings that largely beat analyst estimates and market expectations for a congressional change of power at the mid-term elections, propelled the global equity markets higher. The Trust recorded strong gains in stock index trading, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. QE2 also took center stage in currency trading, allowing the Trust to benefit from a weaker U.S. Dollar against most major currencies. Asian-based currencies and commodity-linked currencies were, in particular, profitable. Minimal losses were recorded in the fixed income markets as positive intra-month economic data caused market participants to question if additional QE on a global level was warranted on such a massive scale.
After much anticipation and debate, the second effort by the U.S. Federal Reserve to stimulate the U.S. economy through government bond purchases. Perhaps a case of “buy the rumor, sell the fact,” bond prices fell following the announcement and continued to fall for the remainder of the month generating losses for the Trust in fixed income trading. In currency trading, once QE2 was announced, the U.S. Dollar never looked back. The Trust’s short U.S. Dollar position was significantly reduced during the month; however, small losses in currency trading were incurred. In Europe, the Euro dropped below 1.30 for the first time in more than 10 weeks as speculation leaned toward a worsening debt crisis, and unemployment in the region rose to the highest level in more than 12 years. Commodities were volatile and mixed, generating small gains in the sector for Campbell on the month. Gains in energy trading and metals were dampened by losses in grains and soft commodities. While the energy complex made new highs for the year, primarily on the Chinese inflation story, cotton prices fell 26% from the mid-November high. It seems to be all about China these days as they attempt to dampen growth for fear of inflation. Equity trading was marginally positive despite mixed performance around the globe. While major U.S. indices finished slightly lower on the month, Japan’s Nikkei was up 8%, primarily driven by the weakening Yen. Global Central Bank intervention has made trading based solely on macroeconomic measures difficult. The Trust’s models have naturally tilted to technical indicators until the value of fundamental information is once again relevant to asset prices.
The appetite for risk-based assets was clearly back in vogue during the month of December. Commodities were the strongest performing sector during the month for the Trust as the rally in energies, metals, soft commodities and grain markets continued. The petroleum and industrial metal complexes closed December near the year’s highs on steady demand and a healthy global economic picture. Cotton rallied over 25% during the month to finish up over 90% on the year. Additional gains were recorded in stock index trading as global equity markets staged a strong rally during the month on better than expected economic data, including strong consumer spending during the 2010 holiday season, and increased M&A activity. Despite signs of a stronger economy and higher interest rates, the U.S. Dollar weakened against all major currencies in December, fueling gains for the Trust in the currency sector. Commodity-linked currencies, in particular, enjoyed a strong rally with the Australian Dollar reaching its strongest level since 1982. Despite its strong year-to-date performance, Fixed Income was the only losing sector for the Trust in December, as economic conditions improved and Central Bank policies across the globe remained unchanged.
For the 2009 decrease of 5.78%, approximately 1.74% was due to trading losses (before commissions) and approximately 0.15% due to investment income offset by approximately (4.19)% due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust. An analysis of the 1.74 % trading loss by sector is as follows:
President Obama’s stimulus plan took center stage in January; however, weak economic data continued to negatively impact global stock markets into the start of the New Year. An early month rally fizzled quickly, causing notable declines in major global indices. The Trust gained in equity indices trading on net short positions across each region. Gains were recorded in fixed income trading as the world’s central banks continued to lower interest rates. Mounting fiscal deficits and huge issuance needs begin to weigh heavy on the long-end; however, credit markets generally improved in January with yield spreads continuing to contract. Foreign exchange trading finished slightly negative on the month. Risk aversion and capital preservation benefited the Trust’s net long U.S. Dollar position; however, the U.K. government’s unprecedented move to give the Bank of England power to increase their stake in Royal Bank of Scotland to 70% helped fuel a late month rally in the British Pound, eliminating gains from a previous decline. Commodity trading was generally flat on volatility across precious and base metals and a slowing of the negative energy trend.
In February, the U.S. government’s ability to address the economic crisis was met with skepticism by Wall Street. Economic data remained persistently weak, especially on the employment and housing fronts. The U.S. was not alone in reporting negative news, as European and Asian economies also continued with the release of dismal economic data such as declining exports and falling dividends. The majority of February gains in the Trust resulted from equity indices trading, particularly from short positions in the U.S. and Asia. Additional gains were recorded in foreign exchange trading as investors continued to feed U.S. Dollar strength, particularly relative to the Japanese Yen. The U.S. Dollar continues to be the safe haven pick as the risk aversion theme continued, as evidenced by the U.S. treasury yields recording all-time lows.
Stock markets rallied in March as the 2008 fourth quarter earnings announcements subsided and large U.S. banks announced they would be profitable for the first two months of 2009. The majority of the Trust’s losses in March resulted from equity indices trading, as the equity rally adversely impacted net short positions globally. Commodities recorded losses as energy price swings have become correlated with equities and metals surged on news of China’s economic stimulus plan. Gains from fixed income markets were recorded from the Trust’s long global bond positions as prices moved significantly higher on announcements from the Swiss, British and American Central Banks on their intentions of adding liquidity by purchasing medium to long-term bonds in the market. Foreign exchange trading resulted in gains as investors sought currencies whose home central banks were not keen on engaging in quantitative easing.
While equity index trading produced the most profitable sector results for the Trust for 2008, the Trust’s net exposure on the short side of global stock indices through April 2009 has hurt performance as markets continued to stage rallies that began in mid-March. U.S. economic indicators, including housing and manufacturing, showed signs of improvement and stabilization rather than further deterioration. In addition, the G-20 agreed to fund more than $1 trillion in emergency aid to help cushion the economic fallout of the current international financial crisis. While the general tone of the economic outlook was more upbeat, officials have still been cautious in their assessment. April saw a continuation of the March risk-seeking rally leading to several growth currencies registering solid gains against the dollar. Losses were realized in the foreign exchange sector due to the Trust’s general bias to be long the dollar against most major currencies. In fixed income, the equity market rally helped general investor sentiment, driving bond prices lower across the board which produced losses for the Trust in this sector. Commodity trading finished relatively flat with gains from the energy sector offsetting small losses in base and precious metals.
In May, conflicting signals on global recovery weighed on the direction of the markets as increased risk appetite and signs of stabilization in the global economy emerged. Equity markets continued their rally, particularly in Asia, generating small gains in the stock index sector. Fixed income trading generated a marginal positive return as short-term rates in Europe climbed higher following the European Central Bank rate cut of 25 basis points. The gains in the stock index and fixed income sectors were offset by losses in the foreign exchange sector. The U.S. Dollar suffered a broad based decline in May on a combination of stronger risk appetite and growing fears over structural deficiencies in the U.S. Investors moved dormant dollar denominated assets overseas to capture growth and risk in commodity block currencies. Smaller losses were also recorded in the commodities sector as natural gas finished a volatile month higher.
During June, a surprise payroll number to the upside for May prompted an aggressive sell-off in short-term U.S. rates and raised market expectations of a rate hike in 2009. The price reaction was swift and caused particular difficulty for systematic trading. Losses for the Trust in the fixed income sector were offset by marginal gains in the foreign exchange sector. The Trust’s currency positions were generally mixed, thus hedging some U.S. Dollar risk, as investors crowded the Dollar as a safe-haven trade, pushing it higher on the month. Marginal gains were also recorded in the commodities sector, primarily from long positions in the energy complex. As geo-political headlines were plentiful, energies traded in a highly correlated fashion to global equity markets. The stock index sector finished basically flat for the month as global equity markets reflected mixed results congruent with both positive and negative economic data relating to global recovery.
Contrary to investor fears, global stock market returns in 2009 have fueled improved risk appetite as economic data and corporate earnings support the rally for yet another month in July. The Trust’s trading performance was relatively flat, with positive results from long stock and short U.S. Dollar positions being offset by losses incurred from short interest rate positions. For the first half of 2009, many “trend-following” strategies struggled to curb losses and eked out small gains in a market environment that is in a classic “consolidation” (trendless and choppy) period.
While risk appetite was generally strong in August, investors’ risk behavior was a bit random as fixed income initially sold off on better than expected payrolls data, but spent the rest of the month rallying. Bernanke’s nomination for a second term and continued “lower rates for longer” comments from Fed officials helped support treasury prices against the Trust’s general positioning across the curve. Smaller losses were recorded in currency trading as investors appeared unwilling to chase growth currencies higher, at the expense of the dollar, from already stretched levels. Gains were recorded in commodity markets as the Trust increased its exposure to this sector with the launch of more agile models providing more efficient holding period diversification. Trading in base and precious metals was a primary driver as the “risk on” trade prevailed on improving economic data. Equity indices trading yielded a marginal gain as positioning geographically and across model groups remains mixed.
During the month of September, the Trust’s technical and fundamental strategies both recorded healthy gains in the foreign exchange sector from short positions in the U.S. Dollar vs. most major currencies. Commodity-linked currencies were particularly profitable for the Trust, as both the Australian and New Zealand Dollars rose in value close to 5%. Technical and fundamental signals were also effective in the equity index sector, where the Trust benefited from primarily long positions across global stock indices. With the exception of Japan, global equities moved higher by 2 - 3% during the month on healthy M&A activity, as well as favorable signs of a manufacturing rebound and consumer spending renewal. Results were mixed in fixed income trading as gains earned from short-term rates were largely offset by losses on the long end of the curve. Commodities trading resulted in marginal losses overall, primarily due to short positions in natural gas. The price of natural gas rallied over 20% during the month as a result of significant short covering in the market despite record storage levels.
The risk pendulum continued to swing between “risk on” and “risk off” during the month of October, culminating in “risk off” at month-end and impacting all sectors of the portfolio. As global equity markets fell, commodities fell in tandem and the U.S. Dollar rallied along with fixed income in a thematic trade tied to central bank activity. While the Trust’s risk exposure to equity indices was relatively low, our net long position yielded the largest sector loss during the month. The high volatility environment for mean-reversion equity trading was quite favorable, resulting in gains in the cash equities statistical models in both U.S. and Japan. The perseverance of the “risk off” trade at month-end resulted in modest losses in foreign exchange, modest gains in commodities.
November saw strong trends generate a return of 3.03%, with solid gains in interest rates, foreign exchange, and commodities. Weaker than expected new home sales to start the month, the Federal Open Market Committee’s retention of “extended period” language at mid-month, and a flight to quality at month-end fueled by fears over Dubai debt pushed bond prices higher throughout the month. Thus, trading in fixed income contributed to strong gains from both the short and long end of the curve; foreign exchange trading profited from a continued downward trend of the U.S. Dollar; and commodity trading benefitted from gains in precious metals.
In December, the markets saw a rapid reversal in fixed income and the U.S. Dollar. Inflationary fears subsided as better than expected U.S. economic data fueled equity prices higher and bond prices lower. While market participants seemed to be trading at reduced risk levels, price trends were inconsistent leading into the holiday break, causing losses for many systematic managers, including Campbell. Sharp losses in fixed income trading and modest losses in foreign exchange outweighed solid gains in cash equities and equity indices trading, resulting in a net loss for the month.
For the 2008 increase of 1.77%, approximately 4.43% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 1.51% due to interest income offset by approximately (4.17)% due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust. An analysis of the 4.43% trading gain by sector is as follows:
The first quarter of 2008 began where 2007 left off, with the credit crisis causing more write-downs, more credit downgrades, and a growing realization that sub-prime issues would have broader and longer-lasting impacts than initially suspected. In January, weak economic data caused the Federal Open Market Committee to cut short-term rates by a total of 1.25%, which included an unprecedented 0.75% emergency cut. The S&P 500 recorded one of its worst monthly performances in the history of the index. The Trust’s performance in January was basically flat, with gains in equity indices trading more than offset by losses in currencies and flat performance in fixed income and commodities.
February saw the U.S. dollar weaken against most major currencies, as U.S. economic data disappointed, stagflation concerns grew and U.S. interest rate expectations declined dramatically. The Trust’s currency trading profited from these moves, generating a positive return for the month. The Trust also recorded gains in equity indices trading, as the S&P 500, Dow, and NASDAQ continued to slide. Overall, the Trust had a positive month, posting a 1.68% gain.
March brought more Federal Reserve intervention, which resulted in a slight recovery by U.S. stocks from mid-month slides to finish flat for the month, but still significantly negative for the year. The US dollar continued to weaken. The Trust’s performance was close to flat for the month at (0.08)%, with gains in equity indices and currencies offset by losses in commodities and fixed income. The Trust closed the first quarter of 2008 with a year-to-date gain of 1.57%.
In April, the U.S. Dollar rallied against key funding currencies, despite a generally weak global economy. The Trust realized gains in foreign exchange and commodities. However, those gains were overshadowed by losses in the fixed income and equity indices sectors, as prior trends in both sectors reversed course. For the month of April, the Trust suffered a loss of 2.32%.
May was a strong month for the Trust. Positive commodity trading led the charge as crude oil breached new technical levels, touching $135 mid-month. Foreign exchange models also posted gains, as high-yielding currencies performed well. These gains, together with modest gains in the fixed income more than offset a loss in equity indices. The Trust achieved a positive return on the month of 2.07%.
In June the Trust realized its best month of the year, posting a return of 5.26%. Equity indices trading produced strong gains as short positions benefitted from the negative news that roiled the markets around the globe. Signs of commodity-based inflation were constantly in the headlines. Consumer confidence fell to a 16-year low, as U.S., European, and Asian equities markets fell in tandem. Fixed income trading produced additional gains for the Trust, in response to fears of inflation and the ECB’s increasingly hawkish stance. Commodities also posted gains as crude oil hit new highs on the back of increased tensions in the Middle East and among OPEC members. In addition, the Trust had modest gains in foreign exchange sector. The Trust concluded the second quarter with a gain of 5.40% for the quarter, and a year-to-date gain of 7.05%.
The month of July was characterized by reversals in many asset classes. The Dow and S&P hit technical bear market territory early in the month, while Japanese equities saw their longest back-to-back losing streak in 54 years. Equity markets seemed to find a bottom mid-month after the U.S. announced the Government-Sponsored Enterprises bailout plan. Commodity prices also reversed, with crude oil declining almost 12% on fears that a weakened economy would reduce global demand. The Trust earned profits in equity indices trading. Those gains were offset by losses in fixed income and commodities. All-in, the Trust finished the month with a loss of 1.10%.
In August, sub-prime fallout continued to plague the global financial markets. The U.S. unemployment rate hit a four-year high. Commodity prices continued to decline, with natural gas leading the way with a decline of 12.75% and gold falling to its lowest level in eight months. The Trust experienced losses in foreign exchange and commodities sectors as currencies linked to commodities fell in tandem with metal and energy markets, while the U.S. Dollar Index posted unusually strong gains. Those losses edged out gains in fixed income, resulting in a loss for the month of 1.37%.
September saw concern over the widening credit crises come to a boiling point. Equity markets in the U.S., Europe, and Asia declined sharply. Investors fled high-yielding currencies in response to the global decline in equity markets. The Trust posted a loss of 1.36%. Gains in equity indices were offset by losses in foreign exchange, fixed income, and commodities. Diversification of positions by sector and geography played an important role in dampening losses to the Trust, as did a decrease in risk levels across the portfolio. The Trust concluded the third quarter with a loss of 3.78% for the quarter, leaving the year-to-date gain at 3.00%.
At the time, the month of October seemed like a month to remember, as equity markets around the world plummeted, fueling further anxiety about the length and depth of a global recession and further exacerbating the liquidity, growth, and confidence crisis. With the benefit of hindsight, it was but the beginning of a quarter to remember. For the Trust, the month was about the benefits and disadvantages of diversification. Modest gains in equity indices trading were more than offset by losses in foreign exchange and fixed income, resulting in a loss for the month of 0.91%.
November brought further global economic panic, as governments around the world continued to announce plans to help bolster sagging economies. The U.S. reversed course on its bailout effort, from buying troubled assets to facilitating lending flow. Economic data reflected another sharp drop in manufacturing, rising unemployment, and the largest drop in retail sales since 1992, prompting wild swings in both equity and bond markets. The Trust maintained a relatively low risk profile during the month, which resulted in marginal losses and gains across the sectors. For the Trust, losses in fixed income offset marginal gains in other sectors, resulting in a loss for the month of 1.07%.
December saw more of the same on the global economic front. The Trust, however, took advantage of dramatic moves in the British Pound, particularly against the Euro, to achieve gains in foreign exchange. Likewise, fixed income trading was profitable as central banks across the globe continued to lower interest rates on persistent negative data. Overall, the Trust gained 0.80% for December.
The Trust completed the fourth quarter of 2008, one of the most volatile in market history, with a loss for the quarter of 1.19%, bringing the return for the year to 1.77%.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Introduction
Past Results Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Performance
The Trust is a speculative commodity pool. The market sensitive instruments held by it are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or a substantial amount of the Trust’s assets are subject to the risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to the Trust’s main line of business.
Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair market value of the Trust’s open positions and, consequently, in its earnings and cash flow. The Trust’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of exchange rates, interest rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Trust’s open positions and the liquidity of the markets in which it trades.
The Trust rapidly acquires and liquidates both long and short positions in a wide range of different markets. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how a particular future market scenario will affect performance, and the Trust’s past performance is not necessarily indicative of its future results.
Standard of Materiality
Materiality as used in this section, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” is based on an assessment of reasonably possible market movements and the potential losses caused by such movements, taking into account the leverage, and multiplier features of the Trust’s market sensitive instruments.
Quantifying the Trust’s Trading Value at Risk
Quantitative Forward-Looking Statements
The following quantitative disclosures regarding the Trust’s market risk exposures contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor from civil liability provided for such statements by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). 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 dollar amount of maintenance margin required for market risk sensitive instruments held at the end of the reporting period).
The Trust’s risk exposure in the various market sectors traded is estimated in terms of Value at Risk (VaR). The Trust estimates VaR using a model based upon historical simulation (with a confidence level of 97.5%) which involves constructing a distribution of hypothetical daily changes in the value of a trading portfolio. The VaR model takes into account linear exposures to risks, including equity and commodity prices, interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and correlation among these variables. The hypothetical changes in portfolio value are based on daily percentage changes observed in key market indices or other market factors to which the portfolio is sensitive. The Trust’s VaR at a one day 97.5% confidence level VaR corresponds to the negative change in portfolio value that, based on observed market risk factors, would have been exceeded once in 40 trading days or one day in 40. VaR typically does not represent the worst case outcome.
The Trust uses approximately one quarter of daily market data and revalues its portfolio for each of the historical market moves that occurred over this time period. This generates a probability distribution of daily “simulated profit and loss” outcomes. The VaR is the 2.5 percentile of this distribution.
The VaR for a sector represents the one day downside risk for the aggregate exposures associated with this sector. The current methodology used to calculate the aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
The Trust’s VaR computations are based on the risk representation of the underlying benchmark for each instrument or contract and does not distinguish between exchange and non-exchange dealer-based instruments. It is also not based on exchange and/or dealer-based maintenance margin requirements.
VaR models, including the Trust’s, are continually evolving as trading portfolios become more diverse and modeling techniques and systems capabilities improve. Please note that the VaR model is used to numerically quantify market risk for historic reporting purposes only and is not utilized by the Trust in its daily risk management activities. Please further note that VaR as described above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities.
Because the business of the Trust is the speculative trading of futures, forwards and options, the composition of the Trust’s trading portfolio can change significantly over any given time period, or even within a single trading day, which could positively or negatively materially impact market risk as measured by VaR.
The Trust’s Trading Value at Risk in Different Market Sectors
The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Trust’s open positions by market category as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 and the trading gains/losses by market category for the years then ended.
*
- The VaR for a sector represents the one day downside risk for the aggregate exposures associated with this sector. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
**
- Of the 14.04% return for the year ended December 31, 2010, approximately 17.51% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 0.34% due to interest income offset by approximately (3.81)% due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust.
*
- The VaR for a sector represents the one day downside risk for the aggregate exposures associated with this sector. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
**
- Of the (5.78)% return for the year ended December 31, 2009, approximately (1.74)% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 0.15% due to interest income offset by approximately (4.19) due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust.
*
- The VaR for a sector represents the one day downside risk for the aggregate exposures associated with this sector. The aggregate VaR represents the VaR of the Trust’s open positions across all market sectors, and is less than the sum of the VaRs for all such market sectors due to the diversification benefit across asset classes.
**
- Of the 1.77% return for the year ended December 31, 2008, approximately 4.43% was due to trading gains (before commissions) and approximately 1.51% due to interest income offset by approximately (4.17)% due to brokerage fees, operating costs and offering costs borne by the Trust.
Material Limitations of Value at Risk as an Assessment of Market Risk
The following limitations of VaR as an assessment of market risk should be noted:
1)
Past changes in market risk factors will not always result in accurate predictions of the distributions and correlations of future market movements;
2)
Changes in portfolio value caused by market movements may differ from those of the VaR model;
3)
VaR results reflect past trading positions while future risk depends on future positions;
4)
VaR using a one day time horizon does not fully capture the market risk of positions that cannot be liquidated or hedged within one day; and
5)
The historical market risk factor data for VaR estimation may provide only limited insight into losses that could be incurred under certain unusual market movements.
VaR is not necessarily representative of historic risk nor should it be used to predict the Trust’s future financial performance or its ability to manage and monitor risk. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s actual losses on a particular day will not exceed the VaR amounts indicated or that such losses will not occur more than once in 40 trading days.
Non-Trading Risk
The Trust has non-trading market risk on its foreign cash balances not needed for margin. However, these balances (as well as the market risk they represent) are immaterial. The Trust also has non-trading market risk as a result of investing a substantial portion of its available assets in U.S. Treasury Bills held at the broker and over-the-counter counterparty. The market risk represented by these investments is minimal. Finally, the Trust has non-trading market risk on fixed income securities held as part of its cash management program. The cash manager will use its best endeavors in the management of the assets of the Trust but provide no guarantee that any profit or interest will accrue to the Trust as a result of such management.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Primary Trading Risk Exposures
The following qualitative disclosures regarding the Trust’s market risk exposures - except for (i) those disclosures that are statements of historical fact and (ii) the descriptions of how the Trust manages its primary market risk exposures - constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act. The Trust’s primary market risk exposures as well as the strategies used and to be used by Campbell & Company for managing such exposures are subject to numerous uncertainties, contingencies and risks, any one of which could cause the actual results of the Trust’s risk controls to differ materially from the objectives of such strategies. Government interventions, defaults and expropriations, illiquid markets, the emergence of dominant fundamental factors, political upheavals, changes in historical price relationships, an influx of new market participants, increased regulation and many other factors could result in material losses as well as in material changes to the risk exposures and the risk management strategies of the Trust. There can be no assurance that the Trust’s current market exposure and/or risk management strategies will not change materially or that any such strategies will be effective in either the short- or long-term. Investors must be prepared to lose all or substantially all of their investment in the Trust.
The following were the primary trading risk exposures of the Trust as of December 31, 2010, by market sector.
Currencies
Exchange rate risk is a principal market exposure of the Trust. The Trust’s currency exposure is to exchange rate fluctuations, primarily fluctuations which 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 Trust trades in a large number of currencies, including crossrates- i.e., positions between two currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Campbell & Company does not anticipate that the risk profile of the Trust’s currency sector will change significantly in the future.
Interest Rates
Interest rate risk is a significant market exposure of the Trust. Interest rate movements directly affect the price of the sovereign bond positions held by the Trust 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 impact the Trust’s profitability. The Trust’s primary interest rate exposure is to interest rate fluctuations in the United States and the other G-7 countries. Campbell & Company anticipates that G-7 interest rates will remain the primary rate exposure of the Trust for the foreseeable future. The changes in interest rates which have the most effect on the Trust are changes in long-term, as opposed to short-term rates. Most of the speculative positions held by the Trust are in medium- to long-term instruments.
Stock Indices
The Trust’s primary equity exposure is to equity price risk in the G-7 countries and several other countries (Hong Kong, Spain, the Netherlands and Taiwan). The stock index futures traded by the Trust are by law limited to futures on broadly based indices. The Trust is primarily exposed to the risk of adverse price trends or static markets in the major U.S., European and Japanese indices. Markets that trade in a narrow range could result in the Trust’s positions being “whipsawed” into numerous small losses.
Energy
The Trust’s primary energy market exposure is to natural gas, crude oil and derivative product price movements, often resulting from international political developments and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the perceived outcome. Oil and gas prices can be volatile and substantial profits and losses have been and are expected to continue to be experienced in this market.
Metals
The Trust’s metals market exposure is to fluctuations in the price of aluminum, copper, gold, nickel, silver, and zinc.
Agricultural
The Trust’s agricultural exposure was to the fluctuations in the price of wheat, corn, coffee, sugar, soy, hogs, cattle, and cotton.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Non-Trading Risk Exposure
The following were the primary non-trading risk exposures of the Trust as of December 31, 2010.
Foreign Currency Balances
The Trust’s primary foreign currency balances are in Australian Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Japanese Yen, British Pounds and Euros. The Trust controls the non-trading risk of these balances by regularly converting these balances back into dollars (no less frequently than twice per month, and more frequently if a particular foreign currency balance becomes unusually large).
Fixed Income Securities
The Trust’s primary market exposure iin instruments (other than treasury positions described in the subsequent section) held other than for trading is in its fixed income portfolio. All securities purchased by the cash manager on behalf of the Trust are held in the Trust’s custody account at the custodian.
Treasury Bill Positions Held for Margin Purposes
The Trust also has market exposure in its Treasury Bill portfolio. The Trust holds Treasury Bills (interest bearing and credit risk-free) with maturities no longer than six months. Violent fluctuations in prevailing interest rates could cause minimal mark-to-market losses on the Trust’s Treasury Bills, although substantially all of these short-term investments are held to maturity.
Qualitative Disclosures Regarding Means of Managing Risk Exposure
The means by which the Trust and Campbell & Company, severally, attempt to manage the risk of the Trust’s open positions is essentially the same in all market categories traded. Campbell & Company applies risk management policies to its trading which generally limit the total exposure that may be taken per “risk unit” of assets under management. In addition, Campbell & Company follows diversification guidelines (often formulated in terms of the balanced volatility between markets and correlated groups), as well as precalculating “stop-loss” points at which systems will signal to close out open positions.
Campbell & Company manages the risk of the Trust’s non-trading instruments of Treasury Bills held for margin purposes by limiting the duration of such instruments to no more than six months. Campbell & Company manages the risk of the Trust’s fixed income securities held for cash management purposes by restricting the cash managers to investing in securities that are modeled after those investments allowed by the futures broker as defined under The Commodity Exchange Act, Title 17, Part 1, § 1.25 Investment of customer funds. Investments can include, but are not limited to, (i) U.S. Government Securities, Government Agency Securities, Municipal Securities, banker’s acceptances and certificates of deposit; (ii) commercial paper; and (iii) corporate debt.
General
The Trust is unaware of any (i) anticipated known demands, commitments or capital expenditures; (ii) material trends, favorable or unfavorable, in its capital resources; or (iii) trends or uncertainties that will have a material effect on operations. From time to time, certain regulatory agencies have proposed increased margin requirements on futures contracts. Because the Trust generally will use a small percentage of assets as margin, the Trust does not believe that any increase in margin requirements, as proposed, will have a material effect on the Trust’s operations.
Item 8.
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Financial statements meeting the requirements of Regulation S-X appear beginning on Page 46 of this report. The supplementary financial information specified by Item 302 of Regulation S-K is included in Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
Item 9.
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
Campbell & Company, Inc., the managing owner of the Trust, with the participation of the managing owner’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e)) with respect to the Trust as of the end of the period covered by this annual report. Based on their evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective. There were no changes in the managing owner’s internal control over financial reporting applicable to the Trust identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting applicable to the Trust.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Campbell & Company, Inc. (“CCI”), the managing owner of the Trust, is responsible for the management of the Trust. Management of CCI (“Management”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Management’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•
Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Trust;
•
Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that the partnership’s transactions are being made only in accordance with authorizations of Management and;
•
Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Trust’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making this assessment, Management used the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). As a result of this assessment and based on the criteria in the COSO framework, management has concluded that, as of December 31, 2010 , the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
There was no information required to be disclosed in a report on form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2010.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10.
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The Registrant has no directors or executive officers. The Registrant has no employees. It is managed by Campbell & Company in its capacity as general partner. Campbell & Company has been registered as a commodity pool operator (CPO) since September 1982. Its main business address is located at 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209, (410) 413-2600. Campbell & Company’s directors and executive officers are as follows:
G. William Andrews, born in 1972, has been employed by Campbell & Company since April 1997 and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in January 2010, was Vice President: Director of Operations from April 2007 to January 2010, and was Vice President: Director of Research Operations from March 2006 to April 2007 and Research Assistant from March 2005 to February 2006. As Chief Operating Officer, he is involved in all operational aspects of the firm. In March 2010, Mr. Andrews was appointed to the firm’s Investment Committee, and in that capacity is responsible for the management of the research and investment process at the firm. In March 2010, Mr. Andrews was appointed the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of both Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor and an SEC registered investment adviser, and The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company. Mr. Andrews holds an M.B.A. in Finance from Loyola College in Maryland and a Bachelor of Social Science from Waikato University, New Zealand. Mr. Andrews became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company effective June 21, 2006. Mr. Andrews became listed as Principal of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective March 29, 2010.
Theresa D. Becks, born in 1963, joined Campbell & Company in June 1991 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since April 2007, Secretary since May 1992, Director since January 1994, and was Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer until July 2008. Since April 2007, Ms. Becks has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor and an SEC-registered investment adviser; she previously served as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary commencing December 2005. Ms. Becks has served since April 2007 as Trustee, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company; she previously served as Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary commencing June 2005. In May 2010, Ms. Becks was incorporated in The Bahamas. Ms. Becks served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Managed Funds Association from November 2002 to November 2006. Ms. Becks is a C.P.A. and has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Delaware. Ms. Becks became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective May 7, 1999, March 10, 1993 and April 21, 1999, respectively. Ms. Becks became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective December 14, 2005, December 12, 2005 and December 14, 2005, respectively.
D. Keith Campbell, born in 1942, has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Campbell & Company since it began operations in 1972, was President until January 1994, and was Chief Executive Officer until January 1998. Mr. Campbell is the majority voting stockholder of Campbell & Company. Mr. Campbell has acted as a commodity trading advisor since January 1972 when, as general partner of the Campbell Fund, a limited partnership engaged in commodity futures trading, he assumed sole responsibility for trading decisions made on its behalf. Since then, he has applied various technical trading models to numerous discretionary futures trading accounts. Mr. Campbell is registered with the CFTC and NFA as a commodity pool operator. Mr. Campbell became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective October 29, 1997, September 29, 1978 and September 29, 1997, respectively. Mr. Campbell became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective July 9, 2008. Mr. Campbell became listed as a Principal of his Commodity Pool Operator effective March 10, 1975.
Bruce L. Cleland, born in 1947, joined Campbell & Company in January 1993 and has served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Campbell & Company since April 2007, was President from January 1994 to April 2007, and Chief Executive Officer from January 1998 to April 2007. From December 2005 until April 2007, Mr. Cleland was also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor and an SEC-registered investment advisor. From June 2005 until April 2007, Mr. Cleland also served as Trustee, Chief Executive Officer and President of The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company. In March 2010, Mr. Cleland was appointed to the firm’s Investment Committee, and in that capacity is responsible for the management of the research and investment process at the firm. Mr. Cleland is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Futures Association, and previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Managed Futures Association and as a member of the Board of Governors of the COMEX, in New York. Mr. Cleland is a graduate of Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree. Mr. Cleland again became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective December 15, 1993, September 15, 1993 and December 15, 1993, respectively. Mr. Cleland was an Associated Person, Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC from December 2005 to April 2007. Effective July 9, 2008, Mr. Cleland again became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC.
Gregory T. Donovan, born in 1972, joined Campbell & Company in October 2006 and has served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Campbell & Company since July 2008, and was Senior Vice President of Accounting and Finance from October 2006 to July 2008. His duties include oversight of accounting and finance functions and review of accounting policies and procedures. Mr. Donovan is also, since April 2007, the Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary of both Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor and an SEC-registered investment advisor, and The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company, and since May 2010 as Treasurer of Campbell & Company International Bahamas Limited, an international business company incorporated in The Bahamas. From November 2003 to October 2006, Mr. Donovan was employed by Huron Consulting Services, a managing consulting firm, serving as Director in the Financial and Economic Consulting Practice. Mr. Donovan is a C.P.A. and has a B.S. in Business Administration with concentrations in Accounting and Management from Castleton State College and holds a M.S. in Finance from the University of Baltimore. Mr. Donovan became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective July 5, 2007, May 9, 2007 and July 2, 2007, respectively. Mr. Donovan became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective May 16, 2007.
Michael S. Harris, born in 1975, has been employed by Campbell & Company since July 2000, was appointed Deputy Manager of Trading in September 2004 and has served as Vice President and Director of Trading since June 2006. His duties include managing daily trade execution for the assets under Campbell & Company’s management. In March 2010, Mr. Harris was appointed to the firm’s Investment Committee, and in that capacity is responsible for the management of the investment process of the firm. Mr. Harris holds a B.A. in Economics and Japanese Studies from Gettysburg College. He also spent time studying abroad at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan. Mr. Harris became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective September 21, 2000, June 15, 2006 and August 19, 2000, respectively.
Xiaohua Hu, born in 1963, joined Campbell & Company in April 1994 and was appointed Research Director in March 2010. Since he joined the firm, Mr. Hu has had a major role in the ongoing research and development of Campbell & Company’s trading systems. In March 2010, Mr. Hu was appointed to the firm’s Investment Committee, and in that capacity is responsible for the management of the research and investment process at the firm. Mr. Hu holds a B.A. in Manufacturing Engineering from Changsha University of Technology in China. He went on to receive an M.A. and Ph.D. in Systems and Information Engineering from the Toyohashi University of Technology, in Japan. During his studies at Toyohashi, Mr. Hu was also a Visiting Researcher in Computer Science and Operations Research and published several research papers. Mr. Hu was listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company from February 1998 to December 2001. Mr. Hu again became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company effective April 7, 2010.
Thomas P. Lloyd, born in 1959, joined Campbell & Company in September 2005 as General Counsel and Executive Vice President-Legal and Compliance. In this capacity, he is involved in all aspects of legal affairs, compliance and regulatory oversight. Since April 2007, Mr. Lloyd has also overseen Campbell & Company’s fund administration function. Mr. Lloyd is also, since September 2005, the Secretary, Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Treasurer of both Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor, and an SEC-registered investment adviser, and The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company, and since May 2010 as Secretary of Campbell & Company International Bahamas Limited, an international business company incorporated in The Bahamas. From July 1999 to September 2005, Mr. Lloyd was employed by Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. (“DBSI”) in several positions, including Managing Director and head of the legal group for Deutsche Bank Alex. Brown, the Private Client Division of DBSI. Mr. Lloyd holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Maryland, and a J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. Mr. Lloyd is a member of the Bars of the State of Maryland and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Lloyd became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective August 30, 2010, October 20, 2005 and August 30, 2010, respectively. Mr. Lloyd became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective December 12, 2005.
Robert W. McBride, born in 1970, has been employed by Campbell & Company since January 2004 and was appointed Director - Software Development and Research Operations in May 2010, was Director of Research Operations & Trade Operations from January 2010 to May 2010, Research Operations - Code Management Manager from March 2006 to January 2010, and Research Programmer from January 2004 to March 2006. Mr. McBride holds a M.S. in Computer Science from South Dakota Schools of Mines and Technology and a B.S. in Computer Science from Minnesota State University Mankato. Mr. McBride became listed as a Principal of Campbell & Company effective May 25, 2010.
Tracy Wills-Zapata, born in 1971, joined Campbell & Company in February 2006 and has served as Managing Director - Business Development since January 2007 and was Managing Director of Institutional Business Development from February 2006 to January 2007. Ms. Wills-Zapata is also, since December 2008, Vice President of both Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Campbell & Company, a registered commodity trading advisor and an SEC-registered investment adviser, and The Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, a registered investment company. Prior to joining Campbell, Ms. Wills-Zapata was a Managing Director of DB Advisors LLC, and affiliates, from September 2002 to December 2005, where she was responsible for distribution of Deutsche Bank’s single manager hedge fund platform. Ms. Wills-Zapata was registered as an Associated Person from January 2005 to December 2005 with DB Capital Advisers Inc., and from February 2003 to January 2005 with DB Advisors LLC. Ms. Wills-Zapata was listed as a Principal with DB Advisors LLC from February 2003 to February 2004. Ms. Wills-Zapata was an NFA Associate Member from December 2004 to December 2005 with DB Capital Advisers Inc., and from January 2003 to January 2005 with DB Advisors LLC. Ms. Wills-Zapata is currently a member of the Board of Directors and a Member of the Executive Committee for the Managed Funds Association. Ms. Wills-Zapata became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company effective March 27, 2006, July 21, 2008 and March 27, 2006, respectively. Ms. Wills-Zapata became registered as an Associated Person and listed as a Principal and NFA Associate Member of Campbell & Company Investment Adviser LLC effective February 18, 2009.
There has never been a material administrative, civil or criminal action brought against Campbell & Company or any of its directors, executive officers, promoters or control persons.
No Forms 3, 4, or 5 have been furnished to the Registrant since inception. To the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, no such forms have been or are required to be filed.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Board of Directors of Campbell & Company, in its capacity as the audit committee for the Trust, has determined that Gregory T. Donovan qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. He is not independent of management.
Code of Ethics
Campbell & Company has adopted a code of ethics for its chief executive officer, chief financial officer, director of fund accounting, accounting managers and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the code of ethics may be obtained at no charge by written request to Campbell & Company’s corporate secretary, 2850 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21209 or by calling 1-800-698-7235.
The Registrant is managed by its managing owner, Campbell & Company. Campbell & Company receives from the Registrant a Brokerage Fee equal to 2.85% of the Registrant’s month-end Net Assets per year. From such 2.85% Brokerage Fee, Campbell & Company remits 0.35% to the broker-dealers which engaged in the distribution of the Units in return for ongoing services to the Unitholders. Campbell & Company retains the remaining 2.5% as management fees (2% for providing advisory fees and 0.5% for acting as managing owner). Campbell & Company also receives a performance fee of 20% of the aggregate cumulative appreciation (if any) in Net Asset Value per unit at the end of each calendar quarter, exclusive of the appreciation attributable to interest income. The performance fee is paid on the cumulative increase if any, in the Net Asset Value per Unit over the highest previous cumulative Net Asset Value per Unit (commonly referred to as a “High Water Mark”). In determining the fees in this paragraph, adjustments shall be made for capital additions and withdrawals and Net Assets shall not be reduced by the fees being calculated for such current period. The performance fee is not subject to any clawback provisions. The brokerage fee and performance fee are typically paid in the month following the month n which they are earned. The brokerage fee and performance fee are paid from the available cash at the Trust’s bank, broker or cash management accounts.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 13.
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
See Item 11, Executive Compensation and Item 12, Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Item 14.
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
(a)
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the Trust’s annual financial statements, for review of financial statements included in the Trust’s Forms 10-Q and other services normally provided in connection with regulatory filings for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $52,275 and $36,450, respectively.
(b)
Audit Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant in connection with Sarbanes Oxley compliance for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 were $0 and $5,070, respectively.
(c)
Tax Fees
None
(d)
All Other Fees
None
(e)
The Board of Directors of Campbell & Company approved all of the services described above. The Board of Directors has determined that the payments made to its independent accountants for these services are compatible with maintaining such auditors’ independence. The Board of Directors explicitly pre-approves all audit and non-audit services and all engagement fees and terms
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a)
The Following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1)
See Financial Statements beginning on page 46 hereof.
(2)
Schedules:
Financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are not included in the financial statements or notes hereto applicable or because equivalent information has been included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
(3)
Exhibit
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 on March 31, 2011.
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 in the capacities of Campbell & Company, Inc., Managing Owner of the Registrant indicated on March 31, 2011.
Signature
Capacity
/s/ D. Keith Campbell
D. Keith Campbell
Chairman of the Board of Directors
/s/ Bruce L. Cleland
Bruce L. Cleland
Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors
/s/ Theresa D. Becks
Theresa D. Becks
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Gregory T. Donovan
Gregory T. Donovan
Chief Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer
CAMPBELL ALTERNATIVE ASSET TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT
December 31, 2010
CAMPBELL ALTERNATIVE ASSET TRUST
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Unitholders of
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of Campbell Alternative Asset Trust (the “Trust”), including the condensed of schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of operations, cash flows, changes in unitholders’ capital (net asset value) and financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Trust’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Campbell Alternative Asset Trust as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, the results of its operations, its cash flows, changes in its unitholders’ capital (net asset value) and financial highlights for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2010
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2010
LONG FUTURES CONTRACTS
SHORT FUTURES CONTRACTS
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
PURCHASED OPTIONS ON FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2010
WRITTEN OPTIONS ON FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
*
Pledged as collateral for the trading of futures, forward and option positions.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2009
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2009
LONG FUTURES CONTRACTS
SHORT FUTURES CONTRACTS
FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Condensed Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2009
PURCHASED OPTIONS ON FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
WRITTEN OPTIONS ON FORWARD CURRENCY CONTRACTS
*
Pledged as collateral for the trading of futures, forward and option positions.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Statements of Financial Condition
December 31, 2010 And 2009
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Statements of Operations
For The Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 And 2008
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Statements of Cash Flows
For The Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 And 2008
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Statements of Changes in Unitholders’ Capital (Net Asset Value)
For The Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 And 2008
Net Asset Value per Managing Owner and Other Unitholders’ Unit
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Financial Highlights
For The Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 And 2008
The following information presents per unit operating performance data and other supplemental financial data for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements.
Total returns are calculated based on the change in value of a unit during the year. An individual unitholder’s total returns and ratios may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of additions and redemptions.
(1)
Net investment income (loss) per unit and offering costs per unit are calculated by dividing the net investment income (loss) and offering costs by the average number of units outstanding during the year. Total net trading gains (losses) is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per unit with the other per unit information.
(2)
Excludes performance fee.
See Accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
Note 1.
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
A.
General Description of the Trust
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust (the Trust) is a Delaware statutory trust which operates as a commodity investment pool. The Trust was formed on May 3, 2000 and commenced trading on October 1, 2001. The Trust engages in the speculative trading of futures contracts, forward currency contracts and options on forward currency contracts.
As of December 31, 2002, units are no longer offered to the public, but are offered exclusively for sale to the Campbell & Company, Inc. 401(K) Plan (the 401(K) Plan). At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the 401(K) Plan held approximately 83% and 74% of the Trust’s outstanding units, respectively.
B.
Regulation
As a registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Trust is subject to the regulatory requirements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. As a commodity investment pool, the Trust is subject to the regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an agency of the United States (U.S.) government which regulates most aspects of the commodity futures industry; rules of the National Futures Association, an industry self-regulatory organization; and the requirements of the various commodity exchanges where the Trust executes transactions. Additionally, the Trust is subject to the requirements of futures commission merchants (brokers) and interbank market makers through which the Trust trades.
C.
Method of Reporting
The Trust’s financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require the use of certain estimates made by the Trust’s management. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains or losses are realized when contracts are liquidated. Unrealized gains and losses on open contracts (the difference between contract trade price and market price) are reported in the statement of financial condition as a net gain or loss, as there exists a right of offset of unrealized gains or losses in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 210-20, Offsetting - Balance Sheet. The fair value of futures (exchange-traded) contracts is determined by the various futures exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close on the last business day of the reporting period. The fair value of forward currency (non-exchange traded) contracts was extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period.
The fair value of option (non-exchange traded) contracts is calculated by applying an industry-standard adaptation of the Black-Scholes options valuation model to foreign currency options, using as inputs the spot prices, interest rates and option implied volatilities quoted as of 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period. Any change in net unrealized gain or loss from the preceding period is reported in the statement of operations.
When the Trust writes an option, an amount equal to the premium received by the Trust is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked to market to reflect the current fair value of option written. Brokerage commissions include other trading fees and are charged to expense when contracts are opened.
The fixed income investments, other than U.S. Treasury bills, are held at the custodian and marked to market on the last business day of the reporting period by the custodian who utilizes a third party vendor hierarchy of pricing providers who specialize in such markets. The prices furnished by the providers consider the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. U.S. Treasury bills are held at the brokers or interbank market makers and are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. Premiums and discounts on fixed income securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
For purposes of both financial reporting and calculation of redemption value, Net Asset Value per unit is calculated by dividing Net Asset Value by the number of outstanding units.
The Trust follows the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures as of January 1, 2008. ASC 820 provides guidance for determining fair value and requires increased disclosure regarding the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Trust has the ability to access at the measurement date. An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The value of the Trust’s exchange-traded futures contracts fall into this category.
Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. This category includes forward currency contracts and options on forward currency contracts that the Trust values using models or other valuation methodologies derived from observable market data. This category also includes fixed income investments.
Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for an asset or liability (including the Trust’s own assumptions used in determining the fair value of investments). Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date. As of and for the period ended December 31, 2010, the Trust did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.
In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 (“ASU 2010-06”) for improving disclosure about fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 adds new disclosure requirements about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2 and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). It also clarifies existing disclosure requirements relating to the levels of disaggregation for fair value measurement and inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value. As of January 1, 2010, the Trust adopted the provisions of ASC 2010-06 except for disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the rollforward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010 and for interim periods within those fiscal years. The management does not expect that adoption of the remaining provisions will have a material impact on the Trust’s financial statement disclosures.
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Trust’s investments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2010 and 2009.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
The gross presentation of the fair value of the Trust’s derivatives by instrument type is shown in Note 8. See Condensed Schedule of Investments for additional detail categorization.
D.
Income Taxes
The Trust prepares calendar year U.S. federal and applicable state information tax returns and reports to the unitholders their allocable shares of the Trust’s income, expenses and trading gains or losses. No provision for income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements as each unitholder is individually responsible for reporting income or loss based on such unitholder’s respective share of the Trust’s income and expenses as reported for income tax purposes.
Management has continued to evaluate the application of ASC 740, Income Taxes to the Trust, and has determined that no reserves for uncertain tax positions were required. The Trust files federal and state tax returns. The 2007 through 2010 tax years generally remain subject to examination by the U.S. federal and most state tax authorities.
E.
Offering Costs
Campbell & Company, Inc. (Campbell & Company) has incurred all costs in connection with the initial and continuous offering of units of the Trust (offering costs). Offering costs are charged to the Trust at a monthly rate of 1/12 of 0.9% (0.9% annualized) of the Trust’s month-end net asset value (as defined in the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement) until such amounts are fully reimbursed. Such amounts are charged directly to unitholders’ capital. The Trust is only liable for payment of offering costs on a monthly basis. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Trust reflects a liability in the statement of financial condition for offering costs payable to Campbell & Company of $0 and $5,727, respectively.
The offering costs for which Campbell & Company are being reimbursed relate to the offering of units of the Trust to all unitholders except the 401(K) Plan. Therefore, Campbell & Company rebates to the 401(K) Plan the offering costs charged to the 401(K) Plan. All such rebates are made by issuing additional units to the 401(K) Plan.
Effective May 2010, the Trust has reimbursed Campbell & Company for all offering costs incurred in the initial and continuing offering of the Trust. Additional offering costs with regard to the Trust’s continued offering will be incurred by Campbell & Company. Campbell & Company will not be reimbursed by the Trust for these costs. At December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the amount of unreimbursed offering costs incurred by Campbell & Company is $0 and $25,094, respectively.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
F.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Trust’s functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, it transacts business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect at the date of the statement of financial condition. Income and expense items denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates in effect during the period. Gains and losses resulting from the translation to U.S. dollars are reported in income.
G.
Reclassification
Certain 2009 and 2008 amounts in the Statement of Cash Flows were reclassified to conform with the 2010 presentation. Specifically, purchases and sales/maturities of fixed income securities are presented on a gross basis as components of cash flow from (for) operating activities.
Note 2.
MANAGING OWNER AND COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR
The managing owner of the Trust is Campbell & Company, which conducts and manages the business of the Trust. Campbell & Company is also the commodity trading advisor of the Trust. The Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement requires Campbell & Company to maintain a capital account equal to 1% of the total capital accounts of the Trust. Additionally, Campbell & Company is required by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement to maintain a net worth of not less than $1,000,000.
The Trust pays a monthly brokerage fee of 1/12 of 2.85% (2.85% annualized) of month-end net assets to Campbell & Company and approximately $4 per round turn to the broker for execution and clearing costs. Such costs are limited to 3.5% of average month-end net assets per year. From the 2.85% fee, a portion (0.35%) is used to compensate selling agents for administrative services and a portion (2.5%) is retained by Campbell & Company for trading and management services rendered.
Campbell & Company is also paid a performance fee equal to 20% of New Appreciation (as defined) calculated as of the end of each calendar quarter and upon redemption of units. More specifically, the performance fee is paid on the cumulative increase, if any, in the Net Asset Value per Unit over the highest previous cumulative Net Asset Value per Unit (commonly referred to as a “High Water Mark”) adjusting for investment income. In determining the brokerage and performance fees, adjustments shall be made for capital additions and withdrawals and Net Assets shall not be reduced by the fees being calculated for such current period. The performance fee is not subject to any clawback provisions. The brokerage fee and performance fee are typically paid in the month following the month in which they are earned. The brokerage fee and performance fee are paid from the available cash at the Trust’s bank, broker or cash management accounts.
Campbell & Company rebates to the 401(K) Plan the brokerage fee and the performance fee applicable to the 401(K) Plan. All such rebates are made by issuing additional units to the 401(K) Plan.
Note 3.
TRUSTEE
The trustee of the Trust is U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking corporation. The trustee has delegated to the managing operator the duty and authority to manage the business and affairs of the Trust and has only nominal duties and liabilities with respect to the Trust.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
Note 4.
CASH MANAGER AND CUSTODIAN
The Trust appointed Wilmington Trust Investment Management LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wilmington Trust Corporation, as cash manager under the Non-Custody Investment Advisory Agreement dated July 8, 2009, to manage and control the liquid assets of the Trust. The cash manager is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The Trust has terminated the Non-Custody Investment Advisory Agreement appointing Wilmington Trust Investment Management LLC as cash manager, effective December 31, 2010.
The Trust opened a custodial account at The Northern Trust Company (the custodian) and has granted the cash manager authority to make certain investments on behalf of the Trust provided such investments are consistent with the investment guidelines created by the managing operator. All securities purchased by the cash manager on behalf of the Trust will be held in its custody account at the custodian. The cash manager will have no beneficial or other interest in the securities and cash in such custody account.
Note 5.
DEPOSITS WITH BROKER
The Trust deposits assets with a broker subject to Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations and various exchange and broker requirements. Margin requirements are satisfied by the deposit of U.S. Treasury bills and cash with such broker. The Trust typically earns interest income on its assets deposited with the broker.
Note 7.
SUBSCRIPTIONS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS
Investments in the Trust are made by subscription agreement, subject to acceptance by Campbell & Company.
The Trust is not required to make distributions, but may do so at the sole discretion of Campbell & Company. A unitholder may request and receive redemption of units owned, subject to restrictions in the Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement. Units are transferable, but no market exists for their sale and none is expected to develop. Monthly redemptions are permitted upon ten (10) business days advance written notice to Campbell & Company.
Note 8.
TRADING ACTIVITIES AND RELATED RISKS
The Trust engages in the speculative trading of U.S. and foreign futures contracts, forward currency contracts and options on forward currency contracts (collectively, ‘derivatives’). Specifically, the Fund trades a portfolio focused on financial futures, which are instruments designed to hedge or speculate on changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, stock index values, as well as metals, energy and agriculture values. The Trust is exposed to both market risk, the risk arising from changes in the market value of the contracts, and credit risk, the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.
Purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with the broker. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act requires a broker to segregate all customer transactions and assets from such broker’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other property (for example, U.S. Treasury bills) deposited with a broker are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the broker’s segregation requirements. In the event of a broker’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available. It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than total cash and other property deposited.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
The amount of required margin and good faith deposits with the broker and interbank market makers usually range from 10% to 30% of Net Asset Value. The market value of securities held to satisfy such requirements at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $4,999,842 and $6,649,184, respectively, which equals 17% and 23% of Net Asset Value, respectively. The cash deposited with interbank market makers at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was $2,547,070 and $102,855, respectively, which equals 9% and 0% of Net Asset Value, respectively. Included in cash deposits with the broker and interbank market maker at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 was restricted cash for margin requirements of $249,673 and $0 respectively, which equals 0.8% and 0.0% of Net Asset Value respectively.
The Trust trades forward currency and options on forward currency contracts in unregulated markets between principals and assumes the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. Accordingly, the risks associated with forward currency and options on foreign currency contracts are generally greater than those associated with exchange traded contracts because of the greater risk of counterparty default. Additionally, the trading of forward currency and options on forward currency contracts typically involves delayed cash settlement.
The Trust has a substantial portion of its assets on deposit with financial institutions. In the event of a financial institution’s insolvency, recovery of Trust assets on deposit may be limited to account insurance or other protection afforded such deposits.
For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the market value of the contracts. Theoretically, the Trust is exposed to a market risk equal to the notional contract value of futures and forward currency contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short. As both a buyer and seller of options, the Trust pays or receives a premium at the outset and then bears the risk of unfavorable changes in the price of the contract underlying the option. Written options expose the Trust to potentially unlimited liability, and purchased options expose the Trust to a risk of loss limited to the premiums paid. See Note 1. C. for an explanation of how the Trust determines its valuation for derivatives as well as the netting of derivatives.
The Trust has adopted the provisions of ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, (‘ASC 815’). ASC 815 provides enhanced disclosures about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, how derivative instruments are accounted for, and how derivative instruments affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.
The following tables summarize quantitative information required by ASC 815.
The fair value of the Trust’s derivatives by instrument type, as well as the location of those instruments on the Statements of Financial Condition, as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
The trading revenue of the Trust’s derivatives by instrument type, as well as the location of those gains and losses on the Statements of Operations, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the monthly average of futures contracts bought and sold was approximately 2,300 and 900 respectively, and the monthly average of notional value of forward currency and options on forward currency contracts was $215,500,000 and $175,300,000 respectively.
Open contracts generally mature within three months; as of December 31, 2010, the latest maturity date for open futures contracts is March 2012, the latest maturity date for open forward currency contracts is March 2011, and the latest expiry date for options on forward currency contracts is January 2011. However, the Trust intends to close all futures and foreign currency contracts prior to maturity.
Campbell & Company has established procedures to actively monitor market risk and minimize credit risk, although there can be no assurance that it will, in fact, succeed in doing so. Campbell & Company’s basic market risk control procedures consist of continuously monitoring open positions, diversification of the portfolio and maintenance of a margin-to-equity ratio that rarely exceeds 30%. Campbell & Company’s attempt to manage the risk of the Trust’s open positions is essentially the same in all market categories traded. Campbell & Company applies risk management policies to its trading which generally limit the total exposure that may be taken per ‘risk unit’ of assets under management. In addition, Campbell & Company follows diversification guidelines (often formulated in terms of the balanced volatility between markets and correlated groups), as well as precalculating ‘stop-loss’ points at which systems will signal to close open positions. Campbell & Company controls the risk of the Trust’s non-trading fixed income instruments by limiting the duration of such instruments and requiring a minimum credit quality of the issuers of those instruments.
Campbell & Company seeks to minimize credit risk primarily by depositing and maintaining the Trust’s assets at financial institutions and brokers which Campbell & Company believes to be credit worthy. The unitholder bears the risk of loss only to the extent of the market value of their respective investments and, in certain specific circumstances, distributions and redemptions received.
Campbell Alternative Asset Trust
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2010
Note 9.
INDEMNIFICATIONS
In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Trust that have not yet occurred. The Trust expects the risk of any future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.
Note 10.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Management of the Trust has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were filed. In 2011, management of the Trust has made the decision to cease the Trust offering, effective April 22, 2011. The decision to cease the offering is the precursor to closing the Trust as of May 31, 2011. The financial statements for periods subsequent to December 31, 2010 will be presented on a liquidation-basis of accounting. Under the liquidation basis of accounting, assets are valued at their estimated net realizable amounts and liabilities are adjusted to the estimated amounts to be paid in settlement of the Trust’s obligations. As the majority of the Trust’s assets and liabilities are at fair value, management does not anticipate a material impact to result from the presentation of liquidation-basis financial statements.
EXHIBIT INDEX