We usually include our take on the previous week in our regular newsletter, but due to the President’s Day holiday, our next newsletter won’t come out until next week. So instead, we’re sharing our summary of last week’s markets, trading systems, and CTAs right here. Enjoy!
Markets
In indices, the Dow rose 1.27% to hit a 7-month high, the S&P 500 gained 1.42% and reached a 3+ year high, the Nasdaq was up 1.31% to yet another 11+ year high, the S&P Mid-Cap 400 E-mini rose 2.15% to hit a 7-month high, and the Russel 2000 E-mini rose 1.75%. In bonds, US 10-year notes lost -0.36%, and US 30-year bonds were down -0.48%. In currencies, the US Dollar rose 0.29%, the Japanese Yen lost -2.35% to hit a 6-month low, the British Pound was up 0.65%, the Euro was down -0.10%, and the Swiss Franc fell -0.12%.
In metals, Gold was up 0.03%, Silver lost -1.15%, Copper was down -3.99%, Platinum lost -1.56%, and Palladium fell -2.13%. In energies, Crude rose 5.00%, Heating Oil was up 0.21%, RBOB Gasoline rose 1.37% to a 10+ year high, and Natural Gas gained 8.36%.
In grains, Corn gained 1.58%, Wheat was up 2.22%, and Soy gained 3.13%. In meats, Live Cattle was up 3.23%, and Live Hogs were up 2.35%. In Softs, Cocoa rose 8.51%, Orange Juice rose 1.08%, Cotton rose 2.25%, Coffee fell -6.92% to a 15-month low, and Sugar was down -0.20%.
Trading Systems
Another quiet week for day trading systems, with the lone system PSI! posting a gain on two trades to finish up $301.56. For swing trading systems, the week was not as kind. Jaws US 400 US lost -$655, MoneyBeans S lost -$572.5, Strategic ES lost -$255, and Strategic v2 SP lost -$1050. MoneyMaker ES was the lone winner, finishing the week up $472.5
Managed Futures
We’re three-fourths through February, and it’s clear this month has been kinder to some strategies than others. Agriculture programs, specialty programs, and multi-strategy programs have generally suffered, while trend followers have mostly posted gains. The 2012 bull trend has remained relatively intact, giving trend followers plenty of sustained movements to ride up. However, it’s been a mixed bag for options traders, with some posting moderate gains and a few suffering from substantial losses.
Disclaimer
The performance data displayed herein is compiled from various sources, including BarclayHedge, and reports directly from the advisors. These performance figures should not be relied on independent of the individual advisor's disclosure document, which has important information regarding the method of calculation used, whether or not the performance includes proprietary results, and other important footnotes on the advisor's track record.
The programs listed here are a sub-set of the full list of programs able to be accessed by subscribing to the database and reflect programs we currently work with and/or are more familiar with.
Benchmark index performance is for the constituents of that index only, and does not represent the entire universe of possible investments within that asset class. And further, that there can be limitations and biases to indices such as survivorship, self reporting, and instant history. Individuals cannot invest in the index itself, and actual rates of return may be significantly different and more volatile than those of the index.
Managed futures accounts can subject to substantial charges for management and advisory fees. The numbers within this website include all such fees, but it may be necessary for those accounts that are subject to these charges to make substantial trading profits in the future to avoid depletion or exhaustion of their assets.
Investors interested in investing with a managed futures program (excepting those programs which are offered exclusively to qualified eligible persons as that term is defined by CFTC regulation 4.7) will be required to receive and sign off on a disclosure document in compliance with certain CFT rules The disclosure documents contains a complete description of the principal risk factors and each fee to be charged to your account by the CTA, as well as the composite performance of accounts under the CTA's management over at least the most recent five years. Investor interested in investing in any of the programs on this website are urged to carefully read these disclosure documents, including, but not limited to the performance information, before investing in any such programs.
Those investors who are qualified eligible persons as that term is defined by CFTC regulation 4.7 and interested in investing in a program exempt from having to provide a disclosure document and considered by the regulations to be sophisticated enough to understand the risks and be able to interpret the accuracy and completeness of any performance information on their own.
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Limitations on RCM Quintile + Star Rankings
The Quintile Rankings and RCM Star Rankings shown here are provided for informational purposes only. RCM does not guarantee the accuracy, timeliness or completeness of this information. The ranking methodology is proprietary and the results have not been audited or verified by an independent third party. Some CTAs may employ trading programs or strategies that are riskier than others. CTAs may manage customer accounts differently than their model results shown or make different trades in actual customer accounts versus their own accounts. Different CTAs are subject to different market conditions and risks that can significantly impact actual results. RCM and its affiliates receive compensation from some of the rated CTAs. Investors should perform their own due diligence before investing with any CTA. This ranking information should not be the sole basis for any investment decision.
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