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8-K - FORM 8-K - United States Natural Gas Fund, LP | d8k.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
UNITED STATES COMMODITY FUNDS LLC
General Partner of the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
March 31, 2011
Dear United States Natural Gas Fund, LP Investor,
Enclosed with this letter is your copy of the 2010 financial statements for the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (ticker symbol UNG). We have mailed this statement to all investors in UNG who held shares as of December 31, 2010 to satisfy our annual reporting requirement under federal commodities laws. In addition, we have enclosed a copy of the current UNG Privacy Policy. Additional information concerning UNGs 2010 results may be found by referring to UNGs Annual Report on Form 10-K (the Form 10-K), which has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). You may obtain a copy of the Form 10-K by going to the SECs website at www.sec.gov, or by going to UNGs own website at www.unitedstatesnaturalgasfund.com. You may also call UNG at 1-800-920-0259 to speak to a representative and request additional material, including a current UNG Prospectus.
United States Commodity Funds LLC is the general partner of UNG. United States Commodity Funds LLC is also the general partner or sponsor and manager of several other commodity based exchange traded security funds. These other funds are referred to in the enclosed financial statements and include:
United States Oil Fund, LP |
(ticker symbol: USO) | |
United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP |
(ticker symbol: USL) | |
United States Gasoline Fund, LP |
(ticker symbol: UGA) | |
United States Heating Oil Fund, LP |
(ticker symbol: UHN) | |
United States Short Oil Fund, LP |
(ticker symbol: DNO) | |
United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP United States Brent Oil Fund, LP United States Commodity Index Fund |
(ticker symbol: UNL) (ticker symbol: BNO) (ticker symbol: USCI) |
Information about these other funds is contained within the Annual Report as well as in the current UNG Prospectus. Investors in UNG who wish to receive additional information about these other funds may do so by going to their respective websites.* The websites may be found at:
www.unitedstatesoilfund.com
www.unitedstates12monthoilfund.com
www.unitedstatesgasolinefund.com
www.unitedstatesheatingoilfund.com
www.unitedstatesshortoilfund.com
www.unitedstates12monthnaturalgasfund.com
www.unitedstatesbrentoilfund.com
www.unitedstatescommodityindexfund.com
You may also call United States Commodity Funds LLC at 1-800-920-0259 to request additional information.
Thank you for your continued interest in UNG.
Regards,
/s/ Nicholas Gerber |
Nicholas Gerber |
President and CEO |
United States Commodity Funds LLC |
* | This letter is not an offer to buy or sell securities. Investment in any of these other funds is only made by prospectus. Please consult the relevant prospectus for a description of the risks and expenses involved in any such investment. |
Revised May 6, 2010
PRIVACY POLICY
UNITED STATES COMMODITY FUNDS LLC
This privacy policy explains the policies of United States Commodity Funds LLC (the Company), a commodity pool operator registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and (i) the statutory trust for which the Company acts as sponsor, United States Commodity Index Funds Trust (the Trust), and (ii) each commodity pool for which it serves as the general partner or the sponsor (collectively, the Funds), including the United States Oil Fund, LP, United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP, United States Natural Gas Fund, LP, United States Heating Oil Fund, LP, United States Gasoline Fund, LP, United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP, United States Short Oil Fund, LP, United States Brent Oil Fund, LP, United States Short Natural Gas Fund, LP and United States Commodity Index Fund (a series of the Trust), relating to the collection, maintenance and use of nonpublic personal information about the Funds investors, as required under federal legislation. This privacy policy applies to the nonpublic personal information of investors who are individuals and who obtain financial products or services primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
Collection of Investor Information
Units of the Funds are registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for the Depository Trust Company. However, the Company may collect or have access to personal information about Fund investors for certain purposes relating to the operation of the Funds, including for the distribution of certain required tax reports to investors. This information may include information received from investors and information about investors holdings and transactions in units of the Funds.
Disclosure of Nonpublic Personal Information
The Company does not sell or rent investor information. The Company does not disclose nonpublic personal information about Fund investors, except as required by law or as described below. Specifically, the Company may share nonpublic personal information in the following situations:
| To service providers in connection with the administration and servicing of the Trust and the Funds, which may include attorneys, accountants, auditors and other professionals. The Company may also share information in connection with the servicing or processing of Trust and Fund transactions. |
| To respond to subpoenas, court orders, judicial process or regulatory authorities; |
| To protect against fraud, unauthorized transactions (such as money laundering), claims or other liabilities; and |
| Upon consent of an investor to release such information, including authorization to disclose such information to persons acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity on behalf of the investor. |
Fund investors have no right to opt out of the Companys disclosure of non-public personal information under the circumstances described above.
Protection of Investor Information
The Company holds Fund investor information in the strictest confidence. Accordingly, the Companys policy is to require that all employees, financial professionals and companies providing services on its behalf keep client information confidential.
The Company maintains safeguards that comply with federal standards to protect investor information. The Company restricts access to the personal and account information of investors to those employees who need to know that information in the course of their job responsibilities. Third parties with whom the Company shares investor information must agree to follow appropriate standards of security and confidentiality, which includes safeguarding such information physically, electronically and procedurally.
The Companys privacy policy applies to both current and former investors. The Company will only disclose nonpublic personal information about a former investor to the same extent as for a current investor.
Changes to Privacy Policy
The Company may make changes to its privacy policy in the future. The Company will not make any change affecting Fund investors without first sending investors a revised privacy policy describing the change. In any case, the Company will send Fund investors a current privacy policy at least once a year as long as they continue to be Fund investors.
UNITED STATES NATURAL GAS FUND, LP
A Delaware Limited Partnership
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR
To the Unitholders of the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Pursuant to Rule 4.22(h) under the Commodity Exchange Act, the undersigned represents that, to the best of his knowledge and belief, the information contained in this Annual Report for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is accurate and complete.
By: | /s/ Nicholas Gerber | |
Nicholas Gerber | ||
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP | ||
President & CEO of United States Commodity Funds LLC | ||
(General Partner of the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP) |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Partners of
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of United States Natural Gas Fund, LP, (the Fund) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, including the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners capital and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes 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 referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United States Natural Gas Fund, LP as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Funds internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 1, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Funds internal control over financial reporting.
/S/ SPICER JEFFRIES LLP
Greenwood Village, Colorado
March 1, 2011
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Statements of Financial Condition
At December 31, 2010 and 2009
2010 | 2009 | |||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5) |
$ | 2,320,745,778 | $ | 3,896,493,193 | ||||
Equity in UBS Securities LLC trading accounts: |
||||||||
Cash |
314,624,216 | 733,693,664 | ||||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on open commodity futures and cleared swap contracts |
87,405,280 | (41,777,265 | ) | |||||
Unrealized gain (loss) on open swap contracts |
27,200,226 | (39,408,688 | ) | |||||
Investment receivable |
16,538,472 | | ||||||
Dividend receivable |
54,186 | 110,235 | ||||||
Other assets |
163,424 | 192,758 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 2,766,731,582 | $ | 4,549,303,897 | ||||
Liabilities and Partners Capital |
||||||||
Investment payable |
$ | | $ | 19,112,096 | ||||
General Partner management fees payable (Note 3) |
1,223,496 | 1,918,167 | ||||||
Payable for units redeemed |
95,399,015 | | ||||||
Professional fees payable |
2,332,979 | 2,609,981 | ||||||
Brokerage commissions payable |
236,250 | 256,250 | ||||||
License fees payable |
158,697 | 231,345 | ||||||
Directors fees payable |
24,308 | 48,144 | ||||||
Interest payable |
| 20,751 | ||||||
Total liabilities |
99,374,745 | 24,196,734 | ||||||
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 3, 4 and 5) |
||||||||
Partners Capital |
||||||||
General Partner |
| | ||||||
Limited Partners |
2,667,356,837 | 4,525,107,163 | ||||||
Total Partners Capital |
2,667,356,837 | 4,525,107,163 | ||||||
Total liabilities and partners capital |
$ | 2,766,731,582 | $ | 4,549,303,897 | ||||
Limited Partners units outstanding |
444,600,000 | 449,500,000 | ||||||
Net asset value per unit |
$ | 6.00 | $ | 10.07 | ||||
Market value per unit |
$ | 5.99 | $ | 10.08 | ||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Schedule of Investments
At December 31, 2010
Number of Contracts |
Gain on Open Commodity Contracts |
% of Partners Capital |
||||||||||
Open Cleared Swap Contracts - Long |
||||||||||||
Foreign Contracts |
||||||||||||
ICE Natural Gas Cleared Swap ICE LOT contracts, |
55,915 | $ | 31,381,325 | 1.18 | ||||||||
Open Futures Contracts - Long |
||||||||||||
United States Contracts |
||||||||||||
NYMEX Natural Gas Futures NG contracts, expire February 2011 |
22,520 | 12,614,125 | 0.47 | |||||||||
NYMEX Natural Gas Futures NN contracts, expire February 2011 |
16,218 | 43,409,830 | 1.63 | |||||||||
38,738 | 56,023,955 | 2.10 | ||||||||||
Total Open Cleared Swap and Futures Contracts |
94,653 | $ | 87,405,280 | 3.28 | ||||||||
Principal Amount |
Market Value |
|||||||||||
Cash Equivalents |
||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligation |
||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.12%, 3/24/2011* |
$ | 250,000,000 | $ | 249,931,666 | 9.37 | |||||||
United States - Money Market Funds |
||||||||||||
Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio - Class I |
576,528,183 | 576,528,183 | 21.61 | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds - Government Fund - Class SL |
350,437,468 | 350,437,468 | 13.14 | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Government Portfolio |
725,286,068 | 725,286,068 | 27.19 | |||||||||
Total Money Market Funds |
1,652,251,719 | 61.94 | ||||||||||
Total Cash Equivalents |
$ | 1,902,183,385 | 71.31 | |||||||||
* | Security or partial security segregated as collateral for open over-the-counter total return swap contracts. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
At December 31, 2010
Open Over-the-Counter Total Return Swap Contracts
Notional Amount |
Market Value |
Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
Range of Termination Dates |
|||||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the eXtra US1 Excess Return Index |
$ | 85,166,265 | $ | (32,136 | ) | $ | (32,136 | ) | 3/31/2011 | |||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the eXtra US1 Excess Return Index |
294,434,000 | (111,099 | ) | (111,099 | ) | 4/29/2011 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the Custom Natural Gas Index (UNG)- Excess Return |
250,564,486 | 6,885,847 | 6,885,847 | 4/20/2011 | ||||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the Custom Natural Gas Index (UNG)- Excess Return |
101,003,240 | 2,776,329 | 2,776,329 | 6/8/2011 | ||||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract |
330,685,568 | 17,681,285 | 17,681,285 | 2/28/2011 - 5/31/2011 | ||||||||||||
Total unrealized gain on open swap contracts |
$ | 27,200,226 | ||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Schedule of Investments
At December 31, 2009
Number of Contracts |
Loss on Open Commodity Contracts |
% of Partners Capital |
||||||||||
Open Cleared Swap Contracts - Long |
||||||||||||
Foreign Contracts |
||||||||||||
ICE Natural Gas Cleared Swap ICE LOT contracts, expire February 2010 |
62,455 | $ | (17,242,475 | ) | (0.38 | ) | ||||||
Open Futures Contracts - Long |
||||||||||||
United States Contracts |
||||||||||||
NYMEX Natural Gas Futures NG contracts, expire February 2010 |
13,949 | (15,139,330 | ) | (0.33 | ) | |||||||
NYMEX Natural Gas Futures NN contracts, expire February 2010 |
35,858 | (9,395,460 | ) | (0.21 | ) | |||||||
49,807 | (24,534,790 | ) | (0.54 | ) | ||||||||
Total Open Cleared Swap and Futures Contracts |
112,262 | $ | (41,777,265 | ) | (0.92 | ) | ||||||
Principal Amount |
Market Value |
|||||||||||
Cash Equivalents |
||||||||||||
United States Treasury Obligation |
||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.07%, 1/21/2010* |
$ | 200,000,000 | $ | 199,992,222 | 4.42 | |||||||
United States - Money Market Funds |
||||||||||||
Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio - Class I |
1,025,996,967 | 1,025,996,967 | 22.67 | |||||||||
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds - Government Fund - Class SL |
975,213,417 | 975,213,417 | 21.55 | |||||||||
Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Government Portfolio |
500,077,936 | 500,077,936 | 11.05 | |||||||||
Total Money Market Funds |
2,501,288,320 | 55.27 | ||||||||||
Total Cash Equivalents |
$ | 2,701,280,542 | 59.69 | |||||||||
* | Security or partial security segregated as collateral for open over-the-counter total return swap contracts. |
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Schedule of Investments (Continued)
At December 31, 2009
Open Over-the-Counter Total Return Swap Contracts
Notional Amount |
Market Value |
Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
Range of Termination Dates |
|||||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the eXtra US1 Excess Return Index |
$ | 197,724,486 | $ | (76,034 | ) | $ | (76,034 | ) | 1/29/2010 | |||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the Custom Natural Gas Index (UNG) - Excess Return |
437,844,520 | (10,574,386 | ) | (10,574,386 | ) | 4/21/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the Custom Natural Gas Index (UNG) - Excess Return |
148,628,935 | (3,573,393 | ) | (3,573,393 | ) | 6/2/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the Custom Natural Gas Index (UNG) - Excess Return |
27,867,408 | (669,999 | ) | (669,999 | ) | 6/9/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
231,241,867 | (6,697 | ) | (6,697 | ) | 4/23/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
35,310,676 | (361 | ) | (361 | ) | 4/26/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
37,327,808 | (381 | ) | (381 | ) | 4/27/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
35,296,594 | (361 | ) | (361 | ) | 5/6/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
60,218,214 | (2,764,029 | ) | (2,764,029 | ) | 5/11/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
73,573,437 | (752 | ) | (752 | ) | 5/18/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
47,363,229 | (484 | ) | (484 | ) | 5/20/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
60,199,249 | (2,763,159 | ) | (2,763,159 | ) | 5/22/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on the NYMEX Henry Hub TRS Index |
50,367,337 | (515 | ) | (515 | ) | 6/3/2010 | ||||||||||
Swap agreement to receive return on NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas Futures Contract |
1,031,083,313 | (18,978,137 | ) | (18,978,137 | ) | 1/14/2010 - 5/28/2010 | ||||||||||
Total unrealized loss on open swap contracts |
$ | (39,408,688 | ) | |||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Statements of Operations
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Year ended December 31, 2010 |
Year ended December 31, 2009 |
Year ended December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||
Income |
||||||||||||
Gain (loss) on trading of commodity contracts: |
||||||||||||
Realized loss on closed futures contracts |
$ | (785,428,575 | ) | $ | (1,443,746,373 | ) | $ | (469,854,610 | ) | |||
Realized loss on closed swap contracts |
(905,660,856 | ) | (39,014,082 | ) | | |||||||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open futures contracts |
129,182,545 | (34,072,395 | ) | (27,748,750 | ) | |||||||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open swap contracts |
66,608,914 | (39,408,688 | ) | | ||||||||
Dividend income |
907,351 | 2,462,731 | 7,348,373 | |||||||||
Interest income |
457,225 | 224,985 | 4,877,161 | |||||||||
Other income |
204,000 | 185,000 | 202,000 | |||||||||
Total loss |
(1,493,729,396 | ) | (1,553,368,822 | ) | (485,175,826 | ) | ||||||
Expenses |
||||||||||||
General Partner management fees (Note 3) |
16,067,219 | 14,189,176 | 4,373,723 | |||||||||
Brokerage commissions |
6,257,135 | 11,384,593 | 867,175 | |||||||||
Professional fees |
2,074,119 | 3,828,390 | 1,022,269 | |||||||||
License fees |
717,332 | 619,825 | 236,664 | |||||||||
Directors fees |
553,511 | 142,322 | 130,107 | |||||||||
Registration fees |
93,970 | 1,223,978 | 348,874 | |||||||||
Other expenses |
76,959 | 18,419 | 50,000 | |||||||||
Total expenses |
25,840,245 | 31,406,703 | 7,028,812 | |||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (1,519,569,641 | ) | $ | (1,584,775,525 | ) | $ | (492,204,638 | ) | |||
Net loss per limited partnership unit |
$ | (4.07 | ) | $ | (13.20 | ) | $ | (12.91 | ) | |||
Net loss per weighted average limited partnership unit |
$ | (3.71 | ) | $ | (6.89 | ) | $ | (25.50 | ) | |||
Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding |
409,143,562 | 229,963,288 | 19,303,825 | |||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Statements of Changes in Partners Capital
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
General Partner |
Limited Partners | Total | ||||||||||
Balances, at December 31, 2007 |
$ | | $ | 593,394,981 | $ | 593,394,981 | ||||||
Addition of 69,800,000 partnership units |
| 2,691,884,826 | 2,691,884,826 | |||||||||
Redemption of 56,300,000 partnership units |
| (2,097,360,659 | ) | (2,097,360,659 | ) | |||||||
Net loss |
| (492,204,638 | ) | (492,204,638 | ) | |||||||
Balances, at December 31, 2008 |
| 695,714,510 | 695,714,510 | |||||||||
Addition of 474,400,000 partnership units |
| 6,284,421,972 | 6,284,421,972 | |||||||||
Redemption of 54,800,000 partnership units |
| (870,253,794 | ) | (870,253,794 | ) | |||||||
Net loss |
| (1,584,775,525 | ) | (1,584,775,525 | ) | |||||||
Balances, at December 31, 2009 |
| 4,525,107,163 | 4,525,107,163 | |||||||||
Addition of 307,300,000 partnership units |
| 1,983,872,580 | 1,983,872,580 | |||||||||
Redemption of 312,200,000 partnership units |
| (2,322,053,265 | ) | (2,322,053,265 | ) | |||||||
Net loss |
| (1,519,569,641 | ) | (1,519,569,641 | ) | |||||||
Balances, at December 31, 2010 |
$ | | $ | 2,667,356,837 | $ | 2,667,356,837 | ||||||
Net Asset Value Per Unit: |
||||||||||||
At April 18, 2007 (commencement of operations) |
$ | 50.00 | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2007 |
$ | 36.18 | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2008 |
$ | 23.27 | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2009 |
$ | 10.07 | ||||||||||
At December 31, 2010 |
$ | 6.00 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Year ended December 31, 2010 |
Year ended December 31, 2009 |
Year ended December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||||||
Net loss |
$ | (1,519,569,641 | ) | $ | (1,584,775,525 | ) | $ | (492,204,638 | ) | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: |
||||||||||||
Decrease (increase) in commodity futures trading account - cash |
419,069,448 | (440,074,110 | ) | (208,503,665 | ) | |||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on open futures contracts |
(129,182,545 | ) | 34,072,395 | 27,748,750 | ||||||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on open swap contracts |
(66,608,914 | ) | 39,408,688 | | ||||||||
Increase in investment receivable |
(16,538,472 | ) | | | ||||||||
Decrease in dividend receivable and other assets |
85,383 | 189,949 | 290,059 | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in investment payable |
(19,112,096 | ) | 19,112,096 | | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in General Partner management fees payable |
(694,671 | ) | 1,548,107 | 105,504 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in professional fees payable |
(277,002 | ) | 1,792,908 | 577,119 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in brokerage commissions payable |
(20,000 | ) | 216,750 | 16,700 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in license fees payable |
(72,648 | ) | 170,119 | 9,666 | ||||||||
Increase (decrease) in directors fees payable |
(23,836 | ) | 20,264 | (8,238 | ) | |||||||
Increase (decrease) in interest payable |
(20,751 | ) | 20,751 | | ||||||||
Net cash used in operating activities |
(1,332,965,745 | ) | (1,928,297,608 | ) | (671,968,743 | ) | ||||||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||||||
Addition of partnership units |
1,983,872,580 | 6,284,421,972 | 2,691,884,826 | |||||||||
Redemption of partnership units |
(2,226,654,250 | ) | (879,561,002 | ) | (2,088,053,451 | ) | ||||||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
(242,781,670 | ) | 5,404,860,970 | 603,831,375 | ||||||||
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents |
(1,575,747,415 | ) | 3,476,563,362 | (68,137,368 | ) | |||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year |
3,896,493,193 | 419,929,831 | 488,067,199 | |||||||||
Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year |
$ | 2,320,745,778 | $ | 3,896,493,193 | $ | 419,929,831 | ||||||
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP
Notes to Financial Statements
For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
The United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (USNG) was organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the state of Delaware on September 11, 2006. USNG is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership units (units) that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the NYSE Arca). Prior to November 25, 2008, USNGs units traded on the American Stock Exchange (the AMEX). USNG will continue in perpetuity, unless terminated sooner upon the occurrence of one or more events as described in its Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of December 31, 2010 (the LP Agreement). The investment objective of USNG is for the changes in percentage terms of its units net asset value to reflect the changes in percentage terms of the spot price of natural gas delivered at the Henry Hub, Louisiana as measured by the changes in the price of the futures contract on natural gas traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the NYMEX) that is the near month contract to expire, except when the near month contract is within two weeks of expiration, in which case the futures contract will be the next month contract to expire, less USNGs expenses. USNG accomplishes its objective through investments in futures contracts for natural gas, crude oil, heating oil, gasoline and other petroleum-based fuels that are traded on the NYMEX, ICE Futures or other U.S. and foreign exchanges (collectively, Futures Contracts) and other natural gas-related investments such as cash-settled options on Futures Contracts, forward contracts for natural gas, cleared swap contracts and over-the-counter transactions that are based on the price of natural gas, crude oil and other petroleum-based fuels, Futures Contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, Other Natural Gas-Related Investments). As of December 31, 2010, USNG held 22,520 NG Futures Contracts, 16,218 NN Financially Settled Futures Contracts traded on the NYMEX, 55,915 cleared swap contracts traded on the ICE Futures and over-the-counter swap transactions with three counterparties.
USNG commenced investment operations on April 18, 2007 and has a fiscal year ending on December 31. United States Commodity Funds LLC (USCF) is responsible for the management of USNG. USCF is a member of the National Futures Association (the NFA) and became a commodity pool operator registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC) effective December 1, 2005. USCF is also the general partner of the United States Oil Fund, LP (USOF), the United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP (US12OF), the United States Gasoline Fund, LP (UGA) and the United States Heating Oil Fund, LP (USHO), which listed their limited partnership units on the AMEX under the ticker symbols USO on April 10, 2006, USL on December 6, 2007, UGA on February 26, 2008 and UHN on April 9, 2008, respectively. As a result of the acquisition of the AMEX by NYSE Euronext, each of USOFs, US12OFs, UGAs and USHOs units commenced trading on the NYSE Arca on November 25, 2008. USCF is also the general partner of the United States Short Oil Fund, LP (USSO), the United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP (US12NG) and the United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (USBO), which listed their limited partnership units on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbols DNO on September 24, 2009, UNL on November 18, 2009 and BNO on June 2, 2010, respectively. USCF is also the sponsor of the United States Commodity Index Fund (USCI) which listed its units on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol USCI on August 10, 2010. USCF has also filed a registration statement to register units of the United States Metals Index Fund, the United States Agriculture Index Fund and the United States Copper Index Fund.
USNG issues units to certain authorized purchasers (Authorized Purchasers) by offering baskets consisting of 100,000 units (Creation Baskets) through ALPS Distributors, Inc., as the marketing agent (the Marketing Agent). The purchase price for a Creation Basket is based upon the net asset value of a unit calculated shortly after the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on the day the order to create the basket is properly received.
In addition, Authorized Purchasers pay USNG a $1,000 fee for each order placed to create one or more Creation Baskets or to redeem one or more baskets consisting of 100,000 units (Redemption Baskets). Units may be purchased or sold on a nationally recognized securities exchange in smaller increments than a Creation Basket or Redemption Basket. Units purchased or sold on a nationally recognized securities exchange are not purchased or sold at the net asset value of USNG but rather at market prices quoted on such exchange.
In April 2007, USNG initially registered 30,000,000 units on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. On April 18, 2007, USNG listed its units on the AMEX under the ticker symbol UNG. On that day, USNG established its initial net asset value by setting the price at $50.00 per unit and issued 200,000 units in exchange for $10,001,000. USNG also commenced investment operations on April 18, 2007 by purchasing Futures Contracts traded on the NYMEX based on natural gas. As of December 31, 2010, USNG had registered a total of 1,480,000,000 units, 444,600,000 of which were outstanding. As of December 31, 2010, USNG issued 8,894 Creation Baskets.
NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Revenue Recognition
Commodity futures contracts, forward contracts, physical commodities, and related options are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts are reflected in the statement of financial condition and represent the difference between the original contract amount and the market value (as determined by exchange settlement prices for futures contracts and related options and cash dealer prices at a predetermined time for forward contracts, physical commodities, and their related options) as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the financial statements. Changes in the unrealized gains or losses between periods are reflected in the statement of operations. USNG earns interest on its assets denominated in U.S. dollars on deposit with the futures commission merchant at the overnight Federal Funds Rate less 32 basis points. In addition, USNG earns income on funds held at the custodian at prevailing market rates earned on such investments.
Investments in over-the-counter swap contracts (see Note 5) are arrangements to exchange a periodic payment for a market-linked return, each based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting periodic payment obligation, USNG receives a payment from, or makes a payment to, the swap counterparty. The over-the-counter swap contracts are valued daily based upon the appreciation or depreciation of the underlying securities subsequent to the effective date of the contract. Changes in the value of the swaps are reported as unrealized gains and losses and periodic payments are recorded as realized gains or losses in the accompanying Statements of Operations.
Brokerage Commissions
Brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts are accrued on a full-turn basis.
Swap Premiums
Upfront fees paid by USNG for over-the-counter swap contracts are reflected on the Statements of Financial Condition and represent payments made upon entering into a swap agreement to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the agreement and prevailing market conditions. The fees are amortized daily over the term of the swap agreement.
Income Taxes
USNG is not subject to federal income taxes; each partner reports his/her allocable share of income, gain, loss deductions or credits on his/her own income tax return.
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), USNG is required to determine whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any tax related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. USNG files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states. USNG is not subject to income tax return examinations by major taxing authorities for years before 2007. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognized results in USNG recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. However, USNGs conclusions regarding this policy may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. USNG recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax fees payable, if assessed. No interest expense or penalties have been recognized as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Creations and Redemptions
Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets or redeem Redemption Baskets only in blocks of 100,000 units at a price equal to the net asset value of the units calculated shortly after the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on the day the order is placed.
USNG receives or pays the proceeds from units sold or redeemed within three business days after the trade date of the purchase or redemption. The amounts due from Authorized Purchasers are reflected in USNGs statement of financial condition as receivable for units sold, and amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected as payable for units redeemed.
Partnership Capital and Allocation of Partnership Income and Losses
Profit or loss shall be allocated among the partners of USNG in proportion to the number of units each partner holds as of the close of each month. USCF may revise, alter or otherwise modify this method of allocation as described in the LP Agreement.
Calculation of Net Asset Value
USNGs net asset value is calculated on each NYSE Arca trading day by taking the current market value of its total assets, subtracting any liabilities and dividing the amount by the total number of units issued and outstanding. USNG uses the closing price for the contracts on the relevant exchange on that day to determine the value of contracts held on such exchange.
Net Income (Loss) per Unit
Net income (loss) per unit is the difference between the net asset value per unit at the beginning of each period and at the end of each period. The weighted average number of units outstanding was computed for purposes of disclosing net income (loss) per weighted average unit. The weighted average units are equal to the number of units outstanding at the end of the period, adjusted proportionately for units redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period. There were no units held by USCF at December 31, 2010.
Offering Costs
Offering costs incurred in connection with the registration of additional units after the initial registration of units are borne by USNG. These costs include registration fees paid to regulatory agencies and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated with such offerings. These costs are accounted for as a deferred charge and thereafter amortized to expense over twelve months on a straight-line basis or a shorter period if warranted.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include money market funds and overnight deposits or time deposits with original maturity dates of three months or less.
Reclassification
Certain amounts in the accompanying financial statements were reclassified to conform with the current presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires USNGs management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of the revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.
NOTE 3 - FEES PAID BY THE FUND AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
USCF Management Fee
Under the LP Agreement, USCF is responsible for investing the assets of USNG in accordance with the objectives and policies of USNG. In addition, USCF has arranged for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custody, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to USNG. For these services, USNG is contractually obligated to pay USCF a fee, which is paid monthly, that is equal to 0.60% per annum of average daily net assets of $1,000,000,000 or less and 0.50% per annum of average daily net assets that are greater than $1,000,000,000.
Ongoing Registration Fees and Other Offering Expenses
USNG pays all costs and expenses associated with the ongoing registration of its units subsequent to the initial offering. These costs include registration or other fees paid to regulatory agencies in connection with the offer and sale of units, and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated with such offer and sale. For the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, USNG incurred $93,970, $1,223,978, and $348,874, respectively, in registration fees and other offering expenses.
Directors Fees and Expenses
USNG is responsible for paying its portion of the directors and officers liability insurance of USCF and the fees and expenses of the independent directors of USCF who are also USCFs audit committee members. Effective as of April 1, 2010, USNG is responsible for paying its portion of any payments that may become due to the independent directors pursuant to the deferred compensation agreements entered into between the independent directors, USCF and each of the affiliated funds. USNG shares all director fees and expenses, including any that may become due pursuant to the deferred compensation agreements, with USOF, US12OF, UGA, USHO, USSO, US12NG and USBO based on the relative assets of each fund, computed on a daily basis. These fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 amounted to a total of $1,107,140 for USNG, USOF, US12OF, UGA, USHO, USSO, US12NG and USBO, and USNGs portion of such fees and expenses was $629,670. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, these fees and expenses were $433,046 and $282,000, respectively, and USNGs portion of such fees and expenses was $159,942 and $58,380 respectively.
Licensing Fees
As discussed in Note 4 below, USNG entered into a licensing agreement with the NYMEX on May 30, 2007. Pursuant to the agreement, USNG and the affiliated funds managed by USCF, other than USBO and USCI, pay a licensing fee that is equal to 0.04% for the first $1,000,000,000 of combined assets of the funds and 0.02% for combined assets above $1,000,000,000. During the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, USNG incurred $717,332, $619,825 and $236,664, respectively, under this arrangement.
Investor Tax Reporting Cost
The fees and expenses associated with USNGs audit expenses and tax accounting and reporting requirements are paid by USNG. These costs were approximately $2,200,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Other Expenses and Fees
In addition to the fees described above, USNG pays all brokerage fees, transaction costs for over-the-counter swaps, taxes and other expenses in connection with the operation of USNG, excluding costs and expenses paid by USCF as outlined in Note 4 below.
NOTE 4 - CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS
USNG is party to a marketing agent agreement, dated as of April 17, 2007, as amended from time to time, with the Marketing Agent and USCF, whereby the Marketing Agent provides certain marketing services for USNG as outlined in the agreement. The fee of the Marketing Agent, which is borne by USCF, is equal to 0.06% on USNGs assets up to $3 billion and 0.04% on USNGs assets in excess of $3 billion.
The above fee does not include the following expenses, which are also borne by USCF: the cost of placing advertisements in various periodicals; web construction and development; or the printing and production of various marketing materials.
USNG is also party to a custodian agreement, dated March 5, 2007, as amended from time to time, with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (BBH&Co.) and USCF, whereby BBH&Co. holds investments on behalf of USNG. USCF pays the fees of the custodian, which are determined by the parties from time to time. In addition, USNG is party to an administrative agency agreement, dated March 5, 2007, as amended from time to time, with USCF and BBH&Co., whereby BBH&Co. acts as the administrative agent, transfer agent and registrar for USNG. USCF also pays the fees of BBH&Co. for its services under such agreement and such fees are determined by the parties from time to time.
Currently, USCF pays BBH&Co. for its services, in the foregoing capacities, a minimum amount of $75,000 annually for its custody, fund accounting and fund administration services rendered to USNG and each of the affiliated funds managed by USCF, as well as a $20,000 annual fee for its transfer agency services. In addition, USCF pays BBH&Co. an asset-based charge of (a) 0.06% for the first $500 million of USNGs, USOFs, US12OFs, UGAs, USHOs, USSOs, US12NGs, USBOs and USCIs combined net assets, (b) 0.0465% for USNGs, USOFs, US12OFs, UGAs, USHOs, USSOs, US12NGs, USBOs and USCIs combined net assets greater than $500 million but less than $1 billion, and (c) 0.035% once USNGs, USOFs, US12OFs, UGAs, USHOs, USSOs, US12NGs, USBOs and USCIs combined net assets exceed $1 billion. The annual minimum amount will not apply if the asset-based charge for all accounts in the aggregate exceeds $75,000. USCF also pays transaction fees ranging from $7.00 to $15.00 per transaction.
USNG has entered into a brokerage agreement with UBS Securities LLC (UBS Securities). The agreement requires UBS Securities to provide services to USNG in connection with the purchase and sale of Futures Contracts and Other Natural Gas-Related Investments that may be purchased and sold by or through UBS Securities for USNGs account. In accordance with the agreement, UBS Securities charges USNG commissions of approximately $7 per round-turn trade, including applicable exchange and NFA fees for Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts.
On May 30, 2007, USNG and the NYMEX entered into a licensing agreement whereby USNG was granted a non-exclusive license to use certain of the NYMEXs settlement prices and service marks. Under the licensing agreement, USNG and the affiliated funds managed by USCF, other than USBO and USCI, pay the NYMEX an asset-based fee for the license, the terms of which are described in Note 3.
USNG expressly disclaims any association with the NYMEX or endorsement of USNG by the NYMEX and acknowledges that NYMEX and New York Mercantile Exchange are registered trademarks of the NYMEX.
NOTE 5 - FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISKS AND CONTINGENCIES
USNG engages in the trading of futures contracts, options on futures contracts, cleared swaps and over-the-counter swaps (collectively, derivatives). USNG is exposed to both market risk, which is the risk arising from changes in the market value of the contracts, and credit risk, which is the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.
USNG may enter into futures contracts, options on futures contracts, cleared swaps and over-the-counter swaps to gain exposure to changes in the value of an underlying commodity. A futures contract obligates the seller to deliver (and the purchaser to accept) the future delivery of a specified quantity and type of a commodity at a specified time and place. Some futures contracts may call for physical delivery of the asset, while others are settled in cash. The contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the underlying commodity or by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked exchange before the designated date of delivery. Cleared swaps are over-the-counter (OTC) agreements that are eligible to be cleared by a clearinghouse, e.g., ICE Clear Europe., but which are not traded on an exchange. A cleared swap is created when the parties to an off-exchange OTC transaction agree to extinguish their OTC contract and replace it with a cleared swap. Cleared swaps are intended to provide the efficiencies and benefits that centralized clearing on an exchange offers to traders of futures contracts, including credit risk intermediation and the ability to offset positions initiated with different counterparties.
The purchase and sale of futures contracts, options on futures contracts and cleared swaps require margin deposits with a futures commission merchant. Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value. The Commodity Exchange Act requires a futures commission merchant to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the futures commission merchants proprietary activities.
Futures contracts and cleared swaps involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (specifically commodity price risk) and exposure to loss in excess of the amount of variation margin. The face or contract amounts reflect the extent of the total exposure USNG has in the particular classes of instruments. Additional risks associated with the use of futures contracts are an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contracts and the market value of the underlying securities and the possibility of an illiquid market for a futures contract.
Through December 31, 2010, all of the futures contracts held by USNG were exchange-traded futures contracts, cleared swaps or fully-collateralized over-the-counter swaps. The liquidity and credit risks associated with exchange-traded contracts and cleared swaps are generally perceived to be less than those associated with over-the-counter transactions since, in over-the-counter transactions, a party must rely solely on the credit of its respective individual counterparties. As of December 31, 2010, USNG maintained over-the-counter transactions with 3 counterparties. Over-the counter transactions subject USNG to the credit risk associated with counterparty non-performance. The credit risk from counterparty non-performance associated with such instruments is the net unrealized gain, if any, on the transaction. USNG has credit risk under its futures contracts since the sole counterparty to all domestic and foreign futures contracts is the clearinghouse for the exchange on which the relevant contracts are traded. However, as compared to its over-the-counter transactions, it may more easily realize value by reselling its futures contracts. In addition, USNG bears the risk of financial failure by the clearing broker.
At December 31, 2010, USNGs counterparties posted $18,640,134 in cash and no in securities as collateral with USNGs custodian, as compared with $14,450,000 for the year ended December 31, 2009. Under these agreements, USNG posted collateral with respect to its obligations of $187,483,732 at December 31, 2010 and $336,379,130 at December 31, 2009.
USNGs cash and other property, such as U.S. Treasuries, deposited with a futures commission merchant are considered commingled with all other customer funds, subject to the futures commission merchants segregation requirements. In the event of a futures commission merchants 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 the total of cash and other property deposited. The insolvency of a futures commission merchant could result in the complete loss of USNGs assets posted with that futures commission merchant; however, the vast majority of USNGs assets are held in U.S. Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents with USNGs custodian and would not be impacted by the insolvency of a futures commission merchant. Also, the failure or insolvency of USNGs custodian could result in a substantial loss of USNGs assets.
USCF invests a portion of USNGs cash in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable net asset value. USNG is exposed to any risk of loss associated with an investment in these money market funds. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, USNG had deposits in domestic and foreign financial institutions, including cash investments in money market funds, in the amounts of $2,635,369,994 and $4,630,186,857, respectively. This amount is subject to loss should these institutions cease operations.
For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the market value of the contracts. Theoretically, USNG is exposed to market risk equal to the value of futures contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short. As both a buyer and a seller of options, USNG 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.
USNGs policy is to continuously monitor its exposure to market and counterparty risk through the use of a variety of financial, position and credit exposure reporting controls and procedures. In addition, USNG has a policy of requiring review of the credit standing of each broker or counterparty with which it conducts business.
The financial instruments held by USNG are reported in its statement of financial condition at market or fair value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly liquid nature and short-term maturity.
NOTE 6 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following table presents per unit 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.
Year ended December 31, 2010 |
Year ended December 31, 2009 |
Year ended December 31, 2008 |
||||||||||
Per Unit Operating Performance: |
||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 10.07 | $ | 23.27 | $ | 36.18 | ||||||
Total loss |
(4.01 | ) | (13.06 | ) | (12.55 | ) | ||||||
Total expenses |
(0.06 | ) | (0.14 | ) | (0.36 | ) | ||||||
Net decrease in net asset value |
(4.07 | ) | (13.20 | ) | (12.91 | ) | ||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 6.00 | $ | 10.07 | $ | 23.27 | ||||||
Total Return |
(40.42 | )% | (56.73 | )% | (35.68 | )% | ||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets |
||||||||||||
Total loss |
(49.57 | )% | (58.53 | )% | (66.25 | )% | ||||||
Expenses excluding management fees |
0.33 | % | 0.65 | % | 0.36 | % | ||||||
Management fees |
0.53 | % | 0.53 | % | 0.60 | % | ||||||
Net loss |
(50.43 | )% | (59.71 | )% | (67.21 | )% | ||||||
Total returns are calculated based on the change in value during the period. An individual unitholders total return and ratio may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of contributions to and withdrawals from USNG.
NOTE 7 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
The following summarized (unaudited) quarterly financial information presents the results of operations and other data for three-month periods ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2010 and 2009.
First Quarter 2010 |
Second Quarter 2010 |
Third Quarter 2010 |
Fourth Quarter 2010 |
|||||||||||||
Total Income (Loss) |
$ | (1,283,272,592 | ) | $ | 382,091,733 | $ | (559,457,497 | ) | $ | (33,091,040 | ) | |||||
Total Expenses |
7,849,744 | 6,674,048 | 5,678,386 | 5,638,067 | ||||||||||||
Net Income (Loss) |
$ | (1,291,122,336 | ) | $ | 375,417,685 | $ | (565,135,883 | ) | $ | (38,729,107 | ) | |||||
Net Income (Loss) per Unit |
$ | (3.17 | ) | $ | 0.88 | $ | (1.60 | ) | $ | (0.18 | ) | |||||
First Quarter 2009 |
Second Quarter 2009 |
Third Quarter 2009 |
Fourth Quarter 2009 |
|||||||||||||
Total Loss |
$ | (297,277,494 | ) | $ | (150,314,978 | ) | $ | (664,595,568 | ) | $ | (441,180,782 | ) | ||||
Total Expenses |
1,727,482 | 7,784,505 | 13,271,354 | 8,623,362 | ||||||||||||
Net Loss |
$ | (299,004,976 | ) | $ | (158,099,483 | ) | $ | (677,866,922 | ) | $ | (449,804,144 | ) | ||||
Net Loss per Unit |
$ | (8.04 | ) | $ | (1.43 | ) | $ | (2.23 | ) | $ | (1.50 | ) | ||||
NOTE 8 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
USNG values its investments in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 820 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurement. The changes to past practice resulting from the application of ASC 820 relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurement. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between: (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of USNG (observable inputs) and (2) USNGs own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available under the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The three levels defined by the ASC 820 hierarchy are as follows:
Level I Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level II Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level II assets include the following: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market-corroborated inputs).
Level III Unobservable pricing input at the measurement date for the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available.
In some instances, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall within different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls shall be determined based on the lowest input level that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.
The following table summarizes the valuation of USNGs securities at December 31, 2010 using the fair value hierarchy:
At December 31, 2010 | Total | Level I | Level II | Level III | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
$ | 1,902,183,385 | $ | 1,902,183,385 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts |
56,023,955 | 56,023,955 | | | ||||||||||||
Exchange-Traded Cleared Swap Contracts |
31,381,325 | 31,381,325 | | | ||||||||||||
Over-the-Counter Total Return Swap Contracts |
27,200,226 | | | 27,200,226 |
During the year ended December 31, 2010, there were no significant transfers between Level I and Level II.
Following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant observable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
Total Return Swap Contracts
Beginning balance as of 12/31/09 |
$ | (39,408,688 | ) | |
Realized gain(loss)* |
| |||
Change in unrealized gain(loss) |
66,608,914 | |||
Ending balance as of 12/31/10 |
$ | 27,200,226 | ||
* | The realized gain (loss) earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 for total return swaps was $(905,660,856). |
The following table summarizes the valuation of USNGs securities at December 31, 2009 using the fair value hierarchy:
At December 31, 2009 | Total | Level I | Level II | Level III | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
$ | 2,701,280,542 | $ | 2,701,280,542 | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts |
(24,534,790 | ) | (24,534,790 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Exchange-Traded Cleared Swap Contracts |
(17,242,475 | ) | (17,242,475 | ) | | | ||||||||||
Over-the-Counter Total Return Swap Contracts |
(39,408,688 | ) | | | (39,408,688 | ) |
During the year ended December 31, 2009, there were no significant transfers between Level I and Level II.
Following is a reconciliation of assets in which significant observable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining fair value:
Total Return Swap Contracts |
||||
Beginning balance as of 12/31/08 |
$ | | ||
Realized gain (loss)* |
| |||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) |
(39,408,688 | ) | ||
Ending balance as of 12/31/09 |
$ | (39,408,688 | ) | |
* | The realized gain (loss) earned during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 for total return swaps was $(39,014,082). |
Effective January 1, 2009, USNG adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 815Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815), which require presentation of qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts and gains and losses on derivatives.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging Instruments |
Statement of Financial Condition Location |
Fair
Value At December 31, 2010 |
Fair
Value At December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
Futures - Commodity Contracts |
Assets | $ | 87,405,280 | $ | (41,777,265 | ) | ||||
Swaps - Commodity Contracts |
Assets - Unrealized Appreciation |
27,200,226 | (39,408,688 | ) |
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2010 |
For the year ended December 31, 2009 |
For the year ended December 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||
Derivatives not Accounted for as Hedging |
Location of |
Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income |
Change in Unrealized Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income |
Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income |
Change in Unrealized Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income |
Realized Gain or (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income |
Change in Unrealized Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income | |||||||
Futures Commodity Contracts |
Realized gain (loss) on closed futures positions | $(785,428,575) | $ | $(1,443,746,373) | $ | $(469,854,610) | $ | |||||||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open futures positions | | 129,182,545 | | (34,072,395) | | (27,748,750) | ||||||||
Swaps Commodity Contracts |
Realized gain (loss) on closed swaps contracts | (905,660,856) | | (39,014,082) | | | ||||||||
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open swap contracts | | 66,608,914 | | (39,408,688) | | |
NOTE 9 RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2010-06 Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements. ASU No. 2010-06 clarifies existing disclosure and requires additional disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, entities will need to disclose information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements of Level 3 securities on a gross basis, rather than as a net number as currently required. The implementation of ASU No. 2010-06 is not expected to have a material impact on USNGs financial statement disclosures.
NOTE 10 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
USNG has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. The subsequent events were as follows:
On February 16, 2011, USNG announced that it will execute a two-for-one reverse unit split that will be effective for holders of USNG units after the close of the markets on March 8, 2011. Units of USNG will trade at their post-split prices on March 9, 2011. USNGs ticker symbol, UNG, will not change, and units of USNG will continue to trade on the NYSE Arca. The reverse unit split will reduce the number of USNGs units outstanding and will result in a proportionate increase in the net asset value per unit of USNG. As a result of the reverse unit split, unitholders on March 8, 2011 will receive one post-split unit of USNG for every two pre-split units of USNG they hold. Immediately after the reverse unit split is effective, USNGs post-split units will have an NAV that is two times higher than that of pre-split units.
The following information illustrates the pro-forma effect of the two-for-one reverse unit split on the number of units outstanding and the per-unit amounts as of December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008. Based on the following illustration, the two-for-one reverse split would have the effect, as of December 31, 2010, of decreasing the number of issued and outstanding units to 222,300,000, and increasing the net asset value of each unit to $12.00.
Pro forma Information |
December 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||
Limited Partnership Units Outstanding |
444,600,000 | 449,500,000 | 29,900,000 | |||||||||
Limited Partnership Units Outstanding |
222,300,000 | 224,750,000 | 14,950,000 | |||||||||
Net Asset Value per Unit |
$ | 6.00 | $ | 10.07 | $ | 23.27 | ||||||
Net Asset Value per Unit |
$ | 12.00 | $ | 20.13 | $ | 46.54 | ||||||
Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Unit |
$ | (4.07 | ) | $ | (13.20 | ) | $ | (12.91 | ) | |||
Net Loss Per Limited Partnership Unit |
$ | (8.13 | ) | $ | (26.41 | ) | $ | (25.83 | ) | |||
Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units |
409,143,562 | 229,963,288 | 19,303,825 | |||||||||
Weighted Average Limited Partnership Units |
204,571,781 | 114,981,644 | 9,651,913 | |||||||||
Net Loss Per Weighted Limited Partnership Unit |
$ | (3.71 | ) | $ | (6.89 | ) | $ | (25.50 | ) | |||
Net Loss Per Weighted Limited Partnership Unit |
$ | (7.43 | ) | $ | (13.78 | ) | $ | (51.00 | ) |