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8-K - FORM 8-K - United States Short Oil Fund, LPd325581d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

UNITED STATES COMMODITY FUNDS LLC

General Partner of the United States Short Oil Fund, LP

March 29, 2012

Dear United States Short Oil Fund, LP Investor,

Enclosed with this letter is your copy of the 2011 financial statements for the United States Short Oil Fund, LP (ticker symbol “DNO”). We have mailed this statement to all investors in DNO who held shares as of December 31, 2011 to satisfy our annual reporting requirement under federal commodities laws. In addition, we have enclosed a copy of the current DNO Privacy Policy. Additional information concerning DNO’s 2011 results may be found by referring to DNO’s 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 SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by going to DNO’s own website at www.unitedstatesshortoilfund.com. You may also call DNO at 1-800-920-0259 to speak to a representative and request additional material, including a current DNO Prospectus.

United States Commodity Funds LLC is the general partner of DNO. 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 attached financial statements and include:

 

United States Oil Fund, LP

  

(ticker symbol: USO)

  

United States Natural Gas Fund, LP

  

(ticker symbol: UNG)

  

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 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP

  

(ticker symbol: UNL)

  

United States Brent Oil Fund, LP

  

(ticker symbol: BNO)

  

United States Commodity Index Fund

  

(ticker symbol: USCI)

  

United States Copper Index Fund

  

(ticker symbol: CPER)

  

Information about these other funds is contained within the Annual Report as well as in the current DNO Prospectus. Investors in DNO 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.unitedstatesnaturalgasfund.com

www.unitedstates12monthoilfund.com

www.unitedstatesgasolinefund.com

www.unitedstatesheatingoilfund.com

www.unitedstates12monthnaturalgasfund.com

www.unitedstatesbrentoilfund.com

www.unitedstatescommoditvindexfund.com

www.unitedstatescopperindexfund.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 DNO.

 

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 January 19, 2011

 

 

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 (each a “Fund” and 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, as well as United States Commodity Index Fund, United States Metals Index Fund, United States Agriculture Index Fund and United States Copper Index Fund (each a series of the Trust), relating to the collection, maintenance and use of nonpublic personal information about the Funds’ investors, as required under federal law. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires the Company to tell you how it collects, shares and protects your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what the Company does. 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 nonpublic 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, such as their name, social security number and address, as well as information about investors’ holdings and transactions in units of the Funds. The Company generally collects or has access to personal information about Fund investors when such information is provided to the Company by brokerage firms for the purpose of preparing tax reports.

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 Company’s disclosure of nonpublic personal information under the circumstances described above. The Company may also use nonpublic personal information for marketing purposes among the Funds. Fund investors which have invested in one or more Funds, may receive marketing material for other Funds.

Protection of Investor Information

The Company holds Fund investor information in the strictest confidence. Accordingly, the Company’s 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 law 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 Company’s 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 SHORT OIL FUND, LP

A Delaware Limited Partnership

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009.

AFFIRMATION OF THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR

To the Unitholders of the United States Short Oil 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, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009 is accurate and complete.

 

By:

 

/s/ Nicholas Gerber

Nicholas Gerber

United States Short Oil Fund, LP

President & CEO of United States Commodity Funds LLC

(General Partner of United States Short Oil Fund, LP)

 

LOGO

5251 SOUTH QUEBEC STREET SUITE 200

GREENWOOD VILLAGE, COLORADO 80111

TELEPHONE: (303) 753-1959

FAX: (303) 753-0338

www.spicerjeffries.com

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Partners of

United States Short Oil Fund, LP

We have audited the accompanying statements of financial condition of United States Short Oil Fund, LP (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, including the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s 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. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit 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 Fund’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 referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of United States Short Oil Fund, LP as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

LOGO

Greenwood Village, Colorado

March 28, 2012


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Financial Condition

At December 31, 2011 and 2010

 

     2011      2010  

Assets

     

Cash and cash equivalents (Note 5)

   $ 9,409,221       $ 7,473,514   

Equity in UBS Securities LLC trading accounts:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,450,020         844,680   

Unrealized gain (loss) on open commodity futures contracts

     4,160         (205,860

Receivable from General Partner (Note 3)

     121,023         175,447   

Dividend receivable

     65         201   

Interest receivable

     4         —     

Directors’ fees receivable

     629         —     

Other assets

     28         831   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 10,985,150       $ 8,288,813   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital

     

Investment payable

   $ 5       $ —     

Professional fees payable

     131,449         199,866   

General Partner management fees payable (Note 3)

     5,555         4,217   

Brokerage commissions payable

     387         342   

Other liabilities

     589         587   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     137,985         205,012   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 3, 4, and 5)

     

Partners’ Capital

     

General Partner

     —           —     

Limited Partners

     10,847,165         8,083,801   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Partners’ Capital

     10,847,165         8,083,801   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

   $ 10,985,150       $ 8,288,813   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Limited Partners’ units outstanding

     300,000         200,000   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per unit

   $ 36.16       $ 40.42   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Market value per unit

   $ 36.11       $ 40.42   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Schedule of Investments

At December 31, 2011

 

$1,190,000,000 $1,190,000,000 $1,190,000,000
    Number
of
Contracts
    Unrealized
Gain

on Open
Commodity
Contracts
     % of
Partners’
Capital
 

Open Futures Contracts - Short

      

United States Contracts

      

NYMEX Crude Oil Futures CL February 2012 contracts, expiring January 2012

    110      $ 4,160         0.04   
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 
   
 
Principal
Amount
  
  
   
 
Market
Value
  
  
  
 

 

 

   

 

 

    

Cash Equivalents

      

United States Treasury Obligation

      

U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.03%, 6/21/2012

  $ 1,190,000      $ 1,189,829         10.97   
   

 

 

    

 

 

 

United States - Money Market Funds

      

Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio - Class I

    1,003,392        1,003,392         9.25   

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds - Government Fund - Class SL

    1,002,283        1,002,283         9.24   

Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Government Portfolio

    2,002,382        2,002,382         18.46   
   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Money Market Funds

      4,008,057         36.95   
   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Cash Equivalents

    $ 5,197,886         47.92   
   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Schedule of Investments

At December 31, 2010

 

$0,000,000 $0,000,000 $0,000,000
     Number
of
  Contracts   
     Unrealized
Loss

on Open
Commodity
Contracts
    % of
Partners’
Capital
 

Open Futures Contracts - Short

       

United States Contracts

       

NYMEX Crude Oil Futures CL February 2011 contracts, expiring January 2011

             88       $ (205,860     (2.55
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
    
 
Principal
Amount
  
  
    
 
Market
Value
  
  
 
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

Cash Equivalents

       

United States - Money Market Funds

       

Fidelity Institutional Government Portfolio - Class I

   $ 3,003,150       $ 3,003,150        37.15   

Goldman Sachs Financial Square Funds - Government Fund - Class SL

     3,002,083         3,002,083        37.14   

Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Fund - Government Portfolio

     1,002,008         1,002,008        12.39   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Cash Equivalents

      $ 7,007,241        86.68   
     

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Operations

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009

 

    Year ended
December 31,
2011
    Year ended
December 31,
2010
    Period from
September 24,
2009 to

December 31,
2009
 

Income

     

Gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:

     

Realized gain (loss) on closed positions

  $ (1,332,380   $ 313,470      $ (41,730

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open positions

    210,020        818,510        (1,024,370

Dividend income

    674        6,020        1,422   

Interest income

    1,264        1,191        293   

Other income

    5,700        8,000        1,000   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total income (loss)

    (1,114,722     1,147,191        (1,063,385
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

     

Professional fees

    131,449        199,866        211,500   

General Partners management fees (Note 3)

    61,594        97,675        20,150   

Brokerage commissions

    12,335        22,231        4,695   

Other expenses

    3,485        6,980        943   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    208,863        326,752        237,288   

Expense waiver (Note 3)

    (121,023     (175,447     (206,444
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses

    87,840        151,305        30,844   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ (1,202,562   $ 995,886      $ (1,094,229
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per limited partnership unit

  $ (4.26   $ (3.57   $ (6.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per weighted average limited partnership unit

  $ (4.61   $ 2.79      $ (4.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average limited partnership units outstanding

    260,822        357,534        272,727   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009

 

     General Partner     Limited Partners     Total  

Balances, at December 31, 2008

   $ 20      $ 980      $ 1,000   

Addition of 300,000 partnership units

     —          14,290,534        14,290,534   

Redemption of initial investment

     (20     (980     (1,000

Net loss

     —          (1,094,229     (1,094,229
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, at December 31, 2009

     —          13,196,305        13,196,305   

Addition of 500,000 partnership units

     —          22,638,937        22,638,937   

Redemption of 600,000 partnership units

     —          (28,747,327     (28,747,327

Net income

     —          995,886        995,886   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, at December 31, 2010

     —          8,083,801        8,083,801   

Addition of 400,000 partnership units

     —          16,038,193        16,038,193   

Redemption of 300,000 partnership units

     —          (12,072,267     (12,072,267

Net loss

     —          (1,202,562     (1,202,562
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balances, at December 31, 2011

   $ —        $ 10,847,165      $ 10,847,165   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Asset Value Per Unit:

      

At December 31, 2008

   $ —         
  

 

 

     

At September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations)

   $ 50.00       
  

 

 

     

At December 31, 2009

   $ 43.99       
  

 

 

     

At December 31, 2010

   $ 40.42       
  

 

 

     

At December 31, 2011

   $ 36.16       
  

 

 

     

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Statements of Cash Flows

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009

 

     Year ended
December 31,
2011
    Year ended
December 31,
2010
    Period from
September 24,
2009 to
December 31,
2009
 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ (1,202,562   $ 995,886      $ (1,094,229

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

(Increase) decrease in commodity futures trading account – cash and cash equivalents

     (605,340     1,699,020        (2,543,700

Unrealized (gain) loss on futures contracts

     (210,020     (818,510     1,024,370   

(Increase) decrease in receivable from General Partner

     54,424        30,997        (206,444

(Increase) decrease in dividend receivable

     136        252        (453

Increase in interest receivable

     (4     —          —     

Increase in directors’ fees receivable

     (629     —          —     

(Increase) decrease in other assets

     803        (831     —     

Increase in investment payable

     5        —          —     

Increase (decrease) in professional fees payable

     (68,417     (11,634     211,500   

Increase (decrease) in General Partner management fees payable

     1,338        (2,846     7,063   

Increase (decrease) in brokerage commissions payable

     45        (258     600   

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

     2        (304     891   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (2,030,219     1,891,772        (2,600,402
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

      

Addition of partnership units

     16,038,193        22,638,937        14,290,534   

Redemption of partnership units

     (12,072,267     (28,747,327     (1,000
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     3,965,926        (6,108,390     14,289,534   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     1,935,707        (4,216,618     11,689,132   

Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year/period

     7,473,514        11,690,132        1,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year/period

   $ 9,409,221      $ 7,473,514      $ 11,690,132   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements


United States Short Oil Fund, LP

Notes to Financial Statements

For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009

NOTE 1 - ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS

The United States Short Oil Fund, LP (“USSO”) was organized as a limited partnership under the laws of the state of Delaware on June 30, 2008. USSO is a commodity pool that issues limited partnership units (“units”) that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”). USSO will continue in perpetuity, unless terminated sooner upon the occurrence of one or more events as described in its Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership dated as of May 18, 2009 (the “LP Agreement”). The investment objective of USSO is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its units’ net asset value (“NAV”) to inversely reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the spot price of West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) light, sweet crude oil delivered to Cushing, Oklahoma, as measured by the changes in the price of the futures contract for light, sweet crude oil 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 (the “Benchmark Futures Contract”), less USSO’s expenses. It is not the intent of USSO to be operated in a fashion such that the per unit NAV will equal, in dollar terms, the inverse of the spot price of WTI light, sweet crude oil or any particular futures contract based on WTI light, sweet crude oil. It is not the intent of USSO to be operated in a fashion such that its NAV will reflect the inverse of the percentage change of the price of any particular futures contract as measured over a time period greater than one day. United States Commodity Funds LLC (“USCF”) believes that it is not practical to manage the portfolio to achieve such an investment goal when investing in Futures Contracts (as defined below) and Other Crude Oil-Related Investments (as defined below). USSO accomplishes its objective through investments in short positions in futures contracts for WTI light, sweet crude oil and other types of crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, natural gas 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 oil-related investments such as cash-settled options on Futures Contracts, forward contracts for oil, cleared swap contracts and over-the-counter transactions that are based on the price of crude oil, heating oil, gasoline, natural gas and other petroleum-based fuels, Futures Contracts and indices based on the foregoing (collectively, “Other Crude Oil-Related Investments”). As of December 31, 2011, USSO held short positions in 110 Crude Oil Futures CL Contracts traded on the NYMEX.

USSO commenced investment operations on September 24, 2009 and has a fiscal year ending on December 31. USCF is responsible for the management of USSO. 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 Natural Gas Fund, LP (“USNG”), 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 American Stock Exchange (the “AMEX”) under the ticker symbols “USO” on April 10, 2006, “UNG” on April 18, 2007, “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 USOF’s, USNG’s, US12OF’s, UGA’s and USHO’s units commenced trading on the NYSE Arca on November 25, 2008. USCF is also the general partner of 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 “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”), the United States Agriculture Index Fund (“USAG”), the United States Copper Index Fund (“CPER”) and the United States Metals Index Fund (“USMI”), each a series of the United States Commodity Index Funds Trust. USCI and CPER listed their units on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “USCI” on August 10, 2010 and “CPER” on November 15, 2011, respectively. USAG and USMI are not listed on the NYSE Arca as of the filing of this annual report on Form 10-K. All funds listed previously are referred to collectively herein as the “Related Public Funds.” USCF has also filed registration statements to register units of the United States Sugar Fund (“USSF”), the United States Natural Gas Double Inverse Fund (“UNGD”), the United States Gasoil Fund (“USGO”) and the United States Asian Commodities Basket Fund (“USABF”), each a series of the United States Commodity Funds Trust I.


Effective February 29, 2012, USSO issues units to certain authorized purchasers (“Authorized Purchasers”) by offering baskets consisting of 50,000 units (“Creation Baskets”) through ALPS Distributors, Inc., as the marketing agent (the “Marketing Agent”). Prior to February 29, 2012, USSO issued units to Authorized Purchasers by offering baskets consisting of 100,000 units through the Marketing Agent. The purchase price for a Creation Basket is based upon the NAV 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.

From July 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (and continuing at least through May 1, 2012), the applicable transaction fee paid by Authorized Purchasers is $350 to USSO for each order they place to create or redeem one or more baskets (“Redemption Baskets”); prior to July 1, 2011, this fee was $1,000. 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 per unit NAV of USSO but rather at market prices quoted on such exchange.

In September 2009, USSO initially registered 25,000,000 units on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). On September 24, 2009, USSO listed its units on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol “DNO”. On that day, USSO established its initial per unit NAV by setting the price at $50.00 and issued 200,000 units in exchange for $10,000,000. USSO also commenced investment operations on September 24, 2009, by taking short positions in Futures Contracts traded on the NYMEX based on WTI light, sweet crude oil. As of December 31, 2011, USSO had registered a total of 25,000,000 units.

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 statements 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 statements of operations USSO earns interest on its assets denominated in U.S. dollars on deposit with the futures commission merchant at the 90-day Treasury bill rate. In addition, USSO earns income on funds held at the custodian or futures commission merchant at prevailing market rates earned on such investments.

Brokerage Commissions

Brokerage commissions on all open commodity futures contracts are accrued on a full-turn basis.

Income Taxes

USSO 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”), USSO 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. USSO files an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states. USSO is not subject to income tax return examinations by major taxing authorities for years before 2008. 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 USSO recording a tax liability that reduces net assets. However, USSO’s 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 analysis of and changes to tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. USSO 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, 2011.


Creations and Redemptions

Effective February 29, 2012, Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets or redeem Redemption Baskets only in blocks of 50,000 units at a price equal to the NAV of the units calculated shortly after the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on the day the order is placed. Prior to February 29, 2012, Authorized Purchasers could only purchase Creation Baskets or redeem Redemption Baskets in blocks of 100,000 units.

USSO 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 USSO’s statements 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 USSO 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 Per Unit

USSO’s per unit NAV 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. USSO 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 per unit NAV 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 added and redeemed based on the amount of time the units were outstanding during such period. There were no units held by USCF at December 31, 2011.

Offering Costs

Offering costs incurred in connection with the registration of additional units after the initial registration of units are borne by USSO. 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 six months or less.

Reclassification

Certain amounts in the accompanying financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current presentation.


Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires USSO’s 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 USSO in accordance with the objectives and policies of USSO. In addition, USCF has arranged for one or more third parties to provide administrative, custody, accounting, transfer agency and other necessary services to USSO. For these services, USSO is contractually obligated to pay USCF a fee, which is paid monthly, equal to 0.60% per annum of daily average net assets.

Ongoing Registration Fees and Other Offering Expenses

USSO 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, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009, USSO did not incur any registration fees or other offering expenses.

Directors’ Fees and Expenses

USSO is responsible for paying its portion of the directors’ and officers’ liability insurance for USSO and the Related Public Funds and the fees and expenses of the independent directors who also serve as audit committee members of USSO and the Related Public Funds organized as limited partnerships and, as of July 8, 2011, the Related Public Funds organized as a series of a Delaware statutory trust. USSO shares the fees and expenses with each Related Public Fund, as described above, based on the relative assets of each fund computed on a daily basis. These fees and expenses for the year ended December 31, 2011 were $607,582 for USSO and the Related Public Funds. USSO’s portion of such fees and expenses was $1,099. For the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, these fees and expenses were $1,107,140 and $433,046, respectively, for USSO and the Related Public Funds, other than USCI, USAG, CPER and USMI. USSO’s portion of such fees and expenses was $3,090 and $167, respectively. Effective as of April 1, 2010, USSO became 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, USSO and the Related Public Funds, except USCI, USAG, CPER and USMI.

Licensing Fees

As discussed in Note 4 below, USSO entered into a licensing agreement with the NYMEX on May 22, 2009, as amended on October 20, 2011. Pursuant to the agreement, up to October 19, 2011, USSO and the Related Public Funds, other than USBO, USCI, CPER, USAG and USMI, paid a licensing fee that was equal to 0.04% for the first $1,000,000,000 of combined net assets of the funds and 0.02% for combined net assets above $1,000,000,000. On and after October 20, 2011, USSO and the Related Public Funds, other than USBO, USCI, CPER, USAG and USMI, pay a licensing fee that is equal to 0.015% on all net assets. During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009, USSO incurred $2,387, $3,890 and $776, respectively, under this arrangement.

Investor Tax Reporting Cost

The fees and expenses associated with USSO’s audit expenses and tax accounting and reporting requirements are paid by USSO. These costs were approximately $45,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011.


Other Expenses and Fees and Expense Waivers

In addition to the fees described above, USSO pays all brokerage fees and other expenses in connection with the operation of USSO, excluding costs and expenses paid by USCF as outlined in Note 4 below. USCF, though under no obligation to do so, agreed to pay certain expenses normally borne by USSO, to the extent that such expenses exceed 0.15% (15 basis points) of USSO’s NAV, on an annualized basis, through at least June 30, 2012. USCF has no obligation to continue such payments into subsequent periods.

NOTE 4 - CONTRACTS AND AGREEMENTS

USSO is party to a marketing agent agreement, dated as of June 8, 2009, as amended from time to time, with the Marketing Agent and USCF, whereby the Marketing Agent provides certain marketing services for USSO as outlined in the agreement. The fee of the Marketing Agent, which is borne by USCF, is equal to 0.06% on USSO’s assets up to $3 billion; and 0.04% on USSO’s 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.

USSO is also party to a custodian agreement, dated October 7, 2008, as amended from time to time, with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (“BBH&Co.”) and USCF, whereby BBH&Co. holds investments on behalf of USSO. USCF pays the fees of the custodian, which are determined by the parties from time to time. In addition, USSO is party to an administrative agency agreement, dated October 7, 2008, as amended from time to time, with USCF and BBH&Co., whereby BBH&Co. acts as the administrative agent, transfer agent and registrar for USSO. 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 USSO and each of the Related Public Funds, 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 USSO, USOF’s, USNG’s, US12OF’s, UGA’s, USHO’s, US12NG’s, USBO’s, USCI’s, USMI’s, USAG’s and CPER’s combined net assets, (b) 0.0465% for USSO, USOF’s, USNG’s, US12OF’s, UGA’s, USHO’s, US12NG’s, USBO’s, USCI’s, USMI’s, USAG’s and CPER’s combined net assets greater than $500 million but less than $1 billion, and (c) 0.035% once USSO’s, USOF’s, USNG’s, US12OF’s, UGA’s, USHO’s, US12NG’s, USBO’s, USCI’s, USMI’s, USAG’s and CPER’s 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 to $15 per transaction.

USSO has entered into a brokerage agreement with UBS Securities LLC (“UBS Securities”). The agreement requires UBS Securities to provide services to USSO in connection with the purchase and sale of Futures Contracts and Other Crude Oil-Related Investments that may be purchased and sold by or through UBS Securities for USSO’s account. In accordance with the agreement, UBS Securities charges USSO commissions of approximately $7 to $8 per round-turn trade, including applicable exchange and NFA fees for Futures Contracts and options on Futures Contracts.

USSO and the NYMEX entered into a licensing agreement on May 22, 2009, as amended on October 20, 2011, whereby USSO was granted a non-exclusive license to use certain of the NYMEX’s settlement prices and service marks. Under the licensing agreement, USSO and the Related Public Funds, other than USBO, USCI, CPER, USAG and USMI, pay the NYMEX an asset-based fee for the license, the terms of which are described in Note 3. USSO expressly disclaims any association with the NYMEX or endorsement of USSO 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

USSO engages in the trading of futures contracts, options on futures contracts and may engage in cleared swaps (collectively, “derivatives”). USSO 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.

USSO may enter into futures contracts, options on futures contracts and cleared 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.

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 merchant’s 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 USSO 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.

All of the futures contracts held by USSO were exchange-traded through December 31, 2011. The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts 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. However, in the future, if USSO were to enter into non-exchange traded contracts, it would be subject 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. USSO 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. In addition, USSO bears the risk of financial failure by the clearing broker.

USSO’s cash and other property, such as Treasuries, deposited with a futures commission merchant are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the futures commission merchant’s segregation requirements. In the event of a futures commission merchant’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 the total of cash and other property deposited. The insolvency of a futures commission merchant could result in the complete loss of USSO’s assets posted with that futures commission merchant; however, the majority of USSO’s assets are held in Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents with USSO’s custodian and would not be impacted by the insolvency of a futures commission merchant. Also, the failure or insolvency of USSO’s custodian could result in a substantial loss of USSO’s assets.

USCF invests a portion of USSO’s cash in money market funds that seek to maintain a stable per unit NAV. USSO is exposed to any risk of loss associated with an investment in such money market funds. As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, USSO held investments in money market funds in the amounts of $4,008,057 and $7,007,241, respectively. USCF holds cash deposits with its custodian. Pursuant to a written agreement with BBH&Co., uninvested overnight cash balances are swept to offshore branches of U.S. regulated and domiciled banks located in Toronto, Canada, London, United Kingdom, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Nassau, Bahamas, which are subject to U.S. regulation and regulatory oversight. As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, USSO held cash deposits and investments in Treasuries in the amounts of $6,851,184 and $1,310,953, respectively. This amount may be subject to loss should USSO’s custodian cease operations.


For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the market value of the contracts. Theoretically, USSO 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, USSO 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.

USSO’s 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, USSO 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 USSO 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, 2011 and 2010 and the period from September 24, 2009 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2009. This information has been derived from information presented in the financial statements.

 

   
 
 
Year ended
December 31,
2011
  
  
  
   
 
 
Year ended
December 31,
2010
  
  
  
   
 

 
 

 

Period from
September 24,

2009 to
December 31,

2009

  
 

  
  

  

Per Unit Operating Performance:

     

Net asset value, beginning of year/period

  $ 40.42      $ 43.99      $ 50.00   

Total loss

    (3.92     (3.15     (5.90

Total expenses

    (0.34     (0.42     (0.11
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net decrease in net asset value

    (4.26     (3.57     (6.01
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of year/period

  $ 36.16      $ 40.42      $ 43.99   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Return

    (10.54 )%      (8.12 )%      (12.02 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets

     

Total income (loss)

    (10.86 )%      7.05     (8.59 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Management fees

    0.60     0.60     0.60 %* 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses excluding management fees

    1.43     1.41     6.47 %* 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses waived

    (1.18 )%      (1.08 )%      (6.15 )%* 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net expenses excluding management fees

    0.25     0.33     0.32 %* 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

    (11.71 )%      6.12     (8.84 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

*

Annualized

Total returns are calculated based on the change in value during the period. An individual unitholder’s total return and ratio may vary from the above total returns and ratios based on the timing of contributions to and withdrawals from USSO.


NOTE 7 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

The following summarized (unaudited) quarterly financial information presents the results of operations and other data for the three-month periods ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, 2011 and 2010.

 

           First      
Quarter
2011
        Second    
Quarter
2011
    Third
Quarter
2011
    Fourth
Quarter
2011
 

Total Income (Loss)

   $ (467,268   $ 1,134,362      $ 2,068,947      $ (3,850,763
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     50,455        69,403        64,844        24,161   

Expense Waivers

     (38,628     (45,924     (36,471     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     11,827        23,479        28,373        24,161   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (479,095   $ 1,110,883      $ 2,040,574      $ (3,874,924
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) per Unit

   $ (4.54   $ 3.52      $ 6.80      $ (10.04
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     First
Quarter
2010
    Second
Quarter
2010
    Third
Quarter
2010
    Fourth
Quarter
2010
 

Total Income (Loss)

   $ (707,870   $ 4,416,722      $ (1,154,952   $ (1,406,709
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Expenses

     151,862        74,349        52,664        47,877   

Expense Waivers

     (121,871     (22,904     (4,852     (25,820
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Expenses

     29,991        51,445        47,812        22,057   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)

   $ (737,861   $ 4,365,277      $ (1,202,764   $ (1,428,766
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Income (Loss) per Unit

   $ (2.46   $ 6.44      $ (1.99   $ (5.56
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

NOTE 8 - FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

USSO 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 USSO (observable inputs) and (2) USSO’s 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 USSO’s securities at December 31, 2011 using the fair value hierarchy:

 

At December 31, 2011   Total     Level I     Level II     Level III  

Short-Term Investments

  $ 5,197,886      $ 5,197,886      $ —        $ —     

Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts

       

United States Contracts

    4,160        4,160        —          —     

During the year ended December 31, 2011, there were no significant transfers between Level I and Level II.

The following table summarizes the valuation of USSO’s securities at December 31, 2010 using the fair value hierarchy:

 

At December 31, 2010   Total     Level I     Level II     Level III  

Short-Term Investments

  $ 7,007,241      $ 7,007,241      $ —        $ —     

Exchange-Traded Futures Contracts

       

United States Contracts

    (205,860     (205,860     —          —     

During the year ended December 31, 2010, there were no significant transfers between Level I and Level II.

Effective January 1, 2009, USSO adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 815 – Derivatives and Hedging, 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

  Statements of Financial
Condition Location
  Fair Value
at
December 31, 2011
    Fair Value
at
December 31, 2010
 

Futures - Commodity Contracts

  Assets   $ 4,160      $ (205,860


The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statements of Operations

 

         For the year ended
December 31, 2011
    For the year ended
December 31, 2010
    For the period from
September 24, 2009 to

December 31, 2009
 

Derivatives not
Accounted for as
Hedging
Instruments

  

Location of
Gain or

(Loss) on

Derivatives

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
    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 positions   $ (1,332,380     $ 313,470        $ (41,730  
              
   Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open positions     $ 210,020        $ 818,510        $ (1,024,370

NOTE 9 - RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” The amendments in ASU No. 2011-11 require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. ASU No. 2011-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The guidance requires retrospective application for all comparative periods presented. USCF is currently evaluating the impact ASU No. 2011-11 will have on USSO’s financial statements.

In May 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.” ASU No. 2011-04 clarifies existing requirements for measuring fair value and for disclosure about fair value measurements in converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board. The amendments are to be applied prospectively. For public entities, the amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. For nonpublic entities, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Early application by public entities is not permitted. Nonpublic entities may apply the amendments early, but no earlier than for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The implementation of ASU No. 2011-04 is not expected to have a material impact on USSO’s financial statements.

NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

USSO has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. The subsequent events were as follows:

Effective as of February 29, 2012, the size of the Creation Basket and Redemption Basket was reduced from 100,000 units to 50,000 units.