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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - Teucrium Commodity Truste58359_8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

TEUCRIUM TRADING, LLC—INDEX TO ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   2
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition   3
Consolidated Statements of Operations   4
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members’ Equity   5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   7

 

1
 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Members of

 

Teucrium Trading, LLC

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition of Teucrium Trading, LLC and Subsidiary (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related statements of operations, changes in members’ equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. An audit includes 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 Company’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 consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Teucrium Trading, LLC and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the results of their operations, changes in their members’ equity and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2013 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

 

/s/ Rothstein Kass

 

 

Walnut Creek, California

April 3, 2014

 

2
 

 

 

 Teucrium Trading, LLC and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

  December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012  
Assets          
           
           
Cash and cash equivalents $ 59,054,720     $ 52,947,599  
Commodity futures contracts   171,580       133,384  
Collateral, due from broker   11,768,320       7,004,263  
Interest receivable   4,100       2,596  
Other assets   382,872       365,168  
Total assets $ 71,381,592     60,453,010  
               
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY              
Liabilities              
               
Accrued expenses $ 667,199     $ 627,622  
Short-term debt   400,000       400,000  
Commodity futures contracts   5,960,806       3,075,587  
Collateral, due to broker   97,602       -  
Interest payable   16,756       28,932  
Other liabilities   55,609       56,695  
Total liabilities   7,197,972       4,188,836  
               
Members’ equity subject to conversion or redemption rights   2,600,000       2,600,000  
               
Members’ equity              
Teucrium Trading, LLC members’ deficit   (3,282,590 )     (3,232,822 )
Noncontrolling interests   64,866,210       56,896,996  
Total members’ equity   61,583,620       53,664,174  
               
Total liabilities and members’ equity $ 71,381,592     $ 60,453,010  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

3
 

 

Teucrium Trading, LLC and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

  Year ended     Year ended   Year ended  
  December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012   December 31, 2011  
Income              
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on trading of commodity futures contracts:               
   Realized gain (loss) on commodity futures contracts $                 (12,841,479)     $                        9,926,700  

 

$                        6,883,031

 
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts

 

 

(2,847,023

 

 

)

 

 

 

(1,309,457

 

 

)

 

 

(6,810,965

 

 

)

   Interest and other income   30,520       67,922   64,887  
Total income   (15,657,982)       8,685,165   136,953  
                   
Expenses                  
Professional fees   1,138,324       805,087     1,718,877  
Salaries, wages and benefits   484,560       428,666   748,018  
Business permits and licenses   165,283       169,949   280,184  
General and administrative   301,790       378,198   138,984  
Distribution and marketing   1,569,314       2,541,929   1,220,593  
Custodian's fees and expenses   162,105       413,390   389,950  
Interest expense   37,215       28,932   6,140  
Brokerage commissions   49,037       70,657   74,438  
Other expenses   83,563       117,327   20,209  
Total expenses   3,991,191       4,654,135   4,597,393  
                   
Net income (loss)   (19,649,173 )     3,731,030   (4,460,440 )
                   
   Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests  

 

(19,599,405

 

)

   

 

3,899,823

 

 

(3,141,898

 

)

                   
Net loss attributable to Teucrium Trading, LLC

 

$

 

(49,768

 

)

 

 

$

 

(168,793

 

)


$

(1,318,542

 

)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4
 

 

TEUCRIUM TRADING, LLC and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBERS' EQUITY

For the period January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2013

 

 

    Class A   Class B-1   Class B-2               Members’  
    Equity   Equity   Equity   Subscription       Noncontrolling   Equity  
    Total   Total   Total   Receivable   Subtotal   Interest   Equity Total  
Balances, December 31, 2010  

 

$ (1,270,841

 

)

 

$ (417,562

 

)

 

$ (127,084

 

)

 

$                  —

 

 

$ (1,815,487

 

)

 

$ 42,963,839

 

 

$ 41,148,352

 
Equity Contributed for Member Interest February 4, 2011  

 

 

 

2,070,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,070,000

 

 

 

 

2,070,000

 
Proceeds from Equity Contributed subject to conversion rights  

 

 

 

(400,000

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

(400,000

 

)

 

 

 

(400,000

 

)

Equity Contributed from Member Interest-June 21, 2011  

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,000,000

 

 

 

 

1,000,000

 
Proceeds from Equity Contributed subject to redemption rights  

 

 

 

(2,600,000

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,600,000

 

)

 

 

 

(2,600,000

 

)

Purchase of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

111,123,103

 

 

111,123,103

 
Redemption of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(67,122,176

 

)

 

(67,122,176

 

)

Net loss – January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011  

 

 

 

(1,318,542

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1,318,542

 

)

 

(3,141,898

 

)

 

(4,460,440

 

)

Balances, December 31, 2011      (1,270,841 )  (1,666,104 ) (127,084 )          —    (3,064,029 ) 83,822,868   80,758,839  
Purchase of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

101,912,029

 

 

101,912,029

 
Redemption of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(129,431,357

 

)

 

(129,431,357

 

)

Cost of Shares of the Underlying Funds and Realized loss on the Underlying Funds  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,306,367

 

 

)

 

 

(3,306,367

 

 

)

Net income (loss) – January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012  

 

 

 

(168,793

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

(168,793

 

)

 

3,899,823

 

 

3,731,030

 
Balances, December 31, 2012      (1,270,841 )    (1,834,897 )   (127,084 )                     —       (3,232,822 )        56,896,996            53,664,174  
Purchase of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

69,527,075

 

 

69,527,075

 
Redemption of Fund Units by Noncontrolling Interests  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41,970,174

 

)

 

(41,970,174

 

)

Change in Cost of Shares of the Underlying Funds and Realized loss on the Underlying Funds  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,718

 

 

 

11,718

 
Net loss – January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013  

 

 

 

(49,768

 

)

 

 

 

 

 

(49,768

 

)

 

(19,599,405

 

)

 

(19,649,173

 

)

Balances, December 31, 2013   $ (1,270,841 ) $ (1,884,665 ) $   (127,084 ) $                  —   $   (3,282,590 ) $     64,866,210   $       61,583,620  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

 Teucrium Trading, LLC and Subsidiary

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

    Year ended     Year ended   Year ended    
    December 31, 2013     December 31, 2012   December 31, 2011    
Cash flows from operating activities                  
Net income (loss)    $                   (19,649,173)     $                      3,731,030   $                (4,460,440 )  
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                  
   Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts     2,847,023     1,309,457  

 

6,810,965

   
   Realized loss on shares of the Underlying Funds sold by Teucrium Agricultural Fund     (82,323)     (626,988)  

 

 —

   
Changes in operation assets and liabilities:                    
Cost of shares of the Underlying Funds of Teucrium Agricultural Fund    

 

94,041

   

 

(2,679,379

 

)

 

 —

   
Collateral, due from brokers     (4,764,057)     1,743,076    (8,747,339 )  
Interest receivable     (1,504)     13   2,637    
Other assets     (17,704)     166,785   (519,427 )  
Accrued expenses     39,577     (360,226 )  (118,444 )  
Collateral, due to broker     97,602        (1,496,830 )  
Other liabilities     (1,086 )   56,596   (12,217 )  
Interest Payable     (12,176 )   28,932      
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities    

 

(21,449,780)

   

 

3,369,395

 

 

(8,540,310

 

)

 
                     
Cash flows from financing activities                    
   Purchase of units by noncontrolling interests    

69,527,075

   

101,912,029

 

111,123,103

   
   Redemption of units by noncontrolling interests, net of payable for shares redeemed    

 

(41,970,174

 

)

 

 

(133,578,368)

 

 

(62,975,165

 

)

 
   Proceeds from sale of member equity and option    

   

 

2,156,422

   
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities    

27,556,901

   

(31,666,339)

 

50,304,360

   
                     
Net change in cash and cash equivalents     6,107,121     (28,296,944)   41,764,050    
                     
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year    

 

52,947,599

   

 

81,244,543

 

 

39,480,493

   
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year     $                    59,054,720     $                    52,947,599   $                    81,244,543    
                     
Non-cash investing and financing activities                    
Conversation of members’ equity to short-term debt    

$                                   —

   

$                          400,000

 

$                                  —

   
Conversation of other liability into members’ equity    

$                                   —

   

$                                   —

 

$                           70,000

   
Conversation of interest payable into members’ equity    

$                                   —

   

$                                   —

 

$                           43,578

   
Conversation of debt into members’ equity     $                                   —     $                                   —   $                         800,000    
Reclassification of permanent equity to temporary equity    

$                                   —

   

$                                   —

 

$                      3,000,000

   

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1 — Organization and Operation

 

Teucrium Trading, LLC, (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, formed on July 28, 2009 and began operations on September 1, 2009.  The principal office is located at 232 Hidden Lake Road, Brattleboro, Vermont 05301.  The Company is registered as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and became a member of the National Futures Association (“NFA”) on November 10, 2009.

 

The Company is solely responsible for the management and conducts or directs the conduct of the business of the Teucrium Commodity Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, and any other series of the Trust that may from time to time be established and designated by the Company. The Trust issues common units representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in separate series of the Trust, called “Shares.” Each such series (each such series is referred to herein as a “fund” and collectively as the “Funds”) constitutes a separate commodity pool. As of December 31, 2013, the following constitute the series of the Trust: the Teucrium Corn Fund (“CORN”), the Teucrium WTI Crude Oil Fund (“CRUD”), the Teucrium Natural Gas Fund (“NAGS”), the Teucrium Sugar Fund (“CANE”), the Teucrium Soybean Fund (“SOYB”), the Teucrium Wheat Fund (“WEAT”), and the Teucrium Agricultural Fund (“TAGS”).  The Trust and the Funds operate pursuant to the Trust’s Second Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”). 

 

On June 5, 2010, the initial Form S-1 for CORN was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On June 8, 2010, Creation Baskets for CORN were issued representing 200,000 shares and $5,000,000. CORN began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Arca on June 9, 2010. On October 22, 2010, the initial Forms S-1 for NAGS and CRUD were declared effective by the SEC. On January 31, 2011, Creation Baskets for NAGS were issued representing 200,000 shares and $5,000,000. NAGS began trading on the NYSE Arca on February 1, 2011. On February 22, 2011, Creation Baskets for CRUD were issued representing 100,000 shares and $5,000,000.  CRUD began trading on the NYSE Arca on February 23, 2011. On June 17, 2011, the Forms S-1 for CANE, SOYB, and WEAT were declared effective by the SEC. On September 16, 2011, Creation Baskets were issued for each Fund, representing 100,000 shares and $2,500,000, for CANE, SOYB, and WEAT.  On September 19, 2011, CANE, SOYB, and WEAT started trading on the NYSE Arca. On February 10, 2012, the Form S-1 for TAGS was declared effective by the SEC. On March 27, 2012, Creation Baskets for TAGS were issued representing 300,000 shares and $15,000,000. TAGS began trading on the NYSE Arca on March 28, 2012.

 

The Company is required to oversee the purchase and sale of Shares by Authorized Purchasers (one that purchases or redeems Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets, respectively, from or to the Funds), and to manage the Funds’ investments, including to evaluate the credit risk of futures commission merchants and swap counterparties and to review daily positions and margin/collateral requirements.

 

The Company has the power to enter into agreements as may be necessary or appropriate for the offer and sale of the Funds’ units and the conduct of the Trust’s activities.

 

Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) as detailed in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the Company and the Trust. All material inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements of the Company also include the noncontrolling interests of the unit holders in the Funds.

 

Noncontrolling Interests

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the noncontrolling interests of the unit holders in the Funds.  Net income and loss is allocated between the Company and the noncontrolling interests based on their respective relative ownership interest in the Funds.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

 

7
 

Revenue Recognition

 

Commodity futures contracts are recorded on the trade date. All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation on commodity futures contracts are reflected in the statements of operations as the difference between the original contract amount and the fair market value as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the consolidated financial statements. Changes in the appreciation or depreciation between periods are reflected in the statements of operations. Interest on cash equivalents and deposits with the Futures Commission Merchant are recognized on the accrual basis. The Funds earn interest on its assets denominated in U.S. dollars on deposit with the Futures Commission. In addition, the Funds earn interest on funds held at the custodian at prevailing market rates for such investments.

 

Brokerage Commissions

 

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

 

Creations and Redemptions

 

Authorized Purchasers may purchase Creation Baskets from each Fund. The amount of the proceeds required to purchase a Creation Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Creation Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time on the day the order to create the basket is properly received.

 

Authorized Purchasers may redeem shares from each Fund only in blocks of shares called “Redemption Baskets.” The amount of the redemption proceeds for a Redemption Basket will be equal to the NAV of the shares in the Redemption Basket determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time on the day the order to redeem the basket is properly received.

 

Each Fund receives or pays the proceeds from shares 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 the statements of assets and liabilities as receivable for shares sold.  Amounts payable to Authorized Purchasers upon redemption are reflected in the statements of assets and liabilities as payable for shares redeemed.

 

There are a minimum number of baskets and associated shares specified for each Fund in the respective most recent Form S-1 amendments or supplements. Once the minimum number of baskets is reached, there can be no more redemptions until there has been a creation basket. These minimum levels are as follows:

 

CORN: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets

NAGS: 100,000 shares representing 2 baskets

CRUD: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets (at minimum level as of December 31, 2013 and 2012)

SOYB: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets

CANE: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets

WEAT: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets

TAGS: 50,000 shares representing 2 baskets (at minimum level as of December 31, 2013 and 2012)

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Income Taxes

 

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740-10, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” the Company 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 related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position.  The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and may file income tax returns in various U.S. states and foreign jurisdictions.  The Company is subject to income tax examinations by major taxing authorities for all tax years since inception. 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 the Funds recording a tax liability that reduces net assets.   Based on their analysis, the Company has determined that they have not incurred any liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  However, the Company’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.  

 

8
 

The Company 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 years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011.

 

The Company may be subject to potential examination by U.S. federal, U.S. state, or foreign jurisdictional authorities in the area of income taxes. These potential examinations may include questioning the timing and amount of deductions, the nexus of income among various tax jurisdictions, and compliance with U.S. federal, U.S. state and foreign tax laws.  The Company’s management does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will materially change over the next twelve months.

 

Offering Costs

 

The Company expenses all initial offering costs associated with the registration of the Funds. Costs include, but are not limited to, legal fees pertaining to the Funds’ units offered for sale, SEC and state registration fees, initial fees paid to be listed on an exchange, underwriting and other similar costs. The initial offering and organization costs incurred to start the Funds were borne by the Company and were not charged to the Funds.  

 

Cash Equivalents

 

Cash equivalents are highly-liquid investments with original maturity dates of three months or less at inception.  The Company reports its cash equivalents in the statements of assets and liabilities at market value, or at carrying amounts that approximate fair value, because of their highly-liquid nature and short-term maturities. The Company has a substantial portion of its assets on deposit with banks. Assets deposited with the bank may, at times, exceed federally insured limits.  The Company had a balance of $59,054,720 and $32,947,999 in money market funds at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively; these balances are included in cash and cash equivalents on the statements of assets and liabilities.  The Company also had investments in United States Treasury Bills with a maturity of three months or less with a fair value of $0 and $19,999,600 on December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.

 

Collateral, Due from/to Broker

 

Margin is the minimum amount of funds that must be deposited by a commodity interest trader with the trader’s broker to initiate and maintain an open position in futures contracts. A margin deposit acts to assure the trader’s performance of the futures contracts purchased or sold. Futures contracts are customarily bought and sold on initial margin that represents a very small percentage of the aggregate purchase or sales price of the contract. Because of such low margin requirements, price fluctuations occurring in the futures markets may create profits and losses that, in relation to the amount invested, are greater than are customary in other forms of investment or speculation. As discussed below, adverse price changes in the futures contract may result in margin requirements that greatly exceed the initial margin. In addition, the amount of margin required in connection with a particular futures contract is set from time to time by the exchange on which the contract is traded and may be modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Brokerage firms, such as the Funds’ clearing brokers, carrying accounts for traders in commodity interest contracts generally require higher amounts of margin as a matter of policy to further protect themselves. Over-the-counter trading generally involves the extension of credit between counterparties, so the counterparties may agree to require the posting of collateral by one or both parties to address credit exposure.

 

When a trader purchases an option, there is no margin requirement; however, the option premium must be paid in full. When a trader sells an option, on the other hand, he or she is required to deposit margin in an amount determined by the margin requirements established for the underlying interest and, in addition, an amount substantially equal to the current premium for the option. The margin requirements imposed on the selling of options, although adjusted to reflect the probability that out-of-the-money options will not be exercised, can in fact be higher than those imposed in dealing in the futures markets directly. Complicated margin requirements apply to spreads and conversions, which are complex trading strategies in which a trader acquires a mixture of options positions and positions in the underlying interest.

 

Ongoing or “maintenance” margin requirements are computed each day by a trader’s clearing broker. When the market value of a particular open futures contract changes to a point where the margin on deposit does not satisfy maintenance margin requirements, a margin call is made by the broker. If the margin call is not met within a reasonable time, the broker may close out the trader’s position. With respect to the Funds’ trading, the Funds (and not its shareholders personally) are subject to margin calls.

 

Finally, many major U.S. exchanges have passed certain cross margining arrangements involving procedures pursuant to which the futures and options positions held in an account would, in the case of some accounts, be aggregated, and margin requirements would be assessed on a portfolio basis, measuring the total risk of the combined positions.

 

9
 

Due from/to Broker for Securities Transactions

 

Due from/to broker for investments in securities are securities transactions pending settlement. The Company, the Trust and TAGS are subject to credit risk to the extent any broker with whom it conducts business is unable to fulfill contractual obligations on its behalf. The management of the Company, the Trust and the Funds monitors the financial condition of such brokers and does not anticipate any losses from these counterparties. Since the inception of TAGS, the principal broker through which the Company, the Trust and TAGS clear securities transactions for TAGS is the Bank of New York Mellon Capital Markets.

 

Shares of the Underlying Funds Held by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund (TAGS)

 

The investment objective of TAGS is to have the daily changes in percentage terms of the Net Asset Value (“NAV”) of its common units (“Shares”) reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of a weighted average (the “Underlying Fund Average”) of the NAVs per share of four other commodity pools that are series of the Trust and are sponsored by the Sponsor: the Teucrium Corn Fund, the Teucrium Wheat Fund, the Teucrium Soybean Fund and the Teucrium Sugar Fund (collectively, the “Underlying Funds”). The Underlying Fund Average will have a weighting of 25% to each Underlying Fund, and the Fund’s assets will be rebalanced, generally on a daily basis, to maintain the approximate 25% allocation to each Underlying Fund.

 

As such, TAGS will buy, sell and hold as part of its normal operations shares of the four Underlying Funds. The Company and the Trust exclude the shares of the other series of the Trust owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund from its statements of assets and liabilities. The Company and the Trust exclude the net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on securities owned by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund from its statements of operations. Upon the sale of the Underlying Funds by the Teucrium Agricultural Fund, the Company and the Trust include any realized gain or loss in its statements of changes in net assets.

 

Fair Value - Definition and Hierarchy

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e., the “exit price”) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches.  In accordance with U.S. GAAP, a fair value hierarchy for inputs is used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.  Observable inputs are those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.  Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s assumptions about the inputs market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.  The fair value hierarchy is categorized into three levels based on the inputs as follows:

 

Level 1 - Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.  Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 securities.  Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these securities does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

 

Level 2 - Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

 

Level 3 - Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

 

The availability of valuation techniques and observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors including, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction.  To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Those estimated values do not necessarily represent the amounts that may be ultimately realized due to the occurrence of future circumstances that cannot be reasonably determined.  Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, those estimated values may be materially higher or lower than the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised by the Fund in determining fair value is greatest for securities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy, within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure.  Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.  The Company uses prices and inputs that are current as of the measurement date, including periods of market dislocation.  In periods of market dislocation, the observability of prices and inputs may be reduced for many securities.  This condition could cause a security to be reclassified to a lower level within the fair value hierarchy. For instance, when Corn Futures Contracts on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) are not actively trading due to a “limit-up” or ‘limit-down” condition, meaning that the change in the Corn Futures Contracts has exceeded the limits established, the Company and the Fund will revert to alternative verifiable sources of valuation of its assets.  When such a situation exists on a quarter close, the Sponsor will calculate the NAV on a particular day using the Level 1 valuation, but will later recalculate the NAV for the impacted Fund based upon the valuation inputs from these alternative verifiable sources (Level 2 or Level 3) and will report such NAV in its applicable financial statements and reports.

10
 

On December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, in the opinion of the Company, the reported value at the close of the market for each commodity contract fairly reflected the value of the futures and no alternative valuations were required.

 

The Funds, the Trust and the Company record their derivative activities at fair value. Gains and losses from derivative contracts are included in the statements of operations.  Derivative contracts include futures contracts related to commodity prices. Futures, which are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the CBOT or the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”), or reported on another national market, are generally categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.  OTC derivatives contracts (such as forward and swap contracts), which may be valued using models, depending on whether significant inputs are observable or unobservable, are categorized in Levels 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

Investments in the securities of the Underlying Funds are freely tradable and listed on the NYSE Arca. These investments are valued at the NAV of the Underlying Fund as of the valuation date as calculated by the administrator based on the exchange-quoted prices of the commodity futures contracts held by the Underlying Fund.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

The FASB issued ASU No, 2013-10, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in this Update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to UST and LIBOR. The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the financial statements disclosures for the Company, the Trust or the Funds.

 

The FASB issued ASU No. 2013-08, “Financial Services-Investment Companies (Topic 946)-Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements”. ASU No. 2013-08 affects the scope, measurement, and disclosure requirements for investment companies under U.S. GAAP. ASU 2013-08 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the financial statements disclosures for the Company, the Trust or the Fund.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Amendments of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities in U.S. GAAP and IFRS.” ASU No. 2011-11 clarifies existing requirements for balance sheet offsetting and for disclosures about the offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position in converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board. The amendments are to be applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. For public entities, the amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the financial statement disclosures for the Company, the Trust or the Funds.

 

Liquidity

 

At December 31, 2013, the Company has cash and cash equivalents of $347,475, exclusive of those of the Trust, and a receivable for the December 2013 management fee from the Trust of $53,099 which was received in January 2014. The Company also has $400,000 of short term debt which matures on August 14, 2014. In addition, the Company, as Sponsor for the Trust, has the ability to pay certain fees on behalf of the Funds or waive management fees. For the year ended December 31, 2013, approximately $590,000 of expenses recorded on the financial statements of the Company are subject to reimbursement by the Funds in 2014. Through March 28, 2014, approximately $200,000 of this amount had been reimbursed by the Funds. Management of the Company believes that its cash resources at December 31, 2013, in addition to the anticipated cash to be provided by the current operations and management of the Trust, will be sufficient to meet its current obligations and fund its operations to at least January 1, 2015. The Company is in full compliance with the terms of its short term debt agreement up to and including the year ended December 31, 2013 (see Note 5).

 

Note 3 – Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company’s assets and liabilities recorded at fair value have been categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy as described in the Company’s significant accounting policies in Note 2. The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

11
 

December 31, 2013

 

                Balance as of  
Assets:   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   December 31, 2013  
Cash equivalents   $ 59,054,720     $ -     $ -     $ 59,054,720  
Commodity futures contracts                                
Natural gas futures contracts     84,050       -       -       84,050  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     87,530       -       -       87,530  
Total   $ 59,226,300     $ -     $ -     $ 59,226,300  
 

 

                Balance as of
Liabilities:   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3     December 31, 2013
Commodity futures contracts                                
Corn futures contracts   $ 4,884,788     $ -     $ -     $ 4,884,788  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     5,080       -       -       5,080  
Soybean futures contracts     188,863       -       -       188,863  
Sugar futures contracts     183,400       -       -       183,400  
Wheat futures contracts     698,675       -       -       698,675  
Total   $ 5,960,806     $ -     $ -     $ 5,960,806  

 

December 31, 2012

 

                Balance as of  
Assets:   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   December 31, 2012  
Cash equivalents   $ 52,947,599     $ -     $ -     $ 52,947,599  
Commodity futures contracts                                
Natural gas futures contracts     9,550       -       -       9,550  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     44,872       -       -       44,872  
Soybean futures contracts     63,200       -       -       63,200  
Wheat futures contracts     15,762       -       -       15,762  
Total   $ 53,080,983     $ -     $ -     $ 53,080,983  

 

                Balance as of
Liabilities:   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3     December 31, 2012
Commodity futures contracts                                
Corn futures contracts   $ 2,213,775     $ -     $ -     $ 2,213,775  
Natural gas futures contracts     233,919       -       -       233,919  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     58,090       -       -       58,090  
Soybean futures contracts     284,575       -       -       284,575  
Sugar futures contracts     78,378       -       -       78,378  
Wheat futures contracts     206,850       -       -       206,850  
Total   $ 3,075,587     $ -     $ -     $ 3,075,587  

 

 

Transfers into and out of each level of the fair value hierarchy for Corn Contracts, Soybean Contracts, Sugar Contracts, and Wheat Contracts, for the period from January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 were as follows:

 

    Transfers     Transfers     Transfers     Transfers     Transfers     Transfers  
    into     out of     into     out of     into     out of  
    Level 1     Level 1     Level 2     Level 2     Level 3     Level 3  
Liabilities (at fair value)                                                
Derivative contracts                                                
Corn future contracts   $ 1,010,962     $ 1,010,962     $ 1,010,962     $ 1,010,962     $ -     $ -  
Soybean future contracts     6,850       6,850       6,850       6,850       -       -  
Sugar future contracts     62,082       62,082       62,082       62,082       -       -  
Wheat future contracts     448,125       448,125       448,125       448,125       -       -  
Total   $ 1,528,019     $ 1,528,019     $ 1,528,019     $ 1,528,019     $ -     $ -  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Funds did not have any significant transfers between any of the levels of the fair value hierarchy.

12
 

 

Note 4 -Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

In the normal course of business, the Funds utilize derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities.  Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of an investment.  The Funds’ derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: interest rate, credit, commodity price, and equity price risks.  In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Funds are also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of  its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Funds invested only in commodity futures contracts specifically related to each Fund. Cleared Swaps have standardized terms similar to, and are priced by reference to, a corresponding Benchmark Component Futures Contract.  Additionally, Other Commodity Interests that do not have standardized terms and are not exchange-traded, referred to as “over-the-counter” Interests, can generally be structured as the parties to the Commodity Interest contract desire.  Therefore, each Fund might enter into multiple Cleared Swaps and/or over-the-counter Interests intended to exactly replicate the performance of each of the Benchmark Component Futures Contracts for the Fund, or a single over-the-counter Interest designed to replicate the performance of the Benchmark as a whole. Assuming that there is no default by a counterparty to an over-the-counter Interest, the performance of the Interest will not necessarily correlate exactly with the performance of the Benchmark or the applicable Benchmark Component Futures Contract.  

 

Futures Contracts  

 

The Funds are subject to commodity price risk in the normal course of pursuing their investment objectives. A futures contract represents a commitment for the future purchase or sale of an asset at a specified price on a specified date.

 

The purchase and sale of futures contracts requires margin deposits with a Futures Commission Merchant (“FCM”). Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received by each Fund each day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the contract, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by each Fund.  Futures contracts may reduce the Funds’ exposure to counterparty risk since futures contracts are exchange-traded; and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as the counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees the futures against default.

 

The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities. A customer’s cash and other equity deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements. In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to each Fund’s pro rata share of segregated customer funds available. It is possible that the recovery amount could be less than the total of cash and other equity deposited.

 

The following table discloses information about offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the statements of assets and liabilities to enable users of these consolidated financial statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements for recognized assets and liabilities. These recognized assets and liabilities are presented as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11 "Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities" and subsequently clarified in FASB ASU 2013-01 "Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities."

 

The following table also identifies the fair value amounts of derivative instruments included in the statements of assets and liabilities as derivative contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2013

 

    (i)     (ii)     (iii) = (i) – (ii)     (iv)     (v) = (iii) – (iv)  
                                     
                      Gross Amount Not Offset in the        
                      Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
          Gross Amount     Net Amount                    
          Offset in the     Presented in the                    
    Gross Amount     Statement of     Statement of                    
    of Recognized     Assets and     Assets and     Financial     Cash Collateral        
Description    Assets     Liabilities     Liabilities     Instruments     Received     Net Amount  
Commodity price                                                
   Natural gas futures contracts   $ 84,050     $ -     $ 84,050     $ -     $ 74,157     $ 9,893  
   WTI crude oil futures contracts     87,530       -       87,530       5,080       23,445       59,005  
13
 

 

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities as of December 31, 2013

 

    (i)     (ii)     (iii) = (i) – (ii)     (iv)     (v) = (iii) – (iv)  
                                     
                      Gross Amount Not Offset in the        
                      Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
          Gross Amount     Net Amount                    
          Offset in the     Presented in the                    
    Gross Amount     Statement of     Statement of                    
    of Recognized     Assets and     Assets and     Financial     Cash Collateral        
Description    Liabilities     Liabilities     Liabilities     Instruments     Pledged     Net Amount  
Commodity price                                                
   Corn futures contracts   $ 4,884,788     -     4,884,788     -     4,884,788     $ -  
   WTI crude oil futures contracts     5,080       -       5,080       5,080       -            -  
   Soybean futures contracts     188,863       -       188,863       -       188,863       -  
   Sugar futures contracts     183,400       -       183,400       -       183,400       -  
   Wheat futures contracts     698,675       -       698,675       -       698,675       -  

 

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets as of December 31, 2012

 

    (i)     (ii)     (iii) = (i) – (ii)     (iv)     (v) = (iii) – (iv)  
                                     
                      Gross Amount Not Offset in the        
                      Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
          Gross Amount     Net Amount                    
          Offset in the     Presented in the                    
    Gross Amount     Statement of     Statement of                    
    of Recognized     Assets and     Assets and     Financial     Cash Collateral        
Description    Assets     Liabilities     Liabilities     Instruments     Received     Net Amount  
Commodity price                                                
   Natural gas futures contracts   $ 9,550     $ -     $ 9,550     $ 9,550     $      -     $      -  
   WTI crude oil futures contracts     44,872       -       44,872       44,872       -       -  
   Soybean futures contracts     63,200       -       63,200       63,200       -       -  
   Wheat futures contracts     15,762       -       15,762       15,762       -       -  

 

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities as of December 31, 2012

 

    (i)     (ii)     (iii) = (i) – (ii)     (iv)     (v) = (iii) – (iv)  
                                     
                      Gross Amount Not Offset in the        
                      Statement of Assets and Liabilities        
          Gross Amount     Net Amount                    
          Offset in the     Presented in the                    
    Gross Amount     Statement of     Statement of                    
    of Recognized     Assets and     Assets and     Financial     Cash Collateral        
Description    Liabilities     Liabilities     Liabilities     Instruments     Pledged     Net Amount  
Commodity price                                                
   Corn futures contracts   2,213,775     -     2,213,775         2,213,775     -  
   Natural gas futures contracts     233,919       -       233,919       9,550            224,369            -  
   WTI crude oil futures contracts     58,090       -       58,090       44,872       13,218       -  
   Soybean futures contracts     284,575       -       284,575       63,200       221,375       -  
   Sugar futures contracts     78,378       -       78,378       -       78,378       -  
   Wheat futures contracts     206,850       -       206,850       15,762       191,088       -  

 

The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains (losses) of the derivative instruments utilized by the Trust:

 

14
 

Year ended December 31, 2013

 

    Realized  Loss on   Net Change in Unrealized (Loss)
Primary Underlying Risk   Derivative Instruments   Gain on Derivative Instruments
Commodity price                
Corn futures contracts   $ (10,581,838   $ (2,671,013
Natural gas futures contracts     (250,149 )     308,419  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     (10,798     95,668  
Soybean futures contracts     (43,450     32,512  
Sugar futures contracts     (400,994 )     (105,022
Wheat futures contracts     (1,554,250     (507,587
Total commodity futures contracts   $ (12,841,479   $ (2,847,023

 

Year ended December 31, 2012

 

    Realized Gain (Loss) on   Net Change in Unrealized (Loss)
Primary Underlying Risk   Derivative Instruments   Gain on Derivative Instruments
Commodity price                
Corn futures contracts   $ 11,440,433     $ (1,430,660
Natural gas futures contracts     (828,012 )     378,071  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     (8,348     (129,192
Soybean futures contracts     26,281       (66,706 )
Sugar futures contracts     (727,394 )     59,820  
Wheat futures contracts     23,740       (120,790
Total commodity futures contracts   $ 9,926,700     $ (1,309,457

 

Year ended December 31, 2011

 

    Realized Gain (Loss) on   Net Change in Unrealized (Loss) 
Primary Underlying Risk   Derivative Instruments   Gain on Derivative Instruments
Commodity price                
Corn futures contracts   $ 7,937,425     $ (5,961,334
Natural gas futures contracts     (541,020 )     (602,440
WTI crude oil futures contracts     (162,359     115,974  
Soybean futures contracts     (140,281     (154,669
Sugar futures contracts     (35,874 )     (138,198
Wheat futures contracts     (174,860     (70,298
Total commodity futures contracts   $ 6,883,031     $ (6,810,965

 

  

Volume of Derivative Activities

 

At December 31, 2013, the notional amounts and number of contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk, were as follows:

 

    Long Exposure
    Notional   Number
Primary Underlying Risk   Amounts   of contracts
Commodity price                
Corn futures contracts   $ 47,490,588       2,163  
Natural gas futures contracts     1,791,110       43  
WTI crude oil futures contracts     2,020,320       22  
Soybean futures contracts     4,053,650       66  
Sugar futures contracts     2,476,062       130  
Wheat futures contracts     7,072,313       227  
Total commodity futures contracts   $ 64,904,043       2,651  

 

 

At December 31, 2012, the notional amounts and number of contracts, categorized by primary underlying risk, were as follows:

 

    Long Exposure
    Notional   Number
Primary Underlying Risk   Amounts   of contracts
Commodity price                
Corn futures contracts   $ 37,724,525       1,142  
Natural gas futures contracts     4,623,670       131  
15
 

 

WTI crude oil futures contracts     2,041,180       22  
Soybean futures contracts     6,629,575       97  
Sugar futures contracts     2,215,270       99  
Wheat futures contracts     3,724,237       93  
Total commodity futures contracts   $ 56,958,457       1,584  

 

Note 5 – Capitalization (including debt)

 

The Company is authorized to issue equity interests in the Company designated as "membership units" which shall constitute "membership interests" and shall initially include Class A units, Class B-1 units and Class B-2 units. Class A Units are granted the right to vote on all matters regarding management and members. The voting rights granted to Class B units are limited to matters requiring a majority vote of Class A units, including but not limited to, dissolution.

 

Ownership or “membership” interests in the Company are owned by persons referred to as “members.”  The Company currently has three voting or “Class A” members – Mr. Sal Gilbertie, Mr. Dale Riker and Mr. Carl N. Miller III – and a small number of non-voting or “Class B” members who have provided working capital to the Company.  Messrs. Gilbertie and Riker each currently own 45% of the Company’s Class A membership interests.

 

The members (acting by a majority vote of the Class A members) are authorized, by resolution or resolutions, to create and to issue, on behalf of the Company, different classes, groups or series of membership units and to fix for each such class, group or series such voting powers (full or limited or no voting powers), and such distinctive designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and qualifications, limitations or restrictions as determined by the members (acting by a majority vote of the Class A members) in exchange for contributions of cash or property, the provision of services or such other consideration, as may be determined by the members (acting by a majority vote of the Class A members). Each membership unit of a class of membership units shall be identical in all respects to each other membership unit of such class. All membership units may be issued as fractional units.

 

In February 2010, the Company issued 100 units of Class B-2 shares to a small number of non-employee individuals representing 7% of the total collective Company membership interests. The Class B-2 shares generally have the same rights as Class B-1 shares; however, in the event of termination, the Class B-2 shares are subordinate to Class B-1 shares regarding any distributions. The Class B-2 shares are redeemable at the sole option of the Company at a predetermined price of $1,000,000 per 1% of collective membership interests represented by the Class B-2 shares.

 

The Company entered into convertible notes on September 28, 2009 for $225,000, and the note holders had rights to convert for 3% interest in the Company. On October 28, 2009, the note holders converted $225,000, including $50,000 which had not been received by the Company. Due primarily to the short-term nature of the convertible notes, the Company has determined that the bifurcation of the convertible debt would not have had a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.  In August 2010, the Company received the $50,000 that was previously included in subscription receivable.

 

During the period from inception (September 1, 2009) through December 31, 2009, GFI Group LLC (“GFI”) contributed $1,500,000 in cash in connection with its interest in the Company through Class B-1 units and an option agreement. The Company granted GFI the right and option to purchase that number of Class B-1 units of the Company representing the Percentage Interest in the Company at the exercise price shown below (the “Option”):

 

-Percentage Interest subject to Option: Up to 5%. 

-Exercise Price: $2,500,000 per each two and one-half percent (2.5%) (the “Incremental Exercise Percentage”)  Percentage Interest, for an aggregate exercise price of $5,000,000.

-The Option shall become vested and exercisable in full as of the date of grant.

-The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable upon the five-year anniversary of the date the option was granted, October 28, 2009.

 

On June 7, 2010, the Company entered into a debt agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) with GFI. Under the terms of the Loan Agreement, the Company borrowed $800,000 for a one-year term at an annual interest rate of 8.25%. The payment of principal and interest was due at maturity and was subject to optional prepayment by the Company at any time without premium or penalty.  The Loan Agreement was collateralized by substantially all of the current and future assets of the Company.

 

In connection with the execution of the Loan Agreement, the terms of the Option Agreement were modified to allow GFI to purchase that number of Class B-1 units of the Company representing the Percentage Interest in the Company at the exercise price shown below (the “Modified Option”):

 

-Percentage Interest subject to the Modified Option:  Up to 5%.

   

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-Exercise Price:  $2,100,000 per each two and one-half percent (2.5%) Incremental Exercise Percentage Interest for an aggregate exercise price of $4,200,000.

 

The Company determined that modification of the Option Agreement did not change the de minimis value of the Option.

 

On February 4, 2011, the Company entered into a subsequent agreement with GFI, in which GFI purchased an additional interest in the Company through Class B-1 units. GFI provided cash of $1,156,422 and converted the principal balance of the Company’s $800,000 borrowing and accrued interest through the date of signing of $43,578 as payment for 217.220 Class B-1 units.  GFI received the right to convert $400,000 of their additional investment into a loan, should specific agreement objectives not be achieved by February 4, 2012.  The issuance of the $400,000 loan upon conversion would not result in a decrease in GFI’s ownership interest and would mature eight months following the election to exercise this right. As a result of this conversion right, the Company classified $400,000 of this equity contribution outside permanent members’ equity on the December 31, 2011 consolidated statement of financial condition. The Company also received an additional equity contribution of $70,000 in exchange for 5.860 Class B-1 units on the same date as the GFI agreement.

 

On June 21, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement with NMSIC Classic, LLC (“NMSIC”), a Delaware limited liability company, in which NMSIC contributed $1,000,000 in cash in exchange for 91.491 units of Class B-1 shares.

 

In connection with the contribution by NMSIC, the Company entered into side-letter agreements with both GFI and NMSIC.  Under the terms of the side-letter agreements, the Company granted both GFI and NMSIC the right for the next ten calendar years to redeem their Class B-1 units at a pre-determined value which is based on the assets under management of the Trust.  The redemption amount shall be paid in cash and cash equivalents to the extent is the Company has Excess Cash, as defined.  In addition, the Company has a call option to acquire the Class B-1 units of GFI and NMSIC based on a pre-determined calculation for the next ten calendar years.  As a result of the redemption rights granted, the Company classified the interests of GFI and NMSIC totaling $3,000,000, including GFI’s right to convert $400,000 of their additional investment into a loan, outside of permanent members’ equity on the December 31, 2011 consolidated statement of financial condition.

 

On February 15, 2012, GFI elected to convert to a loan payable the $400,000 portion of its equity contributed on February 4, 2011 that was subject to the conversion right. This short term debt agreement (“GFI Debt Agreement”) had the loan maturing on August 14, 2013 and carrying an interest rate of 8.25% per annum. The remaining interest of GFI and NMSIC totaling $2,600,000 remained classified outside of permanent members’ equity on the December 31, 2012 consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

On July 30, 2013, the Company and GFI entered into an amendment to the GFI Debt Agreement that extended the maturity date to August 14, 2014 and amended the interest rate to 11.00% per annum beginning August 15, 2013. The Company also agreed to pay all accrued interest through August 14, 2013. The remaining interest of GFI and NMSIC totaling $2,600,000 remained classified outside of permanent members’ equity on the December 31, 2013 consolidated statements of financial condition.

 

Note 6 — Related Party Transactions

 

The Riker Group invoiced the Company for professional services rendered by Dale Riker $30,000 for the year ended December 31, 2011. There were no amounts which were payable and included in the accrued expenses balance on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2013. 

 

The Gilbertie Herb Farm was paid by the Company for rent in the amount of $6,000 each for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013. No amounts were payable as of December 31, 2012 or December 31, 2013.

 

Our Hidden Lake, LLC has invoiced the Company for office rent, employee accommodations and document storage in the amount of $35,000 and $48,000 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. There were no amounts which were payable and included in the accrued expenses balance on the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition at December 31, 2012 or 2013. 

 

Note 7 - Subsequent Events

 

The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date of the audit report of the consolidated financial statements.

 

For the period January 1, 2014 through April 3, 2014, the following subsequent events transpired for each of the series of the Trust:

 

CORN: From December 31, 2013 through April 3, 2014, the Shares Outstanding for the Fund has increased from 1,550,004 to 3,725,004; this represents a 140.32% increase. This increase in shares, in conjunction with a 12.99% increase in the NAV, has resulted in an increase in Total Net Assets of $81,450,289 or 171.48%.

 

NAGS: From December 31, 2013 through April 3, 2014, the NAV of the Fund has increased from $11.82 to $13.61; this represents a 15.14% increase. This increase in the NAV was driven by an increase in price of the underlying commodity. This increase in the NAV has resulted in an increase in Total Net Assets of $268,972 or 15.17%.

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CRUD: Nothing to Report

 

SOYB: Nothing to Report

 

CANE: Nothing to Report

 

WEAT: From December 31, 2013 through April 3, 2014, the Shares Outstanding for the Fund has increased from 475,004 to 1,000,004; this represents a 110.53% increase. This increase in shares, in conjunction with an 8.89% increase in the NAV, has resulted in an increase in Total Net Assets of $9,110,137 or 129.26%.

 

TAGS: Nothing to Report

 

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