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Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016

OR (    ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 000-19511

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   13-3619290

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

c/o Ceres Managed Futures LLC

522 Fifth Avenue

New York, New York 10036

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(855) 672-4468

 

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes X No   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   

 

Accelerated filer   

 

Non-accelerated filer X

 

Smaller reporting company   

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes    No X

As of October 31, 2016, 2,712,113.472 Limited Partnership Units were outstanding.


Table of Contents

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

 

       

  Page
Number

PART I – Financial Information:  

  Item 1.

 

Financial Statements:

 
 

Statements of Financial Condition as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 (unaudited)

  2
 

Condensed Schedule of Investments as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and December 31, 2015

  3 - 4
  Statements of Income and Expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)   5
  Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 (unaudited)   6
 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

  7-16

  Item 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

  17-19

  Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

  20-21

  Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

  22
PART II – Other Information:  

  Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

  23-30

  Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

  31

  Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

  31

  Item 3.

 

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

  31

  Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

  31

  Item 5.

 

Other Information

  31

  Item 6.

 

Exhibits

  32


Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    Financial Statements

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Statements of Financial Condition

(Unaudited)

 

       September 30,  
2016
       December 31,  
2015
 

Assets:

     

Equity in trading account:

     

Investment in U.S. Treasury bills, at fair value (amortized cost $14,989,967 and $55,497,357 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively)

     $ 14,997,047           $ 55,493,206     

Unrestricted cash

     47,566,743                   23,029,544     

Restricted cash

     10,320,882           14,906,464     

Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

     1,131,341           1,399,436     

Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

     322,606           43,831     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity in trading account

     74,338,619           94,872,481     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash at bank

     412           -        

Interest receivable

     6,909           3,540     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     $ 74,345,940           $ 94,876,021     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities and Partners’ Capital:

     

Liabilities:

     

Accrued expenses:

     

Ongoing placement agent fees

     $ 124,951           $ 163,603     

General Partner fees

     124,951           163,603     

Management fees

     101,989           141,356     

Redemptions payable to Limited Partners

     2,568,036           1,554,009     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     2,919,927           2,022,571     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital:

     

General Partner, 32,332.233 and 38,316.597 Units at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

     818,071           1,070,278     

Limited Partners, 2,790,599.208 and 3,285,860.484 Units at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

     70,607,942           91,783,172     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total partners’ capital (net asset value)

     71,426,013           92,853,450     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and partners’ capital

     $             74,345,940           $             94,876,021     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per Unit

     $ 25.30           $ 27.93     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

2


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Condensed Schedule of Investments

September 30, 2016

(Unaudited)

 

            Notional ($)/

 

Number of

 

Contracts

    

 

Fair Value

       % of Partners’  

 

Capital

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

       

Commodity

    661           $ 296,555           0.42  

Equity

    542           158,231           0.22     

Currencies

    129           91,366           0.13     

Interest rates

    3,236           497,759           0.70     
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total futures contracts purchased

       1,043,911           1.47     
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Sold

       

Commodity

    666           248,071           0.35     

Equity

    180           (113,864)          (0.16)    

Currencies

    266           34,194           0.05     

Interest rates

    570           (80,971)          (0.11)    
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total futures contracts sold

       87,430           0.13     
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

       $         1,131,341           1.60  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrealized Appreciation on Open Forward Contracts

       

Commodity

    269           $ 514,365           0.72  

Currencies

    $ 42,888,220           539,578           0.76     
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

       1,053,943           1.48     
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrealized Depreciation on Open Forward Contracts

       

Commodity

    196           (586,090)          (0.82)    

Currencies

    $     37,707,112           (145,247)          (0.20)    
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts

       (731,337)          (1.02)    
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

       $ 322,606           0.46  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 
U.S. Government Securities                 % of Partners’

 

Capital

 

 

Face Amount

 

 

Maturity Date

 

 

Description

        

 

Fair Value

    

$15,000,000                   

  11/17/2016               U.S. Treasury bills, 0.28%* (Amortized cost of $14,989,967)          $ 14,997,047                           21.00  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Securities

         $ 14,997,047           21.00  
        

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Liquid non-cash held as collateral.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Condensed Schedule of Investments

December 31, 2015

 

    Notional ($)/

 

Number of

 

Contracts

    Fair Value      % of Partners’

 

Capital

 

Futures Contracts Purchased

      

Commodity

    904          $ (208,668)          (0.22) 

Equity

    322          (106,384)          (0.11)    

Currencies

    324          39,948           0.04     

Interest rates

    2,232          (182,103)          (0.20)    
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total futures contracts purchased

      (457,207)          (0.49)    
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Futures Contracts Sold

      

Commodity

    1,571          1,290,224           1.39     

Equity

    247          (118,017)          (0.13)    

Currencies

    872          696,386           0.75     

Interest rates

    1,866          (11,950)          (0.01)    
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total futures contracts sold

      1,856,643           2.00     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

      $ 1,399,436           1.51  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrealized Appreciation on Open Forward Contracts

      

Commodity

    268          $ 740,942           0.80  

Currencies

  $ 38,883,013          427,977           0.46     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

      1,168,919           1.26     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Unrealized Depreciation on Open Forward Contracts

      

Commodity

    511          (954,788)          (1.03)    

Currencies

  $         20,675,394          (170,300)          (0.18)    
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts

      (1,125,088)          (1.21)    
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

      $ 43,831           0.05  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

U.S. Government Securities

              

% of Partners’

 

 

 

Face Amount

 

Maturity Date

 

Description

    Fair Value      Capital  

$32,750,000                  

  3/3/2016               U.S. Treasury bills, 0.015%* (Amortized cost of $32,748,076)         $             32,744,699           35.26  

$22,750,000

  1/21/2016   U.S. Treasury bills, 0.0125%* (Amortized cost of $22,749,281)         22,748,507           24.50     
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total U.S. Government Securities

  

    $ 55,493,206                         59.76  
       

 

 

    

 

 

 

* Liquid non-cash held as collateral.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Statements of Income and Expenses

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Investment Income:

           

Interest income

     $ 39,515           $ 1,952           $ 113,274           $ 5,876     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Expenses:

           

General Partner fees

     395,156           518,869           1,278,653           1,707,078     

Ongoing placement agent fees

     395,156           518,869           1,278,653           1,707,078     

Management fees

     322,733           455,701           1,000,634           1,493,863     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total expenses

     1,113,045           1,493,439           3,557,940           4,908,019     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net investment loss

     (1,073,530)          (1,491,487)          (3,444,666)          (4,902,143)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Trading Results:

           

Net gains (losses) on trading of commodity interests:

           

Net realized gains (losses) on closed contracts

     (2,240,891)          (4,865,629)          (4,634,113)          2,756,600     

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts

     (851,819)          6,521,754           (15,141)          (2,428,669)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total trading results

     (3,092,710)          1,656,125           (4,649,254)          327,931     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     $ (4,166,240)          $ 164,638           $ (8,093,920)          $ (4,574,212)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income (loss) per Unit*

     $ (1.41)          $ 0.05           $ (2.63)          $ (1.30)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted average number of Units outstanding

     2,988,346.929           3,598,663.983           3,138,302.907           3,733,528.114     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Represents the change in net asset value per Unit during the period.

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

5


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Statements of Changes in Partners’ Capital

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015

(Unaudited)

 

     Units of
Partnership
Interest
     Limited
Partners
     General
Partner
     Total  

Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2015

         3,324,177.081           $ 91,783,172           $ 1,070,278           $ 92,853,450     

Net Income (Loss)

     -               (8,011,713)          (82,207)          (8,093,920)    

Redemptions

         (501,245.640)          (13,163,517)          (170,000)          (13,333,517)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, September 30, 2016

         2,822,931.441           $ 70,607,942           $ 818,071           $ 71,426,013     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, December 31, 2014

         3,905,473.827           $ 116,569,858           $ 1,312,933           $ 117,882,791     

Net Income (Loss)

     -               (4,524,518)          (49,694)          (4,574,212)    

Redemptions

         (399,479.846)          (11,901,642)          (156,691)          (12,058,333)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Partners’ Capital, September 30, 2015

         3,505,993.981           $     100,143,698           $     1,106,548           $     101,250,246     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.

Organization:

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership organized in 1991 to engage primarily in the speculative trading of futures contracts, options on futures and forward contracts, and forward contracts on physical commodities and other commodity interests, including, but not limited to, foreign currencies, financial instruments, metals, energy, and agricultural products (collectively, “Futures Interests”) (refer to Note 4, “Financial Instruments”). The General Partner (defined below) may also determine to invest up to all of the Partnership’s assets in United States (“U.S.”) Treasury bills and/or money market mutual funds, including money market mutual funds managed by Morgan Stanley or its affiliates. The Partnership is one of the Morgan Stanley Spectrum series of funds, comprised of the Partnership, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Currency and Commodity L.P., Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Technical L.P. and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Strategic L.P.

Ceres Managed Futures LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, acts as the general partner (“Ceres” or the “General Partner”) and commodity pool operator for the Partnership. Ceres is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Holdings LLC (“MSSBH”). MSSBH is wholly-owned indirectly by Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is doing business as Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management”). Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a principal subsidiary of MSSBH.

During the reporting periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Partnership’s commodity broker was Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.”), a registered futures commission merchant. MS&Co. also acts as the counterparty on all trading of foreign currency forward contracts. MS&Co. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Morgan Stanley. The Partnership also deposits a portion of its cash in a non-trading account at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The trading advisors to the Partnership are EMC Capital Management, Inc. (“EMC”), Graham Capital Management, L.P. (“Graham”) and Rabar Market Research, Inc. (“Rabar”) (individually, a “Trading Advisor”, or collectively, the “Trading Advisors”).

Effective June 30, 2016, the General Partner terminated the management agreement, dated as of October 9, 2007, as amended, among the Partnership, the General Partner and Altis Partners (Jersey) Limited (“Altis”), pursuant to which Altis traded a portion of the Partnership’s assets. Consequently, Altis ceased all Futures Interest trading on behalf of the Partnership. References herein to the Trading Advisor or the Trading Advisors may also include, as relevant, Altis.

In July 2015, the General Partner delegated certain administrative functions to SS&C Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, currently doing business as SS&C GlobeOp (the “Administrator”). Pursuant to a master services agreement, the Administrator furnishes certain administrative, accounting, regulatory reporting, tax and other services as agreed from time to time. In addition, the Administrator maintains certain books and records of the Partnership. The General Partner pays or reimburses the Partnership, from the General Partner fee it receives from the Partnership, the ordinary administrative expenses of the Partnership. This includes the expenses related to the engagement of the Administrator. Therefore, the engagement of the Administrator did not impact the Partnership’s break-even point.

 

2.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

The accompanying financial statements and accompanying notes are unaudited but, in the opinion of the General Partner, include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial condition at September 30, 2016, the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and changes in partners’ capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015. These financial statements present the results of interim periods and do not include all of the disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements. These financial statements should be read together with the financial statements and notes included in the Partnership’s December 31, 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form10-K”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the year ended December 31, 2015. The December 31, 2015 information has been derived from the audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Due to the nature of commodity trading, the results of operations for the interim periods presented should not be considered indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.

 

7


Table of Contents

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements and accompanying notes in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires the General Partner to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and accompanying notes. As a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Profit Allocation: The General Partner and each limited partner of the Partnership share in the profits and losses of the Partnership in proportion to the amount of partnership interest owned by each, except that no limited partner is liable for obligations of the Partnership in excess of its capital contributions and profits, if any, net of distributions or redemptions and losses, if any.

Statement of Cash Flows: The Partnership is not required to provide a Statement of Cash Flows.

Partnership’s Investments: All commodity interests of the Partnership, including derivative financial instruments and derivative commodity instruments, are held for trading purposes. The commodity interests are recorded on trade date and open contracts are recorded at fair value (as described in Note 6, “Fair Value Measurements”) at the measurement date. Investments in commodity interests denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates prevailing at the measurement date. Gains or losses are realized when contracts are liquidated and are determined using the first-in, first-out method. Unrealized gains or losses on open contracts are included as a component of equity in trading account in the Statements of Financial Condition. Net realized gains or losses and net change in unrealized gains or losses are included in the Statements of Income and Expenses.

Restricted and Unrestricted Cash: As reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition, restricted cash equals the cash portion of assets on deposit to meet margin requirements plus the cash required to offset unrealized losses on foreign currency forward and option contracts and offset unrealized losses only on the offsetting London Metal Exchange positions. All of these amounts are maintained separately. Cash available for Futures Interest trading that is not classified as restricted cash is therefore classified as unrestricted cash. Restricted and unrestricted cash includes cash denominated in foreign currencies of $226,324 (cost of $233,015) and $(924,554) (proceeds of $943,684) as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

Investment Company Status: Effective January 1, 2014, the Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-08, “Financial Services — Investment Companies (Topic 946): Amendments to the Scope, Measurement and Disclosure Requirements” and based on the General Partner’s assessment, the Partnership has been deemed to be an investment company since inception. Accordingly, the Partnership follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of Topic 946 and reflects its investments at fair value with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected in the Statements of Income and Expenses.

Income Taxes: Income taxes have not been listed as each partner is individually liable for the taxes, if any, on its share of the Partnership’s income and expenses. The General Partner concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Partnership’s financial statements. The Partnership files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The 2012 through 2015 tax years remain subject to examination by U.S. federal and most state tax authorities. The General Partner does not believe that there are any uncertain tax positions that require recognition of a tax liability.

Net Income (Loss) per Unit: Net income (loss) per unit of limited partnership interest (“Unit(s)”) is calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, “Financial Services – Investment Companies.” See Note 3, “Financial Highlights.”

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The carrying value of the Partnership’s assets and liabilities presented in the Statements of Financial Condition that qualify as financial instruments under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 825, “Financial Instruments,” approximates fair value due to the short term nature of such balances.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncement: In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The amendments in this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments for all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. One of the amendments in this update eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost on the balance sheet or a description of changes in the methods and significant assumptions. Additionally, the update eliminates the requirement to disclose the fair value of financial instruments measured at amortized cost for entities that are not public business entities. Investment companies are specifically exempted from ASU 2016-01’s equity investment accounting provisions and will continue to follow the industry specific guidance for investment accounting under Topic 946. For public business entities, this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein. For other entities, it is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The General Partner is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on the Partnership’s financial statements and related disclosures.

Reclassification: Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. Amounts previously presented as net unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts in the Statements of Financial Condition are now reported as net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts, net unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts, net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts and net unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts, as applicable. In addition, amounts previously presented as futures and forward contracts purchased and futures and forward contracts sold on the Condensed Schedules of Investments are now reported as futures contracts purchased, futures contracts sold, unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts and unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts, as applicable.

There have been no material changes with respect to the Partnership’s critical accounting policies as reported in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

3.

Financial Highlights:

Financial highlights for the limited partner class as a whole for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

 

       For the Three Months Ended        For the Nine Months Ended    
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Per Unit Performance (for a unit outstanding throughout the period): *

           

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)

     $ (1.05)          $ 0.47           $ (1.54)          $ 0.02     

Net investment loss

     (0.36)          (0.42)          (1.09)          (1.32)    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) for the period

     (1.41)          0.05           (2.63)          (1.30)    

Net asset value per Unit, beginning of period

     26.71           28.83           27.93           30.18     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net asset value per Unit, end of period

     $       25.30           $       28.88           $           25.30           $           28.88     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     For the Three Months Ended      For the Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  
     2016      2015      2016      2015  

Ratios to Average Limited Partners’ Capital: **

           

Net investment loss ***

     (5.5)%          (5.7)%          (5.5)%          (5.8)%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses before incentive fees

     5.7 %          5.7 %          5.7 %          5.8 %    

Incentive fees

     - %          - %          - %          - %    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating expenses after incentive fees

     5.7 %          5.7 %          5.7 %          5.8 %    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return:

           

Total return before incentive fees

     (5.3)%          0.2 %          (9.4)%          (4.3)%    

Incentive fees

     - %          - %          - %          - %    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total return after incentive fees

     (5.3)%          0.2 %          (9.4)%          (4.3)%    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

*           Net investment loss per Unit is calculated by dividing the expenses net of interest income by the average number of Units outstanding during the period. The net realized and unrealized gains (losses) per Unit is a balancing amount necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per Unit with the other per unit information.

**

Annualized (except for incentive fees, if applicable).

***

Interest income less total expenses.

The above ratios and total return may vary for individual investors based on the timing of capital transactions during the period. Additionally, these ratios are calculated for the limited partner class using the limited partners’ share of income, expenses and average partners’ capital.

 

4.

Financial Instruments:

The Partnership trades Futures Interests. Futures and forwards represent contracts for delayed delivery of an instrument at a specified date and price. Futures Interests are open commitments until the settlement date, at which time they are realized. They are valued at fair value, generally on a daily basis, and the unrealized gains and losses on open contracts (the difference between contract trade price and market price) are reported in the Statements of Financial Condition as a net unrealized gain or loss on open futures or forward contracts. The resulting net change in unrealized gains and losses is reflected in the “Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts” in the Statements of Income and Expenses. The Partnership’s contracts are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Risk arises from changes in the value of these contracts and the potential inability of counterparties to perform under the terms of the contracts. There are numerous factors which may significantly influence the fair value of these contracts, including interest rate volatility.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The fair value of an exchange-traded contract is based on the settlement price quoted by the exchange on the day with respect to which fair value is being determined. If an exchange-traded contract could not have been liquidated on such day due to the operation of daily limits or other rules of the exchange, the settlement price will be equal to the settlement price on the first subsequent day on which the contract could be liquidated.

The Partnership’s contracts are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Gains or losses are realized when contracts are liquidated and are determined using the first-in, first-out method.

In general, the risks associated with off-exchange-traded contracts are greater than those associated with exchange-traded contracts because of the greater risk of default by the counterparty to an off-exchange-traded contract. The Partnership has credit risk associated with counterparty nonperformance. As of the date of the financial statements, the credit risk associated with the instruments in which the Partnership trades is limited to the unrealized gain amounts reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition.

The Partnership also has credit risk because MS&Co. acts as the commodity futures broker, or the counterparty, with respect to most of the Partnership’s assets. Exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded forward contracts are fair valued on a daily basis, with variations in value settled on a daily basis. With respect to the Partnership’s off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts and forward currency option contracts, there are no daily settlements of variation in value, nor is there any requirement that an amount equal to the net unrealized gains (losses) on such contracts be segregated. However, the Partnership is required to meet margin requirements equal to the net unrealized loss on open forward currency contracts in the Partnership’s accounts with the counterparty, which is accomplished by daily maintenance of the cash balance in custody accounts held at MS&Co., for the benefit of MS&Co. With respect to those off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts, the Partnership is at risk to the ability of MS&Co., the sole counterparty on all such contracts, to perform. The Partnership has a netting agreement with the counterparty. The primary terms are based on industry standard master netting agreements. This agreement, which seeks to reduce both the Partnership’s and the counterparty’s exposure on off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts, should materially decrease the Partnership’s credit risk in the event of MS&Co.’s bankruptcy or insolvency.

The Partnership does not isolate the portion of the results of operations arising from the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations due to changes in market prices of investments held. Such fluctuations are included in net income (loss) in the Statements of Income and Expenses.

The General Partner monitors and attempts to control the Partnership’s risk exposure on a daily basis through financial, credit and risk management monitoring systems, and accordingly, believes that it has effective procedures for evaluating and limiting the credit and market risks to which the Partnership may be subject. These monitoring systems generally allow the General Partner to statistically analyze actual trading results with risk adjusted performance indicators and correlation statistics. In addition, online monitoring systems provide account analysis of futures and forward contracts by sector, margin requirements, gain and loss transactions and collateral positions.

The futures and forwards traded by the Partnership, along with the U.S. Treasury bills held by the Partnership, involve varying degrees of related market risk. Market risk is often dependent upon changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, and prices of financial instruments and commodities, factors that result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Partnership’s open positions, and consequently in its earnings, whether realized or unrealized, and cash flow.

Gains and losses on open positions of exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded forward contracts are settled daily through variation margin. Gains and losses on off-exchange-traded forward currency contracts are settled upon termination of the contract.

 

5.

Trading Activities:

The Partnership’s objective is to profit from speculative trading in Futures Interests. Therefore, the Trading Advisors for the Partnership will take speculative positions in Futures Interests where they feel the best profit opportunities exist for their trading strategies. As such, the average number of contracts outstanding in absolute quantities (the total of the open long and open short positions) has been presented as a part of the volume disclosure, as position direction is not an indicative factor in such volume disclosures.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

All of the commodity interests owned by the Partnership are held for trading purposes. The monthly average number of futures contracts traded during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 6,330 and 9,207, respectively. The monthly average number of futures contracts traded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 6,802 and 8,465, respectively. The monthly average number of metals forward contracts traded during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 705 and 1,162, respectively. The monthly average number of metals forward contracts traded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were 1,041 and 1,171, respectively. The monthly average notional values of currency forward contracts traded during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $125,057,345 and $112,270,483 respectively. The monthly average notional values of currency forward contracts traded during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 were $118,653,293 and $127,625,190, respectively.

The following tables summarize the gross and net amounts recognized relating to the assets and liabilities of the Partnership’s derivatives and their offsetting subject to master netting agreements or similar agreements as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

September 30, 2016

  Gross Amounts
Recognized
    Gross Amounts
Offset in the

Statements of
Financial
Condition
    Amounts
Presented in the

Statements of
Financial
Condition
    Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial Condition
    Net Amount  
        Financial
Instruments
    Cash Collateral
Received/
Pledged*
   

Assets

           

Futures

   $         2,404,371         $         (1,273,030)        $         1,131,341        $                 -           $                     -           $     1,131,341    

Forwards

    1,053,943          (731,337)         322,606         -            -            322,606    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 3,458,314         $ (2,004,367)        $ 1,453,947        $ -           $ -           $ 1,453,947    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

   $ (1,273,030)        $ 1,273,030         $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -       

Forwards

    (731,337)         731,337          -            -            -            -       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ (2,004,367)        $ 2,004,367         $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fair value

             $ 1,453,947 
           

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

  Gross Amounts
Recognized
    Gross Amounts
Offset in the

Statements of
Financial
Condition
    Amounts
Presented in the

Statements of
Financial
Condition
    Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Financial  Condition
    Net Amount  
        Financial
Instruments
    Cash Collateral
Received/
Pledged*
   

Assets

           

Futures

   $ 3,831,162         $ (2,431,726)        $ 1,399,436        $ -           $ -           $ 1,399,436    

Forwards

    1,168,919          (1,125,088)         43,831         -            -            43,831    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 5,000,081         $ (3,556,814)        $ 1,443,267        $ -           $ -           $ 1,443,267    
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

   $ (2,431,726)        $ 2,431,726         $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -       

Forwards

    (1,125,088)         1,125,088          -            -            -            -       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ (3,556,814)        $ 3,556,814         $ -           $ -           $ -           $ -       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net fair value

             $ 1,443,267 
           

 

 

 

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

*

In the event of default by the Partnership, MS&Co., the Partnership’s commodity futures broker and the sole counterparty to the Partnership’s off-exchange-traded contracts, as applicable, has the right to offset the Partnership’s obligation with the Partnership’s cash and/or U.S. Treasury bills held by MS&Co., thereby minimizing MS&Co.’s risk of loss. There is no collateral posted by MS&Co. and as such, in the event of default by MS&Co., the Partnership is exposed to the amount shown on the Statements of Financial Condition. In the case of exchange-traded contracts, the Partnership’s exposure to counterparty risk may be reduced since the exchange’s clearinghouse interposes its credit between buyer and seller and the clearinghouse’s guarantee fund may be available in the event of a default.

The following tables indicate the gross fair values of derivative instruments of futures and forward contracts as separate assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

    

September 30, 2016

 

Assets

  

Futures Contracts

  

Commodity

    $                 1,236,313     

Equity

     385,966     

Currencies

     194,614     

Interest rates

     587,478     
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

     2,404,371     
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Futures Contracts

  

Commodity

     (691,687)    

Equity

     (341,599)    

Currencies

     (69,054)    

Interest rates

     (170,690)    
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts

     (1,273,030)    
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

    $ 1,131,341  
  

 

 

 

Assets

  

Forward Contracts

  

Commodity

    $ 514,365     

Currencies

     539,578     
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

     1,053,943     
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Forward Contracts

  

Commodity

     (586,090)    

Currencies

     (145,247)    
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts

     (731,337)    
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

    $ 322,606   ** 
  

 

 

 

 

*

This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts” in the Statements of Financial Condition.

**

This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts” in the Statements of Financial Condition.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

     December 31, 2015  

Assets

  

Futures Contracts

  

Commodity

    $                 2,019,400     

Equity

     196,959     

Currencies

     1,206,216     

Interest rates

     408,587     
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

     3,831,162     
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Futures Contracts

  

Commodity

     (937,844)    

Equity

     (421,360)    

Currencies

     (469,882)    

Interest rates

     (602,640)    
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open futures contracts

     (2,431,726)    
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts

    $ 1,399,436  
  

 

 

 

Assets

  

Forward Contracts

  

Commodity

    $ 740,942     

Currencies

     427,977     
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

     1,168,919     
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  

Forward Contracts

  

Commodity

     (954,788)    

Currencies

     (170,300)    
  

 

 

 

Total unrealized depreciation on open forward contracts

     (1,125,088)    
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts

    $ 43,831   ** 
  

 

 

 

 

*

This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts” in the Statements of Financial Condition.

**

This amount is in “Net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts” in the Statements of Financial Condition.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The following table indicates the Partnership’s trading gains and losses, by market sector, on derivative instruments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

Sector

   2016     2015     2016     2015  

Commodity

    $                 (2,877,622)        $                 2,165,636         $                 (3,793,652)        $                 (4,110,606)    

Equity

     1,259,997          (3,442,268)         (2,168,569)         (1,424,424)    

Currencies

     (643,880)         482,957          (828,238)         3,172,201     

Interest rates

     (831,205)         2,449,800          2,141,205          2,690,760     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

    $ (3,092,710)  ***     $ 1,656,125   ***     $ (4,649,254)  ***     $ 327,931   *** 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

***

This amount is in “Total trading results” in the Statements of Income and Expenses.

 

6.

Fair Value Measurements:

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to fair values derived from unobservable inputs (Level 3). The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls shall be determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The fair value of exchange-traded futures, forward and option contracts is determined by the various exchanges, and reflects the settlement price for each contract as of the close of business on the last business day of the reporting period. The fair value of foreign currency forward contracts is extrapolated on a forward basis from the spot prices quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period from various exchanges. The fair value of non-exchange-traded foreign currency option contracts is calculated by applying an industry standard model application for options valuation of foreign currency options, using as input the spot prices, interest rates and option implied volatilities quoted as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.) on the last business day of the reporting period. U.S. Treasury bills are valued at the last available bid price received from independent pricing services as of the close of the last business day of the reporting period.

The Partnership considers prices for exchange-traded commodity futures, forward, swap and option contracts to be based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1). The values of U.S. Treasury bills, non-exchange-traded forward, swap and certain option contracts for which market quotations are not readily available are priced by broker quotes or pricing services that derive fair values for those assets and liabilities from observable inputs (Level 2). As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and for the periods ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, the Partnership did not hold any derivative instruments that were priced at fair value using unobservable inputs through the application of the General Partner’s assumptions and internal valuation pricing models (Level 3). Transfers between levels are recognized at the end of the reporting period. During the reporting periods, there were no transfers of assets or liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2.

 

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Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Spectrum Select L.P.

Notes to Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

September 30, 2016

   Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets

           

U.S. Treasury bills

    $         14,997,047         $ -             $         14,997,047         $                     -        

Futures

     2,404,371          2,404,371          -              -        

Forwards

     1,053,943          514,365          539,578          -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

    $ 18,455,361         $         2,918,736         $ 15,536,625         $ -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

    $ 1,273,030         $ 1,273,030         $ -             $ -        

Forwards

     731,337          586,090          145,247          -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    $ 2,004,367         $ 1,859,120         $ 145,247         $ -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

   Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

Assets

           

U.S. Treasury bills

    $ 55,493,206         $ -             $ 55,493,206         $ -        

Futures

     3,831,162          3,831,162          -              -        

Forwards

     1,168,919          740,942          427,977          -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Assets

    $ 60,493,287         $ 4,572,104         $ 55,921,183         $ -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Futures

    $ 2,431,726         $ 2,431,726         $ -             $ -        

Forwards

     1,125,088          954,788          170,300          -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

    $ 3,556,814         $ 3,386,514         $ 170,300         $ -        
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

7.

Subsequent Events:

The General Partner evaluates events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued. The General Partner has assessed the subsequent events through the date of issuance and has determined that there were no subsequent events requiring adjustment to or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

Item 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Partnership does not engage in sales of goods or services. Its assets are (i) its equity in trading account, consisting of restricted and unrestricted cash, net unrealized appreciation on open futures contracts, net unrealized appreciation on open forward contracts and investment in U.S. Treasury bills at fair value, if applicable, (ii) cash at bank and (iii) interest receivable. Because of the low margin deposits normally required in commodity futures trading, relatively small price movements may result in substantial losses to the Partnership. While substantial losses could lead to a material decrease in liquidity, no such illiquidity occurred in the third quarter of 2016.

The Partnership’s capital consists of the capital contributions of the partners as increased or decreased by net realized and/or unrealized gains or losses on trading and by expenses, interest income, subscriptions, and redemptions of Units.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, Partnership capital decreased 23.1% from $92,853,450 to $71,426,013. This decrease was attributable to redemptions of 495,261.276 limited partner Units totaling $13,163,517 and redemptions of 5,984.364 General Partner Units totaling $170,000, coupled with a net loss of $8,093,920. Future redemptions can impact the amount of funds available for investments in subsequent periods.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the General Partner to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. The General Partner believes that the estimates utilized in preparing the financial statements are reasonable. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Partnership’s significant accounting policies are described in detail in Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Financial Statements.

The Partnership records all investments at fair value in their financial statements, with changes in fair value reported as a component of net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized gains (losses) in the Statements of Income and Expenses. The General Partner estimates that, at any given time, approximately 12.3% to 20.3% of the Partnership’s contracts are traded over-the-counter.

Results of Operations

General: The Partnership’s results depend on the Trading Advisors and the ability of each Trading Advisor’s trading program to take advantage of price movements in the futures, forward and option markets.

Graham currently trades its allocated portion of the Partnership’s assets pursuant to Graham’s Global Diversified Program, as described below, at 150% Leverage. The Global Diversified Program features the first trend system that Graham developed, which began trading client accounts in 1995. It utilizes multiple computerized trading models and offers broad diversification in both financial and non-financial markets, trading in approximately 65 global markets. The Global Diversified Program’s trend system is primarily long-term in nature and is intended to generate significant returns over time with an acceptable degree of risk and volatility. The computer models analyze on a daily basis the recent price action, the relative strength and the risk characteristics of each market and compare statistically the quantitative results of this data to years of historical data on each market.

EMC currently trades its Classic Program for the Partnership. EMC’s investment strategies are technical rather than fundamental in nature. In other words, they are developed from analysis of patterns of actual monthly, weekly, and daily price movements and are not based on analysis of fundamental supply and demand factors, general economic factors, or anticipated world events. EMC relies on historical analysis of these price patterns to interpret current market behavior and to evaluate technical indicators for trade initiations and liquidations. EMC’s investment strategies used in its program are trend-following. This means that initiation and liquidation of positions in a particular market are generally in the direction of the price trend in that market, although at times counter-trend elements also may be employed. EMC employs an investment strategy which utilizes a blend of systems (or, stated another way, a number of systems simultaneously). The strategies are diversified in that its program follows a number of futures interests and often invests in more than ten different interests at one time.

 

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Rabar trades its investment strategy on behalf of the Partnership. The objective of Rabar’s investment strategy is to generate capital appreciation over the long run by investing exclusively in futures interests, including exchange-traded futures contracts, options on futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts and, to a very limited extent, cash commodities. Rabar may also engage in exchange for physical transactions, more commonly referred to as “EFPs.” Rabar’s strategy employs a diversified, systematic, technical, and trend following approach, utilizing a blend of several separate and distinct quantitative models.

Prior to its termination on June 30, 2016, Altis traded its Global Futures Portfolio Program on behalf of the Partnership. It is a systematic, automated trading program that builds on the market experience of Altis’ principals and employs a unique proprietary Advanced Asset Allocator. The Advanced Asset Allocator was specifically developed to manage portfolios of derivative instruments in a robust and scalable manner. The portfolio management technology combines original, traditional and contrasting investment techniques into one complete and comprehensive trading system. Investment changes are implemented after considering their effect on the whole portfolio and not just on the individual markets concerned.

The following chart sets forth the percentage and the amount of the Partnership’s net assets allocated to each Trading Advisor as of September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016, respectively, and the change during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

 

 Trading Advisor      

            Allocations as of  

 

    September 30,    

 

        2016 (%)     

       Allocations as of   

 

June 30,

 

      2016 (%)

       Allocations as of   

 

September 30,

 

    2016 ($)

       Allocations as of   

 

June 30,

 

    2016 ($)

    Change

 

during the

 

    period (%)    

 

 Graham

      47.96          46.94          34,255,386          38,168,513          (10.25)    

 Rabar

      29.68          28.06          21,199,541          22,815,062          (7.08)    

 EMC

      22.36          25.00          15,971,086          20,333,594          (21.45)    

The following presents a summary of the Partnership’s operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, and a general discussion of its trading activities during each period. It is important to note, however, that the Trading Advisors trade in various markets at different times and that prior activity in a particular market does not mean that such market will be actively traded by the Trading Advisors or will be profitable in the future. Consequently, the results of operations of the Partnership are difficult to discuss other than in the context of the Trading Advisors’ trading activities on behalf of the Partnership during the period in question. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The Partnership’s results of operations set forth in the financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the use of certain accounting policies that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements, including the following: the contracts the Partnership trades are accounted for on a trade-date basis and marked to market on a daily basis. The difference between their original contract value and market value is recorded in the Statements of Income and Expenses as “Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on open contracts,” and recorded as “Net realized gains (losses) on closed contracts” when open positions are closed out. The sum of these amounts constitutes the Partnership’s trading results. The market value of a futures contract is the settlement price on the exchange on which that futures contract is traded on a particular day. The value of a foreign currency forward contract is based on the spot rate as of approximately 3:00 P.M. (E.T.), the close of the business day. Interest income, as well as management fees, incentive fees, General Partner fees and ongoing placement agent fees of the Partnership are recorded on an accrual basis, as applicable.

The General Partner believes that, based on the nature of the operations of the Partnership, no assumptions relating to the application of critical accounting policies other than those presently used could reasonably affect reported amounts.

 

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During the Partnership’s third quarter of 2016, the net asset value per Unit decreased 5.3% from $26.71 to $25.30, as compared to an increase of 0.2% during the third quarter of 2015. The Partnership experienced a net trading loss before fees and expenses in the third quarter of 2016 of $3,092,710. Losses were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s trading in the commodity, currencies and interest rates sectors, and were partially offset by gains in the equity sector. The Partnership experienced a net trading gain before fees and expenses in the third quarter of 2015 of $1,656,125. Gains were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s trading in the commodity, currencies and interest rates sectors, and were partially offset by losses in the equity sector.

The most significant losses were recorded in the energy sector during August from short positions in crude oil and its related products as prices rallied amid speculation that crude producers were going to revive talks to stabilize prices at informal OPEC discussions in September. Within the global interest rate sector, losses were incurred during August from long positions in U.S. fixed income futures as prices declined as U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s hawkish comments on U.S. monetary policy bolstered speculation that the central bank could raise interest rates in the coming months. Losses were also recorded within the currency markets, primarily during August, from long positions in the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar as the relative value of the Japanese yen declined as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced a disappointing Japanese stimulus package. Additional losses were incurred from positions in the euro, Swiss franc, and Canadian dollar. Within the metals sector, losses were incurred during August from long positions in gold futures as prices declined after a better-than-expected U.S. jobs report reduced “safe-haven” demand for the precious metals. Additional losses were incurred during September from short copper futures positions as prices rose after Chinese reports fueled speculation that demand for copper was increasing, while stockpiles decreased. Within the agricultural sector, losses were incurred during July from long positions in soybean futures as prices were weighed down by mounting anticipation that growers will collect a record crop this year. The Partnership’s trading losses for the quarter were partially offset by trading gains within the global stock index sector during July and August from long positions in U.S. equity index futures as U.S. employers added far more jobs than expected in June, providing reassurance that the U.S. economy is growing solidly and pushing prices higher.

During the Partnership’s nine months ended September 30, 2016, the net asset value per Unit decreased 9.4% from $27.93 to $25.30, as compared to a decrease of 4.3% during the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The Partnership experienced a net trading loss before fees and expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $4,649,254. Losses were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s trading in the commodity, equity and currencies sectors, and were partially offset by gains in the interest rates sector. The Partnership experienced a net trading gain before fees and expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $327,931. Gains were primarily attributable to the Partnership’s trading in the currencies and interest rates sectors, and were partially offset by losses in the commodity and equity sectors.

The most significant losses were recorded in the metals sector during February from short positions in gold futures as prices advanced amid increased investor demand for precious metals. Meanwhile, losses were recorded during May from long positions in gold futures as prices declined as a strengthening U.S. dollar diminished investor demand for precious metals. Additional losses in the metals sector were incurred throughout the first nine months of the year from positions in copper, aluminum, and tin futures. Within the energy sector, losses were incurred during August from short positions in crude oil and its related products as prices rallied amid speculation that crude producers were going to revive talks to stabilize prices at informal OPEC discussions in September. Within the global stock index sector, losses were incurred during the first quarter from long positions in U.S. equity index futures as prices declined sharply during January and February amid mounting investor concerns about declining oil prices and a China-led slowdown in global growth. Additional losses were incurred throughout the second quarter from positions in Asian equity index futures as prices moved without consistent direction amid speculation regarding the potential for increased stimulus measures from Japan and China. Within the agricultural sector, losses were incurred during January from long positions in cocoa futures as prices tumbled as funds cut bets on higher prices and signs emerged that the crop in Ghana, the second-biggest cocoa producer, was recovering from a five-year low. Additional losses were incurred during March from short positions in coffee futures as prices were boosted by a combination of fund buying, a weaker U.S. dollar, and concerns about dry weather in Colombia and Vietnam. Smaller agricultural losses were incurred throughout the first six months of the year from positions in corn and hog futures. The Partnership’s trading losses for the first nine months of the year were partially offset by trading gains within the global interest rate sector during January and February from long positions in European and Pacific Rim fixed income futures as prices advanced after weakness in Chinese economic data revived concern about the stability of the global economy. Additional gains were experienced during June from long positions in European and U.S. fixed income futures as prices advanced as uncertainty surrounding the economic and political fallout following the U.K.’s vote in late June to leave the European Union increased demand for the relative “safety” of government debt.

 

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Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Partnership is a commodity pool engaged primarily in speculative trading of futures, forwards and options. The market sensitive instruments held by the Partnership are acquired for speculative trading purposes, and all or substantially all of the Partnership’s assets are subject to the risk of trading loss. Unlike an operating company, the risk of market sensitive instruments is integral, not incidental, to the Partnership’s main line of business.

The limited partners will not be liable for losses exceeding the current net asset value of their investment.

Market movements result in frequent changes in the fair value of the Partnership’s/Funds’ open positions and, consequently, in their earnings and cash balances. The Partnership’s market risk is influenced by a wide variety of factors, including the level and volatility of interest rates, exchange rates, equity price levels, the market value of financial instruments and contracts, the diversification effects among the Partnership’s open contracts and the liquidity of the markets in which they trade.

The Partnership rapidly acquires and liquidates both long and short positions in a wide range of different markets. Consequently, it is not possible to predict how a particular future market scenario will affect performance, and the Partnership’s past performance is not necessarily indicative of their future results.

“Value at Risk” is a measure of the maximum amount which the Partnership could reasonably be expected to lose in a given market sector. However, the inherent uncertainty of the Partnership’s speculative trading and the recurrence in the markets traded by the Partnership of market movements far exceeding expectations could result in actual trading or non-trading losses far beyond the indicated Value at Risk or the Partnership’s experience to date (i.e., “risk of ruin”). In light of the foregoing, as well as the risks and uncertainties intrinsic to all future projections, the inclusion of the quantification in this section should not be considered to constitute any assurance or representation that the Partnership’s’ losses in any market sector will be limited to Values at Risk or by the Partnership’s attempts to manage their market risk.

Exchange margin requirements have been used by the Partnership as the measure of their Value at Risk. Margin requirements are set by exchanges to equal or exceed the maximum losses reasonably expected to be incurred in the fair value of any given contract in 95%-99% of any one-day interval. The margin levels are established by dealers and exchanges using historical price studies as well as an assessment of current market volatility (including the implied volatility of the options on a given futures contract) and economic fundamentals to provide a probabilistic estimate of the maximum expected near-term one-day price fluctuation.

 

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Values at Risk tables represent a probabilistic assessment of the risk of loss in market risk sensitive instruments. The following tables indicate the trading Value at Risk associated with the Partnership’s open positions by market category as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, and the highest, lowest and average values during the three months ended September 30, 2016 and for the twelve months ended December 31, 2015. All open position trading risk exposures of the Partnership have been included in calculating the figures set forth below. There has been no material change in the trading Value at Risk information previously disclosed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.

As of September 30, 2016, the Partnership’s total capitalization was $71,426,013.

September 30, 2016

 

                  Three Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 Market Sector            

   Value at Risk      % of Total
  Capitalization  
    High
  Value at Risk  
     Low
  Value at Risk  
     Average
  Value at Risk*  
 

 Commodity

     $ 3,859,410           5.40      $       4,490,655           $       3,319,309           $       3,887,274     

 Equity

     3,141,978           4.40         4,885,388           2,120,503           3,633,199     

 Currencies

     3,480,337           4.87         3,480,337           1,890,545           2,758,358     

 Interest rates

     2,416,962           3.38         3,168,348           2,116,366           2,829,771     
  

 

 

    

 

 

         

 Total

     $             12,898,687           18.05   %         
  

 

 

    

 

 

         

 *Average daily Values at Risk.

As of December 31, 2015, the Partnership’s total capitalization was $92,853,450.

December 31, 2015

 

                  Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2015

 

 

 Market Sector            

   Value at Risk      % of Total
  Capitalization  
    High
  Value at Risk  
     Low
  Value at Risk  
     Average
  Value at Risk*  
 

 Commodity

     $ 6,500,979           7.00   %      $       7,464,573           $       4,358,328           $       5,733,928     

 Equity

     2,578,878           2.78         5,564,252           1,482,105           3,428,402     

 Currencies

     4,785,530           5.15         5,739,845           1,443,178           4,265,117     

 Interest rates

     2,542,981           2.74         4,313,806           1,260,550           2,936,185     
  

 

 

    

 

 

         

 Total

     $             16,408,368           17.67   %         
  

 

 

    

 

 

         

 * Average daily Values at Risk.

 

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Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures:

Under the supervision and with the participation of the General Partner, Ceres’ President (Ceres’ principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Ceres’ principal financial officer) have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 30, 2016. The Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information the Partnership is required to disclose in the reports that the Partnership files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the applicable rules and forms. Based on this evaluation, the President and Chief Financial Officer of Ceres have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Partnership were effective at September 30, 2016.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting:

There have been no changes during the period covered by this quarterly report in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls:

Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met. Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings

This section describes the major pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which MS&Co. or its subsidiaries is a party or to which any of their property is subject. There are no material legal proceedings pending against the Partnership or the General Partner.

On June 1, 2011, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated converted from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware limited liability company. As a result of that conversion, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated is now named Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC (“MS&Co.”).

MS&Co. is a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, a Delaware holding company. Morgan Stanley files periodic reports with the SEC as required by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which include current descriptions of material litigation and material proceedings and investigations, if any, by governmental and/or regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations concerning Morgan Stanley and its subsidiaries, including MS&Co. As a consolidated subsidiary of Morgan Stanley, MS&Co. does not file its own periodic reports with the SEC that contain descriptions of material litigation, proceedings and investigations. As a result, we refer you to the “Legal Proceedings” section of Morgan Stanley’s SEC 10-K filings for 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011. In addition, MS&Co. annually prepares an Audited Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition (“Audited Financial Statement”) that is publicly available on Morgan Stanley’s website at www.morganstanley.com. We refer you to the “Commitments, Guarantees and Contingencies—Contingencies—Legal” section in MS&Co.’s 2015 Audited Financial Statement.

In addition to the matters described in those filings, in the normal course of business, each of Morgan Stanley and MS&Co. has been named, from time to time, as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions, and other litigation, arising in connection with its activities as a global diversified financial services institution. Certain of the legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. Each of Morgan Stanley and MS&Co. is also involved, from time to time, in investigations and proceedings by governmental and/or regulatory agencies or self-regulatory organizations, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, fines or penalties. The number of these investigations and proceedings has increased in recent years with regard to many financial services institutions, including Morgan Stanley and MS&Co.

MS&Co. is a Delaware limited liability company with its main business office located at 1585 Broadway, New York, New York 10036. Among other registrations and memberships, MS&Co. is registered as a futures commission merchant and is a member of the National Futures Association.

Regulatory and Governmental Matters 

MS&Co. has received subpoenas and requests for information from certain federal and state regulatory and governmental entities, including among others various members of the RMBS Working Group of the Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force, such as the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division and several state Attorney General’s Offices, concerning the origination, financing, purchase, securitization and servicing of subprime and non-subprime residential mortgages and related matters such as residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”), collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), structured investment vehicles (“SIVs”) and credit default swaps backed by or referencing mortgage pass-through certificates. These matters, some of which are in advanced stages, include, but are not limited to, investigations related to MS&Co.’s due diligence on the loans that it purchased for securitization, MS&Co.’s communications with ratings agencies, MS&Co.’s disclosures to investors, and MS&Co.’s handling of servicing and foreclosure related issues.

On February 25, 2015, MS&Co. reached an agreement in principle with the United States Department of Justice, Civil Division and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California, Civil Division (collectively, the “Civil Division”) to pay $2.6 billion to resolve certain claims that the Civil Division indicated it intended to bring against MS&Co. That settlement was finalized on February 10, 2016.

 

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On April 1, 2016, the California Attorney General’s Office filed an action against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in California state court styled California v. Morgan Stanley, et al., on behalf of California investors, including the California Public Employees’ Retirement System and the California Teachers’ Retirement System. The complaint alleges that MS&Co. made misrepresentations and omissions regarding RMBS and notes issued by the Cheyne SIV, and asserts violations of the California False Claims Act and other state laws and seeks treble damages, civil penalties, disgorgement, and injunctive relief. On July 20, 2016, MS&Co. filed a demurrer, which was granted on September 30, 2016. On October 21, 2016, the California Attorney General filed an amended complaint.

In October 2014, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office (“ILAG”) sent a letter to MS&Co. alleging that MS&Co. knowingly made misrepresentations related to RMBS purchased by certain pension funds affiliated with the State of Illinois and demanding that MS&Co. pay ILAG approximately $88 million. MS&Co. and ILAG reached an agreement to resolve the matter on February 10, 2016.

On January 13, 2015, the New York Attorney General’s Office (“NYAG”), which is also a member of the RMBS Working Group, indicated that it intended to file a lawsuit related to approximately 30 subprime securitizations sponsored by MS&Co. NYAG indicated that the lawsuit would allege that MS&Co. misrepresented or omitted material information related to the due diligence, underwriting and valuation of the loans in the securitizations and the properties securing them and indicated that its lawsuit would be brought under the Martin Act. MS&Co. and NYAG reached an agreement to resolve the matter on February 10, 2016.

On June 5, 2012, MS&Co. consented to and became the subject of an Order Instituting Proceedings Pursuant to Sections 6(c) and 6(d) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, Making Findings and Imposing Remedial Sanctions by The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to resolve allegations related to the failure of a salesperson to comply with exchange rules that prohibit off-exchange futures transactions unless there is an Exchange for Related Position (“EFRP”). Specifically, the CFTC found that from April 2008 through October 2009, MS&Co. violated Section 4c(a) of the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (the “CEA”) and CFTC Regulation 1.38 by executing, processing and reporting numerous off-exchange futures trades to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”) as EFRPs in violation of CME and CBOT rules because those trades lacked the corresponding and related cash, OTC swap, OTC option, or other OTC derivative position. In addition, the CFTC found that MS&Co. violated CFTC Regulation 166.3 by failing to supervise the handling of the trades at issue and failing to have adequate policies and procedures designed to detect and deter the violations of the CEA and CFTC Regulations. Without admitting or denying the underlying allegations and without adjudication of any issue of law or fact, MS&Co. accepted and consented to entry of findings and the imposition of a cease and desist order, a fine of $5,000,000, and undertakings related to public statements, cooperation and payment of the fine. MS&Co. entered into corresponding and related settlements with the CME and CBOT in which the CME found that MS&Co. violated CME Rules 432.Q and 538 and fined MS&Co. $750,000 and CBOT found that MS&Co. violated CBOT Rules 432.Q and 538 and fined MS&Co. $1,000,000.

On July 23, 2014, the SEC approved a settlement by MS&Co. and certain affiliates to resolve an investigation related to certain subprime RMBS transactions sponsored and underwritten by those entities in 2007. Pursuant to the settlement, MS&Co. and certain affiliates were charged with violating Sections 17(a)(2) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), agreed to pay disgorgement and penalties in an amount of $275 million and neither admitted nor denied the SEC’s findings.

On April 21, 2015, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, Incorporated (“CBOE”) and the CBOE Futures Exchange, LLC (“CFE”) filed statements of charges against MS&Co. in connection with trading by one of MS&Co.’s former traders of EEM options contracts that allegedly disrupted the final settlement price of the November 2012 VXEM futures. CBOE alleged that MS&Co. violated CBOE Rules 4.1, 4.2 and 4.7, Sections 9(a) and 10(b) of the Exchange Act, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder. CFE alleged that MS&Co. violated CFE Rules 608, 609 and 620. The matters were resolved on June 28, 2016 without any findings of fraud.

 

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On June 18, 2015, MS&Co. entered into a settlement with the SEC and paid a fine of $500,000 as part of the MCDC Initiative to resolve allegations that MS&Co. failed to form a reasonable basis through adequate due diligence for believing the truthfulness of the assertions by issuers and/or obligors regarding their compliance with previous continuing disclosure undertakings pursuant to Rule 15c2-12 in connection with offerings in which MS&Co. acted as senior or sole underwriter.

On August 6, 2015, MS&Co. consented to and became the subject of an order by the CFTC to resolve allegations that MS&Co. violated CFTC Regulation 22.9(a) by failing to hold sufficient US Dollars in cleared swap segregated accounts in the United States to meet all US Dollar obligations to cleared swaps customers. Specifically, the CFTC found that while MS&Co. at all times held sufficient funds in segregation to cover its obligations to its customers, on certain days during 2013 and 2014, it held currencies, such as euros, instead of US dollars, to meet its US dollar obligations. In addition, the CFTC found that MS&Co. violated CFTC Regulation 166.3 by failing to have in place adequate procedures to ensure that it complied with CFTC Regulation 22.9(a). Without admitting or denying the findings or conclusions and without adjudication of any issue of law or fact, MS&Co. accepted and consented to the entry of findings, the imposition of a cease and desist order, a civil monetary penalty of $300,000, and undertakings related to public statements, cooperation, and payment of the monetary penalty.

Civil Litigation

On December 23, 2009, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle filed a complaint against MS&Co. and another defendant in the Superior Court of the State of Washington, styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Seattle v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. The amended complaint, filed on September 28, 2010, alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $233 million. The complaint raises claims under the Washington State Securities Act and seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates By orders dated June 23, 2011 and July 18, 2011, the court denied defendants’ omnibus motion to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint and on August 15, 2011, the court denied MS&Co.’s individual motion to dismiss the amended complaint. On March 7, 2013, the court granted defendants’ motion to strike plaintiff’s demand for a jury trial. The defendants’ joint motions for partial summary judgment were denied on November 9, 2015. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $43 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $43 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On March 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco filed a complaint against MS&Co. and other defendants in the Superior Court of the State of California styled Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. et al. An amended complaint, filed on June 10, 2010, alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $276 million. The complaint raises claims under both the federal securities laws and California law and seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On August 11, 2011, plaintiff’s federal securities law claims were dismissed with prejudice. On February 9, 2012, defendants’ demurrers with respect to all other claims were overruled. On December 20, 2013, plaintiff’s negligent misrepresentation claims were dismissed with prejudice. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in these cases was approximately $52 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of approximately $2 million. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss for this action up to the difference between the $55 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

 

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On July 15, 2010, China Development Industrial Bank (“CDIB”) filed a complaint against MS&Co., styled China Development Industrial Bank v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated et al., which is pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (“Supreme Court of NY”). The complaint relates to a $275 million credit default swap referencing the super senior portion of the STACK 2006-1 CDO. The complaint asserts claims for common law fraud, fraudulent inducement and fraudulent concealment and alleges that MS&Co. misrepresented the risks of the STACK 2006-1 CDO to CDIB, and that MS&Co. knew that the assets backing the CDO were of poor quality when it entered into the credit default swap with CDIB. The complaint seeks compensatory damages related to the approximately $228 million that CDIB alleges it has already lost under the credit default swap, rescission of CDIB’s obligation to pay an additional $12 million, punitive damages, equitable relief, fees and costs. On February 28, 2011, the court denied MS&Co.’s motion to dismiss the complaint. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss of up to approximately $240 million plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs.

On October 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago filed a complaint against MS&Co. and other defendants in the Circuit Court of the State of Illinois, styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago v. Bank of America Funding Corporation et al. A corrected amended complaint was filed on April 8, 2011, which alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans and asserts claims under Illinois law. The total amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. at issue in the action was approximately $203 million. The complaint seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the corrected amended complaint on May 27, 2011, which was denied on September 19, 2012. On December 13, 2013, the court entered an order dismissing all claims related to one of the securitizations at issue. After that dismissal, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by MS&Co. or sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $78 million. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $48 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $48 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

On April 20, 2011, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston filed a complaint against MS&Co. and other defendants in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts styled Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston v. Ally Financial, Inc. F/K/A GMAC LLC et al. An amended complaint was filed on June 29, 2012 and alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued by MS&Co. or sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $385 million. The amended complaint raises claims under the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act, the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act and common law and seeks, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On May 26, 2011, defendants removed the case to the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. The defendants’ motions to dismiss the amended complaint were granted in part and denied in part on September 30, 2013. On November 25, 2013, July 16, 2014, and May 19, 2015, respectively, the plaintiff voluntarily dismissed its claims against MS&Co. with respect to three of the securitizations at issue. After these voluntary dismissals, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by MS&Co. or sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $332 million. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $52 million, and the certificates had not yet incurred actual losses. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $52 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

 

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On May 3, 2013, plaintiffs in Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank AG et al. v. Morgan Stanley et al. filed a complaint against MS&Co., certain affiliates, and other defendants in the Supreme Court of NY. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by MS&Co. to plaintiff currently at issue in this action was approximately $644 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against MS&Co. for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, aiding and abetting fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and rescission and seeks, among other things, compensatory and punitive damages. On June 10, 2014, the court granted in part and denied in part MS&Co.’s motion to dismiss the complaint. MS&Co. perfected its appeal from that decision on June 12, 2015. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $252 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of approximately $85 million. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $252 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses.

On May 17, 2013, plaintiff in IKB International S.A. in Liquidation, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. filed a complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by MS&Co. to plaintiff was approximately $132 million. The complaint alleges causes of action against MS&Co. for common law fraud, fraudulent concealment, aiding and abetting fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, and seeks, among other things, compensatory and punitive damages. On October 29, 2014, the court granted in part and denied in part MS&Co.’s motion to dismiss. All claims regarding four certificates were dismissed. After these dismissals, the remaining amount of certificates allegedly issued by MS&Co. or sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $116 million. On August 26, 2015, MS&Co. perfected its appeal from the court’s October 29, 2014 decision. On August 11, 2016, the Appellate Division, First Department affirmed the trial court’s decision denying in part MS&Co.’s motion to dismiss the complaint. At September 25, 2016, the current unpaid balance of the mortgage pass-through certificates at issue in this action was approximately $26 million, and the certificates had incurred actual losses of $58 million. Based on currently available information, MS&Co. believes it could incur a loss in this action up to the difference between the $26 million unpaid balance of these certificates (plus any losses incurred) and their fair market value at the time of a judgment against MS&Co., or upon sale, plus pre- and post-judgment interest, fees and costs. MS&Co. may be entitled to be indemnified for some of these losses and to an offset for interest received by the plaintiff prior to a judgment.

Settled Civil Litigation

On August 25, 2008, MS&Co. and two ratings agencies were named as defendants in a purported class action related to securities issued by a structured investment vehicle called Cheyne Finance PLC and Cheyne Finance LLC (together, the “Cheyne SIV”). The case was styled Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, et al. v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. The complaint alleged, among other things, that the ratings assigned to the securities issued by the Cheyne SIV were false and misleading, including because the ratings did not accurately reflect the risks associated with the subprime RMBS held by the Cheyne SIV. The plaintiffs asserted allegations of aiding and abetting fraud and negligent misrepresentation relating to approximately $852 million of securities issued by the Cheyne SIV. On April 24, 2013, the parties reached an agreement to settle the case, and on April 26, 2013, the court dismissed the action with prejudice.

 

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On March 15, 2010, the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco filed a complaint against MS&Co. and other defendants in the Superior Court of the State of California styled Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco v. Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, et al. An amended complaint filed on June 10, 2010 alleged that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiff of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of certificates allegedly sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. was approximately $704 million. The complaint raised claims under both the federal securities laws and California law and sought, among other things, to rescind the plaintiff’s purchase of such certificates. On January 26, 2015, as a result of a settlement with certain other defendants, the plaintiff requested and the court subsequently entered a dismissal with prejudice of certain of the plaintiff’s claims, including all remaining claims against MS&Co.

On July 9, 2010 and February 11, 2011, Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. filed two separate complaints against MS&Co. and/or its affiliates and other defendants in the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, both styled Cambridge Place Investment Management Inc. v. Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., et al. The complaints asserted claims on behalf of certain clients of plaintiff’s affiliates and allege that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale of a number of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued by MS&Co. and/or its affiliates or sold to plaintiff’s affiliates’ clients by MS&Co. and/or its affiliates in the two matters was approximately $263 million. On February 11, 2014, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the litigation. On February 20, 2014, the court dismissed the action.

On October 25, 2010, MS&Co., certain affiliates and Pinnacle Performance Limited, a special purpose vehicle (“SPV”), were named as defendants in a purported class action in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (“SDNY”), styled Ge Dandong, et al. v. Pinnacle Performance Ltd., et al. On January 31, 2014, the plaintiffs in the action, which related to securities issued by the SPV in Singapore, filed a second amended complaint, which asserted common law claims of fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraudulent inducement, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. On July 17, 2014, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation, which received final court approval on July 2, 2015.

On July 5, 2011, Allstate Insurance Company and certain of its affiliated entities filed a complaint against MS&Co. in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Allstate Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. An amended complaint was filed on September 9, 2011, and alleges that the defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to the plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly issued and/or sold to the plaintiffs by MS&Co. was approximately $104 million. The complaint raised common law claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, aiding and abetting fraud, and negligent misrepresentation and seeks, among other things, compensatory and/or recessionary damages associated with the plaintiffs’ purchases of such certificates. On January 16, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

On July 18, 2011, the Western and Southern Life Insurance Company and certain affiliated companies filed a complaint against MS&Co. and other defendants in the Court of Common Pleas in Ohio, styled Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital Inc., et al. An amended complaint was filed on April 2, 2012 and alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of the certificates allegedly sold to plaintiffs by MS&Co. was approximately $153 million. On June 8, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

 

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On September 2, 2011, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), as conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, filed 17 complaints against numerous financial services companies, including MS&Co. and certain affiliates. A complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates and other defendants was filed in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Federal Housing Finance Agency, as Conservator v. Morgan Stanley et al. The complaint alleges that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac of residential mortgage pass-through certificates with an original unpaid balance of approximately $11 billion. The complaint raised claims under federal and state securities laws and common law and seeks, among other things, rescission and compensatory and punitive damages. On February 7, 2014, the parties entered into an agreement to settle the litigation. On February 20, 2014, the court dismissed the action.

On April 25, 2012, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and certain affiliates filed a complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. An amended complaint was filed on June 29, 2012, and alleges that the defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in the sale to the plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten, and/or sold by MS&Co. was approximately $758 million. The amended complaint raised common law claims of fraud, fraudulent inducement, and aiding and abetting fraud and seeks, among other things, rescission, compensatory, and/or rescissionary damages, as well as punitive damages, associated with the plaintiffs’ purchases of such certificates. On April 11, 2014, the parties entered into a settlement agreement.

On April 25, 2012, The Prudential Insurance Company of America and certain affiliates filed a complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, styled The Prudential Insurance Company of America, et al. v. Morgan Stanley, et al. On October 16, 2012, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint. The amended complaint alleged that defendants made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiffs of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by MS&Co. was approximately $1.073 billion. The amended complaint raises claims under the New Jersey Uniform Securities Law, as well as common law claims of negligent misrepresentation, fraud, fraudulent inducement, equitable fraud, aiding and abetting fraud, and violations of the New Jersey RICO statute, and includes a claim for treble damages. On January 8, 2016, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

In re Morgan Stanley Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Litigation, which had been pending in the SDNY, was a putative class action involving allegations that, among other things, the registration statements and offering documents related to the offerings of certain mortgage pass-through certificates in 2006 and 2007 contained false and misleading information concerning the pools of residential loans that backed these securitizations. On December 18, 2014, the parties’ agreement to settle the litigation received final court approval, and on December 19, 2014, the court entered an order dismissing the action.

On November 4, 2011, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), as receiver for Franklin Bank S.S.B, filed two complaints against MS&Co. in the District Court of the State of Texas. Each was styled Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as Receiver for Franklin Bank, S.S.B v. Morgan Stanley & Company LLC F/K/A Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc. and alleged that MS&Co. made untrue statements and material omissions in connection with the sale to plaintiff of mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The amount of certificates allegedly underwritten and sold to plaintiff by MS&Co. in these cases was approximately $67 million and $35 million, respectively. On July 2, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation.

On February 14, 2013, Bank Hapoalim B.M. filed a complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in the Supreme Court of NY, styled Bank Hapoalim B.M. v. Morgan Stanley et al. The complaint alleges that defendants made material misrepresentations and omissions in the sale to plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates backed by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by MS&Co. to plaintiff was approximately $141 million. On July 28, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation, and on August 12, 2015, the plaintiff filed a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice.

 

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On September 23, 2013, the plaintiff in National Credit Union Administration Board v. Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., et al. filed a complaint against MS&Co. and certain affiliates in the SDNY. The complaint alleged that defendants made untrue statements of material fact or omitted to state material facts in the sale to the plaintiff of certain mortgage pass-through certificates issued by securitization trusts containing residential mortgage loans. The total amount of certificates allegedly sponsored, underwritten and/or sold by MS&Co. to plaintiffs in the matter was approximately $417 million. The complaint alleged violations of federal and various state securities laws and sought, among other things, rescissionary and compensatory damages. On November 23, 2015, the parties reached an agreement to settle the matter.

On September 16, 2014, the Virginia Attorney General’s Office filed a civil lawsuit, styled Commonwealth of Virginia ex rel. Integra REC LLC v. Barclays Capital Inc., et al., against MS&Co. and several other defendants in the Circuit Court of the City of Richmond related to RMBS. The lawsuit alleged that MS&Co. and the other defendants knowingly made misrepresentations and omissions related to the loans backing RMBS purchased by the Virginia Retirement System. The complaint asserts claims under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act, as well as common law claims of actual and constructive fraud, and seeks, among other things, treble damages and civil penalties. On January 6, 2016, the parties reached an agreement to settle the litigation. An order dismissing the action with prejudice was entered on January 28, 2016.

Additional lawsuits containing claims similar to those described above may be filed in the future. In the course of its business, MS&Co., as a major futures commission merchant, is party to various civil actions, claims and routine regulatory investigations and proceedings that the General Partner believes do not have a material effect on the business of MS&Co. MS&Co. may establish reserves from time to time in connection with such actions.

 

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Item 1A.    Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors set forth under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and under Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Partnership’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2016.

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The Partnership no longer offers Units.

The following chart sets forth the purchases of Units by the Partnership.

 

Period   (a) Total Number of
Units Purchased *
    (b) Average Price
Paid per Unit **
    (c) Total Number of
Units Purchased as Part 
of Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
  (d) Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Units that May
Yet Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs

July 1, 2016 - July 31, 2016

    49,386.640      $ 26.97      N/A   N/A

August 1, 2016 - August 31, 2016

    71,174.798      $ 25.64      N/A   N/A

September 1, 2016 - September 30, 2016

    101,503.409      $ 25.30      N/A   N/A
      222,064.847      $ 25.78           

 

*

Generally, limited partners are permitted to redeem their Units as of the end of each month on three business days’ notice to the General Partner. Under certain circumstances, the General Partner can compel redemption, although to date, the General Partner has not exercised this right. Purchases of Units by the Partnership reflected in the chart above were made in the ordinary course of the Partnership’s business in connection with effecting redemptions for limited partners.

 

**

Redemptions of Units are effected as of the last day of each month at the net asset value per Unit as of that day. No fee will be charged for redemptions.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities — None.

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures — Not applicable.

Item 5.  Other Information — None.

 

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Item 6.  Exhibits

 

  31.01

 

Certification of President and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  31.02

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.01

 

Certification of President and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  32.02

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer and Director of Ceres Managed Futures LLC, the General Partner of the Partnership, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*

 

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Document

101.PRE*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Document

101.DEF*

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Document

Notes to Exhibits List

* Submitted electronically herewith.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

MORGAN STANLEY SMITH BARNEY SPECTRUM SELECT L.P.

 

By:  Ceres Managed Futures LLC

        (General Partner)

By:  /s/ Patrick T. Egan                                   

        Patrick T. Egan

        President and Director

Date: November 10, 2016

By:  /s/ Steven Ross                                         

        Steven Ross

        Chief Financial Officer and Director

        (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: November 10, 2016

 

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