Managed futures funds produced a third straight positive month in April returning 1.43%, according to the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. For the year to date, CTAs returned 3.80% through April.
Opalesque Industry Update - Managed futures funds turned in a second consecutive monthly gain in March returning 0.32%, according to the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. For the year to date, CTAs returned 2.29% through March. A strengthening U.S. dollar and a continuing uptrend in equity markets helped fuel CTA gains in March. The $1.9 trillion Covid Relief bill fed deficit concerns and ignited a rise in U.S. interest rates which, in turn, sparked appeal in USD carry trades against negative yielding currencies, said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge.
All but two of the sectors tracked in the Barclay CTA Indices were in positive territory for March. The Cryptocurrency Traders Index led the way for the month, returning 10.95%. Other notable March gainers included the MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index, up 1.10%, the Financial & Metal Traders Index, returning 0.43%, the Agricultural Traders Index, advancing 0.42%, and
Opalesque Industry Update - Managed futures funds finished 2020 with another positive month and gained 2.49% in December, according to the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. For the year, CTAs returned 5.18%. Global equity and commodity markets benefitted from robust price rallies while safe haven assets such as bonds and the U.S. dollar declined, said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. Progress on economic stimulus measures and coronavirus vaccine approvals raised hopes that a return to normalcy was on the way.
All sectors tracked in the Barclay CTA Indices were in the black for December. The Cryptocurrency Traders Index set the pace gaining 19.66%, while the MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index returned 4.25%. The Diversified Traders Index advanced 3.87%, the Systematic Traders Index was up 2.71% and the Discretionary Traders Index gained 2.05%.