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Futures Markets and Commodity Trading Advisors

Futures Markets and Commodity Trading Advisors

The Backbone

Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs) are the backbone of the Managed Futures industry. But what do they actually use to generate their performance? How do they actually create value? The answer is found in the futures markets. CTAs have access to a diverse array of futures and options markets. See the image below for a quick overview of these markets.

The above illustrates the percentage of contracts traded and/or cleared at 78 exchanges worldwide Jan-Dec 2017. Data FIA 2017.

Benefits of Futures Markets

Most futures markets are very broad and liquid. Futures are highly leveraged investments. Leveraged investing amplifies profits and risks, and it allows CTAs to use your capital efficiently. For some investors, there are tax advantages with futures. An additional unique advantage, in our opinion, is the ability to establish a short position just as easily as you can a long position. While this doesn’t increase your chances for profit, it gives the CTA more flexibility to work in any economic environment.

Most futures markets also have options contracts which can provide further opportunities for flexibility and risk management.

Commodity Trading Advisors

CTAs don’t need the price of markets to rise for them to generate returns! They manage their clients’ assets using proprietary trading strategies. The majority of these strategies are systematic trend following in nature, but you can find CTAs with all sorts of approaches to trading. In the past several years, money invested in Managed Futures has more than doubled and is estimated to continue to grow in the coming years especially when hedge fund returns flatten and stocks underperform.

 

Ascent has 300+ commodity trading advisors to choose from in our database. VIEW DATABASE

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Trading futures and options involve substantial risk of loss and are not suitable for all investors. There is no guarantee of profit. .

  • CTA Database

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    TRADING FUTURES AND OPTIONS INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LOSS AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES OF PROFIT NO MATTER WHO IS MANAGING YOUR MONEY. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

    All Ascent Capital Management (herein after as “ACM”) associated information, publications, reports, including the ACM website and the websites of its DBAs, and any information distributed by ACM shall be construed as a solicitation. ACM does not distribute research reports, employ research analysts, or maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.71. The following link or document may contain information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, and or has been created by another firm or body. Such information is being provided as a courtesy but such information has not been independently verified and ACM does not guarantee its accuracy. Information and opinions expressed by a source or author other than ACM are not necessarily supported by ACM and ACM makes no guarantees of such. Any mention of performance in any context whether actual or hypothetical is no guarantee of future results. Phone calls to and from ACM or its DBAs may be recorded.

    THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY INTERESTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TRADE OR TO AUTHORIZE SOMEONE ELSE TO TRADE FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: IF YOU PURCHASE A COMMODITY OPTION YOU MAY SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE PREMIUM AND OF ALL TRANSACTION COSTS.

    IF YOU PURCHASE OR SELL A COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACT OR SELL A COMMODITY OPTION YOU MAY SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE INITIAL MARGIN FUNDS OR SECURITY DEPOSIT AND ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT YOU DEPOSIT WITH YOUR BROKER TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION. IF THE MARKET MOVES AGAINST YOUR POSITION, YOU MAY BE CALLED UPON BY YOUR BROKER TO DEPOSIT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL MARGIN FUNDS, ON SHORT NOTICE, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE REQUESTED FUNDS WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME, YOUR POSITION MAY BE LIQUIDATED AT A LOSS, AND YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY RESULTING DEFICIT IN YOUR ACCOUNT. UNDER CERTAIN MARKET CONDITIONS, YOU MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO LIQUIDATE A POSITION. THIS CAN OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE MARKET MAKES A ‘‘LIMIT MOVE.’’

    THE PLACEMENT OF CONTINGENT ORDERS BY YOU OR YOUR TRADING ADVISOR, SUCH AS A ‘‘STOP-LOSS’’ OR ‘‘STOP-LIMIT’’ ORDER, WILL NOT NECESSARILY LIMIT YOUR LOSSES TO THE INTENDED AMOUNTS, SINCE MARKET CONDITIONS MAY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXECUTE SUCH ORDERS. A ‘‘SPREAD’’ POSITION MAY NOT BE LESS RISKY THAN A SIMPLE ‘‘LONG’’ OR “SHORT” POSITION.

    THE HIGH DEGREE OF LEVERAGE THAT IS OFTEN OBTAINABLE IN COMMODITY INTEREST TRADING CAN WORK AGAINST YOU AS WELL AS FOR YOU. THE USE OF LEVERAGE CAN LEAD TO LARGE LOSSES AS WELL AS GAINS. IN SOME CASES, MANAGED COMMODITY ACCOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL CHARGES FOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY FEES. IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THOSE ACCOUNTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE CHARGES TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL TRADING PROFITS TO AVOID DEPLETION OR EXHAUSTION OF THEIR ASSETS. THE CTA DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS AND EACH FEE TO BE CHARGED TO YOUR ACCOUNT BY THE COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR (“CTA”).

    A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF FEES AND CHARGES ARE REPORTED IN THE CTA’s DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT. MANAGED FUTURES MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE PROFITABLE UNDER ALL MARKET CONDITIONS AND ALSO MAY NOT NECESSARILY REDUCE VOLATILITY.

    THIS MATERIAL MAY MENTION SERVICES, WHICH RANK THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RANKINGS APPLY ONLY TO THOSE CTAS WHO SUBMIT THEIR TRADING RESULTS. THE RANKINGS IN NO WAY PURPORT TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS. THE MATERIAL IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE RESULTS ARE OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED RESULTS OF THE COMMODITY INDUSTRY. BE ADVISED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT INVEST IN THE FUTURES INDEX ITSELF AND THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM MAY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFER AND BE MORE VOLATILE THAN THE INDEX. INVESTORS SHOULD NOTE THAT ADDING MANAGED FUTURES TO AN EXISTING STOCK PORTFOLIO CAN POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE ANNUAL RETURN OF THAT PORTFOLIO. THE ADDITION OF MANAGED FUTURES TO A PORTFOLIO HOWEVER CANNOT PROTECT YOU FROM LOSS AND IN FACT CAN DECREASE A PORTFOLIO’S EFFICIENCY.

    By agreeing, you acknowledge the risks described above.

    • I AgreeI Disagree

  • Davis Commodities, LLC – Ag Program – QEPs Only

    Click a button at the bottom of this page to continue.

    TRADING FUTURES AND OPTIONS INVOLVES SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF LOSS AND IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ALL INVESTORS. THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES OF PROFIT NO MATTER WHO IS MANAGING YOUR MONEY. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS.

    All Ascent Capital Management (herein after as “ACM”) associated information, publications, reports, including the ACM website and the websites of its DBAs, and any information distributed by ACM shall be construed as a solicitation. ACM does not distribute research reports, employ research analysts, or maintain a research department as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.71. The following link or document may contain information obtained from sources believed to be reliable, and or has been created by another firm or body. Such information is being provided as a courtesy but such information has not been independently verified and ACM does not guarantee its accuracy. Information and opinions expressed by a source or author other than ACM are not necessarily supported by ACM and ACM makes no guarantees of such. Any mention of performance in any context whether actual or hypothetical is no guarantee of future results. Phone calls to and from ACM or its DBAs may be recorded.

    THE RISK OF LOSS IN TRADING COMMODITY INTERESTS CAN BE SUBSTANTIAL. YOU SHOULD THEREFORE CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER SUCH TRADING IS SUITABLE FOR YOU IN LIGHT OF YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION. IN CONSIDERING WHETHER TO TRADE OR TO AUTHORIZE SOMEONE ELSE TO TRADE FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING: IF YOU PURCHASE A COMMODITY OPTION YOU MAY SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE PREMIUM AND OF ALL TRANSACTION COSTS.

    IF YOU PURCHASE OR SELL A COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACT OR SELL A COMMODITY OPTION YOU MAY SUSTAIN A TOTAL LOSS OF THE INITIAL MARGIN FUNDS OR SECURITY DEPOSIT AND ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS THAT YOU DEPOSIT WITH YOUR BROKER TO ESTABLISH OR MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION. IF THE MARKET MOVES AGAINST YOUR POSITION, YOU MAY BE CALLED UPON BY YOUR BROKER TO DEPOSIT A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL MARGIN FUNDS, ON SHORT NOTICE, IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN YOUR POSITION. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE THE REQUESTED FUNDS WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME, YOUR POSITION MAY BE LIQUIDATED AT A LOSS, AND YOU WILL BE LIABLE FOR ANY RESULTING DEFICIT IN YOUR ACCOUNT. UNDER CERTAIN MARKET CONDITIONS, YOU MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO LIQUIDATE A POSITION. THIS CAN OCCUR, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN THE MARKET MAKES A “LIMIT MOVE.”

    THE PLACEMENT OF CONTINGENT ORDERS BY YOU OR YOUR TRADING ADVISOR, SUCH AS A “STOP-LOSS” OR “STOP-LIMIT” ORDER, WILL NOT NECESSARILY LIMIT YOUR LOSSES TO THE INTENDED AMOUNTS, SINCE MARKET CONDITIONS MAY MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXECUTE SUCH ORDERS. A “SPREAD” POSITION MAY NOT BE LESS RISKY THAN A SIMPLE “LONG” OR “SHORT” POSITION.

    THE HIGH DEGREE OF LEVERAGE THAT IS OFTEN OBTAINABLE IN COMMODITY INTEREST TRADING CAN WORK AGAINST YOU AS WELL AS FOR YOU. THE USE OF LEVERAGE CAN LEAD TO LARGE LOSSES AS WELL AS GAINS. IN SOME CASES, MANAGED COMMODITY ACCOUNTS ARE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL CHARGES FOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISORY FEES. IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THOSE ACCOUNTS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE CHARGES TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL TRADING PROFITS TO AVOID DEPLETION OR EXHAUSTION OF THEIR ASSETS. THE CTA DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS AND EACH FEE TO BE CHARGED TO YOUR ACCOUNT BY THE COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR (“CTA”).

    A COMPLETE DISCUSSION OF FEES AND CHARGES ARE REPORTED IN THE CTA’s DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT. MANAGED FUTURES MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE PROFITABLE UNDER ALL MARKET CONDITIONS AND ALSO MAY NOT NECESSARILY REDUCE VOLATILITY.

    THIS MATERIAL MAY MENTION SERVICES, WHICH RANK THE PERFORMANCE OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RANKINGS APPLY ONLY TO THOSE CTAS WHO SUBMIT THEIR TRADING RESULTS. THE RANKINGS IN NO WAY PURPORT TO BE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISORS. THE MATERIAL IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE RESULTS ARE OFFICIALLY SANCTIONED RESULTS OF THE COMMODITY INDUSTRY. BE ADVISED THAT AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT INVEST IN THE FUTURES INDEX ITSELF AND THE ACTUAL RATES OF RETURN FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM MAY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFER AND BE MORE VOLATILE THAN THE INDEX. INVESTORS SHOULD NOTE THAT ADDING MANAGED FUTURES TO AN EXISTING STOCK PORTFOLIO CAN POTENTIALLY INCREASE THE ANNUAL RETURN OF THAT PORTFOLIO. THE ADDITION OF MANAGED FUTURES TO A PORTFOLIO HOWEVER CANNOT PROTECT YOU FROM LOSS AND IN FACT CAN DECREASE A PORTFOLIO’S EFFICIENCY.

    By agreeing, you acknowledge the risks described above.

    • I AgreeI Disagree
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