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FAIRFIELD, IOWA APRIL 16, 2019
Managed futures remained in positive territory in March with a 1.65% return for the month according to the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. March’s CTA fund performance brought managed futures back into the black for the year, with a 1.48% year-to-date return through the end of the month.
All of the sectors tracked by Barclay CTA Indices were positive for March and posted positive year-to-date returns through March 31 as well.
“Broad rallies in three of the four major trading sectors; equities, bonds, and currencies, provided a tide that lifted all ships,” said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. “Commodity markets were mixed as crude oil rose and crop prices declined. Seventy-two percent of CTAs that have reported a March return as of today were profitable for the month.”
The Cryptocurrency Traders Index was the pacesetter in March with a 6.81% monthly return. The MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index posted a 3.33% return for March, while the Diversified Traders Index returned 2.29%. The Systematic Traders Index registered a 2.22% return in March while the Financial/Metals Traders Index returned 1.75%.
“Many CTA sectors continued to benefit from energy trading opportunities in March,” said Waksman. “Meanwhile specialist sectors were lifted by hopeful signs in U.S.-China trade talks that turned some metals and agricultural commodity markets more bullish.”
For the year to date, the Cryptocurrency Traders Index again led the way with a 8.07% return through the end of March. The MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index returned 2.83% for the year to date, while the Systematic Traders Index and the Financial/Metals Traders Index posted year-to-date gains of 1.53% and 1.51% respectively.
The Barclay BTOP50 Index, which measures performance of the 20 largest CTAs, gained 2.92% in March and is up 1.64% in 2019.
For a complete table of Barclay CTA Index results as well as historical data, click here.
About Backstop Solutions
Backstop’s mission is to help the institutional investment industry use time to its fullest potential. We develop technology to simplify and streamline otherwise time-consuming tasks and processes, enabling our clients to quickly and easily access, share, and manage the knowledge that’s critical to their day-to-day business success. Backstop provides its industry-leading cloud-based productivity suite to investment consultants, pensions, funds of funds, family offices, endowments, foundations, private equity, hedge funds, and real estate investment firms. BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop, currently maintains data on more than 6,900 hedge funds, funds of funds, and CTAs. The BarclayHedge Indices are utilized by institutional investors, brokerage firms, and private banks worldwide as performance benchmarks for the hedge fund and managed futures industries.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sol Waksman
BarclayHedge, Ltd.
(641) 472-3456
