FAIRFIELD, IOWA MAY 16, 2019

Managed futures posted another positive month in April with a 0.85% return according to the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, a division of Backstop Solutions. Nine of BarclayHedge’s 10 CTA indices had gains in April.

Year to date, the Barclay CTA Index has gained 2.28%. All ten of BarclayHedge’s managed futures indices are now in positive territory for 2019.

“Four consecutive months of ongoing rallies in energy and global equity markets have provided a much needed tail wind for CTA performance,” said Sol Waksman, president of BarclayHedge. “An ongoing downtrend in agricultural markets provided a boost for trend traders at the expense of those anticipating prices to turn upward.”

The Cryptocurrency Traders Index led the pack in April with a 9.83% return while the BTOP50 Index, which tracks the performance of the largest CTAs, gained 3.15%. The MPI Barclay Systematic Traders Index returned 2.75% for the month, the Diversified Traders Index returned 1.21% and the Systematic Traders Index posted a 1.07% return.

The Currency Traders Index was the lone loser in April, down 0.30%. “Although the US Dollar had strengthened against many of the major currencies by month-end, mid-month trend reversals resulted in losses across the sector,” said Waksman.

The Cryptocurrency Traders Index led in year-to-date return as well, up 18.54% through April. Other leading year-to-date gainers included the MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index, up 5.65%, the Barclay BTOP50 Index, 4.91%, Systematic Traders Index, up 2.55% for the year, the Diversified Traders Index, with a 2.34% year-to-date return, and the Financial/Metals Traders Index returning 1.91%.

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, a division of Backstop Solutions Group 

(641) 472-3456 

swaksman@barclayhedge.com