Program Description

Linn Hare & Huckabay's Apex Program combines technical and fundamental analysis in an effort to secure capital appreciation through a low volatility approach. Primarily focused on US domestic grain markets and related markets, Apex deploys spread and options trades with or against futures strategies that attempt to reduce risk and maximize gains. In so doing, Apex seeks to keep asset volatility low while reaping a steady rate of returns that outpace US equity market annual returns by between 5% and 8% (net of fees). Through this discretionary vehicle, clients should expect to see significant risk management tools in place in an effort to secure the above mentioned steady return with low volatility. Of course, losses can occur and there is no guarantee that the program's objectives will be met.

Apex deploys a variety of strategies, including:

  • Controlled option writing, particularly against futures/spreads
  • Intra-market and inter-market spreading
  • Fundamentally based long/short options and futures positions
  • Covered strategies
  • Option volatility trades

Year Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec YTD
2006 - - - - - - - - - 3.80 7.96 -6.92 4.30%
2007 -0.77 2.16 -3.65 -0.28 -0.08 5.33 -4.89 7.78 7.35 3.81 3.85 14.55 39.29%
2008 17.58 29.49 -9.47 -5.76 5.50 -0.24 8.01 1.05 8.97 -4.80 -11.54 -7.43 26.74%
2009 0.97 5.57 -0.88 2.90 4.93 7.14 -1.76 -3.75 -4.12 -1.52 -4.50 -2.93 1.16%
2010 10.16 - - - - - - - - - - - 10.16%

VAMI - Growth of $1000

Monthly Commentary

January trade volumes were high because we took the attitude of reducing overnight exposure and focused a little more on spreads and options in an attempt to start the year with a positive performance. With our January success, we will continue that attitude in February as we appear to be in a market environment where political announcements come too often and market reactions are too volatile. We also ratcheted down risk parameters in January, which creates more trade but less net equity volatility. We expect a difficult month in February because of the highly political environment where a mid-day speech can create significant market reactions. Even with that, we expect a strong first quarter as markets focus more on value, having limited rally power across the Ag sector – time to focus on being a bear! The CRB index has topped, which should reduce investor volumes and reduce overall volatility. Thank you for your support.

Gordon D. Linn

 

Return Distribution

Return

Start Date of Program: October 2006
Discretionary: 100%
Worst Peak/Valley Drawdown: -22.04 (Sept 08-Dec 08)
Minimum Investment: $100K
Management Fee: 2%
Incentive Fee: 20%
Round Turns per million: 5000
Currency: USD
Margin to Equity: 20%
Sharpe Ratio: 0.88
Average Monthly Return: 2.10%
 

The information contained herein has been prepared solely for informational purposes and is not a solicitation to buy or sell shares in any fund or to participate in any trading program. Prospective investors must request the appropriate program/fund documents before investing in any of these trading programs or funds. There is a significant risk of loss with any of the above trading programs or funds.

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.


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