The flash estimate for the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, indicates a 2.89 per cent loss in February. Year to date, the Index is down 0.33 per cent.
“Although the month was marked by a mix of trend extensions and trend reversals in key market sectors, reversals ruled and 77 per cent of CTAs incurred losses in February,” says Sol Waksman (pictured), founder and president of BarclayHedge.
The Diversified Traders Index fell 4.49 per cent In February, Systematic Traders were down 3.67 per cent, and Financials/Metals Traders lost 1.90 per cent.
“A record string of fifteen consecutive monthly gains for the S&P 500 ended with the Dow’s worst ever daily loss, the ongoing rally in oil prices came to an abrupt end, and both precious and industrial metals prices traded lower at month end,” says Waksman.
On the positive side, Currency Traders gained 0.86 per cent, Agricultural Traders were up 0.37 per cent, and Discretionary Traders added 0.23 per cent.
After two months in 2018, the Discretionary Traders Index has gained 1.43 per cent, Agricultural Traders are up 1.26 per cent, and Financials/Metals Traders have a 0.49 per cent positive return.
Systematic Traders are down 0.28 per cent year to date, and Diversified Traders have lost 0.18 per cent.
The BTOP50 Index, which is composed of the largest CTAs open to new investment, dropped 5.35 per cent in February, and is currently down 2.40 per cent for the year.
