The flash estimate for the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, indicates a 0.05 per cent loss in June. Year to date, the Index is down 2.00 per cent.
“Trade war concerns sparked by economic sabre rattling shook grain markets while US pressure on its allies to boycott Iranian oil rallied energy prices to new highs on the year,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge.
Agricultural Traders were down 0.59 per cent in June, the Discretionary Traders Index lost 0.59 per cent, and Diversified Traders gave up 0.21 per cent.
The MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index gained 0.91 per cent in June, Currency Traders were up 0.76 per cent, and Financial and Metals Traders gained 0.15 per cent.
“The Fed raised short-term rates in June and announced plans for two more rate increases this year,” says Waksman. “The prospect of rising US rates drove the USD higher against major currencies.”
At the halfway point in 2018, six of Barclay’s CTA Indices are in negative territory, while three have gains.
Diversified Traders are down 3.08 per cent for the year, Systematic Traders have lost 2.68 per cent, Financial and Metals Traders are down 2.53 per cent, and the MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index has lost 2.41 per cent.
The Currency Traders Index is up 3.57 per cent in 2018, Discretionary Traders have gained 2.36 per cent, and Agricultural Traders are up 1.14 per cent.
The BTOP50 Index, which is composed of the largest CTAs open to new investment, gained 0.73 per cent in June, but remains down 2.85 per cent for the year.
The Cryptocurrency Traders Index dropped 16.23 per cent in June, and has given up 45.43 per cent after six months of trading in 2018.
