-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GoYLBRIg4J4TihT3si1YvyBFrd2cSGD8NlnfIb2jvFhRmUzk22oxVDsKGkn878tA FCqpTnuWSdlWRruVBGGwcg== 0001144204-10-027457.txt : 20100514 0001144204-10-027457.hdr.sgml : 20100514 20100514155229 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001144204-10-027457 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20100331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100514 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100514 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RJO GLOBAL TRUST CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001027099 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: [6221] IRS NUMBER: 364113382 FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-22887 FILM NUMBER: 10833207 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O R J O'BRIEN FUND MANAGEMENT STREET 2: 222 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA STE 900 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60606 BUSINESS PHONE: 3123735000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: C/O R J O'BRIEN FUND MANAGEMENT STREET 2: 222 SOUTH RIVERSIDE PLAZA STE 900 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60606 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JWH GLOBAL TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19970210 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: JWH GLOBAL PORTFOLIO TRUST DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19961114 10-Q 1 v184595_10q.htm Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010
OR
 
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______ to                 

Commission File Number:  000-22887

RJO GLOBAL TRUST
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
36-4113382
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

c/o R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC
222 South Riverside Plaza
Suite 900
Chicago, IL  60606
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 373-5000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes         ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
¨ Yes         ¨ No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer  ¨
   
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
¨ Yes         x No

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
   
Item 1. Financial Statements
3
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition, as of March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009
3
Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments, as of March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
4
Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments, as of December 31, 2009
5
Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited)
6
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Unitholders' Capital, for the three months ended March 31, 2010 (unaudited)
7
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
8
   
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
16
   
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
19
   
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures
19
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
20
   
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
20
   
Item 1A. Risk Factors
20
   
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
20
   
Item 6. Exhibits
21
   
SIGNATURES
22

 
2

 

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
UNAUDITED
       
Assets
           
Assets:
           
Equity in commodity Trading accounts:
           
Cash on deposit with brokers
  $ 55,051,802     $ 59,500,719  
Unrealized gain on open contracts
    1,022,429       767,006  
Cash on deposit with bank
    27,552       38,436  
Cash on deposit with bank - Non-Trading
    8,316,993       9,214,964  
      64,418,776       69,521,125  
                 
Interest receivable
    4,951       1,694  
Total Assets
  $ 64,423,727     $ 69,522,819  
                 
Liabilities and Unitholders' Capital
               
Liabilities:
               
Accrued commissions
  $ 157,755     $ 169,886  
Accrued management fees
    78,986       85,057  
Accrued incentive fees
    -       17,109  
Accrued offering expenses
    22,461       22,768  
Accrued operating expenses
    250,208       239,638  
Redemptions payable - Trading
    1,094,606       878,988  
Accrued legal fees - Non-Trading
    760,711       627,762  
Accrued management fees to U.S. Bank - Non-Trading
    30,725       18,426  
Total liabilities
    2,395,452       2,059,634  
                 
Unitholders' capital:
               
Unitholders’ capital (Trading):
               
Beneficial owners:
               
Class A (517,772 and 551,440 units outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    52,220,298       56,711,089  
Class B (10,676 and 9,358 units outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    1,103,946       981,765  
Managing owner (11,679 Class A units outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009)
    1,177,944       1,201,090  
                 
Unitholders' capital (LLC equity/Non-Trading):
               
Participating owners (476,907 and 512,964 units outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    1,578,562       1,933,873  
Nonparticipating owners (1,796,381 and 1,760,324 units outstanding at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    5,947,525       6,635,368  
Total unitholders' capital
    62,028,275       67,463,185  
                 
Total Liabilities and Unitholders’ Capital
  $ 64,423,727     $ 69,522,819  
                 
Net asset value per unit:
               
Trading:
               
Class A
  $ 100.86     $ 102.84  
Class B
  $ 103.40     $ 104.91  
LLC equity/Non-Trading
  $ 3.31     $ 3.77  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 

RJO GLOBAL TRUST AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments
as of March 31, 2010
UNAUDITED

   
Number of
   
Principal
   
Value/open
 
   
contracts
   
(notional)
   
trade equity
 
Long positions (1.79%)
                 
Futures Positions (0.84%)
                 
Agriculture
    207     $ 6,856,640     $ (11,868 )
Currency
    241       49,747,356       53,029  
Energy
    80       6,520,307       38,697  
Indices
    61       34,110,698       26,149  
Interest rates
    230       881,672,020       (31,580 )
Metals
    210       94,351,160       443,846  
                         
Forward Positions (0.95%)
                       
Currency
    40,145,000       45,027,335       591,854  
                         
Total long positions
          $ 1,118,285,516     $ 1,110,127  
                         
Short positions (-0.14%)
                       
Future positions (0.16%)
                       
Agriculture
    370     $ 8,730,047     $ 326,382  
Currency
    90       11,972,625       158,893  
Energy
    66       2,953,127       92,655  
Indices
    45       4,917,795       5,376  
Interest rates
    140       446,038,121       (10,659 )
Metals
    82       11,934,096       (473,356 )
                         
Forward Positions (-0.30%)
                       
Currency
    30,580,000       34,368,263       (186,989 )
                         
Total short positions
          $ 520,914,074     $ (87,698 )
                         
Total unrealized gain on open contracts (1.65%)
                  $ 1,022,429  
Cash on deposit with brokers (88.75%)
                    55,051,802  
Cash on deposit with bank (13.45%)
                    8,344,545  
Other liabilities in excess of assets (-3.85%)
                    (2,390,501 )
Net assets (100.00%)
                  $ 62,028,275  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 

RJO GLOBAL TRUST AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments
as of December 31, 2009

   
Number of
   
Principal
   
Value/open
 
   
contracts
   
(notional)
   
trade equity
 
Long positions (1.69%)
                 
Futures Positions (1.45%)
                 
Agriculture
    459     $ 14,175,201     $ 542,222  
Currency
    58       5,175,139       18,650  
Energy
    45       3,386,896       25,657  
Indices
    90       6,006,445       118,235  
Interest rates
    225       73,893,816       (167,286 )
Metals
    165       13,101,937       437,926  
                         
Forward Positions (0.24%)
                       
Currency
    25,375,000       28,588,150       162,279  
                         
Total long positions
          $ 144,327,584     $ 1,137,683  
                         
Short positions (-0.55%)
                       
Future positions (-0.31%)
                       
Agriculture
    142     $ 3,758,129     $ (12,859 )
Currency
    50       6,823,909       61,052  
Energy
    17       2,077,755       (72,953 )
Indices
    35       2,261,654       (1,017 )
Interest rates
    292       78,210,549       102,023  
Metals
    62       5,294,294       (284,081 )
                         
Forward Positions (-0.24%)
                       
Currency
    21,765,000       23,079,582       (162,842 )
                         
Total short positions
          $ 121,505,872     $ (370,677 )
                         
Total unrealized gain on open contracts (1.14%)
                  $ 767,006  
Cash on deposit and open contracts with brokers (88.20%)
                    59,500,719  
Cash on deposit with bank (13.72%)
                    9,253,400  
Other liabilities in excess of assets (-3.06%)
                    (2,057,940 )
Net assets (100.00%)
                  $ 67,463,185  

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 

RJO GLOBAL TRUST AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statements of Operations
UNAUDITED

   
For the three months ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Trading gain (loss):
           
Gain (loss) on trading of commodity contracts:
           
Realized gain (loss) on closed positions
  $ (262,721 )   $ (1,322,728 )
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on open positions
    255,422       (810,591 )
Foreign currency transaction gain (loss)
    (13,247 )     (26,054 )
Total Trading gain (loss)
    (20,546 )     (2,159,373 )
                 
Investment Income:
               
Interest income
    6,928       19,112  
                 
Expenses:
               
Commissions - Class A
    599,037       732,175  
Commissions - Class B
    3,547       4,814  
Management fees
    240,906       333,507  
Incentive fees
    -       13,164  
Ongoing offering expenses
    20,000       103,000  
Operating expenses
    270,000       465,678  
Total expenses
    1,133,490       1,652,338  
                 
Trading income (loss)
    (1,147,108 )     (3,792,599 )
                 
Non-Trading income (loss):
               
Interest on Non-Trading reserve
    2,182       3,050  
Collections in excess of impaired value
    -       -  
Legal and administrative fees
    (958,681 )     (385,999 )
Management fees paid to US Bank
    (86,655 )     (106,552 )
Non-Trading income (loss)
    (1,043,154 )     (489,501 )
                 
Net income (loss)
  $ (2,190,262 )   $ (4,282,100 )

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
6

 

RJO GLOBAL TRUST AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Unitholders’ Capital
For the three months ended March 31, 2010
UNAUDITIED

Unitholders' Capital (Trading)
 
Beneficial Owners - Trading Class A
 
Beneficial Owners - Trading Class B
 
Managing Owners - Trading Class A
 
   
Units
 
Dollars
 
Units
 
Dollars
 
Units
 
Dollars
 
                           
Balances at December 31, 2009
    551,440   $ 56,711,089     9,358   $ 981,765     11,679   $ 1,201,090  
Trading income (loss)
    -     (1,111,964 )   -     (11,998 )   -     (23,146 )
Unitholders’ contributions
    3,077     309,800     1,899     194,000     -     -  
Transfers from Class A to Class B
    (303 )   (30,553 )   296     30,553     -     -  
Unitholders’ redemptions
    (36,442 )   (3,658,074 )   (877 )   (90,374 )   -     -  
Balances at March 31, 2010
    517,772   $ 52,220,298     10,676   $ 1,103,946     11,679   $ 1,177,944  
                                       
Unitholders' Capital (Trading)
 
Total Unitholders' Capital - Trading
                         
   
Units
 
Dollars
                         
                                       
Balances at December 31, 2009
    572,477   $ 58,893,944                          
Trading income (loss)
    -     (1,147,108 )                        
Unitholders’ contributions
    4,976     503,800                          
Transfers from Class A to Class B
    (7 )   -                          
Unitholders’ redemptions
    (37,319 )   (3,748,448 )                        
Balances at March 31, 2010
    540,127   $ 54,502,188                          
                                       
Unitholders' Capital (LLC Equity/Non-Trading)
 
Participating Owners-
 
Nonparticipating Owners-
 
Total Unitholders' Capital-
 
   
LLC Equity/Non-Trading
 
LLC Equity/Non-Trading
 
LLC Equity/Non-Trading
 
   
Units
 
Dollars
 
Units
 
Dollars
 
Units
 
Dollars
 
                                       
Balances at December 31, 2009
    512,964   $ 1,933,873     1,760,324   $ 6,635,368     2,273,288   $ 8,569,241  
Non-Trading income (loss)
    -     (234,520 )   -     (808,634 )   -     (1,043,154 )
Unitholders’ contributions
    -     -     -     -     -     -  
Reallocation due to Redemptions
    (36,057 )   (120,791 )   36,057     120,791     -     -  
Unitholders' distribution
    -     -     -     -     -     -  
Balances at March 31, 2010
    476,907   $ 1,578,562     1,796,381   $ 5,947,525     2,273,288   $ 7,526,087  
                                       
Total Unitholders Capital at March 31, 2010
                                $ 62,028,275  
   
Unitholders' Capital
 
Unitholders' Capital
 
Unitholders' Capital
                   
   
Trading Class A
 
Trading Class B
 
(LLC Equity/Non-Trading)
                   
Net asset value per unit at December 31, 2009
  $ 102.84   $ 104.91   $ 3.77                    
Net change per unit
    (1.98 )   (1.51 )   (0.46 )                  
Net asset value per unit at March 31, 2010
  $ 100.86   $ 103.40   $ 3.31                    

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 

RJO GLOBAL TRUST AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2010
(Unaudited)

(1)    General Information and Summary

RJO Global Trust (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust organized on November 12, 1996, was formed to engage in the speculative trading of futures contracts on currencies, interest rates, energy and agricultural products, metals, commodity indices and stock indices, spot and forward contracts on currencies and precious metals, and exchanges for physicals pursuant to the trading instructions of independent trading advisors.  Since December 1, 2006, R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC (“RJOFM” or the “Managing Owner”) has been the Managing Owner of the Trust.  R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC (“RJO”), an affiliate of RJOFM, is the clearing broker and the broker for forward contracts for the Trust.  R.J. O’Brien Securities, LLC (“Selling Agent”) is the lead selling agent of the units.

The Trust was originally established and operated as a single-advisor commodity pool.  John W. Henry & Company, Inc. (“JWH”) served as the Trust’s sole trading advisor until October 31, 2008.  As of November 1, 2008, the Trust became a multi-advisor commodity pool where trading decisions for the Trust were delegated to five independent commodity trading advisors:  JWH, AIS Futures Management (“AIS”), Abraham Trading Corp. (“ATC”), Global Advisors LP (“GALP”) and Peninsula LP (“PLP”) (each an “Advisor” and collectively the “Advisors”), pursuant to advisory agreements executed between the Trust and each Advisor (each an “Advisory Agreement” and collectively the “Advisory Agreements”.)  Effective February 1, 2009, NuWave Investment Management, LLC (“NW”) became the Trust’s sixth Advisor.  As of March 31, 2009, PLP was terminated as an Advisor to the Trust.  Effective June 1, 2009, the Trust entered into an Advisory Agreement with Global Advisors (Jersey) Limited (“GAJL”) to replace its Advisory Agreement with GALP, in connection with GALP’s initiative to migrate all of its clients to its Jersey-based (UK) entity.  As of June 30, 2009, AIS was terminated as an Advisor to the Trust and the Trust’s assets were reallocated with equal weighting of 16.666% each to the remaining four Advisors along with Conquest Capital Group (“CCG”) and Haar Capital Management (“HCM”) beginning July 1, 2009.  As of March 31, 2010, the Advisors consisted of JWH, NW, ATC, GAJL, CCG, and HCM.

Units of beneficial ownership of the Trust commenced selling on April 3, 1997.  The Managing Owner filed its latest registration statement on Form S-1 on behalf of the Trust with respect to the registration of 1,000,000 units of beneficial interest on September 19, 2007 (File No. 333-146177).  This registration statement became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on December 4, 2007 and was amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on April 18, 2008, Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on October 6, 2008, Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on December 12, 2008, Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on April 3, 2009 with  Supplements to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 filed with the SEC July 1, 2009 and February 1, 2010, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 5  on Form S-1, filed with the SEC on April 7, 2010.

Prior to December 12, 2008, the Trust only offered one class of units for subscription.  As described in the Trust’s Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 on Form S-1, the Trust now offers two classes of units.  Class A units are subject to a selling commission.  Class B units are not charged a selling commission, and will only be offered to certain qualified investors participating in a program through certain financial advisors.  Both Class A and Class B interests are traded pursuant to identical trading programs and differ only in respect to selling commissions.  See Note (9) for further detail regarding commissions.

The Trust will be terminated on December 31, 2026, unless terminated earlier upon the occurrence of one of the following:  (1) beneficial owners holding more than 50% of the outstanding units notify the Managing Owner to dissolve the Trust as of a specific date; (2) 120 days after the filing of a bankruptcy petition by or against the Managing Owner, unless the bankruptcy court approves the sale and assignment of the interests of the Managing Owner to a purchaser/assignor that assumes the duties of the Managing Owner; (3) 120 days after the notice of the retirement, resignation, or withdrawal of the Managing Owner, unless beneficial owners holding more than 50% of the outstanding units appoint a successor; (4) 90 days after the insolvency of the Managing Owner or any other event that would cause the Managing Owner to cease being managing owner of the Trust, unless beneficial owners holding more than 50% of the outstanding units appoint a successor; (5) dissolution of the Managing Owner; (6) insolvency or bankruptcy of the Trust; (7) a decrease in the net asset value to less than $2,500,000; (8) a decline in the net asset value per unit to $50 or less; (9) dissolution of the Trust; or (10) any event that would make it unlawful for the existence of the Trust to be continued or require dissolution of the Trust.

 
8

 

Prior to December 1, 2006, the managing owner of the Trust was Refco Commodity Management, Inc. (“RCMI”).  An affiliate of RCMI, Refco Capital Markets, Ltd. (“RCM”) had held certain assets of the Trust, acting as the Trust’s broker of forward contracts during 2005.  During that year, RCM experienced financial difficulties resulting in RCM’s inability to liquidate the assets.  RCM filed for bankruptcy protection in October, 2005.  As a result, the Trust held a bankruptcy claim against RCM.

Effective January 1, 2007, JWH Special Circumstance LLC (the “LLC”), a Delaware limited liability company, was established to pursue the claims against RCM.  Any assets or liabilities held by the LLC are designated as “Non-Trading”. Any revenue earned or expenses incurred by the LLC are also designated as “Non-Trading”.  The Trust is the sole member of the LLC and holds that membership for the benefit of the unitholders who were investors in the Trust at the time of the bankruptcy of RCM.  U.S. Bank National Association (“US Bank”) is the manager of the LLC.  US Bank may make distributions to the unitholders, as defined above, upon collection, sale, settlement or other disposition of the bankruptcy claim and after payment of all fees and expenses pro rata to the unitholders, as follows:

 
(a)
Any unitholder who had redeemed their entire interest in the Trust prior to distribution shall receive cash (“Non Participating Owners”).

 
(b)
Any unitholder who had continued to own units in the Trust shall receive additional units in the Trust at the then net asset value of the Trust (“Participating Owners”).

The unitholders have no right to request redemptions from the LLC.

The LLC compensates US Bank, as manager, the following:  (1) an annual fee of $25,000, (2) a distribution fee of $25,000 per distribution, (3) out-of-pocket expenses, and (4) an hourly fee for all personnel at the then expected hourly rate ($350 per hour at execution of agreement)

See Note (6) for further detail regarding collection and distribution activity related to the assets held at RCM.

(2)         Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting and reporting policies of the Trust confirm to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and to practices in the commodities industry.  The following is a description of the more significant of those policies that the Trust follows in preparing its consolidated financial statements.
 

(a)         Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Trust have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the SEC.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial condition and results of operations of the Trust for the periods presented have been included.
 
The Trust’s unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Trust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
(b)         Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Trust and its wholly-owned subsidiary, JWH Special Circumstance, LLC.  All material intercompany transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.
 
(c)         Revenue Recognition
 
Commodity futures contracts, forward contracts, physical commodities, and related options are recorded on the trade date.  All such transactions are recorded on the identified cost basis and marked to market daily.  Unrealized gains on open contracts reflected in the statements of financial condition represent the difference between original contract amount and market value (as determined by exchange settlement prices for futures contracts and related options and cash dealer prices at a predetermined time for forward contracts, physical commodities, and their related options) as of the last business day of the year or as of the last date of the consolidated financial statements.

 
9

 

At March 31, 2009, the Trust earns interest on 100% of the Trust’s average daily balances on deposit with RJO during each month at 80% of the average four-week Treasury Bill rate for that month in respect of deposits denominated in dollars.  For deposits denominated in other currencies, the Trust earns interest at a rate of one-month LIBOR less 100 basis points.  To the extent excess cash is not invested in securities, such cash will be subject to the creditworthiness of the institution where such funds are deposited. See Note (11) for Subsequent events.

(d)         Ongoing Offering Costs
 
Ongoing offering costs subject to a ceiling of 0.50% of the Trust’s average month-end net assets, are paid by the Trust and expensed as incurred. In anticipation of the offering for new subscriptions, $20,000 ongoing offering costs were accrued during the first three months of 2010.
 
(e)         Foreign Currency Transactions
 
Trading accounts in foreign currency denominations are susceptible to both movements in the underlying contract markets as well as fluctuation in currency rates.  Foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars for closed positions at an average exchange rate for the year, while year-end balances are translated at the year-end currency rates.  The impact of the translation is reflected in the statements of operations.

(f)         Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
(g)    Valuation of Assets Held at Refco Capital Markets, Ltd.
 
The Trust recorded an impairment charge against its assets held at RCM at December 31, 2005, based on management’s estimate of fair value at that time.  Subsequent recoveries from RCM were credited against the then book value of the claim.  On June 28, 2007, the Trust’s cumulative recoveries from RCM exceeded the book value of the impaired assets held at RCM, which resulted in no remaining book value for those assets.  All recoveries in excess of the book value of the impaired assets have been recorded as “Collections in excess of impaired value” on the Trust’s statement of operations.  Any future administrative and/or legal expenses associated with liquidation of the assets held at RCM have not been reflected as such future expenses are not capable of being estimated. See note (6) for further details.

(3)         Fees

Management fees are accrued and paid monthly. Incentive fees are accrued monthly and paid quarterly. Trading decisions for the period of these financial statements were made by the Advisors.

Pursuant to the Trust’s agreements with the Advisors, each Advisor receives a monthly management fee at the rate of up to 0.167% (a 2.0% annual rate) of the Trust’s month-end net assets calculated after deduction of brokerage fees, but before reduction for any incentive fee or other costs and before inclusion of new unitholder subscriptions and redemptions for the month. These management fees were not paid on the LLC net assets.
 
The Trust also pays the Advisors a quarterly incentive fee equal to 20% of the “New Trading Profit”, if any, of the Trust. The incentive fee is based on the performance of each Advisor’s portion of the assets allocated to it. New Trading Profit in any quarter is equal to the “Trading Profit” for such quarter that is in excess of the highest level of such cumulative trading profit as of any previous calendar quarter-end.  Trading Profit is calculated by including realized and unrealized profits and losses, excluding interest income, and deducting the management fee and brokerage fee.

(4)         Income Taxes

No provision for federal income taxes has been made in the accompanying financial statements as each beneficial owner is responsible for reporting income (loss) based on the pro rata share of the profits or losses of the Trust.  Generally, for both federal and state tax purposes, trusts, such as the RJO Global Trust, are treated as partnerships. The LLC is also treated as a partnership. The only significant differences in financial and income tax reporting basis are ongoing offering costs.

 
10

 

(5)         Trading Activities and Related Risks

The Trust engages in the speculative trading of U.S. and foreign futures contracts, and forward contracts (collectively derivatives) through the Advisors.  These derivatives include both financial and non-financial contracts held as part of a diversified trading strategy.  The Trust is exposed to both market risk, the risk arising from changes in the market value of the contracts, and credit risk, the risk of failure by another party to perform according to the terms of a contract.

The purchase and sale of futures requires margin deposits with a futures commission merchant (“FCM”).  Additional deposits may be necessary for any loss on contract value.  The Commodity Exchange Act requires an FCM to segregate or secure all customer transactions and assets from the FCM’s proprietary activities.  A customer’s cash and other property, such as U.S. Treasury Bills, deposited with an FCM are considered commingled with all other customer funds subject to the FCM’s segregation requirements.  In the event of an FCM’s insolvency, recovery may be limited to a pro rata share of segregated funds available.  It is possible that the recovered amount could be less than the total of cash and other property deposited.

The Trust has cash on deposit with an affiliated interbank market maker in connection with its trading of forward contracts.    In the normal course of business, the Trust does not require collateral from such interbank market maker.  Due to forward contracts being traded in unregulated markets between principals, the Trust also assumes a credit risk, the risk of loss from counter party non-performance.

For derivatives, risks arise from changes in the market value of the contracts.  Theoretically, the Trust is exposed to a market risk equal to the value of futures and forward contracts purchased and unlimited liability on such contracts sold short.

Net trading results from derivatives for the periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, are reflected in the statements of operations and equal gain or loss from trading.  Such trading results reflect the net gain or loss arising from the Trust’s speculative trading of futures contracts and forward contracts.

The notional amounts of open contracts at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, as disclosed in the respective Condensed Consolidated Schedule of Investments, do not represent the Trust’s risk of loss due to market and credit risk, but rather represent the Trust’s extent of involvement in derivatives at the date of the statement of financial condition.

The beneficial owners bear the risk of loss only to the extent of the market value of their respective investment in the Trust.

(6)         Assets Held at Refco Capital Markets, Ltd.
 
Effective October 31, 2005, $57,544,206 of equity and 2,273,288 in substitute units, which represented the assets held at RCM plus $1,000,000 in cash were transferred to a Non-Trading account.  On December 31, 2005 the $56,544,206 of assets held at RCM were reduced by $39,580,944 for impairment to $16,963,262, or 30% of the original value of the assets.  The table below summarizes all recoveries from RCM and distributions to redeemed and continuing unitholders:

 
11

 

Recoveries from RCM Distributions paid by US Bank from the LLC, and effect on impaired value of assets held at RCM
 
   
Amounts
Received from
   
Balance of
   
Collections in
Excess of
   
Cash Distributions to
Non-Participating
   
Additional Units in Trust
for Participating Owners
 
Date
 
RCM
   
Impaired Value
   
Impaired Value
   
Owners
   
Units
   
Dollars
 
12/29/06
  $ 10,319,318     $ 6,643,944     $ -     $ 4,180,958       54,914     $ 5,154,711  
04/20/07
    2,787,629       3,856,315       -       -       -       -  
06/07/07
    265,758       3,590,557       -       -       -       -  
06/28/07
    4,783,640       -       1,193,083       -       -       -  
07/03/07
    5,654       -       5,654       -       -       -  
08/29/07
    -       -       -       2,787,947       23,183       1,758,626  
09/19/07
    2,584,070       -       2,584,070       -       -       -  
12/31/07
    2,708,467       -       2,708,467       -       -       -  
03/28/08
    1,046,068       -       1,046,068       -       -       -  
04/29/08
    -       -       -       2,241,680       10,736       1,053,815  
06/26/08
    701,148       -       701,148       -       -       -  
12/31/08
    769,001       -       769,001       -       -       -  
06/29/09
    2,748,048       -       2,748,048       -       -       -  
12/30/09
    1,102,612       -       1,102,612       -       -       -  
                                                 
Totals
  $ 29,821,413     $ -     $ 12,858,151     $ 9,210,585       88,833     $ 7,967,152  

(7)    Fair Value Measurements
 
In accordance with the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”), the Trust established a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels are defined as follows:

          Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Trust has the ability to access at the measurement date.  An active market for the asset or liability is a market in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.  The value of the Trust’s exchange-traded futures contracts fall into this category.

         Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  This category includes forward currency contracts and options on forward currency contracts that the Trust values using models or other valuation methodologies derived from observable market data.

         Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for an asset or liability.  Unobservable inputs shall be used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.  As of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Trust did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

An asset or liability’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

The following table presents the Trust’s fair value hierarchy for those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively:

 
12

 

   
March 31, 2010
       
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                         
Unrealized gain on open contracts:
                       
Futures positions
  $ 617,564     $ -     $ -     $ 617,564  
Forward currency positions
    -       404,865       -       404,865  
                                 
Total fair value
  $ 617,564     $ 404,865     $ -     $ 1,022,429  
                                 
   
December 31, 2009
         
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
                                 
Unrealized gain (loss) on open contracts:
                               
Futures positions
  $ 767,569     $ -     $ -     $ 767,569  
Forward currency positions
    -       (563 )     -       (563 )
                                 
Total fair value
  $ 767,569     $ (563 )   $ -     $ 767,006  

There were no significant transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements.

(8)  Operations

Redemptions
 
A beneficial owner may cause any or all of his or her units to be redeemed by the Trust effective as of the last business day of any month of the Trust based on the Net Asset Value per unit on such date on five business days’ written notice to ACS Securities Services, Inc. or the Managing Owner.  Payment will generally be made within ten business days of the effective date of the redemption.  Any redemption made during the first eleven months of investment is subject to a 1.5% redemption penalty, payable to the Managing Owner.  Any redemption made in the twelfth month of investment or later will not be subject to any redemption penalty.  The Trust’s Eighth Amended and Restated Declaration and Agreement of Trust, as amended, contains a full description of redemption and distribution policies.

Subscriptions

An investor may purchase units in the Trust effective the first business day of any month based on the Net Asset Value per unit on the last business day of the previous month.  A correctly completed and signed subscription form with the corresponding funds must be received by ACS Securities Services, Inc. (“Escrow Agent”) no later than five business days before each month end.  If the forms are completed accurately, the investor’s subscription is accepted and the units purchased become invested on the first business day of the following month.  If the subscription form is incomplete, the subscription is rejected and funds are returned to the investor from the Escrow Agent.  Likewise if a subscription form is received without the funds by the fifth business day before the end of the month, the subscription request is rejected.  If funds are received without a subscription form, the funds are returned to the investor.  If a subscription is accepted, 100% of the investment amount is invested as of the effective date.  The Trust’s Eighth Amended and Restated Declaration and Agreement of Trust, as amended, and its Prospectus contain a full description of subscription policies.  An investment in the Trust does not include a beneficial interest or investment in the LLC.
 
Commissions
 
The Managing Owner and/or affiliates act as commodity brokers for the Trust through RJO.  Commodity brokerage commissions are typically paid upon the completion or liquidation of a trade and are referred to as “round-turn commissions,” which cover both the initial purchase (or sale) and the subsequent offsetting sale (or purchase) of a commodity futures contract.

The Trust’s brokerage fee constitutes a “wrap fee” of 4.65% to 5.0% of the Trust’s month-end assets on an annual basis (0.3875% to 0.417% monthly) with respect to Class A units and 2.65% to 3.0% of the Trust’s month-end assets on an annual basis (0.221% to 0.25% monthly) with respect to Class B units, which covers the fees described below.  “Brokerage fee” includes the following across each class of units:

 
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Recipient
 
Nature of Payment
 
Class A Units
 
Class B Units
Managing Owner
 
Managing Owner fee
 
0.75%
 
0.75%
Selling Agent
 
Selling commission
 
2.00%
 
0.00%
Managing Owner
 
Underwriting expenses
 
0.35%
 
0.35%
Clearing Broker
 
Clearing, NFA, and exchange fees
 
Estimated 1.22% - 1.42%,
capped at 1.57%
 
Estimated 1.22% - 1.42%,
capped at 1.57%
Liberty Funds Group
 
Consulting fees
 
0.33%
 
0.33%
Totals
     
4.65% to 5.00%
 
2.65% to 3.00%

In accordance with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) regulations, underwriting expenses, including selling commissions, are limited to 10% of either the existing net asset values for all units of record as of November 1, 2008, or 10% of original subscription price for any new subscriptions thereafter.  Once the maximum amount of underwriting compensation has been met, the Trust will issue an additional class of units which will be charged no selling commissions or underwriting expenses.

Commissions were not paid with respect to the LLC net assets.

(9)         Financial Highlights

The following financial highlights show the Trust’s financial performance for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.  Total return is calculated as the change in a theoretical beneficial owner’s investment over the entire period and is not annualized.  Total return is calculated based on the aggregate return of the Trust taken as a whole.
  
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
   
Three months ended
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Per share operating performance:
                       
Net asset value of Trading units, beginning of year
  $ 102.84     $ 119.39     $ 104.91     $ 119.39  
Total Trading income (loss):
                               
Trading gain (loss)
    (0.04 )     (3.28 )     (0.04 )     (3.46 )
Investment income
    0.01       0.03       0.01       0.03  
Expenses
    (1.95 )     (2.54 )     (1.48 )     (1.80 )
Trading income (loss)
    (1.98 )     (5.79 )     (1.51 )     (5.23 )
Net asset value of Trading units, end of year
  $ 100.86     $ 113.60     $ 103.40     $ 114.16  
                                 
Total return:
                               
Total return before incentive fees
    (1.96 )%     (5.10 )%     (1.46 )%     (4.58 )%
Less incentive fee allocations
    0.00 %     (0.02 )%     0.00 %     0.00 %
Total return
    (1.96 )%     (5.12 )%     (1.46 )%     (4.58 )%
                                 
Ratios to average net assets:
                               
Trading income (loss)
    (2.01 )%     (2.85 )%     (0.91 )%     (2.91 )%
Expenses:
                               
Expenses, less incentive fees
    (1.99 )%     (2.20 )%     (0.89 )%     (1.61 )%
Incentive fees
    0.00 %     (0.02 )%     0.00 %     0.00 %
Total expenses
    (1.99 )%     (2.22 )%     (0.91 )%     (1.61 )%

The calculations above do not include activity within the Trust's Non-Trading accounts.

 
14

 

The net loss and expense ratios are computed based upon the weighted average net assets for the Trust for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

 (10)           Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.

The Trust does not utilize hedge accounting and marks its derivatives to market through operations.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

As of March 31, 2010
   
Asset
 
Liability
     
Type of
 
Derivatives
 
Derivatives
 
Net
 
Futures Contracts
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
               
Agriculture
  $ 472,871   $ (158,357 ) $ 314,514  
Currency
    908,090     (291,303 )   616,787  
Energy
    204,357     (73,005 )   131,352  
Indices
    41,537     (10,012 )   31,525  
Interest Rates
    50,890     (93,129 )   (42,239 )
Metals
    703,330     (732,840 )   (29,510 )
    $ 2,381,075   $ (1,358,646 ) $ 1,022,429  
                     
As of December 31, 2009
                   
   
Asset
 
Liability
       
Type of
 
Derivatives
 
Derivatives
 
Net
 
Futures Contracts
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
                     
Agriculture
  $ 590,976   $ (61,613 ) $ 529,363  
Currency
    284,224     (205,085 )   79,140  
Energy
    43,233     (90,529 )   (47,296 )
Indices
    126,513     (9,295 )   117,218  
Interest Rates
    115,112     (180,375 )   (65,263 )
Metals
    808,408     (654,563 )   153,845  
    $ 1,968,466   $ (1,201,460 ) $ 767,006  

The above reported fair values are included in equity in commodity Trading accounts – Unrealized gain on open contracts on the consolidated statements of financial condition as of March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 respectively.

 
15

 

Trading gain (loss) for the following periods:

   
Three months ended March 31,
 
Type of
Futures
Contracts
 
2010
   
2009
 
Agriculture
  $ (531,357 )   $ (433,304 )
Currency
    536,385       (332,666 )
Energy
    (108,180 )     (128,124 )
Indices
    185,013       (465,304 )
Interest Rates
    101,262       (969,948 )
Metals
    (203,669 )     169,973  
    $ (20,546 )   $ (2,159,373 )

See Note (5) for additional information on the Trust’s purpose for entering into derivatives not designed as hedging instruments and its overall risk management strategies.

(11)      Subsequent Events

As of April 1, 2010, the Trust will earn 100% of the four-week Treasury bill on 100% of deposits denominated in U.S. dollars.
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

(a)         Capital Resources

The Trust’s capital resources fluctuate based upon the purchase and redemption of units and the gains and losses of the Trust’s trading activities.   The amount of assets invested in the Trust generally does not affect its performance, as typically this amount is not a limiting factor on the positions acquired by the trading advisors, and the Trust’s expenses are primarily charged as a fixed percentage of its asset base.

The Trust borrows only to a limited extent and only on a strictly short-term basis in order to finance losses on non-U.S. dollar denominated trading positions pending the conversion of the Trust’s dollar deposits.  These borrowings are at a prevailing short-term rate in the relevant currency.  They have been immaterial to the Trust’s operation to date and are expected to continue to be so.

There are no known material trends, favorable or unfavorable, that would affect, nor any expected material changes, to the Trust’s capital resource arrangements at the present time.

(b)      Liquidity

The Trust’s assets at March 31, 2010 are held in brokerage accounts with RJO.  Such assets are used as margin to engage in trading and may be used as margin solely for the Trust’s trading.  Except in unusual circumstances, the Trust should be able to close out any or all of its open trading positions and liquidate any or all of its holdings quickly and at market prices.  This should permit the Advisors to limit losses as well as reduce market exposure on short notice should their programs indicate reducing market exposure.

The Trust earns interest on 100% of the Trust’s average daily balances on deposit with RJO during each month at 80% of the average four-week Treasury Bill rate for that month in respect of deposits denominated in U.S. dollars.  The remaining 20% of the average four-week Treasury Bill rate is retained by R.J. O’Brien & Associates, LLC, the Trust’s clearing broker.  For deposits denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, the Trust earns interest at a rate of one-month LIBOR less 100 basis points.    For the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Trust has received or accrued to receive trading interest of $6,928 and $19,112, respectively.

 
16

 

The Trust’s involvement in the futures and forward markets exposes the Trust to both market risk – the risk arising from changes in the market value of the futures and forward contracts held by the Trust – and credit risk – the risk that another party to a contract will fail to perform its obligations according to the terms of the contract.  The Trust is exposed to a market risk equal to the value of the futures and forward contracts purchased and theoretically unlimited risk of loss on contracts sold short. The Advisors monitor the Trust’s trading activities and attempt to control the Trust’s exposure to market risk by, among other things, refining their trading strategies, adjusting position sizes of the Trust’s futures and forward contacts and re-allocating Trust assets to different market sectors.  The Trust’s primary exposure to credit risk is its exposure to the non-performance of the forwards currency broker.  The forwards currency broker generally enters into forward contracts with large, well-capitalized institutions and then enters into a back-to-back contract with the Trust.  The Trust also may trade on exchanges that do not have associated clearinghouses whose credit supports the obligations of its members and operate as principals markets, in which case the Trust will be exposed to the credit risk of the other party to such trades.

Most United States commodity exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation in commodity futures contract prices during a single trading day by regulations.  These regulations specify what are referred to as “daily price fluctuation limits” or “daily limits.”  The daily limits establish the maximum amount the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session.  Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular commodity, no trades may be made at a price beyond the limit.  Positions in the commodity could then be taken or liquidated only if traders are willing to effect trades at or within the limit during the period for trading on such day.  Because the “daily limit” rule only governs price movement for a particular trading day, it does not limit losses.  In the past, futures prices have moved the daily limit for numerous consecutive trading days and thereby prevented prompt liquidation of futures positions on one side of the market, subjecting commodity futures traders holding such positions to substantial losses for those days.

It is also possible for an exchange or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to suspend trading in a particular contract, order immediate settlement of a particular contract, or direct that trading in a particular contract be for liquidation only.  There are no known material trends, demands, commitments, events or uncertainties at the present time that are reasonably likely to result in the Trust’s liquidity increasing or decreasing in any material way.  Additionally, no material deficiencies in liquidity were identified and there are no material unused sources of liquid assets.

(c)         Results of Operations

As of November 1, 2008, trading decisions for the Trust were delegated to five independent commodity trading advisors:  JWH, AIS, ATC, GALP, and PLP, pursuant to Advisory Agreements executed between the Trust and each Advisor.  Effective February 1, 2009, NW became the Trust’s sixth Advisor.  As of March 31, 2009, PLP was terminated as an Advisor to the Trust.  Effective June 1, 2009, the Trust entered into an Advisory Agreement with GAJL to replace its Advisory Agreement with GALP, in connection with GALP’s initiative to migrate all its clients to its Jersey-based (UK) entity. As of June 30 2009, AIS was terminated as an Advisor to the Trust.  As of July 1, 2009, HCM and CCG became Advisors to the Trust.
 
The Trust’s success depends on the Advisors’ ability to recognize and capitalize on major price movements and other profit opportunities in different sectors of the world economy.  Because of the speculative nature of its trading, operational or economic trends have little relevance to the Trust’s results, and its past performance is not necessarily indicative of its future results.  The Managing Owner believes, however, that there are certain market conditions — for example, markets with major price movements — in which the Trust has a better opportunity of being profitable than in others.
 
JWH, ATC, GAJL, NW and CCG are technical traders, and as such, their programs do not predict price movements. No fundamental economic supply or demand analysis is used in attempting to identify mispricings in the market, and no macroeconomic assessments of the relative strengths of different national economies or economic sectors are made. However, there are frequent periods during which fundamental factors external to the market dominate prices.  For the discretionary Advisor, HCM, economic fundamentals and macroeconomic assessments were made.
 
The performance summaries set forth below outline certain major events and price trends which the Advisors’ programs have identified for the Trust during the quarters ended March 31, 2010, and March 31, 2009. The fact that certain trends or market movements were captured does not imply that others, perhaps larger and potentially more profitable trends or market movements, were not missed or that the Advisors will be able to capture similar trends or movements in the future.  Moreover, the fact that the programs were profitable in certain market sectors in the past does not mean that they will be so in the future.

 
17

 

Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2010

The Trust recorded net trading losses of $(1,147,108) or $(1.98) per trading unit for Class A units and a loss of $(1.51) per trading unit for Class B units in the first quarter of 2010 (*** Please see “Notes to Financial Statements” in Part I — Item 1 for explanation of net asset value/unit pursuant to events of October, 2005, as the following excludes the Trust’s Non-Trading accounts). As of March 31, 2010, the Trust had gained 23.29% since its inception in June 1997.
 
On March 31, 2010, the Trust’s assets were allocated equally to the following Trading Advisors as follows: ATC (16.66%), CCG (16.66%), GAJL (16.66%), HCM (16.66%), JWH (16.66%) and NW (16.66%).
 
An overall sell off in stocks and commodities was the most notable event during January.  The U.S. dollar strengthened during January despite some poor economic reports.  The U.S. dollar rally seemed to catch a number of market participants off guard. The stock market started the year strongly, but fell 8% from its intra month high to finish with a loss of 3.6% for the month. Crude oil fell 13% and gold fell 7% from their respective intra month highs. This paralleled the problems experienced by other commodity markets which had been hoping to see signs of improving domestic and international demand. The Trust fought through another difficult month. It has been one of the most difficult periods on record for managed futures strategies. Our managers remain committed to research and to improving their risk adjusted performance.  During the month, half of the managers made money. Those who did had less exposure to long-term trend following. The three profitable managers focused on shorter time frames or fundamental economic conditions of a few specific underlying markets.

After selling off aggressively in early February, the stock market rebounded to finish with a modest gain.  Commodity markets, lead by crude oil and gold, also gained ground during month.  Commodities and stocks continue to move with an uncharacteristically high degree of positive correlation.  For example, the charts for gold, crude oil, and the S&P 500 look very similar.  Each of the three markets finds itself in the middle of a wide trading range bordered by November 2009 highs and early February lows.  The only market that appears to be trending is the U.S. dollar.  It has strengthened 11% or more against the Euro, the British Pound, and the Swiss Franc.  The U.S. dollar however, has not strengthened against the Aussie Dollar, Japanese Yen, or Canadian Dollar.  The situation highlights European weakness as opposed to U.S. strength.  During the month NW and CCG made money.  GAJL and HCM were frustrated by choppy commodity markets.  JWH and ATC were also frustrated by a lack of follow through in downside moves that had begun developing in several sectors.

The stock market rose steadily during March and finished with a gain of almost 6%.  The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Euro as European financial problems appear to be worse than our own in terms of budget deficits and burgeoning government debt.  The U.S. dollar lost ground, however, against the Aussie Dollar and Canadian Dollar which both stand to strengthen from rising demand for their abundant natural resources.  Gold was weaker most of the month but a late rally leveled it for the month and for the year to date.  Crude oil was up almost 8% during March leaving it near the top of a $75 – $85 trading range that has persisted since November of last year.  Weakness in natural gas and the grain markets, due to concerns about oversupply, have created a drag on the commodity indices which remain in negative territory for the year to date. During the month HCM and NW lost a modest amount of money but each of the other four advisors were profitable. GAJL had the best month.  Their models had long positions in the petroleum based energy markets and short positions in the natural gas and grain markets.  There was consensus among our Advisors related to long-term interest rates with each Advisor registering short positions.  It should be noted that trading volume has begun to increase steadily over the last few months.  This should help our managers with the execution of their trading strategies.

Fiscal Quarter ended March 31, 2009

The Trust recorded net trading losses of $(3,792,599) or $(5.79) per trading unit for Class A units and $(5.23) per trading unit for Class B units in the first quarter of 2009 (*** Please see “Notes to Financial Statements” in Part I — Item 1 for explanation of net asset value/unit pursuant to events of October, 2005, as the following excludes the Trust’s Non-Trading accounts). As of March 31, 2009, the Trust had gained 38.86% since its inception in June 1997.
 
On March 31, 2009, the Trust’s assets were allocated to the following Advisors as follows: ATC (27%), AIS (10%), GALP (18%), JWH (18%) and NW (27%).
 
 
18

 

The first quarter of 2009 began much as the fourth quarter of 2008 ended, with continued broad market volatility.  Stock markets and commodity markets remained under pressure and declined in lock step during January, February, and early March.  Prices reversed and began climbing during the first week of March as negative sentiment on the part of investors appeared to be at its highest.  Correlation between commodity prices and stock prices, with few exceptions, remained unusually high during the quarter.  The U.S. dollar had an almost exact inverse relationship to stock and commodity prices during the quarter.  It actually strengthened against most major foreign currencies as stocks and commodities sold off and then began to weaken after stocks and commodities bottomed out.  The results of fixed income markets during the quarter told two stories.  Short-term rates remained low and in choppy markets as the Federal Reserve left Fed Fund targets in the 0% to 0.25% range.  Long-term rates, however, edged higher in January and February as concerns over the inflationary impact of the government’s stimulus packages drove down note and bond prices.  Bond and note holders received a big boost, however, in late March when the Fed signaled that it would buy an enormous amount of medium and long-term notes in an effort to keep mortgage rates low and to maintain a high level of liquidity in the markets.

The Advisors to the Trust who employ rule-based or systematic approaches managed the volatility well and the performance was down slightly until the sharp market reversals in March caused some slightly larger losses.  These managers employ methods that vary widely in terms of investment time horizons.  Those with shorter-term outlooks did a little worse during January and February while the long-term down trends established during the fall of 2008 remained in place, but managed the March reversals better than the managers with longer-term styles. The Advisors to the Trust who employ a more discretionary approach continued to struggle with the unprecedented volatility and uncertainty that surrounded the markets during the quarter.  They posted small losses for the quarter as well.

It was a difficult quarter in general for the managed futures industry.  The Barclay Commodity Trading Advisor Index, a broad measure of managed futures performance, lost ground each month during the quarter.  Approximately eight out of every ten managers in the industry were showing negative year-to-date performance at quarter end.  This difficult period followed a strong performance period for the industry in 2008.  Periods like this are to be expected from time to time, and the first quarter profile was consistent with other losing periods from the past.  The objective of the Trust’s portfolio of managers is to conserve capital during difficult periods like this using disciplined risk management and a broad diversification of asset exposure, investment style, and investment time frame.

(d)         Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements; Disclosure of Contractual Obligations

The Trust does not have any off-balance-sheet arrangements (as defined in Regulation S-K 303(a)(4)(ii)) that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that are material to investors.
 
The Trust does not have any material contractual obligations.

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There has been no material change with respect to the Trust’s market risk as described in the section entitled "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 4T.  Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures: Under the supervision and with the participation of the management of R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC, the Managing Owner of the Trust at the time this annual report was filed, including the Managing Owner’s Chief Executive Officer (the Trust’s principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (the Trust’s principal financial officer), have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act) as of March 31, 2010.  The Trust’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information the Trust is required to disclose in the reports that the Trust files or submits under the Exchange Act are recorded, processed and summarized and reported within the time period specified in the applicable rules and forms.  Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Managing Owner have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust were effective at March 31, 2010.
 
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:  There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting, during the quarter ended March 31, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls: Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide reasonable (not absolute) assurance that its objectives will be met.  Furthermore, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.
 
 
19

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

The LLC is pursuing certain claims with respect to assets of the Trust formerly held by RCM.  See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements – Note 1.”  There is no assurance that such efforts will result in additional recoveries.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors in the section entitled “The Risks You Face” in the Trust Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed on April 7, 2010 and declared effective April 30, 2010.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds

a)  None
b)  The Trust permits unitholders to redeem units at the end of each month at the net asset value per unit on the redemption date.  The redemption of units has no impact on the net asset value of the units that remain outstanding and units may not be reissued once they are redeemed.

The following table summarizes the redemptions by unitholders during the first quarter of 2010:
 
   
Units Redeemed
   
Redemption Date NAV per Unit
 
Month
 
Class A
   
Class B
   
Class A
   
Class B
 
January
    9,436       877     $ 100.90     $ 103.10  
February
    16,233       -     $ 99.76     $ 102.11  
March
    10,773       -     $ 100.86     $ 103.40  
                                 
Total
    36,442       877                  

Class A units sold January 1, 2010  through March 31, 2010:  3,077
Class B units sold January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010:  1,899
Units (Class A) unsold through March 31, 2010:  978,142 ($98,655,388)
Units (Class B) unsold through March 31, 2010:  978,142 ($98,655,388)
Aggregate price paid for units sold January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010:  $503,800

 
20

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 
a)
Exhibits

Index to Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description of Document
     
3.01
 
Eighth Amended and Restated Declaration and Agreement of Trust of RJO Global Trust (the “Registrant”), dated as of September 26, 2008.1
     
3.02
 
First Amendment to Eight Declaration and Agreement of Trust, dated as of February 5, 2010.1
     
3.03
 
Restated Certificate of Trust of the Registrant.2
     
31.01
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer.
     
31.02
 
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications of Principal Financial Officer.
     
32.01
 
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.


1 Incorporated by reference herein from the exhibit of the same description filed on April 7, 2010 with Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Reg. No. 333-146177).
 
2 Incorporated by reference from the exhibit of the same description filed on September 30, 2008 on Form 8-K.

 
21

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned and thereunto duly authorized.

RJO Global Trust
   
Date:   
May 14,  2010
   
By:
R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC
 
Managing Owner
   
By:
/s/ Thomas J. Anderson
 
Thomas J. Anderson
 
Chief Financial Officer and duly authorized officer

 
22

 
EX-31.1 2 v184595_ex31-01.htm Unassociated Document

EXHIBIT 31.01
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Gerald Corcoran, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of RJO Global Trust;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 14, 2010

By:  
/s/ Gerald Corcoran
 
Gerald Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer
 
(principal executive officer)
 
R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC, Managing Owner

 

 
EX-31.2 3 v184595_ex31-02.htm Unassociated Document

EXHIBIT 31.02
CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Thomas J. Anderson, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of RJO Global Trust;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a–15(f) and 15d–15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 
(a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  May 14, 2010

By:  
/s/ Thomas J. Anderson
 
Thomas J. Anderson, Chief Financial Officer
 
(principal financial officer)
 
R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC, Managing Owner

 

 
EX-32.1 4 v184595_ex32-01.htm Unassociated Document

EXHIBIT 32.01

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATION
OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
I, Gerald Corcoran, Chief Executive Officer, and I, Thomas J. Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, of R.J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC (“RJOFM”), the Managing Owner of RJO Global Trust (the “Trust”), certify that, to my knowledge (i) the attached Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (ii) the information contained in the attached Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Trust.
 
/s/ Gerald Corcoran   /s/ Thomas J. Anderson
Gerald Corcoran
 
Thomas J. Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
 
Chief Financial Officer
R. J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC, Managing Owner
 
R. J. O’Brien Fund Management, LLC, Managing Owner
May 14, 2010
 
May 14, 2010

 

 
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