Consolidated Portfolio of Investments as of September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
ASG Global Alternatives Fund
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks 20.1% of Net Assets |
||||||||
Aerospace & Defense 0.3% |
| |||||||
37,722 | Arconic, Inc. |
$ | 980,772 | |||||
10,294 | United Technologies Corp. |
1,405,337 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,386,109 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Banks 0.8% |
| |||||||
20,204 | Citigroup, Inc. |
1,395,692 | ||||||
107,629 | Investors Bancorp, Inc. |
1,222,666 | ||||||
64,631 | LegacyTexas Financial Group, Inc. |
2,813,388 | ||||||
21,651 | U.S. Bancorp |
1,198,166 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
6,629,912 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Beverages 0.2% |
| |||||||
20,534 | Coca-Cola European Partners PLC |
1,138,610 | ||||||
3,668 | PepsiCo, Inc. |
502,883 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
1,641,493 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Biotechnology 0.3% |
| |||||||
37,537 | Genomic Health, Inc.(a) |
2,545,759 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Building Products 0.1% |
| |||||||
26,024 | Apogee Enterprises, Inc. |
1,014,676 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Capital Markets 0.4% |
| |||||||
30,758 | Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The) |
1,390,569 | ||||||
22,882 | Brookfield Asset Management, Inc., Class A |
1,214,805 | ||||||
54,467 | TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. |
1,142,718 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
3,748,092 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Chemicals 0.3% |
| |||||||
5,592 | Ecolab, Inc. |
1,107,439 | ||||||
12,119 | PPG Industries, Inc. |
1,436,223 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,543,662 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.1% |
| |||||||
12,770 | Republic Services, Inc. |
1,105,244 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Construction & Engineering 0.2% |
| |||||||
37,302 | AECOM(a) |
1,401,063 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Construction Materials 0.1% |
| |||||||
9,948 | Eagle Materials, Inc. |
895,419 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Consumer Finance 0.1% |
| |||||||
132,827 | SLM Corp. |
1,172,198 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Containers & Packaging 0.3% |
| |||||||
9,332 | AptarGroup, Inc. |
1,105,376 | ||||||
19,372 | Sonoco Products Co. |
1,127,644 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,233,020 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
Diversified Consumer Services 0.3% |
| |||||||
7,385 | Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(a) |
$ | 1,126,212 | |||||
73,196 | OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd.(a) |
1,136,734 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,262,946 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Diversified Financial Services 0.1% |
| |||||||
3 | Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class A(a) |
935,496 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Electric Utilities 1.1% |
| |||||||
5,230 | ALLETE, Inc. |
457,154 | ||||||
8,522 | Alliant Energy Corp. |
459,591 | ||||||
5,223 | American Electric Power Co., Inc. |
489,343 | ||||||
4,886 | Duke Energy Corp. |
468,372 | ||||||
4,035 | Entergy Corp. |
473,548 | ||||||
6,808 | Evergy, Inc. |
453,140 | ||||||
5,610 | Eversource Energy |
479,487 | ||||||
10,618 | Exelon Corp. |
512,956 | ||||||
38,841 | FirstEnergy Corp. |
1,873,301 | ||||||
9,917 | Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. |
452,314 | ||||||
4,092 | IDACORP, Inc. |
461,046 | ||||||
2,023 | NextEra Energy, Inc. |
471,339 | ||||||
10,264 | OGE Energy Corp. |
465,780 | ||||||
4,665 | Pinnacle West Capital Corp. |
452,832 | ||||||
7,883 | Portland General Electric Co. |
444,365 | ||||||
8,159 | Southern Co. (The) |
503,981 | ||||||
7,128 | Xcel Energy, Inc. |
462,536 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
9,381,085 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Entertainment 0.2% |
| |||||||
63,965 | Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Class A(a) |
591,676 | ||||||
5,202 | Madison Square Garden Co. (The), Class A(a) |
1,370,831 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
1,962,507 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Food & Staples Retailing 0.5% |
| |||||||
35,775 | Sysco Corp. |
2,840,535 | ||||||
30,489 | US Foods Holding Corp.(a) |
1,253,098 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
4,093,633 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Food Products 0.6% |
| |||||||
23,683 | Campbell Soup Co. |
1,111,206 | ||||||
31,616 | Conagra Brands, Inc. |
969,979 | ||||||
38,787 | Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (The)(a) |
832,951 | ||||||
48,663 | Mondelez International, Inc., Class A |
2,692,037 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
5,606,173 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Gas Utilities 0.3% |
| |||||||
3,995 | Atmos Energy Corp. |
454,991 | ||||||
4,864 | ONE Gas, Inc. |
467,479 | ||||||
49,813 | Suburban Propane Partners LP |
1,177,081 | ||||||
9,874 | UGI Corp. |
496,366 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,595,917 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.5% |
| |||||||
16,391 | Baxter International, Inc. |
$ | 1,433,721 | |||||
10,191 | Danaher Corp. |
1,471,886 | ||||||
8,883 | Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. |
1,219,369 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
4,124,976 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Health Care Providers & Services 0.1% |
| |||||||
14,983 | Magellan Health, Inc.(a) |
930,444 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Health Care Technology 0.1% |
| |||||||
17,274 | Cerner Corp. |
1,177,569 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.1% |
| |||||||
1,249 | Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(a) |
1,049,747 | ||||||
14,365 | Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. |
1,337,525 | ||||||
13,812 | Jack in the Box, Inc. |
1,258,550 | ||||||
5,259 | McDonalds Corp. |
1,129,160 | ||||||
36,140 | MGM Resorts International |
1,001,801 | ||||||
16,610 | Starbucks Corp. |
1,468,656 | ||||||
68,670 | Wendys Co. (The) |
1,372,027 | ||||||
9,773 | Yum! Brands, Inc. |
1,108,551 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
9,726,017 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Household Products 0.2% |
| |||||||
14,460 | Procter & Gamble Co. (The) |
1,798,535 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers 0.1% |
| |||||||
47,787 | Atlantica Yield PLC |
1,151,189 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Industrial Conglomerates 0.2% |
| |||||||
83,255 | General Electric Co. |
744,300 | ||||||
7,098 | Honeywell International, Inc. |
1,200,981 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
1,945,281 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Insurance 1.7% |
| |||||||
21,683 | Aflac, Inc. |
1,134,455 | ||||||
10,889 | Allstate Corp. (The) |
1,183,416 | ||||||
11,103 | American Financial Group, Inc. |
1,197,459 | ||||||
12,712 | Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. |
1,138,614 | ||||||
31,150 | Brown & Brown, Inc. |
1,123,269 | ||||||
7,267 | Chubb Ltd. |
1,173,184 | ||||||
14,109 | Globe Life, Inc. |
1,351,078 | ||||||
8,939 | Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. (The) |
1,211,592 | ||||||
22,781 | Loews Corp. |
1,172,766 | ||||||
998 | Markel Corp.(a) |
1,179,536 | ||||||
11,505 | Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc. |
1,151,075 | ||||||
7,810 | Travelers Cos., Inc. (The) |
1,161,269 | ||||||
1,056 | White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd. |
1,140,480 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
15,318,193 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Interactive Media & Services 0.2% |
| |||||||
48,724 | Cars.com, Inc.(a) |
437,541 |
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
Interactive Media & Services continued |
| |||||||
4,445 | IAC/InterActiveCorp(a) |
$ | 968,877 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
1,406,418 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 0.1% |
| |||||||
32,526 | eBay, Inc. |
1,267,864 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
IT Services 1.0% |
| |||||||
6,485 | Alliance Data Systems Corp. |
830,923 | ||||||
17,630 | Amdocs Ltd. |
1,165,519 | ||||||
9,449 | Automatic Data Processing, Inc. |
1,525,258 | ||||||
8,153 | Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. |
1,082,392 | ||||||
27,359 | Genpact Ltd. |
1,060,161 | ||||||
8,142 | Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. |
1,188,488 | ||||||
14,878 | MAXIMUS, Inc. |
1,149,474 | ||||||
10,415 | PayPal Holdings, Inc.(a) |
1,078,890 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
9,081,105 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Leisure Products 0.1% |
| |||||||
51,138 | Callaway Golf Co. |
992,589 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Machinery 0.5% |
| |||||||
137,235 | Milacron Holdings Corp.(a) |
2,287,707 | ||||||
34,548 | Terex Corp. |
897,212 | ||||||
50,700 | Trinity Industries, Inc. |
997,776 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
4,182,695 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Media 0.1% |
| |||||||
11,955 | Loral Space & Communications, Inc.(a) |
494,937 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Multi-Utilities 0.6% |
| |||||||
5,755 | Ameren Corp. |
460,688 | ||||||
25,965 | Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP |
1,288,124 | ||||||
16,706 | CenterPoint Energy, Inc. |
504,187 | ||||||
7,195 | CMS Energy Corp. |
460,120 | ||||||
5,026 | Consolidated Edison, Inc. |
474,806 | ||||||
5,695 | Dominion Energy, Inc. |
461,523 | ||||||
3,387 | DTE Energy Co. |
450,335 | ||||||
6,551 | NorthWestern Corp. |
491,653 | ||||||
7,566 | Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. |
469,697 | ||||||
4,849 | WEC Energy Group, Inc. |
461,140 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
5,522,273 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.0% |
| |||||||
206,648 | Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.(a) |
1,774,073 | ||||||
19,973 | Cheniere Energy, Inc.(a) |
1,259,497 | ||||||
21,014 | CVR Energy, Inc. |
925,246 | ||||||
33,110 | Devon Energy Corp. |
796,627 | ||||||
9,705 | Diamondback Energy, Inc. |
872,577 | ||||||
14,619 | Hess Corp. |
884,157 | ||||||
27,287 | Occidental Petroleum Corp. |
1,213,453 |
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels continued |
| |||||||
53,813 | Peabody Energy Corp. |
$ | 792,127 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
8,517,757 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Pharmaceuticals 0.5% |
| |||||||
17,135 | Allergan PLC |
2,883,649 | ||||||
8,707 | Johnson & Johnson |
1,126,512 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
4,010,161 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Professional Services 0.1% |
| |||||||
7,342 | Verisk Analytics, Inc. |
1,161,064 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Real Estate Management & Development 0.1% |
| |||||||
25,516 | CBRE Group, Inc., Class A(a) |
1,352,603 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Apartments 0.4% |
| |||||||
17,559 | American Homes 4 Rent, Class A |
454,603 | ||||||
8,688 | Apartment Investment & Management Co., Class A |
452,992 | ||||||
2,294 | AvalonBay Communities, Inc. |
493,967 | ||||||
4,136 | Camden Property Trust |
459,137 | ||||||
5,352 | Equity Residential |
461,664 | ||||||
17,750 | Invitation Homes, Inc. |
525,578 | ||||||
3,506 | Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. |
455,815 | ||||||
9,278 | UDR, Inc. |
449,797 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
3,753,553 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Diversified 0.2% |
| |||||||
11,863 | Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc. |
453,641 | ||||||
75,091 | New Residential Investment Corp. |
1,177,427 | ||||||
5,451 | W.P. Carey, Inc. |
487,865 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,118,933 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Health Care 0.1% |
| |||||||
5,821 | National Health Investors, Inc. |
479,592 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Hotels 0.1% |
| |||||||
73,929 | Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. |
1,225,743 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Manufactured Homes 0.1% |
| |||||||
3,248 | Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. |
433,933 | ||||||
3,019 | Sun Communities, Inc. |
448,170 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
882,103 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Mortgage 1.3% |
| |||||||
29,372 | AG Mortgage Investment Trust, Inc. |
444,986 | ||||||
31,832 | AGNC Investment Corp. |
512,177 | ||||||
57,689 | Annaly Capital Management, Inc. |
507,663 | ||||||
25,922 | ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. |
434,194 | ||||||
13,261 | Blackstone Mortgage Trust, Inc., Class A |
475,407 | ||||||
23,869 | Chimera Investment Corp. |
466,878 | ||||||
64,929 | Ellington Financial, Inc. |
1,173,267 | ||||||
61,383 | Granite Point Mortgage Trust, Inc. |
1,150,317 | ||||||
28,724 | Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc. |
439,764 |
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
REITs - Mortgage continued |
| |||||||
58,153 | KKR Real Estate Finance Trust, Inc. |
$ | 1,135,728 | |||||
60,688 | MFA Financial, Inc. |
446,664 | ||||||
54,195 | Ready Capital Corp. |
862,784 | ||||||
66,704 | Redwood Trust, Inc. |
1,094,613 | ||||||
19,863 | Starwood Property Trust, Inc. |
481,082 | ||||||
58,205 | TPG RE Finance Trust, Inc. |
1,154,787 | ||||||
35,433 | Two Harbors Investment Corp. |
465,235 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
11,245,546 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Office Property 0.3% |
| |||||||
10,468 | Douglas Emmett, Inc. |
448,344 | ||||||
22,619 | Easterly Government Properties, Inc. |
481,785 | ||||||
13,719 | Equity Commonwealth |
469,876 | ||||||
10,591 | Highwoods Properties, Inc. |
475,959 | ||||||
23,060 | Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc., Class A |
481,493 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,357,457 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Shopping Centers 0.1% |
| |||||||
3,460 | Alexanders, Inc. |
1,205,499 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Single Tenant 0.1% |
| |||||||
13,624 | STORE Capital Corp. |
509,674 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Storage 0.1% |
| |||||||
4,603 | Life Storage, Inc. |
485,202 | ||||||
1,741 | Public Storage |
427,015 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
912,217 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
REITs - Warehouse/Industrials 0.1% |
| |||||||
8,390 | Liberty Property Trust |
430,659 | ||||||
9,033 | Terreno Realty Corp. |
461,496 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
892,155 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.3% |
| |||||||
46,779 | ON Semiconductor Corp.(a) |
898,624 | ||||||
58,524 | Rudolph Technologies, Inc.(a) |
1,542,693 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,441,317 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Software 0.7% |
| |||||||
29,473 | Citrix Systems, Inc. |
2,844,734 | ||||||
39,095 | Open Text Corp. |
1,595,467 | ||||||
6,241 | salesforce.com, inc.(a) |
926,414 | ||||||
37,003 | Symantec Corp. |
874,381 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
6,240,996 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Specialty Retail 0.4% |
| |||||||
8,235 | Advance Auto Parts, Inc. |
1,362,069 | ||||||
11,621 | Lowes Cos., Inc. |
1,277,845 | ||||||
39,090 | Rent-A-Center, Inc. |
1,008,131 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
3,648,045 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Description |
Value () | ||||||
Common Stocks continued |
||||||||
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.6% |
| |||||||
83,570 | Capitol Federal Financial, Inc. |
$ | 1,151,595 | |||||
66,955 | Columbia Financial, Inc.(a) |
1,057,219 | ||||||
53,780 | Oritani Financial Corp. |
951,637 | ||||||
55,902 | TFS Financial Corp. |
1,007,354 | ||||||
74,030 | United Financial Bancorp, Inc. |
1,009,029 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
5,176,834 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Trading Companies & Distributors 0.3% |
| |||||||
40,799 | HD Supply Holdings, Inc.(a) |
1,598,301 | ||||||
26,028 | WESCO International, Inc.(a) |
1,243,357 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
2,841,658 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Water Utilities 0.1% |
| |||||||
3,573 | American Water Works Co., Inc. |
443,874 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.2% |
| |||||||
18,491 | T-Mobile US, Inc.(a) |
1,456,536 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Common Stocks |
176,147,806 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Exchange-Traded Funds 3.7% |
||||||||
371,962 | iShares® iBoxx $ High Yield Corporate
Bond ETF |
32,423,928 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Closed-End Investment Companies 1.1% |
||||||||
70,217 | Apollo Investment Corp. |
1,129,792 | ||||||
61,581 | Ares Capital Corp. |
1,147,562 | ||||||
37,162 | Barings BDC, Inc. |
377,194 | ||||||
75,111 | BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. |
1,018,130 | ||||||
53,249 | Golub Capital BDC, Inc. |
1,003,211 | ||||||
87,065 | Hercules Capital, Inc. |
1,164,059 | ||||||
26,859 | Main Street Capital Corp. |
1,160,577 | ||||||
84,748 | New Mountain Finance Corp. |
1,155,115 | ||||||
25,014 | Solar Capital Ltd. |
516,539 | ||||||
86,537 | TCG BDC, Inc. |
1,246,133 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Closed-End Investment Companies |
9,918,312 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Principal Amount |
||||||||
Short-Term Investments 72.2% |
||||||||
Certificates of Deposit 54.5% |
| |||||||
$ | 25,000,000 | National Bank of Kuwait (NY), |
25,000,091 | |||||
15,000,000 | Bank of Montreal (IL), |
15,000,082 | ||||||
20,000,000 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (NY), |
20,000,498 | ||||||
15,000,000 | State Street Bank & Trust, |
14,999,910 | ||||||
25,000,000 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia (NY), |
24,999,891 |
Principal Amount |
Description |
Value () | ||||||
Certificates of Deposit continued | ||||||||
$ | 40,000,000 | National Bank of Canada (NY), |
$ | 39,999,782 | ||||
25,000,000 | Svenska Handelsbanken (NY), |
25,001,667 | ||||||
30,000,000 | Credit Industriel et Commercial (NY), |
30,001,001 | ||||||
31,000,000 | Norinchukin Bank (NY), |
31,016,175 | ||||||
10,000,000 | Svenska Handelsbanken (NY), |
9,998,226 | ||||||
20,000,000 | Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. (NY), |
19,997,362 | ||||||
15,000,000 | DZ Bank (NY), |
14,996,838 | ||||||
11,000,000 | Banco Del Estado De Chile (NY), |
11,006,430 | ||||||
40,000,000 | Nordea Bank ABP (NY), |
40,015,732 | ||||||
30,000,000 | Mizuho Bank Ltd. (NY), |
30,001,698 | ||||||
15,000,000 | DZ Bank (NY), |
15,000,157 | ||||||
15,000,000 | Bank of Nova Scotia (TX), |
14,997,173 | ||||||
30,000,000 | National Australia Bank, |
29,977,853 | ||||||
20,000,000 | Royal Bank of Canada (NY), |
19,986,131 | ||||||
20,000,000 | Royal Bank of Canada (NY), |
19,987,738 | ||||||
25,000,000 | Toronto-Dominion Bank (NY), |
24,992,109 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
476,976,544 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Time Deposits 8.8% |
| |||||||
36,000,000 | Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (NY), |
36,000,000 | ||||||
41,000,000 | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, |
41,000,000 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
77,000,000 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Other Notes 3.4% |
| |||||||
30,000,000 | Bank of America NA, |
30,026,967 | ||||||
Commercial Paper 2.9% |
| |||||||
10,000,000 | Cofco Capital Corp., (Credit Support: Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.),
|
9,998,917 | ||||||
15,000,000 | Cofco Capital Corp., (Credit Support: Australian & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.),
|
14,980,114 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
24,979,031 | ||||||||
|
|
Principal Amount |
Description |
Value () | ||||||
Treasuries 2.6% |
| |||||||
$ | 9,000,000 | U.S. Treasury Bills, |
$ | 8,984,090 | ||||
13,300,000 | U.S. Treasury Bills, |
13,298,790 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
22,282,880 | ||||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Short-Term Investments |
631,265,422 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Total Investments 97.1% |
849,755,468 | |||||||
Other assets less liabilities 2.9% |
25,623,774 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
Net Assets 100.0% |
$ | 875,379,242 | ||||||
|
|
Consolidation
The Fund invests in commodity-related derivatives through its investment in the ASG Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary (the Subsidiary). Investments of the Subsidiary have been consolidated with those of the Fund for reporting purposes. As of September 30, 2019, the value of the Funds investment in the Subsidiary was $21,426,915, representing 2.45% of the Funds net assets.
() | Fund securities and other investments are valued at market value based on market quotations obtained or determined by independent pricing services recommended by the adviser and approved by the Board of Trustees. Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, as described below. Market value is determined as follows: |
Listed equity securities (including shares of closed-end investment companies and exchange-traded funds) are valued at the last sale price quoted on the exchange where they are traded most extensively or, if there is no reported sale during the day, the closing bid quotation as reported by an independent pricing service. Securities traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market and NASDAQ Capital Market are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (NOCP), or if lacking an NOCP, at the most recent bid quotations on the applicable NASDAQ Market. Unlisted equity securities (except unlisted preferred equity securities) are valued at the last sale price quoted in the market where they are traded most extensively or, if there is no reported sale during the day, the closing bid quotation as reported by an independent pricing service. If there is no last sale price or closing bid quotation available, unlisted equity securities will be valued using evaluated bids furnished by an independent pricing service, if available. |
Debt securities and unlisted preferred equity securities are valued based on evaluated bids furnished to the Fund by an independent pricing service or bid prices obtained from broker-dealers. |
Broker-dealer bid prices may be used to value debt and unlisted equity securities where an independent pricing service is unable to price a security or where an independent pricing service does not provide a reliable price for the security. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued utilizing interpolated rates determined based on information provided by an independent pricing service. |
Futures contracts are valued at the most recent settlement price on the exchange on which the adviser or subadviser believes that, over time, they are traded most extensively. |
Equity basket total return swaps are valued based on the value of the underlying listed equity securities as reported by an independent pricing service. If prices from an independent pricing service are not available, prices from a broker-dealer may be used. |
Fund securities and other investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the adviser pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The Fund may also value securities and other investments at fair value in other circumstances such as when extraordinary events occur after the close of a foreign market but prior to the close of the New York Stock Exchange. This may include situations relating to a single issuer (such as a declaration of bankruptcy or a delisting of the issuers security from the primary market on which it has traded) as well as events affecting the securities markets in general (such as market disruptions or closings and significant fluctuations in U.S. and/or foreign markets). When fair valuing its securities or other investments, the Fund may, among other things, use modeling tools or other processes that may take into account factors such as securities or other market activity and/or significant events that occur after the close of the foreign market and before the time the Funds net asset value (NAV) is calculated. Fair value pricing may require subjective determinations about the value of a security, and fair values used to determine the Funds NAV may differ from quoted or published prices, or from prices that are used by others, for the same securities. In addition, the use of fair value pricing may not always result in adjustments to the prices of securities held by the Fund.
As of September 30, 2019, futures contracts were fair valued pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as events occurring after the close of the foreign market were believed to materially affect the value of the contracts, as follows:
Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation* |
Unrealized as a Percentage of Net Assets | ||
$187,961,661 | $2,436,694 | 0.28% |
* | Amounts represent gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) at absolute value. |
The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. The values of securities, currencies and other assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars based upon foreign exchange rates prevailing at the end of the period.
(a) | Non-income producing security. | |
(b) | Variable rate security. Rate as of September 30, 2019 is disclosed. | |
(c) | Security (or a portion thereof) has been designated to cover the Funds obligations under open derivative contracts. | |
(d) | Variable rate security. The interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates. Rate as of September 30, 2019 is disclosed. | |
(e) | Interest rate represents discount rate at time of purchase; not a coupon rate. | |
(f) | Security (or a portion thereof) has been pledged as collateral for open derivative contracts. | |
(g) | The Funds investment in U.S. Government/Agency securities is comprised of various lots with differing discount rates. These separate investments, which have the same maturity date, have been aggregated for the purpose of presentation in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments. | |
ETF | Exchange-Traded Fund | |
LIBOR | London Interbank Offered Rate |
REITs | Real Estate Investment Trusts | |
SLM | Sallie Mae | |
CHF | Swiss Franc | |
NOK | Norwegian Krone | |
NZD | New Zealand Dollar | |
SEK | Swedish Krona |
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts
The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency contracts including forward foreign cross currency contracts, to acquire exposure to foreign currencies or to hedge the Funds investments against currency fluctuation. A contract can also be used to offset a previous contract. These contracts involve market risk in excess of the unrealized gain or loss. The U.S. dollar value of the currencies the Fund has committed to buy or sell represents the aggregate exposure to each currency the Fund has acquired or hedged through currency contracts outstanding at period end. Gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized until settlement date. Contracts are traded over-the-counter directly with a counterparty. Risks may arise upon entering into these contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. When the Fund enters into a forward foreign currency contract, it is required to pledge cash or high-quality securities equal to a percentage of the notional amount of the contract to the counterparty as an independent amount of collateral. The Fund may pledge additional collateral to the counterparty to the extent of mark-to-market losses on open contracts. At September 30, 2019, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:
Counterparty |
Delivery Date |
Currency Bought/ Sold (B/S) |
Units of Currency |
In Exchange for |
Notional Value |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
UBS AG |
12/18/2019 | CHF | B | 57,000,000 | $ | 57,977,590 | $ | 57,500,252 | $ | (477,338 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
UBS AG |
12/18/2019 | NOK | S | 176,000,000 | 19,665,202 | 19,369,363 | 295,839 | |||||||||||||||||||||
UBS AG |
12/18/2019 | NZD | B | 37,500,000 | 24,131,100 | 23,523,558 | (607,542 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
UBS AG |
12/18/2019 | NZD | S | 21,900,000 | 13,750,660 | 13,737,758 | 12,902 | |||||||||||||||||||||
UBS AG |
12/18/2019 | SEK | B | 242,000,000 | 25,081,972 | 24,713,248 | (368,724 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (1,144,863 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Futures Contracts
The Fund and the Subsidiary may enter into futures contracts. Futures contracts are agreements between two parties to buy and sell a particular commodity, instrument or index for a specified price on a specified future date.
When the Fund or the Subsidiary enters into a futures contract, it is required to deposit with (or for the benefit of) its broker an amount of cash or short-term high-quality securities as initial margin. As the value of the contract changes, the value of the futures contract position increases or declines. Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Fund or the Subsidiary, depending on the price fluctuations in the fair value of the contract and the value of cash or securities on deposit with the broker. Realized gain or loss on a futures position is equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed, minus brokerage commissions. When the Fund or the Subsidiary enters into a futures contract certain risks may arise, such as illiquidity in the futures market, which may limit the Funds or the Subsidiarys ability to close out a futures contract prior to settlement date, and unanticipated movements in the value of securities, commodities or interest rates.
Futures contracts are exchange-traded. Exchange-traded futures contracts are standardized and are settled through a clearing house with fulfillment supported by the credit of the exchange. Therefore, counterparty credit risks to the Fund and the Subsidiary are reduced; however, in the event that a counterparty enters into bankruptcy, the Funds claim against initial/variation margin on deposit with the counterparty may be subject to terms of a final settlement in bankruptcy court.
At September 30, 2019, open long futures contracts were as follows:
Financial Futures |
Expiration Date |
Contracts | Notional Amount |
Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
2 Year U.S. Treasury Note |
12/31/2019 | 1,560 | $ | 336,824,811 | $ | 336,180,000 | $ | (644,811 | ) | |||||||||||
5 Year U.S. Treasury Note |
12/31/2019 | 319 | 38,138,328 | 38,008,352 | (129,976 | ) | ||||||||||||||
10 Year Australia Government Bond |
12/16/2019 | 698 | 69,214,908 | 69,418,491 | 203,583 | |||||||||||||||
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note |
12/19/2019 | 742 | 96,943,766 | 96,691,875 | (251,891 | ) | ||||||||||||||
ASX SPI 200 |
12/19/2019 | 16 | 1,798,068 | 1,804,007 | 5,939 | |||||||||||||||
Australian Dollar |
12/16/2019 | 558 | 38,129,440 | 37,765,440 | (364,000 | ) | ||||||||||||||
DAX |
12/20/2019 | 205 | 68,742,690 | 69,327,789 | 585,099 | |||||||||||||||
E-mini Russell 2000 |
12/20/2019 | 24 | 1,883,545 | 1,830,000 | (53,545 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Euro Schatz |
12/06/2019 | 257 | 31,562,912 | 31,465,569 | (97,343 | ) | ||||||||||||||
EURO STOXX 50® |
12/20/2019 | 343 | 13,211,964 | 13,290,473 | 78,509 | |||||||||||||||
Eurodollar |
3/16/2020 | 1,389 | 341,184,288 | 341,450,925 | 266,637 | |||||||||||||||
FTSE 100 Index |
12/20/2019 | 872 | 78,010,811 | 79,163,464 | 1,152,653 | |||||||||||||||
German Euro Bund |
12/06/2019 | 240 | 46,244,162 | 45,581,723 | (662,439 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Hang Seng Index® |
10/30/2019 | 61 | 10,248,810 | 10,134,108 | (114,702 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen |
12/16/2019 | 484 | 56,519,069 | 56,252,900 | (266,169 | ) | ||||||||||||||
MSCI Emerging Markets Index |
12/20/2019 | 246 | 12,579,825 | 12,323,370 | (256,455 | ) | ||||||||||||||
S&P/TSX 60 Index |
12/19/2019 | 15 | 2,239,539 | 2,255,576 | 16,037 | |||||||||||||||
TOPIX |
12/12/2019 | 112 | 15,949,318 | 16,449,110 | 499,792 | |||||||||||||||
UK Long Gilt |
12/27/2019 | 533 | 87,991,814 | 87,974,170 | (17,644 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (50,726 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures1 |
Expiration Date |
Contracts | Notional Amount |
Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
Aluminum LME |
12/18/2019 | 543 | $ | 24,472,184 | $ | 23,457,600 | $ | (1,014,584 | ) | |||||||||||
Brent Crude Oil |
10/31/2019 | 771 | 46,397,080 | 45,681,750 | (715,330 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Copper LME |
12/18/2019 | 92 | 13,205,771 | 13,164,625 | (41,146 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Gasoline |
10/31/2019 | 110 | 6,713,784 | 7,237,230 | 523,446 | |||||||||||||||
Gold |
12/27/2019 | 185 | 27,766,440 | 27,248,650 | (517,790 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Low Sulfur Gasoil |
11/12/2019 | 225 | 13,382,850 | 13,196,250 | (186,600 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Natural Gas |
10/29/2019 | 139 | 3,331,830 | 3,238,700 | (93,130 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Nickel LME |
12/18/2019 | 75 | 7,210,575 | 7,679,250 | 468,675 | |||||||||||||||
Wheat |
12/13/2019 | 389 | 10,328,375 | 9,642,338 | (686,037 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Zinc LME |
12/18/2019 | 326 | 18,223,400 | 19,490,725 | 1,267,325 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (995,171 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
At September 30, 2019, open short futures contracts were as follows:
Financial Futures |
Expiration Date |
Contracts | Notional Amount |
Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
10 Year Canada Government Bond |
12/18/2019 | 524 | $ | 56,430,517 | $ | 56,400,649 | $ | 29,868 | ||||||||||||
30 Year U.S. Treasury Bond |
12/19/2019 | 182 | 29,743,477 | 29,540,875 | 202,602 | |||||||||||||||
British Pound |
12/16/2019 | 157 | 12,184,706 | 12,100,775 | 83,931 | |||||||||||||||
Canadian Dollar |
12/17/2019 | 186 | 14,142,110 | 14,067,180 | 74,930 |
Financial Futures |
Expiration Date |
Contracts | Notional Amount |
Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
E-mini S&P 500® |
12/20/2019 | 48 | $ | 7,209,240 | $ | 7,148,400 | $ | 60,840 | ||||||||||||
Euro |
12/16/2019 | 854 | 118,688,963 | 117,024,688 | 1,664,275 | |||||||||||||||
Euro-BTP |
12/06/2019 | 89 | 14,062,125 | 14,147,294 | (85,169 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Euro-OAT |
12/06/2019 | 109 | 20,205,477 | 20,233,609 | (28,132 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | 2,003,145 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Commodity Futures1 |
Expiration Date |
Contracts | Notional Amount |
Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|||||||||||||||
Aluminum LME |
12/18/2019 | 179 | $ | 8,038,219 | $ | 7,732,800 | $ | 305,419 | ||||||||||||
Cocoa |
12/13/2019 | 317 | 7,617,060 | 7,741,140 | (124,080 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Coffee |
12/18/2019 | 61 | 2,273,531 | 2,313,806 | (40,275 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Copper |
12/27/2019 | 65 | 4,235,662 | 4,190,063 | 45,599 | |||||||||||||||
Copper LME |
12/18/2019 | 40 | 5,772,550 | 5,723,750 | 48,800 | |||||||||||||||
Corn |
12/13/2019 | 437 | 8,497,700 | 8,477,800 | 19,900 | |||||||||||||||
Cotton |
12/06/2019 | 153 | 5,106,210 | 4,653,495 | 452,715 | |||||||||||||||
Live Cattle |
12/31/2019 | 55 | 2,187,260 | 2,426,600 | (239,340 | ) | ||||||||||||||
New York Harbor ULSD |
10/31/2019 | 400 | 31,677,723 | 31,872,960 | (195,237 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Nickel LME |
12/18/2019 | 17 | 1,740,528 | 1,740,630 | (102 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Silver |
12/27/2019 | 28 | 2,416,120 | 2,379,720 | 36,400 | |||||||||||||||
Soybean |
11/14/2019 | 216 | 9,531,650 | 9,784,800 | (253,150 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Sugar |
2/28/2020 | 131 | 1,853,802 | 1,856,008 | (2,206 | ) | ||||||||||||||
WTI Crude Oil |
10/22/2019 | 85 | 4,857,270 | 4,595,950 | 261,320 | |||||||||||||||
Zinc LME |
12/18/2019 | 162 | 9,356,790 | 9,685,575 | (328,785 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Total |
|
$ | (13,022 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
1 | Commodity futures are held by ASG Global Alternatives Cayman Fund Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary. |
Bilateral Equity Basket Total Return Swaps (a)
Reference Entity |
Counterparty | Expiration Date |
Notional Amount |
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
Value of Reference Entities |
Notional Amount Net Asset Percentage |
||||||||||||||||||
Equity Securities Short |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC |
|
5/19/2020 | $ | (15,004,211 | ) | $ | | $ | (15,004,211 | ) | (1.71 | %) | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | The Fund receives or pays, on a monthly basis, the total return on a portfolio of short equity positions net of one day U.S. Federal Funds Effective Rate minus a spread of 0.45%-0.60% as calculated on the notional amount. |
The following table represents the reference entities underlying the total return swap with Morgan Stanley Capital Services LLC as of September 30, 2019:
Common Stocks - Short |
Shares | Value | % of Basket Value | |||||||||
Banks |
||||||||||||
Peoples United Financial |
(61,512 | ) | $ | (961,740 | ) | (6.41 | %) | |||||
Prosperity Bancshares, Inc. |
(32,601 | ) | (2,302,609 | ) | (15.35 | %) | ||||||
SVB Financial Group |
(139 | ) | (29,044 | ) | (0.19 | %) | ||||||
Valley National Bancorp |
(81,855 | ) | (889,764 | ) | (5.93 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
(4,183,157 | ) | |||||||||||
Biotechnology |
||||||||||||
AbbVie, Inc. |
(16,827 | ) | (1,274,140 | ) | (8.49 | %) | ||||||
Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. |
(2,511 | ) | (47,358 | ) | (0.32 | %) | ||||||
Exact Sciences Corp. |
(13,284 | ) | (1,200,475 | ) | (8.00 | %) |
Common Stocks - Short |
Shares | Value | % of Basket Value | |||||||||
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. |
(928 | ) | $ | (72,301 | ) | (0.48 | %) | |||||
Sage Therapeutics, Inc. |
(518 | ) | (72,670 | ) | (0.48 | %) | ||||||
Sangamo Therapeutics, Inc. |
(59,129 | ) | (535,117 | ) | (3.57 | %) | ||||||
Spectrum Pharmaceuticals, Inc. |
(106,104 | ) | (880,133 | ) | (5.87 | %) | ||||||
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc. |
(1,449 | ) | (61,988 | ) | (0.41 | %) | ||||||
Vericel Corp. |
(36,988 | ) | (559,998 | ) | (3.73 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
(4,704,180 | ) | |||||||||||
Capital Markets |
||||||||||||
WisdomTree Investments, Inc. |
(13,102 | ) | (68,458 | ) | (0.46 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Containers & Packaging |
||||||||||||
CAI International, Inc. |
(16,252 | ) | (353,806 | ) | (2.36 | %) | ||||||
Triton International Ltd. |
(10,055 | ) | (340,261 | ) | (2.27 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
(694,067 | ) | |||||||||||
Health Care Equipment & Supplies |
||||||||||||
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. |
(2,988 | ) | (176,232 | ) | (1.17 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Machinery |
||||||||||||
Hillenbrand, Inc. |
(19,393 | ) | (598,856 | ) | (3.99 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Metals & Mining |
||||||||||||
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. |
(6,415 | ) | (61,392 | ) | (0.41 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels |
||||||||||||
Callon Petroleum Co. |
(406,761 | ) | (1,765,343 | ) | (11.77 | %) | ||||||
Kosmos Energy Ltd. |
(38,163 | ) | (238,137 | ) | (1.59 | %) | ||||||
Northern Oil and Gas, Inc. |
(428,206 | ) | (839,284 | ) | (5.59 | %) | ||||||
W&T Offshore, Inc. |
(18,509 | ) | (80,884 | ) | (0.54 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
(2,923,648 | ) | |||||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
||||||||||||
Micron Technology, Inc. |
(3,130 | ) | (134,121 | ) | (0.89 | %) | ||||||
Nanometrics, Inc. |
(43,104 | ) | (1,406,052 | ) | (9.37 | %) | ||||||
Skyworks Solutions, Inc. |
(682 | ) | (54,048 | ) | (0.36 | %) | ||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
(1,594,221 | ) | |||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Common Stocks - Short |
|
$ | (15,004,211 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with accounting standards related to fair value measurements and disclosures, the Fund has categorized the inputs utilized in determining the value of the Funds assets or liabilities. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
| Level 1 quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; |
| Level 2 prices determined using other significant inputs that are observable either directly, or indirectly through corroboration with observable market data (which could include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, interest rates, credit risk, etc.); and |
| Level 3 prices determined using significant unobservable inputs when quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable such as when there is little or no market activity for an asset or liability (unobservable inputs reflect the Funds own assumptions in determining the fair value of assets or liabilities and would be based on the best information available). |
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Funds investments as of September 30, 2019, at value:
Asset Valuation Inputs
Description |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Common Stocks* |
$ | 176,147,806 | $ | | $ | | $ | 176,147,806 | ||||||||
Exchange-Traded Funds |
32,423,928 | | | 32,423,928 | ||||||||||||
Closed-End Investment Companies |
9,918,312 | | | 9,918,312 | ||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments* |
| 631,265,422 | | 631,265,422 | ||||||||||||
Equity Basket Total Return Swaps |
| (a) | | | | |||||||||||
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (unrealized appreciation) |
| 308,741 | | 308,741 | ||||||||||||
Futures Contracts (unrealized appreciation) |
6,032,302 | 2,321,992 | | 8,354,294 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Total |
$ | 224,522,348 | $ | 633,896,155 | $ | | $ | 858,418,503 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liability Valuation Inputs
Description |
Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts (unrealized depreciation) |
$ | | $ | (1,453,604 | ) | $ | | $ | (1,453,604 | ) | ||||||
Futures Contracts (unrealized depreciation) |
(7,295,366 | ) | (114,702 | ) | | (7,410,068 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Total |
$ | (7,295,366 | ) | $ | (1,568,306 | ) | $ | | $ | (8,863,672 | ) | |||||
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* | Details of the major categories of the Funds investments are reflected within the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments. |
(a) | Represents net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of $0, as reflected within the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments. |
For the period ended September 30, 2019, there were no transfers among Levels 1, 2 and 3.
Derivatives
Derivative instruments are defined as financial instruments whose value and performance are based on the value and performance of and underlying asset, reference rate or index. Derivative instruments that the Fund used during the period include forward foreign currency contracts, futures contracts and swap agreements.
The Fund seeks to achieve long and short exposure to global equity, bond, currency and commodity markets through a wide range of derivative instruments and direct investments. These investments are intended to provide the Fund with risk and return characteristics similar to those of a diversified portfolio of hedge funds. The Fund uses quantitative models to estimate the market exposures that drive the aggregate returns of a diverse set of hedge funds, and seeks to use a variety of derivative instruments to capture such exposures in the aggregate. The Fund may also use various strategies commonly used by hedge funds that seek to profit from underlying risk factors, such as merger arbitrage. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will make extensive use of derivative instruments, in particular futures and forward contracts on global equity and fixed income securities, securities indices, currencies, commodities and other instruments and equity basket total return swap agreements. During the period ended September 30, 2019, the Fund used long and short contracts on U.S. and foreign government bonds, U.S. equity market indices, foreign currencies, commodities (through investments in the Subsidiary) and short-term interest rates, long contracts on foreign equity market indices, and short contracts on equity basket total return swaps in accordance with these objectives.
The following is a summary of derivative instruments for the Fund, as of September 30, 2019:
Assets |
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
Unrealized appreciation on futures contracts |
||||||
Over-the-counter asset derivatives |
||||||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
$ | 308,741 | $ | | ||||
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Exchange-traded asset derivatives |
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Interest rate contracts |
$ | | $ | 702,690 | ||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
| 1,823,136 | ||||||
Commodity contracts |
| 3,429,599 | ||||||
Equity contracts |
| 2,398,869 | ||||||
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|
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Total exchange-traded asset derivatives |
$ | | $ | 8,354,294 | ||||
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Total asset derivatives |
$ | 308,741 | $ | 8,354,294 | ||||
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Liabilities |
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts |
Unrealized depreciation on futures contracts |
Swap agreements at value1 |
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Over-the-counter liability derivatives |
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Foreign exchange contracts |
$ | (1,453,604 | ) | $ | | $ | | |||||
Equity Contracts |
| | (15,004,211 | ) | ||||||||
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Total over-the-counter liability derivatives |
$ | (1,453,604 | ) | $ | | $ | (15,004,211 | ) | ||||
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Exchange-traded liability derivatives |
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Interest rate contracts |
$ | | $ | (1,917,405 | ) | $ | | |||||
Foreign exchange contracts |
| (630,169 | ) | | ||||||||
Commodity contracts |
| (4,437,792 | ) | | ||||||||
Equity contracts |
| (424,702 | ) | | ||||||||
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Total exchange-traded liability derivatives |
$ | | $ | (7,410,068 | ) | $ | | |||||
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Total liability derivatives |
$ | (1,453,604 | ) | $ | (7,410,068 | ) | $ | (15,004,211 | ) | |||
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1 Represents swap agreements, at value. Market value of swap agreements is reported in the Consolidated Portfolio of Investments.
The Funds derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting under authoritative guidance for derivative instruments. The Funds investments in derivatives may represent an economic hedge; however, they are considered to be non-hedge transactions for the purpose of this disclosure.
Over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives, including forward foreign currency contracts and swap agreements, are entered into pursuant to International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (ISDA) agreements negotiated between the Fund and its counterparties. ISDA agreements typically contain, among other things, terms for the posting of collateral and master netting provisions in the event of a default or other termination event. Collateral is posted by the Fund or the counterparty to the extent of the net mark-to-market exposure to the other party of all open contracts under the agreement, subject to minimum transfer requirements. Master netting provisions allow the Fund and the counterparty, in the event of a default or other termination event, to offset amounts owed by each related to derivative contracts, including any posted collateral, to one net amount payable by either the Fund or the counterparty. The Funds ISDA agreements typically contain provisions that allow a counterparty to terminate open contracts early if the NAV of the Fund declines beyond a certain threshold. As of September 30, 2019, the fair value of derivative positions subject to these provisions that are in a net liability position by counterparty, and the value of collateral pledged to counterparties for such contracts is as follows:
Counterparty |
Derivatives | Collateral Pledged |
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UBS AG |
$ | (1,144,863 | ) | $ | 6,286,968 |
Counterparty risk is managed based on policies and procedures established by the Funds adviser. Such policies and procedures may include, but are not limited to, minimum counterparty credit rating requirements, monitoring of counterparty credit default swap spreads and posting of collateral. The Funds risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the Funds aggregated unrealized gains and the amount of any collateral pledged to the counterparty, which may be offset by any collateral posted to the Fund by the counterparty. ISDA master agreements can help to manage counterparty risk by specifying collateral posting arrangements at pre-arranged exposure levels. Under these ISDA agreements, collateral is routinely transferred if the total net exposure in respect of certain transactions, net of existing collateral already in place, exceeds a specified amount (typically $250,000, depending on the counterparty). With exchange-traded derivatives, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to the Fund because the exchanges clearinghouse, as counterparty to these instruments, stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract. Credit risk still exists in exchange-traded derivatives with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a brokers customer accounts. While brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the broker for all its clients, U.S. bankruptcy laws will typically allocate that shortfall on a pro rata basis across all of the brokers customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Fund. The following table shows (i) the maximum amount of loss due to credit risk that, based on the gross fair value of the financial instrument, the Fund would incur if parties (including OTC derivative counterparties and brokers holding margin for exchange-traded derivatives) to the relevant financial instruments failed completely to perform according to the terms of the contracts and the collateral or other security, if any, for the amount due proved to be of no value to the Fund, and (ii) the amount of loss that the Fund would incur after taking into account master netting provisions pursuant to ISDA agreements, as of September 30, 2019:
Maximum Amount of Loss - Gross |
Maximum Amount of Loss - Net |
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Over-the-counter counterparty credit risk |
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Forward foreign currency contracts |
$ | 308,741 | $ | | ||||
Collateral pledged to UBS AG |
6,286,968 | 6,286,968 | ||||||
Collateral pledged to Morgan Stanley |
6,703,211 | 6,703,211 | ||||||
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Total over-the-counter counterparty credit risk |
13,298,920 | 12,990,179 | ||||||
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Exchange-traded counterparty credit risk |
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Futures contracts |
8,354,294 | 8,354,294 | ||||||
Margin with brokers |
35,384,552 | 35,384,552 | ||||||
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Total exchange-traded counterparty credit risk |
43,738,846 | 43,738,846 | ||||||
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Total counterparty credit risk |
$ | 57,037,766 | $ | 56,729,025 | ||||
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Investment Summary at September 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
Certificates of Deposit |
54.5 | % | ||
Common Stocks |
20.1 | |||
Time Deposits |
8.8 | |||
Exchange-Traded Funds |
3.7 | |||
Other Notes |
3.4 | |||
Commercial Paper |
2.9 | |||
Treasuries |
2.6 | |||
Closed-End Investment Companies |
1.1 | |||
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Total Investments |
97.1 | |||
Other assets less liabilities (including swap agreements, forward foreign currency and futures contracts) |
2.9 | |||
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Net Assets |
100.0 | % | ||
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