Alternative Market Briefing

Blackheath’s arbitrage strategy fund in spectacular finish in November, up 28.74% YTD

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

From Komfie Manalo, Opalesque Asia:

November was a solid, if not spectacular month for Blackheath’s Volatility Arbitrage Strategy Fund after posting 28.74% gains 11 months into 2012 (+2.49% in November). The fund is managed by Blackheath Fund Management, a Canadian managed futures advisory firm.

In his monthly report to investors, Blackheath Portfolio Manager and Director Andrew Cumming said that if the fund put up this performance every month, they would be returning 30% ever year. The Volatility Arbitrage Strategy has an estimated $19m in assets as at end November, while Blackheath Fund Management’s total AuM was estimated at $53.7m.

"The prevailing theme this past month has been low implied volatility across all markets," he told investors. In addition, he added, "We are booking trades with core implied volatilities at or below any we have seen since the inception of this strategy. This is also reflected in the various volatility indices we track, all of which matched or exceeded 5-year lows at some point over this past month. Some of this low volatility is emblematic of complacency on the part of investors because of the perception that, with the continued quantitative easing and stimulus spending programs in place in many parts of the world, asset prices will not be allowed to significantly contract without spurring more support."

The fund’s exposure in U.S. long bond, crude oil and Canadi......................

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