17 C.F.R. § 18 app A to Part 18
Note: This Appendix is a representation of the final reporting form, which will be submitted in an electronic format pursuant to the rules in part 18, either via the Commission's web portal or via XML-based, secure FTP transmission.
General Instructions
Who Must File a Form 40- 17 CFR 18.04(a) requires every person who owns or controls a reportable position to file a Form 40-Statement of Reporting Trader with the Commission. 17 CFR 18.04(b) requires every volume threshold account controller, person who owns a volume threshold account, reportable sub-account controller, and person who owns a reportable sub-account to file a Form 40-Statement of Reporting Trader with the Commission. 17 CFR 20.5 requires every person subject to books or records under 17 CFR 20.6 to file a 40S filing with the Commission.
When to file-A reporting trader must file a Form 40 on call by the Commission or its designee.
Where to file-The Form 40 should be submitted (a) via the CFTC's web-based Form 40 submission process at www.cftc.gov, (b) via a secure FTP data feed to the Commission, or (c) as otherwise instructed by the Commission or its designee. If electronic submission attempts fail, the reporting trader shall contact the Commission at techsupport@cftc.gov for further technical support.
When to update-A reporting trader required to complete a Form 40 will be under a continuing obligation, per direction in the special call, to update and maintain the accuracy of the information it provides. Reporting traders can update this information by either visiting the CFTC's web-based Form 40 portal to review, verify, and/or update their information, or by submitting updated information via FTP.
Signature-Each Form 40 submitted to the Commission must be signed or otherwise authenticated by either (1) the reporting trader submitting the form or (2) an individual that is duly authorized by the reporting trader to provide the information and representations contained in the form.
What to File-All reporting traders that are filing a Form 40 pursuant to either 17 CFR 18.04(a) (i.e. reportable position reporting traders) or 17 CFR 20.5 (i.e. swaps books and records reporting traders) must complete all questions. All reporting traders that are filing a Form 40 pursuant to 17 CFR 18.04(b) (i.e. volume threshold account controllers, persons who own a volume threshold account, reportable sub-account controllers, and persons who own a reportable sub-account reporting trader) must complete all questions unless they are natural persons. Reporting traders that are filing a Form 40 pursuant to 17 CFR 18.04(b) who are natural persons shall mark not applicable for questions 7 and 8.
Please be advised that pursuant to 5 CFR 1320.5(b)(2)(i) , you are not required to respond to this collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Table of Contents
1. General information for Reporting Trader
2. Contact Information for Individual Responsible for Trading Activities
3. Contact Information for Individual Responsible for Risk Management Operations
4. Contact information for Individual Responsible for Information on the Form 40
5. Omnibus Account Identification
6. Foreign Government Affiliation
7. Non-Domestic Entity Indicator
8. Ownership Structure (Parent/Parents)
9. Ownership Structure (Subsidiary/Subsidiaries)
10. Control of Reporting Trader's Trading Activities by Others
11. Control of Other's Trading Activities by Reporting Trader
12. Other Parties Influencing Trading of Reporting Trader
13. Trading Subject to Express or Implied Agreement
14. Commodity Index Trading Indicator
15. Swap Dealer Identification
16. Major Swap Participant Identification
17. Business Sectors, Subsectors and Occupation
18. Commodities Being Traded in Derivative Markets
19. Business Purpose for Trading in Derivative Markets
20. Signature/Authentication, Name, and Date
Acknowledgement of Definitions
Before proceeding with your submission, please check this box to indicate that you have read the definitions for the following terms-as they are used in the Form 40:
Commodity (or commodities)-generally, all goods and articles (except onions and motion picture box office receipts, or any index, measure, value, or data related to such receipts), and all services, rights, and interests (except motion picture box office receipts, or any index, measure, value, or data related to such receipts) in which contracts for future delivery are presently or in the future dealt in (see7 U.S.C. 1a(9) ) .
Commodity Index Trading ("CIT")-means:
a. An investment strategy that consists of investing in an instrument (e.g., a commodity index fund, exchange-traded fund for commodities, or exchange-traded note for commodities) that enters into one or more derivative contracts to track the performance of a published index that is based on the price of one or more commodities, or commodities in combination with other securities; or
b. An investment strategy that consists of entering into one or more derivative contracts to track the performance of a published index that is based on the price of one or more commodities, or commodities in combination with other securities.
Control-as used in this Form, "control" means to actually direct, by power of attorney or otherwise, the trading of a special account or a consolidated account. A special account or a consolidated account may have more than one controller.
Derivatives-futures, options on futures, and swaps.
Omnibus volume threshold account-means any trading account that, on an omnibus basis, carries reportable trading volume on or subject to the rules of a reporting market that is a board of trade designated as a contract market under section 5 of the Act or a swap execution facility registered under section 5h of the Act.
Parent-for purposes of Form 40, a person is a parent of a reporting trader if it has a direct or indirect controlling interest in the reporting trader; and a person has a controlling interest if such person has the ability to control the reporting trader through the ownership of voting equity, by contract, or otherwise.
Person-an individual, association, partnership, corporation, trust, or government agency and/or department.
Reportable sub-account-means any trading sub-account of an omnibus volume threshold account or omnibus reportable sub-account, which sub-account executes reportable trading volume.
Reportable sub-account controller-means a natural person who by power of attorney or otherwise actually directs the trading of a reportable sub-account. A reportable sub-account may have more than one controller.
Reportable trading volume-means contract trading volume that meets or exceeds the level specified in 17 CFR 15.04 .
Reporting trader-a person who must file a Form 40, whether pursuant to 17 CFR 18.04(a) , 17 CFR 18.04(b) , or 17 CFR 20.05 .
Subsidiary-for purposes of Form 40, a person is a subsidiary of a reporting trader if the reporting trader has a direct or indirect controlling interest in the person; and a reporting trader has a controlling interest if such reporting trader has the ability to control the person through the ownership of voting equity, by contract, or otherwise.
Volume threshold account-means any trading account that carries reportable trading volume on or subject to the rules of a reporting market that is a board of trade designated as a contract market under section 5 of the Act or a swap execution facility registered under section 5h of the Act.
Volume threshold account controller-means a natural person who by power of attorney or otherwise actually directs the trading of a volume threshold account. A volume threshold account may have more than one controller.
CFTC Form 40
General Information for Reporting Trader:
For question 1, please provide the name, contact information and other requested information regarding the reporting trader. If the reporting trader is an individual, provide their full legal name and the name of the reporting trader's employer.
1. Indicate whether the reporting trader is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name of Reporting Trader
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Web site
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Name of Employer
Employer NFA ID (if any)
Employer Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Contact Information
For questions 2, 3, and 4, provide the name and contact information as requested.
2. Individual to contact regarding the derivatives trading of the reporting trader (this individual should be able to answer specific questions about the reporting trader's trading activity when contacted by Commission staff):
Check here if this individual has the same contact information as that of the reporting trader.
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
3. Individual to contact regarding the risk management operations of the reporting trader (this individual should be able to answer specific questions about the reporting trader's risk management operations, including account margining, when contacted by Commission staff):
Check here if this individual has the same contact information as that of the reporting trader.
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
4. Individual responsible for the information on the Form 40 (this individual should be able to verify, clarify, and explain the answers submitted by a reporting trader on the Form 40):
Check here if this individual has the same contact information as that of the reporting trader.
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Omnibus Account Identification
For question 5, indicate whether the reporting trader has a customer omnibus account with a futures commission merchant, clearing member, or foreign broker (NOTE: For the purpose of this question, an omnibus account is an account that one futures commission merchant, clearing member or foreign broker carries for another in which the transactions of multiple individual accounts are combined. The identities of the holders of the individual accounts are not generally known or disclosed to the carrying firm. In addition, the Commission has traditionally identified omnibus accounts as either house or customer omnibus accounts. House omnibus accounts exclusively contain the proprietary accounts of the omnibus account originator. Customer omnibus accounts contain the accounts of customers of the omnibus account originator. It is the obligation of the omnibus account originator to correctly identify the omnibus account type to the reporting entity):
5. Does the reporting trader have a customer omnibus account with a futures commission merchant, clearing member, or foreign broker? YES/NO
IF YES, Give the name(s) of the futures commission merchant, clearing member, or foreign broker carrying the account(s) of the reporting trader.
Foreign Government Affiliation
For question 6, please complete the following (NOTE: For the purpose of this question, affiliation can include, but is not limited to, a situation (1) where the foreign government directly or indirectly controls the reporting trader's assets, operations, and/or derivatives trading, or (2) where the reporting trader operates as a direct or indirect subsidiary of a foreign government, its agencies or departments, or any investment program of the foreign government):
6. Is the reporting trader directly or indirectly affiliated with a government other than that of the United States? YES/NO
IF YES, give the name of the government(s).
IF YES, explain the nature of the affiliation between the reporting trader and the government(s) listed above.
Non-Domestic Entity Indicator
For question 7, if the Reporting Trader is a legal entity, please complete the following.
7. Is the reporting trader organized under the laws of a country other than the United States? YES/NO
IF YES, give the name of the country or countries under whose laws the reporting trader is organized.
Ownership Structure of the Reporting Trader
For questions 8 and 9, provide the requested ownership information only as applicable.
If the Reporting Trader is a commodity pool, also provide the requested information in questions 8i, 8ii, and 8iii. If the Reporting Trader is reporting commodity pools in which it has an ownership interest, also provide the requested information in questions 9i, 9ii, and 9iii.
8. List all the parents of the reporting trader (including the immediate parent and any parent(s) of its parent) and, separately, all persons that have a 10 percent or greater ownership interest in the reporting trader (commodity pool investors are deemed to have an ownership interest in the pool). For each such parent or 10 percent or greater owner include the following information:
Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Parent Company/10% Owner/or Both Indicator
8i. For each person identified in question 8 that is a limited partner, shareholder, or other similar type of pool participant, indicate if they are a principal or affiliate of the operator of the commodity pool.
Principal/Affiliate Indicator
8ii. For each person identified in question 8 that is a limited partner, shareholder, or other similar type of pool participant, indicate if they are also a commodity pool operator of the pool.
Commodity Pool Operator Indicator
8iii. For each person identified in question 8 that is a limited partner, shareholder, or other similar type of pool participant and where the operator of the commodity pool is exempt from registration under § 4.13 of the Commission's regulations, indicate if that person has an ownership or equity interest of 25 percent or greater in the commodity pool.
25% Ownership Indicator
9. List all the subsidiaries of the reporting trader (including the immediate subsidiary and any subsidiaries of those subsidiaries) and, separately, all persons in which the reporting trader has a 10 percent or greater ownership interest (including a 10 percent or greater interest in a commodity pool(s)). Only list subsidiaries and persons that engage in derivatives trading. For each such subsidiary and/or person include the following information:
Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Subsidiary/10% Ownership/or Both Indicator
9i. For each person identified in question 9 that is a commodity pool and for which you are a limited partner, shareholder or other similar type of pool participant, indicate if you are a principal or affiliate of the operator of the commodity pool.
Principal/Affiliate Indicator
9ii. For each person identified in question 9 that is a commodity pool and for which you are a limited partner, shareholder or other similar type of pool participant, indicate if you are the commodity pool operator for the pool.
Commodity Pool Operator Indicator
9iii. For each person identified in question 9 that is a commodity pool and for which you are a limited partner, shareholder or other similar type of pool participant and for which the operator of the commodity pool is exempt from registration under § 4.13 of the Commission's regulations, indicate if you have an ownership or equity interest of 25 percent or greater in the commodity pool.
25% Ownership Indicator
Control of Trading
For questions 10, 11, 12, and 13 provide the requested control information only as applicable.
10. List all persons outside of the reporting trader that control some or all of the derivatives trading of the reporting trader (including persons that may have been previously identified as a parent, above):
Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Some/All Indicator
11. List all persons for which the reporting trader controls some or all of the derivatives trading (including persons that may have been previously identified as a subsidiary, above):
Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Some/All Indicator
12. List any other person(s) that directly or indirectly influence, or exercise authority over, some or all of the trading of the reporting trader, but who do not exercise "control" as defined in this Form: Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Some/All Indicator
13. Is some or all of the derivatives trading of the reporting trader subject to an express or implied agreement or understanding with any other person(s) not addressed in questions 10, 11, or 12, above? YES/NO
If yes, provide the following information:
Indicate whether the party identified below is a legal entity or a natural person:
Legal entity:
Natural person:
Name
Street Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone Number
Web site
Email Address
NFA ID (if any)
Legal Entity Identifier (if any)
Some/All Indicator
Commodity Index Trading Indicator
For question 14, please answer the following:
14i. Is the reporting trader engaged in commodity index trading as defined in paragraph (a) of the definition of CIT above? YES/NO
14ii. Is the reporting trader engaged in commodity index trading as defined in paragraph (b) of the definition of CIT above? YES/NO
a. If the reporting trader is engaged in CIT (as defined in paragraph (b)) with respect to one or more commodities or commodity groups appearing on Supplemental List II, indicate whether the reporting trader is, in the aggregate, pursuing long exposure or short exposure with respect to such commodities or commodity groups. It is not necessary to respond to this question with respect to CIT that tracks the performance of multiple unrelated commodities or commodity groups (e.g., an investment in an exchange-traded fund that tracks the performance of an index representing commodities spanning multiple commodity groups).
14iii. If the reporting trader is currently engaged in commodity index trading as defined in paragraphs (a) or (b) of the CIT definition above, indicate the month and year on which the reporting trader first became engaged in commodity index trading.
Swaps Participation Indicators
For questions 15 and 16, please indicate if the reporting trader meets the specified definition:
15. Is the reporting trader a Swap Dealer, as defined in § 1.3 of regulations under the Commodity Exchange Act? YES/NO
16. Is the reporting trader a Major Swap Participant, as defined in § 1.3 of regulations under the Commodity Exchange Act? YES/NO
Nature of Business and of Derivatives Trading Activities
For questions 17, 18, and 19 provide the requested information only as applicable.
17. Select all business sectors and subsectors that pertain to the business activities or occupation of the reporting trader. If more than one business subsector is selected, indicate which business subsector primarily describes the nature of the reporting trader's business.
Choose From Supplemental List I
18. Select all commodity groups and individual commodities that the reporting trader presently trades or expects to trade in the near future in derivative markets.
Choose From Supplemental List II
19. For each selected individual commodity identified in question 18, indicate the business purpose(s) for which the reporting trader uses derivative markets. If the reporting trader has more than one business purpose for trading in an individual commodity, also indicate the predominant business purpose.
Choose From Supplemental List III
Signature/Authentication, Name, and Date
20. Please sign/authenticate the Form 40 prior to submitting.
Signature/Electronic Authentication:
By checking this box and submitting this form (or by clicking "submit," "send," or any other analogous transmission command if transmitting electronically), I certify that I am duly authorized by the reporting trader identified below to provide the information and representations submitted on this Form 40, and that the information and representations are true and correct.
Reporting Trader Authorized Representative (Name and Position):
____________________ (Name)
____________________ (Position)
Submitted on behalf of:
__________ (Reporting Trader Name)
Date of Submission:
____________________
Supplemental List I: List of Business Sectors and Subsectors
Business Sector
Subsector
Agriculture and Forestry
Oilseed Farming
Grain Farming
Fruit and Tree Nut Farming
Other Crop Farming (Specify)
Cattle Ranching and Farming
Hog and Pig Farming
Poultry and Egg Production
Sheep and Goat Farming
Other Animal Production
Forestry, Logging, or Timber Production
Cooperative
Other (Specify)
Mining, Oil and Natural Gas Extraction
Oil Exploration/Production
Natural Gas Exploration/Production
Coal Mining
Precious Metal Mining
Non-Precious Metal Mining
Other (Specify)
Utilities
Utility/Cooperative
Electric Power Generation
Local Distribution Company
Natural Gas Distribution
Other (Specify)
Construction
Building Construction
Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction
Other (Specify)
Manufacturing, Refining and Processing
Animal Food Manufacturing
Grain Milling
Oilseed Milling
Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing
Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing
Dairy Product Manufacturing
Animal Slaughtering and Processing
Bakeries
Other Food Manufacturing
Beverage Manufacturing Textile Mills
Textile Product Mills
Apparel Manufacturing
Wood Product Manufacturing
Paper Manufacturing
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing
Renewable Fuels Manufacturing
Petrochemical/Chemical Manufacturing
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing
Natural Gas Processing
Precious Metal Processor/Smelter
Non-Precious Metal Processor
Metals Fabricator
Other (Specify)
Wholesale Trade
Lumber and Other Construction Materials Merchant Wholesalers
Metal and Mineral Merchant Dealer
Grocery and Related Product Merchant Wholesaler
Farm Product Raw Material Merchant Wholesalers
Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers
Petroleum and Petroleum Products Merchant Wholesalers
Natural Gas, Power Marketer
Importer/Exporter (specify commodities)
Other (Specify)
Retail Trade
Building Materials and Supplies Dealers
Food and Beverage Stores
Jeweler/Precious Metals Retailer
Vehicle Fuel Retailer/Convenience Store Operator
Fuel Dealers
Other (Specify)
Transportation and Warehousing
Air Transport
Trucking
Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil
Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas
Farm Product Warehousing and Storage
Energy Distributor (warehousing, storage)
Other (Specify)
End User (NOTE: May not be the only/primary subsector selected)
Metals End User (Construction Co., Brass Mill, Steel Mill)
Emissions End User (Factory, Industrial Cos.)
Petroleum End User (Airline Cos. Municipalities, Industrial Cos., Trucking Cos.)
Information
Other (Specify)
Financial Institutions and Investment Management
Dealers and Financial Intermediaries
Broker/Dealer
Bank Holding Company
Investment/Merchant Bank
Non-US Commercial Bank
US Commercial Bank
Swaps/Derivatives Dealer
Universal Bank
Asset/Investment/Fund Management:
Asset/Investment Manager
Institutional Clients
Retail Clients
Managed Accounts and Pools (CTAs, CPOs, etc.)
Institutional Clients
Retail Clients
College Endowment, Trust, Foundation
Fund of Hedge Funds
Hedge Fund
Mutual Fund
Pension Fund
Private Wealth Management
Private Bank
Exchange Traded Fund Issuer
Exchange Traded Note Issuer
Government Financial Institution :
Central Bank
Sovereign Wealth Fund
Government Sponsored Enterprise (GSE)
Other Governmental Entity (Specify)
Other Financial or Trading Entities:
Arbitrageur
Individual Trader/Investor
Floor Broker
Floor Trader
Market Maker
Proprietary Trader
Corporate Treasury
Mortgage Originator
Savings Bank
Credit Union
Insurance Company
Other (Specify)
Real Estate
Other (Specify)
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Performing Arts Companies
Promoters of Performing Arts
Agents and Managers for Artists and Entertainers
Independent Artists, Writers, Performers
Other (Specify)
Accommodation and Food Services
Food Services
Other (Specify)
Public Administration
Administration of Environmental Quality Programs
Administration of Economic Programs
Other (Specify)
Supplemental List II: Commodity Groups and Individual Commodities
Commodity Group
Individual Commodity
GRAINS
OATS
WHEAT
CORN
RICE
LIVESTOCK/MEAT PRODUCTS
LIVE CATTLE
PORK BELLIES
FEEDER CATTLE
LEAN HOGS
DAIRY PRODUCTS
MILK
BUTTER
CHEESE
OILSEED AND PRODUCTS
SOYBEAN OIL
SOYBEAN MEAL
SOYBEANS
FIBER
COTTON
FOODSTUFFS/SOFTS
COFFEE
FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE
SUGAR
COCOA
OTHER AGRICULTURAL
REAL ESTATE
CURRENCY
EQUITIES AND EQUITY INDICIES
INTEREST RATES
TREASURY COMPLEX
OTHER INTEREST RATE PRODUCTS
OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
PETROLEUM AND PRODUCTS
JET FUEL
ETHANOL
BIODIESEL
FUEL OIL
HEATING OIL
GASOLINE
NAPHTHA
CRUDE OIL
DIESEL
NATURAL GAS AND PRODUCTS
NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS
NATURAL GAS
ELECTRICITY AND SOURCES
COAL
ELECTRICITY
URANIUM
PRECIOUS METALS
PALLADIUM
PLATINUM
SILVER
GOLD
BASE METALS
STEEL
COPPER
WOOD PRODUCTS
LUMBER
PULP
CHEMICALS
PLASTICS
EMISSIONS
WEATHER
OTHER (SPECIFY)
Supplemental List III: Business Purposes of Commodity Derivatives Trading
Business Purpose
Definition
Example
Offsetting Cash or Spot Market Input Price Risk
Using derivative markets for commodities that are direct inputs or purchases for your business so as to offset price risk associated with your purchase of these inputs.
E.g. You are a grain processor, so you use wheat futures to offset the price risk incidental to your cash purchases of wheat.
Offsetting Cash or Spot Market Output Price Risk
Using derivative markets for commodities that are direct outputs or sales of your business so as to offset price risk associated with your sale of these outputs.
E.g. You are a gasoline refiner, so you use gasoline futures to offset price risk associated with your production of gasoline.
Offsetting Other Cash or Spot Market Price Risks (Cross Price Risk)
Using derivative markets for a commodity that is not a direct input or output of your business, but which has significant price correlations with the direct inputs or outputs of your business.
E.g. You manufacture ethanol which is used as an additive in and competitor for gasoline as a combustive fuel. While you neither directly consume nor produce gasoline, you may find that the price you receive for your ethanol product is highly correlated with the price of gasoline, and therefore you reduce ethanol price risk by using gasoline futures contracts.
Other Physical Risk Management Strategies
Managing other price risks incidental to the operation of your business or physical assets through the use of commodity derivative markets.
E.g. You are a manufacturer with significant international sales, so you use foreign currency futures to offset risks associated with changes in the competitiveness of your exports and therefore the value of your physical assets such as production plants, land, machinery, etc.
Client Futures/Options on Futures Trading
Fulfilling customer/client desire for portfolio diversification or exposure to various asset classes through your activity as a Commodity Pool Operator, Commodity Trading Advisor, or other similar role.
E.g. You collect funds and execute trading strategies through the use of futures/options on futures markets at the expressed intent and for the sole benefit of clients.
Managing Client Swaps Exposure
Reducing risk stemming from holding or executing swaps contracts on behalf of clients or customers through the use of futures/options on futures markets.
E.g. You sell crude oil swaps to a client and agree to accept the risk inherent in the index price. You offset this risk through purchases of crude oil futures, in effect transferring price risk from the client to another market participant.
Making Markets/Providing Liquidity
Engaging in derivatives transactions to assume risk and help transfer ownership of derivative positions from one market participant to another, realizing the bid-ask spread as the return.
E.g. You accept risk by buying and selling futures/options on futures contracts so that other traders can move into and out of positions when they wish. You then find other traders willing to take the other side of those transactions.
Arbitrage
Using derivative markets as part of a strategy designed to realize risk-free profit from pricing anomalies.
E.g. You realize that the wheat futures contract is trading at a discount (even after considering storage, transport, etc.) relative to the wheat cash price, and therefore find it profitable to purchase the wheat futures contract, take delivery, and then resell the wheat in the cash market for a risk-free profit.
Establishing Price Exposure
Using derivative markets as a way to express your belief in the future movement of market prices. This strategy does not involve offsetting risks incidental to your business, but instead involves directional trading.
E.g. You conduct research and believe that crude oil prices are due to rise, so you take long futures positions in crude oil to profit from your predictions.
Financial Asset Management
Using derivatives to diversify, rebalance, or otherwise allocate financial assets so that risks to the value of the investment portfolio are reduced. This strategy is used by entities such as pension funds and endowments to manage overall risk to their financial portfolios.
E.g. You hold Treasury bonds as a component of your investment portfolio, and use futures contracts to reduce overall portfolio risk that would result from falling bond prices.
Managing Proprietary Swaps Exposure
Reducing risk stemming from your proprietary holding or execution of swaps contracts through the use of futures/options on futures markets.
E.g. You trade interest rate swaps as part of your business or investment strategy, and offset some of the risk inherent in those swaps through your use of Eurodollar futures markets.
Other: Specify
List and explain your business purpose if the above categories do not adequately describe the reason you trade in a particular commodity derivative market.
17 C.F.R. § 18 app A to Part 18