Managed futures lost 1.08 per cent in November, according to the Barclay CTA Index compiled by BarclayHedge.

The index remains up 3.77 per cent for the year.

“As concern mounted regarding the possibility of inflation in China, war in Korea, and the dissolution of the Euro, investors decreased their risk exposures,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. 

Seven of Barclay’s eight CTA indices lost ground in November. The Barclay Agricultural Traders Index was down 1.87 per cent, financial and metals traders lost 1.56 per cent, diversified traders were down 1.53 per cent, and systematic traders slid 1.13 per cent.

“Price declines in global equities, long bonds, base metals, grains, and the Euro caught investors off balance and led to losses,” says Waksman.

The Barclay Currency Traders Index held its ground with a 0.08 per cent gain in November.

“Traders able to reverse Euro exposure during the month kept losses to a minimum, while more nimble players made some money,” says Waksman. 

The Barclay BTOP50 Index, which monitors performance of the largest traders, fell 2.09 per cent in November, nearly double the loss of the Barclay CTA Index. The BTOP50 is still up 4.21 per cent year-to-date.