The flash estimate for the Barclay CTA Index, compiled by BarclayHedge, indicates a 1.29 per cent loss in October. Year to date, the Index is down 2.87 per cent.

“Although many traders were able to profit from the US dollar’s strength against most of the major currencies, the profits were offset by losses in the equity, interest rate, and commodity sectors,” says Sol Waksman, founder and president of BarclayHedge. “Seventy per cent of CTA funds posted losses in October.”
 
Six of Barclay’s Managed Futures indices lost ground in October, while three had gains.
 
Cryptocurrency Traders gave up 3.62 per cent in October, MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders lost 3.15 per cent, Diversified Traders were down 2.32 per cent, the Systematic Traders Index lost 1.93 per cent and Financial/Metals Traders dropped 0.43 per cent.
 
The Currency Traders Index had the largest gain in October, achieving a 0.89 per cent return. Discretionary Traders were up 0.31 per cent and Agricultural Traders rose 0.20 per cent.
 
The BTOP50 Index, which is composed of the largest CTAs open to new investment, had an estimated 2.37 per cent loss in October, and is down 4.83 per cent for the year.
 
Through October, six Barclay CTA indices have losses, and three have positive returns.
 
Cryptocurrency Traders are down 51.56 per cent for the year, and the MPI Barclay Elite Systematic Traders Index has lost 5.20 per cent. The Diversified Traders Index is down 4.96 per cent, Systematic Traders have lost 4.47 per cent, while Financial and Metals Traders are down 4.08 per cent.
 
On the positive side, Currency Traders have gained 4.62 per cent in 2018, the Discretionary Traders Index is up 2.09 per cent, and Agricultural Traders have gained 0.81 per cent.