Our weekly newsletter is out, and now that it’s been a year after MF Global declared bankruptcy and left the futures industry in a state of disarray, where are we? Do we really understand what transpired? Have we made the reforms necessary to prevent it from happening again? Here, we take a look at how the story played out, the reforms we’ve instituted to date, and the steps we need to take moving forward, both as an industry and as individual investors, to avoid a campy sequel.

This time of year, our homes and streets are swathed with cotton cobwebs, goblins and ghouls as we indulge in the chills and thrills of the latest horror movies and ghost stories of the year. The monsters beneath our bed come to life in polyester costumes and garish face paint, and macabre goes mainstream. It’s a time where, instead of running from our fears, we embrace them – if only momentarily – for a rush of adrenaline and a few good laughs.

Except, last Halloween, the worst fears of the futures industry played out in agonizing slow motion without the superficial sheen of the holiday season. Amidst the candy corn and taffy apples came a sharp blow to investor confidence. The demon plaguing our central cast of characters did not don a cape nor boast a set of horns; he wore a suit and scraggly beard. Victims did not lose their lives, but some lost their livelihoods.

It has been a year since MF Global began a maddening descent into bankruptcy and scandal, but for many of us, it feels as though it was just yesterday. The story has, by and large, faded from the headlines, but the lessons of the past remain poignant today, and there is still much work to be done. We take a moment here to look back over the past year at what happened, how things have changed since, and what challenges await us on the horizon.

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DISCLAIMER

Forex trading, commodity trading, managed futures, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors.

The entries on this blog are intended to further subscribers understanding, education, and – at times- enjoyment of the world of alternative investments through managed futures, trading systems, and managed forex. Unless distinctly noted otherwise, the data and graphs included herein are intended to be mere examples and exhibits of the topic discussed, are for educational and illustrative purposes only, and do not represent trading in actual accounts.

The mention of asset class performance is based on the noted source index (i.e. Newedge CTA Index, S&P 500 Index, etc.) , and investors should take care to understand that any index performance is for the constituents of that index only, and does not represent the entire universe of possible investments within that asset class. And further, that there can be limitations and biases to indices: such as survivorship and self reporting biases, and instant history.

Managed Futures Disclaimer:

Past Performance is Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Results. The regulations of the CFTC require that prospective clients of a managed futures program (CTA) receive a disclosure document when they are solicited to enter into an agreement whereby the CTA will direct or guide the client’s commodity interest trading and that certain risk factors be highlighted. The disclosure document contains a complete description of the principal risk factors and each fee to be charged to your account by the CTA.

Copyright © 2011 Attain Capital Management, licensed Managed Futures, Trading System & Commodity Brokers. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted with permission.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 at 12:43 pm and is filed under MF Global. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.