BlackBird Asset Management

Blackbird Asset Management

BlackBird is a boutique asset management firm targeting absolute returns by focusing on niche strategies. We try to maximise our investment edge through the best use of quantitative and qualitative methods. Investors and principal interests are aligned through the financial commitment of the principal to the products offered to the investors.

Funds

BlackBird Alpha Spread 1x (Legal Name: BlackBird Alpha LLC Series 2)

BlackBird Alpha Spread (BAS) targets high returns* to risk ratio with no correlation to traditional assets by focusing on commodity spreads.
BAS alpha is generated by its unique approach using quantitative and qualitative analysis to select uncorrelated spreads in commodity markets. BAS trades commodity calendar, cross products and location spreads with a global reach (CBOT, CME, ICE, NYMEX, Euronext, Kuala Lumpur, Winnipeg etc.). First, we select the spreads with the strongest statistical signals from our modelisation based on advanced statistics and a large database containing futures prices, cash prices, CFTC Commitment of Traders, USDA, FX, exports etc. Second, within this selection, we use our fundamental knowledge and cash contacts to make a qualitative selection. Lastly, BAS builds a portfolio containing more than 15 of the uncorrelated selected spreads. The portfolio targets a 7.5 % volatility and risk by spread is limited.
The strategy has been traded successfully* since 2011.

*There is a substantial risk of loss in trading futures. The strategy returns prior to March 2017 represents pro-forma proprietary trading. Returns between between March 2017 and August 2019 represents the composite returns of managed accounts traded by the CTA. The program name was the RCube Commodity Spread and was traded at RCube Asset Management. Since September 2019, returns are the one from the BlackBird Alpha Series 1 & 2 funds.

BlackBird Alpha Spread 2.5x (Legal Name: BlackBird Alpha LLC Series 1)

BlackBird Alpha Spread 2.5x is a leveraged version of BlackBird Alpha Spread 1x for non risk averse investors.

BlackBird's Founder

Olivier MERLE

Since 2011, Olivier MERLE has traded world commodity spreads with a focus on high returns*, low risk strategies. He holds a Msc in Econometrics from the London School of Economics and a Msc in statistics from ENSAI. Olivier founded Agritel’s quantitative department and provided consulting for European cash traders. He is the author of Highlight of the week, a weekly letter on agricultural spreads and a speaker for the Paris Grain Day international conference. Since 2017, Olivier has been deeply committed to invest client’s money through managed accounts and commodity pools. Olivier is passionate about advanced statistics, the agricultural world and talking with cash traders on cash markets.

*There is a substantial risk of loss in trading futures.

Contact Us

olivier.merle@blackbird-am.com

BlackBird Asset Management was formed in 2019. It is registered as a Commodity Trading Advisor and Commodity Pool Operator with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA (NFA ID 0522980). BlackBird Asset Management filed exemption 4.7 to serve QEP clients.

Risk Disclosure

The risk of loss in commodity interest trading can be substantial. You should, therefore, carefully consider whether such trading is suitable for you in light of your financial condition. The high degree of leverage that is often obtainable in commodity interest trading can work against you as well as for you. The use of different strategies utilized in commodity interest trading and significant considerations should be given to which strategy is appropriate for your particular financial situation. As with all trading strategies, past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. All investments in the commodity interest market should be made with risk capital only.

This brief statement does not cover all of the risks and other significant aspects of the commodity markets. You should therefore carefully study the disclosure document prior to opening an account.

The regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has not passed upon the merits of participating in Blackbird Asset Management Funds nor on the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure document.