SECTOR STRATEGY FUND L P
10-Q, 1996-11-12
SECURITY & COMMODITY BROKERS, DEALERS, EXCHANGES & SERVICES
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<PAGE>
 
               UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES        
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended  September 30, 1996
                                ------------------
                    OR

( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
    EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________________ to ___________________

Commission File Number 0-18702

                     THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUNDSM L.P.
                     -------------------------------------
                         (Exact Name of Registrant as
                           specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                       13-3568563
- --------------------------------              ----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of               (IRS Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

                  c/o Merrill Lynch Investment Partners Inc.
                (formerly ML Futures Investment Partners Inc.)
            Merrill Lynch World Headquarters - South Tower, 6th Fl.
             World Financial Center New York, New York 10080-6106
             ----------------------------------------------------
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                  (Zip Code)

                                 212-236-4161
             ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  X  No
                                              ---    ---

                       This document contains 11 pages. 
     There are no exhibits and no exhibit index filed with this document.
<PAGE>
 
                        PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

                     THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUNDSM L.P.
                     -------------------------------------
                       (a Delaware limited partnership)
                       --------------------------------

                       STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                       ---------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                       September 30,              December 31,
                                                                           1996                       1995
                                                                         --------                   --------
<S>                                                                     <C>                     <C> 
Accrued interest                                                        $    112,437              $    144,134
Equity in commodity futures trading accounts:
    Cash and option premiums                                              29,812,596                34,432,565
    Net unrealized gain on open contracts                                    912,178                   882,382
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------  
                TOTAL                                                    $30,837,211               $35,459,081
                                                                      ===============           ===============

LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
- ---------------------------------

LIABILITIES:
    Redemptions payable                                                     $219,570               $   303,823
    Brokerage commissions payable (Note 2)                                   224,851                   265,934
    Profit shares payable                                                     81,807                   205,277
    Administrative expense payable (Note 2)                                    6,424                  -
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------
            Total liabilities                                                532,652                   775,034
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------
PARTNERS' CAPITAL:
    General Partners (2,518 and 2,518 Units)                                 447,361                   435,363
    Limited Partners (167,933 and 197,942 Units)                          29,857,198                34,248,684
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------
            Total partners' capital                                       30,304,559                34,684,047
                                                                      ---------------           ---------------
                TOTAL                                                    $30,837,211               $35,459,081
                                                                      ===============           ===============
NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT

(Based on 170,451 and 200,460 Units outstanding)                             $177.79                   $173.02
                                                                             =======                   =======
</TABLE> 
See notes to financial statements.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                     THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUNDSM L.P.
                     -------------------------------------
                       (a Delaware limited partnership)
                       --------------------------------

                           STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                           ------------------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                     For the three     For the three     For the nine        For the nine
                                                     months ended      months ended      months ended        months ended
                                                     September 30,     September 30,     September 30,       September 30,
                                                         1996              1995              1996                1995
                                                        ------            ------            ------              -----
<S>                                                  <C>                <C>              <C>                 <C> 
REVENUES:
    Trading profits (loss):
        Realized                                          $273,646         $2,291,310        $2,201,775        $ 9,126,773
        Change in unrealized                               443,877            320,285            29,796         (1,543,000)
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------
            Total trading results                          717,523          2,611,595         2,231,571          7,583,773
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------
    Interest income                                        347,961            469,527         1,108,016          1,547,032
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------
            Total revenues                               1,065,484          3,081,122         3,339,587          9,130,805
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------

EXPENSES:
    Profit shares                                           81,807            308,803           252,673            878,893
    Brokerage commissions (Note 2)                         670,437            822,236         2,160,611          2,686,516
    Administrative expense (Note 2)                         19,156           -                   61,732            -
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------
            Total expenses                                 771,400          1,131,039         2,475,016          3,565,409
                                                    ---------------   ----------------    ---------------   ----------------
NET INCOME                                                $294,084         $1,950,083       $   864,571         $5,565,396
                                                    ===============   ================    ===============   ================

NET INCOME PER UNIT
    Weighted average number of units
        outstanding                                        173,739            221,823           186,053            249,516
                                                           =======            =======           =======            =======

    Weighted average net income
        per Limited Partner Unit and
        General Partner Unit                                 $1.69              $8.79             $4.65             $22.30
                                                             =====              =====             =====             ======
</TABLE> 

See notes to financial statements.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                    THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUND/SM/ L.P.
                    ---------------------------------------
                       (a Delaware limited partnership)
                       --------------------------------

                  STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
                  ------------------------------------------

             For the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995
             -----------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                Limited              General
                                             Units             Partners              Partner                Total
                                             -----             --------              -------                -----
<S>                                        <C>               <C>                    <C>                    <C> 
PARTNERS' CAPITAL,
  DECEMBER 31, 1994                         283,248            $40,564,659            $531,886              $41,096,545

Net income                                   -                   5,484,124              81,272                5,565,396

Redemptions                                 (72,979)           (11,495,047)            -                    (11,495,047)
                                        -------------      -----------------     ---------------      -------------------

PARTNERS' CAPITAL,
 SEPTEMBER 30, 1995                         210,269            $34,553,736            $613,158              $35,166,894
                                        =============      =================     ===============      ===================

PARTNERS' CAPITAL,
  DECEMBER 31, 1995                         200,460            $34,248,684            $435,363              $34,684,047

Net income                                   -                     852,573              11,998                  864,571

Redemptions                                 (30,009)            (5,244,059)            -                     (5,244,059)
                                        -------------      -----------------     ---------------      -------------------

PARTNERS' CAPITAL,
    SEPTEMBER 30, 1996                      170,451            $29,857,198            $447,361              $30,304,559
                                        =============      =================     ===============      ===================
</TABLE> 

See notes to financial statements.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                     THE S.E.C.T.O.R. STRATEGY FUNDSM L.P.
                     -------------------------------------
                       (A Delaware Limited Partnership)
                       --------------------------------

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     These financial statements have been prepared without audit. In the opinion
     of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting
     of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the
     financial position of The SECTOR Strategy FundSM L.P. (the "Partnership" or
     the "Fund") as of September 30, 1996 and the results of its operations for
     the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995. However, the operating
     results for the interim periods may not be indicative of the results
     expected for the full year.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual
     financial statements prepared in accordance with general accepted
     accounting principles have been omitted. It is suggested that these
     financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements
     and notes thereto included in the Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K
     filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the year ended
     December 31, 1995 (the "Annual Report").

2.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     The Partnership pays brokerage commissions to MLF at a flat monthly rate
     equal to 0.75 of 1% (a 9% annual rate) of the Partnership's month-end
     assets allocated to trading. Assets allocated to trading are not reduced,
     for purposes of calculating brokerage commissions, by any accrued but
     unpaid brokerage commissions, profit shares or other fees or charges.
     Effective January 1, 1996, the brokerage commission the Partnership pays to
     the Commodity Broker was reduced to .729% of 1% (a 8.75% annual rate), and
     the Partnership began to pay the General Partner an administrative fee of
     .020833 of 1% (a .25% annual rate). The General Partner estimates that the
     round-turn equivalent commission rate charged to the Partnership during the
     nine months ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 was approximately $118 and
     $18, respectively (not including, in calculating round-turn equivalents,
     forward contracts on a futures-equivalent basis).

     MLF pays the Advisors annual Consulting Fees ranging from 2% to 4% of the
     Partnership's average month-end assets allocated to them for management,
     after reduction for a portion of the brokerage commissions.

3.   FAIR VALUE AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET RISK

     The Partnership trades futures, options and forward contracts in interest
     rates, stock indices, commodities, currencies, energy and metals. The
     Partnership's revenues by reporting category for the nine months ended
     September 30, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                          1996
                                                          ----
       <S>                                            <C> 
       Interest rate and
          stock indices                                $(110,843)
       Commodities                                       691,307
       Currencies                                        603,930
       Energy                                            951,999
       Metals                                             95,178
                                                   ---------------

                                                      $2,231,571
                                                   ===============
</TABLE> 
     Market Risk
     -----------

     Derivative instruments involve varying degrees of off-balance sheet market
     risk, and changes in the level or volatility of interest rates, foreign
     currency exchange rates or the market values of the financial instruments
     or commodities underlying such derivative instruments frequently result in
     changes in the Partnership's unrealized gain or loss on such derivative
     instruments as reflected in the Statements of Financial Condition. The
     Partnership's exposure to market risk is influenced by a number of factors,
     including the relationships among the derivative instruments held by the
     Partnership as well as the volatility and liquidity of the markets in which
     the derivative instruments are traded.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     The General Partner has procedures in place intended to control market
     risk, although there can be no assurance that they will, in fact, succeed
     in doing so. These procedures focus primarily on monitoring the trading of
     the Advisors selected from time to time for the Partnership, adjusting the
     percentage of the Partnership's total assets allocated to trading,
     calculating the Net Asset Value of the Advisors' respective Partnership
     accounts as of the close of business on each day and reviewing outstanding
     positions for over-concentration C both on an Advisor-by-Advisor and on an
     overall Partnership basis. While the General Partner will not itself
     intervene in the markets to hedge or diversify the Partnership's market
     exposure (although the General Partner does adjust the percentage of the
     Partnership's total assets allocated to trading), the General Partner may
     urge Advisors to reallocate positions, or itself reallocate Partnership
     assets among Advisors (although typically only as of the end of a month) in
     an attempt to avoid over-concentrations. However, such interventions are
     unusual. Except in cases in which it appears that an Advisor has begun to
     deviate from past practice or trading policies or to be trading
     erratically, the General Partner's basic risk control procedures consist
     simply of the ongoing process of Advisor monitoring and selection, with the
     market risk controls being applied by the Advisors themselves.

     Fair Value
     ----------

     The derivative instruments used in the Partnership's trading activities are
     marked to market daily with the resulting unrealized gains or losses
     recorded in the Statements of Financial Condition and the related profit or
     loss reflected in trading revenues in the Statements of Operations. The
     contract/notional values of the Partnership's open derivative instrument
     positions as of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                       1996                                                1995
                   ----------------------------------------------    -------------------------------------------------

                     Commitment to             Commitment to              Commitment to             Commitment to
                  Purchase (Futures,          Sell (Futures,           Purchase (Futures,          Sell (Futures,
                  Options & Forwards)       Options & Forwards)        Options & Forwards)       Options & Forwards)
                  -------------------       -------------------        -------------------       -------------------
      <S>                  <C>                      <C>                      <C>                       <C> 
      Interest rate
        and stock
         indices             $ 44,999,807           $  7,217,689               $159,971,759             $ 6,823,540
      Commodities               5,340,994              1,089,355                 11,552,579                 922,979
      Currencies               47,683,333             47,926,774                 14,228,028              37,399,355
      Energy                    2,620,941                194,358                  2,132,766               7,133,421
      Metals                    2,043,654             17,544,190                  5,062,196               8,370,684
                        ------------------    -------------------      ---------------------       -----------------

                             $102,688,729            $73,972,366               $192,947,328             $60,649,979
                        ==================    ===================      =====================       =================
</TABLE> 
     Substantially all of the Partnerships derivative instruments outstanding as
     of September 30, 1996 expire within one year.

     The contract/notional value of the Trading Partnership's exchange-traded
     and non-exchange-traded derivative instrument positions as of September 30,
     1996 and December 31, 1995 was as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                             1996                                             1995
                        ------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------

                                Commitment to         Commitment to           Commitment to           Commitment to
                             Purchase (Futures,      Sell (Futures,        Purchase (Futures,        Sell (Futures,
                             Options & Forwards)   Options & Forwards)     Options & Forwards)     Options & Forwards)
                             -------------------   -------------------     -------------------     -------------------
       <S>                      <C>                        <C>                    <C>                    <C> 
       Exchange
          traded                  $  64,978,490             $33,484,741            $175,191,914            $26,840,562
       Non-Exchange
           traded                    37,710,239              40,487,625              17,755,414             33,809,417
                            --------------------    --------------------   ---------------------   --------------------
                                   $102,688,729             $73,972,366            $192,947,328            $60,649,979
                            ====================    ====================   =====================   ====================
</TABLE> 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     The average fair value of the Partnership's derivative instrument positions
     which were open as of the end of each calendar month during the nine months
     ended September 30, 1996 and the year ended December 31, 1995 was as
     follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                       1996                                                1995
                   ----------------------------------------------    -------------------------------------------------

                     Commitment to             Commitment to              Commitment to             Commitment to
                  Purchase (Futures,          Sell (Futures,           Purchase (Futures,          Sell (Futures,
                  Options & Forwards)       Options & Forwards)        Options & Forwards)       Options & Forwards)
                  -------------------       -------------------        -------------------       -------------------
       <S>                 <C>                     <C>                     <C>                         <C> 
       Interest rate
         and Stock
         indices            $  78,415,754          $  52,558,791             $110,354,738               $12,248,672
       Commodities              9,105,193              2,043,192               12,185,481                 2,455,052
       Currencies              49,822,382             53,621,464               65,653,991                67,746,615
       Energy                   3,147,698              1,830,883                4,522,825                 3,331,428
       Metals                   4,813,201              9,507,987                7,184,139                13,570,221
                        ------------------    -------------------      -------------------       -------------------
                             $145,304,228           $119,562,317             $199,901,174               $99,351,988
                        ==================    ===================      ===================       ===================
</TABLE> 

     A portion of the amounts indicated as off-balance sheet risk reflects
     offsetting commitments to purchase and sell the same derivative instrument
     on the same date in the future. These commitments are economically
     offsetting but are not, as a technical matter, offset in the forward market
     until the settlement date.

     Credit Risk
     -----------

     The risks associated with exchange-traded contracts are typically perceived
     to be less than those associated with over-the-counter
     (non-exchange-traded) transactions, because exchanges typically (but not
     universally) provide clearinghouse arrangements in which the collective
     credit (in some cases limited in amount, in some cases not) of the members
     of the exchange is pledged to support the financial integrity of the
     exchange. In over-the-counter transactions, on the other hand, traders must
     rely solely on the credit of their respective individual counterparties.
     Margins, which may be subject to loss in the event of a default, are
     generally required in exchange trading, and counterparties may also require
     margin in the over-the-counter markets.

     The fair value amounts in the above tables represent the extent of the
     Partnership's market exposure in the particular class of derivative
     instrument listed, but not the credit risk associated with counterparty
     nonperformance. The credit risk associated with these instruments from
     counterparty nonperformance is the net unrealized gain, if any, included in
     the Statements of Financial Condition. The Partnership also has credit risk
     because the sole counterparty or broker with respect to most of the
     Partnership's assets is MLF.

     As of September 30, 1996 and December 31, 1995, $23,093,738 and $21,422,384
     of the Partnership's assets, respectively, were held in segregated accounts
     at MLF in accordance with Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations.

     The gross unrealized gain and the net unrealized gain on the Partnership's
     open derivative instrument positions as of September 30, 1996 and December
     31, 1995 were as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                              1996                                           1995
                                              ----                                           ----
                                    Gross                  Net                    Gross                    Net
                                 Unrealized            Unrealized              Unrealized              Unrealized
                                    Gain               Gain (Loss)                Gain                 Gain (Loss)
                                    ----               -----------                ----                 -----------
       <S>                          <C>                     <C>                    <C>                  <C> 
       Exchange
          traded                     $1,245,256                $849,126              $1,733,452            $1,035,168
       Non-Exchange
           traded                       591,509                  63,052                 259,593              (152,786)
                            --------------------    --------------------   ---------------------   --------------------
                                     $1,836,765                $912,178              $1,993,045             $  882,382
                            ====================    ====================   =====================   ====================
</TABLE> 
     The Partnership controls credit risk by dealing almost exclusively with
     Merrill Lynch entities as brokers and counterparties.

     The Partnership through its normal course of business enters into various
     contracts with MLF acting as its commodity broker. Pursuant to the
     brokerage arrangement with MLF, such trading which results in receivables
     from and payables to MLF will be offset and reported as a net receivable or
     payable.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
          Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Operational Overview: Advisor Selections
- ----------------------------------------
                Due to the nature of the Fund's business, its results of
operations depend on MLIP's ability to select Advisors and determine the
appropriate percentage of assets to allocate to them for trading, as well as the
Advisors' ability to recognize and capitalize on trends and other profit
opportunities in different sectors of the world commodity markets. MLIP's
Advisor selection procedure and leveraging analysis, as well as the Advisors'
trading methods, are confidential, so that substantially the only information
that can be furnished regarding the Fund's results of operations is contained in
the performance record of its trading. Unlike operating businesses, general
economic or seasonal conditions do not directly affect the profit potential of
the Fund, and its past performance is not necessarily indicative of future
results. Because of the speculative nature of its trading, operational or
economic trends have little relevance to the Fund's results. MLIP believes,
however, that there are certain market conditions, for example, markets with
strong price trends, in which the Fund has a better likelihood of being
profitable than in others.

                As of October 1, 1996, the Partnership's assets were allocated
as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

Trading Advisor                                     Markets Traded                                % Allocation
- ---------------                                     --------------                                ------------
<S>                                                 <C>                                                 <C> 
John W. Henry & Co., Inc.                           Financial Instruments (including
                                                       currencies) and Metals                            28.69
Graham Capital Management L.P.                      Diversified Program                                  15.25
AIS Futures Management, Inc.                        Diversified Program                                  15.38
Chescor Limited                                     Currencies                                           10.78
Fundamental Futures Inc.                            Agriculture                                          11.65
AIB Investment Managers Limited                     Currencies                                            9.60
Blenhiem Investments, Inc.                          Diversified Program                                   8.65
                                                                                                         -----
                                                                                                        100.00%
</TABLE> 
                MLIP expects to continue to change both allocations and Advisor
selections from time to time without advance notice to existing investors.

                MLIP expects to continue to change both allocations and Advisors
from time to time without advance notice to existing investors.

Results of Operations - General
- -------------------------------
                MLIP believes that multi-Advisor futures funds should be
regarded as medium- to long-term investments but, unlike an operating business,
it is difficult to identify "trends" in the Fund's operations and virtually
impossible to make any predictions regarding future results based on results to
date.

                Markets in which sustained price trends occur with some
frequency tend to be more favorable to managed futures investments than
"whipsaw," "choppy" markets, but (i) this is not always the case, (ii) it is
impossible to predict when trending markets will occur and (iii) different
Advisors are affected differently by trends in general as well as by particular
types of trends.

                The Fund controls credit risk in its trading in the derivatives
markets by trading only through Merrill Lynch entities which MLIP believes to be
creditworthy. The Fund attempts to control the market risk inherent in its
derivatives trading by utilizing a multi-advisor, multi-strategy structure. This
structure purposefully attempts to diversify the Fund's Advisor group among
different strategy types and market sectors in an effort to reduce risk
(although the Fund's portfolio currently emphasizes technical and
trend-following approaches).

Performance Summary
- -------------------
                During the first nine months of 1995, the Fund's average
month-end Net Assets equalled $38,383,806, and the Fund recognized gross trading
gains $7,583,773 or 19.76% of such average month-end Net Assets. Brokerage
commissions of $2,686,516 or 7.0% and Profit Shares of $878,893 or 2.29% of
average month-end Net Assets were paid. Interest income of $1,547,032 or 4.03%
of average month-end Net Assets resulted in a net income of $5,565,396 or 14.50%
of average month-end Net Assets, which resulted in a 15.27% increase in the Net
Asset Value per Unit since December 31, 1994.

                During the first nine months of 1996, the Fund's average
month-end Net Assets equalled $32,251,253, and the Fund recognized gross trading
gains of $2,231,571 or 6.91% of such average month-end Net Assets. Brokerage
commissions of $2,160,611 or 6.70% and Administrative expenses of $61,732 or
 .19% and Profit Shares of $252,673 or .78% of average month-end Net Assets were
paid. Interest income of $1,108,016 or 3.44% of average month-end Net Assets
resulted in net 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
income of $864,571 or 2.68% of average month-end Net Assets which resulted in a
2.76% increase in the Net Asset Value per Unit since December 31, 1995.

                During the first nine months of 1996 and 1995, the Fund
experienced 12 profitable months and 6 unprofitable months.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                            MONTH-END NET ASSET VALUE PER UNIT
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Jan.     Feb.    Mar.     April    May      June     July    Aug.     Sept.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>     <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C> 
1995    $143.16  $151.75 $158.05  $161.56  $161.66  $158.32  $157.85 $163.55  $167.25
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996    $181.96  $170.88 $173.16  $175.80  $173.86  $176.00  $171.33 $175.62  $177.79
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
Importance of Market Factors
- ----------------------------
                Comparisons between the Fund's performance in a given period in
one fiscal year to the same period in a prior year are unlikely to be
meaningful, given the uncertainty of price movements in the markets traded by
the Fund. In general, MLIP expects that the Fund is most likely to trade
successfully in markets which exhibit strong and sustained price trends. The
current Advisor group emphasizes technical and trend-following methods.
Consequently, one would expect that in trendless, "choppy" markets the Fund
would likely be unprofitable, while in markets in which major price movements
occur, the Fund would have its best profit potential (although there could be no
assurance that the Fund would, in fact, trade profitably). However,
trend-followers not infrequently will miss major price movements, and market
corrections can result in rapid and material losses (sometimes as much as 5% in
a single day). Although MLIP monitors market conditions and Advisor performance
on an ongoing basis in overseeing the Fund's trading, MLIP does not attempt to
"market forecast" or to "match" trading styles with predicted market conditions.
Rather, MLIP concentrates on quantitative and qualitative analysis of
prospective Advisors, as well as on statistical studies of the historical
performance parameters of different Advisor combinations in selecting Advisors
and allocating and reallocating Fund assets among them.

                Because managed futures advisors' strategies are proprietary and
confidential and market movements unpredictable, selecting advisors to implement
speculative trading strategies involves considerable uncertainty. Furthermore,
the concentration of the Fund's current Advisor portfolio, both in terms of the
number of managers retained and the common emphasis of their strategies on
technical and trend-following methods, increases the risk that unexpectedly bad
performance, turbulent market conditions or a combination of the two will result
in significant losses.

MLIP's Advisor Selections
- -------------------------
                MLIP has no timetable or schedule for making Advisor changes or
reallocations, and generally intends to make a medium- to long-term commitment
to all Advisors selected. However, there can be no assurance as to the frequency
or number of the Advisor changes which may take place in the future, or as to
how long any of the current Advisors will continue to manage assets for the
Fund.

Liquidity
- ---------
                Most of the Partnership's assets are held as cash which, in
turn, is used to margin its futures positions and earns interest income and is
withdrawn, as necessary, to pay redemptions and fees.

                The futures contracts in which the Partnership trades may become
illiquid under certain market conditions. Commodity exchanges limit fluctuations
in futures prices during a single day by regulations referred to as "daily
limits." During a single day no trades may be executed at prices beyond the
daily limit. Once the price of a futures contract for a particular commodity has
increased or decreased by an amount equal to the daily limit, positions in the
commodity can generally neither be taken nor liquidated unless traders are
willing to effect trades at or within the limit. Futures contracts have
occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive days with little
or no trading. Such market conditions could prevent the Partnership from
promptly liquidating its futures (including its options) positions. There are no
limitations on the daily price moves in trading foreign currency forward
contracts through banks, although illiquidity may develop in the forward markets
due to large spreads between "bid" and "ask" prices quoted. (Forward contracts
are the bank version of currency futures contracts and are not traded on
exchanges.)

Capital Resources
- -----------------
                The Partnership does not have, nor does it expect to have, any
capital assets and has no material commitments for capital expenditures. The
Partnership uses its assets to supply the necessary margin or premiums for, and
to pay any losses incurred in connection with, its trading activity and to pay
redemptions and fees.

                Inflation is not a significant factor in the Fund's
profitability, although inflationary cycles can give rise to the type of major
price movements which can have a materially favorable or adverse impact on the
Fund's performance.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                Changes in the level of prevailing interest rates (a factor
generally associated with inflation) could have a material effect on the
percentage of the total capital which is committed to trading, as interest rates
affect the calculation of the discounted minimum Net Asset Value per Unit which
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. has guaranteed to investors.

                          PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.         Legal Proceedings

                None.

Item 2.         Changes in Securities

                None.

Item 3.         Defaults Upon Senior Securities

                None.

Item 4.         Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

                None.

Item 5.         Other Information

                None.

Item 6.         Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.

                  (a)  Exhibits

                There are no exhibits required to be filed with this document.

                  (b)  Reports on Form 8-K
                       -------------------

                There were no reports on Form 8-K filed during the first nine
                months of fiscal 1996.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   THE S.E.C.T.O.R STRATEGY FUNDSM L.P.

                                   By:  MERRILL LYNCH INVESTMENT PARTNERS INC.
                                                 (General Partner)


Date: November 11, 1996            By /s/JOHN R. FRAWLEY, JR.
                                      -----------------------
                                      John R. Frawley, Jr.
                                      President, Chief Executive Officer
                                      and Director

Date: November 11, 1996            By /s/JAMES M. BERNARD
                                      -------------------
                                      James M. Bernard
                                      Chief Financial Officer,
                                      Treasurer and Senior Vice President

                                       11

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> BD
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION, CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS,CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000862525
<NAME> SECTOR STRATEGY FUND L.P.
       
<S>                             <C>                     <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995             DEC-31-1994
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996             SEP-30-1995
<CASH>                                               0                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                               30,837,211              36,701,486
<SECURITIES-RESALE>                                  0                       0
<SECURITIES-BORROWED>                                0                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-OWNED>                                  0                       0
<PP&E>                                               0                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              30,837,211              36,701,486
<SHORT-TERM>                                         0                       0
<PAYABLES>                                     532,652               1,534,592
<REPOS-SOLD>                                         0                      00
<SECURITIES-LOANED>                                 00                       0
<INSTRUMENTS-SOLD>                                   0                       0
<LONG-TERM>                                          0                       0
                                0                       0
                                          0                       0
<COMMON>                                             0                       0
<OTHER-SE>                                  30,304,559              35,166,894
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                30,837,211              36,701,486
<TRADING-REVENUE>                            2,231,571               7,583,773
<INTEREST-DIVIDENDS>                         1,108,016               1,547,032
<COMMISSIONS>                                2,475,016               3,565,409
<INVESTMENT-BANKING-REVENUES>                        0                       0
<FEE-REVENUE>                                        0                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0                       0
<COMPENSATION>                                       0                       0
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                864,571               5,565,396
<INCOME-PRE-EXTRAORDINARY>                     864,571               5,565,396
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0                       0
<CHANGES>                                            0                       0
<NET-INCOME>                                   864,571               5,565,396
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     4.65                   22.30
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     4.65                   22.30
        

</TABLE>


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