Robert J. Hartman’s trading methods are proprietary and confidential. The following description is of necessity and is not intended to be exhaustive. 

 

The Advisor will employ only technical analysis in making trading decisions. Technical analysis is not based on the anticipated supply and demand of cash (actual) commodity; instead, it is based on the theory that a study of the markets themselves will provide a means of anticipating futures prices. Technical analysis of the markets often includes a study of the actual intraday daily, weekly and monthly price volume and open interest data, utilizing charts and or computers for analysis of these items. 

 

Pacific Capital Advisors has developed a series of proprietary computerized trading systems that generate trading signals. Buy and sell orders are placed in the various markets traded based upon these signals.

 

The computerized trading systems are designed to respond to short-term market fluctuations that may last only a portion of a day, or up to several days. Both momentum and mean reversion trading techniques are employed across a variety of futures markets. Employing stop loss levels, time exits and diversification across sectors and geographical regions controls risk. Emphasis is placed on preservation of capital. The capital at risk per trade is planned in advance and strictly adhered to.

 

These aforementioned short-term trading systems are used in the following program as described below.

 

Vanguard is an intraday program trading a variety of systems with holding periods of less than one hour to one session.  Trades are not held overnight thereby eliminating the risk of overnight price shocks.  Momentum and mean reversion methods are used.  Contracts traded are typically limited to U.S. stock indices and energies.  This program tends to have a low correlation with other managed futures programs.

 

Robert Hartman has an extensive background in the information technology field. He had technical and management roles at IBM, Sun Microsystems, Computer Sciences Corp (CSC), Conner Peripherals, Seagate Technologies and Logitech Inc. Then, from August 1999 to October 2000, he was a project manager, and a consultant, involved with network and systems security for Apple Computer. It was during this time that he began developing the trading methodologies that he is offering herein. Then from October of 2000 and still continuing, he is the President of Trilocom, Inc. This corporation, of which he is the only principal, was created in Mountain View, CA specifically as a trading firm, trading his own accounts as he further refined his trading systems. He then formed and registered Pacific Capital Advisors, Inc., the CTA of this disclosure document. The performance records for the firm and its principals begin on page 10 of this document. Mr. Hartman became registered as an Associated Person with Vankar Trading Corporation an Introducing Broker, in November of 2007 and listed as a Branch Office Manager of Vankar Trading Corporation in January 2008.

 

The descriptions above are from the manager’s disclosure document.