Risk Choice under High-Water Marks

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Drechsler, Itamar
• 署名单位: New York University
• 刊物名称: REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STUDIES
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0893-9454
• DOI: 10.1093/rfs/hht081
• 发表日期: 2014
• 页码: 2052
• 关键词: HEDGE FUND; performance; survival; COMPENSATION; strategies

摘要

I solve in closed form for the optimal dynamic risk choice of a fund manager who is compensated with a high-water mark contract. The optimal risk choice depends on the ratio of the fund's assets under management to its high-water mark. If the manager's outside option value is low, investors' termination policy is strict, or management fees are high, then negative returns induce the manager into derisking. Otherwise, he engages in gambling. Having the option to walk away increases risk taking, though in many cases exercise is never optimal. In particular, leaving to restart at a proportionally smaller fund is always suboptimal.