Finance and Economics Discussion Series (FEDS)

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December 2017

Investor Concentration, Flows, and Cash Holdings: Evidence from Hedge Funds

Mathias S. Kruttli, Phillip J. Monin, and Sumudu W. Watugala

Abstract:

We show that when only a few investors own a substantial portion of a hedge fund's net asset value, flow volatility increases because investors' exogenous, idiosyncratic liquidity shocks are not diversified away. Using confidential regulatory filings, we confirm that high investor concentration hedge funds experience more volatile flows. These hedge funds hold more cash and liquid assets, which help absorb large, unexpected outflows. Such funds have to pay a liquidity premium and generate lower risk-adjusted returns. Investor concentration does not affect flow-performance sensitivity. These results are robust to including lock-up and redemption periods, strategy, manager ownership, and other controls.
Accessible materials (.zip)

Keywords: Hedge funds, flows, investor concentration, portfolio liquidity, precautionary cash

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17016/FEDS.2017.121

PDF: Full Paper

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Last Update: January 09, 2020