Fee structure and equity fund manager’s optimal locking in profits strategy

Abstract

We study the effects of fee structures on fund managers’ strategies for locking in profits. Utilizing the optimal stopping time method, we identify two critical portfolio value thresholds that signal when a manager will choose to lock in profits. Fee components such as management fees, self-investment ratios, and high-water marks significantly influence these decisions. Specifically, higher management fees are associated with increased risk aversion, leading to a narrower continuation region, indicating a preference for lower risk. Conversely, performance fees encourage greater risk-taking. We use the S&P 500 Index and NASDAQ Composite index as representatives of managers’ portfolios and apply our model to illustrate how managers adjust their profit-locking strategies in response to their desired rewards.