So you want to work/are working in PE

Would you invest your money in a PE fund under a 2/20 fee structure and locking them up for a couple of years?

Personally, PE is one of the most interesting fields for me to work at. However, from an investor's point of view I am much more hesitant to such illiquid investments with negative interest too (it's a fee, i know), under the assumption that the managers are able to generate very decent returns in the future. Is it only me (my investment profile) who would more likely not invest in PE? Any historical data of Private Equity returns?

10 Comments
 

Given the consistently great returns PE offers relative to other asset classes, it would be silly for someone, with enough assets, to not deploy/allocate some of it towards private equity. Almost 2/3s of the LP base of PE firms are pension funds... enough said.

I suggest you do a lot more research.

The difference between successful people and others is largely a habit - a controlled habit of doing every task better, faster and more efficiently.
 
Best Response
mhurricaneGiven the consistently great returns PE offers relative to other asset classes, it would be silly for someone, with enough assets, to not deploy/allocate some of it towards private equity. Almost 2/3s of the LP base of PE firms are pension funds... enough said.

I suggest you do a lot more research.

Not sure where you're getting "consistently great returns" from.

I don't have the time to do the digging right now, but I think the WSJ (or a similar publication) did a study of PE returns over the long haul, and it wasn't all that much better than anything else. And, when you factor in the fee structure, it becomes less attractive. Obviously there are some really great funds out there, but don't confuse the performance of the top players to PE at large.

 
TheKing
mhurricaneGiven the consistently great returns PE offers relative to other asset classes, it would be silly for someone, with enough assets, to not deploy/allocate some of it towards private equity. Almost 2/3s of the LP base of PE firms are pension funds... enough said.

I suggest you do a lot more research.

Not sure where you're getting "consistently great returns" from.

I don't have the time to do the digging right now, but I think the WSJ (or a similar publication) did a study of PE returns over the long haul, and it wasn't all that much better than anything else. And, when you factor in the fee structure, it becomes less attractive. Obviously there are some really great funds out there, but don't confuse the performance of the top players to PE at large.

When you find it, let me know.

The difference between successful people and others is largely a habit - a controlled habit of doing every task better, faster and more efficiently.
 

The thing about PE, in my opinion, is that in order to be a successful PE manager you must not only be a very good (value?) investor, but also a businessman. Sadly - I might as well be wrong - my consensus is that PEs for whatever reasons focus too much on the financial metrics side and ignore other parameters.

If 2/3s of the LP base is pension funds, that's actually another indication for me to avoid investing in this asset class.

IMO, considering the current economic environment, if I were to invest my money somewhere for the next year or two I'd be looking for Global Macro HFs.

Colourful TV, colourless Life.
 
BonusThe thing about PE, in my opinion, is that in order to be a successful PE manager you must not only be a very good (value?) investor, but also a businessman. Sadly - I might as well be wrong - my consensus is that PEs for whatever reasons focus too much on the financial metrics side and ignore other parameters.

If 2/3s of the LP base is pension funds, that's actually another indication for me to avoid investing in this asset class.

IMO, considering the current economic environment, if I were to invest my money somewhere for the next year or two I'd be looking for Global Macro HFs.

Yeah, hedge funds are doing great this year, especially macro funds. Paulsen is making a killing...
The difference between successful people and others is largely a habit - a controlled habit of doing every task better, faster and more efficiently.
 
BonusWould you invest your money in a PE fund under a 2/20 fee structure and locking them up for a couple of years?

Personally, PE is one of the most interesting fields for me to work at. However, from an investor's point of view I am much more hesitant to such illiquid investments with negative interest too (it's a fee, i know), under the assumption that the managers are able to generate very decent returns in the future. Is it only me (my investment profile) who would more likely not invest in PE? Any historical data of Private Equity returns?

More like 10 year lock up. PE index returns here:

http://www.cambridgeassociates.com/pdf/Private%20Equity%20Index.pdf

 

The future of private equity and hedge fund in terms of sources of capital will move away from HWN individuals towards institutions.

 
HopkinsThe future of private equity and hedge fund in terms of sources of capital will move away from HWN individuals towards institutions.

It's already almost entirely institutional money. My fund gets all of its money from pension funds and the like.

 

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