Question on hurdle rates

I never worked in PE, went straight to HF out of undergrad. Have some opportunities on the private side doing crossover and wanted to ask the mechanics of a hurdle rate for PE funds. Very few HFs have it and it seems to be structured differently for HFs anyway.

Only HF (big recent launch) I know who has it is structured like this:

hurdle rate is 5% net of management fees, get 20% incentive fee above 5% and below 15% and a 30% incentive fee above 15%, on top of management fee etc.

So lets just say they manage $1B and return 10%

$1,000 * 10% = $100 performance for the fund

Management fee lets call 1%, so $1,000 * 1% = 10

Performance Fee is $100 - $10 = $90, $90 - 5% hurdle rate(50) = $40 in performance eligible for the fee, $40 *20% = $8 in performance fees

So all in, the GPs get $18MM in fees and the LPs net 8.2% or $82MM on the $1B

Is this the same mechanics for a PE fund or is it set so that if you hit the hurdle rate, ALL performance is eligible for the 20% fee?

 

Read some articles on GP catch up fees etc and understand it now. Linking article for those who also were confused.

https://www DOT efinancialcareers.co.uk/news/finance/small-chart-explaining-people-work-private-equity-well-paid

 

It's extremely rare for firms to actually charge 2/20 in PE because LPs get fee breaks for early/anchor commitments during fundraising or large commitments. But let's assume the firm still gets 2/20 for the sake of your question. Most common PE fund hurdle is 8% and that is calculated using your gross return minus management fees (~2%) minus other fund expenses (~50bps). So if they clear the 8% hurdle, then the fund is "in the carry" and will earn 20% performance fees on the (gross return minus mgmt fees minus other fund expenses). Then the carry distributions will vest over time for retention purposes.  

 

Okay that's helpful pertaining to fee discounts. So they are actually only getting the perf over the gross - management - expenses in most cases then?

 
Most Helpful

Ea ut est maiores nostrum occaecati cumque eum nulla. Aliquam et aut sapiente repellendus. Quia quia officiis est officiis ipsam voluptatem non. Hic praesentium rerum eos quibusdam reiciendis id ipsam. Et accusantium aliquam impedit dolorem enim voluptatem qui. Rerum magni quo dolores voluptates tempora. Et velit similique aut omnis voluptatem voluptatem praesentium praesentium. Eos quia nihil omnis nam amet.

Dolor sed id veritatis. Odio velit exercitationem quo eaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 99.0%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.4%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.4%
  • Ardian 97.9%
  • Bain Capital 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.5%
  • Bain Capital 99.0%
  • Blackstone Group 98.4%
  • Warburg Pincus 97.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (22) $569
  • Vice President (92) $362
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (91) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (206) $266
  • 1st Year Associate (387) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (29) $154
  • 2nd Year Analyst (83) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (246) $122
  • Intern/Summer Associate (32) $82
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (314) $59
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
numi's picture
numi
98.8
10
Kenny_Powers_CFA's picture
Kenny_Powers_CFA
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”