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The Effect of Investment Constraints on Hedge Fund Investor Returns

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  • Joenväärä, Juha
  • Kosowski, Robert
  • Tolonen, Pekka

Abstract

This paper examines the effect of real-world, investor-level investment constraints, including several that have not been studied before, on hedge fund performance and its persistence. Using a large consolidated database, we demonstrate that hedge fund performance persistence is significantly reduced when rebalancing rules reflect fund size restrictions and liquidity constraints but remains statistically significant at higher rebalancing frequencies. Hypothetical investor portfolios that incorporate additional minimum diversification constraints, minimum investment requirements, and focus on open funds suggest that the performance and its persistence documented in earlier studies of hedge funds is not easily exploitable, especially by large investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Joenväärä, Juha & Kosowski, Robert & Tolonen, Pekka, 2019. "The Effect of Investment Constraints on Hedge Fund Investor Returns," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 54(4), pages 1539-1571, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jfinqa:v:54:y:2019:i:04:p:1539-1571_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Kosowski, Robert & Joenväärä, Juha & Kaupila, Mikko & Tolonen, Pekka, 2019. "Hedge Fund Performance: Are Stylized Facts Sensitive to Which Database One Uses?," CEPR Discussion Papers 13618, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    2. Fan Yang & Tomas Havranek & Zuzana Irsova & Jiri Novak, 2022. "Hedge Fund Performance: A Quantitative Survey," Working Papers IES 2022/15, Charles University Prague, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Economic Studies, revised Jun 2022.
    3. Joenväärä, Juha & Kauppila, Mikko & Kahra, Hannu, 2021. "Hedge fund portfolio selection with fund characteristics," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    4. Spilker, Harold D., 2022. "Hedge fund family ties," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Bali, Turan G. & Weigert, Florian, 2021. "Hedge funds and the positive idiosyncratic volatility effect," CFR Working Papers 21-01, University of Cologne, Centre for Financial Research (CFR).

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    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors

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