The cash flow, return and risk characteristics of private equity
Abstract
Using a unique dataset of private equity funds over the last two decades, this paper analyzes the cash flow, return, and risk characteristics of private equity. We document the draw down and capital return schedules for the typical private equity fund, and show that it takes several years for capital to be invested, and over ten years for capital to be returned to generate excess returns. We provide several determining factors for these schedules, including existing investment opportunities and competition amongst private equity funds. In terms of performance, we document that private equity generates excess returns on the order of five plus percent per annum relative to the aggregate public equity market. One interpretation of this magnitude is that it represents compensation for holding a 10-year illiquid investment.Download Info
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Paper provided by National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc in its series NBER Working Papers with number 9454.Length:
Date of creation: Jan 2003
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:9454
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Keywords:Find related papers by JEL classification:
- G0 - Financial Economics - - General
This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:
- NEP-ALL-2004-08-31 (All new papers)
- NEP-BEC-2004-08-31 (Business Economics)
- NEP-CFN-2004-08-31 (Corporate Finance)
- NEP-FIN-2004-08-31 (Finance)
- NEP-RMG-2004-08-31 (Risk Management)
References
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