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Limited Partner Performance and the Maturing of the Private Equity Industry

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Listed:
  • Sensoy, Berk A.

    (OH State University)

  • Wang, Yingdi

    (CA State University, Fullerton)

  • Weisbach, Michael S.

    (OH State University)

Abstract

We evaluate the performance of limited partners' (LPs) private equity investments over time. Using a sample of 14,380 investments by 1,852 LPs in 1,250 buyout and venture funds started between 1991 and 2006, we find that the superior performance of endowment investors in the 1991-1998 period, documented in prior literature, is mostly due to their greater access to the top-performing venture capital partnerships. In the subsequent 1999-2006 period, endowments no longer outperform, and neither have greater access to funds who are likely restrict access nor make better investment selections than other types of institutional investors. We discuss how these results are consistent with the general maturing of the industry, as private equity has transitioned from a niche, poorly understood area to a ubiquitous part of institutional investors' portfolios.

Suggested Citation

  • Sensoy, Berk A. & Wang, Yingdi & Weisbach, Michael S., 2013. "Limited Partner Performance and the Maturing of the Private Equity Industry," Working Paper Series 2013-01, Ohio State University, Charles A. Dice Center for Research in Financial Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ecl:ohidic:2013-01
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Robert S. Harris & Tim Jenkinson & Steven N. Kaplan, 2014. "Private Equity Performance: What Do We Know?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 69(5), pages 1851-1882, October.
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    4. Ji-Woong Chung & Berk A. Sensoy & Léa Stern & Michael S. Weisbach, 2012. "Pay for Performance from Future Fund Flows: The Case of Private Equity," Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 25(11), pages 3259-3304.
    5. repec:oup:rfinst:v:25:y::i:11:p:3259-3304 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Steven N. Kaplan & Antoinette Schoar, 2005. "Private Equity Performance: Returns, Persistence, and Capital Flows," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 60(4), pages 1791-1823, August.
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • G11 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Portfolio Choice; Investment Decisions
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage

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