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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 116 No. 1 2015

Hedge funds and discretionary liquidity restrictions

Adam L. Aiken1; Christopher P. Clifford2; Jesse A. Ellis3

1 Quinnipiac University · 2 University of Kentucky · 3 North Carolina State University

Abstract

We study hedge funds that imposed discretionary liquidity restrictions (DLRs) on investor shares during the financial crisis. DLRs prolong fund life, but impose liquidity costs on investors, creating a potential conflict of interest. Ostensibly, funds establish DLRs to limit performance-driven withdrawals that could force fire sales of illiquid assets. However, after they restrict investor liquidity, DLR funds do not reduce illiquid stock sales and underperform a control sample of non-DLR funds. Consequently, DLRs appear to negatively impact fund family reputation. After the crisis, funds from DLR families faced difficulties raising capital and were more likely to cut their fees.

DOI
10.1016/j.jfineco.2015.01.002
Volume
116
Issue
1
Pages
197-218
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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