Hedge funds are often set up as limited partnerships, with the fund owners divided into two classes: General Partners and Limited Partners. General Partners are responsible for the overall management of the fund and typically co-invest alongside other partners. They make all the business decisions, monitor the fund's performance, and send out information to investors. In return, they receive management and performance fees ('carried interest').
General Partners are exposed to the fund's business risk and have unlimited liability, meaning they are on the hook for any business losses. In contrast, Limited Partners are passive investors with no say in how the fund is run. Their financial risk is limited to the amount they invest, and they won't be liable for any business debts if the fund fails.
In the context of hedge funds, General Partners are usually limited liability companies acting as the fund's General Partner. They are compensated through a performance-based allocation, which is intended to reward and incentivise the manager for generating positive returns. This performance-based element is a defining characteristic of the hedge fund structure.
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- General partners are exposed to the fund's business risk and have unlimited liability
- General partners are compensated with management and performance fees
- General partners make all business decisions and manage the fund's operations
- General partners are responsible for the fund's overall management
- General partners are co-investors with all other partners
General partners are exposed to the fund's business risk and have unlimited liability
A hedge fund is a limited partnership of private investors whose money is pooled and managed by professional fund managers. The fund owners, or members, are divided into two classes: General Partners (GPs) and Limited Partners (LPs). While all partners share the fund's ownership, they have different roles, rights, and duties.
GPs are exposed to the fund's business risk and have unlimited liability. They make all the business decisions and manage the fund's operations, including creating business plans, securing finance, looking for potential investors, and securing approvals from regulators. They also monitor the fund's performance and send out information to investors.
Because GPs make all the fund's business decisions, they are responsible for any business losses. Their exposure to the outside world is unlimited, and they may be asked to provide personal guarantees. In return, they are paid management and performance fees, or 'carried interest'.
LPs, on the other hand, are passive investors with limited liability. Their financial risk is limited to the amount they invest, and they have no involvement in decision-making. If the fund's business fails, LPs will not be liable for any business debts and their obligation is limited to the amount they have invested or committed to invest.
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General partners are compensated with management and performance fees
General partners are responsible for the overall management of a fund and are compensated through management and performance fees.
The management fee is based on the net asset value of the fund and is typically charged at a rate of 2% per annum. This fee covers the operational costs of running the fund, such as rent, salaries, and equipment. It is usually calculated and paid monthly or quarterly.
The performance fee, also known as "carried interest", is a share of the fund's profits and is intended to reward and incentivize the general partner for generating positive returns. The industry standard for this fee is 20% of any realized or unrealized profits over realized or unrealized losses. This fee is typically structured as an allocation of the fund's income to the general partner and is calculated on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis.
General partners may also have some of their own capital invested in the fund, signalling to investors that they have "skin in the game". This investment element is separate from the returns received through the management and performance fees.
In addition to these fees, general partners may also receive administrative fees, which are usually calculated as a percentage of the capital invested.
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General partners make all business decisions and manage the fund's operations
General partners are responsible for the overall management of a hedge fund, making all business decisions and overseeing its operations. They are co-investors with other partners but have more responsibilities, including creating business plans, securing financing, scouting for talent and investment opportunities, and handling administrative tasks.
General partners also monitor the fund's performance and keep investors informed. They have unlimited liability and are exposed to the fund's business risk, which means they are responsible for any losses. In return, they receive management and performance fees, also known as "carried interest".
The management fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the fund's net asset value, usually ranging from 1% to 2%. This fee covers operational costs, such as rent, salaries, and equipment.
The performance fee, on the other hand, is intended to reward and incentivize the general partners for generating positive returns. The industry standard is 20% of any profits realised or unrealised over losses. This fee is structured as an allocation of the fund's income to the general partner and is calculated on an investor-by-investor basis.
General partners play a crucial role in the success of a hedge fund, and their expertise and skills are essential in achieving positive returns and managing the fund's operations effectively.
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General partners are responsible for the fund's overall management
General partners are responsible for the overall management of a hedge fund. They are co-investors with all the other partners, but they are the ones who make all the business decisions and manage the fund's operations. They monitor the fund's performance and send out information to investors.
- Creating the fund's business plans and securing finance
- Looking for potential investors
- Securing approvals from regulators
- Scouting for talent and businesses, attending pitch events, and picking targets
- Investigating targets' affairs pre-investment
- Monitoring performance post-investment
- Preparing and filing accounts
- Taking care of admin
General partners also invest money on behalf of the limited partners. They pool the money of all the partners and buy the assets underpinning the fund, such as property or shares in a business.
General partners have unlimited liability and are exposed to the fund's business risk. They are usually compensated with management and performance fees ('carried interest').
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General partners are co-investors with all other partners
General partners are usually co-investors with all the other partners, but they are the ones who make the business decisions and manage the fund's operations. They monitor the fund's performance, send out information to investors, and handle administrative tasks. General partners also scout for talent and businesses, attend pitch events, and pick targets.
In addition to their management responsibilities, general partners invest money on behalf of the limited partners. They pool the money from all the partners and use it to buy the assets that underpin the fund, such as property or shares in a business. General partners have unlimited liability, which means they are on the hook for any business losses and their exposure to the outside world is unlimited. In return for taking on this risk, they are paid management and performance fees.
The management fee for general partners is typically calculated as a percentage of the capital invested, usually ranging from 1% to 2%. The performance fee, on the other hand, is typically around 20% of the fund's profits. This performance fee is intended to reward and incentivize the general partners for generating positive returns.
General partners play a crucial role in the success of a hedge fund, and their expertise and decision-making abilities can significantly impact the fund's performance. By co-investing with the other partners, they demonstrate their commitment to the fund's success and align their interests with those of the investors.
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Frequently asked questions
A hedge fund is a limited partnership of private investors whose money is pooled and managed by professional fund managers. These managers use a wide range of strategies, including leverage and the trading of non-traditional assets, to earn above-average investment returns.
While all partners share the fund's ownership, they don't have the same rights and duties. General Partners operate the fund and make all the business decisions, while Limited Partners simply invest. Limited Partners' financial risk is limited to the amount they invest, whereas General Partners are exposed to the fund's business risk and have unlimited liability.
General Partners are usually co-investors with all the other partners, but they make all the business decisions and manage the fund's operations. They monitor its performance, send out information to investors, and invest money on behalf of the Limited Partners. They also handle admin tasks such as creating business plans, securing finance, and preparing and filing accounts.
In return for managing the fund, General Partners receive admin fees, usually calculated as a percentage of capital invested, as well as 'carried interest', which is a share of the profits of an investment paid to the investment manager. However, General Partners are on the hook for any business losses and their exposure to the outside world is unlimited.