Archive · 21 Aug 2025
Hedge Fund Investors Angry Over Rising Fees and Declining Returns
Some big investors in the US are getting angry at hedge funds.
These funds charge fees called 'passthrough fees' that cover all sorts of expenses, like rent and salaries, on top of their usual fees.
This means investors get less money back.
Big investors, like pension funds, are starting to say no to funds with high fees.
They want to keep more of the profits.
Because fund returns aren't as high as before, investors are carefully checking how much they're paying.
Some funds are making very little money for their investors after fees are taken out.
US hedge fund investors are frustrated by 'passthrough fees,' which cover fund expenses.
These fees, alongside management fees, reduce investors' profit share, especially at multi-strategy funds.
Large investors like Texas Teachers and New Mexico's pension are rejecting funds with high fees.
Investors are demanding a higher share of returns and scrutinizing fee structures more closely.
Performance has slowed, with some funds earning very little for investors after fees.
- Who
- US hedge fund investors, including pension funds, are expressing dissatisfaction.
- What
- Hedge fund investors are protesting high fees, particularly 'passthrough fees'.
- When
- The pushback has been building for over a year, with increased scrutiny in mid-2024.
- Where
- United States
- Why
- Investors are unhappy with reduced profit share due to rising fees and slowing returns.
Investor Perspective
Fund Managers' Perspective
Fee Justification
Investor Perspective
Passthrough fees significantly reduce investor returns and profit share.
Fund Managers' Perspective
Funds claim they are necessary to support their expensive operational model.
- Primary Complaint
- Passthrough fees reducing investor returns
- Common Fee Structure
- Passthrough fees + 2% management fee + 20% of profits
- Investor Action
- Rejecting funds with unfavorable fee structures
- Texas Teachers Fund
- $21 billion in hedge funds
- New Mexico Pension
- $1 billion in hedge funds
- Citadel and Millennium returns
- 2.5% and 2.2% respectively in the first half of this year, after fees.