Deciphering Private Equity Incentive Contracting and Fund Leverage Choice

Abstract

I explain the standard carried interest contract as a mechanism to induce incentive compatible fund leverage while also satisfying LP return objectives. Fee, leverage and target return data from private equity real estate (PERE) funds are used to calibrate the model. Steps in the modeling process include developing a tradeoff model of fund capital structure that pits alpha against the costs of financial distress. Financial distress costs are shown to create endogenous upper bounds on fund debt levels. GPs with convex incentive fee payoff functions limit debt, even in the absence of distress costs. I also analyze how catch-up fee provisions arise endogenously to generate larger fees for high-skill fund managers.