By Tarun Ramadorai

Abstract

Rational theories of the closed-end fund premium puzzle highlight fund share and asset illiquidity, managerial ability and compensation, and fees as important determinants of the premium. Several of these attributes are difficult to measure for mutual funds, and easier to measure for hedge funds. This paper employs new data from a secondary market for hedge funds, discovers a closed hedge fund premium which is highly correlated over time with the closed-end mutual fund premium, and shows that the closed hedge fund premium is well-explained by variables suggested by the rational theories. Sentiment-based explanations do not find support in the data.

Forthcoming in the Journal of Finance.