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Diversification in Private Equity Funds: On Knowledge Sharing, Risk Aversion, and Limited Attention

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  • Humphery-Jenner, Mark

Abstract

This paper examines diversification as a source of value creation and destruction in private equity (PE) funds. Previous literature has focused on the “diversification discount” in corporations. However, in PE funds, diversification might increase returns by ameliorating managerial risk aversion and facilitating knowledge sharing. I examine a sample of 1,505 PE funds and show that industry and geographic diversification can increasePE fund returns. This is likely due to knowledge sharing and learning, not merely risk reduction. Diversification can reduce returns if it spreads staff too thinly across industries or is motivated by risk aversion rather than performance bonuses.

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  • Humphery-Jenner, Mark, 2013. "Diversification in Private Equity Funds: On Knowledge Sharing, Risk Aversion, and Limited Attention," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(5), pages 1545-1572, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jfinqa:v:48:y:2013:i:05:p:1545-1572_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Rob Bauer & Matteo Bonneti & Dirk Broeders, 2018. "Pension Funds Interconnections and Herd Behavior," DNB Working Papers 612, Netherlands Central Bank, Research Department.
    2. Dahya, Jay & Wu, Betty (H.T.), 2024. "Social capital, syndication, and investment performance: Evidence from PE investing in LBOs," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 95(PA).
    3. Azzi, Sarah & Suchard, Jo-Ann, 2019. "Crouching tigers, hidden dragons: Private equity fund selection in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 236-253.
    4. Stanfield, Jared, 2020. "Skill, syndication, and performance: Evidence from leveraged buyouts," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    5. Emanuele Teti & Alberto Dell’Acqua & Ada Bovsunovsky, 2024. "Diversification and size in venture capital investing," Eurasian Business Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 14(2), pages 475-500, June.
    6. Matthias Huss & Daniel Steger, 2020. "Diversification and Fund Performance—An Analysis of Buyout Funds," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Faverzani, Lara, 2024. "Financial resource pooling in club deals," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    8. Buchner, Axel & Mohamed, Abdulkadir & Schwienbacher, Armin, 2017. "Diversification, risk, and returns in venture capital," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 519-535.
    9. Hammer, Benjamin & Knauer, Alexander & Pflücke, Magnus & Schwetzler, Bernhard, 2017. "Inorganic growth strategies and the evolution of the private equity business model," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 31-63.

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