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The Components of Mutual Fund Fees

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  • Xiaohui Gao
  • Miles Livingston

Abstract

Several research studies have found that mutual fund expense ratios decline as funds get larger. This paper decomposes the annual expense ratios of actively managed domestic equity funds into their component fees. Most of the observed decline in total expense ratios comes from the small fees paid to outside service providers and the large majority of this decline occurs for the smallest one third of funds. The largest component of the expense ratio, advisory fees, is essentially constant for larger funds. The second largest component, marketing fees, increases as fund assets grow.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaohui Gao & Miles Livingston, 2008. "The Components of Mutual Fund Fees," Financial Markets, Institutions & Instruments, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(3), pages 197-223, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:finmar:v:17:y:2008:i:3:p:197-223
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0416.2008.00139.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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