Capacity Analysis for Equity Funds

Abstract

This article discusses the definition and determinants of capacity and outlines a practical approach for analyzing the capacity of equity funds. It is argued that capacity analysis should focus on effective capacity, defined as the level of assets under management at which any additional investments would generate alpha below a minimum threshold at the margin, for the active component of a portfolio. The approach combines potential drivers into an integrated analysis and generates insight into the critical factors for the capacity of the strategy being analyzed. The approach is illustrated for a factor-based momentum strategy and an actual equity fund.

TOPICS: Security analysis and valuation, analysis of individual factors/risk premia, equity portfolio management