Co-Investments are equity, debt or other exposures offered by fund managers to their investors directly in the portfolio companies, project or trade in which they invest. They can offer access to high-conviction ideas and differentiated return streams with lower fees and potentially enhanced returns. Co-investments also allow investors to better manage and add concentration in their portfolio and can therefore be an attractive complement to fund investing.
The number of co-investments in private equity has grown 20 fold over the last 17 years with about 90% of private equity fund managers offering co-investment opportunities. Co-investment and direct deals have been gaining significant momentum for hedge funds and real estate funds as well. In a 2016 survey, 80% of investors said they exercise co-investment rights at best 'occasionally', 13% using them 'very often', and 6% employing them 'always or almost always'. Over 50% of investors said they shortened their decision making processes, mainly in order to do more co-investment.
A recent Forbes article pointed out that private investors with a net worth of $500 million or more are using a significant and increasing part of their wealth to acquire a stake in or whole businesses throughout the world, typically through a direct investment via their single-family offices. For example, many of Pierre duPont's clients don't want to invest in a fund because they recognize that the best way to protect and grow their wealth is to own a substantial chunk of a successful and growing business which ideally is in line with their own operational and entrepreneurial expertise.
Still, a large range of investors are receptive to co-investments via an asset manager because the trades are typically complicated and often a host of legal structures are involved. Investors also appreciate and seek the flexibility co-investments are offering, as they can be structured in a wide variety of ways - e.g. segregated portfolio company (SPC), a fund-of-one or a separately managed account (SMA) to meet the needs and preferences of the investor surrounding issues such as custody, investment discretion and confidentiality of their involvement.
While we know that the fees and investment returns look good, but the lack of process, organizational structure and difficulties around manager selection are blocking points for many investors. Timing can also be an issue regarding the timely execution of a co-investment, but this can be addressed upfront with prearranged fees and prearranged structures (page 7, 21).
This Roundtable, sponsored by Lyxor Asset Management, took place in New York City with:
David Dunn, Co-Managing Partner and Co-CIO, Cross Sound Management
Jason Hubschman, Head of Financial Engineering and Product Development, Lyxor Asset Management Inc.
Jean-Francois Tormo, U.S. Head of Global Portfolio Solutions and Senior Portfolio Manager, Lyxor Asset Management Inc.
Jim Mitarotonda, CEO and Chief Investment Officer, Barington Capital Group
Kieran Cavanna, CIO, Old Farm Partners
Marco Lukesch, Portfolio Manager, Emso Asset Management
Pierre duPont, Partner, HPM Partners
The group also discussed:
Which are the three main reasons or motivations for a co- or direct investment? (page 6, 7). Why almost all activist managers offer co-investments (page 7). Shifting from credit towards more equity-related types of co-investments (page 10)
Liquidity considerations for co-investments (page 8). Typical fee arrangements for co-investments (page 9, 24-25)
Due diligence and questions to ask when reviewing a co-investment (page 18). How to deal with the potentially higher volatility of co-investments (page 9, 11). Portfolio construction with co-investments (page 19). What can go wrong and lessons learned. Risk in co-investments and how to mitigate it (page 22-25)
The role of manager selection (page 12, 15). What is the ideal co-investor (co-investment partner selection)? (page 12, 13, 18). Sourcing of co-investments (page 14, 15)
Allocators often develop teams for co-investments. How do managers view their expertise? (page 11). Why family offices and high net-worth investors are welcome co-investors (page 17)
Governance and best practices in co-investments (page 13-15 ). Process and infrastructure considerations for co-investments (page 14, 21)
Co-investment funds of funds: Why commingling co-investments can ultimately be attractive. The opt-in structure (page 19-22)
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