In this paper using a unique database of mutual funds that charge asymmetric incentive fees we evaluate the ex ante cost of these variable compensations as the premium of a spread option on the active return of the fund. We find that the cost of the asymmetric fee can be very high and that it's...

"We investigate the how and why of performance fee provisions in a free contracting environment such as the Italian mutual fund market until 2006. We find weak support for the hypothesis that these provisions emerge as an economically efficient solution in a rational asset management industry...