Business Publications
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
3-2018
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3224109
Abstract
Individuals are overconfident, especially those in positions to influence outcomes. The impact of hiring an overconfident portfolio manager is studied here within the standard principal-agent framework. When compensation is endogenously determined, we find that investors can benefit from managerial overconfidence. Overconfidence induces a higher level of effort until the effects of restrictions on portfolio formation take over. Further, by increasing the incentive fee and sharing more risk the investor can curb excessive risk taking. However, excessive overconfidence is detrimental to the investor. We empirically test and confirm the effects of portfolio constraints and incentive fee on manager’s self-attribution bias.