What is a management fee?

A management fee is a charge levied by an investment manager for managing an investment fund. The management fee is intended to compensate the managers for their time and expertise for selecting stocks and managing the portfolio. It can also include other items such as investor relations (IR) expenses and the administration costs of the fund .

How much does a portfolio management fee cost?

Management fees can also cover expenses involved with managing a portfolio, such as fund operations and administrative costs. The management fee varies but usually ranges anywhere from 0.20% to 2.00%, depending on factors such as management style and size of the investment.

Why is a management fee considered an indirect cost?

The management fee is paid to the investment manager regardless of, and independent from, the fund’s performance. A management fee is considered an indirect cost because it is based on the assets under management (AUM) and not based on the performance of the fund.

Why do mutual funds charge management fees?

Mutual funds charge management fees to cover their operating costs, such as the cost of hiring and retaining investment advisors who manage funds' investment portfolios and any other management fees not included in the other expenses category. Management fees are commonly referred to as maintenance fees.