function calculateHardHurdle() {
var capital = parseFloat(document.getElementById('capitalAmt').value);
var grossPct = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossReturnPct').value) / 100;
var hurdlePct = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hurdleRatePct').value) / 100;
var carryPct = parseFloat(document.getElementById('performanceFeePct').value) / 100;
if (isNaN(capital) || isNaN(grossPct) || isNaN(hurdlePct) || isNaN(carryPct)) {
alert('Please enter valid numeric values in all fields.');
return;
}
var grossProfit = capital * grossPct;
var hurdleAmount = capital * hurdlePct;
var performanceFee = 0;
// In a HARD hurdle, the fee is ONLY calculated on the profit ABOVE the hurdle
if (grossProfit > hurdleAmount) {
var excessProfit = grossProfit – hurdleAmount;
performanceFee = excessProfit * carryPct;
}
var netProfit = grossProfit – performanceFee;
var netReturnPct = (netProfit / capital) * 100;
document.getElementById('resGrossProfit').innerText = '$' + grossProfit.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resHurdleAmt').innerText = '$' + hurdleAmount.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resPerfFee').innerText = '$' + performanceFee.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resNetProfit').innerText = '$' + netProfit.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resNetReturnPct').innerText = netReturnPct.toFixed(2) + '%';
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = 'block';
}
Understanding the Hard Hurdle Rate
In the world of private equity, hedge funds, and venture capital, a hard hurdle rate is a critical structural component of a fund's distribution waterfall. It represents the minimum return that a fund manager must achieve for investors (Limited Partners) before the manager (General Partner) is entitled to any performance fees or carried interest.
How a Hard Hurdle Differs from a Soft Hurdle
It is essential to distinguish between a "hard" and a "soft" hurdle. In a soft hurdle, once the threshold is reached, the manager receives a percentage of the entire profit. However, in a hard hurdle, the manager only earns a performance fee on the returns that exceed the hurdle rate.
Hard Hurdle: Performance fee applies only to the "excess" profit above the threshold.
Soft Hurdle: Performance fee applies to all profits once the threshold is crossed.
Formula for Hard Hurdle Calculation
The logic used in our calculator follows the standard industry math:
Imagine an institutional investor commits $1,000,000 to a fund with an 8% hard hurdle and a 20% performance fee. If the fund generates a 15% return ($150,000 profit):
The Hurdle Amount is $80,000 (8% of $1M).
The Profit Subject to Fee is $70,000 ($150,000 – $80,000).
The Manager's Fee (Carry) is $14,000 (20% of $70,000).
The Investor receives their $1,000,000 back plus $136,000 in net profit.
Why Do LPs Prefer Hard Hurdles?
Limited Partners (LPs) generally prefer hard hurdles because they provide better alignment of interests. The manager is only rewarded for true "alpha" or outperformance beyond a base expected rate of return, rather than being rewarded for achieving a baseline return that might be available through safer index-linked investments.