What is the primary purpose of a fund's 'investment horizon'?

The primary purpose of a fund's 'investment horizon' is to define the expected timeline for holding investments before exiting. This concept is crucial for guiding the fund's investment strategy and decision-making processes. An investment horizon provides clarity on how long the fund intends to maintain its holdings, which directly affects the type of investments it will pursue.

For instance, a fund with a long-term investment horizon may target growth-focused assets that require time to mature, while one with a shorter horizon may prioritize more liquid or income-generating investments. This timeline allows fund managers to align their strategies with the expectations of their investors regarding when returns can be anticipated. Furthermore, understanding the investment horizon is essential for evaluating market opportunities and the overall timing of exit strategies, such as selling assets or liquidating positions.

It’s important to note that while maximizing returns, assessing risk, and determining the fee structure are all significant factors in the overall management of a fund, they are not the primary purpose of defining the investment horizon. Instead, those aspects would be influenced by the investment horizon but do not capture its core function.