Of the $3.7 trillion in profits they have earned as an industry since 1969, nearly half or a staggering $1.8 trillion was gobbled up as fees, according to estimates by LCH Investments, a fund of hedge funds. With soaring assets, hedge funds have raised their charges to 50.4% of gains, up from the roughly 30% they earned until the early 2000s.

Research raises fresh questions as data show a larger chunk of gross profits eaten up than the previous historical average.

Hedge funds have charged their investors $1.8 trillion in fees from 1969 to the end of December 2024, according to data from hedge fund investor LCH Investments on Monday. Over the past 55 years, hedge funds have kept roughly half of the money they make from trading profits,

Investors in hedge funds often gripe about high fees. A new report puts the problem in sharp relief.