We argue that a common practice of evaluating portfolio managers relative to a benchmark has real effects. Benchmarking …

We propose a model of asset management in which benchmarking arises endogenously, and analyze its unintended welfare … prices. Benchmarking inflates asset prices and gives rise to crowded trades, thereby reducing the effectiveness of incentive … crowding, opts for less benchmarking and less incentive provision. We also show that asset management costs are lower with …