The High Water Mark (HWM) is the fee-calculation mechanism used for Performance Fees in Social Trading. Its purpose is to apply the published formula so a Performance Fee is charged only on net new profit above the prior HWM. It does not guarantee investment performance, absolute fairness or the absence of fee disputes; current platform records and the applicable terms govern a specific calculation.
Overview
Why We Use a High Water Mark
The High Water Mark is intended to apply the published Performance Fee calculation consistently between Signal Providers and Investors. It is a fee-calculation rule, not a guarantee of a particular investment outcome or absolute fairness.
Without a High Water Mark, a Signal Provider could potentially earn profits and receive a Performance Fee, experience subsequent losses, recover only a portion of those losses, and then charge another Performance Fee. This scenario would mean Investors pay Performance Fees even though their overall account value has not fully recovered.
Under the published HWM calculation, a new Performance Fee applies only after the relevant account value exceeds its previous highest value. The mechanism is intended to avoid charging the same profit twice and to support a consistent fee calculation by:
Preventing duplicate Performance Fees on the same profits.
Aligning the financial interests of Signal Providers and Investors.
Encouraging long-term and responsible trading behaviors.
Improving platform transparency and fairness.
How the High Water Mark Works
To understand how the High Water Mark works, consider a scenario where your trading account starts with an initial equity value of 10,000 USD. The process unfolds across four specific steps:
Step 1: Generating Profit
Your copied trades increase your total account value from 10,000 USD to 12,000 USD.
Result: Your High Water Mark is set to 12,000 USD.
Fee Action: A Performance Fee is calculated and applied to the 2,000 USD profit earned.
Step 2: Experiencing a Loss
Market conditions change, and your total account value falls from 12,000 USD down to 9,000 USD.
Result: Your High Water Mark remains fixed at 12,000 USD.
Fee Action: No Performance Fee is charged.
Step 3: Partial Recovery
Your account value grows from 9,000 USD to 11,500 USD.
Result: Although your account has generated net growth during this specific period, the total account value of 11,500 USD has not yet exceeded the previous High Water Mark of 12,000 USD.
Fee Action: No additional Performance Fee is charged.
Step 4: Reaching a New High
Your account value increases from 11,500 USD to 12,500 USD.
Result: Your High Water Mark updates to the new peak of 12,500 USD.
Fee Action: Only the new profit above the previous High Water Mark of 12,000 USD is considered for a new Performance Fee.
The step-by-step calculation for the new fee is as follows:
Current Account Value: 12,500 USD
Previous High Water Mark: 12,000 USD
New Profit Subject to Fee: 12,500 USD minus 12,000 USD equals 500 USD.
The Performance Fee is calculated only on this 500 USD net gain.
High Water Mark Timeline Progress
The progression of account equity, High Water Mark status, and fee eligibility follows this sequence:
Initial Milestone: Account Equity is 10,000 USD, the High Water Mark is set at 10,000 USD, and no Performance Fee is charged.
Growth Milestone: Account Equity rises to 12,000 USD, the High Water Mark updates to 12,000 USD, and a Performance Fee is charged on the growth.
Downturn Milestone: Account Equity drops to 9,000 USD, the High Water Mark remains at 12,000 USD, and no Performance Fee is charged.
Recovery Milestone: Account Equity recovers to 11,500 USD, the High Water Mark remains at 12,000 USD, and no Performance Fee is charged.
Peak Milestone: Account Equity reaches 12,500 USD, the High Water Mark updates to 12,500 USD, and a Performance Fee is charged exclusively on the additional 500 USD profit.
Important Considerations & FAQs
Does every profitable trade generate a Performance Fee?
No. A Performance Fee is not generated by individual profitable trades. A Performance Fee is only charged when your cumulative account value exceeds its previous highest established High Water Mark.
What happens after my account experiences losses?
After your account experiences losses, you will not pay another Performance Fee until your account equity fully recovers those losses and reaches a new all-time high value that exceeds the existing High Water Mark.
Can I be charged multiple Performance Fees on the same profit?
No. You cannot be charged multiple times for the same profit. The High Water Mark prevents duplicate charging on previously rewarded profits.
Why do most Social Trading platforms use a High Water Mark?
A High Water Mark is commonly used because it links Performance Fee eligibility to net new profit above a prior peak. This calculation rule does not guarantee investment results or resolve every fee disagreement. For an account-specific question, check the current platform figures and applicable terms; contact Customer Support if the calculation cannot be reconciled.