How to Begin Investing in Alternative Assets: Diversifying Your Portfolio for Success
The appeal of alternative investments for portfolio diversification is undeniable, with a growing number of individuals recognizing the benefits of alternative assets. In fact, in 2022, Prequin reported investments in alternative assets to reach $23.21 trillion by 2026, up from $13.32 trillion in 2021.
Traditional publicly traded stocks and bonds may not always meet investors' expectations, prompting them to explore other avenues. The rise of private markets has granted investors greater access to a diverse range of assets, potentially leading to improved returns and risk management. With over 18,000 private investment funds and more than 9,000 hedge funds available, the choices are extensive, but the performance of these investments can vary significantly.
Investing in alternative assets is a rewarding way to diversify your portfolio and potentially achieve higher returns beyond traditional investments like stocks and bonds.
Let’s explore the world of alternative assets, their benefits, and how you can start investing in them. We'll also unpack various alternative investment strategies and asset classes to help you make informed decisions on your investment journey.
What Are Alternative Assets?
Alternative assets refer to investments that lie outside of the conventional realm of stocks, bonds, and cash. They offer unique characteristics and tend to behave differently from traditional assets. In general, they are characterized by:
Longer lock-up periods
Illiquid assets
Complex investment structures
Higher return potential
Low correlation to traditional investments
Potentially higher volatility
Alternative assets can include real estate, private equity, hedge funds, commodities, venture capital, precious metals, cryptocurrencies, and more. The allure of alternative investments lies in their potential to provide portfolio diversification, generate uncorrelated returns, and act as a hedge against market volatility.
Why Invest in Alternative Assets?
Investing in alternative assets offers several compelling benefits that can enhance a well-rounded investment portfolio.
Diversification: Traditional assets are subject to market swings, and their performance may be closely linked. Alternative assets often have a low correlation with traditional investments, meaning they can behave independently of the stock market's fluctuations. By adding alternative assets to your portfolio, you spread risk and increase the potential for stable returns.
Risk Management: Since alternative assets tend to have unique risk factors, they can act as a hedge against market turbulence. In economic downturns, certain alternative assets may perform well or at least maintain value, offering a cushion to your overall portfolio.
Enhanced Returns: While alternative investments can be more volatile, they can also deliver higher returns compared to traditional assets in the long run. Including them in your portfolio opens the door to potential additional income streams and higher growth opportunities.
Access to Exclusive Opportunities: Many alternative assets, such as private equity and venture capital, provide access to exclusive investment opportunities that are not available to the general public. This exclusivity can result in potentially higher returns for investors.
Alternative Investment Strategies
Before diving into the world of alternative assets, you need to establish a sound investment strategy that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Here are some popular alternative investment strategies to consider:
Core-Satellite Approach: This strategy combines both traditional and alternative assets. The core part comprises traditional investments like stocks and bonds, while the satellite portion includes alternative assets like real estate, commodities, and private equity. This approach allows you to benefit from the stability of traditional assets while exploring the potential upside of alternatives.
Long-Term Growth: If your primary goal is to achieve long-term growth and you can tolerate higher volatility, focus on alternative assets with strong growth potential, such as venture capital and emerging markets. Keep in mind that these assets may have longer investment horizons, so patience is essential.
Income Generation: If you seek regular income streams, consider alternative assets that provide steady cash flows, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), infrastructure funds, or dividend-focused stocks. These can be especially attractive for retirees or those looking to supplement their current income.
Risk Hedging: To protect your portfolio from market downturns, invest in alternative assets that have historically demonstrated a low correlation with traditional investments. Precious metals, managed futures, and certain hedge funds can be effective hedges during turbulent times.
Popular Alternative Asset Classes
Real Estate: Investing in real estate can be an excellent starting point for beginners in the alternative asset space. You can buy physical properties, participate in real estate crowdfunding platforms, or invest in REITs. Real estate offers the potential for rental income, property appreciation, and tax benefits.
Private Equity: Private equity involves investing in private companies that are not publicly traded. These investments can offer higher returns than the stock market but often come with longer lock-up periods. Venture capital is a subset of private equity that focuses on early-stage startups.
Hedge Funds: Hedge funds are managed investment funds that use various strategies to generate returns for their investors. Some hedge funds seek to achieve absolute returns regardless of market conditions, making them an attractive option for diversification.
Commodities: Commodities include physical goods like gold, silver, oil, and agricultural products. Investing in commodities can serve as a hedge against inflation and currency devaluation.
Cryptocurrencies: Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained significant popularity in recent years. They offer unique growth opportunities, but their high volatility makes them more suitable for risk-tolerant investors.
Art and Collectibles: Investing in art, collectibles, and rare items can be an exciting way to diversify your portfolio. However, expertise is required to avoid potential pitfalls, and these assets may not be liquid or easily valued.
Peer-to-Peer Lending: Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending has gained popularity as an alternative investment option for both borrowers and investors. Borrowers may find it more accessible than traditional bank loans, particularly if they have difficulty obtaining credit from traditional financial institutions.
For investors, P2P lending offers an opportunity to diversify your investment portfolio and potentially earn attractive returns, although you should be aware of the associated risks before investing.
How to Start Investing in Alternative Assets
1. Assess Your Risk Tolerance and Financial Goals.
Before venturing into the world of alternative assets, it's essential to have a clear understanding of your risk tolerance and financial objectives. Alternative investments can carry higher risks and may not be suitable for everyone. Assess how comfortable you are with the possibility of fluctuations in the value of your investments and how much risk you can afford to take.
Ask yourself questions like:
What is my investment time horizon? Am I looking for short-term gains or long-term growth?
Am I investing for retirement, buying a home, funding my child's education, or another specific goal?
How much of my overall portfolio can I allocate to alternative assets without jeopardizing my financial security?
By defining your risk tolerance and financial goals, you can tailor your alternative investment strategy to align with your unique situation.
2. Educate Yourself.
Alternative assets can indeed be complex and involve different risk factors compared to traditional investments. Therefore, it's crucial to educate yourself thoroughly before committing your hard-earned money. Engage in comprehensive research and utilize available resources to gain insights into the specific asset classes that interest you.
Here are some educational resources to consider:
Books: Look for reputable books written by experts in the alternative investment field. These books can provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical tips.
Seminars and Workshops: Attend investment seminars, workshops, or webinars focusing on alternative assets. These events often feature seasoned investors and professionals who can share valuable experiences and knowledge.
Online Resources: Take advantage of online platforms that offer educational content on alternative investments. Many reputable websites provide articles, videos, and tutorials to help you grasp the fundamentals.
Remember, the more you understand the asset classes you're considering, the better equipped you'll be to make informed investment decisions.
3. Build a Diversified Portfolio.
As a beginner, avoid the temptation to go all-in on a single alternative asset. Instead, aim to build a diversified portfolio that includes a mix of traditional and alternative investments. Diversification helps spread risk and reduces the impact of a single investment's poor performance on your overall portfolio.
Start by allocating a smaller percentage of your total investment portfolio to alternative assets. As you gain experience and confidence, you can gradually increase this allocation if it aligns with your risk tolerance and financial goals.
A well-diversified portfolio may include a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, commodities, and other alternative assets. Each asset class will have different risk-return profiles, which can contribute to overall portfolio stability and growth.
4. Seek Professional Advice.
If you feel uncertain about navigating the complexities of alternative investments, don't hesitate to seek guidance from a professional advisor specializing in this area. A professional can help you develop a suitable investment strategy tailored to your specific needs and goals.
When selecting an advisor, consider their experience with alternative assets, track record, and potential conflicts of interest. A trustworthy advisor will take the time to understand your financial situation, risk tolerance, and long-term goals before making personalized recommendations.
5. Explore Investment Platforms.
In the digital age, numerous investment platforms provide access to a range of alternative assets. These platforms have made investing in alternative assets more accessible to retail investors.
When exploring investment platforms, ensure they are reputable, regulated, and transparent about their fee structures. Look for platforms that offer a variety of alternative asset classes and provide sufficient information to help you make informed decisions.
Some popular types of investment platforms for alternative assets include:
Real Estate Crowdfunding Platforms: These platforms allow investors to pool their funds to invest in real estate projects, such as residential or commercial properties.
Online Commodity Brokers: Platforms that enable investors to trade commodities like gold, silver, oil, and agricultural products.
Peer-to-Peer Lending Platforms: These platforms connect borrowers with investors, providing opportunities to invest in loans to individuals or businesses.
6. Diversify Within Alternative Asset Classes.
Within each alternative asset class, there can be further opportunities for diversification. For instance, if you're interested in real estate, consider investing in different types of properties across various locations. This approach spreads risk within a single asset class and allows you to take advantage of varying market conditions.
Within other alternative asset classes like hedge funds, venture capital, or commodities, diversification can also be achieved by investing in a range of funds or instruments that align with your investment goals.
7. Stay Informed and Monitor Your Investments.
Investing in alternative assets often involves longer time horizons and lower liquidity compared to traditional investments. Therefore, it's crucial to be patient and monitor your investments regularly.
Stay informed about the performance of your alternative assets and be aware of market trends and economic developments that may impact their value. Remember that some alternative investments, such as private equity or real estate, may have lock-up periods where you can't easily access your funds.
Periodically review your portfolio and reassess whether your investments still align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Be prepared to adjust your strategy as needed to adapt to changing market conditions.
How Chicago Trust Administration Services Can Help You
Investing in alternative assets can be a rewarding yet complex journey that diversifies your portfolio and opens doors to unique opportunities. It requires careful consideration, education, and understanding of your risk tolerance and financial objectives.
At Chicago Trust, we can help simplify the process for you, making the complicated stuff easy. We also know that time can be of the essence when making good deals. Our strategies allow you to close complex deals quickly. Our specialized knowledge can help to support financial freedom.
To see how we can help, we invite you to schedule a complimentary meeting by calling 312-869-9394 or emailing steve@ctasira.com.