May 12, 2020 – In a complex investing landscape, alternative assets are one potential tool for investors to achieve their long-term goals. Thanks to the internet, there has never been more information available about alternatives, and yet it’s never been tougher to sift through it all and figure out what’s really going on. Unfortunately, without reliable, clear information on alternatives, many investors will steer clear. That’s a missed opportunity both for them and for you, their financial professional. The trick is sifting through it all to determine what’s really going on.

That is where we come in. Our background and experience in navigating investing cycles over the last 35 years gives us the opportunity to provide a bit of clarity on the industry.

In addition, we know—based on our annual survey—two findings show up consistently each year:

• Financial professionals are looking for a source of information about alternative investments from the companies that actually offer those investments.
• The biggest need for financial professionals are client-approved educational materials.

This message has come through loud and clear. More than other types of investments, alternatives can be complex, and you may be struggling to explain them to clients who don’t have a solid grounding in personal finance.

One recent survey found that 6 in 10 investors worldwide understand the need to go beyond stocks and bonds. Yet a similar percentage say that alternative investments are simply too complex for them. (Somewhat astonishingly, 15% didn’t even know if they held alternative investments in their portfolio.)¹

That’s why we launched this monthly blog. It’s a way to help you stay abreast of the investing universe—with timely, relevant information not only about alternatives but also about practice management, real estate, private capital and other topics. This information can be shared with your clients to extend the conversation.

After all, it’s a complex environment out there, and investors turn to you for advice on how to make sense of it all. To that end, we hope this blog becomes one more valuable tool to help you—and your clients—succeed.