An alternative investment is regarded as an investment product other than traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, money markets, and/or cash.

As the definition of Institutional Investor magazine’s Alternative Investment Newsletter indicates, alternative investments include commodities (such as managed futures), financial derivatives, hedge strategies (or absolute return strategies), real estate, and private equity, as well as venture capital. They are supposed to have very low correlation with traditional investment products. However, this definition may not be suitable due to a fast-changing investment environment and should be reconsidered over time. For example, wine, art, antiques are also emerging alternative investment asset classes that are fast rising in popularity.

Many alternative investment managers and sponsors, such as hedge funds, cannot advertise or announce their performance under U.S. and European law. Most hedge funds or private-equity groups accept investments from only high-net-worth individuals or institutions.

This page is password protected and available only to investors who meet suitability criteria as defined by the SEC as accredited.