The use of alternative investments — commodities, private equity, hedged funds, managed futures and other non-traditional vehicles — tends to rise in tandem with an individual's wealth and income. Thus the vehicles are frequently a fixture in the portfolios of the affluent.
What many advisors may not realize, however, is that many of the high net worth (HNW) are investing more of their wealth in the products. A new report from MainStay Investments, a New York Life company, shows that three in five high net worth investors who currently use alternatives have increased their portfolio exposure to the products during the past year.
However, two in five HNW investors say they lack confidence in their knowledge about the products. Hence the need for the assistance of a financial advisor who can help close the knowledge gap.
"HNW investors [say] that financial professionals can play an important role in helping them overcome this challenge, with nearly 60 percent of investors indicating that the perception about alternative investments is influenced by their financial advisor," the report states.