In today's investment landscape, many investors are turning to alternative investments as a way to diversify their portfolios and potentially achieve higher returns. Alternative investments are defined as any investment that does not fall under the categories of stocks, bonds, or cash. They can include real estate, commodities, hedge funds, private equity, venture capital, and more.

Benefits of alternative investments

One of the main benefits of alternative investments is diversification, which can help investors reduce risk by spreading their investments across different assets. Alternative investments can also provide higher potential returns than traditional investments and act as a hedge against inflation. Additionally, many alternative investments are not directly tied to the stock market, which can help investors avoid market volatility.

Risks and Challenges

Alternative investments can also come with unique risks and challenges. They often lack liquidity, meaning that it can be difficult to sell or liquidate the investment quickly. Alternative investments may also come with higher fees than traditional investments, which can eat into potential returns. Finally, alternative investments can be highly speculative and may result in the loss of capital.

Evaluating alternative investments

When evaluating alternative investments, investors should consider their investmentobjectives, risk tolerance, investment horizon, and conduct thorough due diligence. Investors should also be aware of the unique risks and challenges associated with each investment and carefully weigh the potential benefits against the potential drawbacks.

Getting started with alternative investments

For beginners looking to get started with alternative investments, it's essential to set investment goals, understand the different investment structures, and conduct thorough research. Investors should also be prepared to take on additional risks and should consider seeking the advice of a financial advisor.

Finally, investors should be patient and disciplined when investing in alternative investments, as they may take longer to generate returns than traditional investments.

One of the main benefits of alternative investments is diversification. Alternative investments often have low correlation with traditional investments like stocks and bonds, which means they can help mitigate risk in a portfolio. Additionally, alternative investments like real estate and commodities can provide a hedge against inflation, which can be especially important in times of economic uncertainty.

However, alternative investments also come with unique risks and challenges. Lack of liquidity can make it difficult to sell investments quickly, and higher fees can eat into potential returns. Additionally, due to the nature of alternative investments, there is often a higher potential for loss of capital. It is important for investors to carefully evaluate alternative investments and consider their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and investment horizon.

When evaluating alternative investments, it is important to conduct thorough due diligence and research. This includes understanding the investment structure, the investment manager's track record, and any potential risks associated with the investment. It is also important to consider the potential tax implications of alternative investments and how they fit into an overall investment strategy.

Getting started with alternative investments can be daunting for beginners, but there are practical tips and guidance that can help. Setting investment goals and understanding investment structures are key first steps. It is also important to work with a reputable investment manager and to regularly monitor and manage alternative investments.

In conclusion, alternative investments can offer investors the potential for higher returns and diversification, but they also come with unique risks and challenges. Careful evaluation and due diligence are key to making informed investment decisions.

Chitra Kadam Financial Engineer, Hedonova, a US based Hedge Firm