Alternative asset

Alternative asset

An alternative asset is an asset that is typically not found in an investment portfolio. Examples include rare coins and stamps, artwork, sports cards, and hedge funds. [cite web| url=http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/alternativeassets.asp| title=Alternative Asset| date=October 13 2004| accessdate=2007-10-13| publisher=Investopedia] Due to the nature of these assets, an accurate valuation is sometimes difficult to accomplish.

Liquidity

Alternative assets are generally viewed as less liquid than regular assets. For example, most artwork, sports cards, and stamps gain the majority of their value over a long period of time. Other alternative assets, such as investments in infrastructure-related projects, may take decades to gain significant value. Therefore, investors considering alternative assets are generally investing far into the future [cite web| url=http://www.answers.com/topic/alternative-assets?cat=biz-fin| title=Alternative Asset| date=October 13 2004| accessdate=2007-10-13| publisher=Answers.com] .

Advantages

The main advantage of alternative assets is that they help diversify an investor's portfolio. Since they are non-traditional investments, they do not tend to move in the direction of the stock market and may therefore help a portfolio sustain market volatility.

Disadvantages

Due to its non-traditional nature, alternative assets are more difficult to add to a portfolio. Therefore, banks may charge an additional fee for holding the asset. Furthermore, depending on the returns realized from the asset, additional tax forms may have to be filed. Its lack of liquidity is also seen as a major disadvantage since liquidating, as well as properly valuing, the asset may take some time [cite web| url=http://www.investopedia.com/articles/retirement/06/AltInvestmentsProsandCons.asp?partner=answers| title=The Pros and Cons of Alternative Assets| date=October 13 2004| accessdate=2007-10-13| publisher=Investopedia] .

References


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