After you listen:
- Learn more about this episode’s topic in “Alternative Investments: A Non-Traditional Approach to Investing.”
- Find more resources about alternative investments at Schwab.
From hedge funds to private equity, alternative investments cover a wide range of assets outside of traditional markets. In this episode, Mark is joined by Ken Pennington, director of alternative investments and manager research at Schwab, to unpack what they are, how they work, and the key differences that set them apart from traditional stocks and bonds. He and Mark also discuss why investors consider alternatives and where they might fit in broader investment strategies.
Financial Decoder is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. For more on the series, visit schwab.com/FinancialDecoder. 
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Important Disclosures
This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.
Investing involves risk, including loss of principal.
Investing in alternative investments is speculative, not suitable for all clients, and generally intended for experienced and sophisticated investors who are willing and able to bear the high economic risks of the investment. Investors should obtain and carefully read the related prospectus or offering memorandum, which will contain the information needed to help evaluate the potential investment and provide important disclosures regarding risks, fees and expenses.
Alternative investments, including hedge funds and funds that invest in alternative investments, often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor’s risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Alternative investments that are closed end funds registered under 1933 or 1940 act would be subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds. Other registered and unregistered funds are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Alternative investments, including funds that invest in alternative investments, are risky and may not be suitable for all investors. Alternative investments often employ leveraging and other speculative practices that increase an investor’s risk of loss to include complete loss of investment, often charge high fees, and can be highly illiquid and volatile. Alternative investments may lack diversification, involve complex tax structures and have delays in reporting important tax information. Registered and unregistered alternative investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds.
Alternative investments are speculative and involve a high degree of risk. Investors may lose all or a substantial portion of their investment. Alternative investments cover a wide array of strategies, including real estate, private equity, private credit, and hedge funds. Risks will vary based on each unique strategy and can include investments in highly illiquid assets or securities, use of leverage, higher fees, lower transparency, tax risks, and limited ability to redeem or limited transferability.
Alternative investments may have limited or no liquidity, redemptions or repurchases may not be permitted and no public market may exist to make full or partial liquidations. An investor’s capital may potentially be locked for seven or more years. Certain strategies can involve the use of leverage which can enhance returns but also increase losses. Alternative investments are valued less frequently, may be speculative in nature, and may not conform to any particular valuation standard. As a result, advisory fees associated with alternative investments will reflect these valuations compared to more readily available valuations on publicly traded securities.
Many alternative investments are exempt from registration requirements that apply to public securities. As a result, alternative investments may have greater investment flexibility but are less transparent given they do not have to adhere to the typical disclosure requirements of public market investments. Alternative investments often carry higher fees and more complex expense structures than traditional asset classes. These fees and expenses lower investment returns.
All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions.
‚ÄãPast performance is no guarantee of future results.
‚ÄãFixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk.
Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.
All corporate names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.
International investments involve additional risks, which include differences in financial accounting standards, currency fluctuations, geopolitical risk, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate this risk.
‚ÄãCommodity-related products carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Commodity-related products may be extremely volatile, may be illiquid, and can be significantly affected by underlying commodity prices, world events, import controls, worldwide competition, government regulations, and economic conditions.
‚ÄãCurrency trading is speculative, very volatile and not suitable for all investors.
Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly.  For more information on indexes, please see schwab.com/indexdefinitions
This information is not a specific recommendation, individualized tax, legal, or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager, Estate Attorney) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information.
The Schwab Center for Financial Research is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
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