Podcast

Inside The Markets: Ep8 | Alternative investments explained: What are they and why invest in them?

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What exactly is an alternative investment, and what role can alternatives play alongside shares and bonds?

In this episode of Inside the Markets, Katie Sykes, Investment Marketing Specialist, is joined by Mark Lane, Head of Active Funds, to explain alternative investments in plain English.

They explore why ‘alternative investments’ is such a broad label, encompassing everything from property and private credit to quantitative and hedge-fund-type strategies, and why investments within the category can behave very differently.

The discussion looks at how alternatives can provide different sources of return, why diversification is about more than simply owning more investments, and how alternatives can be used alongside equities and bonds.

Katie and Mark also explore liquidity, costs and investment risk, including why the ability to buy and sell a fund doesn’t necessarily tell you everything about the liquidity of the investments it holds.

Ultimately, the episode considers a useful way of thinking about alternatives: what job is the investment intended to do within a portfolio, and does it genuinely diversify the risks already present?

Listen now on demand

Please note

This podcast is intended for UK audiences and is subject to the UK regulatory regime.

The content is provided for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, a personal recommendation, or an offer to buy or sell any investment. You should not rely on it when making financial or investment decisions. Before acting, consider seeking advice from a qualified financial planner who can assess your individual circumstances.

The views expressed are those of the speakers at the time of recording and may not necessarily reflect those of Progeny. Information is obtained from sources believed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed.

The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall as well as rise, and you may get back less than you invest. Your capital is at risk. Investment in stock markets should be regarded as a long-term commitment.

Meet the expert
Mark Lane
Mark Lane 650×650
Head of Active Funds

Mark oversees the active solutions and £1.75 billion in client assets across equities, bonds and alternatives. Before joining Progeny in 2024, he held investment roles at BestInvest and Standard Life/Aberdeen, managing portfolios and asset allocation for MyFolio.

Mark is a Chartered Financial Analyst and has also completed the CIIA (Level 7) and Private Client MCSI (Level 7) qualification

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