Liquid alternatives, also known as alternative mutual funds, combine features of traditional mutual funds with hedge fund-like strategies. They provide access to alternative investments such as derivatives, short-selling, and leverage while adhering to stricter regulations for retail investors. These funds are designed to achieve diversification and risk-adjusted returns that are less correlated with traditional stock and bond markets.
When considering liquid alternatives, a long-term investment horizon is most appropriate for retail investors.
The key reasons include:
* Volatility and Complexity: Liquid alternatives can be more volatile than traditional funds due to their use of sophisticated strategies like leverage or derivatives. This requires a long-term outlook to weather short-term fluctuations.
* Objective of Absolute Returns: Liquid alternatives are often structured to provide positive returns over a full market cycle, which typically spans several years.
* Diversification Benefits: The risk mitigation offered by these funds unfolds over time as they reduce the portfolio's overall exposure to specific market conditions.
Investors seeking short-term gains may not benefit as much due to the time required for the strategies employed to materialize their intended results. Long-term objectives align better with the nature of liquid alternatives and their ability to smooth returns.
References:
* CSC Volume 2, Chapter 20: "Alternative Investments: Strategies and Performance," discusses the structure and time horizon considerations for liquid alternatives.