What you need to know about multi-strategy liquid alternatives

What you need to know about multi-strategy liquid alternatives

Traditional portfolios built around stocks and bonds do a lot of heavy lifting, but they don't cover every scenario. That's where alternative strategies can play a pivotal role, by adding different sources of return and helping smooth out volatility. 

Investing in today’s markets can be challenging as the market backdrop continually evolves, leading many investors to look for alternatives in addition to the traditional stock and bond offerings. Alternative investments can help diversify portfolios away from a reliance on traditional asset classes by tapping into different investment strategies, assets and markets.

What is a multi-strategy liquid alternative fund?

A multi-strategy liquid alternative fund is designed to put several different alternative strategies to work in one package. Instead of relying on a single investment approach, like long/short equity or global macro, it blends multiple approaches that can respond differently to changing markets.

The benefit for investors is convenience and balance: you get a mix of alternative return sources without having to build and monitor them individually. This can help smooth out performance over time, add diversification beyond traditional assets, and provide flexibility as market conditions evolve.

How multi-strategy liquid alternative solutions can fit in a portfolio

Multi-strategy liquid alternative funds are designed to complement traditional portfolios consisting primarily of stocks and bonds. They can be included in a portfolio to:

  1. Enhance overall portfolio diversification beyond stocks and bonds 

    Multi-strategy liquid alternative funds blend different alternative strategies, offering exposure to return drivers not directly tied to equity or bonds markets, in a single solution.
  2. Manage risk

    Historically, there has been evidence that alternative strategies tend to experience less severe drawdowns over time compared to equities.
  3. Add potential for improved risk-adjusted performance

    By combining multiple alternative strategies, these solutions can support more consistent performance over time by capturing multiple sources of alpha and reducing overall portfolio volatility. 

A multi-strategy liquid alternative solution can act as a “third pillar” in traditional portfolios alongside stocks and bonds. It can serve as an additional tool to enhance overall portfolio diversification, help manage risk, and potentially improve risk-adjusted returns.

Interested in learning more about multi-alternative strategies?
Start here