Alternative Investment ETFs: A Guide to Diversified Investing

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Alternative investment ETFs offer a way to diversify your portfolio beyond traditional stocks and bonds. They can provide access to a wide range of alternative investments, such as real estate, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.

With alternative investment ETFs, you can gain exposure to assets that historically have low correlations with traditional markets, potentially reducing overall portfolio risk. This can be particularly useful during times of market volatility.

One example is the VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF, which tracks the price of gold mining stocks. This can provide a way to invest in the gold market without directly holding gold.

Many alternative investment ETFs are designed to track a specific index or benchmark, such as the S&P 500 or the Bloomberg Commodity Index. This can help ensure that your investments are diversified and aligned with your investment goals.

A fresh viewpoint: What Are Etfs vs Stocks

What is an Alternative Investment ETF?

An Alternative Investment ETF is a type of exchange-traded fund that allows investors to gain exposure to assets that are not part of the traditional stock or bond market.

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These assets can include commodities, real estate, private equity, and more, making it a great option for those looking to diversify their portfolio.

Alternative Investment ETFs can be traded on major stock exchanges, just like regular ETFs, and often have lower minimum investment requirements.

They're also often less correlated with traditional markets, which can help reduce overall portfolio risk.

One of the key benefits of Alternative Investment ETFs is that they provide a low-cost way to invest in alternative assets, which can be expensive to access directly.

This can make them a more accessible option for individual investors who may not have the resources to invest in private equity or real estate directly.

Benefits and Advantages

Alternative investment ETFs offer a range of benefits and advantages that make them an attractive option for investors.

They provide a diversification tool, allowing investors to spread their risk across a wide range of assets, including commodities, real estate, and currencies.

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By investing in alternative ETFs, you can participate in strong markets for commodities, such as silver, platinum, and palladium.

Historically, long-term returns for alternative investments have had a low correlation to returns for stocks and bonds, making them a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio.

Today, about 10 percent of ETF assets are in commodity-oriented ETFs, demonstrating their growing popularity and acceptance in the market.

Alternative investment ETFs have become a gateway for individual investors to access a range of alternative investments that were previously only available to institutional investors.

They offer a way to more broadly diversify your investment portfolio, reducing your reliance on stocks and bonds and increasing your potential for long-term returns.

Commodity-oriented ETFs have grown from being a brand new category in 2004 to 10 percent of the overall market.

Investment Strategies

Alternative investment ETFs employ complementary strategies to maximize returns under controlled volatility. These strategies involve analyzing quantitative and trend data to find promising pairs of companies within the same industry.

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Complementary pairs are typically selected to be neutral in dollar, beta, and industry, allowing for a low beta with global equity markets. The Fund seeks to exploit inefficiencies in global equity markets by applying a purely quantitative approach to its systematic long/short portfolio management strategy.

The model relies on multiple indicators that can be categorized into economic and financial market perspectives, which have historically been consistent in explaining alpha and are expected to do so in the future. These indicators are used to score equity market indices in the investment universe, with scores combined with constraints on volatility and diversification among others.

The advantages of investing in alternative ETFs include diversifying portfolios and growing assets despite market changes or downturns. Alternative income strategies, such as high-yield bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and dividend-paying stocks, can extend your portfolio beyond traditional fixed-income investments.

How ETFs Work

ETFs can be bought and sold on a stock exchange just like stocks, but they're structured differently. Investors can watch their prices fluctuate throughout the trading day and make trades.

ETFs are popular for portfolio diversification because they contain multiple assets instead of just one. This helps spread out risk and potentially increase returns.

You can short ETFs, which means selling a security you don't own with the expectation of buying it back later at a lower price.

Complementary Strategies

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Complementary strategies can help you diversify your portfolio and potentially increase returns.

If you're considering alternative investments, you may want to look into exchange-traded funds (ETFs) like the Desjardins Alt Long/Short Equity Market Neutral ETF and the Desjardins Alt Long/Short Global Equity Markets ETF, which offer different features such as investing in global markets and using quantitative strategies.

These ETFs have distinct characteristics, including a global market focus and the use of derivatives. The Desjardins Alt Long/Short Global Equity Markets ETF, for instance, has a target beta of between -0.3 and +0.3 compared to the MSCI World.

You can also consider ETFs that focus on Canadian markets, such as the DANC ETF, which invests in common shares and sector ETFs.

The table below highlights some key features of these ETFs:

Remember to always consider the risks and potential downsides of any investment strategy before making a decision.

Long and Short Positions

A long position is generally a position in which the fund benefits when the underlying security increases in value.

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There are two types of positions: long and short. A long position benefits when the underlying security increases in value, while a short position benefits when it decreases.

A long position involves buying a security that you expect to appreciate in value. This is the case when you buy a stock and expect it to increase in value.

The Desjardins Alt Long/Short Equity Market Neutral ETF and the Desjardins Alt Long/Short Global Equity Markets ETF use cash borrowings for investment purposes, short sales, and derivatives.

A short position involves selling securities that you don't currently own but hope to buy back later at a lower price.

Here's a summary of the two types of positions:

The investment process of the Desjardins Alt Long/Short Equity Market Neutral ETF and the Desjardins Alt Long/Short Global Equity Markets ETF involves finding complementary pairs of companies that present a promising opportunity.

These pairs are typically selected within the same industry and aim to be neutral in dollar, beta, and industry.

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Execute ETF Trade

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To execute an ETF trade, select a specific alternative ETF that aligns with your investment goals.

You can review a list of alternative ETFs to inform your decisions before making a trade.

Be sure you understand the structure and returns of the ETF before executing the trade.

You might want to invest smaller amounts in various ETFs to further diversify your portfolio.

Worth a look: How to Trade Etfs

Tracking Error

Tracking error can be a significant issue for alternative ETFs, as they may struggle to accurately track the performance of their underlying assets due to illiquidity.

This can lead to uncertainty for investors, even if they have a clear understanding of how the investment works and the market factors associated with that investment.

Types of Alternative Investment ETFs

There are 8 types of alternative ETFs that can offer portfolio diversity.

Alternative ETFs can include investments in commodities, such as gold and oil.

They can also provide exposure to real estate, which can be a stable investment option.

Some alternative ETFs focus on emerging markets, offering access to growth opportunities in developing countries.

These ETFs can provide a unique way to diversify a portfolio and potentially reduce risk.

For more insights, see: Spdr Portfolio Etfs

Factor

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Factor investing is a rules-based approach to selecting companies that meet specific criteria.

Factor ETFs invest in companies that meet a very specific factor profile.

These ETFs use a rules-based approach to select companies that meet their criteria.

Factor ETFs are a type of alternative investment ETF that focuses on specific characteristics of companies.

They're a great option for investors who want to diversify their portfolio and potentially gain exposure to specific market trends.

Check this out: Etf Factor Investing

Real Estate

Real Estate is a popular alternative investment option that allows you to invest in the U.S. market without buying a single property. You can invest in the U.S. real estate market through real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) offer a variety of focuses and structures to choose from. This flexibility makes it easier to find a REIT that aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.

A unique perspective: Vanguard Real Estate Etfs

Commodities and Futures

Commodity ETFs offer a way to invest in items like gold or crude oil, providing a potential hedge against market downturns.

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These ETFs tend to perform well when stocks, bonds, and cash experience a decline, making them a valuable addition to a diversified portfolio.

Investing in commodity ETFs is less expensive and less cumbersome than holding the actual items, eliminating the need for storage space and insurance.

You can watch the price of commodity ETFs fluctuate throughout a trading day, allowing you to buy and sell them just like stocks.

Hedge Funds

Alternative ETFs offer similar investment strategies to those of hedge funds, which can be market neutral and event-driven. These investments can provide short- or long-term equity.

The benefit of using an ETF instead of an actual hedge fund is that they offer similar returns but with lower costs and more liquidity.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Etfs Similar to Voo

Options and Derivatives

Options and Derivatives are a more advanced alternative ETF strategy that requires a greater understanding of how the market works.

You'll typically hold these types of investments for short periods, essentially betting on the well-being of the market.

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Investing in swaps, options, and forwards with options contracts and derivatives is a viable option.

This approach allows you to take advantage of market fluctuations, but it's not a strategy for the faint of heart.

You'll need to be prepared to adapt quickly to changing market conditions to succeed with options and derivatives.

Investing in Alternative Investment ETFs

You can buy and sell alternative ETFs on a stock exchange, just like stocks. They track the price of a single commodity or a collection of securities.

The difference between alternative ETFs and traditional stocks is that they contain multiple assets instead of just one. This makes them a popular choice for portfolio diversification.

To start investing in alternative investment ETFs, follow these steps: Choose an alternative ETF that aligns with your investment goals.Open a brokerage account or check if your existing account supports alternative ETFs.Research the fees associated with the ETF and consider how they may impact your returns.

Buy an ETF

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To buy an ETF, you'll need to follow some straightforward steps. Once you're ready to start investing, follow these steps to begin taking advantage of the diversity alternative investment ETFs can provide.

You might want to invest smaller amounts in various ETFs to further diversify your portfolio. Be sure you understand the structure and returns before executing the trade. You can review a list of alternative ETFs to inform your decisions.

Retirement Account Holdings?

You can hold alternative investment ETFs in your retirement account, depending on the type of account you have. An IRA can hold most investment types.

The rate of return on ETFs is not guaranteed, but they do offer the potential for high returns.

Risks and Considerations

Alternative investment ETFs can be subject to large price fluctuations due to sensitive markets and macroeconomic factors.

This volatility can be unsettling, especially for those who are new to investing.

Many alternative investing opportunities are indeed subject to large price fluctuations when compared to traditional assets.

Investors should be aware that alternative ETFs may have less regulatory oversight compared to traditional alternative investments.

This lack of regulation can leave investors vulnerable, which is why clearer and better regulation around ETFs is necessary to protect investors.

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Complexity

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Alternative ETFs can be complex investments, requiring time and effort to understand their underlying strategies.

Investors need to take time to learn about the complex investment strategies that alternative ETFs employ. This will help them ascertain the risks and complete the required due diligence to get the most from the investment.

Volatility

Volatility is a natural part of investing, especially in alternative markets. These markets can be sensitive to macroeconomic factors, leading to large price fluctuations.

Investors should be aware that some alternative investing opportunities can be more volatile than traditional assets. This is due to the nature of the markets involved.

To mitigate risk, consider diversifying your portfolio with alternative strategies that have low correlations to traditional asset classes. This can include equity long/short strategies, which have a potential for capital appreciation with low risk.

A key benefit of these strategies is their potential to reduce systematic risk exposure. This can be especially important in bear markets, where traditional assets may decline in value.

Here are some key characteristics of alternative strategies that can help manage volatility:

  • Potential for capital appreciation with low risk.
  • Potential loss mitigation in bear markets.
  • Significant reduction in systematic risk exposure.
  • Very low correlation to traditional asset classes.

Lack of Regulation

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Alternative ETFs may have less regulatory oversight compared to traditional alternative investments. This lack of regulation can be a concern for investors.

One professor examined the lack of regulation in various index funds and found that there is room for clearer, better regulation around ETFs to protect investors.

Accessing Alternative Investment ETFs

Alternative investment ETFs can be a game-changer for your portfolio.

You can buy and sell alternative ETFs on a stock exchange, just like stocks. This allows you to take advantage of market changes throughout the trading day.

Alternative ETFs can contain multiple assets, providing a diversified investment portfolio. This is because they can track the price of a single commodity or a collection of securities.

To start investing in alternative ETFs, follow these steps: choose an ETF, execute the trade, and review the list of alternative ETFs to inform your decisions.

Alternative investment ETFs can help you grow your assets despite market changes or downturns. By gaining access to varying assets, you can diversify your portfolio and reduce risk.

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You can invest smaller amounts in various ETFs to further diversify your portfolio. Be sure to understand the structure and returns before executing the trade.

Alternative ETFs offer liquidity, allowing you to buy and sell them throughout the trading day. This feature is especially useful for moving your money around to various assets when desired.

Colleen Boyer

Lead Assigning Editor

Colleen Boyer is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for compelling storytelling. With a background in journalism and a passion for complex ideas, she has built a reputation for overseeing high-quality content across a range of subjects. Her expertise spans the realm of finance, with a particular focus on Investment Theory.

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