What advisers need to know about alternatives

Investing in alternatives isn't always easy, according to an InvestmentNews Innovators in Investing panel. The one-hour panel features insights from Kevin White, head of investment strategy at DFS, Tom Daley, managing director of custody services at Millennium Trust Co., and Eddie Sempek, chief innovation officer at Orion Advisor Services. It is moderated by InvestmentNews editor Frederick Gabriel. The panel will be webcast at 4 p.m. ET on April 26. Interested? Follow this link to sign up.​ Alternative investments is a term that covers everything from cryptocurrencies and real estate to sophisticated hedge fund strategies. Intelligent implementation of alternatives can make a client's portfolio more efficient and more profitable — and potentially smooth some of the bumps on the investment highway. But advisers need to understand how alternatives interact with a traditional portfolio of stocks and bonds, as well as the pros and cons of liquid and illiquid investments. And to assess all that, they'll need to know what their clients need. "It's important to understand the needs and constraints of your clients," Mr. White said. "For advisers, the most important thing is to educate themselves about alternatives — or outsource it, if you have the interest in alternatives, but not the time," Mr. Sempek said. Even if you don't present alternatives to your clients, it's likely they will want to know about them. "We see increased demand for alternatives at the individual investor level," Mr. Daley said. "The individual investor will come to you with questions." You can find answers for them by catching the webcast.