Alternative investments represent an asset class, or skill-based strategy, that has the potential to provide returns that are not correlated to traditional stock and bond returns or economic cycles. The investment strategies, and risk and return characteristics, typically employed by alternative investments managers differ from those of more traditional investments such as stocks, bonds, and real estate.

Investors and their advisors are increasingly embracing alternative investments as one of the most effective ways to strategically diversify, and improve the overall risk/return profile of their portfolios.

Alternative investments are managed by investment professionals who specialize in a specific sector or style. Examples include Commodity Trading Advisors (CTAs), Managed Futures Funds and Hedge Funds.