This view from West 57th Street in Midtown Manhattan looks up at the tall buildings along the street. Some of the buildings seen here are 432 Park Avenue, 590 Madison Avenue and 598 Madison Avenue.

Contributors

Sean Flynn

Head of Alternatives for J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

Vinny Amaru

Global Investment Strategiest

A customized approach to alternative investments

[soft electronic music]

On screen:

This video opens with a title beside a brown-haired woman in a patterned scarf and blazer:

On screen:

A Customized Approach to Alternative Investments?

Logo:

A J.P. Morgan Wealth Management logo remains in the corner.

Note:

A bold disclosure in a text box reads:

On screen:

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS:

  • NOT A DEPOSIT
  • NOT FDIC INSURED
  • NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
  • NO BANK GUARANTEE
  • MAY LOSE VALUE

Note:

A disclaimer in small text reads:

On screen:

Investing in alternative assets involves higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program. They are not tax efficient and an investor should consult with his/her tax advisor prior to investing. Alternative investments have higher fees than traditional investments and they may also be highly leveraged and engage in speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain. The value of the investment may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

At J.P. Morgan, we strive to develop personal partnerships with each client.

On screen:

Identifying text appears beside the speaker:

On screen:

Kristin Kallergis Rowland

Global Head of Alternative Investments

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

We focus on each investor’s individual goals to inform how we bring a wealth strategy to life. We use that same process to help eligible clients build out an allocation to alternative investments.

On screen:

A climbing bar graph appears with the heading:

On screen:

Private Equity

Aim to achieve above market returns

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

For those clients seeking enhanced returns, we may recommend considering private equity.

On screen:

An arrow from the bar graph travels upwards to create a leafy tree alongside the heading:

On screen:

Private Credit

Generate potential income with private credit

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

For those focused on generating income, we may look at private credit strategies.

On screen:

A line moves away from the tree and creates a graph of concentric circles around a pie chart, alongside the heading:

On screen:

Real Asset Strategies

Enhance the diversification of your portfolio with real assets

Note:

A disclaimer reads:

On screen:

Asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

And if a client is trying to diversify his or her portfolio, we can then explore other avenues such as real asset strategies. We believe the ideal strategy is one that is designed with a client’s unique needs and goals in mind and often includes a combination of alternative strategies.

On screen:

A bulleted list of Alternative Strategies appears, including:

On screen:

Alternative Strategies

  • Real assets
  • Private credits
  • Private equity
  • Hedge funds

Kristin Kallergis Rowland:

J.P. Morgan is dedicated to creating a custom approach to address nearly any set of client needs.

On screen:

The video ends with a logo over gray:

Logo:

J.P. Morgan WEALTH MANAGEMENT

Note:

Legal disclosures appear:

On screen:

The views, opinions and estimates expressed are those of the speakers and may differ from other areas of J.P. Morgan; such information may change without notice or may not occur. This content is for informational purposes, it is not presented as J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any investment. The information this content is based is current and believed to be accurate. Investors should obtain relevant information before making any investments (or investment decisions), which include obtaining appropriate legal, tax, or accounting advice. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates do not provide this type of non-investment guidance.

Investing in securities involves market risk, including possible loss of principal, and there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be achieved. Outlooks and past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Investing in alternative assets involves higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors.Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program. They are not tax efficient and an investor should consult with his/her tax advisor prior to investing. Alternative investments have higher fees than traditional investments and they may also be highly leveraged and engage in speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain. The value of the investment may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states.

Copyright 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

A Customized Approach to Alternative Investments

The investing environment of the 2020s has been a notable departure from the 2010s. A regime of higher growth and inflation volatility has revealed shortcomings of traditional mixes of publicly listed stocks and bonds. 2022 was a good reminder that while core bonds could offer a buffer against an equity drawdown driven by slower growth, they struggle to provide protection during periods of faster-than-expected inflation. While we expect 2025 to be a positive year for risk assets, economic uncertainty remains high.

The line chart displays the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index level from 2015 to January 2025, with 1985 as the base year.

To help build resilient portfolios for the twists and turns that may lie ahead, alternative investments could potentially complement existing allocations. With more companies waiting longer to go public and a meaningful share of business lending being done through private channels rather than public banks, the opportunity set in private markets, and differentiated access to secular themes, has expanded. Alternative investing is considered highly risky and investors should carefully assess these risks and consider their own risk tolerance, investment goals.

What are alternative investments?

Alternative investments encompass a range of non-traditional assets, including private equity, venture capital, infrastructure, direct lending, hedge funds and real estate. These assets often have different risk-return profiles compared to traditional stocks and bonds, providing diversification benefits and potential for higher returns. Alternative investing is considered highly risky and investors should carefully assess these risks and consider their own risk tolerance, investment goals.

Characteristics of specific alternative investments

Alternative assets can come in a variety of forms and below we provide additional details on the characteristics that we would expect from each type of asset.

  • Private equity/venture capital: Can provide exposure to high-growth companies and sectors, potentially enhancing returns. We expect that growth equity is poised for a rebound in 2025, with improved demand for deal making and further deregulation.
  • Infrastructure: Looks to provide stable, long-term cash flows and can benefit from increased government and private sector spending on infrastructure projects. We anticipate strong demand for infrastructure as the U.S. looks to secure both energy resources and supply chains.
  • Direct lending: Can offer attractive yields and can provide a buffer against rising interest rates and inflation, as loans are often structured with floating rates. We expect direct lending to remain resilient, with prudent risk-taking and strong demand.
  • Hedge funds: Employ diverse strategies that can capitalize on market inefficiencies and provide downside hedge during market volatility. Hedge funds have the ability to go long and short and can therefore be uncorrelated to financial markets.
  • Real estate: Invests in a tangible asset class that can offer income through rental yields and potential appreciation. Real estate can often act as a natural hedge against inflation, as property values and rents tend to rise with inflation.

Diversify your portfolio with alternative investments

Now may be an opportune time to look beyond more “traditional” stocks and bonds. Consider partnering with your J.P. Morgan Advisor to learn more about how alternatives can fit into your financial plan.

Learn more

Alternative investments can provide exposure to secular themes

Beyond diversification benefits, alternative investments can offer unique exposure to secular themes such as:

  • Artificial intelligence: AI investment is likely to accelerate due to rapid advancements in AI models and increasing corporate adoption. With corporate capital investment currently low, there is significant potential for increased AI spending as its use cases become more compelling.
  • Power infrastructure: We see opportunities as the sector is poised for growth driven by the reindustrialization of U.S. manufacturing, increased electrification in clean energy solutions and demand from data centers.
  • Health care innovation: Advances in biotechnology and medical therapies, including AI-driven healthcare solutions, may present growth opportunities.
  • Redefining security: The ongoing push to improve U.S. domestic security could provide interesting opportunities in smaller companies focused on innovation in technology-enabled defense systems and cybersecurity.

2022 case study: Alternatives in a rising inflation environment

While a rising inflation environment is not our base case for 2025, renewed geopolitical uncertainty highlights the importance of building portfolios that could withstand a variety of economic environments.

The 2022 inflationary episode provides a helpful case study on the potential benefits of alternative investments. Public assets struggled as the Federal Reserve tightened interest rates to combat rising inflation. Commodities stood out as one of the few public market assets that generated positive returns. What also stood out is the positive return from a mix of alternative investments.

The bar chart displays the total returns in percentage for various asset classes in 2022.

By adding diversifying assets, portfolio drawdowns could be shallower and allow wealth to compound more steadily over time. Remember, asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss.

We can help

As always – but especially in alternatives – due diligence and selectivity are essential, as performance can vary widely. It’s important to remember that investing in alternatives often involves a greater degree of risk than investing in traditional assets. For instance, they are typically not registered with regulators and may therefore offer limited information to investors. Additionally, alternatives often carry a risk of illiquidity as a result of restrictions on transfer and lack of a secondary trading market.

Many investors choose to partner with us to narrow the alternative investment universe because of our rigorous scrutiny of managers. Our in-house team conducts on-site visits, examining the structure, operations, incentives and individuals on a manager’s team.

In times of higher uncertainty, building portfolios that can withstand the various, and sometimes sharp, ups and downs becomes even more important. We believe that incorporating alternative investments into portfolios can help mitigate vulnerabilities to volatile inflation environments and also provide early access to emerging technologies and industries. By diversifying beyond traditional assets, investors could achieve more consistent returns and better align portfolios to meet long-term financial goals. If you’re looking to explore adding alts to your portfolio, a J.P. Morgan advisor can help.

Connect with a Wealth Advisor

Reach out to your Wealth Advisor to discuss any considerations for your current portfolio. If you don’t have a Wealth Advisor, click here to tell us about your needs and we’ll reach out to you.

Connect now

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All case studies are shown for illustrative purposes only and should not be relied upon as advice or interpreted as a recommendation. They are based on current market conditions that constitute our judgment and are subject to change. They are not representative of individual client experiences or results. Past performance is not a guarantee of the future performance of an investment.

Investments in commodities may have greater volatility than investments in traditional securities, particularly if the instruments involve leverage.

Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

The MSCI ACWI captures large and mid cap representation across 23 Developed Markets (DM) and 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries. With 2,841 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the global investable equity opportunity set.

The Cliffwater Direct Lending Index (CLDI), an index of private middle market loans launched in 2015 and reconstructed back to 2004, was created to measure private loan performance and better understand its investment characteristics. The CDLI was the first published index tracking the direct lending market and currently covers about 14,800 directly originated middle market loans totaling $315 billion.

The Bloomberg U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the performance of USD-denominated, non-investment grade, fixed-rate, taxable corporate bonds, including corporate bonds, fixed-rate bullet, puttable, and callable bonds, SEC Rule 144A securities, Original issue zeroes, Pay-in-kind (PIK) bonds, Fixed-rate and fixed-to-floating capital securities.

The S&P U.S. Treasury Bond Current 10-Year Index is a one-security index comprising the most recently issued 10-year U.S. Treasury note or bond.

Investing in alternative assets involves higher risks than traditional investments and is suitable only for sophisticated investors. Alternative investments involve greater risks than traditional investments and should not be deemed a complete investment program. They are not tax efficient and an investor should consult with his/her tax advisor prior to investing. Alternative investments have higher fees than traditional investments and they may also be highly leveraged and engage in speculative investment techniques, which can magnify the potential for investment loss or gain. The value of the investment may fall as well as rise and investors may get back less than they invested.

Private investments are subject to special risks. Individuals must meet specific suitability standards before investing. This information does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy . As a reminder, hedge funds (or funds of hedge funds), private equity funds, real estate funds often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices that may increase the risk of investment loss. These investments can be highly illiquid, and are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors, and may involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing important tax information. These investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds; and often charge high fees. Further, any number of conflicts of interest may exist in the context of the management and/or operation of any such fund. For complete information, please refer to the applicable offering memorandum. Securities are made available through J.P. Morgan Securities.

As a reminder, hedge funds (or funds of hedge funds) often engage in leveraging and other speculative investment practices that may increase the risk of investment loss. These investments can be highly illiquid, and are not required to provide periodic pricing or valuation information to investors, and may involve complex tax structures and delays in distributing important tax information. These investments are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as mutual funds; and often charge high fees. Further, any number of conflicts of interest may exist in the context of the management and/or operation of any such fund. For complete information, please refer to the applicable offering memorandum.

Diversification and asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.

Real Estate Investments Trusts may be subject to a high degree of market risk because of concentration in a specific industry, sector or geographical sector. Real estate investments may be subject to risks including, but not limited to, declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and economic conditions, changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trust and defaults by borrower.

Bonds are subject to interest rate risk, credit, call, liquidity and default risk of the issuer. Bond prices generally fall when interest rates rise.

The price of equity securities may rise or fall due to the changes in the broad market or changes in a company's financial condition, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably. Equity securities are subject to "stock market risk" meaning that stock prices in general may decline over short or extended periods of time.

JPMAM Long-Term Capital Market Assumptions

Given the complex risk-reward trade-offs involved, we advise clients to rely on judgment as well as quantitative optimization approaches in setting strategic allocations. Please note that all information shown is based on qualitative analysis. Exclusive reliance on the above is not advised. This information is not intended as a recommendation to invest in any particular asset class or strategy or as a promise of future performance. Note that these asset class and strategy assumptions are passive only – they do not consider the impact of active management. References to future returns are not promises or even estimates of actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Assumptions, opinions and estimates are provided for illustrative purposes only. They should not be relied upon as recommendations to buy or sell securities. Forecasts of financial market trends that are based on current market conditions constitute our judgment and are subject to change without notice. We believe the information provided here is reliable, but do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. This material has been prepared for information purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, accounting, legal or tax advice. The outputs of the assumptions are provided for illustration/discussion purposes only and are subject to significant limitations.

“Expected” or “alpha” return estimates are subject to uncertainty and error. For example, changes in the historical data from which it is estimated will result in different implications for asset class returns. Expected returns for each asset class are conditional on an economic scenario; actual returns in the event the scenario comes to pass could be higher or lower, as they have been in the past, so an investor should not expect to achieve returns similar to the outputs shown herein. References to future returns for either asset allocation strategies or asset classes are not promises of actual returns a client portfolio may achieve. Because of the inherent limitations of all models, potential investors should not rely exclusively on the model when making a decision. The model cannot account for the impact that economic, market, and other factors may have on the implementation and ongoing management of an actual investment portfolio. Unlike actual portfolio outcomes, the model outcomes do not reflect actual trading, liquidity constraints, fees, expenses, taxes and other factors that could impact the future returns. The model assumptions are passive only – they do not consider the impact of active management. A manager’s ability to achieve similar outcomes is subject to risk factors over which the manager may have no or limited control.

The views contained herein are not to be taken as advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any investment in any jurisdiction, nor is it a commitment from J.P. Morgan Asset Management or any of its subsidiaries to participate in any of the transactions mentioned herein. Any forecasts, figures, opinions or investment techniques and strategies set out are for information purposes only, based on certain assumptions and current market conditions and are subject to change without prior notice. All information presented herein is considered to be accurate at the time of production. This material does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision and it should not be relied upon by you in evaluating the merits of investing in any securities or products. In addition, users should make an independent assessment of the legal, regulatory, tax, credit and accounting implications and determine, together with their own financial professional, if any investment mentioned herein is believed to be appropriate to their personal goals. Investors should ensure that they obtain all available relevant information before making any investment. It should be noted that investment involves risks, the value of investments and the income from them may fluctuate in accordance with market conditions and taxation agreements and investors may not get back the full amount invested. Both past performance and yield are not a reliable indicator of current and future results.

This material is for informational purposes only, and may inform you of certain products and services offered by J.P. Morgan’s wealth management businesses, part of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (“JPM”). Products and services described, as well as associated fees, charges and interest rates, are subject to change in accordance with the applicable account agreements and may differ among geographic locations. Not all products and services are offered at all locations. If you are a person with a disability and need additional support accessing this material, please contact your J.P. Morgan team or email us at accessibility.support@jpmorgan.com for assistance. Please read all Important Information.

GENERAL RISKS & CONSIDERATIONSAny views, strategies or products discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all individuals and are subject to risks. Investors may get back less than they invested, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Nothing in this material should be relied upon in isolation for the purpose of making an investment decision. You are urged to consider carefully whether the services, products, asset classes (e.g. equities, fixed income, alternative investments, commodities, etc.) or strategies discussed are suitable to your needs. You must also consider the objectives, risks, charges, and expenses associated with an investment service, product or strategy prior to making an investment decision. For this and more complete information, including discussion of your goals/situation, contact your J.P. Morgan representative.

NON-RELIANCECertain information contained in this material is believed to be reliable; however, JPM does not represent or warrant its accuracy, reliability or completeness, or accept any liability for any loss or damage (whether direct or indirect) arising out of the use of all or any part of this material. No representation or warranty should be made with regard to any computations, graphs, tables, diagrams or commentary in this material, which are provided for illustration/reference purposes only. The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed in this material constitute our judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. JPM assumes no duty to update any information in this material in the event that such information changes. Views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein may differ from those expressed by other areas of JPM, views expressed for other purposes or in other contexts, and this material should not be regarded as a research report. Any projected results and risks are based solely on hypothetical examples cited, and actual results and risks will vary depending on specific circumstances. Forward-looking statements should not be considered as guarantees or predictions of future events.

Nothing in this document shall be construed as giving rise to any duty of care owed to, or advisory relationship with, you or any third party. Nothing in this document shall be regarded as an offer, solicitation, recommendation or advice (whether financial, accounting, legal, tax or other) given by J.P. Morgan and/or its officers or employees, irrespective of whether or not such communication was given at your request. J.P. Morgan and its affiliates and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transactions.

Legal Entity and Regulatory Information.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management is a business of JPMorgan Chase & Co., which offers investment products and services through J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (JPMS), a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC. Insurance products are made available through Chase Insurance Agency, Inc. (CIA), a licensed insurance agency, doing business as Chase Insurance Agency Services, Inc. in Florida. Certain custody and other services are provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMCB). JPMS, CIA and JPMCB are affiliated companies under the common control of JPMorgan Chase & Co. Products not available in all states.

Bank deposit accounts and related services, such as checking, savings and bank lending, are offered by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC.

This document may provide information about the brokerage and investment advisory services provided by J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“JPMS”). The agreements entered into with JPMS, and corresponding disclosures provided with respect to the different products and services provided by JPMS (including our Form ADV disclosure brochure, if and when applicable), contain important information about the capacity in which we will be acting. You should read them all carefully. We encourage clients to speak to their JPMS representative regarding the nature of the products and services and to ask any questions they may have about the difference between brokerage and investment advisory services, including the obligation to disclose conflicts of interests and to act in the best interests of our clients.

J.P. Morgan may hold a position for itself or our other clients which may not be consistent with the information, opinions, estimates, investment strategies or views expressed in this document. JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates may hold a position or act as market maker in the financial instruments of any issuer discussed herein or act as an underwriter, placement agent, advisor or lender to such issuer.