Monday, October 11, 2010

Look beyond stock options

Normally, you will hear phrases like ‘book profits’, ‘sit on cash’ and so on when the stock market inches close to psychologicallysignificant figures. However, this time around, if you pin back your ears, you may also hear someone whispering ‘alternative assets’.


It is not just the stock market which is close to breaking a historical high, other traditional assets like gold are also hovering around record highs. Things are fluid on the fixed income side as well. And, with interest rates hardening , it is not a great time for long-term investors in debt either.

“With the markets touching new highs, we are asking investors to book some profits in equities and hold cash or build their alternative assets portfolio,” says AV Srikanth, executive director, Anand Rathi Wealth Managers.

“Alternate products are offered to clients who already have some experience with equities and bonds and are looking for portfolio diversification. They could constitute about 10% of the portfolio, depending on the risk profile of the client,” says Ashish Kehair, head of wealth management , ICICI Securities. Generally, alternative assets are recommended to clients who have already built a large portfolio comprising equity and debt and are looking for an opportunity to invest in some uncommon assets.

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