- CFA Exams
- 2025 Level I
- Topic 8. Alternative Investments
- Learning Module 1. Alternative Investment Features, Methods, and Structures
- Subject 2. Investment Methods
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Subject 2. Investment Methods PDF Download
Investors can access alternative investments in three ways.
Fund Investing
The investor contributes capital to a fund which makes investments on the investor's behalf.
Advantages:
- access to fund manager's services and expertise;
- passive management;
- diversification;
- less capital required.
Disadvantages:
- need to pay for funds' services (fees);
- too many funds to select from: due diligence required.
Co-Investing
The investor invests in asset indirectly through the fund, but also possess rights to invest directly in the same assets.
Advantages:
- can learn from fund's process for better direct investing;
- reduced fees;
- more active management of the portfolio and deeper relationship with the manager.
Disadvantages: a bit of in between fund investing and direct investing.
Direct Investing
The investor makes a direct investment in an asset without using an intermediary.
Advantages:
- cost efficient (no management fees to pay);
- great flexibility;
- highest level of control over how the asset is managed.
Disadvantages:
- requires management expertise;
- lack of diversification;
- less access to a fund manager's sourcing network;
- requires greater levels of due diligence due to the absence of a fund manager;
- higher capital requirements.
Investors conduct due diligence prior to investing in alternative investments. The due diligence approach depends on the investment method.
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