Alternative investments—such as private equity, real estate, hedge funds, and private credit—are no longer reserved for institutional investors. As market volatility increases, more individuals are exploring these opportunities as part of their long-term wealth management strategies.

In his latest contribution to InvestmentNews, Darnel Bentz, Senior Wealth Advisor at Kayne Anderson Rudnick, shares his perspective on how advisors can help clients navigate this evolving landscape responsibly. He highlights the importance of due diligence, education, and disciplined portfolio construction when incorporating alternatives into a client’s overall wealth management plan.

How We Help Our Clients Navigate Alternatives

Alternative investments can offer exciting opportunities—but they also come with risks. To make these strategies work for you, it’s important to understand your full financial picture, including your cash flow, liquidity needs, long-term goals, and comfort with illiquid investments.

At Kayne Anderson Rudnick, our wealth management strategies combine careful research with disciplined portfolio design to help clients pursue alternatives safely and strategically.

1. Thoughtful Evaluation Before Investment

We thoroughly evaluate every manager and strategy before it becomes part of a client portfolio. Our team conducts deep research, and our investment committee reviews each opportunity to ensure it meets our standards. Even after an investment is added, we continually monitor it to make sure it stays aligned with your goals.

2. Education That Puts You in Control

Alternatives can be complex, and it’s easy to feel unsure about how they fit in your portfolio. We make sure you understand how each investment works, its potential benefits, and the risks involved, so you can make confident, informed decisions.

3. Transparency and Operational Support

Unlike public markets, alternatives don’t have daily pricing updates. That’s why we partner with experienced providers who offer independent valuations and handle all compliance and reporting. You can see exactly how your investments are performing without worrying about the behind-the-scenes work.

4. Aligning Opportunities With Your Goals

Success in alternatives isn’t about chasing trends—it’s about choosing strategies that match your objectives, risk tolerance, and life stage. We believe our disciplined approach strives to ensure these investments enhance your portfolio and support your long-term financial security.

The Future of Alternatives in Wealth Management

The alternative investment landscape continues to evolve, and Darnel believes these strategies will become increasingly accessible to individual investors, including through retirement plans. As the market expands, advisors will play a key role in helping clients identify quality opportunities and manage exposure prudently.

At Kayne Anderson Rudnick, we share that belief. Our mission is to provide clients with education and access to thoughtfully vetted opportunities that enhance diversification while maintaining focus on long-term stability and sustainable growth.

Curious how alternative investments could fit into your wealth strategy? Contact us today to start the conversation.

You can read Darnel’s full contributed article here: How I educate clients and protect their portfolios — InvestmentNews