Alternative Investments

At Morgan Stanley, we provide individuals and institutions access to world-class alternative investment strategies spanning private equity, real assets, private credit, hedge funds and digital assets. These strategies may deliver differentiated sources of return relative to traditional equity and fixed income investments, as well as offer potential for tax efficiency.

With more than 40 years’ experience and over $140 billion in client assets currently invested in  alternatives,1 Morgan Stanley’s comprehensive strategies, diverse talent and global resources enable us to provide qualified investors with distinctive investment opportunities.

A Culture of Investment Excellence

What You Can Expect From Morgan Stanley

Morgan Stanley’s leadership in alternative investments is built on our team’s expertise and commitment to our clients.

  1. 1
    Exclusive access with personalized guidance

    Expand your investment universe with a robust selection of over 160 alternative offerings available through your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. Our unparalleled range of products includes first look and exclusive access to funds that may otherwise be available only to institutional investors, integrated into a customized financial plan that puts you at the center of everything we do.

  2. 2
    Thematic top-down research-driven approach

    Morgan Stanley's extensive experience and global network affords our clients access to investment opportunities from leading managers in the industry. Both third-party and proprietary solutions are offered. Our fund selection is powered by our scale, guided by a deliberate and thematic top-down approach lead by our Global Investment Office and committed to helping you identify the strategy that best aligns with your goals, values and risk tolerance.

  3. 3
    Rigorous bottom-up investment and operational due diligence

    Over 30 dedicated alternative investment and operational due diligence analysts apply an institutionalized investment selection process and proprietary methodologies to identify high-quality strategies. This highly selective approach includes rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis, business and operational review, comprehensive governance and oversight, and ongoing monitoring.

  4. 4
    Values-based investing

    Align your investments with your values through alternative funds that seek to generate superior risk-adjusted returns alongside environmental sustainability and positive social impact, including global community improvement and driving equity across race, ethnicity, gender and orientation.

  5. 5
    Tailored approach and customized solutions

    Access a full suite of alternative strategies and a tailored portfolio implementation approach to address your specific objectives. Additionally, we offer co-investments and direct investments, as well as customized structures to help meet the needs of institutional clients who require a bespoke solution.

Alternative Investment Categories at a Glance

Your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor can help you determine if any of the following strategies are a fit for your portfolio.

 

Private Equity

Private market investment approaches, such as private company buyouts, growth equity and venture capital generally seek higher growth and additional diversification relative to traditional equity markets.

Private Credit

Private corporate lending and private real estate lending offer the potential for higher income relative to traditional fixed income markets; additionally, distressed credit investing may serve as an opportunistic means of generating risk-adjusted growth

Real Estate / Real Assets

Assets such as private real estate and infrastructure offer investors the potential for both appreciation growth and tax-advantaged income while helping to mitigate inflation risk over time

Hedge Funds

Hedged strategies can help manage portfolio volatility, while seeking enhanced risk-adjusted returns relative to traditional equity and fixed income markets 

Digital Assets

Digital assets, such as cryptocurrencies, offer speculative investors the potential for both growth and inflation risk mitigation

Tax-Advantaged Strategies

Strategies, such as concentrated stock exchange funds, 1031 real estate exchanges, real estate opportunity zones, private placement variable annuity and life insurance structures offer investors a means of additional diversification with the added benefit of reducing or deferring tax liability

Innovative Solutions for Your Wealth

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers qualified investors a full suite of alternative investments across various asset classes. Work with your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor to see how an alternative investment strategy can help strengthen your portfolio.

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