Morgan Stanley’s Global Investment Committee recommends that alternatives make up as much as 25% of an efficient portfolio, and for some investors, even higher. Our comprehensive strategies, diverse talent and global resources enable us to provide qualified investors with distinctive alternative investment opportunities.
Alternative Investments at Morgan Stanley
Expand your investment universe with a suite of compelling alternative strategies from a global leader. As a pioneer and innovator in the industry, Morgan Stanley offers access to an unmatched platform of alternative investments, built on our team’s expertise, unique network and unwavering commitment to our clients.
by investing in strategies with less dependence on the direction of traditional equity and fixed income markets, which may add stability to your portfolio over time
by incorporating investment approaches lead by asset managers skilled at identifying and creating value in less-efficient markets
by diversifying with tax-deferred or tax-exempt alternative strategies
by owning cash-producing real assets or extending credit in private and non-traditional markets
Morgan Stanley’s leadership in Alternative Investments is built on our team’s expertise and commitment to our clients.
Discover a robust selection of 200 alternative funds available through your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. Of our new offerings, 80% are first look, exclusive, or offer favorable economics.2 Additionally, we offer customized structures to help meet the needs of individual and institutional clients who require a bespoke solution. Our unparalleled range of products can be integrated into a tailored financial plan that puts you at the center of everything we do.
Morgan Stanley's decades of experience and vast global network provide access to investment opportunities from leading managers in the industry. We offer both third-party and proprietary solutions. 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.
More than ~35 dedicated alternative investment and operational due diligence analysts apply a thorough investment selection process and proprietary methodologies to identify high-quality strategies. 3 This highly selective approach includes rigorous quantitative and qualitative analysis, business and operational review, comprehensive governance and oversight, and ongoing monitoring.
Morgan Stanley Private Markets offers eligible clients the opportunity to invest in a curated list of high-quality private companies directly or alongside an asset manager.
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.
Learn from our thought leaders about how alternative investments can help you manage your wealth and help meet your personal financial goals.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management offers qualified investors a full suite of alternative investments across various asset classes. See how an alternative investment strategy can help strengthen your portfolio.
Check the background of our firm and investment professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck(opens in a new tab).
1. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Alternative Investments Group. As of December 31, 2024. Assets include $23B from Alternative Investments Portfolio Reporting of off-platform positions
2. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Alternative Investments Group. As of December 31, 2024. For Qualified Purchaser offerings available broadly on the platform, including proprietary funds (excludes democratized funds.
3. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Alternative Investments Group and Global Investment Manager Analysis team. December 31, 2024.
Global Investment Committee asset allocation information as of December 31, 2024. Last change to Strategic Asset Allocations: March 28, 2024. Alternative investments strategic asset allocation for clients with <$25MM in investable assets ranges from 14 – 25%; alternative investments strategic asset allocation for clients with >$25MM in investable assets ranges from 18 – 33%. Please note there are five asset allocation models ranging from conservative to aggressive (Model 1: Wealth Conservation; Model 2: Income; Model 3: Balanced Growth; Model 4: Market Growth; Model 5: Opportunistic Growth). The asset allocation models are subject to change from time to time. The GIC defines alternative investments as the following: REITS, Commodities, Master Limited Partnerships, Hedged Strategies (which include Traditional and 40 Act Alternative Investments, including: Hedge Funds, Funds of Funds, Alternative Mutual Funds), Managed Futures, Private Real Estate and Private Equity. For illustrative purposes only. This does not represent individually tailored investment advice. Actual client portfolio will vary based on individual circumstances.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley Wealth Management”) - IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
The sole purpose of this material is to inform, and it in no way is intended to be an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security, other investment or service, or to attract any funds or deposits. Investments mentioned may not be appropriate for all clients. Any product discussed herein may be purchased only after a client has carefully reviewed the offering memorandum and executed the subscription documents. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has not considered the actual or desired investment objectives, goals, guidelines, or factual circumstances of any investor in any fund(s). Before making any investment, each investor should carefully consider the risks associated with the investment, as discussed in the applicable offering memorandum, and make a determination based upon their own particular circumstances, that the investment is consistent with their investment objectives and risk tolerance. Alternative investments often are speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors could lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for eligible, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time. They may be highly illiquid and can engage in leverage and other speculative practices that may increase the volatility and risk of loss. Alternative Investments typically have higher fees than traditional investments. Investors should carefully review and consider potential risks before investing. Certain of these risks may include but are not limited to:
• Loss of all or a substantial portion of the investment due to leveraging, short-selling, or other speculative practices;
• Lack of liquidity in that there may be no secondary market for a fund;
• Volatility of returns
• Restrictions on transferring interests in a fund;
• Potential lack of diversification and resulting higher risk due to concentration of trading authority when a single advisor is utilized;
• Absence of information regarding valuations and pricing;
• Complex tax structures and delays in tax reporting;
• Less regulation and higher fees than mutual funds;
• Risks associated with the operations, personnel, and processes of the manager; and
• Risks associated with cybersecurity.
As a diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management engages in a broad spectrum of activities including financial advisory services, investment management activities, sponsoring and managing private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions and principal securities, commodities and foreign exchange transactions, research publication, and other activities. In the ordinary course of its business, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management therefore engages in activities where Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s interests may conflict with the interests of its clients, including the private investment funds it manages. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management can give no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of its clients or any such fund.
As part of the Morgan Stanley Private Markets – Access program, Morgan Stanley will be limited solely to a role as an introducer and will not be serving as a placement agent or adviser. Eligible investors must enroll in the program in order to see any investment opportunities. Investments require independent evaluation, due diligence, review & analysis. Neither Morgan Stanley nor any of its affiliates is making any recommendation to purchase or take any action of any sort and is not providing any advice on investments. Investors are asked to work directly with the issuer/sponsor and with your own independent (non-Morgan Stanley) financial, legal, accounting, tax, and other professional advisors to evaluate the investment opportunity.
Investors are responsible for complying with the terms of any applicable exemption from securities law requirements and any potential Private Company issuer restrictions for any sale of Private Company shares, and you must obtain your own legal counsel to advise you in connection with such requirements and Private Company issuer restrictions. You should consult with your third-party advisors regarding the risks of transacting in Private Company shares, including the risk of transacting in a market with little or no price transparency or liquidity. Morgan Stanley provides no opinion or view on the valuation of any Private Company shares, or the sufficiency, fairness or competitiveness of any price obtained. Private Securities do not trade on any national securities exchange and, as such, any potential liquidity (i.e., the potential for any buying interest that might satisfy your sell interest) in such Private Company shares is very limited.
Investments of this nature include a high degree of risk, likely will be highly illiquid and can engage in leverage and other speculative practices that may increase the volatility and risk of loss . Investors could lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. Investments are appropriate only for eligible investors who are willing to put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Actual results may vary. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in a declining market.
As a diversified global financial services firm, Morgan Stanley engages in a broad spectrum of activities including financial advisory services, investment management activities, sponsoring and managing private investment funds, engaging in broker-dealer transactions and principal securities, commodities and foreign exchange transactions, research publication, and other activities. In the ordinary course of its business, Morgan Stanley therefore engages in activities where Morgan Stanley interests may conflict with the interests of its clients, including the private investment funds it manages. Morgan Stanley can give no assurance that conflicts of interest will be resolved in favor of its clients or any such fund. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice and are not intended to be a forecast of future events or results. Further, opinions expressed herein may differ from the opinions expressed by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and/or other businesses/affiliates of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
This is not a "research report" as defined by FINRA Rule 2241 or a "debt research report" as defined by FINRA Rule 2242 and was not prepared by the Research Departments of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or its affiliates.
Alternative investments involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing, and delays in distributing important tax information. Individual funds have specific risks related to their investment programs that will vary from fund to fund. Clients should consult their own tax and legal advisors as Morgan Stanley Wealth Management does not provide tax or legal advice.
Interests in alternative investment products are only made available pursuant to the terms of the applicable offering memorandum, are distributed by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and certain of its affiliates, and (1) are not FDIC-insured, (2) are not deposits or other obligations of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management or any of its affiliates, (3) are not guaranteed by Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and its affiliates, and (4) involve investment risks, including possible loss of principal. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a registered broker-dealer, not a bank.
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.
The returns on a portfolio consisting primarily of Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) aware investments may be lower or higher than a portfolio that is more diversified or where decisions are based solely on investment considerations. Because ESG criteria exclude some investments, investors may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as investors that do not use such criteria.
© 2025 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. Alternative investment securities discussed herein are not covered by the protections provided by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, unless such securities are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and are held in a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Individual Retirement Account.
CRC#4285418 (03/2025)
