The alternative investments universe, once the exclusive purview of institutional and ultra-high net worth investors, is proliferating and being democratized such that these investment opportunities are now accessible to a new cohort of investors who may be less familiar with the potential risks and pitfalls inherent in this space. [1]  This new cohort is growing rapidly as a result of the technology boom and the expansion of the start-up industry.  These investors are looking outside of traditional equity and fixed income markets.  Further fueling the potential investor expansion are modifications to the accredited investor definition, changes to Crowd Funding platforms under both Regulation A and Regulation Crowdfunding, and the ability for 401(k) plans to include investment options with diversified private equity exposure.[2]

Your financial health, or the state of your personal monetary affairs, can impact your physical health and overall well-being.  Spending, borrowing, saving, and planning are the four main drivers of your financial health.  It is important to periodically review your finance and determine if your investments and actions today align with your goals for the future.  We will discuss how to measure your financial health, how the drivers can impact your plan, and how to identify unhealthy behaviors and helpful tips to get back on plan.

August saw US equities hit new highs and the S&P 500 made positive returns for the seventh straight month despite labor shortages and the spread of the Delta variant. Treasury yields remained relatively muted despite Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell suggesting that the Fed is likely to reduce the pace of bond purchases before year-end. China’s regulatory actions hampered returns at the beginning of the month, but Emerging Markets indexes bounced back through the second half.