Key Takeaways
- • A joint survey by CION Investments, YCharts and Compound Insights found that 95% of 301 registered investment advisors surveyed use alternative investments in client portfolios, with the survey fielded April 7 to May 6, 2026.
- • 61% of respondents said they incorporate evergreen vehicles and interval funds across "many" client accounts, and 50% use liquid alternative ETFs.
- • Liquidity concerns were the leading barrier to broader implementation, cited by 61% of respondents.
- • 52% of advisors expressed interest in increasing allocations to infrastructure and real assets, with continued interest in private equity and private credit.
- • The report, "From Public to Private: How Advisors Are Using Alternative Investments," offers six practical implementation takeaways for advisors, including adopting a common firm stance, prioritizing research and maintaining client communication.
Summary
A new survey released by CION Investments, YCharts and Compound Insights indicates broad adoption of alternative investments within client portfolios, according to the press release distributed via Business Wire. The research, detailed in the report "From Public to Private: How Advisors Are Using Alternative Investments," is based on responses from 301 registered investment advisors surveyed between April 7 and May 6, 2026. Compound Insights conducts research through The Compound Media, Inc., an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser.
According to the survey, 95% of respondents reported using alternative investments in client portfolios. Sixty-one percent said they incorporate evergreen vehicles and interval funds across "many" client accounts, and 50% said they use liquid alternative ETFs. The findings suggest alternatives have moved beyond niche allocations toward more general adoption within client portfolios.
Advisors also signaled continued appetite for expansion. More than half of respondents (52%) expressed interest in increasing allocations to infrastructure and real assets, and interest in private equity and private credit remained strong. Despite this momentum, liquidity concerns emerged as the leading barrier to broader implementation, cited by 61% of respondents. The report argues that effective implementation requires aligning investment structures with clients' objectives, time horizons and liquidity needs.
CION Investments CEO-level co-founder Michael A. Reisner, co-founder and co-CEO, said that advisors have "an opportunity, perhaps even a responsibility" to help clients understand the role and trade-offs of these investments. Callie Cox, chief strategist at Compound Insights and chief market strategist at Ritholtz, described the data as painting "a nuanced picture," noting that advisors are expanding their use of alternatives while remaining clear-eyed about the considerations involved.
The report outlines six practical takeaways for advisors: adopting a common firm language on alternatives, implementing a clear strategy, understanding the rationale and trade-offs including liquidity and transparency, prioritizing thorough research, communicating intentionally with clients, and assessing how alternatives can serve different client types and outcomes. The full report is available at cioninvestments.com.
According to the survey, 95% of respondents reported using alternative investments in client portfolios. Sixty-one percent said they incorporate evergreen vehicles and interval funds across "many" client accounts, and 50% said they use liquid alternative ETFs. The findings suggest alternatives have moved beyond niche allocations toward more general adoption within client portfolios.
Advisors also signaled continued appetite for expansion. More than half of respondents (52%) expressed interest in increasing allocations to infrastructure and real assets, and interest in private equity and private credit remained strong. Despite this momentum, liquidity concerns emerged as the leading barrier to broader implementation, cited by 61% of respondents. The report argues that effective implementation requires aligning investment structures with clients' objectives, time horizons and liquidity needs.
CION Investments CEO-level co-founder Michael A. Reisner, co-founder and co-CEO, said that advisors have "an opportunity, perhaps even a responsibility" to help clients understand the role and trade-offs of these investments. Callie Cox, chief strategist at Compound Insights and chief market strategist at Ritholtz, described the data as painting "a nuanced picture," noting that advisors are expanding their use of alternatives while remaining clear-eyed about the considerations involved.
The report outlines six practical takeaways for advisors: adopting a common firm language on alternatives, implementing a clear strategy, understanding the rationale and trade-offs including liquidity and transparency, prioritizing thorough research, communicating intentionally with clients, and assessing how alternatives can serve different client types and outcomes. The full report is available at cioninvestments.com.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.