Inside
alternatives

Insights and knowledge to navigate alternatives with a whole portfolio perspective.

Hi, I’m Jane Sloan, BlackRock’s Head of Global Product Solutions in EMEA.
Today, investors are navigating a more complex market and portfolio construction landscape than ever before.
And the message is clear — investors are looking for more when it comes to alternatives and private markets.
More transparency.
Easier access.
Better analytics.
And a more integrated, whole-portfolio approach — where private markets work seamlessly alongside public markets.
At BlackRock, our business is built to evolve with those needs.
That’s why we created Inside Alternatives.
A one-stop destination designed to help investors build confidence as they navigate alternatives — with foundational primers on each private markets asset class, liquid alternatives, wrappers, and portfolio construction, all in one place.
So please take a look around, explore what’s new, and come back for new material as the landscape continues to evolve.

Your guide to alternative investments

Inside Alternatives is built to help you deepen your knowledge of alternatives, from private markets to liquid alternatives, and highlight their potential roles in diversification, resilience, and long-term returns.

MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT

Private Markets Outlook

Explore BlackRock’s 2026 Private Markets Outlook, highlighting the expanding opportunity set across private markets. Watch the on-demand webinar for expert perspectives on key themes.
Download the full outlook Download the full outlook

Alternative investing at BlackRock

Alternatives can offer investors the potential for enhanced returns and diversification benefits, which are increasingly important in todays challenging economic environment. Head to our Alternatives page to learn more.
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ESSENTIALS

Alternatives essentials

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Private markets

Private markets

7 min read | 6 min listen

Private markets are becoming an increasingly important part of how modern portfolios are built, offering access to investments beyond traditional public stocks and bonds.

Understand how private markets work, what sets them apart and some key considerations for incorporating into client portfolios.

Read our introduction to private markets Read our introduction to private markets
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Private equity

Private equity

6 min read | 7 min listen

Private equity provides investors the ability to have an ownership stake in companies beyond public markets, spanning early-stage innovation to established businesses.

Learn how private equity works, risks to consider and how investors can access these investment strategies.

Read our overview of private equity Read our overview of private equity
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Private credit

Private credit

5 min read | 7 min listen

Private credit enables investors to lend directly to companies outside of public markets, offering potential differentiated sources of returns.

See how private credit works, the range of strategies available to investors and why interest in private credit continues to grow.

Read our overview of private credit Read our overview of private credit
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Real estate

Real estate

5 min read | 6 min listen

Private real estate gives investors access to tangible assets across sectors and markets, with return potential driven by income, asset appreciation and diversification benefits.

Discover how private real estate investing works, including common risks and the range of strategies available.

Read our overview of real estate Read our overview of real estate
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Liquid alternatives

Liquid alternatives

7 min read | 8 min listen

Liquid alternatives bring sophisticated strategies into more accessible, daily liquid formats, offering investors new ways to seek returns and diversification beyond traditional long-only stock and bond exposures.

See how liquid alternatives work, the techniques they employ and how they aim to diversify portfolios and improve risk-adjusted returns.

Read our overview of liquid alternatives Read our overview of liquid alternatives
PORTFOLIOS

Alternatives in your portfolio

Illustration of portfolio in pie chart form.

Portfolio construction

A guide to maximizing the potential benefits of alternatives in client portfolios.
Read the article Read the article
MARKET PERSPECTIVES

Alternatives insights

FAQ

Common questions

  • Alternative investments sit outside the traditional asset classes (stocks, bonds and cash) most often used to construct portfolios. Once the domain of institutional investors only, simpler structures, lower investment minimums and greater transparency have to an extent democratized access to investments such as private equity, real estate, infrastructure and private credit. Alternative investments also include more liquid strategies known as “liquid alternatives.”

    Advisors and individual investors increasingly see alternatives as a potential way to enhance returns and diversify portfolios. The potential benefits come with risks, as alternatives are often more complex than their public markets counterparts.

  • The term “liquid alternatives” or “liquid alts” refers to alternative investment strategies that are packaged in pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that are highly liquid, easily traded and traditionally regulated. They are broadly available to advisors and individual investors. Liquid alts employ strategies such as long/short, market neutral, global macro or derivatives to seek less correlated returns. They are not hedge funds or private markets investments.

  • Private markets are a type of alternative investment distinguished by the fact that they are not listed and traded on public exchanges. Like alternatives broadly, private markets were once harder to access but can now be implemented in portfolios through registered investment vehicles with private underlying assets. Private markets are a growing part of the economy1, and investors of all sizes are increasingly recognizing that they can offer a potential source of wealth creation that compliments the public sphere.

  • Private equity involves investing directly in companies that are not listed on public exchanges. Private equity managers (general partners or lead sponsors) use investor capital to help private companies grow and enhance profitability.

  • Private credit refers to lending conducted outside traditional bank lending channels or public debt markets. Private loans are typically originated between a corporate borrower and a small group or single lender. The loans are negotiated directly by companies that do not have access to or chosen not to seek credit from public corporate bond and loan markets (often medium-sized "middle market" companies).

  • Real assets are tangible assets (or rights to them) that have intrinsic value in the economy. Examples include real estate (e.g., commercial, residential, industrial); infrastructure (e.g., roads, bridges, utilities); and natural resources (e.g., energy, materials, metals). Real assets are gaining interest from investors as a way to potentially enhance portfolio diversification.

  • As access expands, investors are seeking out alternatives due to their potential diversification and return benefits. However, some key considerations like liquidity, complexity, and transparency remain important for those including alternatives in portfolios.