Alternative investments

Private assets promise potentially greater returns and more diversification for investors, but financial advisors say their opaque and illiquid nature makes them less than ideal for most 401(k) plan participants.

Bottles and casks from sought-after brands and years can be worth big money, but fraud and market bubbles can make for a highly volatile market.

While the right limited production vehicle could go sell many millions at auction, the market remains volatile.

The Trump megalaw's expansion of opportunity zone credits and other investment approaches comes with caveats based on timing and taxes.

A rare handbag can be worth far more than retail to the right buyer, but some advisors caution against viewing them as a store of value.

CEO Kunal Kapoor and other speakers explained how the shifting trends shaping the industry mean that advice is getting even more important.

They can be illiquid, pricey and opaque, and some advisors say the performance doesn't justify the hype. Others say the assets can offer meaningful advantages.

Through collaboration with BlackRock, Fidelity Investments, Franklin Templeton and State Street, professionally managed model portfolios with alternative allocations are available via the firm's unified managed accounts.

Net of expenses, many financial advisors and investors could find similar yields and exposure for their portfolios elsewhere, according to a Morningstar study.

While vintage Fenders, Gibsons and Martins can be worth thousands or even millions, advisors caution that collecting guitars should be for the love first and foremost.