Merrill's Investment Solutions Chief Outlines Growing Role for Alternatives in Client Portfolios

Posted on May 13th, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Merrill's Investment Solutions Chief Outlines Growing Role for Alternatives in Client Portfolios

At Merrill and Bank of America Private Bank, alternative investments have become a core focus of portfolio construction, according to Financial Planning. The firms are sourcing top-tier third-party asset managers across the alternatives space, and have over 100 alternative strategies currently available.

Financial Planning reports that Merrill recommends that moderate investors hold around 25 percent of their portfolios in alternatives. The firms believe that the primary benefits of alternatives are diversification, current yield, inflation protection, volatility dampening, and alpha generation. The firms stress the importance of diversifying within the alternative asset class itself, rather than relying on a single strategy.

Financial Planning reports that, looking ahead, the firms plan to deepen its ultrahigh net worth offerings, broaden access to alternatives across the wealth spectrum, and expand tax-managed investment solutions. Tax planning will remain a central focus, with increased demand for year-round tax overlay strategies, dynamic and quarterly tax-loss harvesting, and performance playback reports for clients.

 

Eccleston Law LLC represents investors and financial advisors nationwide in securities, employment, transition, regulatory, and disciplinary matters.

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