Trends with Benefits #131: Navigating Private Investments and Alternatives with Craig Robson
February 19, 2025
Listen Time 39:36 MIN
Craig Robson, Founding Principal and Managing Director at Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, discusses why investors are increasingly looking to alternative investments to diversify portfolios and reduce volatility. He explains how access to private markets has evolved, making it easier for investors to participate while highlighting trends such as private equity secondaries and the increasing institutional adoption of digital assets. He also shares his belief that financial advisors' responsibilities will expand in the future to include providing guidance on healthcare access.
Show Notes:
02:09 Craig’s background
04:44 What are alternatives?
05:44 Why alternatives are important
08:30 The private investment market
10:20 Who are alternatives right for?
13:50 Identifying opportunities for each client
16:58 Interest in private investments
22:14 Digital assets in client portfolios
27:30 Business lessons from Craig
30:55 Long-term trend
35:16 Trend or fad
Recommended subscription
Trend or Fad
Listen for Craig’s take on private equity secondaries.
Follow Ed Lopez @thatEdLopez on X (Twitter).
You can listen and subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
To receive more Trends with Benefits insights, sign up in our subscription center.
Listen On Your Favorite Platform
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Please note that Van Eck may offer investment products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this blog.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are current as of the video’s posting date, and are not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees. Video commentaries are general in nature and should not be construed as investment advice. References to specific securities and their issuers or sectors are for illustrative purposes only. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data.
A prospective private fund investor should only commit to such an investment if he or she understands the nature of the investment and can bear the economic risk of the investment. Private investments are often highly speculative and typically involve a significant degree of risk, volatility and illiquidity. A prospective investor should thoroughly review the private placement memorandum (PPM) and all offering documents carefully and consider whether the investment is suitable to the investor’s financial situation and goals.
Investments in digital assets are subject to significant risk and are not suitable for all investors. The values of digital assets are highly volatile, and it is possible to lose your entire principal investment.
Hard assets investments are subject to risks associated with real estate, precious metals, natural resources and commodities and events related to these industries, foreign investments, illiquidity, credit, interest rate fluctuations, inflation, leverage, and non-diversification.
There are inherent risks with fixed income investing. These risks may include interest rate, call, credit, market, inflation, government policy, liquidity, or junk bond. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall. This risk is heightened with investments in longer duration fixed-income securities and during periods when prevailing interest rates are low or negative.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Associates Corporation.
© 2025 Van Eck Associates Corporation.
666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Please note that Van Eck may offer investment products that invest in the asset class(es) discussed in this blog.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and are current as of the video’s posting date, and are not necessarily those of VanEck or its other employees. Video commentaries are general in nature and should not be construed as investment advice. References to specific securities and their issuers or sectors are for illustrative purposes only. This is not an offer to buy or sell, or a recommendation to buy or sell any of the securities, financial instruments or digital assets mentioned herein. The information presented does not involve the rendering of personalized investment, financial, legal, tax advice, or any call to action. Certain statements contained herein may constitute projections, forecasts and other forward-looking statements, which do not reflect actual results, are for illustrative purposes only, are valid as of the date of this communication, and are subject to change without notice. Actual future performance of any assets or industries mentioned are unknown. Information provided by third party sources are believed to be reliable and have not been independently verified for accuracy or completeness and cannot be guaranteed. VanEck does not guarantee the accuracy of third party data.
A prospective private fund investor should only commit to such an investment if he or she understands the nature of the investment and can bear the economic risk of the investment. Private investments are often highly speculative and typically involve a significant degree of risk, volatility and illiquidity. A prospective investor should thoroughly review the private placement memorandum (PPM) and all offering documents carefully and consider whether the investment is suitable to the investor’s financial situation and goals.
Investments in digital assets are subject to significant risk and are not suitable for all investors. The values of digital assets are highly volatile, and it is possible to lose your entire principal investment.
Hard assets investments are subject to risks associated with real estate, precious metals, natural resources and commodities and events related to these industries, foreign investments, illiquidity, credit, interest rate fluctuations, inflation, leverage, and non-diversification.
There are inherent risks with fixed income investing. These risks may include interest rate, call, credit, market, inflation, government policy, liquidity, or junk bond. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall. This risk is heightened with investments in longer duration fixed-income securities and during periods when prevailing interest rates are low or negative.
All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. As with any investment strategy, there is no guarantee that investment objectives will be met and investors may lose money. Diversification does not ensure a profit or protect against a loss in a declining market. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Van Eck Associates Corporation.
© 2025 Van Eck Associates Corporation.
666 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017