Mutual funds are the "vehicle of choice" for institutional investors and advisors investing in alternatives, according to the eighth annual national alternatives survey from Morningstar and Barron's. The report found almost $300 billion invested in alternative mutual funds as of May. Total net assets in alternative exchange-traded funds were less than $120 billion.
Institutional investors used mutual funds for access to alternative strategies; however, they favored hedge funds and private pools for access to private debt real estate, and private equity, as well as collectibles like art. Advisors showed the same inclination, although they were less likely to invest in those particular strategies overall.
The 2013–2014 Alternative Investment Survey of U.S. Institutions and Financial Advisors surveyed 372 institutional investors and 301 advisors.
