What to consider when evaluating an alternative investment

December 16, 20207 min read
What to consider when evaluating an alternative investment
Share on facebookShare on TwitterShare on Linkedin

Here are six important questions to consider when evaluating private market investments.

1. What are the underlying assets of the investment?

When it comes to evaluating an investment, understanding the underlying assets helps address several considerations: what types of risks and returns an investor could expect, and whether the investment can provide diversification within an investor’s portfolio.

A business’ underlying assets can also hint at its risks and opportunities. Assets that create or hold value in many different scenarios may carry less risk than assets whose value may fluctuate or deteriorate in certain scenarios. Investors should also consider how underlying assets may or may not contribute to the diversification of their portfolios. For instance, adding an investment in art to a portfolio that already holds a lot of art investments won’t add the same diversification benefit as an investment that’s exposed to other markets, such as real estate.

Another consideration related to the underlying assets is when an investor is evaluating opportunities in the debt or lending space. For example, some private debt investments are secured by collateral. Collateral may help reduce the risk a lender has by giving the lender a claim on the assets if, for example, a borrower has trouble meeting the terms of their borrowing. (There are many types of collateral—we’ve broken down the different types of collateral used in real estate, art finance, and litigation.)

Steps to consider:

  • Get a clear idea of how an investment’s underlying assets might generate cash flows or drive future value.
  • Evaluate scenarios where those assets might become more, or less, valuable or vulnerable.
  • Consider whether those assets are similar or different compared to the rest of your portfolio. Varying assets help contribute to greater diversification.

2. What is the target yield (interest rate) of this investment?

It’s critical that investors evaluate an investment’s target yield, which is the expected percentage of principal returned on your initial investment. Yield can apply to both equity and debt investments, however it is typically a much larger proportion of returns in debt investments.

Here’s a quick debt example:

Say a hypothetical borrower takes out a loan of $10M to finance the construction of a new office building. The lender expects the borrower to pay back the $10M in principal, plus $0.8M in interest. Dividing $0.8M by $10M gets you 8%, or the yield on the loan. Target yield, together with return of principal, is an important consideration for investors.

Gross yield is the top-line amount an investment is expected to produce. Net yield or annual interest rate to investors is the investment’s return after the deduction of a management fee and other expenses (if any). In our hypothetical example, if the management fee is 1%, the net yield for the investor will be 7%—the gross yield of 8% minus the management fee of 1%.

Timing of payments also affects how we think about yield. Investments on the Yieldstreet platform have varying target maturities, ranging from a few months to a few years. Investors can compare target yields on investments with different target maturities by annualizing the target yield, calculating what the target yield would be for an investment assuming it produced the same returns for a single year. You can read more on measuring investment performance in our guide on internal rate of return vs. return on investment.

Think of yield not just in absolute terms, but also as a way to compensate investors for risk. All else equal, investors typically can expect higher yields for investments with a greater perceived risk. To evaluate whether the target yield on an investment justifies the risk, investors should consider the credit quality of the underlying loan, where the underlying loan sits in the capital stack, the liquidity of the underlying collateral, the underlying loan’s term and the likelihood of a default or other adverse events, among other considerations.

Steps to consider:

  • Account for the timing of interest payments by calculating a standardized target yield measure, such as the internal rate of return.
  • Consider the risks that may drive whether the target yield is relatively high or relatively low with respect to the risks only. Note that target yields are affected by other considerations as well.
  • Compare target yields in alternative investments with those of traditional investments for a sense of the potential risk/reward.

3. When may you expect to get paid?

Unlike traditional investments that tend to be highly standardized, private debt investments are more customized to the unique circumstances of both the lender and borrower of the underlying loan. This means some additional research on your part may be necessary to become comfortable with a specific loan’s unique structure and its timing of cash flows.

For example, Yieldstreet investments have a variety of payment structures and schedules, while the timing of final payments are expected shortly after a loan’s final maturity. Some investments pay interest before the principal is returned, typically on a monthly or quarterly cycle, and others pay all interest at maturity. Because each investment is unique, it’s important to review the relevant offering documents, such as the Private Placement Memorandum and Series Note Supplement or Investment Memorandum to better understand the schedule of cash payments and the risks of each investment.

Steps to consider:

  • Understand that there are many ways to structure an offering in terms of timing and frequency of payments.
  • Assess payment structures and the timing of payments to clearly understand when and how you should expect to receive payment.
  • Understand other risks of each investment.

4. What is the liquidity of this investment?

Traditional investments like traded stocks and bonds, and cash have the advantage of strong liquidity. Because these investments trade in active markets with many buyers and sellers, it tends to be relatively easy to enter or exit traditional investments at prices close to fair value.

While some alternatives such as commodities and currencies also have strong liquidity, private debt investments tend to have reduced liquidity, meaning that the investment cannot be quickly sold or exchanged for cash without the potential for a substantial loss in value. In contrast, investors in illiquid assets often have the opportunity to earn higher returns than when investing in more liquid assets (what is known as a “liquidity premium”). However, investors should consider how their own need for cash might affect their investment decisions, while understanding that less liquidity may prevent them from accessing their capital until the final term of the investment. Investors in illiquid investors should be willing (if necessary) to hold their investments for an indefinite or long period of time.

Steps to consider:

  • Consider whether any reduced liquidity in an investment is justified by its target rate of return.
  • Compare the expected timing of payments and investment risks with any anticipated liquidity needs you may have as an investor.

5. Where does the investment’s underlying loan sit in the capital stack?

The capital stack (capital structure) is the ranking of different types of lenders in a loan according to their seniority in terms of payment and lien priority. Lenders at the top of the capital stack are more senior, and they can expect to be paid before lower-ranking investors. The lower a lender ranks in the capital stack, the greater the risk of loss. For example, if the underlying loan of an investment becomes impaired, lenders who are higher in the stack will have priority and a higher claim to be paid back before those lower in the stack, who are more likely to realize losses first. To compensate for the additional risk, lenders at the lower end of the capital stack tend to earn higher returns.

Steps to consider:

  • Assess the underlying loan’s level of payment and lien seniority by understanding how much capital has priority over the underlying loan’s lender and gauge how the capital stack affects your risk level.

6. What are the potential risks?

All investments carry risk, and understanding risk is a key step in any investment process. The definition of risk can vary for different types of assets. In private debt, investors typically consider risks in terms of defaults and permanent impairments. A default occurs when a borrower breaches some aspect of a loan agreement, for example by failing to make an interest payment on time. A default does not signify that the lenders will necessarily lose any interest owed or principal. A permanent impairment takes place when a loan incurs a loss that can’t be recovered.

Investors can use metrics like loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of the underlying loan to help them understand how serious the risks of default or impairment might be. Evaluating how concentrated or diversified an investment is can also help: Does the investment involve only one asset as collateral, or is there a substantial variety of underlying assets that helps spread around the risk?

While it’s fun to consider the potential rewards of an investment, especially one with an attractive yield, investors should carefully weigh what could happen in a downside scenario to reach a balanced and educated decision.

Steps to consider:

  • Carefully review any investment’s Private Placement Memorandum and Series Note Supplement or Investment Memorandum and other documents for details concerning an investment’s risk profile.
    Evaluate LTV as well as the originator’s and borrower’s circumstances and track record.
  • Get a clear sense for how similar assets/collateral have fared in the past and try to determine an expected value of the investment in an adverse situation.
  • Evaluate how diversified the investment is—exposure to a larger variety of assets may help reduce the investment’s concentration risk.

Investors in alternatives should carefully evaluate the risks related to each investment they’re considering, and have a strong understanding of the underlying assets, yield, timing of payments, liquidity, place in the capital stack, potential risks, among other factors.

We believe our 10 alternative asset classes, track record across 470+ investments, third party reviews, and history of innovation makes Yieldstreet “The leading platform for private market investing,” as compared to other private market investment platforms.

1 Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Any historical returns, expected returns, or probability projections may not reflect actual future performance. All securities involve risk and may result in significant losses.

3 "Annual interest," "Annualized Return" or "Target Returns" represents a projected annual target rate of interest or annualized target return, and not returns or interest actually obtained by fund investors. “Term" represents the estimated term of the investment; the term of the fund is generally at the discretion of the fund’s manager, and may exceed the estimated term by a significant amount of time. Unless otherwise specified on the fund's offering page, target interest or returns are based on an analysis performed by Yieldstreet of the potential inflows and outflows related to the transactions in which the strategy or fund has engaged and/or is anticipated to engage in over the estimated term of the fund. There is no guarantee that targeted interest or returns will be realized or achieved or that an investment will be successful. Actual performance may deviate from these expectations materially, including due to market or economic factors, portfolio management decisions, modelling error, or other reasons.

4 Reflects the annualized distribution rate that is calculated by taking the most recent quarterly distribution approved by the Fund's Board of Directors and dividing it by prior quarter-end NAV and annualizing it. The Fund’s distribution may exceed its earnings. Therefore, a portion of the Fund’s distribution may be a return of the money you originally invested and represent a return of capital to you for tax purposes.

5 Represents the sum of the interest accrued in the statement period plus the interest paid in the statement period.

6 The internal rate of return ("IRR") represents an average net realized IRR with respect to all matured investments, excluding our Short Term Notes program, weighted by the investment size of each individual investment, made by private investment vehicles managed by YieldStreet Management, LLC from July 1, 2015 through and including July 18th, 2022, after deduction of management fees and all other expenses charged to investments.

7 Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Yieldstreet Alternative Income Fund before investing. The prospectus for the Yieldstreet Alternative Income Fund contains this and other information about the Fund and can be obtained by emailing [email protected] or by referring to www.yieldstreetalternativeincomefund.com. The prospectus should be read carefully before investing in the Fund. Investments in the Fund are not bank deposits (and thus not insured by the FDIC or by any other federal governmental agency) and are not guaranteed by Yieldstreet or any other party.

8 This tool is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any information provided here as investment advice or a recommendation, endorsement or solicitation to buy any securities offered on Yieldstreet. Yieldstreet is not a fiduciary by virtue of any person's use of or access to this tool. The information provided here is of a general nature and does not address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of this information before making any decisions based on such information.

9 Statistics as of the most recent month end.

300 Park Avenue 15th Floor, New York, NY 10022

844-943-5378

No communication by YieldStreet Inc. or any of its affiliates (collectively, “Yieldstreet™”), through this website or any other medium, should be construed or is intended to be a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold any security or otherwise to be investment, tax, financial, accounting, legal, regulatory or compliance advice, except for specific investment advice that may be provided by YieldStreet Management, LLC pursuant to a written advisory agreement between such entity and the recipient. Nothing on this website is intended as an offer to extend credit, an offer to purchase or sell securities or a solicitation of any securities transaction.

Any financial projections or returns shown on the website are estimated predictions of performance only, are hypothetical, are not based on actual investment results and are not guarantees of future results. Estimated projections do not represent or guarantee the actual results of any transaction, and no representation is made that any transaction will, or is likely to, achieve results or profits similar to those shown. In addition, other financial metrics and calculations shown on the website (including amounts of principal and interest repaid) have not been independently verified or audited and may differ from the actual financial metrics and calculations for any investment, which are contained in the investors’ portfolios. Any investment information contained herein has been secured from sources that Yieldstreet believes are reliable, but we make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of such information and accept no liability therefore.

Private placement investments are NOT bank deposits (and thus NOT insured by the FDIC or by any other federal governmental agency), are NOT guaranteed by Yieldstreet or any other party, and MAY lose value. Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any federal or state securities commission or regulatory authority has recommended or approved any investment or the accuracy or completeness of any of the information or materials provided by or through the website. Investors must be able to afford the loss of their entire investment.

Investments in private placements are speculative and involve a high degree of risk and those investors who cannot afford to lose their entire investment should not invest. Additionally, investors may receive illiquid and/or restricted securities that may be subject to holding period requirements and/or liquidity concerns. Investments in private placements are highly illiquid and those investors who cannot hold an investment for the long term (at least 5-7 years) should not invest.

Alternative investments should only be part of your overall investment portfolio. Further, the alternative investment portion of your portfolio should include a balanced portfolio of different alternative investments.

Articles or information from third-party media outside of this domain may discuss Yieldstreet or relate to information contained herein, but Yieldstreet does not approve and is not responsible for such content. Hyperlinks to third-party sites, or reproduction of third-party articles, do not constitute an approval or endorsement by Yieldstreet of the linked or reproduced content.

Investing in securities (the "Securities") listed on Yieldstreet™ pose risks, including but not limited to credit risk, interest rate risk, and the risk of losing some or all of the money you invest. Before investing you should: (1) conduct your own investigation and analysis; (2) carefully consider the investment and all related charges, expenses, uncertainties and risks, including all uncertainties and risks described in offering materials; and (3) consult with your own investment, tax, financial and legal advisors. Such Securities are only suitable for accredited investors who understand and are willing and able to accept the high risks associated with private investments.

Investing in private placements requires long-term commitments, the ability to afford to lose the entire investment, and low liquidity needs. This website provides preliminary and general information about the Securities and is intended for initial reference purposes only. It does not summarize or compile all the applicable information. This website does not constitute an offer to sell or buy any securities. No offer or sale of any Securities will occur without the delivery of confidential offering materials and related documents. This information contained herein is qualified by and subject to more detailed information in the applicable offering materials. Yieldstreet™ is not registered as a broker-dealer. Yieldstreet™ does not make any representation or warranty to any prospective investor regarding the legality of an investment in any Yieldstreet Securities.

YieldStreet Inc. is the direct owner of Yieldstreet Management, LLC, which is an SEC-registered investment adviser that manages the Yieldstreet funds and provides investment advice to the Yieldstreet funds, and in certain cases, to retail investors. RealCadre LLC is also indirectly owned by Yieldstreet Inc. RealCadre LLC is a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”). Information on all FINRA registered broker-dealers can be found on FINRA’s BrokerCheck. Despite its affiliation with Yieldstreet Management, LLC, RealCadre LLC has no role in the investment advisory services received by YieldStreet clients or the management or distribution of the Yieldstreet funds or other securities offered on our through Yieldstreet and its personnel. RealCadre LLC does not solicit, sell, recommend, or place interests in the Yieldstreet funds.

Yieldstreet is not a bank. Certain services are offered through Synapse Financial Technologies, Inc. and its affiliates (collectively, “Synapse”) as well as certain third-party financial services partners. Synapse is not a bank and is not affiliated with Yieldstreet. Bank accounts are established by Evolve Bank & Trust. Brokerage accounts and cash management programs are provided through Synapse Brokerage LLC (“Synapse Brokerage”), an SEC-registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Additional information about Synapse Brokerage can be found on FINRA’s BrokerCheck. By participating in a Synapse cash management program, you acknowledge receipt of and accept Synapse’s Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and the applicable disclosures and agreements available in Synapse’s Disclosure Library.

Investment advisory services are only provided to clients of YieldStreet Management, LLC, an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, pursuant to a written advisory agreement.

Our site uses a third party service to match browser cookies to your mailing address. We then use another company to send special offers through the mail on our behalf. Our company never receives or stores any of this information and our third parties do not provide or sell this information to any other company or service.

Read full disclosure