Why More Investors Are Looking Beyond Shares

For many investors, listed shares have long been the cornerstone of a growth-oriented portfolio. They continue to play a vital role, but in recent years we’ve seen a noticeable shift toward private markets and alternative assets. These include investments such as private equity, private credit, infrastructure, unlisted property, and other investment opportunities not accessible through the public market.

There are several reasons behind this trend. Market volatility has increased, economic signals have become harder to interpret, and global events can trigger immediate fluctuations in listed assets. For some, this volatility can lead to a few sleepless nights. Another reason why investors are reducing their exposure to listed markets is companies staying private for longer. With significant inflows to private markets, less businesses are seeing the need to list on the stock exchange as a form of realising the value in their company.

Private markets offer a different experience. Because these investments are not priced daily, they tend to deliver a smoother return profile. More importantly, they focus on long-term fundamentals rather than short-term headlines. Investors gain access to businesses, assets, and strategies that are often more stable or more specialised – and importantly – valued on their fundamentals and free of investor emotion.

However, private markets aren’t simple. These opportunities can be complex, require longer investment horizons, and rely heavily on the skills and discipline of the underlying investment managers. Selecting the right opportunities — and having the conviction to avoid the wrong ones — is critical.

This is where Hewison Private Wealth’s long-standing expertise becomes especially valuable. We have been investing in private markets for decades, developing deep knowledge in manager selection and how to identify and mitigate different types of risk. Over time, we’ve built strong relationships with experienced, high-quality managers across multiple sectors. This experience helps us identify opportunities that align with our clients’ goals and complement their overall investment strategy.

The result of incorporating private assets has led to more resilient, diversified portfolios that are better equipped to navigate market cycles. Private markets are not a replacement for more ‘traditional’ investments like shares — rather, they provide the opportunity to achieve a more stable and diversified portfolio