Art as an Alternative Asset Class

Maastricht University - LIFE Research Paper No. WP05-001

34 Pages Posted: 28 Feb 2005

See all articles by Rachel A.J. Pownall

Rachel A.J. Pownall

Tilburg University - Department of Finance; Maastricht University - Department of Finance

Date Written: February

Abstract

The poor performance of traditional asset classes in recent years has driven the search for greater investment into alternative asset classes. The desire to reap higher risk adjusted returns from diversification into assets which offer low and even negative correlation with equities and bonds are extremely desirable. There has been a huge growth in the traditional alternative investments: commodity and hedge fund investments. A number of funds specialising in Art have recently emerged, which also appear to offer a highly beneficial diversification strategy with extremely low correlation with traditional asset classes. But it is important for investors to understand the risk and return characteristics of this new 'alternative' asset class. In this paper we take a closer look at Art as an alternative asset, and look specifically at how this new alternative asset is expected to perform during bear markets, in times when benefits to diversification are most needed.

Keywords: Alternative Asset Class, Art Investment, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Conditional Correlation

JEL Classification: C40, G11, Z11

Suggested Citation

Pownall, Rachel Ann Jane, Art as an Alternative Asset Class (February). Maastricht University - LIFE Research Paper No. WP05-001, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=675643 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.675643

Rachel Ann Jane Pownall (Contact Author)

Tilburg University - Department of Finance ( email )

P.O. Box 90153
Tilburg, 5000 LE
Netherlands

Maastricht University - Department of Finance ( email )

Maastricht, 6200 MD
Netherlands