Art as an Alternative Investment Asset

Abstract

The paper constitutes a discussion of the trend around the rise of art as an alternative investment. With financial markets in turmoil, art as an alternative asset class is being incorporated into portfolios in the interest of diversification. Art's low correlation with the equities market and desirable risk and reward ratio, as price appreciation defies all logic, makes it an attractive investment.

The volatility, irrationality and illiquidity of the art market make it hard to compare to more conventional investments. The paper will look at how investors are treating art as an asset class and how art compares to more traditional assets such as equities and bonds.

Keywords: art, fund, investment, class, returns, volatility, risk, economics

JEL Classification: G11, G12, L82