The private equity industry has grown astronomically due to a global interest in alternative investments, and the performance of many private capital investments over the past few years. In fact, private equity produced average returns of 10.48% over a 20-year period (according to the U.S. Private Equity Index provided by Cambridge Associates) which makes private capital investments an attractive concept for investors and organizations who want to explore all their options when it comes to capital wealth management.
However, like every form of traditional investment, like stocks or bonds, a smart investing strategy requires innovative private capital management. Some inherent risks that naturally accompany private capital investments. In addition, it’s essential that an investor understands these potential hurdles and various types of risk analysis and has a financial expert who can provide effective risk management in all forms of private capital investments.
Understanding Private Equity
Private capital is the umbrella term for investments in assets that are not available on public markets, and private equity is by far the most popular and largest strategy in the private capital realm. Private equity refers to investment partnerships that purchase and manage various companies before selling them. Therefore, a private equity firm oversees these investment funds on behalf of individual investors or institutions.
Private equity investments may entail privately owned or publicly traded companies or involve buyouts as part of a consortium. They mainly deal with companies not listed on the stock exchange, but it all depends on the varying opportunities.
Private equity investments are similar to venture capital and hedge funds, as they are considered a form of alternative investment. However, these private equity investments are generally made in established companies instead of startups.
Understanding Private Capital Investment Risks
Unlike public markets, there are some distinctive risks when it comes to private capital investments that must be carefully considered before an investor moves forward. A sample of these risks includes the following:
Liquidity Risk
The success of a private capital investment strategy is solely dependent on several key factors. First, a financial manager must identify attractive opportunities. Then, they must collaborate with the designated companies to use those funds to promote long-term growth. This requires a private capital or private equity firm with a detailed eye on opportunities that will be successful years from now – a stark difference from investors who follow the daily fluctuations of traditional investments like stocks.
In order for this process to be successful, the investment is tied up for several years – generally 7-10 years – until the returns can be realized. These private equity funds may be locked once invested and unavailable for withdrawal.
Company-specific Risk
Private equity investments often entail buying substantial or controlling stakes in specific companies. This means that the success of an investment is directly tied to the success of one or a small number of companies.
Funding Risk
Unlike public equity investments, an investor’s total capital commitment may not be required when making a private equity investment. As a result, additional capital may be needed in the future and for a given period. Additionally, investors will need funds for a private equity investment readily available.
Macroeconomic Risk
Like any investment, outside factors may affect a private capital investment’s performance, including market cycles, geopolitical events, regulatory changes, alterations, and much more. A professional and experienced private equity investment manager will keep these potential changes in mind to mitigate any unforeseen risks as much as possible.
The Role of Due Diligence
All the above risks can be mitigated with extensive and ongoing due diligence. Research on multiple fronts is required to move forward confidently with private capital investment confidently. This includes (but is not limited to) financial analysis, legal review, market and competitive analysis, management team evaluation, and much more.
Are Private Capital Investments a Good Option for You?
Saddock Wealth Can Help You Explore Your Options
Private capital investments can provide an above-average return on your investment while allowing you to diversify your portfolio. Therefore, it’s worth exploring your options when it comes to this unique and alternative form of investing.
The key to effective risk management is having an expert in private capital investments as your resource.
At Saddock Wealth, we provide exceptional service and financial guidance for all our investors and clients. Our financial experts are standing by to start a conversation about whether private capital investments are right for you.
We’ll work together to find the best capital wealth management strategies for your unique financial situation and lifelong goals.