Investments in alternatives are projected to reach $32 trillion by 2030, driven mainly by wealthy investors such as ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices, with private equity and private credit expected to see significant growth amid a recovering market and AI boom, despite recent declines in institutional fundraising.
Wealthy investors from Silicon Valley, including Laurene Powell Jobs and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, have been identified as the group behind the purchase of over 50,000 acres of land in Solano County. Flannery Associates, LLC, has spent over $800 million to acquire more than 140 properties over the past five years. The purchases have raised concerns among local leaders and federal government agencies, with the company expressing plans to build a new city on the land. Communication between mayors and Flannery Associates has been limited, but the company intends to engage with residents, elected officials, and officials from Travis Air Force Base regarding the project.
Despite the struggling commercial real estate market in Manhattan, wealthy investors are still drawn to owning property in New York City. Smaller investors are taking advantage of discounts and opportunities left by institutional buyers, with some purchasing properties at a 7% discount from previous sale prices. However, rising interest rates and partially empty offices may lead to widespread defaults in the market.
Wealthy investors and family offices are moving more of their money out of bank cash balances and into Treasurys, money markets and other short-term instruments, following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and potential cracks in the network of regional banks. With the rapid Federal Reserve hikes, Treasurys and money markets can now offer a 4% or 5% risk-free return — often double the yield on a savings or checking account. As a result, wealthy investors and family offices have been moving all but a small portion of their cash balances into higher yielding cash-like investments, which are typically not on the balance sheet of the banks.