Continuing education

Continuing education

Know your alternativesTM

Continuing education for financial professionals.


At FS Investments, we are deeply committed to furthering education on alternative investments. Our firm is dedicated to empowering our partners with the latest on new solutions, potential opportunities and key market trends.

We are proud to offer the following resources.

Continuing education courses

We offer in-person and on-demand courses for CFP/IWI/CFA credit on topics including private equity, credit and private markets. Presentations include: 

The time for alts is now

Macro
The foundational 60/40 portfolio faces increasing headwinds. We examine how investors may find solutions outside traditional assets.
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Opportunities for growth amid growing risks in traditional markets

Private markets
We discuss the alternative investment strategies that may help investors reach their goals—and the trends shaping the opportunity set for alternatives.
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Exploring opportunities in private equity

Private equity
Private equity represents a growing opportunity set. Explore the fundamentals, strategies and areas within PE that look particularly attractive in today’s economy.
Learn more  

The growing opportunity set in commercial real estate debt

Real estate
Client Portfolio Manager Steve Oblack discusses his outlook for CRE—which sectors may offer the greatest opportunity and why it’s the ideal time to be a lender.
Learn more  

The time for private credit is now

Private credit
With headwinds gathering, investors need new solutions for income, growth and diversification. We discuss alternative strategies that may help achieve these goals.
Learn more  

The case for alternative investing

Macro
Private markets occupy a rising share of investor portfolios. We explore fundamentals, strategies and areas that look particularly attractive in today’s economy.
Learn more  

To schedule additional learning opportunities, contact your FS Investments representative.

Partnership with RIA Channel 

We deliver continuing education through our partnership with RIA Channel. Webinars cover a wide range of topics in market trends and alternative investing. 

Explore our webinars

CAIA® Alternative Education

We consider this program to be one of the best available tools for gaining a comprehensive knowledge of alternative investments—as such, we require our entire business development team to attend. We’re pleased to offer sponsorships to key partners who wish to take this course.  

To express interest in attending, contact your FS Investments representative.

This information is educational in nature and does not constitute a financial promotion, investment advice or an inducement or incitement to participate in any product, offering or investment. FS Investments is not adopting, making a recommendation for or endorsing any investment strategy or particular security. All views, opinions and positions expressed herein are that of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or positions of FS Investments. All opinions are subject to change without notice, and you should always obtain current information and perform due diligence before participating in any investment. FS Investments does not provide legal or tax advice and the information herein should not be considered legal or tax advice. Tax laws and regulations are complex and subject to change, which can materially impact any investment result. FS Investments cannot guarantee that the information herein is accurate, complete, or timely. FS Investments makes no warranties with regard to such information or results obtained by its use, and disclaims any liability arising out of your use of, or any tax position taken in reliance on, such information.

Any projections, forecasts and estimates contained herein are based upon certain assumptions that the author considers reasonable. Projections are necessarily speculative in nature, and it can be expected that some or all of the assumptions underlying the projections will not materialize or will vary significantly from actual results. The inclusion of projections herein should not be regarded as a representation or guarantee regarding the reliability, accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein, and neither FS Investments nor the author are under any obligation to update or keep current such information.

All investing is subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest.

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The case for alternative investing

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
private markets have offered investors the potential for higher yields, reduced volatility and lower correlated returns to broader markets. More recently, structural changes in both credit and equity markets have fueled elevated demand for private lenders and investors. This presentation will introduce the broad forms of private market investing—including private credit, private equity and commercial real estate lending—analyze historical performance vs. public market counterparts and explore how investors can access private markets, which have historically only been available to ultra-high net worth allocators. Join us as we explore fundamentals, strategies and areas within private markets that look particularly attractive in today’s economy.
Learning objectives:
Participants should be able to 1) understand the historical performance of private credit and equity markets vs. public credit and equity markets; 2) explain the structural tailwinds that are fueling demand for private lenders; 3) become familiar with the opportunity set within the private equity middle market.
Schedule a live session

The time for private credit is now

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
2023 has seen the economy sailing smoothly and markets enjoying the ride. But forward-looking indicators are weakening, economic headwinds are gathering and policy uncertainty is rising as the Fed and other major central banks reach the end of their rate hike cycles. As the impact of tightening monetary policy sets in and equity market leadership narrows, investors face surmounting challenges. To address these challenges, investors must look outside traditional assets to generate income, growth and diversification. In this presentation, we discuss alternative investment strategies that may help investors reach these goals and the trends shaping the opportunity set for alternatives.
Learning objectives:
Participants should be able to 1) understand how fiscal and monetary stimulus has led to widespread asset inflation and its impact on the market environment; 2) explain the effects the current interest rate landscape has on key drivers of fixed income returns; 3) become familiar with asset classes and strategies that may help investors address the challenges facing fixed income.
Enroll now
Schedule a live session

The growing opportunity set in commercial real estate debt

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
It’s no secret the commercial real estate market is going through a correction driven primarily by rising mortgage rates. Property values have fallen -12% since July 2022, and cap rates have risen anywhere between 60 bps and 100 bps depending on the sector. Despite ominous headlines dominating the financial press, fundamentals remain strong in most major sectors. Join FS Investments’ Client Portfolio Manager Steve Oblack, as he discusses his outlook for real estate, which sectors offer the greatest opportunities and why now is the ideal time to be a lender in commercial real estate.
Learning objectives:
Despite ominous headlines, fundamentals remain solid in most major sectors, excluding office. We still see strong demand for multifamily, industrial and alternative sectors like self-storage in non-major metro areas with strong underlying economic trends. Power has shifted from borrowers to lenders, who are in a position to drive attractive terms. While transaction volumes are down, we are seeing attractive opportunities to take advantage of higher rates and reduced competition to source attractive opportunities.
Schedule a live session

Exploring opportunities in private equity

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
Private equity has become a powerful force in the global financial landscape, driving innovation, fostering growth and creating substantial value. As structural changes in equity markets push companies to stay private longer, investors are increasingly allocating to private equity to capitalize on the growing opportunity set. This presentation will introduce the various types of private equity financing, including venture capital, growth equity, buyout and special situations. It will also explore how investors can access private equity through either direct equity or primary and secondary investments in a fund. Join us as we explore the fundamentals, strategies and areas within private equity that look particularly attractive in today’s economy.
Learning objectives:
Participants should be able to 1) understand how fiscal and monetary stimulus has led to widespread asset inflation and its impact on the market environment; 2) explain the effects the current interest rate landscape has on key drivers of fixed income returns; 3) become familiar with asset classes and strategies that may help investors address the challenges facing fixed income.
Enroll now
Schedule a live session

The time for alts is now

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
With interest rates near zero, economic and earnings growth slowing, the duration of traditional fixed income assets at all-time highs, and elevated inflation proving stickier than anticipated, we argue that a traditional stock and bond portfolio faces increasing headwinds and the prospect of lower forward returns versus the last decade. To address these challenges, investors must look outside traditional assets to generate income, growth, and diversification. In this presentation we discuss alternative investment strategies that may help investors reach these goals and the trends shaping the opportunity set for alternatives.
Learning objectives:
Participants should be able to 1) understand how fiscal and monetary stimulus has led to widespread asset inflation and its impact on the market environment; 2) explain the effects that the current interest rate landscape has on key drivers of fixed income returns; 3) become familiar with asset classes and strategies that may help investors address the challenges facing fixed income.
Schedule a live session

Opportunities for growth amid growing risks in traditional markets

Credit hours: 1.0 hour
Program description:
As the impact of historic global monetary tightening sets in, equity market leadership narrows and inflation remains elevated, we argue that a traditional stock and bond portfolio faces increasing headwinds and the prospect of lower forward returns versus the last decade. To address these challenges, investors must look outside traditional assets to generate income, growth and diversification. In this presentation we discuss alternative investment strategies that may help investors reach these goals and the trends shaping the opportunity set for alternatives.
Learning objectives:
Participants should be able to 1) understand how fiscal and monetary stimulus has led to widespread asset inflation and its impact on the market environment; 2) explain the effects the current interest rate landscape has on key drivers of fixed income returns; 3) become familiar with asset classes and strategies that may help investors address the challenges facing fixed income.
Enroll now