Cantor Fitzgerald, the New York-based international financial services firm, has expanded its private securities offering with the launch of a new division specializing in alternative investments.

Cantor Private Markets Group, the new unit, offers exposure to alternative investments, including private company stock, private real estate investment trusts, private equity and hedge fund interests and securities. The unit will be led by Michael Guzman as managing director who will also continue to serve with the company's corporate and venture services group. He reports to Jarred Kessler, the global head of equities. 

In the ninth Deutsche Bank Alternative Investment Survey released early this year, investors predicted that the hedge fund industry would receive over $200 billion in net inflows in 2011, taking the total assets under management to a high of $2.2 trillion. Institutional investors are also increasing their allocations and the size of their alternatives teams, indicating a significant future growth for the sector.