Real inflation adjusted gains are one thing, protection against inflation is another. Stocks deliver both, though with significant risk. But if you are passivel

Real inflation adjusted gains are one thing, protection against inflation is another. Stocks deliver both, though with significant risk. But if you are passively investing, the inflation protection you get is essentially free. You will still have to fade the risk though. If your portfolio is large and consists of 100% stocks, you need to diversify out. The mostly common alternative asset classes are real estate, commodities, and cash.