Art is a speculative investment, meaning it does not produce revenue or produce an income stream on its own. Its val ue is contained only in the assumption that other people in the future will pay more for it than what you paid for it to day. Stocks are companies that generate revenue and turn a profit. Real estate earns money via being rented out, being occupied. If you're starting a business, the way to make money is to be one of the few investors in a business that does really, really well.