As art prices soar, buying art might look like a great investment. But Merrill Lynch reports oterwise. “While stocks or bonds are almost certain to make investors a profit over five years, art has a high chance of declining in value, the world’s biggest brokerage company said. The probability of losses on small-cap stocks, corporate bonds and long-term treasury bonds is 3 percent or less if they’re held for five years. Art investors have a 17 percent chance of losing money over five years, Merrill said.”