Tag Archives: Alternative Asset Analysis

Investing in Student Town Condos is a Money Spinner, claims AAA

September 4, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA is recommending that those parents of college students who can afford it should invest in real estate in college towns to make a healthy return and save some cash through the college years.

Boston, MA, USA, September 4, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) is recommending that those parents of college students who can afford it should invest in real estate in college towns to make a healthy return and save some cash through the college years.

The alternative investment advocacy group is not the only one encouraging parents to buy student digs to make a profit. In fact mortgage and housing expert, Ken Harney, recently wrote about the issue in an article for Forbes. He described how soaring rents are making sending kids to college even more expensive. Buying a property can solve the short-term problem while making a buck or two over the long term.

AAA says that people without children in college can also benefit from the boom in college town real estate by buying up a modest property and renting it out to students. Now is the time to swoop, claims AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He said “The housing market has bottomed out and is slowly on its way back up. Buy now and you’re likely to make money over the medium to long-term.”

In many of the US’s largest college towns, the average rents of properties are now several times the average mortgage repayments due each month, so investing in a student property makes sense now and in the future.

Although some college towns, like Boston and Washington DC are not cheap places to buy property, others, like Pittsburgh and Atlanta remain much more affordable and rents are still high compared with mortgage repayments. “The model works almost everywhere,” added Mr Johnson.

As well as advocating real estate investment, AAA also promotes ethical investments, such as sustainable timberland investments through firms like Greenwood Management that run plantations in Brazil and Canada. “Forestry is another asset class that gives investors something tangible, with intrinsic value, in exchange for their dollars,” said Johnson.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA Advocates Investment in SWAG

August 31, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

A recent report in The Telegraph newspaper in the UK has attracted the support of alternative investment advocacy group, AAA, for covering the popularity of ‘SWAG’ as investments.

Boston, MA, USA, August 31, 2012 — A recent report in The Telegraph newspaper in the UK has attracted the support of alternative investment advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), for covering the popularity of ‘SWAG’ as investments.

SWAG is a new term used to describe silver, wine, art and gold, which are among the most commonly chosen alternative investments. The Telegraph article describes how these asset classes are regularly outperforming bonds and equity investments and are, therefore, proving increasingly popular among individual and institutional investors.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, stated that the trend isn’t surprising and a growing section of the population are interested in swapping their hard-earned cash for something much more tangible than stocks, shares and bonds – particularly following the recent economic collapse. He stated, “There was a period when investors could dependent on the value of their investments, but those days are gone, for now. However, when you purchase something tangible, or with intrinsic value, like trees, gold and silver, for example, the risks are reduced and the assets stand up to economic volatility much more convincingly.

Telegraph reporter, Richard Evans points out that the benefits are clear – in that silver, wine, art and gold have all outperformed shares and bonds over five years, seven years and even ten years. He cited former Moore Capital investment expert Joe Roseman as having first come up with the ‘SWAG’ moniker. He predicts that these asset classes will be the best kinds of investments to opt for in the coming years, which he says will be ruled by a period in which inflation will remain high, but growth will remain elusive.

The analysts at AAA agree that tangible assets are increasingly attractive as these condition prevail, although it advocates ethical investments, such as investing in sustainable forestry programs run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil. “Forestry investment provides investors with an asset that hedges against inflation, but also helps to reduce deforestation and stimulate a green economy,” claimed Mr Johnson.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA Welcomes KPMG Bolstering of Alternatives Team

August 23, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA has welcomed moves by global auditing and accountancy firm KPMG to expand its alternative investment team by adding five new members in the US.

Boston, MA, USA, August 23, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed moves by global auditing and accountancy firm KPMG to expand its alternative investment team by adding five new members in the US.

The advisory firm has taken on Ted Carreiro to join its alternative investment fund practice in Boston. Carreiro is the former managing director of State Street Bank and Trust’s AIF division and has more that 18 years experience.

KPMG is also taking on Phillip W. DeSalvo, who has worked with a large number of businesses before to help them to instigate transactions, structure and execute deals. Michael R Richards is another new addition and has over 22 years of relevant experience. He will lead the KPMG transaction services practice in the West Coast region.

The boost to the alternative investment team reflects the increase in interest in alternatives as individuals and institutional investors struggle to make significant returns when invested in savings bonds and the stock market. “The stock market is pretty inactive and interest rates are at historic lows,” asserted AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

KPMG said in an official statement that alternatives were becoming increasingly important to the firm. “KPMG is committed to becoming the market leader in serving the alternative investments industry and our latest additions to the team demonstrate our goal to have the broadest set of skills and in-depth knowledge of the most important regulatory and business issues facing the industry,” said Al Fichera, national partner in charge, alternative investments-audit, in a statement.

AAA supports range of alternative investments, including timberland investment through sustainable plantations such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

AAA claims that timber prices are set to rise of the back of more activity in the Chinese, Indian and US housing markets. As a result, it could be the best time for a while for investing in timberland.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA: Pension Fund Researchers Need To Take Time Over Alternatives

August 9, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

A new article in the Financial Times has pointed out the fact that many pension funds and other institutional investors may need to take on more research staff if they want to make the most of alternative investment opportunities. This has led AAA to warn pension funds that they may want to think twice about bringing their research in house.

Boston, MA, USA, August 9, 2012 — A new article in the Financial Times has pointed out the fact that many pension funds and other institutional investors may need to take on more research staff if they want to make the most of alternative investment opportunities. This has led Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) to warn pension funds that they may want to think twice about bringing their research in house.

This view was reflected by Peter Urbani, who used to work for Infiniti Capital, and who spoke to the FT about his experiences. He said, “The recent acquisition of Sovereign by Mercer is an indication that pension funds are starting to look at alternatives, but realising that they need to do it internally.”

He explained that turning to alternatives meant that researchers would have to carry out more in-depth due diligence than when dealing with traditional asset classes, which equates to more work.

A growing number of large investment institutions, such as pension funds are turning increasingly towards the idea of alternative investment. Following the economic crisis, investors are keen to receive something tangible in exchange for their investments and are also interested in diversifying their portfolios against risk.

One option is direct forestry investment. This can be done by buying up physical sections of forest or plantation and cashing in the profits once trees grow and are harvested for timber. However, investing through a firm like Greenwood Management means investors get all the benefits of timberland investment, but will start to see returns on their investment much sooner.

Timberland investment has become extremely popular as it has regularly outperformed stocks and shares and provides a very effective hedge against inflation. What’s more is that if, when the time come to sell the timber you have been growing come, but the market price isn’t right, investors can simply hang on to their investment and watch it grown some more.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA Welcomes Report into Pensions Investing in Alternatives

August 7, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA has welcomed new research from Towers Watson consultancy, which found that pension funds are still putting more and more of their funds into alternative investments.

Boston, MA, USA, August 6, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed new research from Towers Watson consultancy, which found that pension funds are still putting more and more of their funds into alternative investments.

The survey found that there has been a 7.9 per cent rise in the total pension fund assets under management by the top 100 asset managers. The total sum is now $1.03 trillion, up from $951.7 billion in 2010.

The rise is partly due to the fact that the survey now includes figures from insurers, foundations, endowments and sovereign wealth funds. Much of the assets under management are being invested in alternatives such as hedge funds and private equity, according to Towers Watson.

A spokesman for Towers Watson, Craig Baker, said, “Our client base is quite different today from when we started this survey. We do a lot of work with insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds and endowments.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson said that these latest figures show that institutional investors are increasingly looking towards alternatives to diversify their portfolios and offset the impact of inflation. He stated, “We are seeing an increase in interest in alternatives with individuals and institutional investors realizing in their droves that alternatives can offer a wise option.”

AAA claims that individual investors are now “spoiled for choice” when it comes to interesting alternatives asset classes that can offer a hedge against inflation and a less risky investment than the equity markets. “Timberland is one of the best-performing alternatives,” added Mr Johnson.

“Investing directly in timberland through the kind of schemes run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, for example, ensures people get something tangible in exchange for their investment.”

“Not only this, but timberland returns on investment have typically outperformed equities over a number of years and can offer a good long-term investment option for people looking for a pension investment.”

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

REITs are proving an Attractive Option, claims AAA

August 4, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA claims that commercial property investment trusts are a great option for alternative investors.

Boston, MA, USA, August 4, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) claims that commercial property investment trusts are a great option for alternative investors.

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that recent results showing impressive returns from real estate investment trusts (REITs) demonstrate how alternatives are regularly outperforming more traditional asset classes, such as equities.

Recent statistics show that average annualized returns from REITs total 33 per cent over the past three years, illustrating the kinds of returns people can see if they invest in income-producing property at the right time. REITs offer extra benefits to investors as they are obliged to distribute 90 per cent of their taxable income to shareholder to avoid the kind of taxes that other corporate property owners pay.

Investors usually receive payouts each quarter, which they take as dividend or cash. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index average dividend yield is just 2.1 per cent, compared with an average yield of 3.2 per cent for REITs.

Investing in real estate is a popular option at the moment, with house prices in the US finally increasing once more. Many of those who took the risk and bought property when the prices were at rock bottom will already be reaping the returns. AAA’s analysis partner Anthony Johnson said, “It’s not surprising that investors are putting their cash into solid investments such as bricks and mortar, precious metals, commodities and timberland. Getting something in return for your cash rather than simply some shares, is increasingly attractive.”

He added that REITS are attractive as low interest rates make it difficult to earn much interest without taking a risk on an asset class that can earn well each month. Like forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management, REITs allow investors to receive income while holding onto an asset that will also produce healthy returns when it is sold off.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA reviews Gold, Silver and Bronze as Investments

August 3, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

AAA thinks that the Olympics is the perfect time to review the performance of the medal metals, gold, silver and bronze, in terms of their recent performance as alternative investments.

Boston, MA, August 03, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) thinks that the Olympics is the perfect time to review the performance of the medal metals, gold, silver and bronze, in terms of their recent performance as alternative investments.

Since the last Olympic Games in Beijing, the price of both gold and silver have soared as an increasing number of investors and central banks bought up the precious metals as a buffer against the uncertain economic climate. “Investing in stocks and shares looked decreasingly attractive to many in the past four years and one of the obvious alternatives is precious metals,” explained Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

Illustrating this perfectly is the S&P GSCI Gold Spot Index, which increased by a huge 87.64 per cent between the Beijing Olympics and the London Olympics. In the meantime, Silver grew by 78.74 per cent over the same period. However, lagging a long way behind in third place is copper (from which bronze is made), growing by just 1.56 per cent according to the S&P GSCI Copper Spot for the period.

AAA claims that the reason behind gold’s popularity was the physical nature of gold. “Everyone wants something tangible in exchange for their cash when times are tough and the economy is uncertain,” claimed Mr Johnson.

However, this is not to say that there hasn’t been a fair amount of volatility in the gold and silver markets over the period in question. AAA said that there are several other tangible options that are less volatile and offer risk-averse choices – such as forestry investment.

Investing in timberland in the form of sustainable plantations can provide a great mid-to long-term option for investors who want to diversify their portfolios. In addition, investing in trees through firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil, means that investors only need as little as $10,000 to buy their own slice of timberland.

Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA Welcomes New Support for Canadian Impact Investing

August 3, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA, an alternative investment advocacy and research group, has lent its support to the TMX Group in Canada, which has announced a commitment to contributing to the development of the impact investing market in the country.

Boston, MA, USA, August 3, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy and research group, has lent its support to the TMX Group in Canada, which has announced a commitment to contributing to the development of the impact investing market in the country.

TMX Group is officially supporting MaRS Centre for Impact Investing (‘the Centre’), which has been created to try to promote and initiate impact investing programs. The programs that will be launched by the Centre are all about mobilizing cash to help fund projects that are beneficial on either a social or environmental level.

The existing impact investment market in Canada is worth an estimated CA$2 billion and is expected to increase to CA$30 billion within the coming ten years as more and more investors look for ways to ensure their money goes towards ethical and responsible causes. The MaRS project will work by finding ways to match investment with projects that could help social or economic causes, but that could also generate returns for the investors.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “Many people may presume that impact investors see little return on their investment. However, more and more ethical investment projects are generating healthy returns due to the fact that there are an enormous number of opportunities to help people in developing countries to make money by starting their own enterprises.”

The TMX Group’s Vice president, Ronald Alepia, said, “TMX Group is pleased to support corporate social innovation in partnership with the MaRS Centre for Impact Investing.”

“The MaRS Centre for Impact Investing is the right institution with which to develop this transformative new opportunity for Canada. We’ve been active with the Centre from its inception and look forward to a long and productive partnership,” he added.

AAA supports ethical investments of all kinds, including investment in sustainable forestry plantation projects, such as those run in Brazil by firms like Greenwood Management.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

AAA: Alternative Investors Looking Outside Europe for REITs

August 2, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Alternative investors are ploughing money into South Africa’s property sector, according to recent reports. AAA claims that regions outside of Europe are receiving more interest and are great options for investing in real estate.

Boston, MA, USA, August 2, 2012 — Alternative investors are ploughing money into South Africa’s property sector, according to recent reports. Alternative Asset Analysis claims that regions outside of Europe are receiving more interest and are great options for investing in real estate.

A new report from JSE Property index shows that the amount of investment in south Africa’s property market is up by around 14.5 per cent with cash coming from both individual investors and institutional investors.

“It’s not just wealthy individuals who are investing in alternatives such as real estate any more,“ explained Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner. “Pension funds and other institutional investors are now also picking up on the fact that alternatives offer some major benefits by way of diversification and low correlation with equity markets.”

Real Estate Investment trusts (REITs) managers in South Africa are feeling very positive about the future, according to Growth Point Properties. Its executive director, Estienne de Klerk, said that most REIT managers claim that the asset class will grow over the coming two years.

Mr Johnson stated, “It’s easy to see why people would prefer to put their cash into something more tangible after the economic collapse. More and more people are looking for alternatives to stocks and bonds, which they have seen lose value overnight.”

AAA supports a wide range of alternative investments, but is most keen to advocate investment in ethical and environmentally responsible causes, such as sustainable forestry and impact investment funds. Firms such as Greenwood Management offer investors the opportunity to buy up their own section of sustainable plantation in Brazil, from as little as EUR 10,000.

“This type of direct investment in timberland that is managed sustainable can remove some of the pressure on native forests and provide a more environmentally friendly options for industries that use timber products and charcoal.”

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com

Business

Florida and Turkey set to be Next Real Estate Hot Spots – AAA

August 1, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Investors looking to buy properties abroad as an investment should consider Florida and Turkey as they are likely to be among the next places to experience a boom and retain value, according to AAA’s Anthony Johnson.

Boston, MA, USA, July 31, 2012 — Investors looking to buy properties abroad as an investment should consider Florida and Turkey as they are likely to be among the next places to experience a boom and retain value, according to Alternative Asset Analysis’ Anthony Johnson.

These two countries will offer good value for money for investors, claims the advocacy group’s analysis partner. He said, “As far as grabbing a bargain in an up-and-coming region goes, investor could do worse than investing in Florida and Turkey real estate.”

AAA claims that a growing number of people are looking to buy up real estate as a form of alternative investment. This follows a period of economic slowdown, when investors lost huge amounts of money on the equity markets and are now looking for something tangible in return for their cash.”

Part of the reason that Turkey and Florida are proving to be real estate hot spots is the fact that investors are steering clear of the Eurozone at the moment. The US real estate market in general is improving and Florida has always been popular with people looking for second homes in the sun.

Alternative investment in general is proving increasingly popular, according to AAA, which supports a wide range of alternative investment options. Investing in real estate can be a great option for those who want to avoid tying money up in the volatile stocks and bonds markets.

Turkey and Florida, being popular tourist destinations, will often see their property process maintaining value when spots in similar destinations are seeing house process fall. “Investing in holiday spots can prove an intelligent choice as people will always want to buy property there,” added My Johnson.

AAA also advocates investing in forestry that is sustainably managed through projects run by firms like Greenwood Management, which operates sustainable plantations in Canada and Brazil.

Media Contact:
Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com
http://www.alternativeassetanalysis.com