Tag Archives: Alternative Asset Analysis

Romanian Real Estate Popular with Alternative Investors, says AAA

May 12, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Alternative investors are turning their attention towards real estate in Romania and Bulgaria, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, May 12, 2012 — Alternative investors are turning their attention towards real estate in Romania and Bulgaria, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that real estate is still a popular alternative asset class to those who are shying away from equities while the economy remains volatile. In Europe, investors who were putting their cash into property in Ireland and Spain have now moved their investments to Bulgaria and Romania.

AAA is basing its analysis on a speech from Denise Hamer of Schoenherr Lawyers, who spoke at the recent IPD/Property Investor Europe (PIE) Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Conference. He talked about how the emphasis for investors has returned to Eastern Europe, where economies like Romania and Bulgaria are set to emerge as the better bets in terms of investment.

Mr Hamer said that it was an exciting time for real estate investor in these regions: “It’s going to be very dynamic and volatile, a very exciting investor atmosphere.”

Signs such as the news that a new shopping centre in Romania’s Ploisesti is already 70 per cent let, suggest that real estate is in demand in the former Eastern bloc country.

Returns could be particularly good on real estate assets bought in the capital Bucharest, which is slowly seeing tourism return and signs of prosperity emerge.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said that real estate and other alternative asset classes offer investors the chance to diversify their portfolios against risk. “These kinds of assets – including wine, art, timber, commodities and precious metals – are not as closely correlated with equities as other more traditional asset classes. As a result, when equity markets lose value, these asset classes hold their value.”

AAA particularly supports ethical investment opportunities, such as the forestry plantation projects that Greenwood Management and other firms run in developing countries like Brazil. These projects offer people the chance to buy up a tangible section of plantation and reap the rewards on an ongoing basis.

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

Brazil looks Set to Remain Popular with Investors, claims AAA

May 5, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

AAA said that Brazil is set to remain the focus of much of the world’s alternative investment attention in the coming years.

Boston, MA, USA, May 5, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis, (AAA) said that Brazil is set to remain the focus of much of the world’s alternative investment attention in the coming years.

The views from the Alternative investment advocacy organization reflect those expressed by HSBC Global Asset Management’s Pedro Bastos. He recently spoke at a briefing on the health of the region to investors in Malaysia.

He said that the country remained a “hub” for the creation of businesses. He added, “Among all emerging markets, Brazil has been the best performer for the last ten years, both in equities and fixed income.”

He added that the population of Brazil has become richer and more and more people from outside the country are starting to see it as a good prospect. This is particularly true for alternative investments in sustainable forestry through firms like Greenwood Management, added AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

Bastos told delegates: “Companies see Brazil as a major consumer market. We have an increasing middle class, which is about 55 per cent of the population. In the last ten years, personal income growth has been consistent at 4.5 to five per cent.”

Mr Johnson explained that the demand from inside Brazil for steel is exceptionally strong as the country is due to host the Football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. In the meantime, the country is also going through some major growth and is improving its infrastructure as a result.

Steel is also very much in demand in other growing economies, such as India and China, explained Mr Johnson.

He explained “The steel industry needs charcoal and charcoal comes form timbers. Brazil has passed laws to try to prevent the industry taking charcoal form forests and, as a result, there is major demand for sustainable produced 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

Investing in whisky can pay off claims AAA

May 3, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Although the wine investment market is going through a tough spell at the moment, investing in whisky could still be worth considering for those who want to turn a hobby into a money-spinner, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, May 3, 2012 — Although the wine investment market is going through a tough spell at the moment, investing in whisky could still be worth considering for those who want to turn a hobby into a money-spinner, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that there is money to be made from investing in rare Scotch and other whiskies, that could grow in value over the coming years. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained: “many of us are looking for a true alternative investment strategy, which will leave us clear to avoid dealing with stocks, shares banks and bonds. Whisky could be the answer.”

One of the major draws for whisky investors is rare one-off releases, such as John Walker and Sons Diamond Jubilee Whisky, which is priced at £100,000. Although this does come at a high price, the exclusivity of this asset could prove its winning characteristic in a few years time, claims Mr Johnson.

This is not based on rumour, but on fact. “The top-performing ten whiskies gained 400 per cent of their value between 2008 and 2011,” claimed Mr Johnson. Gains of 245 per cent were recorded for the top 100.

Some less expensive whiskies can also prove profitable and a little less risky, claimed AAA, which advocates a wide range of alternative investments. It added that single malts from producers like Macallan and Glenlivet can turn a good profit – particularly if you buy up some rare or older varieties, according to AAA.

As well as interest-based alternatives, like investing in art, wine, whisky, collectibles and real estate, AAA also promotes investing in forestry and timber. “Fast growing timber species, like teak and eucalyptus, can be grown rapidly and sold for a huge profit once the trees reach maturity,”explained Mr Johnson. Those interested in investing in such plantations can contact Greenwood Management about their sustainable projects in 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

Business

AAA welcomes Australian investment in Timberland

April 24, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

AAA has reported that a high profile institutional investor in Australia has invested heavily in forest land.

Boston, MA, April 24, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has reported that a high profile institutional investor in Australia has invested heavily in forest land.

QIC’s Alternative Beta Fund has invested heavily with US based forestry timberland firm Molpus Woodlands Group. The investment involves the fund buying up some 42,000 acres of forests that will be grown sustainably and harvested at a profit some time in the future.

The investment is part of the QIC Alternative Beta Fund’s goal to invest a much as $233 million in alternative asset classes including timber, commodities, infrastructure and insurance-led securities.

AAA supports alternative investment of all kinds – but particularly ethical investments and forestry investment specifically. Its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said: “We are always happy to learn of major institutional investors putting their cash into alternatives, and particularly into forestry and timberland.”

Timberland has become an increasingly popular investment choice in recent years as it is far less volatile than equities and has regularly outperformed stocks and shares. It is also seen as a less risky asset class at a time when traditional investments have proven extremely volatile.

QIC’s head of Alternative Investments, James Dick, said, Timber has added significant value to our client portfolios in the past and we believe that it will continue to do so in the future.

“Timberland is an important asset class for QIC, as we like the low volatility, low correlations to equities and built-in inflation hedging characteristics that these investments provide. Timber has added significant value to our client portfolios in the past and we believe that it will continue to do so in the future.”

AAA supports a large number of timber investment funds and direct investment firms. Investors who want a tangible investment for their money often, like QIC, opt to buy up sections of plantation land or forests. Firms like Greenwood Management run plantations in which individuals can invest.

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 claims Gold Prices could Rise to Record Levels

April 21, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

For all those who invested in gold in the past few months, their investment is paying off as gold prices have started to rise once more, says AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, April 21, 2012 — For all those who invested in gold in the past few months, their investment is paying off as gold prices have started to rise once more, says Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The price of gold is rising off the back of increasing panic in the Eurozone region. Gold is currently trading at around $1,700 per ounce, down from its record high of $1,900 last year, However, analysts, including Anthony Johnson of AAA, claim that gold prices could reach record levels once more in the coming years.

The view is echoed by analysts at Thomson Reuters who earlier this month predicted that gold prices could rise to a record $2,000 per ounce by early 2013 or even late 2012.

“All those who are looking for alternative investment to add to their portfolio should definitely consider precious metals, and particularly gold,” said Johnson, an analysis partner at AAA. The alternative investment advocacy group supports many kinds of alternative asset classes and promotes their value in diversifying portfolios for all kinds of investors.

Angelos Damaskos, who oversees the junior gold Fund in London told the website This Is Money: We believe this will continue to strengthen and even peak above the highs of last year, perhaps reaching $2,000.”

AAA says that investing in alternative asset classes, such as gold, art, timber, antiques and real estate, helps to spread risk in a portfolio. “Investors are increasingly looking to remove their cash from stocks and shares and invest it somewhere that is less volatile and not so tightly correlated with the general economic situation, “ explained Mr Johnson.

AAA supports investment in timber through plantation scheme like the one run by Greenwood Management and other businesses in Brazil, Costa Rica and Canada. “Timber is a less risky asset that continues to physically grow all the time.”

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

Brazil is Attracting Alternative Investors, says AAA

April 14, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Brazil is attracting a huge amount of investment attention at the moment, claims AAA, who urges investors to consider the Latin American country as a place to make some cash.

Boston, MA, USA, April 14, 2012 — Brazil is attracting a huge amount of investment attention at the moment, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), who urges investors to consider the Latin American country as a place to make some cash.

A large number of people who had never before considered alternative investments are now taking a closer look at some possibilities in emerging economies, such as Brazil, China and India. “It’s not as easy as it once was to invest in stocks and shares and make your fortune in the US,” claims AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

“Instead, many of us are looking to alternative asset classes, such as real estate, forestry and impact investing in countries that are experiencing rapid economic growth.”

Brazil is set to host the Olympics in 2016 and the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Both of these events have ensured that the local steel industry is booming. AAA said that this has meant growth for the demand for sustainably produced charcoal.

Mr Johnson explained: “Measures have been taken to discourage the steel industry from using unsustainable timber in their charcoal. As a result, plantations, such as the one managed by Greenwood Management, are likely to see huge demand for their ethical products.”

Plantations, such as the ones managed by Greenwood, usually focus on fast-growing, hardy species that can be used in charcoal manufacture, furniture making and construction. AAA said that the demand for timber from sustainable sources is likely to increase further in the coming years as China and India continue to seek out raw materials.

Anyone interested in investing in Brazilian timber plantations can do so from as little as around $15,000. “AAA advocates ethical forestry investment as a way to make a difference while making money.

“Ensuring timber is grown using sustainable forestry management methods helps locals to safeguard the future of the industry for the next generation,” added 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

Bamboo could prove a Good Investment, says AAA

April 4, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Investors seeking a new, sustainable plantation investment could consider investing in fast-growing species like bamboo, explains AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, April 4, 2012 — Investors seeking a new, sustainable plantation investment could consider investing in fast-growing species like bamboo, explains Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Bamboo is being celebrated by many as a new ‘super material’ which can be grown quickly in plantations, which also help to absorb carbon from the atmosphere if managed sustainably. The mature plants are harvested, while others continue to grow in a sustainable cycle, which means there is always standing bamboo forests, always harvested bamboo to use in construction and always habitat for animals and forests for people to enjoy.

“This sustainable plantation model has proven successful as a means of providing an ongoing supply of materials, while helping to reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere, explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

The real selling point of bamboo is that the material can be used as a hard alternative to timber, or can be used almost as a material or fibre in weaving or in garment making. It can also be eaten. There is said to be 1,500 uses for the material, which grows fast and helps people living in poorer counties to make a living.

The World Bamboo Organization’s president, Michael Abadia, explains, “From the field and the forest to the factory and the merchant, from the design studio to the laboratory, from the universities to those in political power, people are more and more aware of this potentially renewable resource.”

AAA, an ethical and alternative investment advocacy group, has long-been a supporter of sustainable forestry investment. Plantations of species like Eucalyptus and teak, run by firms like Greenwood Management, offer a great opportunity for investors who want to diversify their portfolios.

Now, it is adding bamboo to its list of recommended asset classes for very similar reasons. “Many of us are pulling away from traditional stocks and bonds, with our sights set firmly on ethical and environmentally-responsible asset classes instead,” stated 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 champions Geldof’s Africa investment message

March 31, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Campaigner Bob Geldof took the opportunity of the annual Superreturn International conference in Berlin to spend an hour extolling the virtues of investing in Africa, in a move that has been welcomes by impact investing advocacy group, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, March 31, 2012 — Campaigner Bob Geldof took the opportunity of the annual Superreturn International conference in Berlin to spend an hour extolling the virtues of investing in Africa, in a move that has been welcomes by impact investing advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

AAA claims that Geldof’s speech roused interest in the opportunities that investing in Africa offers. He effectively massaged the egos of the private equity investor crowd with statements like: “You must go and kick the tyres. You are the guys who go where capital needs to go. Capital will only go where it is sent.”

He also spoke about the vast resources that Africa holds and how the investors should not be left behind, leaving the opportunity to others: “Do we leave this vast continent, with all the resources we will ever need, do we leave it to China? Eight miles from Europe, do we just leave it to them?”

Geldof is involved in his own Africa-focused investment vehicles, called 8 Mile, which has already attracted $200 million of investment.

AAA’s analysis partner Anthony Johnson said, “The timing of Geldof’ speech was perfect as impact investing and investing in environmentally and socially responsible schemes in the developing world is increasingly popular right now.”

He added, “The equity markets are still on very shaky ground and traditional investments are not looking as attractive as they once were.”

AAA supports investment in a number of ethical projects, Including the sustainable plantation schemes run by Greenwood Management and a number of other similar firms in Brazil, the US, Canada, Costa Rica and other high-forested regions.

Mr Johnson said, “Investing in timber is a popular option at the moment as demand is set to continue to grow off the back of economic growth in China and India. Demand for raw materials like Timber is set to exceed supply soon enough, which will drive prices skyward.”

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 Reports: Pension Funds Quadruple Exposure to Alternatives

March 23, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has pointed out that the largest pension markets in the world have notably increased their exposure to alternative investments in recent years.

Boston, MA, USA, March 23, 2012 — Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has pointed out that the largest pension markets in the world have notably increased their exposure to alternative investments in recent years.

Analysis from Spence Johnson, the market intelligence firm, found that the top seven pension markets in the world increased their exposure to assets such as hedge funds, private equity and real estate, by 400 per cent between 2001 and 2011.

“This shows that the attitudes of institutional investors are moving with the times,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He added, “It’s not just individual investors who are keen to diversify their portfolios to help protect their investments against risk.

“Indeed during these economically volatile times, more and more pension funds are increasing their alternative investments and edging away from more traditional investments, like equities.”

However, there is still a way to go before defined contribution schemes view alternatives in the same way as other traditional investments, claim analysts. Spence Johnson found that only around $1.7 billion of DC funds are invested in alternatives, compared with $450 billion that is invested elsewhere.

The figures do, however, show that it is the defined benefit schemes that prefer alternatives, with a much higher interest in less traditional investments than defined contribution pensions. Analysts claim that this is because defined benefit schemes are invested by experienced professionals, rather than the average “man on the street”, and alternatives are, therefore, likely to be a preferred option.

AAA supports many kinds of alternative investments, and focuses on promoting ethical choices, such as sustainable forestry and timberland investment through scheme such as that run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

Mr Johnson added, “it’s becoming easier and easier to promote alternative asset classes as the experts know the benefits, as these latest pension figures clearly illustrate. Sometimes we feel we are preaching to the converted.”

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

Brazil is a great place to invest, claims AAA

March 13, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

The news that the Brazilian economy has started to outperform many others, including the UK’s, has acted as a prompt for many to start looking for ways to invest in the growing country, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, March 13, 2012 — The news that the Brazilian economy has started to outperform many others, including the UK’s, has acted as a prompt for many to start looking for ways to invest in the growing country, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

AAA, an alternative investment advocacy firm, has always seen Brazil as a great place to invest in commodities, such as timber, and in ethical and social funds, through impact investing routes. However, the world is expected to start investing cash in Brazil in droves thanks to the latest figures from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

Over the past ten years, the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, otherwise known as the BRIC region, have offered a comparatively safe haven for investors keen to avoid investing in the volatile markets in the US and Europe.

Now, the figures show that this is even more the case as Brazil’s economy is officially the sixth largest in the world, leaving the UK in its wake. Analyst at the CEBR claim that within a few years, Brazil’s economy will be stronger than that of France and Germany, climbing further up the ranking of the world’s great economic super powers.

“Although last year’s 2.7 per cent growth wasn’t enormous, in the grand scale of things, Brazil continues to grow economically when many other top economies are still teetering on the edge of recession” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

He added, “There has rarely been a better time to invest in emerging economies and investors who want to diversify their portfolios could not do better than investing in sustainable forestry in Brazil.

“We support the plantation projects bin run by firms like Greenwood Management, who are offering a unique and low-entry route into Brazilian investment, with an ethical edge.”

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