Tag Archives: Alternative Asset Analysis

Business

The Guardian and AAA back Oikocredit impact investment fund

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A fund offering investors 2 per cent returns on ethical, socially responsible investment projects has won backing from The Guardian and AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, March 06, 2012 — A fund offering investors 2 per cent returns on ethical, socially responsible investment projects has won backing from The Guardian and Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The newspaper and the alternative investment advocacy group are both supporting the Oikocredit investment fund, which is based in the Netherlands and provides small loans to help people living in developing countries. A recent article in the broadsheet explained that Oikocredit was first launched as a faith-based fund back in 1975, but that its roots do not affect the investment decisions it makes.

The fund started off facilitating churches’ loans to marginalised people in developing countries. It now offers “life changing” loans to projects and people in countries including Uganda and the Ivory Coast. One of the projects it has helped is the Cocovico women’s market, which was set up in 2008 by a group of village women in order to help them sell their produce without paying the fees charged by other markets.

Investors can expect a modest annual return a well as the knowledge that their cash is helping to change lives of vulnerable people all over the world. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson said, “We fully support these kinds of small-scale loan projects in the developing world as the model has worked so well for so many people.”

“Many entrepreneurs and small businesses owners in less economically and politically sound countries have no access to finance at all, and therefore, their ideas and business often fall at the first hurdle. Impact investing project such as these truly create a win-win situation.”

AAA is an advocacy and research organisation that promotes ethical and alternative investments of many kinds. Not least investment in forestry as both a profitable and ethically sound option. An example is the sustainable plantation projects run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

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: Venezuelans flock to invest in Miami real estate

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The real estate market in Florida is booming in response to major demand from cash-rich alternative investors from Latin America, according to alternative investment advocacy group, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 29, 2012 — The real estate market in Florida is booming in response to major demand from cash-rich alternative investors from Latin America, according to alternative investment advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

AAA has responded to a report in propertywire.com, which shows that investors from Venezuela have been buying up property in Miami in droves. The Miami Association of Realtors claim that 15 per cent of all international property sales in Miami last year were to people from Venezuela, who have cash to spend and are eager to get their hands on lucrative and tangible investments.

Despite the ongoing slump in the US economy and, indeed, the Florida housing market, developers have started working again to feed the demand from the rich Latin Americans looking to buy bricks and mortar in the US state.

Jorge Perez from one of the leading developers in the region, Related Group, told Propertywire.com, “Latin America has really helped to breathe new life into our market.”

The trend for Venezuelans investing in the US housing market is thought to stem from the concerns they have about a possible forthcoming crackdown on such investments at home from leftist President Huge Chavez.

“The US housing market is the winner in this scenario,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He added, “It’s not difficult to see why the investors are putting their cash into real estate at a time when the equity markets are far less attractive, along with several other forms of traditional investment.”

However, AAA was keen to point out that there are some investment schemes that are even closer to home, such as the forestry plantation investment schemes run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. Brazil, like Venezuela, has seen an improvement in its fortunes in recent years. As a result, the demand for charcoal or the growing steel industry is enormous and lucrative for those invested in non-native sustainable plantations.

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 welcomes pro-alternative article by investing expert

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A recent article by City Commodities investment manager, Dan Fox, written in myfinances.co.uk, has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 20, 2012 — A recent article by City Commodities investment manager, Dan Fox, written in myfinances.co.uk, has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

AAA is an alternative investment advocacy group and its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson claims that Mr Fox’s article highlights some very important benefits of alternative investments. Mr Fox claimed that most investors would enjoy the process of investing in alternative assets more than traditional stocks and shares.

Mr Fox explained that the process of investing in ethical causes is also rewarding in a way that investing in faceless corporations will never be. He talked about how the carbon credits markets will heat up at the end of the year when the Kyoto agreement expires. He said, “The expiration of this agreement will see a large rise in Voluntary Emissions Reductions (VERs) which are a type of credit that fall outside the guidelines and obligations of Kyoto, and thus open up a wider range of initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Mr Johnson also points out Mr Fox’s assertion that alternative assets are more tangible and exciting that equities. AAA support investment in forestry as an excellent way to bring in strong returns while helping to increase CO2 absorption the protection and increase of forested land. An example is Greenwood Management‘s plantation scheme in Brazil, which allows investors to buy up sections of plantation land with all investors receiving returns based on the sustainable felling of trees after they have grown.

Mr Fox also talked about the satisfaction involved with spotting a great alternative asset class, which may even reflect one’s own interests, such as wine, rare coins or stamps or even designer clothing. Mr Fox explained, “Many people invest in fine wines and enjoy the excitement of building up an eclectic cellar as much as they do making money on it.”

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: Billionaire’s decision to invest in forestry shows ethical approach

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A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 14, 2012 — A billionaire investor has this week opted to put much of his cash in forestry investments, in a move that has been welcomed by alternative and ethical investment advocates, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

New Zealand-born and Singapore-based billionaire, Richard Chandler has decided to invest some $150 million into Tasmanian timber group Gunns, which means that he is now one of the their largest shareholders. The investment is intended to be used by the firm to finish the development of its long-awaited Bell Bay Pulp Mill. Chandler is expected to want to start influencing the business and driving growth.

Chandler claims that having an ethical influence on firms is part of the responsibility that comes with investing in them. He said, “Responsible investors will engage corporate governance issues where they encounter them, as an intrinsic and necessary component of professional investment management.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, claims Chandler is the latest in a line of influential investors to opt for an ethical approach to investing. Mr Johnson said, Investing in forestry can be an exceptionally ethical approach to making money as sustainable forestry helps communities to prosper while maintaining habitats for wildlife and adding to carbon absorption.”

Adding to the amount of forested land in a country is one of the best and most cost-effective ways of reducing carbon emissions thanks to the carbon sequestration characteristics of trees, claims AAA.

AAA supports forestry plantation investments, such as the one run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, which enables investors to buy up sections of sustainably-operated plantation land, which provide forestry products including charcoal for the steel industry.

Timber prices are expected to increase in the coming years as demand from Europe and emerging economies like China and India starts to exceed supply. Already, China is becoming one of the world’s major importers of timber and this trend is set to continue as its economy grows further.

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 claims PPF timberland panel shows alternatives are attractive

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In a move that further underlines the attractiveness of forestry investments, according to AAA, the Pension Protection Fund is establishing a dedicated panel for forestry and agricultural investments.

Boston, MA, USA, February 13, 2012 — In a move that further underlines the attractiveness of forestry investments, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), the Pension Protection Fund is establishing a dedicated panel for forestry and agricultural investments.

The fund, which is worth well over $10 billion, has issued tenders for managers to sit on the panel, which will be dedicated to making decisions about growing and selling timber and investing in agricultural land.

This is just the latest in a line of panels that have been set up to concentrate on investing in alternative asset classes, which are becoming much more attractive as the stock market remains volatile.

AAA is a supporter of timber investment and particularly investment into sustainable plantation projects in developing countries. Its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained, “As well as providing investors with the peace of mind that only comes with making ethical investment choices, investing in timberland can be extremely lucrative.”

Average returns from forestry investments have easily exceeded returns from equities in the past decade or so. In addition, anyone investing in timber has the added benefit of being able to sit on their investment and watch it grow if the market is not good when it’s time to sell.

“If timber prices are low when an investor’s timber stock reaches maturity, they can simply hold onto it for as long as they wish, in order to sell it when prices recover,” added Mr Johnson.

“In the meantime,” he continued, “their trees will grow by a further eight per cent per year, adding to the value of the timber.”

Most plantation schemes, like that run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, for example, grow non-native, fast-growing species such as acacia, eucalyptus and teak, that are popular for specific purposes such as the manufacture of charcoal or in the construction of homes or for furniture making.

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 welcomes timber investment article

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An article in Money Morning, which talks about the benefits of investing in timber during economic downturns, has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, February 03, 2012 — An article in Money Morning, which talks about the benefits of investing in timber during economic downturns, has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that Don Miller’s article makes some very important points about how investing in timber, and in alternatives in general, can help investors during difficult financial times.

“Miller talks about the fact that this is a real, tangible investment, that you can count on to grow,” stated AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

As well as pointing out the average 14 per cent returns generated by timber investments in the period between 1987 and 2010, Miller’s piece also underlines the general consensus that timber demand is set to rise.

The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization, for example, forecasts that demand for wood should double by 2050, despite emerging trends such as paper recycling. The growth of economies like China and India is promoting this major growth and Western investors are reaping the benefits.

The demand will also be promoted by the growing use of wood as a renewable fuel source, and our use of timber as a building material will also increase as you reliance on man-made, unsustainable materials cools off.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson lent his support for Miller’s arguments, adding “Investing in timber offers great protection against inflation and a dependable source of income whenever you need it.”

“The great thing about buying trees is that if the timber prices aren’t doing so well one year, you can sit tight and watch your investment physically grow bigger until you are ready to sell.”

AAA claims that something this measurable and tangible is attractive at a time when many are growing increasingly uncertain about investing in the stock markets. AAA supports projects run by firms like Greenwood Management, which offers investors the chance to buy up sections of sustainable plantations in Brazil.

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