Tag Archives: alternative investments

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.

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

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UK Crack-down on Mis-sold Alternatives Supported by AAA

August 25, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

News from the UK that its financial regulator is to clamp down on the mis-selling of alternative investments, has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, August 25, 2012 – News from the UK that its financial regulator is to clamp down on the mis-selling of alternative investments, has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that the crack-down on the mis-selling of products know as Unauthorised Collective Investment Schemes (UCIS). In the UK can only be a good thing for the alternative market in general.

“We are pleased to see that more is being done to protect those opting for alternative investments,” stated AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

“The more that can be done to stop unscrupulous businesses from putting the hard sell on investors, the better the reputation of the valid industry players.”

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) in the UK claims that the market for UCIS, which are products that are often worthless if the seller goes into administration, is worth around £2.5 billion. the funds invest is a wide variety of asset classes and when they are mis-sold, the reputation of these asset classes can fall.

Many of these products are not based in the UK and are therefore not included under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, which reimburses investors should they lose cash because a company or bank collapsing.

A statement from the FSA said it was taking action because “of the high levels of unsuitable advice it has uncovered and the potential for customer detriment.

‘Examples include: pensioners being advised to invest all of their wealth in a single, illiquid UCIS with a view to generating income; and a customer being advised to borrow money to invest in UCIS and to service the debt with withdrawals from that investment.’

AAA advocates ethical and alternative investments, that are valid and sold the right way. Projects such as the managed forestry fund offered by Greenwood Management, for example, offer alternative investments from as little as $10,000.

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

Survey shows more investors interested in Alternatives, claims AAA

August 4, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

AAA has welcomed the results of a new survey that show an increase in the number of advisers offering alternative investments.

Boston, MA, August 04, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed the results of a new survey that show an increase in the number of advisers offering alternative investments.

The Elite Access Alternative Investment Survey, by Jackson National Life, was released earlier this week, and shows that 90 per cent of financial advisers said they plan to offer more alternative investment options to their clients in the coming 12 months.

The results, “showed an overwhelming increase in the expected use of alternatives to help offset market volatility and potentially improve portfolio diversification,” according to a statement from Jackson. The survey also found that many advisers want more guidance on how to leverage the alternative options they are offering.

In terms of the level of the increase in alternatives being offered, more than 50 per cent of the advisers questioned said that would up their supply of alternative investments by at least 15 per cent over the coming years, while a third said they would increase it by 20 per cent or more.

Jackson’s Executive Vice President, Clifford Jack, said, “The trend toward alternative asset classes among retail investors has been growing steadily for the past several years and this survey highlights the growing demand for new strategies.”

This reflects what AAA’s analysis partner Anthony Johnson has been saying. He claims that the appetite for alternatives has increased in light of the global economic crisis. “We are seeing more and more regular investors looking for a more tangible option, along with ones that have a low level of correlation with the stock and bonds markets.”

AAA supports a range of alternative investments, but advocates impact investing and forestry investment very actively. “Investing in timberland that is grown sustainably can deliver fantastic returns and is also a more ethical option for those who wish to make a positive difference with their investment choices,” added Johnson.

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

Business

Bart Chilton, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), at World’s Most Influential Hedge Funds Conference

August 2, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Golden Networking brings back Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016”, now in New York, Chicago and London (http://www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com), with Keynote Speaker Bart Chilton, Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

New York City, NY, USA (August 2, 2012) — Commissioner Bart Chilton, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, will be Keynote Speaker at Golden Networking’s Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” (http://www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com). The world’s most influential hedge funds conference will bring a virtual who’s who, which will soon follow as one legendary manager after another will take the stage. Billions of investable assets will be represented by influential local and international investors who will listen with rapt attention as star managers and analysts discuss and debate the biggest issues facing the alternative investments industry today.

Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” will provide attendees in New York (September 25), Chicago (October 9) and London (December 12) with the most up-to-date review of where this ever-changing industry stands and how regulatory and alpha expectation s will impact it. Recognized managers, investors, experts, regulators, and strategists will return to Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012 to provide the information practitioners are looking for in an open and unbiased environment, highly conducive to the most efficient and effective networking.

Mr. Chilton was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U. S. Senate in 2007. In 2009, he was re-nominated by President Obama and reconfirmed by the Senate. He has served as the Chairman of the CFTC’s Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee (EEMAC). His career spans 25 years in government service-working on Capitol Hill in the House of Representatives, in the Senate, and serving in the Executive Branch during the Clinton, Bush and Obama Administrations.

Prior to joining the CFTC, Mr. Chilton was the Chief of Staff and Vice President for Government Relations at the National Farmers Union where he represented family farmers. In 2005, Mr. Chilton was a Schedule C political appointee of President Bush at the U. S. Farm Credit Administration where he served as an Executive Assistant to the Board. From 2001 to 2005, Mr. Chilton was a Senior Advisor to Senator Tom Daschle, the Democrat Leader of the United States Senate, where he worked on myriad issues including agriculture and transportation policy.

From 1995 to 2001, Mr. Chilton was a Schedule C political appointee of President Clinton where he rose to Deputy Chief of Staff to U. S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman. In this role, Mr. Chilton became a member of the Senior Executive Service (SES)-government executives selected for their leadership qualifications to serve in the key positions just below the most senior Presidential appointees. As an SES member, Mr. Chilton served as a liaison between Secretary Glickman and the Federal work force at USDA.

From 1985 to 1995, Mr. Chilton worked in the U. S. House of Representatives where he served as Legislative Director for three different Members of Congress on Capitol Hill and as the Executive Director of the bipartisan Congressional Rural Caucus. Mr. Chilton previously served on the Boards of Directors of Bion Environmental Technologies and the Association of Family Farms.

Mr. Chilton was born in Delaware and spent his youth in Indiana, where he attended Purdue University (1979-1982). He studied political science and communications and was a collegiate leader of several organizations. Mr. Chilton and his wife, Sherry Daggett Chilton, split their time between Washington, D. C. and Arkansas.

Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012 is produced by Golden Networking (http://www.goldennetworking.net), the premier networking community for business executives, entrepreneurs and investors. Panelists, speakers and sponsors are invited to contact Golden Networking by sending an email to info@goldennetworking.net.

Media Contact:
Julia Petrova
Media Relations Coordinator
Golden Networking
516-761-4712
jpetrova@goldennetworking.net
http://www.goldennetworking.net

Business

Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016 at Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012

August 1, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Building off of the momentum of past conferences, Golden Networking brings back Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016”, now in New York, Chicago and London (www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com).

New York City, NY, USA (August 1, 2012) — Global assets invested with hedge fund firms could rise from today’s record $2.1 trillion to more than $5 trillion by 2016, according to a recently released survey from Citi Prime Finance. The study found that pension funds, endowments, foundations and other institutional investors are increasingly embracing the risk management and diversification that hedge funds offer, and that hedge funds are developing new products that compete with traditional, long-only managers.

Indeed, the potential for institutional investors to increase allocations to hedge fund strategies by $1.0 trillion in order to better insulate against risk and to help ensure more diversified portfolios is there. Equally relevant, the survey revealed a “convergence zone,” in which hedge funds and traditional asset managers will increasingly compete head-to-head to offer a broad set of equity and credit strategies. There could be an additional $2.0 trillion in new allocations to hedge fund firms in the form of regulated alternatives and long-only products. Supporting this, mature hedge fund firms are leveraging their infrastructures and resources towards creating the offerings investors will demand.

How can your firm take advantage of these structural trends impacting the alternative investments industry? How to successfully face the new post-crisis legal and regulatory challenges? How to manage the exploding data requests from investors and regulators? How to identify opportunities in frontier markets? Which other opportunities can be exploited to offer investors positive alpha at all times? Finally, how can you position yourself to capture the significant asset inflows in the next years?

On September 25 in New York, October 9 in Chicago and December 12 in London, hundreds of the most important players in alternative investments will gather for all-star agendas at Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” (http://www.HedgeFundsLeadersForum.com). A virtual who’s who will soon follow as one legendary manager after another will take the stage. Billions of investable assets will be represented by influential local and international investors who will listen with rapt attention as star managers and analysts discuss and debate the biggest issues facing the industry today.

Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012, “Getting Ready to Manage $5 Trillion by 2016” will provide attendees in New York, Chicago and London with the most up-to-date review of where this ever-changing industry stands and how regulatory and alpha expectations will impact it. Recognized managers, investors, experts, regulators, and strategists will return to Hedge Funds Leaders Forum 2012 to provide the information practitioners are looking for in an open and unbiased environment, highly conducive to the most efficient and effective networking.

Media Contact:
Julia Ye
Media Relations Coordinator
Golden Networking
516-761-4712
jye@goldennetworking.net
http://www.goldennetworking.net

Business

AAA Claims the Wealthy are Turning to Tangible Assets

August 1, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

AAA claims that a growing number of wealthy investors are buying things like art, antiques and jewellery instead of stocks and bonds.

Boston, MA, July 31, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) claims that a growing number of wealthy investors are buying things like art, antiques and jewellery instead of stocks and bonds.

The alternative investment market has become even more ‘alternative’ according to AAA, an alternative investment advocacy group. Its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, is backing a new report from Barclays Wealth Insights in the UK, which found that millionaires in Ireland now have 10 per cent of their wealth tied up in investments including antique furniture and fine art and jewellery.

The research found that a large percentage (73 per cent) of the wealthy people questioned in the report said they were finding it increasingly difficult to source secure investments. As a result, they are looking towards tangible items that have intrinsic value, as well as a value that can grow due to variable such as rarity, craftmanship, fashion and age.

Pat McCormack, the head of wealth management at Barclays, said, “Treasure may, if you’re lucky or very knowledgeable, give you a financial return, but buy something you enjoy and it will always give you an emotional return.”

“This report just goes to show how investors don’t need to just rely on stocks and shares to make money – in fact, there is a growing number of viable alternative investments to consider, such as art, antiques, precious metals, timberland and wine,” stated Mr Johnson.

AAA advocates the decision to invest in alternatives at a time when the equity markets are extremely volatile, thanks to the ongoing global economic slump. The group is particularly keen to promote ethical choices, such as impact investing and investing in sustainable forestry and timberland through firms like Greenwood Management, which operate sustainable plantations on non-native tree species in Brazil and Canada.

“Timberland offers investors a great diversifier for their investment portfolios,” added Mr Johnson.

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

Business

FRA Claims Report Shows More Support for Forestry Investment Returns

July 13, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

FRA has said that further evidence to illustrate the potential returns involved with timberland investments has been published this week.

Seattle, United States, July 13, 2012 — The research and analysis consultancy is referring to a new report that shows that forestry investors putting their cash in Scottish forests last year, saw healthy returns. The JPD UK Forestry Index has reported that forestry investments in Scotland saw returns of 34.8 per cent in 2011, according to reports in The Scotsman newspaper.

“This kind of rate of return is very impressive and will prove an extremely attractive draw for anyone considering alternative investments going forward,” claimed FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins.

FRA advocates alternative investments and, in particular, forestry investment as a means to generating good returns while ensuring that investments help to maintain forested areas safeguard the industry for generations to come.

The JPD Index was at its highest ever last year, with analysts claiming that this reflected the fact that timber prices and demand are rising off the back of the growing appetite for raw materials in developing economies, such as China and India.

The demand for timber in the UK has also grown off the back of a rise in the use of wood as fuel and the growing efficiency of the sawmill facilities in Scotland, which help to generate strong yields from timber harvests.

FRA supports sustainable forestry projects, such as the non-native plantations run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. This kind of project allows people to invest directly in timberland without having to wait until their trees mature to enjoy the returns.

“Forestry investment in growing increasingly popular as people want something tangible in exchange for their investments following the economic crisis,” added Mr Collins. “Forestry investments regularly outperform more traditional asset classes, including property, stocks and bonds, in terms of ROI.”

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

Media Contact:
Peter Collins
Forestry Research Associates
620 Vineyard Lane
Bainbridge Island, WA 98110
(206) 316 8394
info@forestry-research.com
http://www.forestry-research.com

Business

AAA:’now could be the time to invest in Brazilian real estate’

June 22, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Brazilian property is becoming more affordable to investors from the UK, thanks to the growing strength of the pound Sterling against the Brazilian Real.

Boston, MA, June 21, 2012 – Brazilian property is becoming more affordable to investors from the UK, thanks to the growing strength of the pound Sterling against the Brazilian Real. This is great news for alternative investors who hope to make cash from buying real estate abroad – according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

A report in Property Wire explains that anyone who is looking to invest in Brazilian property will find that a home that was being sold for £111,000 at the beginning of last year will now be on sale for £90,000. This is the result of the Real losing around 25 per cent of its value against the pound.

The Property Wire report cites Brazilian Finance Minister, Guido Mantega, who said that from a Brazilian point of view, the weaker real is a positive thing. “The weak real is beneficial for the Brazilian economy because it makes Brazilian products more competitive, which means that Brazilian industry can better compete with imported products that become more expensive, and can export more.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “Investing in Brazil has been an attractive option for alternative investors for several years now and real estate is perhaps one of the most attractive alternative asset classes.”

“Property in the UK is very expensive and those looking to make a healthy return on a real estate investment could do little better than buying property in Brazil at a time when the economy is still more healthy than many other nations, but the currency is falling in value.”

Alternative investments, such as real estate, precious metals, commodities and timberland are all increasingly attractive as the stock markets remain volatile, explained AAA. The alternative investment advocacy group backs ethical investments and impact investments. It claims that investing in sustainable forestry in Brazil, through firms like Greenwood Management, is a good option for those looking to make returns and reduce the risk in their portfolios.

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: Property Investors are keen to expand their Portfolios

June 16, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

Property investors are increasing the size of their portfolios in the UK and elsewhere, as the appetite for alternative investments continues to take hold, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, June 16, 2012 — Property investors are increasing the size of their portfolios in the UK and elsewhere, as the appetite for alternative investments continues to take hold, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group has cited figures from Paragon Mortgages, a lender in the UK, which claims that the average property investor, who buys property to rent out, has increased the size of their portfolio to 14.1 properties in the second quarter of the year. This is up from an average of 12.9 properties in the first quarter of 2012.

“These figures suggest that each buy-to-let investor has bought more than one new property since the beginning of the year, which is a major increase in portfolio size and an indicator that real estate is back on the list of safe investments,” stated Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

As well as the above figures, Paragon’s survey also found that 21 per cent of the investors questioned said they were planning to add to their portfolios in the third quarter of the year. This was up from just 18 per cent a year ago.

AAA claims that real estate is a strong investment at the moment, as the rental market all over the Western world Is extremely active, with many young professionals still looking for rental property. The US real estate market is also heading for recovery once more, according to Mr Johnson who highlighted the benefits of alternative investments of all kinds.

“We are seeing more and more people put their cash into tangible asset classes, such as real estate, timberland, gold and even art and antiques, as they search for alternatives to the volatile equity markets.”

AAA said that timberland is particularly ethical choice for alternative investors, with firms like Greenwood Management, in Brazil, running sustainably managed plantations of non-native trees.

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