Tag Archives: alternative investments

AAA Highlights Implications of Gold Demand Rise in China

June 15, 2012 staronepr Leave a comment

The increasing demand for gold in China is another indicator of the growing popularity of alternative investments around the world, claims AAA.

Boston, MA, USA, June 15, 2012 — The increasing demand for gold in China is another indicator of the growing popularity of alternative investments around the world, claims Alternative Asset Analysis, (AAA).

The Commercial Bank of China’s precious metals department claims that the demand for gold investments could increase by ten per cent this year. The growing demand for commodities like gold, silver and timber is down to a desire among investors to seek safe havens from the ongoing Eurozone crisis.

This is according to AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. The seasoned asset manager said, “individual investors and institutional investors alike are all looking at ways of diversifying their portfolios to protect against risk.”

Zheng Zhiguang, the general manager of the Commercial Bank of China’s precious metals department, backed up AAA’s view. He told the Economic Times: “Investors here want to hold part of their assets in gold to hedge for the risks, especially now that the financial crisis has evolved into a sovereign crisis.”

The World Gold Council forecasts that China will exceed India this year as the largest market for gold bullion as more and more of the country’s new wealthy population seek safe havens for their cash. Mr Zhiguang added that Chinese investors are facing volatile equity markets and a poor real estate investment opportunities and are looking towards gold as a result.

AAA is an advocate of many varieties of alternative investments and claims that they are growing in popularity since the global economic crisis. “It’s not difficult to see why many people prefer to buy tangible assets of stocks and shares these days,” claimed Mr Johnson. He added, “Assets like timber, gold and fine wine have consistently outperformed the equity markets and also provide investors with an ethical choice.”

AAA advocates ethical investment, through projects such as the sustainable plantations run by Greenwood Management, which offers investors the chance to directly invest in timberland for as little as EUR10,000.

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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US Real estate could be worth investing in again, says AAA

May 26, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

The real estate market in the US could be worth investing in again, according to AAA.

Boston, MA, May 26, 2012 – The real estate market in the US could be worth investing in again, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group said that recent figures show that house prices are increasing once more and that now could be a great time to invest in real estate in the US.

“The green shoots that are starting to show in the market indicate that the trend is for prices to rise steadily – suggesting that now is the time to grab a bargain,” stated Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

His comments followed the publication of new figures from the Commerce Department, which showed sales grew by 3.3 per cent in April, compared with sales in March. House building is also up, according to the figures, which showed that new housing starts increased to an annualized rate of 717,000 new homes per year, which is the largest number since 2008.

The house building trend is partly being driven by the fact that buyers will generally want to build new homes rather than move into ones that are being sold as a distressed sale, which are likely to be in disrepair.

AAA is keen to promote alternative investments to those who want to diversify their investment portfolios against the risks involved in stocks, shares and bonds. “These traditional asset classes do not offer the stable options they once did and investors are increasingly aware that these markets are extremely volatile and they want to offset this with alternative investments, such as real estate,” explained Mr Johnson.

AAA is an advocate of alternative and ethical investments of all kinds, but it is particularly interested in highlighting impact investing options and forestry investment through projects such as those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

Greenwood offers investors the chance to buy up sections of sustainable plantation land and receive returns in the medium-term while enjoying the benefits of an asset class that is not linked to other economic trends.

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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Online Microfinance Evaluation tool will help validate the industry, says AAA

May 26, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Socially responsible investors are welcoming the launch of a new web-based analytics platform specifically designed to evaluate microfinance funds, claims AAA.

Boston, MA, May 26, 2012 – Socially responsible investors are welcoming the launch of a new web-based analytics platform specifically designed to evaluate microfinance funds, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Luxembourg-based LuxFLAG and US-based micro financing ratings agency MicroRate, have launched Luminis, which is the first product of its kind. Alternative investment advocacy group, AAA, said its launch follows a period of growth in the microfinance market and for socially responsible investments in general.

The online tool was revealed at the Luxembourg Fund Industry’s Responsible Investing Conference on 10 May. The platform features reports and profiles of the various funds, together with a range of research tools and information to help investors get to grips with impact investing. The team behind Luminis looks at factors including risk, performance and social impact. This data is then presented to users through in-depth fund reports and profiles.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, welcomed the new tool stating: “The market for socially and environmentally responsible investment products is growing all the time and platforms like this help to enhance the validity of the sector.

“Investors are beginning to realise that making ethically sound investments and seeing healthy returns are not mutually exclusive.”

The CEO of MicroRate, Sebastian von Stauffenberg, meanwhile, stated, “We are excited to see how Luminis will facilitate investment into microfinance, ultimately improving financial access for billions of micro-entrepreneurs around the world.”

AAA supports a range of impact investing options and is particularly keen to promote environmentally responsible alternative investments like sustainable forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management. Greenwood operates a number of sustainable plantations in Brazil, helping to provide an alternative source of timber products for export and charcoal for the country’s burgeoning steel industry.

Those who invest in Greenwood’s plantations receive a tangible asset in exchange for their cash in the form of a section of plantation land. Mr Johnson added “Timberland investments are popular at the moment as demand for forestry products in developing countries is rising alongside their economic strength.”

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

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College Impact investing challenge welcomed by AAA

March 23, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Highlighting the popularity of alternative investments is this year’s International Impact Investing Challenge at Northwestern University and the University of California, which has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, March 23, 2012 – Highlighting the popularity of alternative investments and impact investing is this year’s International Impact Investing Challenge at Northwestern University and the University of California, which has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The challenge, run by the universities’ business schools, sponsors some of their brightest and best financial minds to make ethical and profitable impact investing decisions, which will help onlookers to realise the benefits of this approach, according to AAA.

One of the schools involved is the Kellogg School of Management, whose associate director, Jamie Jones, said, “Now in its second year, the International Impact Investing Challenge encourages students from graduate schools around the world to identify strategies that create solutions for global social issues – as well as deliver financial returns.”

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson added, “This sums up impact investing very well because making an ethical choice, that will make a difference to people in the developing world, does not have to come at financial price. Positives social impact and healthy returns are by no means mutually exclusive and we’re glad that initiatives like this are helping to spread the word.”

Some of the ideas that the teams came up with last year included dealing with food shortages in India and developing clean power for larger, established economies, like the US. More and more people are realising that their cash can help facilitate environmental or social change, while making them more profit than it would sitting in a savings account, explained AAA.

AAA is an alternative investment advocacy group that also supports impact investment in developing economies around the world. It supports environmentally responsible investment projects such as the plantation schemes run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil. “These schemes help to increase plantation timber, which in turn, helps to reduce the reliance on natural forests,” 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

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

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AAA welcomed publication of FSA paper on Alternative investments

January 28, 2012 straightlinepr Leave a comment

AAA has welcomed the publication of the Financial Services Authority’s discussion paper based on EU plans to more closely monitor alternative investments.

Boston, MA, January 27, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed the publication of the Financial Services Authority’s (FSA) discussion paper based on EU plans to more closely monitor alternative investments.

Far from being something alternative investors of funds should fear, the regulator’s paper, entitled ‘Implementation of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive’, should be welcomed as a further move towards alternative asset classes becoming more mainstream, claims AAA.

The 102-page paper talks about how the FSA might go about enforcing the Fund Managers Directive in the UK. The directive is intended to form a framework for the regulations and assessment of the industry to expose risks and offer investors more information in alternative options.

“It is clear that the reason such as directive is needed is because more and more investments are turning their backs on traditional asset classes and are putting their cash into alternative, such as real estate, commodities, forestry, an even art and antiques,” stated AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

“The stock market is not such an attractive place to make money any more,” he added.

The FSA report states that it is keen to start thinking about implementation at an early stage: ‘There is a great deal to be done. Early communication and timely consultation and planning are crucial for effective and proportionate implementation.’

The report is to be open for responses until 23 March, while the EU members states must give their feedback on the directive by 22 July 2013.

The Investment Management Association’s director Julie Patterson explained that a diverse range of investment options will be covered by the directive, including impact investing and other very new forms of alternative investment. She sated, “The FSA’s paper summarises the diverse requirements within the directive.

“There are further EU rules proposed for smaller venture capital funds and social entrepreneurship funds, which will need to be accommodated.”

AAA advocates alternative investments and is particularly interested in promoting ethical investments, such as social ventures and sustainable forestry projects n developing countries. Several firms, including Greenwood Management and Agar Wood Investment offer investors the chance to make an impact on sustainable forestry while seeing healthy returns.

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

Business

RICS art and Antiques report shows validity of alternative investments – AAA

December 10, 2011 straightlinepr Leave a comment

A new survey showing art and antique prices rising has prompted Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) to promote the asset class as a viable option to investors.

Boston, MA, December 10, 2011 – A new survey showing art and antique prices rising has prompted Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) to promote the asset class as a viable option to investors.

The UK-based Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Art and Antiques survey found a 26 per cent increase in the number of chartered surveyors who reported a rise in the value of collectibles, including art, antiques, wine and coins.

Some 62 per cent of the surveyors questioned also reported an increase in the numbers attending auctions where these items are sold. These figures indicate a very healthy market for collectibles, which are becoming increasingly attractive to investors looking to diversify their investment portfolios to protect against risk.

Simon Rubinsohn, the chief economist at RICS, said, “The British art and antiques market is buoyant at the moment; as buyers continue to invest in material assets during uncertain economic times.

“After the recent £300 million worth of art auctions, Britain now commands 29 per cent of the global art trade and is the world second largest art market.”

AAA, which is an alternative investment advocacy group, claims that these figures provide solid evidence of the validity of such assets as an investment strategy during these volatile economic times. The organization’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “With the equity markets as they are, there is a growing appetite among investors for alternative asset classes, which are increasingly seen as a safer haven for cash than stocks and shares, which can lose investors thousands over night in the current economic climate.”

AAA advocates the role alternative assets have to play in portfolios, especially during times of uncertainty. The group is particularly interested in promoting ethical investments and schemes that can help reduce climate change or reforestation in developing countries, such as the plantations grown by Greenwood Management in Brazil.

“Sustainable forestry schemes such as these can help to safeguard the future of the forestry industry for generations to come,” explained 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

AAA welcomes Shariah-compliant Alternative investments

November 25, 2011 straightlinepr Leave a comment

News that a major Bahrain-based alternative investment bank has increased its investment in US real estate has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) as a further sign of the popularity of alternative assets among Muslim investors.

Boston, MA, November 24, 2011 – News that a major Bahrain-based alternative investment bank has increased its investment in US real estate has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) as a further sign of the popularity of alternative assets among Muslim investors.

Investcorp has just announced the closure of new deals to buy large office complexes in both New York and California’s Long Beach region. It has also recently completed deals to buy office blocks in London.

Other real estate owned by Investcorp includes a $37 million building on Boynton Beach in Florida and a huge 221-unit residential community complex in Atlanta. The latest acquisitions are worth some $300 million, according to reports.

The firms makes alternative investments that are compliant with Islamic laws that prevent people from investing in propositions that could be seen as involving any form of gambling. Investcorp’s president for the Gulf business, Mohammed Al Shroogi, said, “Our historical experience in the US real estate market allowed us to identify and acquire these three Sharia-compliant properties.”

He added, “They complement our growing mix of investments selected for their strong and stable tenant histories, ties to growing metropolitan communities, and above market cash yields.”

AAA claims that alternative investments can be a good option for Muslim investors due to the way they are structured. Investing in forestry, for example, offers a stable investment in a tangible asset that will grow predictably in size and therefore in value. Forestry schemes such as the sustainable plantations grown by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil, can also be seen as more ethical choices, as they are helping to reduce deforestation in developing countries.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained, “more and more investors are moving away from traditional equities and into more alternative asset classes in order to reduce the risk in their portfolios. This is something Shariah-compliant investors have been doing for some time, and the model seems to work.”

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 Top Asset Manager’s Support for Alternative investments

November 16, 2011 straightlinepr Leave a comment

Praise from a high profile asset manager for alternative investments this week has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Boston, MA, November 16, 2011 – Praise from a high profile asset manager for alternative investments this week has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (MSSB) asset manager, Paul Hatch, has announced that the firm is upping its exposure to alternative assets in light of recent stock market problems. The company is the latest in a long line of asset managers and institutional investors to turn to alternatives, claims AAA, which advocates alternative and ethical investments.

Speaking at a recent Fund Forum ISA’s Global Fund Distribution Summit panel entitled Understanding What Customers Really Want, Hatch said that MSSB has a current exposure of just 4 per cent in alternatives, totalling some $60 billion. However, as head of investment strategy, Hatch added that the business would like to increase this to between 15 and 20 per cent to a total of up to $300 billion.

“This is a remarkable statement of intentions from a high profile asset manager,” stated AAA’s analysis partner Anthony Johnson. He added, “This kind of positivity towards alternative asset classes is a great thing for the market in general and will do wonders for the firms offering attractive investments, but are still struggling due to a lack of investor awareness.

Mr Hatch was keen to point out the benefits of diversifying a portfolio by increasing exposure to alternative, adding that these investments come in many different forms: “We include real estate, commodities, managed futures, macro strategies, and long/short products in that category. Alternatives is a broad range of classes.”

One of the more lucrative asset classes in recent years has been sustainable forestry, through schemes like those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. Forestry returns have typically outperformed stock and shares over the past decade. Forestry investment is also an ethical option for the increasing number of investor who want to find environmentally and socially responsible projects to invest in.

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