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Business

AAA welcomes Allianz move towards Alternative Investments

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The news that Europe’s largest insurer is increasing its investment in alternatives has been welcomed by AAA.

Boston, MA, November 23, 2012 – The news that Europe’s largest insurer is increasing its investment in alternatives has been welcomed by Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Allianz claims that its traditional investments are delivering very low yields at the moment, and it is hoping that doubling its exposure to alternatives will help to offset the effects of this.

Currently, Allianz’s investment portfolio totals some $400.8 billion, which, according to AAA, are invested almost entirely in fixed income securities, which have suffered as a result of the financial crisis, with yields falling significantly. “This has happened to a large number of traditional asset classes since the economic crisis,” explained Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner.

He added, “It’s no longer just individuals that are looking to invest more in alternatives, but institutional investors are also increasing their exposure to alternatives to try to reduce the risk in their portfolios.”

Maximilian Zimmerer, a board member at Allianz spoke to the Financial Times about the issue. He said that Allianz will continue to invest in private equity but will also aim to increase its exposure to infrastructure and real estate property loans, for example.

The move from investing in real estate directly, to investing in property loans is the result of some predictions from Allianz that this area will see the most growth in the coming years. An article on the investment strategy from Invezz.com, explained, ‘A lengthy period of low returns has affected insurers’ ability to generate profits on their conventional investment portfolios while meeting promises to owners of products such as life assurance policies, which often guarantee fixed returns.’

AAA is an alternatives investment advocacy group that supports ethical and non-traditional asset classes, such as forestry and impact investing. “Investing in sustainable plantations though firms like Greenwood Management can produce better returns that most traditional investment,” claimed 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 Timber demand in Brazil is Growing

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There has been a marked increase in the demand for timber in Brazil, driving up local timber prices, according to FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, November 17, 2012 – There has been a marked increase in the demand for timber in Brazil, driving up local timber prices, according to Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The research and analysis consultancy was responding to the recent figures published by Wood Resources Quarterly. The figures show that the investment in housing and infrastructure in Brazil is resulting in major growth in the timber industry, with more and more timber being required for construction, energy and charcoal purposes.

In addition to the local demand, the fact that the Brazilian real has been losing value has meant that Brazil’s own timber and timber products are growing in popularity abroad, leading to more exportation of Brazilian-sourced timber.

“The vital part in all of this,” claims FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, “is that the timber being used at home and exported abroad is sustainably sourced.

“It would be a tragedy if the demand led to more deforestation in the Amazon, for example.”

FRA is now calling for more investment in Brazilian plantation projects, such as those run by Greenwood Management, which manages fast-growing, non-native species of tree in sustainable forestry plantations for use in construction and charcoal production.

What’s more, those who invest in this type of plantation will see healthy returns as demand for timber increases and prices grow in response. Although the price being paid for timber and products like Pulpwood are coming down from a US dollar perspective, the real’s value has dropped, which means the prices being paid locally are actually increasing significantly and have been for some time.

“It’s a great time to invest in managed forestry in Brazil,” claimed Mr Collins. He added, “market conditions are looking strong and for alternative investors, timber offers a prefect mix of returns on investment and ethical credentials, which makes it an attractive choice for many following the economic crisis.”

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 backs Rockerfeller Foundation Endorsement of Impact investing

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A spokesperson from the Rockerfeller Foundation, Margot Brandenburg, has endorsed impact investing extremely eloquently in an article in the Huffington Post this week, claims alternative investment advocacy group AAA.

Boston, MA, November 14, 2012 – A spokesperson from the Rockerfeller Foundation, Margot Brandenburg, has endorsed impact investing extremely eloquently in an article in the Huffington Post this week, claims alternative investment advocacy group Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

Speaking following a convention about impact investing in Sao Paulo earlier this month, Ms Brandenburg stated that investing in socially and environmentally responsible projects is continuing to attract attention and interest. This interest is coming from philanthropists and entrepreneurs, but also increasingly from regular investors and even institutional investors who may not have even have considered alternative investments a few years back, claims AAA.

In her Huffington Post article, Ms Brandenburg explains that this interest is stemming from a growing feeling that ‘business as usual’ is simply not sustainable and often not ethical. “This has been brought into the public consciousness since the economic crisis began and we all realized that there were some fundamental problems with the way the business world, and particularly the financial world, was operating,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

AAA supports the sentiment that impact investors have the opportunity to help millions of people around the world and contribute to local economies by helping people to set up businesses and work themselves out of poverty. “These are long term solutions that can generate returns for investors in the West while helping those in developing nations to create a future for themselves and their communities,” added Mr Johnson.

AAA supports ethical alternative investment projects that help communities and environmental causes. An example is the plantations run by Greenwood Management in Brazil, which offer foreign investors the chance to buy up a section of sustainable plantation forest. The timber grown in the forest is sold when it is mature and new seedlings are being planted all the time. “This form of managed forestry is a great alternative to using native forests in countries like Brazil where the ecology is so valuable in the fight against climate change,” 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

Real Estate Investment still Proving Popular in the US, claims AAA

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Investors are planning on buying up real estate in the US in order to sell it on at a later date or rent it out at a profit, claims AAA.

Boston, MA, November 09, 2012 – Investors are planning on buying up real estate in the US in order to sell it on at a later date or rent it out at a profit, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group made the remarks after the release of a study showing that real estate investors are planning to up their investments in the coming 12 months. This is despite the fact that house prices are rising and some insiders claimed that it was becoming harder to make a profit on the housing market.

The study, carried out by BiggerPockets.com, a website for real estate investors, found that 65 per cent of those already investing in real estate in the US were planning to considerably increase their investments over the coming year.

“These results show that investors are just as keen on alternative investments as ever and are confident that there is still plenty of money to be made in the real estate investment industry – especially through the buy-to-let angle,” claimed Anthony Johnson, AAA’s analysis partner. He added that investors may actually contribute towards the recovery of the US housing market.

The study also found that a large number of house owners are spending thousands on renovations. The recovery of the housing market and the popularity of undertaking home improvements is great news for the forestry sector, according to AAA. Mr Johnson said, “We predict that the recovery in the housing market in the US will mean more demand for timber, which will drive up lumber process and returns for forestry investors.”

AAA advocates sustainable forestry investment, through plantation projects such as those run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil and Canada. “Investing in forestry through projects like these is a popular alternative investment choice for those who want to put their cash into something more tangible than stocks and shares,” 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

Hurricane Sandy boosts Timber prices, claims FRA

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Timber prices are rising as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, which could mean growing returns for those with investments in timberland, according to reports by FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, November 01, 2012 – Timber prices are rising as a result of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, which could mean growing returns for those with investments in timberland, according to reports by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The Chicago Mercantile Exchange was up yesterday by the maximum daily rate of $10 for 1,000 board feet. The rise is the result of the demand for timber for use in the rebuilding of thousands of homes, which were damaged by the hurricane throughout the Eastern US. Daryl Swetlishoff, form Raymond James Ltd, told Canada’s Globe and Mail Newspaper, “Lumber prices are atypically high for this point in the year, and bucking a seasonal trend already.

“For the near term, even if the hurricane is partially a psychological impact on lumber, prices are going to be buoyant, he added.

Several large forestry firms in Canada are now preparing to up their production in order to meet the new demand for lumber. The US might also import timber from elsewhere, such as Latin America, according to FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins. Mr Collins explained: “The impact of Sandy was obviously devastating for many people living on the East Coast and the demand for timber to quickly rebuild their homes will be huge.”

Investing in sustainable timber, through plantation projects like those run by Greenwood Management and other similar firms in Brazil, can be a lucrative option at the moment. “Several analysts are predicting a boom in timber prices as demand continues to creep up,” added Mr Collins.

Mr Swetlishoff added, “A shock like this could keep prices higher and for longer in a season when it is typically weak. We’re tempering our view by saying that prices were already a bit elevated.”

Prices are high due to strong demand from emerging economies like China and India, which are importing huge amounts of timber for house building and infrastructure development.

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

Investors still not aware of alternative option, claims AAA

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A recent study claims that investors are still uncertain about market volatility but remain in the dark about alternative investments, which is disappointing, claims AAA.

Boston, MA, October 23, 2012 – A recent study claims that investors are still uncertain about market volatility but remain in the dark about alternative investments, which is disappointing, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The study was carried out by Natixis Global Asset Management and questioned more than 5,000 investors in 14 countries. It found that investors were generally more worried about the risk held within their portfolios and, therefore, took more and more notice of their advisers when making investment decisions. However, the study found that many investors are not realising the potential benefits of alternative investment as a tool for diversifying portfolios against risk.

Anthony Johnson of the alternative investment advocacy group, AAA, commented on the finding: “We think it’s a shame that investors are still missing out on the diversification opportunities offered by alternative asset classes like forestry, real estate, private equity and even precious metals and art.

“These kinds of alternatives are often less correlated with inflation and can grow in value when other, more traditional assets are seeing their values plummet.”

Forestry, for example, is being lauded as a great investment product as it offers flexibility for the investor, claims AAA. Anyone buying timberland has purchased growing trees that will continue to grow if timber prices are depressed. “Investors simply hang on to their investment and watch it physically grow if the market conditions aren’t right when they reach maturity,” added Johnson.

The study carried out by Natixis also found that fewer investors are confident that their investment portfolio will provide for them in retirement. In fact, the trend is more towards preserving capital than increasing returns. “This is even more of an argument for trying out alternative investment through companies like Greenwood Management that offer a risk-averse middle-term option that can protect portfolios form market crashes and the impact of changes in inflation,” concluded 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

Timber Firms Reporting Healthy Results, claims FRA

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Timber producers and forestry firms are celebrating good fortune as the US housing recovery is expected to experience growth, according to FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, October 19, 2012 – Timber producers and forestry firms are celebrating good fortune as the US housing recovery is expected to experience growth, according to Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

FRA supports a range of forestry investment products and claims that forestry in regions like British Columbia is reporting gains off the back of the improving conditions and demand for timber in the US.

Steady demand from China and the use of timber in property construction in the US has led to a recovery in the softwood market in BC. ERA Forest Products Research’s David Elstone, said, “The outlook for the softwood sector in general is quite positive over the next few years as we go through a growth cycle.”

Analysis shows that softwood producers in the region are expected to report strong third quarter results as a result of lumber prices steadily increasing throughout 2012. FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “Now is a really great time to be investing in timber and forestry. Sustainable forestry, such as the plantation land run by Greenwood Management and other similar firms, can be a good alternative asset class and prices and demand are rising.”

A recent article by Marketwatch shows that a number of prominent timber firms are reporting significant increases in the financial results and that the trend is expected to continue. Timber prices have been volatile for a while, increasing to record high and dropping to record lows during the recession, which we are now climbing out of, explained FRA. However, the group’s analysts are keen to point out that timber is a risk-averse asset class as it allows investors to choose when they cash in their ‘stocks’ so to speak.

Mr Collins explained: “If market conditions aren’t great at the time you intend to sell your timber, you can hold off until prices rise. In the meantime, that timber will continue to grow in size and in value, as a result.”

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

Brazil still a Good Bet for Real estate investors, agrees AAA

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Although the Brazilian real estate market is slowing slightly, it is still a great place to invest in property, claims one expert, who has attracted the support of alternative investment advocacy group, AAA.

Boston, MA, October 17, 2012 – Although the Brazilian real estate market is slowing slightly, it is still a great place to invest in property, claims one expert, who has attracted the support of alternative investment advocacy group, Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The expert, Dr David Lynn, is the founder of Lynn Capital Management and Dr Lynn spoke to National Real Estate Investor on the subject. He was keen to reassure investors that are interested in putting their money into property, that they could do worse than Brazil. He explained that the country has much lower levels of debt than much of Europe, where many investors are from.

“European investors are not putting their cash in domestic property,” claimed AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He added ”Markets are so depressed in Europe, as people are still so uncertain about the region’s economic stability in the future.”

Dr Lynn told National Real Estate Investor: “Ultimately, real estate comes down to the economic strength of a country and, despite the global economic slowdown, Brazil’s economy is broad and balanced and not overly dependent on export.”

Some investors are also likely to be worried that the Brazilian housing sector might crash like the US housing sector did several years back. However, speaking to Bloomberg, GTIS Partner’s Tom Shapiro insisted that he did not expect the same thing to happen in Brazil. Instead, he said that Brazil is investing heavily in factors that could drive further economic growth, like infrastructure, tourism and housing – all driven by its increasingly wealthy, young population.

AAA supports real estate investment in Brazil, together with other types of alternative investing in the region, such as forestry investment. It supports sustainable forestry projects such as the teak and eucalyptus plantations managed by firms like Greenwood Management. The plantation project is hoping to benefit from the housing boom in Brazil through the growth of timber used in new sustainable homes.

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 Welcomes Positive signs in US House Building Market

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Industries that benefit from a boom in house building, such as forestry, are likely to welcome news that the US housing market is still in recover and that lumber prices are increasing as a result, claims FRA.

Bainbridge Island, WA, October 12, 2012 – Industries that benefit from a boom in house building, such as forestry, are likely to welcome news that the US housing market is still in recover and that lumber prices are increasing as a result, claims Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The forestry investment research group said that news of soaring US house builders’ publicly traded stocks in is most welcome among forestry management firms. “Businesses that run plantations producing timber for house building, such as Greenwood Management, will be excited to hear that the recovery in the US housing market is going from strength to strength,” said FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins.

Senior analyst at ERA Forest Product Research, David Elstone, told The Globe and Mail in Canada: “The outlook for the softwood sector in general is quite positive over the next few years as we go through a growth cycle.” His views are echoed among forestry analysts all over the Americas, who predict increasing timber prices and yields for those investing in plantations.

Most of the wood that will be used in the construction of US homes will need to be sustainably sourced. This is why projects like those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil are so attractive to investors. Collins explained, ”Plantations that are run on a cyclical basis are sustainable as new growth always replaces trees that are felled.

“Plantations in regions where there is natural forests, like Brazil, can also help to reduce the pressure to use native timbers and instead produce a source of fast-growing, sustainable timber appropriate for use in a number of construction projects and for furniture making, or even turning into coal,” added Collins.

Investing in alternative asset classes like forestry has become increasingly popular among those who want to diversify their portfolios against risk and make an ethical choice.

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

Reports of Increased Timber Prices Welcomed by FRA

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Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has highlighted the news from the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) that the prices paid for its exported timber products are up by five per cent year-on-year.

Bainbridge Island, WA, October 08, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has highlighted the news from the Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) that the prices paid for its exported timber products are up by five per cent year-on-year.

“This is great news for timber investors, as it suggests demand for timber is up and prices could rise globally,” stated FRA’s analysis partner Peter Collins. The chief executive officer of the MTC, Cheah Kam Huan, explained that the majority of the growth has been measured in the second half of the year so far. He explained that the first half saw prices that were less favourable but that demand from the US and elsewhere, particularly for timber furniture, was driving prices up in the past few months.

Speaking at the International Conference on Market Requirement for Timber and Timber Products, Mr Cheah said, “Hopefully, the second half would be better than the first half. So far, it is showing good results.” In fact, exported timber furniture prices increase by an impressive 12 per cent so far this second-half.

In addition to this good news came further positive noises from US–based International Wood Products Association, Brent McClendon, who added that the value of hardwood plywood imports to the UK from Malaysia so far this year had increased by 70 per cent.

FRA said that the reports that timber demand from the US was rising was great news for timber investors everywhere. Mr Collins added, “We can see demand for timber continuing to rise from the US, due to the improvements in the housing market.”

FRA supports a range of timber investment schemes and supports sustainable plantations investment projects like those run by firms like Greenwood Management and Ethical Forestry Investment in Brazil and elsewhere.

“Sustainably managed plantation timber is a good investment option for those looking to diversify their portfolios.” added Collins.

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