Tag Archives: Greenwood Management

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

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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

FRA: UN Forestry Report says Forestry could ‘Revolutionise’ Economy

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FRA is welcoming a report from the UN, which says that countries need to introduce the right policies to ensure that their forestry assets fulfil their potential.

Bainbridge Island, WA, June 21, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) is welcoming a report from the UN, which says that countries need to introduce the right policies to ensure that their forestry assets fulfil their potential.

The report claims that if the world’s forests were managed properly and sustainable, they could create a solid green economy. The report also includes the UN pledge to replant 18 million hectares of forests – a move that has been welcomed by FRA, a research and analysis consultancy specialising in forestry investment and sustainability.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assistant director-general for forestry, Eduardo Rojas-Briales, stated, “Forests and trees on farms are a direct source of food, energy and income for more than a billion of the world’s poorest people.

“At the same time, forests trap carbon and mitigate climate change, maintain water and soil health, and prevent desertification.”

He went on to explain how the sustainable management of the world’s forests could revolutionise the world’s economy and could shift economic power more towards countries that have high concentrations of forests. He explained, “The sustainable management of forests offer multiple benefits – with the right programmes and policies, the sector can lead the way towards more sustainable, greener economies.”

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins said that the report was an “exceptionally positive” new insight into the potential of the forestry sector. “This report reflects the importance of sustainable forestry management.

“We believe that investing in sustainable plantations and sustainably managed natural forests is essential for the future of the green economy.”

FRA supports projects such as those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil and elsewhere, which allow investors to buy up sections of plantation. These non-native plantations produce timber and charcoal products that are an alternative to using native forests and, as a result, help to reduce deforestation and add to the amount of forest land.

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

Pensions are turning to Alternatives, claims AAA

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AAA, an alternative investment advocacy group, is backing a report from Russell Investments, which claims that more and more institutional investors will be putting cash into alternative asset classes.

Boston, MA, June 21, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy group, is backing a report from Russell Investments, which claims that more and more institutional investors will be putting cash into alternative asset classes.

Russell’s researchers talked to 114 institutional investors about their investment plans and found that many of them had already opted for more exposure to alternatives. The report found that 22.4 per cent of the investment portfolios, which totalled $1.1 trillion in value, was invested in alternatives including private equity, hedge funds and real estate investment trusts. This totalled $246 million in value terms.

Russells said that the research indicated that alternatives would become more mainstream over the coming three years as more and more pension funds take their cash out of stocks and bonds and put it into alternative asset classes.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “it’s telling that so many pension funds and other institutional investors are moving towards alternatives.

“The general consensus among investors is that equity markets are still extremely volatile and many are steering clear of stocks and shares as a result.”

According to Russells, a third of the investors questioned said that the “current low return environment in traditional assets” were to blame for their move towards alternatives. AAA claims that alternative assets can deliver healthier returns than traditional assets and hold less risk.

“Those investing in timberland, for example, can hold onto their asset and just watch it grow if timber prices are down when their trees reach maturity. It’s hard to think of any traditional asset class that physically grows over time.”

AAA supports ethical investment projects and sustainable forestry plantations such as those run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil. “Investing in plantations is becoming more attractive as people are increasingly looking for tangible assets in exchange for their investments.”

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 New Wine Fund from France

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AAA has welcomed news from France that asset management firm Uzes Gestion has launched a wine investment fund for those with an appetite for alternative asset classes.

Boston, MA, June 15, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has welcomed news from France that asset management firm Uzes Gestion has launched a wine investment fund for those with an appetite for alternative asset classes.

The fund, named the Uzes Grands Crus wine fund, has been launched in order to meet demand from those who believe that investing in fine wines is a good safe-haven option at a time when the stock markets are very volatile. “The fact that the Eurozone is still extremely unstable is putting European investors off of putting their money into the equity markets,” explained AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

Another firm that helps investors buy fine wines whose values are likely to increase in the future is Cavissima, which is run by Thierry Goddet. He explained more about the attraction of wine investments to the Financial Times readers: “With the debt crisis crippling financial markets, we’ve seen new investors flocking in, as they look for defensive investments.”

The new fund, launched by Uzes Gestion buys up cases of fine wines made by lesser known vineyards and for a reasonable price. It then hopes to store the wines and sell on at later date for more money – thus delivering solid returns to investors. The fine wine trade is growing at the moment, not least due to the increasing demand in China, where the newly wealthy population is developing a taste for the tipple.

Mr Johnson explained, “The fine wine investment market is driven by the fact that investors want something tangible in exchange for their cash. They are increasingly keen to obtain something with an intrinsic value, such as timber, art, wine and precious metals, instead of risking everything on the stock market, which has proven unstable in recent years.”

AAA backs ethical investments and many kinds of alternative asset classes, such as timberland investments through firms like Greenwood Management that operate in Brazil and Canada.

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

Business

Lifestyle investments are ‘Realistic option’, says AAA

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AAA is highlighting a recent article in the Huffington Post, detailing the growing popularity of ‘lifestyle investments’ as an alternative to traditional asset classes.

Boston, MA, June 15, 2012 – Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) is highlighting a recent article in the Huffington Post, detailing the growing popularity of ‘lifestyle investments’ as an alternative to traditional asset classes.

The article begins by talking about the rising popularity of wine investments and the fact that fine wine investments have generated returns of 195 per cent over the past seven years, according to the London International Vintners Exchange (LIVEX). Demand for wine is growing in the emerging economies of China, Russia and Brazil – simply as a response to the growing wealth of the populations in these new economic ‘powerhouses.’

The fact that demand for wine is growing makes this a good time to experiment with so-called lifestyle investments such as wine, according to AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson. He said, “It’s easy to start small with these kinds of alternative investments.

“An investment of as little as £500 to £1,000 will enable you to purchase some incredibly good fine wines whose values could rise exponentially over the coming years.”

The Huffington Post article outlines the range of different funds investors can opt into if they would like to take a more official route towards lifestyle investments. For example, The Wine Source Fund is based on a range of fine wines and whiskies that combine to create what the fund calls “a balanced portfolio able to benefit from longer and shorter production cycles”.

Others specialise in older fine wines and even manage cellars for investors who need to keep their valuable investments in tiptop condition.

AAA backs a range of alternative investments and is keen to promote what there is to be gained from investing in something that interests you. “Those who are interested in fine wines, art and antiques and starting to realise that they can make money for heir hobbies.

“The same can be said for those who are keen to help promote sustainability and eco-investments, who can invest in sustainable forestry through firms like Greenwood Management,” 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

Greenwood Client Report Welcomed by FRA

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The new client report from Greenwood Management, which is being sent out to its investors, has been received very positively by FRA – a research and analysis consultancy specialising in timberland investments.

Seattle, United States, June 2, 2012 — The new client report from Greenwood Management, which is being sent out to its investors, has been received very positively by Forestry Research Associates (FRA) – a research and analysis consultancy specialising in timberland investments.

“Greenwood Management has one of the most exciting offers on the timberland investment market and we welcome the publication of its new client report, detailing the progress of its plantation projects in Brazil and Canada,” stated FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins.

The client report offers investors an update on the sustainably managed plantation and informs investors that Greenwood is currently undertaking its infrastructure maintenance programme to prepare for the next round of planting later in 2012.

“We think the fact that Greenwood is issuing regular updates to investors is important at a time when many of their clients are entrusting their cash in tangible timberland product that they will probably never get to visit in person. Seeing really great images of the plantations and the work being done must be very welcome,” added Mr Collins.

The report also outlines the improvements to facilities for the firm’s sponsored student intern programme, which places some of the brightest students into work experience placements with Greenwood lasting for up to three months. The firm has invested heavily in updating and improving its student facilities to make the experience even more positive for those who are lucky enough to get a place, explained FRA.

Finally, there is an update on the current charcoal prices in Brazil – much of the timber grown in plantations such as those run my Greenwood goes to making sustainable charcoal for the steel industry. Mr Collins explained, “These figure are important because the steel industry is such as major market for timber. However, demand is set to rise as a result of the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Olympics, which are both coming to Brazil in the coming four years.

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

FRA welcomes New of Church of England’s Timberland investments

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FRA a US-based forestry investment research and analysis consultancy, has welcomed news that the Church of England has increased its exposure to timberland investments over the past 18 months.

Bainbridge Island, WA, June 01, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) a US-based forestry investment research and analysis consultancy, has welcomed news that the Church of England has increased its exposure to timberland investments over the past 18 months.

The Church of England is one of the UK’s largest non-profit organizations in terms of money invested and it has been restructuring its investment portfolio, worth £5.2 billion, over the past year-and-a-half. It has moved much of its allocation into uncrowded, unconventional assets such has timberland.

FRA claims that the example is the most powerful demonstration of a general move towards alternative investments in the charity sector in the UK and abroad and a general move away from stocks and bonds and into tangible, ethical asset classes.

“It seems to sit much better with charities to invest in something tangible and ideally something socially and environmentally responsible,” claimed FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins. He added, “The equity markets are a volatile place at the moment and when money is as precious as it is to the charities sector, a low risk approach is vital.”

That’s not to say that good returns can’t be made from alternative investments, added FRA.

FRA is a keen promoter of timberland investments as an option that is not closely aligned with general economic trends and indicators.

Firms like Greenwood Management, which operate plantations in Brazil, offer individuals and group investors, such as pension funds and charities, the chance to invest as little as EUR 10,000 in timberland that is managed sustainably.

These kinds of projects are popular at the moment as timber demand is rising off the back of the growth of emerging economies that need timber to help expand their infrastructures. As well as providing timber as a raw material for construction the plantations also provide the booming steel industry within Brazil itself with sustainable charcoal.

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

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

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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

Business

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

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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

Business

China, Korea, Japan Forestry Agreement is Great news for Environment says FRA

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FRA has stated that the signing of a sustainable forestry agreement between China, the Republic of Korea and Japan is an “extremely positive move” in the fight against desertification and deforestation.

Bainbridge Island, WA, May 18, 2012 – Forestry Research Associates (FRA) has stated that the signing of a sustainable forestry agreement between China, the Republic of Korea and Japan is an “extremely positive move” in the fight against desertification and deforestation.

The three nations met at the Fifth Trilateral Summit Meeting over the past two days. They each signed an agreement to try to increase sustainable forestry management in their countries in a move that will help to bring down their carbon emissions as additional trees means more CO2 being absorbed from the atmosphere.

The joint statement of cooperation will ensure that all three nations take the conservation and management of sustainable forests seriously and as part of their wider environmental goals. The statement made by the three countries stated: ‘We, the leaders of the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea and Japan, recognizing that the realization of economic, social and environmental benefits of forests is one of the important means to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) given the renewable, diverse and multi-functional nature of forests.’

They added, ‘We recognized that sustainable forest management is the perpetual theme in ecological improvement and the pursuit of sustainable development, and facilitates efforts to tackle climate change, conserve biodiversity and promote green growth among the three countries.’

FRA, which supports the sustainable management of forests and investment in managed forestry projects such as those run by Greenwood Management in Brazil. The organization’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, stated, “We welcome the news of the this new agreement.”

FRA has long been an advocate of viewing forests as valuable when they are standing as well as when they are harvested and made into timber products. “What countries all over the world are beginning to realise is that trees hold a financial value when they are standing and forming part of a forest due to their carbon absorption qualities. This could soon be worth more than the timber products they could be chopped down to make,” added Mr 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