Tasmania and China emerging as centres for wine investment, claims AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, May 16, 2012

An international magazine has claimed that China and Tasmania top the list as the two best places to invest in wine, according to an alternative investment advocacy group Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The Drinks Business publication has won praise from the alternative investment industry and particularly from AAA for its Top 10 Vineyard Investments article. It found that some of the more unusual regions offer the best opportunities for investors to see decent returns from their investments in wine making.

For example, Tasmania was cited as a great option as the climate is cooler than Australia, meaning that sparkling wines and good Pinot Noirs can be produced. The land is also cheaper and there is a lack of pests and plentiful water.

China was voted the top location for similar reasons – including the low price of land – ensuring that anyone that invests in the alternative asset class there will see a larger return than those who invest in more established wine-making regions. Chinese people have become avid wine drinkers over recent year to the market is already there.

Tasmania’s minister for economic development, David Burne, said, "Our island offers water availability, soil, land affordability, branding and biosecurity advantages over many popular wine regions.”

More and more people are interested in investing in alternative asset classes as a response to the volatility of the equity markets, explained AAA. The organisation’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, claims that the move towards alternative asset classes, such as fine wine, agriculture, forestry and timber products, real estate is intended to diversify investment portfolios against risk.

He stated, “Investing in alternatives is an understandable reaction to the economic collapse and the continuing volatility within the eurozone.

“It’s difficult to product what stock and shares will be doing in a year’s time, but it’s much easier to predict that trees will grow and wine will be made, bottled, and sold on at a premium.”

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

UK most investors keen on alternatives claims AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, May 14, 2012

A new survey by Friends Provident, which has won the support of Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), has discovered that investors in the UK are particularly keen to invest in alternative asset classes at the moment.

AAA claims that the Friends Provident International (FPI) Investor Attitudes Report’s results reflect the growing trend for investing in collectibles and real estate instead of equities and other transitional investments.

The report found that nearly half (48 per cent) of the British investors questioned in the survey said that now was a good time to be investing in real estate. Among those surveyed in Hong Kong, however, real estate was towards the bottom of their list of asset classes at the moment – demonstrating how different investments are favored in different regions of the world.

The survey also found that UK investors were keen to put their cash in collectibles such as fine wines, classic cars, art and antiques. Some 40 per cent of those asked said that now was the time to invest in these asset classes.

Friends Provident Investments chief investment officer, Mark Versey, gave his response to the findings. He said, "Investors in the UK are displaying a more varied approach to what they consider as good investment strategies in the current economic climate compared to their peers overseas.

“Our survey uncovered a lack of appetite for long-term investments but showed that UK investors remain cautious in their outlook with almost a third keen to preserve their savings through risk free investments.”

AAA’s Anthony Johnson said they the appetite for alternative investments in the UK was a positive thing in response to the global economic crisis. He stated, “It’s not a surprise that those most affected by the downturn are now keen to get something tangible in exchange for their investments.”

AAA supports ethical investments, including sustainable forestry investment through firms like Greenwood Management which runs sustainable forestry plantations in Brazil.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

Romanian real estate popular with alternative investors, says AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, May 10, 2012

Alternative investors are turning their attention towards real estate in Romania and Bulgaria, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that real estate is still a popular alternative asset class to those who are shying away from equities while the economy remains volatile. In Europe, investors who were putting their cash into property in Ireland and Spain have now moved their investments to Bulgaria and Romania.

AAA is basing its analysis on a speech from Denise Hamer of Schoenherr Lawyers, who spoke at the recent IPD/Property Investor Europe (PIE) Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Conference. He talked about how the emphasis for investors has returned to Eastern Europe, where economies like Romania and Bulgaria are set to emerge as the better bets in terms of investment.

Mr Hamer said that it was an exciting time for real estate investor in these regions: "It's going to be very dynamic and volatile, a very exciting investor atmosphere.”

Signs such as the news that a new shopping centre in Romania’s Ploisesti is already 70 per cent let, suggest that real estate is in demand in the former Eastern bloc country.

Returns could be particularly good on real estate assets bought in the capital Bucharest, which is slowly seeing tourism return and signs of prosperity emerge.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said that real estate and other alternative asset classes offer investors the chance to diversify their portfolios against risk. “These kinds of assets – including wine, art, timber, commodities and precious metals – are not as closely correlated with equities as other more traditional asset classes. As a result, when equity markets lose value, these asset classes hold their value.”

AAA particularly supports ethical investment opportunities, such as the forestry plantation projects that Greenwood Management and other firms run in developing countries like Brazil. These projects offer people the chance to buy up a tangible section of plantation and reap the rewards on an ongoing basis.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

AAA claims alternative investment will be boosted by Euro elections

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, May 08, 2012

The latest news that election results in France and Greece reflected strong anti-austerity sentiment could lead the way for even more interest in alternative asset classes, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The weekend’s elections in France and Greece reflect the fact that the French are unhappy about the bail-outs delivered to Greece and other struggling EU nations. Meanwhile, the Greek election results showed that the Greek are equally unhappy about the austerity measures brought in by the outgoing leaders in exchange for the bailout cash.

AAA, an alternative investment advocacy group, explains that this ongoing uncertainty about what will happen next in the Eurozone, could lead to even greater demand for alternative investments.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “following a short period of relative calm in the Eurozone, these elections really couldn’t have come at a worse time.

“For those looking to invest, the anti-austerity sentiment will bring with it more concern about the volatility of the stock exchanges. This, in turn, will lead many to look to less traditional asset classes such as real estate, precious metals and timber.”

AAA claims that there is little doubt that the election results will cause increasing concern about the Eurozone debt crisis. This could lead to millions being wiped from equity markets overnight and open-minded investors will be sure to look elsewhere for long-term risk-averse investment strategies.

AAA supports a large range of alternative investments, but is keen to promote ethical options, such as impact investing and investing in sustainable forestry projects. “We believe that investing in forestry can have far-reaching benefits, such as helping to safeguard the future of the industry in developing countries for generations to come,” explained Mr Johnson.

The organization claims that projects run by firms like Greenwood Management in Brazil offer great investment opportunities as they are not closely correlated with equities and offer good long-term return on investment.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

Brazil looks set to remain popular with investors, claims AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, May 02, 2012

Alternative Asset Analysis, (AAA) said that Brazil is set to remain the focus of much of the world’s alternative investment attention in the coming years.

The views from the Alternative investment advocacy organization reflect those expressed by HSBC Global Asset Management’s Pedro Bastos. He recently spoke at a briefing on the health of the region to investors in Malaysia.

He said that the country remained a “hub” for the creation of businesses. He added, “Among all emerging markets, Brazil has been the best performer for the last ten years, both in equities and fixed income.”

He added that the population of Brazil has become richer and more and more people from outside the country are starting to see it as a good prospect. This is particularly true for alternative investments in sustainable forestry through firms like Greenwood Management, added AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson.

Bastos told delegates: “Companies see Brazil as a major consumer market. We have an increasing middle class, which is about 55 per cent of the population. In the last ten years, personal income growth has been consistent at 4.5 to five per cent."

Mr Johnson explained that the demand from inside Brazil for steel is exceptionally strong as the country is due to host the Football World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. In the meantime, the country is also going through some major growth and is improving its infrastructure as a result.

Steel is also very much in demand in other growing economies, such as India and China, explained Mr Johnson.

He explained “The steel industry needs charcoal and charcoal comes form timbers. Brazil has passed laws to try to prevent the industry taking charcoal form forests and, as a result, there is major demand for sustainable produced charcoal.”

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

AAA support health care benefits of impact investing

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, April 24, 2012

A new form of impact investing could lead to a rise in life expectancy by helping to deal with the causes of health problems, according to analysts and Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

A new white paper from researchers at UC Berkeley argues that Health impact Bonds and similar impact investing routes can help save lives in developing countries and at home. The paper, that was also put together with help from Collective Health, suggested that these bonds help to address the underlying social problems that cause people to make unhealthy choices that can affect their long-term health.

The researchers’ white paper follows claims that the majority of increase life expectancy in the US has come as a result of lifestyle, social health care, cleanliness and hygiene, rather than from better care once ill.

It is, then, advantageous to try to deal with the root cause of ill health rather than simply ploughing money into more and more care once people have already become ill.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained that impact investing can help in some very straightforward ways. “Money invested into socially and environmentally responsible projects can go towards anything from building clean water wells in Africa to providing education on healthy eating seminars in inner-city America.

“Either way, it’s a lot more ethical than investing in stocks and shares,” added Johnson.

Health Impact bonds can help projects such as the efforts to cut asthma in Fresno, California, through a simple education process, helping people remove mold from their homes and get new air filters and soft furnishings.

AAA claims that impact investing has brought benefits to many areas of the world and that investing in sustainable forestry projects can help communities in developing countries to safeguard their forestry industry for generations to come. “Investing in projects such as the Health Impact Bonds and Greenwood Management’s plantation schemes in Brazil can ensure investments make a real difference,” added Johnson.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

"Investing in whisky can pay off" claims AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, April 24, 2012

Although the wine investment market is going through a tough spell at the moment, investing in whisky could still be worth considering for those who want to turn a hobby into a money-spinner, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The alternative investment advocacy group claims that there is money to be made from investing in rare Scotch and other whiskies, that could grow in value over the coming years. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained: “many of us are looking for a true alternative investment strategy, which will leave us clear to avoid dealing with stocks, shares banks and bonds. Whisky could be the answer.”

One of the major draws for whisky investors is rare one-off releases, such as John Walker and Sons Diamond Jubilee Whisky, which is priced at £100,000. Although this does come at a high price, the exclusivity of this asset could prove its winning characteristic in a few years time, claims Mr Johnson.

This is not based on rumour, but on fact. “The top-performing ten whiskies gained 400 per cent of their value between 2008 and 2011,” claimed Mr Johnson. Gains of 245 per cent were recorded for the top 100.

Some less expensive whiskies can also prove profitable and a little less risky, claimed AAA, which advocates a wide range of alternative investments. It added that single malts from producers like Macallan and Glenlivet can turn a good profit – particularly if you buy up some rare or older varieties, according to AAA.

As well as interest-based alternatives, like investing in art, wine, whisky, collectibles and real estate, AAA also promotes investing in forestry and timber. “Fast growing timber species, like teak and eucalyptus, can be grown rapidly and sold for a huge profit once the trees reach maturity,"explained Mr Johnson. Those interested in investing in such plantations can contact Greenwood Management about their sustainable projects in Brazil.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

AAA welcomes news that Japanese pension funds are turning to alternatives

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, April 24, 2012

A new survey by JPMorgan Chase has found that Japanese pension funds are eager to invest more in alternative investments – and particularly in hedge funds.

The move towards alternative asset classes is due to the fallout from a loss of pension holders money from investments in traditional assets, claims Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA), an alternative investment advocacy group.

AAA claims that Japan is in a difficult situation with a rapidly ageing population. Pension funds are under pressure after one fund lost $1 billion – prompting them all to considering less risky alternative funds, which can be effective in diversifying portfolios.

AAA, which supports a range of alternative investment options, claims that more and more institutional investors are turning to alternatives in order to steer clear of assets that are impacted by general economic trends. Alternatives, such as real estate, commodities and timber, tend not to correlate closely with equities, and, as a result, are less likely to drop in value when traditional assets lose value.

Japan is facing the first year in which its baby boomer generation is set to retire and its working population is expected to drop in number dramatically. It is trying different approaches to pension fund investment as a result.

AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, explained that this new alternative tactic in Japan reflects a general international trend towards alternative asset classes. He said, “following the global economic crisis, investors have changed their attitudes to investing and are looking for tangible assets to invest in that will offer long-term income.”

He added, “There is also a growing emphasis on ethical investments and investing in assets like real estate, precious metals, art and forestry offer an alternative that avoids dealing with stocks and shares and bonds – and banks.”

AAA supports ethical investments such as sustainable forestry projects like those run in Brazil by firms like Greenwood Management.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

Dubai back on real estate investors wish-list, says AAA

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, April 24, 2012

Just a few years after a price crash among properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), investors are starting to return to the country, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The National Bank of Abu Dhabi is hoping to attract wealthy investors who may be looking for an alternative investment asset class to invest in. It wants to buy up UAE real estate with the funds raised through the commercial property fund. The fund is expected to effectively establish whether there is an appetite for these kinds of investments in the Middle East.

Although Dubai property values made a very high profile nose-dive a few years ago, investors are once again heading back to the UAE, with the hope of investing in a bargain and seeing values rise once more. The region is increasingly seen as a secure region surrounded in unrest and many Middle Eastern investors are thinking of moving their investments to Dubai as a result.

Real estate in general is growing in popularity among alternative investors, claims AAA, which advocates alternative investments of all kinds. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said, “The equity markets are highly volatile at the moment, and investors risk losing money overnight if they fall suddenly.”

He added, “This is leading to an increased interest in real estate and other alternative asset classes, such as forestry, social impact investing and precious metals.”

AAA claims that many of these asset classes are less correlated with equity markets, meaning they are less likely to drop in value when the economy takes further slides. They are also good diversifiers against risk.

AAA supports environmentally responsible projects and investments into sustainable forestry plantations and renewable energy projects. Firms like Greenwood Management, which runs plantations in Brazil, offer foreigners the chance to invest in timberland with a modest initial investment.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com

AAA welcomes Australian investment in timberland

Boston, Massachusetts, UNITED STATES, April 23, 2012

Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA) has reported that a high profile institutional investor in Australia has invested heavily in forest land.

QIC’s Alternative Beta Fund has invested heavily with US based forestry timberland firm Molpus Woodlands Group. The investment involves the fund buying up some 42,000 acres of forests that will be grown sustainably and harvested at a profit some time in the future.

The investment is part of the QIC Alternative Beta Fund’s goal to invest a much as $233 million in alternative asset classes including timber, commodities, infrastructure and insurance-led securities.

AAA supports alternative investment of all kinds – but particularly ethical investments and forestry investment specifically. Its analysis partner, Anthony Johnson, said: “We are always happy to learn of major institutional investors putting their cash into alternatives, and particularly into forestry and timberland.”

Timberland has become an increasingly popular investment choice in recent years as it is far less volatile than equities and has regularly outperformed stocks and shares. It is also seen as a less risky asset class at a time when traditional investments have proven extremely volatile.

QIC’s head of Alternative Investments, James Dick, said, Timber has added significant value to our client portfolios in the past and we believe that it will continue to do so in the future.

“Timberland is an important asset class for QIC, as we like the low volatility, low correlations to equities and built-in inflation hedging characteristics that these investments provide. Timber has added significant value to our client portfolios in the past and we believe that it will continue to do so in the future.”

AAA supports a large number of timber investment funds and direct investment firms. Investors who want a tangible investment for their money often, like QIC, opt to buy up sections of plantation land or forests. Firms like Greenwood Management run plantations in which individuals can invest.

Anthony Johnson
Alternative Asset Analysis
71 Commercial St
Boston, MA 02109-1320
UNITED STATES
Tel: 617-939-9596
info@alternativeassetanalysis.com