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

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

FRA: UN Forestry Report says Forestry could 'Revolutionise' Economy

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

Pensions are turning to Alternatives, claims AAA

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