Latest News

The GPI Structured Note is now launched. Providing Capital Protection and Fixed Annual Coupons.

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:23:00 GMT

The GPI Structured Note is a secured fixed interest index-linked Note with an investment term of 5 years. It has a fixed annual coupon payment of 5%,as well as a variable bonus paid at maturity.

Designed for investors seeking capital protection and fixed annual income whilst diversifying their portfolios in an asset class that has low correlation to traditional financial markets. Contact us to receive full information on this exciting offering.

The UK’s student accommodation market continues to increase- good news for investors

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:24:00 GMT

The UK’s student accommodation market has seen a phenomenal 120% surge in investment over the past two years as university housing becomes a clear favourite in terms of property assets.
A report from CBRE revealed recently that £863 million was invested into student accommodation in 2011 ... a massive 120% rise on what was invested in 2009.

And according to Jennet Siebrits, head of residential research at CBRE, investors are becoming increasingly attracted to UK student property.

“Student accommodation is more attractive than many other asset classes in the current climate and we have seen increasing interest from relatively new parties seeking to diversify their portfolios,” Siebrits said.

Occupancy rates for student accommodation are at 99% and annual rents have increased by 5% in London and 4% nationwide, added the report.

Also this week property fund managers, LaSalle Investment Management, has announced a £23.1 million deal this week to acquire two prime UK student accommodation blocks in Newcastle City Centre at a net initial yield of 5.65% from Aviva Investors.

The first block, Camden Court, houses students from Northumbria University, and the second unit, Magnet Court, serves Newcastle University. Magnet Court is located 200 metres from Newcastle University’s new Business School, which is under construction on the former Scottish & Newcastle brewery site.

The 456 en-suite student bedrooms involved are let through the big UK student accommodation specialist, Unite, for 19.5 years with uncapped annual RPI rental uplifts.

Chris Fry, Fund Manager at LaSalle, told OPP that “this acquisition provides our client with an inflation-proof income stream derived from prime property in a city where students are always keen to study and live.”

Richard Walsh, Director of GVA’s National Markets Team who acted for LaSalle said: “This is a fantastic acquisition and is exactly what the investment market wants at the moment, strong indexed linked income for nearly 20 years in a sector which is set to see continued strong rental growth.”

FRA backs positive report on forestry investment options

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:33:00 GMT

A recent article on the advantages of investing in forestry, published in Farming Magazine and in the Irish Independent newspaper, has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA)....

Seattle, United States, September 03, 2011 -- A recent article on the advantages of investing in forestry, published in Farming Magazine and in the Irish Independent newspaper, has been welcomed by Forestry Research Associates (FRA).

The analysis and research consultancy said it backs this positive view of forestry as an investment option. The article explained that direct investment in forested land – either through a company that runs plantations or through buying and planting up an area of land independently, is a good way to develop a generous pension fund for the future.

The article, written by Joe Barry, said that the trees typically generate an annual investment return of between five and six per cent, which is a solid return without the risk involved with investing in stock markets. Barry explains that if the price of timber falls at the time trees reach maturity and can be sold, land owners or investors can simply opt to sit tight and wait until the market improves, which – points out Mr Barry – it eventually always does.

FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins, said, “The financial markets are not offering investors much reason for confidence at the moment, and investing in forestry is a truly risk-averse option for those who are keen to protect their money from any further stock-market crashes.”

FRA claims that an increasing number of affluent, ethically responsible investors are looking into ways to spread the risk in their portfolios while investing in projects that are both ecologically and socially responsible. The consultancy highlights forestry investment opportunities in emerging economies like Brazil, through firms like Greenwood Management, which offer people the chance to invest in plots of land that are being planted up with non-native tree crops, such as eucalyptus and teak.

Mr Barry claims there is always a market for timber, and with major economic growth in Asia and in Brazil, now is a good time to invest money in the Latin American country, according to FRA. “Brazilian forestry is a good bet in our opinion, not least because the steel industry is desperate for sustainably produced charcoal to help prepare infrastructure for the upcoming World Cups and Olympic events," said Peter Collins.

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.

Stock market crash will lead more towards alternatives

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:10:00 GMT

This week’s stock market meltdown has further prompted advisers to push their clients towards investing in alternatives, claims Alternative Asset Management (AAA).

Stocks have seen huge losses in the past days as panic strikes traders in response to US and European sovereign debt concerns. Renewed worries about the state of Italy’s economy and last week’s wrangling in Congress over the US debt ceiling have not helped to calm the hysteria.

Reuters has reported that this has prompted even more wealth management and investment advisers to persuade clients to diversify the risk in their portfolio by investing in alternatives, such as gold, forestry, currencies, real estate and even art and antiques.

AAA is an alternative investment advocacy group, whose leading analyst, Anthony Johnson, is keen to dispel myths about alternative assets classes. “The more ‘alternative’ an alternative investment, the better in these volatile economic times,” claimed the experienced fund manager.

He added, “Alternatives, such as forestry for example, have outperformed equities for the past few years and also give individuals the peace of mind of knowing their cash is helping to prevent deforestation in some of the world’s most vital regions.

Investment managers are starting to realize the value of alternatives as part of an investment portfolio and many more will opt for alternatives following this latest run of stock market losses, claimed AAA. Mr Johnson added, “The clients themselves are putting their fund managers under increasing pressure to opt out of traditional investment and put their cash in alternatives – and the more they see events like the rash this week, the more they will be keen to find a safe haven for their money.”

Developer and investor opportunity as UK student demand surges

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 09:10:00 GMT

The UK’s student accommodation market is surging despite the gloomy economic outlook, according to a new report from CB Richard Ellis.

Investors have committed around £347,675,000 to the sector this year alone as they are attracted by yields of between 5.25% and 7% per year, according to the report.
And with demand in some areas reaching one bed space for every nine students, alongside student numbers increasing 4% last year, experts are saying private developers and investors could grab the opportunity to plug the gap.
Jennet Siebrits, head of residential research at CB Richard Ellis, told OPP: "Accommodation will play an even more important role in a university's overall offer as students' expectations increase with their budgets which will see students demand high quality accommodation, a good service led approach from operators and ideally, all inclusive rent.”

“Private developers will be relied upon to plug this gap, given that the universities will have very little capital to do so themselves. This should encourage more opportunities for developers to work closely with the institutions going forward, which will also prove helpful in the planning process."

Alan Forsyth, director of property investment agency Property Secrets, added: "Students have realised the appeals of modern, purpose built accommodation available from the private sector and this in turn is pushing up demand. Consequently, buy to let investors will continue to look towards the private student housing market as a way of ensuring guaranteed returns as well as a diversification of their real estate portfolios.”

OPP reported last month that property fund manager Cordea Savills sold £27.75million-worth of student accommodation in Edinburgh, while high demand in Liverpool has led investment agency Property Frontiers to proclaim that the city heralds a "great opportunity" for developers and investors.

Barclays Hedge award presented to the Axiom Fund

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 08:56:00 GMT

In May 2011 the Axiom fund was given an award by BarclayHedge as being in the top 10 asset backed lending funds. This is an excellent accolade for its performance. BarclayHedge is a major hedge fund monitoring website based in the USA and adds further creditabilty to the fund. The fund has now been accepted by Credit Suisse & UBS private banks for their clients. Strong consistent performance continues and new investment into the fund is increasing quickly as more and more advisers recognise the key investment features the fund offers to clients.

IFA Seminar. 13/5/11 London

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:31:00 GMT

You are invited to join selected IFAs to the unveiling of an innovative fund construction that offers exposure to equity markets in a risk controlled and inexpensive fashion. The WAY Hasley Momentum Fund is ideal as a core portfolio holding.

Main Speaker:
Professor Stephen Thomas, Professor of Finance, Cass Business School, City University London

Background:
The foundation for this new fund draws on the academic research carried out by Professors Stephen Thomas and Andrew Clare of the highly regarded team at Cass Business School, London. The WAY Hasley Global Momentum Fund will be a plausible alternative for investors dissatisfied with the search for consistent alpha amongst traditional active managers and who want to avoid tracking the market down with their passive holdings. Professor Stephen Thomas* will be hosting the seminar and will present the academic research which forms the basis of this new fund offering.

The fund will give exposure to twenty four developed equity markets via a series of ETFs and, in simple terms, will be in the markets when prices are trading above their respective moving twelve month averages and in cash when the markets are sliding below.

It will be suitable to many long-term investors seeking a core global equity exposure and will be run on the formulae devised by Professors Thomas and Clare from Cass. It will have no judgemental overlay.

To hear more about the fund structure and workings plus a presentation from Professor Thomas* on the academic research and the back testing results, then please register for what promises to be an enlightening morning

Dates & Locations:
1.5th May - Leigh Court, Abbots Leigh, Bristol
2.11th May - Haydock Park Racecourse
3.24th May - Bridge Inn, Wetherby
4.25th May - Dunston Hall, Norwich
5.26th May* - National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham
6.9th June 2011 - Hilton Hotel, Cobham, Surrey
*Note: for 26th May, Professor Thomas will be replaced by his co-author of the research, Professor Andrew Clare.

Registration:
Registration will take place at 9: 30 a.m. ahead of a 10: 00 a.m. start and the presentation will last for 1.5hrs. CPD points will be awarded.

Book now:
Please R.S.V.P. to Tony Lyons, IFA Support Manager, giving details of the seminar of your choice, either:
by telephone: 01202 890895 or
by email: tony@waygroup.co.uk

Or, if you prefer, you can use the website: Contact Form to get in touch.

I look forward to seeing you on the day

Yours sincerely,

Eddie O'Gorman
Director of Sales & Marketing
4th April 2011.

PS: If you are unable to make it yourself, then why not pass on our invitation to a colleague?