Forest Investment and Market Outlook 2014: Only Weeks to Go!

25th March 2014

Forest Investment and Market Outlook 2014 - ONLY WEEKS TO GO!

With forest products exports continuing to enjoy a run of high commodity prices there is plenty of attention worldwide on the robust returns delivered from forest resources. So it’s timely that New Zealand and Australia are soon to host a major forest investment and market outlook conference series. The event in its third year is popular with forest company CEOs and financial sector leaders for its insight.

One of the keynote speakers headlining the event is Kevin Mason, Managing Director and Senior Analyst of ERA Forest Products Research (www.ERA-Research.com), a Canadian-based independent research firm that covers the global forest products sector.

“We focus first and foremost on understanding the commodity side of the market,” says Mason, “as trends in the underlying commodities far outweigh managerial abilities, or the lack of.”

Mason and his team of top analysts have a reputation for having been able to predict nearly every bankruptcy in the North American forest products industry, as well as highlighting some of the best upside returns as well.

“Timing of investments in the forest products sector are key,” says Mason.

Another of the keynote speakers at FIMO 2014 is Gary Myers, Managing Partner at TimberLink LLC (www.timberlink.net)

Myers says, “Institutional investors with longer investment horizons and more efficient capital have successfully migrated into this asset class for diverse reasons.” His company monitors TIMO performance and track their investment strategies on behalf of current and prospective clients.

Assisting many investors in developing investment strategies, selecting a suitable TIMO and making investment decisions is TimberLink LLC of Atlanta, Georgia. TimberLink has advised clients from nine different countries with investments totaling over $10 billion in commercial forestland around the word. TimberLink is not a TIMO and does not raise capital or manage property. But TimberLink does monitor TIMO performance and track their investment strategies on behalf of current and prospective clients.

According Myers, “Our recent survey of TIMOs indicates that private investments in timberland approach US$50 billion on a global basis.”

But according to Myers investors are not entirely satisfied with the present TIMO model. “Certain new pressure points are emerging that challenge the traditional TIMO approach to investing,” says Myers, “Recent trends where TIMOs offer funds only may be in contrast with some larger investors who want more control over investment decisions and influence on management through separate accounts.”

Mr Mason and Mr Myers will be joined by a range of speakers with expert forest investment knowledge. This conference series also has a focus on China and other key wood products markets of importance to New Zealand and Australia.

In New Zealand - to register call 0800 34 22 69 for express service.

In Australia - to register call 1800 126 398 for express service.

The Forest Industry Engineering Association (FIEA) is running the 3rd biennial forest industry investment conference – FOREST INVESTMENT AND MARKET OUTLOOK – in Auckland on 9–10th April 2014 and Melbourne on 14–15th April 2014. This latest conference will focus on strengthening ties between the equity investment, finance and forest products industries in Australasia and now globally. New Forests are confirmed at the Principal Conference Sponsor. Australasia’s key industry associations have also indicated their support for this pan-industry meeting. To register online visit www.fimo2014.com.

ENDS

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