Boston, MA, USA, January 13, 2012 -- A new index shows that art is indeed one of the top alternative investment options for 2012, according to Alternative Asset Analysis (AAA).

The Mei Moses All Art index showed that the art market outperformed the equities market for the second year in a row, with art growing in value over the year by an impressive 11 per cent.

AAA claims that this increase, which is measured through an analysis of the price at which artworks sold in auction houses throughout 2011, shows alternative investments are becoming serious contenders against traditional asset classes. AAA’s analysis partner, Anthony Johnson explained, “A few years ago, anyone but the super-rich would have overlooked art as a possible way to make cash from investments, but this is all changing, as alternatives become more and more mainstream.”

This is, according to AAA, down to the fact that stocks and shares are simply not as attractive as they used to be. Mr Johnson continued, “The average investor may still have a bad taste left in their mouths as a result of the global economic crisis and may well be looking for somewhere less volatile or more ethical and independent to put their cash.”

Art has received a boost from the growing Chinese market, as the population in the Asian country gets wealthier as their economic power strengthens. The Financial Times, explained, "Strong growth in Chinese demand and high prices for the work of popular artists such as Andy Warhol."

AAA supports ethical and alternative investments all over the world, with an emphasis on those that can have a positive impact the environment and communities in developing countries. One example is the forestry investment project run by investment firm Greenwood Management. They offer investors the chance to buy up sections of plantation forests in Brazil that are planted with non-native timber crops that bring in returns once felled and also provide alternatives to timber and charcoal from native species.

About Alternative Asset Analysis:
The remit of Alternative Asset Analysis is to analyse and provide news on the global performance of a wide range of alternative asset classes including, but not restricted to, commodities, real estate, forestry, foreign exchange, hedge funds, private equity and venture capital.

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

This release was published on openPR.