Specialist

INVESTING in Africa, commodities, environmental markets and for absolute returns are the four highly topical subjects being addressed by a quartet of investment experts at an upcoming Meet the Managers conference.

Investor returns

GUINNESS Asset Management has launched the Guinness Alternative Energy fund, replicating the group's existing US vehicle.

CLOSE Investments has scrapped its Agricultural Commodities Trust just days before it was due to go live.

Close Investments has scrapped its Agricultural Commodities Trust just days before it was due to go live.

DESPITE a fall in the valuation of the New Star Property trust of 17.8pc since July, Roger Dossett, chief executive of property fund management at New Star, believes the UK property crisis will be short lived.

MORE than three quarters of UK employees believe the most effective way to save for retirement is through a pension plan with property investment, or by investing in a mixture of property, pensions and other assets, according to a survey by Towers Perrin....

REITA has launched a databank centre on its website (www.reita.org) enabling investment professionals to more easily research and compare property investment performance.

THE value of property in the Matrix European Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) rose to £558.4m by September 30, 2007, an increase of £32.1m over the quarter.

THE Seven Dials European Property fund has outperformed its larger, more established competitors, according to the specialist commercial property fund manager.