March 2013 review of the alternative investments markets compiled on behalf of London Commodity Markets.

1. 2013
LCM Alternative
Investments Review
March 2013
The LCM Alternative Investment News Review is a monthly
report compiled for London Commodity Markets to provide a
snapshot of the alternative investment markets.
March 2013
London Commodity Markets
3/26/2013

2. Osborne abolishes stamp duty on
Alternative Investments
The government will abolish stamp tax on shares for companies listed on growth markets,
including the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market and the ISDX Growth
Market, from April 2014.
In scrapping the Aim stamp duty tax,
Chancellor George Osborne said in his Budget
today (20 March) he is aiming to help smaller
quoted UK firms by lowering their cost capital,
helping to promote jobs and growth across the
country.
Mr Osborne said: “Many medium sized firms
and start-ups use the Alternative Investment
Market to raise funds to help them grow.
Many observers of the British tax system complain that it has long biased debt financing over
equity investment.”
He added: “In parts of Europe they’re introducing a financial transaction tax. Here in Britain,
we’re getting rid of one.”
On 13 March 2013 the Government launched a consultation on extending individual savings
account (ISA) eligibility to include a wider range of small company shares.
Source: www.ftadviser.com
The Chancellor also announced proposals to introduce a new tax incentive to encourage
further investment in the exploration and extraction of shale gas industry, which will
effectively reduce the tax rate for some shale gas production from 62% to 30%.
FSA Releases Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive
(AIFMD) Regulatory Survey
Last week, the UK Financial Services Authority (FSA) published a survey for UK-based
alternative investment fund managers (AIFMs) to help AIFMs comply with the requirements of
the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD). The deadline for transposition
of the AIFMD into UK law—and the laws of all other member states of the European Economic
Area (EEA)—is 22 July 2013, and the UK government and FSA fully intend to meet that
deadline. Read more: www.natlawreview.com
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3. Insurance Company Increases Agricultural Investments
US insurance company MetLife Inc indicated that it increased its agricultural investment
business by more than 7% in 2012 compared to the previous year. With an agricultural
mortgage loan portfolio of approximately $13 billion at the end of 2012, MetLife contends it
remains a top lender to agriculture.
Agricultural mortgages provide MetLife with investment opportunities that match the long-
term liabilities the company writes through its insurance products, explained Robert Merck,
global head of agricultural investments for MetLife.
The company’s portfolio consists of farm and ranch, food and agribusiness and timberland
mortgages. “We think 2013 will offer substantial opportunities for agricultural mortgage
lending. Our 96-year track record of investing in the agricultural sector and our commitment to
superior customer service will help drive our success this year and beyond,” said Merck.
Through its subsidiaries and affiliates, MetLife holds market positions in the United States,
Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Source: www.agprofessional.com/news
Precious metals: Silver’s versatility adds to its attractions
Spread betters have turned to silver in recent
months in the hope that “the poor man’s
gold” will experience a price rise soon.
Capital Spreads said that the percentage of
buy positions placed on silver far outweighed
those placed in gold. “Our clients believe that
silver is the one to bet on,” says Angus
Campbell, head of market analysis at Capital
Spreads. “Clients are seeing far more
potential upside from the minor relation.”
Experts believe the renewed interest in silver is partly due to the fact that the precious metal
has many industrial purposes, alongside the fact that it is yet to really catch up with gold.
Read more: www.ft.com
“We are seeing a tremendous impact on investor interest on precious metals”
Philip Klapwijk, Global Head of Metals Analytics for Thomson Reuters GFMS in London,
November 2011
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4. New Venture Offers Unique Opportunity in Diamond Investments
Pink Iguana PLC, a new venture specialising in the trade of certificated diamonds with a strong
market value, has been founded by Jan Maarten Asscher, a member of one of the most
famous diamond families in history, and Mark Walker, a leading diamond and jewellery expert.
The company represents a unique opportunity for
investors to participate in realising the significant
potential returns achieved by trading in diamonds.
The Company will trade in polished, certificated
diamonds and will operate its business under the
guidance of diamond trading experts, supplying
diamonds to a wide variety of UK and international
customers.
Investors will benefit from an asset class which has
limited supply and increasing global demand.
Polished diamond prices have increased by at least 100% since 2004 and this looks set to
continue.
Sources: www.sourcewire.com/news
Rare Earth Metals Junior with a Bright Future
Peak Resources, an Australia-based firm focused on fast tracking the development of its 100-
percent-owned Ngualla rare earth elements project in Tanzania, has attracted increased
investor attention of late. Peak’s strategy for growth is to rapidly develop Ngualla into
production via lower capital costs and to establish itself as a lower-cost quartile, long-term
producer of clean, high-purity rare earth products.
Bill Aimed at Securing Rare Earth Supply Reintroduced to
Congress
The Resource Assessment of Rare Earths (RARE) Act of 2013, a bill aimed at securing rare earth
supplies and reducing China’s monopoly on the market, has been reintroduced to US Congress
by Representative Hank Johnson. The Act directs the US Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct a
three-year global mineral assessment of rare earth elements (REEs).
“Like President Obama, I am committed to a future powered by clean energy,” said Johnson in
a statement. “Without secure access to rare earth elements, we will be unable to lead the
world in cleantech. The RARE Act will dramatically advance our ability to access rare earths
worldwide.”
Sources: http://rareearthinvestingnews.com
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5. About London Commodity Markets
With over a century of combined experience in the rare earth elements and alternative investments
market, our team at London Commodity Markets have a proven track history of delivering excellent
consultation as well as an unrivalled service to all our clients.
As a result of this unrivalled standard of service, quality advice and ethical approach to the
marketplace, London Commodity Markets have become the globe’s fastest growing rare earth
elements and alternative investments company.
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