LCM Alternative Investments News Review

L o n d o n C o m m o d i t y M a r k e t s

C i t i b a n k T o w e r , 2 5 C a n a d a

S q u a r e , C a n a r y W h a r f ,

L o n d o n E 1 4 5 L Q

T e l : 0 0 4 4 ( 0 ) 2 0 3 5 1 4 6 0 0

F a x : 0 0 4 4 2 0 3 5 1 4 6 0 0 1

2 6 / 2 2 / 2 0 1 3

February 2013

The LCM Alternative Investments News Review is a

retrospective monthly report compiled for London

Commodity Markets to provide a snapshot of the

state of the alternative investments markets industry.

Page | 1

Investors looking to Alternatives for growth opportunities in 2013, survey

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS -

Investors believe U.S. equity

markets will continue to perform

well in 2013 but a majority are

looking to alternative global

investments, including metals,

currencies and foreign equities, to

diversify their portfolios and

improve financial performance,

concludes EverBank’s new Global

Investment Opportunities Retail

Investor Survey.

EverBank, the retail banking

division of EverBank Financial Corp

(EVER), polled more than 300 individual investors at The World MoneyShow Orlando between

Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, to identify investment opportunities and sentiments around the globe.

Opportunities in the U.S. vs. Abroad

More than half (52 percent) of survey respondents said they are looking outside traditional

U.S. equities for performance in 2013.

Of those investors, 21 percent have their eyes on precious metal investment opportunities and

another 21 percent see the greatest opportunity in international equities.

Seven percent of survey respondents anticipate currencies will offer the greatest upside this

year and 3 percent are looking at international fixed income.

Further highlighting investors’ increasing focus on opportunities outside the United States,

two-thirds of survey respondents said they believe international investment positions have

become more important in their portfolios than they were five years ago.

“Investors today are realizing the importance of a well-diversified portfolio and appreciate that

it’s not as simple as having the right balance between equities and fixed income assets,” said

Frank Trotter, President of EverBank Direct.

“Alternative assets like precious metals and currencies are more important than ever as

investors look for ways to find better yields in a low-interest-rate environment and still-fragile

global economic environment.

Page | 2

We’re seeing increased demand in products that give investors exposure to those diverse asset

classes, but we believe that many investors can do more to diversify.

The reality is diversification is not as difficult or complex as many people believe, and we’re

seeing a growing awareness of the importance of building investment portfolios that include

traditional U.S. equities, traditional fixed-income assets and a wide range of more non-

traditional investment vehicles.”

Finding Value in a Low Interest Rate Environment

With record low interest rates holding steady, investors must decide how to manage their

portfolios, according to EverBank. When asked to identify the strategy they would most likely

pursue during this low rate environment, investors were fairly divided:

31% of investors said they will pursue new ways to add value to the cash

positions in their portfolio.

27% will seek out international investment opportunities.

26% percent will look into real estate opportunities.

Currencies and other alternative investments received 15%of the responses.

“Low interest rates are a major cause for concern among investors who are looking for safe,

but value-driven options,” Trotter noted.

Source: EverBank Financial Corp

De Beers Forevermark grades $500 million of diamonds in 2012 DIAMONDS - The value of diamonds inscribed by

De Beers Forevermark amounted to million in

, according to Stephen Lussier, the E of

Forevermark.

Speaking at the opening of the umbai Signature

show, Lussier reported that India accounted for 8%

of the brand's sales during the year, having

launched in the country in January 2011.

The De Beers brand is planning to increase that to 20% in the next five years.

Source: Diamonds.net

Page | 3

Property funds gain appeal with wealthy investors, report says

REAL ESTATE FUNDS – Affluent investors are

expressing a growing interest in private real

estate funds as they regain their appetite for

risk, according to a recent report from Prequin,

an analytics firm specializing in the alternative

investment sector.

More than half of investors in private real estate

funds indicate they will increase their investment

in 2013, compared to 36% last year, according to

Prequin. The share falls to 45% among investors

with less than $10 billion in assets under management.

Source: Millionaire Corner

£8bn of new investment could revive Britain’s oil and gas industry OIL & GAS – A new investment boom in Britain’s oil and gas

industry could help reverse some of its recent dramatic

decline, analysts say.

A total of more than £8bn of new investment has been

announced by a number of companies over the last six

months, creating around 6,000 specific jobs and the

potential for more in the supply chain, according to trade

body Oil & Gas UK.

Source: The Engineer

Jack Lifton among speakers at international rare earths conference Advisor on rare earths to the White House Jack Lifton will be among the

international speakers who will be presenting papers and sharing their

views on this hotly debated issue of rare earths when they attend the

international seminar on rare earth in Kuantan this week.

The seminar will be held at on Feb 28 at University Malaysia Pahang

(UMP) in Gambang.

Source: New Straits Times

Page | 4

Can US President Obama deliver on clean energy commitments? CLEAN ENERGY – US President Obama is going to

take another crack at tackling climate change.

Of course, that doesn't mean much is actually

going to happen... Sure, the president will

continue to offer support for cleaner energy

generation, but when it comes to curbing the

effects of highly-polluting industries, there's only

so much he can actually do when there are few in

the House that will bend an inch to support any

kind of climate change or pollution mitigation regulations.

Source: Energy & Capital

Drought will weigh on 2013 agricultural commodity prices, report The agricultural industry was hit hard by the

most severe and extensive drought in at least

25 years in 2012, which had an impact on

crops, livestock and food prices at all levels.

While prices already started increasing in the

fourth quarter of 2012, the majority of the

impact on retail food prices will likely be seen

throughout 2013, according to a recent report

by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

analyzing the drought.

Source: MSN Money

Economic growth boosts platinum group metals and silver EFTs PRECIOUS METALS – Economic growth in the US

and China is supportive of platinum group metals

and silver ETFs. Although the headline US 4Q GDP

number was disappointing, there was considerable

strength in consumption and business investment

growth, while most of the drag came from a

temporary slowing in government spending and

net exports.

Source: ETF Trends

Page | 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.

http://londoncommoditymarkets.com/

HEAD OFFICE

Citibank Tower, 25 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5LQ

Tel: 00 44 (0) 203 514 6000 / Fax: 00 44 (0) 203 514 6001

Email: info@londoncommoditymarkets.com

Home Counties Office

Suite 1A, Park Street, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 1SL

T: 00 44 (0) 203 393 3176

Disclaimer:

This document is issued by London Commodity Markets for the sole purpose of assisting the recipient in deciding whether to proceed with further analysis of this potential

project and opportunity. The information in this document is general and informational only and is not intended to constitute professional or investment advice, or to be

construed as an offer or solicitation for the subscription or purchase or sale of any securities, or as an invitation, inducement or intermediation for the sale, subscription or

purchase of securities. This document does not take into account the recipient’s particular investment objectives or financial situation. Before making any investment

decision, the recipient should conduct its own investigation and analysis of the project, as well as any data, pricing and projections described herein. London Commodity

Markets does not give any warranty or representation as to the reliability or accuracy of the information contained herein, nor does it guarantee that the stated pricing and

projections will be available to the recipient.

London Commodity Markets are neither registered nor regulated by the FSA, and are not authorised to carry out regulated activities. All markets relating to Rare Earth

Elements, Oxides and Metals are not regulated by the FSA, and as such anyone investing in these markets would not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) or

Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

The information contained herein is for information purposes only, and is not intended for trading purposes or deemed to be investment advice or constitute a service.

London Commodity Markets, directors or any of its staff, agents, creators and administrators of londoncommoditymarkets.com website shall not be liable for any errors or

delays in the content of these pages, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. As with any Investment there is a risk of losing money. Rare Earth Products are alternative

investments and such should be regarded as high risk.

LONDON COMMODITY MARKETS IS NOT REGULATED BY THE FSA OR SEC.