This is a financial promotion for The First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Strategy. This information is for professional clients only in the EEA and elsewhere where lawful. Investing involves certain risks including:
- The value of investments and any income from them may go down as well as up and are not guaranteed. Investors may get back significantly less than the original amount invested.
- Currency risk: the Fund invests in assets which are denominated in other currencies; changes in exchange rates will affect the value of the Fund and could create losses. Currency control decisions made by governments could affect the value of the Fund's investments and could cause the Fund to defer or suspend redemptions of its shares.
- Single sector risk: investing in a single economic sector may be riskier than investing in a number of different sectors. Investing in a larger number of sectors helps to spread risk.
- Charges to capital risk: The fees and expenses may be charged against the capital property. Deducting expenses from capital reduces the potential for capital growth.
- Listed infrastructure risk: the infrastructure sector and the value of the Fund is particularly affected by factors such as natural disasters, operational disruption and national and local environmental laws.
Emerging market risk: Emerging markets tend to be more sensitive to economic and political conditions than developed markets. Other factors include greater liquidity risk, restrictions on investment or transfer of assets, failed/delayed settlement and difficulties valuing securities. For details of the firms issuing this information and any funds referred to, please see Terms and Conditions and Important Information.
For a full description of the terms of investment and the risks please see the Prospectus and Key Investor Information Document for each Fund.
If you are in any doubt as to the suitability of our funds for your investment needs, please seek investment advice.
Market review
Global Listed Infrastructure delivered stable returns in May, consolidating healthy year-to-date gains. The FTSE Global Core Infrastructure 50/50 index gained +0.5%, while the MSCI World index ended the month +1.4% higher.
The best performing infrastructure sector was Pipelines (+3%), reflecting exceptionally strong March quarter earnings numbers, a disciplined approach to capex spending, undemanding valuation multiples and a higher oil price. The worst performing infrastructure sectors were Electric Utilities (-2%), Multi-utilities (-1%) and Water Utilities (flat) as investors sought higher beta market segments.
The best performing infrastructure region was Latin America (+5%), which was led higher by its transport infrastructure stocks. Asia ex-Japan (+4%) also rose as investor enthusiasm for Chinese gas utilities’ structural growth and government support resulted in strong share price gains. The worst performing infrastructure region was Australia / NZ (-3%). New lockdown measures in the Australian state of Victoria, implemented following a fresh coronavirus outbreak, weighed on the region’s airports and toll roads.
Fund performance
The Fund returned +0.7% after fees1 in May, 18 bps ahead of the FTSE Global Core Infrastructure 50/50 Index (USD, Net TR).
Annual Performance (% in USD) to 31 May 2021
These figures refer to the past. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. For investors based in countries with currencies other than the share class currency, the return may increase or decrease as a result of currency fluctuations.
Performance figures have been calculated since the launch date. Performance data is calculated on a net basis by deducting fees incurred at fund level (e.g. the management and administration fee) and other costs charged to the fund (e.g. transaction and custody costs), save that it does not take account of initial charges or switching fees (if any). Income reinvested is included on a net of tax basis. Source: Lipper IM / First Sentier Investor (UK) Funds Limited. *The benchmark changed from the UBS Global Infrastructure & Utilities 50-50 Index on 01/04/2015.
The best performing stock in the portfolio was CCR (+14%), Brazil’s largest toll road operator, which rallied on increasing recognition of the substantial growth opportunities presented via the privatisation (and subsequent expansion) of Brazilian road, airport and rail assets. Brazil’s infrastructure minister noted this month that as a result of these initiatives, US$50 billion worth of investment is likely to have been contracted for the much-needed modernisation of Brazil’s infrastructure by the end of 2022.
Mexican airport operator ASUR (+6%) gained as the release of their April traffic showed the company continued to see a strong passenger recovery. The company is expected to benefit from increasing tourist volumes as the US vaccination rollout progresses. Data from the US TSA showed that nearly 2 million passengers were screened at US airports on the Friday before the Memorial Day long weekend - the highest number since the pandemic began.
The portfolio’s energy infrastructure holdings outperformed, led by US Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) exporter Cheniere Energy (+10%). March quarter earnings numbers were 40% ahead of consensus, reflecting continued strength in global LNG market fundamentals. Magellan Midstream Partners (+8%) rallied on upgraded earnings guidance and the prospect of volume recovery for its refined products pipelines.
European transport infrastructure delivered mixed returns, with toll roads outperforming airports. French toll road operators Eiffage (+2%) and Vinci (+2%) performed well as French lockdowns were eased, and traffic on other French toll roads recovered towards pre-pandemic levels. However Flughafen Zurich (-3%) and AENA (-1%) lagged as the spread of a new coronavirus variant in the UK, along with a relatively restrictive new set of rules for UK travellers, caused investors to take a cautious approach to some European airports.
The worst performing stock in the portfolio was US electric utility and renewables leader NextEra Energy (-6%), which underperformed as investor focus turned to assets with most sensitivity to near-term recovery. The company is still positioned to benefit from the longer term theme of decarbonisation and large-scale renewables build-out throughout the US over coming years (further details shown below). Large-cap peers Eversource Energy (-5%) and Dominion Energy (-5%) also lagged in this environment, despite reasonable valuations and solid company fundamentals. In contrast CenterPoint Energy (+4%) fared better after the Texas senate passed legislation which should support additional capex investment opportunities for its Houston electric utility business.
Australian freight rail operator Aurizon (-4%) underperformed on mounting investor concerns that structural headwinds to demand for coal exports may affect its growth prospects. Our analysis suggests that at current valuation multiples (8% dividend yield, 7x EV/EBITDA, strong free cash flow), investors are being compensated for this longer term risk.
Fund activity
The Fund initiated a position in Duke Energy, a large-cap, North Carolina-based utility with 7.8 million electric customers in six states and 1.6 million natural gas customers in five states. Its forecast rate base growth of 6% per annum until 2024 is expected to support earnings growth of between 4% and 6% per annum. Activist investor Elliot Investment Management is reported to have built a stake in the company and to be seeking to “add directors to its board and possible other actions to boost its stock price”. Having agreed to sell a 20% stake in its Duke Indiana subsidiary for a price well above its listed valuation multiples earlier this year, Duke may now be encouraged by Elliot to carry out further shareholder-friendly measures over coming months.
A holding in US Pacific Northwest electric utility Portland General Electric was divested after a period of strong outperformance reduced mispricing and moved the stock to a lower position within our investment process.
Market outlook and Fund positioning
The Fund invests in a range of global listed infrastructure assets including toll roads, airports, railroads, utilities, pipelines, and wireless towers. These sectors share common characteristics, like barriers to entry and pricing power, which can provide investors with the potential for inflation-protected income and strong capital growth over the medium-term.
Toll roads represent the portfolio’s largest sector overweight. We believe these companies represent exceptional value at current levels. Traffic volumes have proved more resilient than those of other transport infrastructure assets; and toll roads are leading a return to normal demand levels as vaccine programs are rolled out. Using Sydney as a case study, data over 2020 and early 2021 has shown that whilst working from home (WFH) has clearly impacted central business district (CBD) office occupancy (consistent with anecdotal evidence of 2-3 days in the office and surveys of a desire to spend some time working from home), the impact on toll road traffic is much less pronounced. In fact, on certain roads, traffic is back to pre-pandemic levels.
The portfolio is also overweight Gas Utilities, The portfolio’s holdings in this sector consist of a Chinese operator benefitting from central government support for the transition to cleaner fuels; a Japanese gas utility trading at deep value, and specialist US and European names operating from strong strategic positions within niche markets.
The portfolio has an underweight exposure to Multi / Electric Utilities, as some utilities are traded at levels where limited mispricing is evident. That said, a substantial portion of the portfolio consists of high conviction positions in this space, with a focus on higher quality assets, material scope for capex-related earnings growth, or clear mispricing.
An underweight exposure to the Pipelines sector has been maintained. While the sector has delivered solid gains in recent months, we remain conscious of the structural headwinds that these companies could face as Net Zero initiatives gather pace.
1 Performance is based on OEIC B Acc share class, net of fees, expressed in GBP.
^ MSCI World Net Total Return Index, GBP.
All stock and sector performance data expressed in local currency terms. Source: Bloomberg.
1 Performance is based on VCC ID share class, net of fees, expressed in USD.
^ MSCI World Net Total Return Index, USD.
All stock and sector performance data expressed in local currency terms. Source: Bloomberg.
Important Information
This document has been prepared for informational purposes only and is only intended to provide a summary of the subject matter covered and does not purport to be comprehensive. The views expressed are the views of the writer at the time of issue and may change over time. It does not constitute investment advice and/or a recommendation and should not be used as the basis of any investment decision. This document is not an offer document and does not constitute an offer or invitation or investment recommendation to distribute or purchase securities, shares, units or other interests or to enter into an investment agreement. No person should rely on the content and/or act on the basis of any material contained in this document.
This document is confidential and must not be copied, reproduced, circulated or transmitted, in whole or in part, and in any form or by any means without our prior written consent. The information contained within this document has been obtained from sources that we believe to be reliable and accurate at the time of issue but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, or completeness of the information. We do not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss arising directly or indirectly from any use of this information.
References to “we” or “us” are references to First Sentier Investors.
In the UK, issued by First Sentier Investors (UK) Funds Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registration number 143359). Registered office Finsbury Circus House, 15 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7EB number 2294743. In the EEA, issued by First Sentier Investors (Ireland) Limited which is authorised and regulated in Ireland by the Central Bank of Ireland (registered number C182306) in connection with the activity of receiving and transmitting orders. Registered office: 70 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2, Ireland number 629188. Outside the UK and the EEA, issued by First Sentier Investors International IM Limited which is authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number 122512). Registered office: 23 St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1BB number SC079063.
Certain funds referred to in this document are identified as sub-funds of First Sentier Investors Global Umbrella Fund plc, an umbrella investment company registered in Ireland (“VCC”). Further information is contained in the Prospectus and Key Investor Information Documents of the VCC which are available free of charge by writing to: Client Services, First Sentier Investors , 1 Grand Canal Square, Grand Canal Harbour, Dublin 2, Ireland or by telephoning +353 1 635 6798 between 9am and 5pm (Dublin time) Monday to Friday or by visiting www.firstsentierinvestors.com. Telephone calls may be recorded. The distribution or purchase of shares in the funds, or entering into an investment agreement with First Sentier Investors may be restricted in certain jurisdictions.
Representative and Paying Agent in Switzerland: The representative and paying agent in Switzerland is BNP Paribas Securities Services, Paris, succursale de Zurich, Selnaustrasse 16, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland. Place where the relevant documentation may be obtained: The prospectus, key investor information documents (KIIDs), the instrument of incorporation as well as the annual and semi-annual reports may be obtained free of charge from the representative in Switzerland.
First Sentier Investors entities referred to in this document are part of First Sentier Investors a member of MUFG, a global financial group. First Sentier Investors includes a number of entities in different jurisdictions. MUFG and its subsidiaries do not guarantee the performance of any investment or entity referred to in this document or the repayment of capital. Any investments referred to are not deposits or other liabilities of MUFG or its subsidiaries, and are subject to investment risk including loss of income and capital invested.
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