This is a financial promotion for The First Sentier Global Listed Infrastructure Fund. 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.
- 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.
- Concentration risk: the Fund invests in a relatively small number of companies which may be riskier than a fund that invests in a large number of companies.
- 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 gained in August as investor sentiment remained positive, despite evidence of supply chain disruption and labour market disconnects alongside the ongoing spread of Delta variant coronavirus. The FTSE Global Core Infrastructure 50/50 index gained +2.2%, while the MSCI World index^ ended the month +2.5% higher.
The two best performing infrastructure sectors for a second consecutive month were Electric Utilities (+4%) and Water / Waste (+3%). US electric utilities were supported by a positive June quarter earnings season, and a renewed focus on their longer term opportunities to invest in transmission infrastructure and renewables. Towers / Data Centers (+3%) continued their strong run as structural growth characteristics remained in demand. The worst performing infrastructure sector was Gas Utilities (-1%). Chinese gas utilities underperformed after June quarter earnings results from ENN Energy (-5%, not held) failed to meet the market’s bullish growth rate expectations.
The best performing infrastructure region was Asia ex-Japan (+6%). Improving investor sentiment underpinned share price gains for the region’s airports; while its port operators were supported by robust volume growth. The worst performing infrastructure region was Latin America (-2%). A clash between Brazil’s president and its judges raised concerns for the country’s political stability ahead of the country’s 2022 presidential election, and weighed on the country’s infrastructure stocks.
Fund performance
The Fund returned +1.3 % after fees1 in August, 91 bps behind the FTSE Global Core Infrastructure 50/50 Index (USD, Net TR).
Annual Performance (% in USD) to 31 August 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 Investors (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 UK utility SSE (+13%), which operates regulated electricity transmission and distribution networks in Scotland and southern England, as well as developing some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms. Reports that activist Elliott Investors had built a position in the company sparked hopes that SSE may now seek to unlock value by separating the fast-growing renewables segment from its regulated utility businesses.
US utilities represented another area of strength in the portfolio, aided by favourable regulatory developments. Utility operator and renewables leader NextEra Energy (+8%) drew close to agreeing positive terms for the allowed earnings of its Florida Power & Light utility over the next four year period. Although final approval is still pending, the company looks set to continue its strong track record of constructive agreements in this important jurisdiction. Midwest operator Evergy (+6%) gained on strong June quarter earnings, and as investors remained positive on the firm’s five-year business plan focused on growing earnings and increasing the proportion of renewables in its generation mix. Exelon (+6%), a substantial Northeast and Midwest utility with extensive nuclear generating capacity, gained as investors took the view that an Illinois energy bill, currently being negotiated by the state’s legislature, would be likely to include provisions of financial support for the company’s nuclear power plants.
Data centre operator CyrusOne (+8%), whose predictable cashflows are underpinned by multi-year contracts with enterprise and hyperscale customers, gained as investors favoured assets with less sensitivity to the risk of coronavirus-related disruption. Italian tower company Inwit (+6%) which operates a portfolio of high quality Italian towers (spun off previously from Telecom Italia and Vodafone) and US-listed peers SBA Communications (+5%) and American Tower (+3%) were supported by similar sentiment.
Swiss airport operator Flughafen Zurich (+5%) increased as ongoing strength from its property and retail segments, along with potential structural cost reductions, supported solid earnings numbers for the first half of 2021. The company also offered a positive outlook, with expectations that traffic volumes will reach 50% of 2019 levels by the end of 2021; and an undertaking to reinstate its 40% dividend payout ratio as soon as possible, with the potential to pay a special dividend.
The worst performing stock in the portfolio was Arizona-based regulated utility Pinnacle West (-8%). In contrast to the healthy gains achieved by most of the portfolio’s utility holdings this month, its share price fell after draft terms for its next regulatory period were less favourable than had previously been expected. Pembina Pipeline (-6%), which owns and operates a strategically located and well-integrated set of energy storage and transportation assets in Western Canada, also lagged as investors took profits following substantial gains in recent months.
The portfolio’s toll road operators delivered mixed returns. Italy’s Atlantia (+4%) received formal approval from the Italian government to sell ASPI, its Italian motorway unit; while first-half earnings from French peer Vinci (+2%) were positive, with low volumes for its airport assets offset by strong toll road volumes. However Brazil’s CCR (-6%) underperformed as reasonable June quarter earnings were overshadowed by political instability and a growing expectation that the country’s central bank may have to raise interest rates by more than previously expected. China’s Jiangsu Expressway (-3%) also gave up ground, as steady traffic growth during the June quarter was overshadowed by fresh movement restrictions in July and August, aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus within the country.
Fund activity
The Fund initiated a position in US electric utility Entergy. This stock has significantly lagged peers over the past six months, creating an attractive entry point. We believe this company will deliver annual Earnings Per Share growth of between 5% and 7% over the next few years, from increased load growth, improving operational efficiencies and a robust capital expenditure program with upside from increased renewable energy deployment.
The Fund sold its holding in US water utility Essential Utilities after share price gains moved the stock to a lower position within our investment process. French construction and concession group Eiffage was also divested from the portfolio following steady share price improvements in recent months, and on concerns that the rise of Delta variant coronavirus cases may slow the French path to recovery.
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.
The outlook for the asset class is positive. Government attempts to bolster economic fundamentals through infrastructure and green energy stimulus plans are likely to benefit many global listed infrastructure firms. In particular, the ongoing repair and replacement of old energy transmission and distribution grids, along with the accelerating build-out of renewables, should represent a steady source of utility earnings growth over many years. Recent extreme weather conditions in the US – wetter and windier conditions than normal in the eastern half of the country; droughts and wildfires in the west – have highlighted the pressing need to improve the resilience of that country’s infrastructure networks.
There remains scope for a material recovery in traffic / passenger volumes across transport infrastructure sectors such as toll roads, airports and passenger rail, as vaccine programs ramp up globally. Reflecting this, toll roads represent the portfolio’s largest sector overweight. Traffic volumes have proved more resilient than those of other transport infrastructure assets; and toll roads are likely to be the first to see a return to normal demand levels. The stop-start nature of the recovery across different regions and industries, along with strong post-pandemic demand, is presenting a challenge to global supply chain networks. During the month, the number of container ships waiting to unload their cargos onto trucks and freight rail trains at California’s two largest ports rose to 44, compared to a typical number of either zero or one.
We are also cognizant of potential shifts in the political landscape, with upcoming elections in California, Canada, Germany and Japan (to be followed by France and Brazil next year). Analysis of political and regulatory risk represents a core part of our due diligence. We seek to assess, manage and balance potential risks of this nature by having a deep understanding of the regulatory frameworks in each market, and how those may change with elections; and by meeting with regulators in the various jurisdictions we own assets in.
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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