Global Listed Infrastructure Monthly Review and Outlook

Market Review - as at June 2020

Global Listed Infrastructure gave up ground in June as the partial reopening of the global economy and brightening macroeconomic data saw investors rotate away from defensive assets. The best performing infrastructure sector was Water / Waste (flat), which delivered stable returns as general equities rose. Toll Roads (flat) also fared relatively well as traffic volumes for European, Chinese and Australian roads maintained upward trends.

The worst performing infrastructure sector was Electric Utilities (-5%), owing to a lack of appetite for lower beta assets, and concerns that bad debts may weigh on cash flow. Pipelines (-4%) gave up some of the previous month’s strong returns, as a result of their still-clouded growth outlook.

The best performing infrastructure region was the United Kingdom (+6%), as its utilities announced resilient earnings numbers and the market welcomed the prospect of widespread relaxations of the country’s lockdown from July 4th. The worst performing infrastructure region was Japan (-6%), where the general population’s cautious attitude to coronavirus - despite the country’s relatively low caseload to date – translated to muted passenger traffic volumes and a worse-than-expected reading for business confidence in the June quarter.

All stock and sector performance data expressed in local currency terms. Source: Bloomberg.

Market Outlook and Strategy

We invest 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 inflation-protected income and strong capital growth over the medium-term.

While the macroeconomic outlook remains hard to predict and will depend largely on coronavirus developments / progress, the sharp recovery seen in financial markets during the June quarter appears to be implying an imminent V-shaped recovery. While conceivable, we remain alert to the risk of second waves, prolonged recessions and slow recoveries.

Against a more challenging backdrop, cyclical growth would become less valuable than the long term structural earnings growth drivers offered by many infrastructure assets. Examples include the build-out of renewable energy; increasing data mobility / connectivity needs being met by mobile towers and data centres; the electrification of transportation; the reduction of urban congestion; and the ongoing replacement of aged infrastructure assets.

Further, infrastructure could be the target of near term economic stimulus measures. Investment in infrastructure remains highly popular across society, and on both sides of the political divide. Private sector infrastructure investment could provide a useful way for politicians to boost anaemic economic growth rates and reduce high unemployment levels.

Source : Company data, First State Investments, as of end of June 2020

Important Information

This document is prepared by First State Investments (Singapore) (“FSI”) (Co. Reg No. 196900420D.) whose views and opinions expressed or implied in the document are subject to change without notice. FSI accepts no liability whatsoever for any loss, whether direct or indirect, arising from any use of or reliance on this document. This document is published for general information and general circulation only and does not have any regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and particular needs of any specific person who may receive this document. Investors may wish to seek advice from a financial adviser and should read the Prospectus, available from First State Investments (Singapore) or any of our Distributors before deciding to subscribe for the Fund. In the event that the investor chooses not to seek advice from a financial adviser, he should consider carefully whether the Fund in question is suitable for him. Past performance of the Fund or the Manager, and any economic and market trends or forecast, are not indicative of the future or likely performance of the Fund or the Manager. The value of units in the Fund, and any income accruing to the units from the Fund, may fall as well as rise. Investors should note that their investment is exposed to fluctuations in exchange rates if the base currency of the Fund and/or underlying investment is different from the currency of your investment. Units are not available to US persons.

Applications for units of the Fund must be made on the application forms accompanying the prospectus. Investments in unit trusts are not obligations of, deposits in, or guaranteed or insured by First State Investments (Singapore), and are subject to risks, including the possible loss of the principal amount invested.

Reference to specific securities (if any) is included for the purpose of illustration only and should not be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell the same. All securities mentioned herein may or may not form part of the holdings of FSI’s portfolios at a certain point in time, and the holdings may change over time.

In the event of discrepancies between the marketing materials and the Prospectus, the Prospectus shall prevail.

In Singapore, this document is issued by First State Investments (Singapore) whose company registration number is 196900420D. This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. First State Investments (registration number 53236800B) is a business division of First State Investments (Singapore). The First State Investments logo is a trademark of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia or an affiliate thereof and is used by First State Investments under licence.

First State Investments (Singapore) is part of the investment management business of First Sentier Investors, which is ultimately owned by Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (“MUFG”), a global financial group. First Sentier Investors includes a number of entities in different jurisdictions, operating in Australia as First Sentier Investors and as FSI elsewhere.

MUFG and its subsidiaries are not responsible for any statement or information contained in this document. Neither MUFG nor any of its subsidiaries 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.