UBS's Alex Leung talks 2024 infrastructure outlook.
Feb 16, 2024
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UBS Asset Management’s head of infrastructure research and strategy, Alex Leung, discusses the 2024 Infrastructure Outlook. Topics include investor enthusiasm, impact of elections on renewable energy, and the compounding effect on infrastructure activity. Emphasis on long-term trends, resilience of infrastructure sector, and the demand for cleaner energy amidst political uncertainty.
'Animal spirits' of investor enthusiasm can drive activity in 2024 infrastructure sector.
Decarbonization and digitalization are key drivers shaping future infrastructure investments.
Deep dives
Signs of Resilient Animal Spirits in Infrastructure
The podcast discusses the concept of 'animal spirits' in the infrastructure sector, highlighting the disconnect between positive sentiments and actual investments. Despite industry experts promoting the asset class's strengths like resilience and pricing power, there has been a lack of significant action in terms of fundraising and deal flow. The speaker emphasizes the importance of restoring a positive sentiment and enthusiasm in the infrastructure markets to drive risk-taking, decision-making, fundraising, and deal activities.
Impact of Macroeconomic Trends on Infrastructure Investments
The podcast delves into how macroeconomic factors like interest rates and inflation can influence infrastructure investments. While short-term volatility does affect the sector, the focus remains on long-term trends. The speaker highlights the significance of monitoring the rate of change of macroeconomic indicators over their absolute values, expressing confidence in the industry's ability to weather economic fluctuations.
Decarbonization and Digitalization as Catalysts for Infrastructure Evolution
The podcast explores the role of decarbonization and digitalization as key drivers shaping the infrastructure landscape. It anticipates increased investments in sectors related to decarbonization beyond renewable energy, such as hydrogen, energy efficiency, and sustainable fuels. Additionally, the discussion focuses on the necessity for digital infrastructure projects to prioritize sustainable business models and markets with high barriers to entry to attract investments amidst changing market dynamics.
In the latest episode of Crossroads, the Infrastructure Podcast, Senior Policy Reporter Chuck Stanley speaks with Alex Leung, UBS Asset Management’s head of infrastructure research and strategy, about the 2024 Infrastructure Outlook.
With the major macroeconomic shocks in recent years likely in the rearview, and an asset class that is impacted far more by long-term trends than short-term volatility, Leung said the ‘animal spirits’ of investor enthusiasm for the sector could have a compounding effect on activity in 2024.
Market watchers will be following closely as critical elections in Europe and the US this year could erode some of the political support currently enjoyed by the renewable energy sector. But secular tailwinds will continue to propel renewables forward, Leung said.