As we explain in this note, NESF has found itself in a difficult place. No bidders emerged during the strategic review and a wide discount to NAV lowers its enterprise value, which limits its ability to buy back shares under the USS preference share covenant. While asset sales have helped reduce debt, weak demand for mature assets means this is not a quick solution and a managed wind down is not possible. As NESF needs cash, reducing the dividend is seen as the best option. The board and adviser...
Reducing the dividend should free up an estimated £40m over the next five years, which will be applied to strengthening the balance sheet (a target of 40%-45% loan-to-value) and funding new investments to support NAV growth. This includes repowering existing solar assets to enhance energy yields and the installation of co-located energy storage. The overall exposure to energy storage is targeted to rise to 30% of the portfolio. As we explain in this note, NESF found itself in a difficult situ...
While some trusts launched at the tail end of the post-global financial crisis boom in alternative assets have faltered, Pantheon Infrastructure (PINT)'s performance to date has been impressive, with sector-beating returns in both share price and NAV terms and a sharply narrowing discount to NAV. The exposure to digital and energy themes (including both data centres and the power delivery needed to operate them) gives the trust ‘picks and shovels' exposure to the AI story without overly dominati...
Top Stories Strategy | Singapore Stock Picks In A Turbulent Market With war clouds, an oil shock, and market volatility, we focus on Singapore’s defensive sectors and quality blue-chip names. Deployment of funds from MAS’ Equity Market Development Programme could provide some respite in March and April. Key stock picks are CLAR, CLI, CIT, DBS, DFI, KEP, SE, ST, YZJSGD, ASL, CAREIT, CSE, DELFI, FEH, IFAST, UGAI and VALUE. Market Spotlight US stocks were higher on Monday, with all indexes risi...
Greater China Economics | China China set a 2026 GDP growth target of 4.5-5.0% yoy, in line with expectations, while maintaining a 4% fiscal deficit ratio. Fiscal policy remains the main growth driver, supported by Rmb4.4t in local government special bonds and Rmb1.3t in ultra-long treasury bonds, while monetary policy stays accommodative. Policy priorities focus on AI+, New Quality Productive Forces, industrial upgrading, and targeted consumption support, alongside welfare improvements and ...
Singapore equities extended gains in February, with the STI rising 1.8% to near the 5,000 level after reaching a record high above 5,040. Market sentiment was supported by steady manufacturing expansion and selective corporate strength, including Yangzijiang Shipbuilding’s strong earnings. Global markets remained cautious amid AI-related concerns, while geopolitical tensions in the Middle East raised risks of higher oil prices.
Infrastructure and renewable energy funds were the darlings of the investment trust world just a few years ago, dominating both primary and secondary issuance through a combination of attractive income returns and a compelling investment story founded in the need to develop better, cleaner, greener and higher-tech infrastructure around the world. Yet changing market dynamics have caused a considerable fall from favour, with 10 fewer trusts across both sectors than in mid-2023 – and still more he...
GCP Infrastructure (GCP) is now over 15 years old. Investors who joined at IPO have already received back their full investment through dividends. The NAV has stayed fairly stable, and from launch to December 2025, GCP delivered a total NAV return of 187%. Despite this strong record, GCP’s shares have traded at a wide discount to NAV for several years, which has pushed the dividend yield up to 9.1%. For the past two years, GCP has been selling assets to cut debt, fund share buybacks, and impr...
GCP Infrastructure (GCP) is now over 15 years old. Investors who subscribed at IPO have already received all of their investment back in dividends alone. While the NAV has been fairly stable, factoring in both income and capital from launch to the end of December 2025, GCP generated a total NAV return of 187%. Despite this long-term record, GCP’s shares have traded on a wide – and we feel unjustified – discount for several years. That boosts its dividend yield, which is currently 9.1%. For tw...
REIF wind-downs, plunging NAV discounts and “ajar” equity markets, but... Undoubtedly, 2025 was a difficult year for Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs). Investors have seen underperformance against the FTSE 100, widening NAV discounts, several delistings, managed wind-downs (MWDs) and regulatory issues in both the UK and in the US. The question for investors is: where do we go from here? On the one hand, yields for some REIFS are well ov...
Greater China Strategy | Alpha Picks: February Conviction Calls Chinese equities recovered in January, with the HSI and MSCI China rising 6.9% and 5.0% mom, respectively. Given the supportive macro policy environment, we maintain a constructive view on the markets despite risk of further volatility in February. Accordingly, we are adding Alibaba, Ganfeng Lithium, and Minth to our BUY list, while adding Meituan to our SELL list. Indonesia Company Results | Bank Negara Indonesia (BBNI IJ/B...
Singapore equities delivered a strong January performance, with the STI rising 5.6% to fresh record highs amid heightened geopolitical tensions that drove flight-to-safety flows. Manufacturing activity remained in mild expansion, led by electronics and AI-related demand. Market/corporate catalysts during the month include REIT earnings, IPO interest in Catalist and continued strength in gold-linked counters.
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