The share price performances of the nine Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and of the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs) have been dire over the past year. Undoubtedly, the sharp rise in interest rates has presented the sector with serious challenges, especially since the yield on “risk-free” 10-year gilts has risen appreciably. Furthermore, the ongoing war in Ukraine and high inflation rates, from which many IICs and REIFs are partially ‒ if not wholly ‒ protected, continue to unsettle the sector.
Not only are rising interest rates seriously eroding investor sentiment, as the appeal of “risk-free” gilt-edged stocks is significantly raised, but they also directly affect NAVs. In recent months, several NAV reductions have taken place. Moreover, the average IIC is currently trading at a 22% discount (on an unweighted basis) to its NAV; the comparable discount (also on an unweighted basis) for the REIFs is 21%. Not surprisingly, there are now several share buyback schemes under way.
10 Aug 2023
Hardman & Co Insight: UK interest rates and “risk-free” gilts at their peak? Infrastructure stocks struggle
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited Ptg.Shs GBP (SEQI:LON), 77.4 | Pantheon Infrastructure PLC (PINT:LON), 109 | 10X Genomics Inc (TXG:NYSE), 0 | 10x Genomics Inc Class A (TXG:NAS), 0 | 3i Infrastructure PLC (3IN:LON), 360 | Aquila European Renewables PLC Registered (AERI:LON), 44.6 | Bluefield Solar Income Fund Ltd. (BSIF:LON), 82.4 | Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited (CORD:LON), 98.7 | Digital 9 Infrastructure Plc (DGI9:LON), 8.1 | Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust Plc (DORE:LON), 102 | Ecofin U.S. Renewables Infrastructure Trust Plc (RNEW:LON), 24.0 | Foresight Solar Fund Limited GBP (FSFL:LON), 79.0 | GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd GBP (GCP:LON), 74.8 | Greencoat UK Wind Plc (UKW:LON), 111 | HICL Infrastructure PLC (HICL:LON), 122 | Hydrogen Capital Growth plc (HGEN:LON), 25.8 | International Public Partnerships Ltd (INPP:LON), 127 | Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited GBP (FGEN:LON), 68.8 | NextEnergy Solar Fund Ltd (NESF:LON), 61.2 | SDCL Efficiency Income Trust PLC (SEIT:LON), 61.2 | Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited GBP Red.Shs (TRIG:LON), 79.3 | VH Global Energy Infrastructure PLC (ENRG:LON), 68.4 | US Solar Fund Plc (USFP:LON), 27.5 | Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust Plc (ORIT:LON), 62.0 | Gresham House Energy Storage Fund Plc GBP (GRID:LON), 71.3 | Greencoat Renewables Plc (GRP:LON), 71.9 | Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC (GSF:LON), 0
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Hardman & Co Insight: UK interest rates and “risk-free” gilts at their peak? Infrastructure stocks struggle
Sequoia Economic Infrastructure Income Fund Limited Ptg.Shs GBP (SEQI:LON), 77.4 | Pantheon Infrastructure PLC (PINT:LON), 109 | 10X Genomics Inc (TXG:NYSE), 0 | 10x Genomics Inc Class A (TXG:NAS), 0 | 3i Infrastructure PLC (3IN:LON), 360 | Aquila European Renewables PLC Registered (AERI:LON), 44.6 | Bluefield Solar Income Fund Ltd. (BSIF:LON), 82.4 | Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited (CORD:LON), 98.7 | Digital 9 Infrastructure Plc (DGI9:LON), 8.1 | Downing Renewables & Infrastructure Trust Plc (DORE:LON), 102 | Ecofin U.S. Renewables Infrastructure Trust Plc (RNEW:LON), 24.0 | Foresight Solar Fund Limited GBP (FSFL:LON), 79.0 | GCP Infrastructure Investments Ltd GBP (GCP:LON), 74.8 | Greencoat UK Wind Plc (UKW:LON), 111 | HICL Infrastructure PLC (HICL:LON), 122 | Hydrogen Capital Growth plc (HGEN:LON), 25.8 | International Public Partnerships Ltd (INPP:LON), 127 | Foresight Environmental Infrastructure Limited GBP (FGEN:LON), 68.8 | NextEnergy Solar Fund Ltd (NESF:LON), 61.2 | SDCL Efficiency Income Trust PLC (SEIT:LON), 61.2 | Renewables Infrastructure Group Limited GBP Red.Shs (TRIG:LON), 79.3 | VH Global Energy Infrastructure PLC (ENRG:LON), 68.4 | US Solar Fund Plc (USFP:LON), 27.5 | Octopus Renewables Infrastructure Trust Plc (ORIT:LON), 62.0 | Gresham House Energy Storage Fund Plc GBP (GRID:LON), 71.3 | Greencoat Renewables Plc (GRP:LON), 71.9 | Gore Street Energy Storage Fund PLC (GSF:LON), 0
- Published:
10 Aug 2023 -
Author:
Nigel Hawkins -
Pages:
12 -
The share price performances of the nine Infrastructure Investment Companies (IICs) and of the 22 Renewable Energy Infrastructure Funds (REIFs) have been dire over the past year. Undoubtedly, the sharp rise in interest rates has presented the sector with serious challenges, especially since the yield on “risk-free” 10-year gilts has risen appreciably. Furthermore, the ongoing war in Ukraine and high inflation rates, from which many IICs and REIFs are partially ‒ if not wholly ‒ protected, continue to unsettle the sector.
Not only are rising interest rates seriously eroding investor sentiment, as the appeal of “risk-free” gilt-edged stocks is significantly raised, but they also directly affect NAVs. In recent months, several NAV reductions have taken place. Moreover, the average IIC is currently trading at a 22% discount (on an unweighted basis) to its NAV; the comparable discount (also on an unweighted basis) for the REIFs is 21%. Not surprisingly, there are now several share buyback schemes under way.