Infrastructure

Duterte’s infrastructure push needs more than cash

2 Jan 2018

A new revenue-raising tax bill will help Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte pay for a “golden age of infrastructure” to increase competitiveness and living standards. The challenge will be to deploy the proceeds efficiently and without fostering corruption.

China’s belt will get tighter and its road bumpier

20 Dec 2017

Xi Jinping's ambitious infrastructure plan enters its fifth year with some notable struggles. Countries are pushing back for political and economic reasons while Chinese banks grapple with mounting debt. So-called Belt and Road projects require more of a team effort in 2018.

U.S. will miss out on infrastructure again in 2018

18 Dec 2017

From air-traffic control to roads to schools, the White House says it’s a priority but focuses its energy elsewhere. Tax policy might boost private capital, yet other barriers lurk. And as the GOP squeezes the budget, the feds will have less to spend. It adds up to more gridlock.

Private equity taps new pockets to extend water bet

3 Nov 2017

Investors led by a Rockefeller, Mellon and Harriman family LBO vehicle have made a sixfold paper profit on their 2014 buyout of Evoqua. IPO buyers won’t get near that even after a decent debut. But Evoqua’s status as a takeover target should make both sets of owners happy.

Dubai demonstrates the distance ahead of Saudi

1 Nov 2017

The UAE’s most populous emirate has become a global financial hub thanks to a diversified economy and tolerance of Western culture. Now Dubai is pushing a green agenda. The kingdom can learn much from its smaller neighbor, including its imperfections, as it tries to catch up.

Arqiva’s old-school TV vibe creates IPO static

24 Oct 2017

The UK broadcast and mobile masts company plans to raise 1.5 bln stg. An order book of mostly inflation-proofed long-term contracts and the pledge of big dividends are appealing. Less so is its reliance on TV towers rather than the cell ones that are tomorrow’s money spinners.

Telecom stress can take Indian M&A to new heights

24 Oct 2017

A KKR-led consortium reportedly wants to merge two top telecom tower companies, and end up with 45 pct of the enlarged entity. It would be a monster transaction for private equity in India. The strategic rationale looks sound but fixing a valuation might be tricky.

Spanish toll-road bid steamrollers Benettons

18 Oct 2017

ACS has made a 17 billion euro offer for infrastructure operator Abertis, using the balance sheet of its German unit Hochtief. The price is better than a rival bid from Atlantia, controlled by Italy’s Benetton family. It owes more to cheap debt than economic sense.

ACS faces bumpy road to join Abertis battle

13 Oct 2017

The Spanish builder is planning a cash-and-share offer for the toll-road operator using its German Hochtief unit. Beating Atlantia’s $20 billion bid faces several hurdles. The Italian group has offered more cash. For ACS, taking on a lot more debt could also be problematic.

CRH deal cements its U.S. infrastructure bet

21 Sep 2017

The building materials company is buying Kansas-based Ash Grove for $3.5 bln including debt. It’s a full price for a group which likes to buy cheap. Despite doubts over President Trump’s pledge to rebuild highways and bridges, pushing into its key market makes sense for CRH.

China “Belt and Road” waves red flag for investors

18 Sep 2017

Beijing’s vision of infrastructure connecting some 70 countries already has fund firms rushing to create vehicles to lure investment. But broad index ETFs miss that many projects make little commercial sense. Skeptical punters should focus on a narrower set of potential winners.

Telecom Italia breakup is a three-way tug of war

24 Aug 2017

Government ministers are talking about separating Telecom Italia from its network. A breakup could be beneficial for the Italian government, and TI’s biggest shareholder Vivendi. Other shareholders would be harder to satisfy.

Washington has infrastructure backwards

15 Aug 2017

What’s needed to plug a $2 trln investment gap for U.S. airports, roads and such isn’t taxpayer cash. It’s the removal of hurdles to private financing and a change in the mindsets of authorities and consumers. There are good ideas to borrow from the likes of Canada and Australia.

Israeli water deal is a glass half full

7 Aug 2017

Mexichem leaked $220 mln of value on its $1.9 bln purchase of Permira- and kibbutz-backed Netafim. With global populations, drought and pollution growing, though, the drip-irrigation pioneer should fill its new owner’s coffers. India and China, especially, have yet to be tapped.

U.S. water industry trickles toward Wall Street

3 Aug 2017

On the surface, America’s H2O suppliers have much in common with banks. They’re stymied by rates, regulation and too many players, and badly need systems upgrades. That’s encouraging some dealmaking. But with $800 bln in investment needed, the industry needs to pick up the pace.

Cox: Colombia’s peace dividend won’t come easy

27 Jul 2017

The end of a long war against leftist guerrillas should allow Latin America's fourth-biggest economy to attract investment, better allocate capital and grow faster. A trip into rural Colombia reveals how infrastructure neglected for 50 years complicates the challenge ahead.

ACS and Benettons pitch patriotism against brawn

21 Jul 2017

The Spanish construction firm is eyeing a bid for toll-road operator Abertis, rivalling a 16 bln euro offer from the Benetton family’s Atlantia. ACS is smaller and has less firepower, though would keep Abertis Spanish. But the financial logic of a bid is stretched, whoever wins.

Exchange Podcast: Mauricio Cárdenas

18 Jul 2017

After half a century of strife, FARC guerrillas are laying down their weapons and integrating into Colombia's political landscape. The Exchange traveled to Bogota to discuss potential dividends from peace, infrastructure investment and the economy with Colombia's finance minister.

Manila packs a Duterte discount

11 Jul 2017

Equities have delivered poor returns during President Rodrigo Duterte's first year in office. Valuations are similar to regional peers, despite the Philippines' better fundamental growth prospects. Investors are struggling to see past a bloody war on drugs and militants.

Italy’s broadband farce risks state overreach

23 Jun 2017

Ministers are threatening to punish Telecom Italia for building broadband in poor areas. The snag is that it is competing with government-linked rival Enel. Telecom Italia’s French ownership also adds complexity. Whatever the motive, attacking private investment is a risky move.