The headlines would have you believe it is difficult for investment banks to raise cash for new investments, but that is not the case for all sectors in the market. Earlier this month, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) closed a $4 billion infrastructure fund, well above the original $2.5 billion estimate. Last year Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) raised $6.5 billion for a similar infrastructure fund, and Citigroup (NYSE:C) is currently in the process of raising money and is expected to get close to $3 billion.
When there is an opportunity, investors are willing to invest money regardless of the overall state of the global economy. If you think about it logically, even if the U.S. and other governments decide to cut their budgets, there are certain areas that cannot be ignored. Aging water infrastructure, insufficient roadways and mass transit, and crumbling bridges are just the tip of the iceberg in the U.S. How about the need for infrastructure in emerging countries such as Asia and India? Let's examine some of the top stocks to watch.
Favorite Infrastructure Stocks
ABB Ltd. (NYSE:ABB) - One of the world's leading engineering companies that focuses on power systems and power products. An area that is a problem here in the U.S. and other European countries is the power grid system. Granted there have not been any major blackouts since the one in New York a few years ago, but the possibility of another happening is high. ABB's products (circuit breakers, transformers, etc.) will help distribute the electricity, and ABB's systems will be responsible for generating the energy. The Swiss company's stock has been on a tear for years and it appears there is more upside in the future.
McDermott International (NYSE:MDR) - A construction and engineering firm based in Texas that has exposure to the oil & gas industry as well as the power generation business. The company builds deepwater and subsea oil & gas facilities throughout the world. The big boom for business could come from the power generation division as more countries realize the importance of nuclear power plants. In my opinion the U.S. will open the doors again to new nuclear plants in the near future. MDR has designed and manufactured over 200 nuclear steam generators.
AECOM Technology (NYSE:ACM) - One of the world's largest engineering and design firms that provides the planning, consulting, and construction management to a diverse group of projects around the globe. Its projects involve transportation, environmental, facilities, energy, and logistics to name a few. The company encompasses many of the areas in the infrastructure arena that are top priorities such as water and wastewater.
Fluor Corp. (NYSE:FLR) - A leading design and engineering firm, Fluor's projects are in a wide range of industries. The oil & gas sector amounts to approximately 50% of sales, but the company is also involved in manufacturing & pharmaceutical facilities, healthcare buildings, power plants, telecom, and transportation. All of which are areas that either need upgrades in the West, or do not exist yet in the emerging countries. Flour recently reported blockbuster earnings and the stock rallied 15% in one day to hit a new historic high. The action in the stock shows the potential for FLR and other infrastructure plays.
Numbers Say it All
According to Macquarie, an international conglomerate that focuses on infrastructure, the world will spend $30 trillion on upgrading the infrastructure system through 2030. The U.S. government could use the billions it is spending on new infrastructure projects to help jumpstart a slowing economy. By passing a bill to increase infrastructure spending, it will take care of two issues the country faces: slowing economy and crumbling infrastructure. The new projects will create jobs for the unemployed and at the same time recycle the money being spent back into the economy. In the end it will be a win-win situation for everyone.
For in-depth analysis of the sector, read Build Your Portfolio With Infrastructure Investments.