In a largely uncertain global macroeconomic environment, we remain cautious for 2023 and adopt a relatively defensive stance.
Infrastructure: Defensive stance for 2023

In a largely uncertain global macroeconomic environment, we remain cautious for 2023 and adopt a relatively defensive stance.
Lithium is key to batteries. Batteries are key to electrification. Electrification is key to the energy transition. This is why lithium is at the heart of many debates. Of all the minerals that are essential to the transition, lithium is undoubtedly the one that has caused the most ink to flow. It fuels a certain number of fears, particularly of possible supply disruptions, but also a few fantasies. What is the real situation?
While Europe was largely dependent on Russia for its gas supplies, aided by a mild autumn, it has managed to reduce its consumption and find alternative sources of supply. The spectre of a gas shortage therefore seems to be dissipating. However, the measures taken are partly temporary and many investments in infrastructure will have to be made at full speed.
Alongside renewable energy, telecommunication facilities are the most dynamic sub-sector in the infrastructure investment universe. Thanks to massive government support, it offers many opportunities, even if the different assets show disparate dynamics.
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Infrastructure companies face several significant external risks at present, including mounting inflation, higher interest rates, elevated energy prices, labour shortages, government intervention to control energy prices, natural gas and energy shortages, shortages of critical renewables components, Russian sanctions and supply chain failures. Not to mention COVID.
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As opposed to oil or other carbon-based energy sources, natural gas, in its basic form, is not easily transportable. This is problematic as the largest producing countries of oil and gas historically tend not to be the major users of these products. This is especially true for Europe, most of Asian countries, and up until recently, the United States.
Our economies are in the process of transitioning to a low-carbon or at least significantly reduced emissions model. This movement has been underway long enough for investors, politicians and citizens to make demands on the various players, first and foremost the large listed companies.
In 2021, the 27 EU member states and the European Parliament agreed to enshrine the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 in a “climate law”. And this “Green New Deal” is much more than just wishful thinking, as it not only sets ambitious targets but more importantly provides for massive investments, particularly in infrastructure. So to make the most of it, the biggest winners could be direct investments in infrastructure projects.