Investing in infrastructure stocks

Investing in infrastructure stocks can be a lucrative way for Australian investors to tap into sectors like energy and transportation. But because of government intervention, the pace of infrastructure growth can be uncertain.

What are infrastructure stocks?

Infrastructure stocks are tied to companies and organizations responsible for providing essential services to cities and facilitating the transportation of goods and people. Look at it as the underlying grid that keeps an industrial economy running.

With that said, infrastructure stocks provide exposure to a swath of different companies and sectors. Here are some examples of industries and companies involved in infrastructure:

But infrastructure goes even deeper than that. The above industries are what’s known as hard infrastructure. Soft infrastructure, on the other hand, comprises industries that deliver specific services to people in the communities they serve. Here are some examples:

You can also find infrastructure stocks in the tech space, specifically within information technology. Companies that make servers and other networking equipment essential for the transfer of data are part of the infrastructure industry. They build equipment that’s essential to how many businesses operate and communicate.

Infrastructure is a vast industry that affects several aspects of our everyday lives. And the players in this industry are equally diverse. They include private companies, government agencies and public/private partnerships.

Why invest in infrastructure stocks?

Many Australian investors turn to infrastructure funds because these investments tend to be less volatile than other types of equities in the long run. Historically, these have generated high yields and have remained less responsive to interest rate fluctuations than other investments.

Moreover, global infrastructure investments have outperformed equities by almost 1% and bonds by nearly 4% since 1976. According to the World Economic Forum, worldwide infrastructure investment is projected to reach $US 79 trillion by 2040.

Moreover, infrastructure is also essential to any modern, functioning economy. Companies need roads to transport goods and fuel to move goods around. People require electricity, heat, water and waste removal to live comfortable lives.

Infrastructure makes all this possible. And its operations also spur job creation.

Risks of investing in infrastructure

Because so many infrastructure projects are essential to modern economies, governments tend to take some control. Political disagreement over how to manage certain projects can have a strong impact on infrastructure investments.

For instance, President Donald Trump announced in 2019 his Administration’s plan to invest nearly $US 1 trillion in infrastructure. But many of these efforts stalled in Congress over political tensions and concerns over the coronavirus.

The latter alone delivered a major blow to the infrastructure sector. Construction and commercial projects slowed or came to a halt as millions of people’s jobs were eliminated.

Compare trading platforms

Before you begin trading infrastructure stocks, you’ll need a brokerage account. You have plenty to choose from, so explore your options to find the one that’s right for you.

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Name	Product AUFST	Price per trade	Inactivity fee	Asset class	International
eToro		US$2	US$10 per month if there’s been no log-in for 12 months	ASX shares, Global shares, US shares, ETFs	Yes	CFD service. Capital at risk. Trade stocks, commodities and currencies from the one account and get access to social trading.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Tiger Brokers Finder AwardExclusive		US$1.99	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Yes	Finder exclusive: Get 4 brokerage-free trades and pay no FX fees on the first $2,000 you exchange each month + plus get an $80 cash voucher when you deposit up to $2,000. T&Cs apply. Trade US, Asian and CHESS-sponsored ASX stocks and US options.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Moomoo Share Trading Exclusive		US$0.99	$0	ASX shares, Global shares, Options trading, US shares, ETFs	Yes	Finder exclusive: Unlock up to AUD$4,000 AND US$4,000 in $0 brokerage over 60 days. T&Cs apply. Trade US, Asian and CHESS-sponsored ASX stocks and get access to social trading.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Superhero share trading Exclusive		$2	$0	ASX shares, US shares, ETFs	Yes	Sign up with code ‘finder25’ and get US$10 of Nvidia stock when you fund your account with $100 or more within 30 days. T&Cs apply. Enjoy US$2 brokerage (other fees may apply) on US stocks and buying ETFs as well as $2 fee to trade Australian shares up to $20,000.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

Infrastructure helps industrial economies stay afloat. But because infrastructure networks can be very complex, there is uncertainty over which companies and industries will thrive.

Nonetheless, infrastructure investments historically have remained less volatile than other equities. Because infrastructure is vital to many economies, governments can play a large role in regulating certain sectors. That adds another layer of uncertainty.

If you’re interested in taking a stab at infrastructure stocks, compare trading platforms.

Frequently asked questions

• Can I invest in infrastructure mutual funds?

  Yes, there are several mutual funds that invest in stocks of companies involved in the infrastructure sector.

• What do infrastructure funds invest in?

  Infrastructure funds invest in stocks of companies that operate in various industries like oil and gas, construction and railroads.