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2 July 2026

Home / Author: First Sentier Investors

First Sentier Investors

M&A has come out to play

Mergers and acquisitions activity within the global listed infrastructure asset class has been strong in 2025 and looks set to continue. Transactions have been driven by industry consolidation, private market acquisitions of public market assets and low‑cost funding opportunities for listed companies.

An integrative approach to responsible investment

A holistic way of thinking that addresses multiple impacts across multiple environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures can lead to better long‑term financial and sustainability outcomes, across more measures, than more traditional frameworks.

Infrastructure: Has Net Zero gone nuclear?

Over the last decade the electricity sector has been at the forefront of decarbonisation, ahead of transport, industry and agriculture. We estimate that the rollout of renewable energy has enabled ~80% of the net zero pathway for utilities to be understood and in progress.

Infrastructure positioned to outperform in 2024

Infrastructure assets are expected to see earnings growth in 2024 and beyond, aided by structural growth drivers, especially utilities which are benefiting from energy transition.

Investors can assess nature now

Investors need well-functioning economies and societies to create stable markets. Given our economies are dependent on nature and we cannot get to net zero without nature, it is in investors’ interests to limit nature loss and protect the ecosystems.

Our take on AI (American Infrastructure)

First Sentier's global infrastructure team recently spent a couple of weeks in the US and Canada, meeting with management teams from the railroads, utilities and energy midstream sectors, as well as with regulators. This paper details their findings.

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Latest Updates

SMSF strategies

Meg on SMSFs: How wide is the ban on LRBAs?

The government's recent deal with the Greens has put SMSF property borrowing on the chopping block. The change raises tricky questions about timing, exceptions and what SMSFs will still be able to buy.

Shares

Why Australian shares are falling behind the world

Australia’s market boasts a long record of outperformance, but recent results tell a different story. Is the ASX’s lagging performance a temporary setback or evidence that structural forces will keep global markets ahead?

Taxation

The strange effect of the 30% minimum capital gains tax

The 30% minimum tax on capital gains sits at the heart of the budget's proposed reforms. Yet the mechanics reveal anomalies that introduce unexpected distortions that raise questions about its design.

Shares

The next phase of Australian equity leadership

For years, banks have powered Australian sharemarket returns. But changing economic conditions, stretched valuations and global trends suggest the next generation of winners may not be found in familiar domestic sectors.

Economy

Global market growth hinges on Iran War and AI rollout

Global growth is facing mounting pressure from war, higher oil prices, inflation and trade tensions. But a wave of AI-related investment may prove powerful enough to support economic activity and reshape the outlook for markets.

Retirement

The retirees who can't spend

Why do so many retirees pass away with their wealth intact? Conventional wisdom blames pension rules for the reluctance to spend, but a case study from New Zealand shows that the answer may not be as predictable.

Investment strategies

Here’s my investment philosophy. What’s yours?

Investors often hear they need an “investment philosophy,” yet few know what that really means. Beneath the jargon sits a simple idea: a handful of core beliefs that shape every financial decision, for better or worse.

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