Wilshire Indexes has teamed up with Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation (GLIO) to create a standardised index focusing on companies directly involved in infrastructure ownership or operation.
The FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series is designed to provide investors with clarity and a streamlined approach to investing in listed infrastructure.
It seeks to measure the performance of infrastructure companies that fall into 11 sectors: electric utilities, roads, satellites, railways, marine ports, airports, gas utilities, water utilities, renewables, energy transport storage and telecommunications.
The series uses earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), rather than revenue, to determine relevance.
Mark Makepeace, CEO of Wilshire Indexes, said: “Global infrastructure has evolved and as a result investors today are placing a greater emphasis on how new technologies and companies are captured, classified and segmented across the global listed infrastructure industry.
“The FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series was constructed specifically for the new market environment, built on flexible new technology by the team of index innovators.”
Fraser Hughes, CEO of GLIO, said: “The partnership with Wilshire Indexes provides GLIO with a far wider platform to promote the listed infrastructure asset class to a broad range of investors. Moreover, working in collaboration with the Wilshire Indexes GLIO specialist advisory group will ensure the index offering captures the evolution of the asset class now and in the future.
“The next 30 years will be a critical period for global infrastructure investment. Laying a concrete foundation now with a strong partner will assist in producing meaningful and accurate information to aid this development is an exciting prospect.”
Manoj Patel, co-head of infrastructure securities at DWS, said: “GLIO has made great progress in generating global awareness for the asset class. The partnership with Wilshire Indexes is a further step forward in the evolution of GLIO and the investment managers and listed companies it represents. Input from the specialist advisory group is a key differentiator that will enhance the classification process for company selection.”
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