London, 6 February – Wilshire Indexes, a leading global benchmark platform and the Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation (GLIO), the representative body for the $3 trillion listed infrastructure asset class, announce today the launch of the FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series.
Providing investors with the clearest exposure to globally listed companies which own and/or operate infrastructure assets, the FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series is designed to capture and measure the performance of infrastructure companies that fall into 11 key sectors: Electric Utilities, Roads, Satellites, Railways, Marine Ports, Airports, Gas Utilities, Water Utilities, Renewables, Energy Transport Storage, Telecommunication infrastructure. Going beyond the pre-existing simple industry classification for company selection, the FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index series uses industry accepted EBITDA, rather than revenue, to determine infrastructure relevance.
As a key asset allocation diversification tool used by global investors, infrastructure exposure can potentially offer stable and predictable cash flows supported by long-term contracts or regulation, with high barriers to entry. However, having a clear understanding of a global infrastructure’s company operations, valuation and market expectations is paramount for the investment decisions made by global institutional investors and asset managers.
Mark Makepeace, CEO of Wilshire Indexes, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with GLIO to develop the new market standard for infrastructure indexes. 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, 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 which will enhance the classification process for company selection.”
The FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series leverages the Global Asset Taxonomy System (GATS) to filter and isolate infrastructure related industry segments from the FT Wilshire Global Equity Market Series(GEMS). Designed to reflect the modern global economy, GATS prioritizes utility and usage by enabling the incorporation of new technologies into the overall classification structure by aligning technologies to their application and utility. This modern approach provides true flexibility and futureproof classification while still preserving the best aspects of existing taxonomies.
Additional information on the FT Wilshire GLIO Listed Infrastructure Index Series can be found here: https://www.wilshireindexes.com/products/all-indexes
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About Wilshire Indexes
Wilshire Indexes is a global benchmark platform that provides institutional investors, asset managers and retail intermediaries unmatched flexibility in solving benchmarking, portfolio construction, and risk management challenges. Transforming the way investors use benchmarks to meet their objectives, Wilshire Indexes provides global coverage of the markets through the leading FT Wilshire Index Series. Combining new technology and modular products in a growth-aligned commercial model designed for collaboration, efficiency, and speed to market, Wilshire Indexes offers a completely new way to work with an index provider.
About Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation
The Global Listed Infrastructure Organisation (GLIO) is the representative body for the $3 trillion market capitalization listed infrastructure asset class. GLIO raises investor awareness for the asset class through research, education, events, and promotion. GLIO is supported by its membership structure. Its members are regulated utilities, transportation infrastructure, communications infrastructure, and energy transportation infrastructure companies. In total, GLIO corporate members represent approximately$1trn in market capitalization, or $1.5trn in Enterprise Value. Specialist listed infrastructure managers make up a significant part of the membership, along with banks and advisors. The specialist managers manage approximately $153bn in assets under management.
About DWS Group
DWS Group (DWS) with EUR 896bn of assets under management (as of31 December 2023) aspires to be one of the world's leading asset managers. Building on more than 60 years of experience, it has a reputation for excellence in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. DWS is recognized by clients globally as a trusted source for integrated investment solutions, stability and innovation across a full spectrum of investment disciplines.
We offer individuals and institutions access to our strong investment capabilities across all major liquid and illiquid asset classes as well as solutions aligned to growth trends. Our diverse expertise in Active, Passive and Alternatives asset management – as well as our deep environmental, social and governance focus – complement each other when creating targeted solutions for our clients. Our expertise and on-the-ground knowledge of our economists, research analysts and investment professionals are brought together in one consistent global CIO View, giving strategic guidance to our investment approach.
DWS wants to innovate and shape the future of investing. We understand that, both as a corporate as well as a trusted advisor to our clients, we have a crucial role in helping to navigate the transition to a more sustainable future. With approximately 4,500 employees in offices all over the world, we are local while being one global team. We are committed to acting on behalf of our clients and investing with their best interests at heart so that they can reach their financial goals, no matter what the future holds. With our entrepreneurial, collaborative spirit, we work every day to deliver outstanding investment results, in both good and challenging times to build the best foundation for our clients’ financial future.
