Franklin Templeton has announced the launch of the ClearBridge Sustainable Infrastructure ETF, expanding the firm’s US-based ETF offerings.
Using the ticker symbol INFR, the fund is now listed on NASDAQ. ClearBridge Investments is a specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton.
“Investors are looking at 2023 with a base case of slowing growth and possible recession, yet infrastructure assets are positioned to benefit from many macroeconomic drivers over the next year and beyond,” says Nick Langley, Portfolio Manager for the ClearBridge Sustainable Infrastructure ETF. “Because of the many tailwinds for the asset class – the heightened focus on energy security in Europe, a supportive policy environment in the US and the global push toward decarbonisation of the global economy – it is a fantastic time for investors to diversify their portfolios with exposure to infrastructure.”
The new ETF will seek to invest in income-generating infrastructure assets with strong environmental, social and governance attributes and stable cash flows. The fund may invest in the physical assets necessary for communities and economies to function and grow, including transportation, electricity, energy infrastructure, water, sewage, communications and renewables.
“The added benefits of investing in listed infrastructure are that it acts as a hedge against inflation and provides portfolio diversification, given its low correlations to equity and debt markets,” notes Langley.
Franklin Templeton writes that its US ETF platform provides solutions for a range of market conditions and investment objectives through active, smart beta and passively managed ETFs. With the addition of INFR to its US line-up, the firm now offers 59 ETFs with combined assets under management (AUM) of approximately USD10 billion.
“We continue to expand our product offerings across asset classes and strategies to meet the growing and evolving needs of our clients,” says Patrick O’Connor, Head of Global ETFs for Franklin Templeton. “We are excited to offer this strategy from ClearBridge’s experienced infrastructure team within the attractive ETF wrapper.”
