Sector Investment 3 Days

Last updated: April 16, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

Real Estate Fundraising Shifts Focus

The private real estate fundraising environment is undergoing a structural shift as the dominant players appear to step back, allowing smaller managers and new entrants to capture market share, often achieving shorter fundraising timelines. This void has cleared the way for institutional players like CBRE Investment Management to actively target growth in the European value-add space, appointing former Hines executive Paul White to lead its Europe Value Partners series, the first fund in which manager has not sought capital since 2018. Concurrently, the sector is seeing continued M&A activity, exemplified by Ares Management completing its second REIT privatization of the year, absorbing necessity retail-based Whitestone, while La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec formed a joint venture with Prologis.

Infrastructure Investment Caution and Expansion

Infrastructure fundraising momentum appears to be cooling, with unlisted, closed-end structures raising just $26.4 billion in Q1, marking the second-lowest aggregate total in the last six years, although expectations remain that larger funds will close later in the year. Despite the general fundraising slowdown, some managers are expressing pronounced caution regarding near-term risks; I Squared founder Sadek Wahba noted on a recent podcast that markets are potentially underestimating geopolitical dangers stemming from the Iran conflict, even as investment flows into the AI infrastructure boom continue. Separately, firms are actively expanding their geographic reach and capabilities, evidenced by Scientific Infra & Private Assets' acquisition by PEI, intended to deepen quantitative coverage, and Aaron Gold joining CAI as President to spearhead expansion across the U.S. East Coast from his new New York base.

Sector Specifics in Infrastructure

While capital deployment continues across infrastructure sub-sectors, specialized asset classes require distinct operational approaches, notably in the nuclear energy sphere. Contractors bidding on nuclear projects must familiarize themselves with a unique legal framework that differs markedly from conventional construction procurement processes. This nuanced regulatory environment contrasts with the broader market apprehension, where some observers suggest investors are currently overly complacent regarding escalating Iran war risks.