Sector Investment 3 Days

Last updated: April 17, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

Real Estate & Private Equity Fundraising

The private real estate fundraising arena $\text{is undergoing a shift}$ as the customary dominance of behemoths like Blackstone and Brookfield wanes, allowing smaller managers to secure capital more quickly. This vacuum is encouraging the $\text{rise of new entrants}$ and shortening the typical fundraising cycles observed in recent years. Simultaneously, major players are $\text{re-engaging in niche strategies}$, exemplified by CBRE IM creating a dedicated role for Paul White, a former Hines executive, to spearhead the firm’s Europe Value Partners series for European $\text{value-add assets}$, a fund category they have not actively raised since 2018. This contrasts with the broader private equity environment, where $\text{unlisted, closed-end fundraising}$ for the first quarter reached only $$26.4$ billion, marking the second-lowest Q1 total in the last six years, though expectations remain that $\text{larger funds will close}$ later in the year.

Infrastructure & Geopolitical Risk

Market participants are being cautioned against $\text{complacency regarding geopolitical shocks}$, particularly concerning the conflict in Iran, which some investors are accused of $\text{underestimating the potential impact}$ on infrastructure assets. I Squared founder Sadek Wahba stated his cautious stance on the current artificial intelligence infrastructure boom while emphasizing the $\text{resilience demonstrated}$ by traditional infrastructure investments. Furthermore, the sector’s information flow is $\text{set to deepen}$ following the acquisition of Scientific Infra & Private Assets by PEI and Infrastructure Investor, promising more quantitative research to inform coverage. Meanwhile, strategic M&A activity continues across real estate, including Ares finalizing its second REIT privatization of the year by $\text{absorbing Whitestone}$ and its necessity retail base, alongside a joint venture between La Caisse and Prologis.