Sector Investment 3 Days

Last updated: April 17, 2026, 5:30 PM ET

Real Estate Fundraising Slowdown

Overall fundraising volume for real estate plunged 50% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, signaling a marked return to earth for the asset class following pandemic-era highs. However, the capital drought was not uniform, as smaller funds achieved their targets faster and more frequently than their larger predecessors, suggesting a structural shift in investor allocations. This market dynamic is further evidenced by the conspicuous absence of giants like Blackstone and Brookfield, whose market hiatus has actively created space for emerging managers and new entrants to secure commitments more swiftly. Confirming this focus on niche opportunities, CBRE Investment Management is restructuring its European operations by establishing a dedicated team, led by former Hines executive Paul White, specifically targeting growth within the value-add space, a strategy area for which it has not actively raised capital since 2018.

Infrastructure Investment Outlook

Infrastructure fundraising figures for the first quarter showed a contraction, with unlisted, closed-end structures securing only $26.4 billion, marking the second-lowest quarterly total across the last six years. Despite this slow start, industry veterans remain cautiously optimistic, anticipating a rebound as several large-cap funds are slated to close in the latter three quarters of the year. Meanwhile, managing risk remains paramount for seasoned investors, as I Squared founder Sadek Wahba recently articulated concerns that markets are largely underestimating geopolitical hazards stemming from the Iran conflict, advising caution even within the high-demand AI infrastructure sector. Separately, in a move aimed at enhancing proprietary data capabilities, Infrastructure Investor’s parent company confirmed the acquisition of Scientific Infra & Private Assets, intending to deepen its quantitative research and market insights coverage