Sector Investment 3 Days

Last updated: April 18, 2026, 11:30 PM ET

Real Estate Fundraising Shifts

Real estate fundraising volumes slumped 50% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, yet the environment showed underlying strength as a greater proportion of funds successfully achieved or surpassed their targets, reaching final close quicker than prior periods. This fragmentation of the market is largely attributed to the absence of mega-fund managers like Blackstone and Brookfield, creating opportunities for smaller managers and new entrants. Capitalizing on structural shifts, CBRE IM appointed former Hines executive Paul White to lead its Europe Value Partners series, aiming to revive fundraising for that mandate, which has not seen a new fund close since 2018.

Infrastructure & Geopolitical Risks

Infrastructure investors are being cautioned against complacency regarding geopolitical headwinds, particularly concerning the ongoing Iran war risks. Sadek Wahba, founder of I Squared, expressed concern that markets are currently underestimating these potential disruptions despite the apparent resilience seen in infrastructure assets. Wahba also noted his personal caution regarding the current velocity of the artificial intelligence infrastructure boom, suggesting a selective approach is warranted given the elevated risk profile.