Companies that own and operate unique infrastructure assets have characteristics, such as stable profits and cash flows, that can make them attractive. And investors looking for exposure to these assets have several publicly listed options available, including exchange-traded funds.


Notably, indexes that track the performance of listed infrastructure companies have performed better than the broad global equity markets over the long term and also had similar or lower volatility than the markets.


What are infrastructure assets?


Infrastructure provides the physical backbone that delivers essential services to the public....

This month, we highlight two actively managed ETFs from Middlefield Group that were recently converted from closed-end funds.


MIDDLEFIELD INNOVATION DIVIDEND ETF $11.43 (Toronto symbol MINN) invests in companies that derive a major portion of their revenue from products or services related to major technological innovations.


The ETF is actively managed and discloses its full portfolio only every six months although the top holdings are available more frequently....

China is the largest destination for Australian exports, taking 40% of all exported goods including iron ore, coal, natural gas, food, and precious metals. Australia supplies over 60% of China’s iron ore imports, almost half its liquefied natural gas imports, and around 40% of coal imports.


Relations between the two countries began to deteriorate in 2017 with Australia speaking out about China’s actions in the South China Sea....

Australia’s economy looks set for steady expansion this year. Pent-up spending and faster wage growth should spur household spending and domestic consumption. Meanwhile, the country’s resource-heavy export sector will benefit from sustained global demand for commodities and the reopening of borders....

The recent market downturn has been especially hard on riskier stocks—and all three of these ETFs are down considerably from their 2021 highs. But the best of the stocks these ETFs hold are at the forefront of innovative industries or segments that still have considerable growth prospects....

B.A.D. ETF $12.04 (New York symbol BAD) invests globally in listed companies with exposure to betting, alcohol, and drugs (especially cannabis). The ETF also promotes itself as non-ESG (environmental, social and governance) and non-technology focused.


The fund launched on December 21, 2021, and charges investors a high management fee of 0.75%.


The ETF aims to track the EQM BAD Index....

Governments around the world know the benefits that flow from upgrading infrastructure. However, stretched budgets because of the pandemic—as well as a reluctance to raise taxes—have limited the ability of governments to initiate new projects or to even expand existing ones....

A: Utz Brands Inc., $14.29, symbol UTZ on New York (Shares outstanding: 80.7 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; www.utzsnacks.com), is a Pennsylvania-based maker of salty snacks. Its brands include its Utz Original potato chips, Snyder of Berlin, Zapp’s, Boulder Canyon, and TGI Fridays snacks.

Founded in 1921, Utz began trading on the New York exchange in June 2020.

Rather than list through an IPO, the company undertook a reverse merger with Collier Creek Holdings....

Prices of many tech stocks have gone way down this year, especially those that are losing money. Investors may have sold due to worries that money-losers will have trouble raising additional funds to keep growing in a time of uncertainty and rising interest rates.

Twilio has dropped as well, but it has strong recovery potential....

DUPONT DE NEMOURS INC., $55.58 symbol DD on New York, formerly known as DowDuPont, took its current form on June 1, 2019, when it set up Corteva (its agriculture business) as a separate company (symbol CTVA on New York and a recommendation of our Power Growth Investor newsletter)....