IJGlobal today publishes league table findings for infrastructure finance and project finance of infra and energy transactions for Q2 2020, giving a global view of the sectors for deals closed this first half.

While the infrastructure community has been bracing for impact from the Covid-19 pandemic, IJGlobal data suggests that its effect on global infra deal volume and value was already palpable throughout most sectors and regions before its full impact was unveiled (though data is subject to change as more comes available).

Global numbers indicate an overall growth in terms of deal value, although this is mainly generated by an increased level of corporate debt facilities, partially due to pandemic uncertainty, stalled projects and cancelled investments that forced companies to turn their attention to the capital markets.

As a result, global deal value has surged and H1 2020 was reportedly the highest-yielding half-year period since 2018. Global infra deal value ultimately grew by 13.7% to $747.2 billion compared to H2 2019.

In H1 2020 global deal volume stood at 1,272 – down when compared to H2 2019, but the overall trend in deal count remains stable, comparable to previous first halves since 2018.

When it comes to project finance, the first half of 2020 was a period of observation and mitigation of risks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many projects’ completion was postponed for the latter half of the year.

Still, some deals – such as the Ichthys LNG refinancing (Australia), JFK International Airport New Terminal One (US) and Fécamp offshore wind farm (France) – cut through these difficult times and were completed with minimal or no delay at all, bringing global values somewhat closer to their usual numbers for the first 2 quarters.

Global project finance value decreased in H1 2020 to $165.3 billion, compared to $229.5 billion in H2 2019, or nearly 28%, building on a 15% decrease already established on a quarterly basis between Q1 2020 and Q4 2019.

Still, the lowest recorded half-year value since 2018 remains that of H1 2019 – $165.3 billion. Global project finance transactions volume, however, fell to its lowest half-year level for the last 2.5 years, reaching 436 deals.

To access the report in full (apologies for one extra click), please CLICK HERE…