- The American Society of Civil Engineers assigns a grade of D+ to the quality of U.S. roads, bridges and other infrastructure, and recommends related investment to rise from the current ~2.5% of U.S. GDP to 3.5% by 2025.
- In its “Infrastructure Report Card” issued every four years, the group forecasts that it would cost nearly $4.6T over the next decade to improve U.S. infrastructure to a safe, functioning level, ~$2T more than governments and the private sector are planning to spend.
- The group defines the D+’ grade as infrastructure that is “in fair to poor condition and mostly below standard, with many elements approaching the end of their service life."
- “Pres. Trump is onto something as he calls for a new program of national rebuilding," says the group's president; Trump said recently that he wants states to be ready to start projects within 90 days of receiving funding.
- Potentially relevant ETFs: XHB, ITB, XLI, PHO, IYT, UTF, VIS, XTN, MFD, IDE, IGF, INF, FIDU, MGU, IYJ, PKB, EMIF, FXR, GII, UXI, PRN, PXR, RGI, GHII, TOLZ, SIJ, NFRA