After bottoming out in January, units of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP 2.27%) have soared higher in recent weeks and are now down about 7% over the past year:
Some investors might see the recent rally as a reason to exit now that they are nearly back to break-even, which could very well be the case when adding in the company's lucrative distribution. However, I think that's the worst mistake investors could make right now because the company's best days appear to be just ahead. Here's why.
Organic growth is locked in
Thanks to a number of shewed acquisitions over the past few years, as well as how its assets generate revenue, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has strong organic growth that's pretty much locked in:
Source: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Investor Presentation.
As that slide notes, the company's current asset base is expected to generate 6% to 9% compound annual funds from operation growth thanks to inflationary price increases, increasing volume from GDP growth, and incremental cash flow when new projects come online.
One of the main drivers of the organic new project growth is expected to come from the company's Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, or NGLP, joint venture with Kinder Morgan (KMI 0.07%). Last year Brookfield teamed up with Kinder Morgan to acquire the rest of NGPL that they did not already own in order to take advantage of opportunities for investment on the near horizon. As a result, Brookfield expects that NGPL's EBITDA will grow by 20% this year with a further step-up in 2017 and 2019 when new projects go into service. Beyond the projects at NGPL, Brookfield has a range of projects across its other platforms that are expected to be complete over the next couple of years and drive incremental growth.
Image Source: Kinder Morgan
Once in a lifetime opportunities abound
Aside from the already strong organic growth, Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is pursuing a number of game-changing acquisitions that could deliver really robust growth in the very near term. Topping that list, at least initially, is the company's joint bid with parent company Brookfield Asset Management (BAM 1.66%) to acquire Australian port-and-rail operator Asciano. While that transaction has proven to be a bit more difficult than expected due to a competing bid as well as some regulatory concerns, the two bidders are now considering joining forces to acquire the company. It's an acquisition that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners initially expected would drive an immediate 7% boost to its funds from operations, while also improving its balance sheet because of the amount of equity involved in the transaction. Needless to say, its a game-changing deal for the company.
In addition to that Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is currently evaluating a number of what it calls "once in a lifetime" opportunities across all sectors in Brazil, including gas and electricity transmission, roads, and rail. However, it noted that it is particularly interested in gas and electricity transmission opportunities, with it reportedly teaming up with parent company Brookfield Asset Management to bid on Petrobras' (PBR +2.16%) natural gas pipeline unit serving the industrialized Southeastern portion of the country. Petrobras is believed to be seeking $5 billion to $6 billion for the asset, with the sale proceeds being used to pay down Petrobras' gargantuan debt load. It's an asset that would fit well within Brookfield Infrastructure Partners' portfolio because it provides pretty stable revenue that's indexed to inflation.
Investor takeaway
Now is not the time to sell Brookfield Infrastructure Partners. Not only does it boast strong organic growth, but the company has a boatload of once in a lifetime acquisition opportunities on the horizon. Selling before these opportunities are captured would be the worst thing an investor can do.
