Rob Martin: Real returns - in 2019 and beyond

Before we dust off the crystal ball to weigh up the outlook for real assets, we should spend a moment clarifying what we mean by the term. It can conceivably include everything from property and infrastructure to mineral rights, forests, farmland and even intellectual property. At LGIM Real Assets, however, we focus on property and infrastructure as these are the closest match for most investors' desire for long-term cashflows from long-lived, physical assets.  UK commercial property delivered a decent return in 2018 - in the order of 7%. This overall performance blended some diverse exp...