AB Disruptor Series—The Future of Energy, Part II: Investment Implications of the Energy Transition – AllianceBernstein – 12.8.22

Summary:

Now On Demand

The renewable energy transition won’t be linear, and it won’t be smooth—reinventing a global energy system in just 20 to 30 years is a monumental task. The “how” was the main topic in AB’s recent Disruptor Series installment, The Future of Energy—almost 2,000 financial advisors registered to hear insights from AB’s expert panel.

In the upcoming follow-up, The Future of Energy, Part II,  AB Chief Market Strategist Rick Brink and an expert panel will turn the focus to the massive investment implications from reengineering a century-and a-half-old energy system. Rick and the panel will explore topics including:

• Headline renewable sources like solar, wind and hydroelectric power offer compelling investment opportunities—but not every competitor will win. And a lot of brick-and-mortar infrastructure is needed to support the spread of green energy.
• Translating clean-energy sources into consistent power delivery will require massive investment. Ramping up storage capacity for intermittent sources like solar and wind is critical. So is connecting clean energy to a new-look power grid.
• Clean hydrogen and nuclear power, key areas of interest from the first session, will get a closer look. Panelists will explore the underlying technologies and what’s needed to enable broader production and adoption.
• As recent events have shown, fossil fuels are still a key part of transition, but investors must factor in that the value of fossil fuels will change. Also, traditional giants have gotten into the green-energy game, using their resources to pursue avenues including geothermal, hydrogen and biofuels.

Speakers:

Richard A. Brink is a Senior Vice President and Chief Market Strategist. Previously, he served as a managing director in the Alternatives and Multi-Asset Group. Prior to that role, Brink was a senior portfolio manager in Fixed Income, and before that an investment director for fixed-income investments within the Global Retail Investments Group. Before joining AB in 2004, he was senior product manager at the Dreyfus Corporation, covering both retail and institutional fixed-income offerings. Brink was previously a senior trainer, dealing primarily with the design and delivery of product training to financial advisors and mutual fund sales representatives. He holds a BS in applied mathematics and economics from Stony Brook University, and is a CFA charterholder.

Jody Gunderson is a Managing Principal and member of the Investment Committee for AB CarVal, responsible for leading the firm’s investment strategy and management, as well as its global loan portfolios and clean energy businesses. In addition, she manages investments in asset-backed securities globally, including residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities and collateralized loan obligations. Prior to joining AB CarVal in 1994, Gunderson was a manager in the financial services practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where she served investment fund, commercial banking and thrift clients. She holds a BS in business from the University of Minnesota and is a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

Luke Pryor is a Vice President and Analyst for US Value Equities, covering the energy, industrial and materials sectors. Before joining AB in 2019, he was a project leader at the Boston Consulting Group in the principal investors and private equity practice. He holds a BA in economics from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Palmer Scholar.

David Wheeler is a Portfolio Manager for the Sustainable Climate Solutions Portfolio and Senior Research Analyst for the Sustainable Thematic Equities Portfolios, covering the energy, industrials and materials sectors for the portfolio team. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, he was a managing director, analyst and portfolio manager at Neuberger Berman. Before that, Wheeler worked at J.P. Morgan as a research analyst for the energy sector. He holds a BA in economics from Middlebury College, and is a CFA charterholder.