News

July 21, 2008

Water Is Short In The Market As Well As On Land

By Sally White

Among the many frustrations to finding at least some profit to be made out of the agriculture crisis is that growing water shortages are matched by lack of good water shares. In the UK sector heavy price regulation, leaking pipes and enthusiasm for diversification hamper the chances for attractive capital gains except where there are prospects of take-overs.

France has always been good at drinks, but the international might of its water sector is probably unrivalled. It is about to get an addition as a fall-out from French energy industry restructuring. French water companies have government backing in one way or another and the overseas tastes of empire builders.  France boasts Veolia Environnement –the giant water services firm, with a large and growing presence in a number of developing markets, including China. Veolia has recently been...