The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Sept. 25, edition that National Bank Financial analyst Maxim Sytchev predicts that upcoming "nation-building" projects will help reduce Canada's infrastructure gap, prompting him to extend his "valuation runway" for the direct beneficiaries. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Sytchev says in a note: "We expect fixed asset investment across the country to ramp up significantly in the coming decade. While the United States' fixed capital formation (a broad-based proxy for infrastructure investment) has consistently trended upwards following the 2008-09 financial crisis, Canadian spending has been caught in a structural downdraft for 10-plus years. While the current level (22.7 per cent of GDP in 2024 as per the World Bank) is above the mid-1990's trough, it remains well off prior highs and prior underinvestment has created a degree of pent-up demand as existing infrastructure needs to be modernized and, in many cases, replaced entirely." Mr. Sytchev has reaffirmed his "outperform" recommendation for Aecon Group. He gave his share target a $3 boost to $26. Analysts on average target the shares at $25.54.