One Stock? Don’t Judge Me, It’s Brookfield.

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Okay, let’s be honest. I own a ridiculous number of stocks. Like, enough that even I get confused trying to explain them at dinner parties. Diversification, they call it. I call it organized chaos. I usually prefer spreading the risk, a little here, a little there, a basket approach. It feels… safer. But, hypothetically, if someone held a gun to my head—and honestly, in this market, it’s a valid concern—and said, “Pick one. Just one stock to ride out the apocalypse,” I’d have an answer. And it wouldn’t be a flippant, panicked guess. It’s Brookfield Corporation (BN +0.06%). Don’t look at me like that. It just… makes sense. And, frankly, it’s a little bit thrilling.

A World-Class Investor (Or, The Smartest Person in the Room?)

Brookfield isn’t just some company; it’s a behemoth. One of those global investment firms that quietly controls more than you probably realize. They’ve got three main businesses, and each one is poised to benefit from trends that, let’s face it, are going to shape the next decade. I’m not usually one for grand pronouncements, but this feels… different.

  • Alternative asset management: They own 73% of Brookfield Asset Management, which manages a frankly obscene amount of money—over $1 trillion. That’s a lot of zeros.
  • Wealth solutions: They’re in the business of retirement services and wealth protection. Because, you know, someone has to help people navigate the impending financial doom.
  • Operating businesses: This is where it gets interesting. They’ve got a portfolio of companies—Brookfield Infrastructure, Brookfield Renewable, Brookfield Business, and Brookfield Property—that are all strategically positioned to capitalize on… well, everything.

They’re basically betting on the future, and I, for one, am happy to join the casino. AI, decarbonization, the insatiable appetite for alternative investments, even the slow, agonizing recovery of commercial real estate… they’re all in. They’re aiming for a 15% annualized return for shareholders. It sounds ambitious, I know. But frankly, in this climate, you have to be a little bit of a gambler.

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A Multitude of Growth Catalysts (Or, Where the Money is Going)

Let’s talk AI. Brookfield thinks it’s going to be a big deal. Like, potentially world-altering. And they’re not just talking about software. They’re talking about the physical infrastructure—the data centers, the clean power—that will be required to support it. They estimate over a trillion dollars will be spent on this stuff this decade. A trillion. It’s enough to make you feel slightly inadequate.

And they’re not just sitting around waiting for it to happen. They launched an AI infrastructure fund, anchored by—you guessed it—Brookfield Corporation. They’re investing in cloud services, fuel cells (with a little help from Bloom Energy), data centers, even semiconductor fabrication facilities. It’s a full-scale assault on the future, and I’m here for it.

But it’s not just AI. They’re also betting on the fact that everyone is suddenly obsessed with alternative investments. Apparently, there’s $40 trillion in wealth sloshing around, looking for a home. Brookfield is building a platform to capture some of that. It’s like they’re vacuuming up all the money. And honestly? Good for them.

Add in the potential recovery of commercial real estate (don’t laugh, it could happen) and the expansion of private credit, and they’re projecting a 20% annualized growth rate in distributable earnings over the next five years. They also plan to use free cash flow for share buybacks, fund investments, and acquisitions, potentially boosting earnings-per-share growth to 25%. They think the stock will be worth at least $140 a share by 2030. It’s a bold prediction. And I, a cynic by nature, am strangely inclined to believe them.

A Wealth-Creating Machine (Or, Why I’m Not Completely Insane)

Brookfield has a pretty solid track record. They’ve delivered a 19% annualized total return over the last three decades, crushing the S&P 500‘s 11%. That’s not just luck; that’s skill. And they’re well-positioned to continue delivering strong returns. It’s not a guaranteed win, of course. Nothing is. But in a world filled with uncertainty, it feels like a reasonably safe bet.

So, yes, if I could only buy and hold one stock, it would be Brookfield. Don’t judge me. It’s not about being optimistic; it’s about recognizing a good opportunity when I see one. And frankly, it’s a little bit thrilling to be in on something that might actually work. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stare at the stock chart and pretend I have a plan.

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2026-01-17 15:42