COVID-19-related efficiency efforts should not prevent operators from investing in long-term value creation

Operators have justifiably focused on the urgent task of managing the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on their daily operations for the past few months. They have implemented cost-saving initiatives to protect their margins and are making cash reserves in order to weather the storm. Short-term spending discipline is necessary, but the current situation is also giving operators the opportunity to revisit their investment plans in light of the revised prospects for various sectors.