From the NYSE floor, Asher Mellul explains that the hurricane that devastated Jamaica is not only a humanitarian catastrophe but also a rare, non-correlated institutional investment opportunity. With roughly 50% of the island damaged and an estimated $7B loss—crippling tourism, the country’s economic engine—Jamaica needs immediate reconstruction, mitigation, and bridge capital long before insurance payouts or multilateral funds arrive.
This creates three major verticals for sophisticated investors: large-scale construction labor and services (Jamaica lacks capacity and will rely on U.S. and Latin American contractors), bridge financing for insured contracts (covering the 1–3 year cash-flow gap before insurance payments), and manufacturing and logistics of materials, where U.S. producers are already receiving urgent orders.
Mellul highlights that reconstruction requires debris removal, mitigation, inspections, valuation, invoicing, and eventual payment—steps that demand upfront capital. Because these cash flows are tied to insured claims and mandatory rebuilding, the opportunity is completely uncorrelated with S&P or Nasdaq volatility.
He stresses that Jamaica’s rebuild will unfold over years, and early capital will secure the best projects.
