Europe

Introduction to Europe

European funds focus on companies that are domiciled in Europe. These could be companies that generate the majority of their revenues domestically or those that have extensive revenues from outside Europe. Equally, some funds will take a broad definition of Europe - including Scandinavia and even Eastern Europe, while others will limit their investment universe to developed Europe or the EU.

Among the European stock markets, Germany and Switzerland are the largest. Germany is characterised by its high quality exporters - car companies BMW and Volkswagen, electronics group Siemens - while Switzerland holds high quality consumer goods companies such as Nestle, Richemont or Swatch. Benchmark indices include the Eurofirst 300 or MSCI Europe, plus individual indices such as the French CAC 40 or German Dax.

European markets tend to be seen as 'cyclical', more sensitive to the global economic outlook. They may rise faster than other developed stock markets at times of economic expansion, but may also all further than other stock markets at times of risk aversion among investors. European managers follow a variety of styles, some prioritising quality global companies, others preferring more domestically focused smaller companies.