HeadlinesBriefing favicon HeadlinesBriefing.com

UBS Bullish on Eurozone Equities Amid Earnings Momentum

Investing.com News •
×

UBS analysts project further upside for Eurozone equities, citing improving cyclical momentum and structural advantages. In a client note, strategists Matthew Gilman and Rolf Ganter highlighted Q4 earnings season as a critical signpost, with 54% of regional firms beating EPS estimates despite weak revenues. They emphasized that cost controls have enabled companies to outperform forecasts, creating potential for material operating leverage as economic activity rebounds. The analysts forecast 7% earnings growth in 2026 and 18% in 2027, ending three years of stagnation.

Sectors aligned with cyclical recovery—banks, industrials, and IT services—are favored, while utilities face reduced confidence due to "less attractive" valuations. The strategists note green shoots in U.S. employment and German industrial orders as catalysts for revenue growth from Q2 2026 onward. The pan-European Stoxx 50 has already surged 5% in 2026, contrasting with the S&P 500's modest 0.7% gain.

The analysts' sector rotation thesis prioritizes economically sensitive names benefiting from both cyclical trends and structural shifts like digitalization. However, they caution that utilities, despite AI-driven power demand projections, lag in cyclical sensitivity. With valuations appearing reasonable, UBS positions Eurozone equities as a compelling play for investors seeking balanced exposure to Europe's resurgent corporate landscape.

Key takeaway: While risks persist, UBS's data-driven outlook suggests Eurozone equities could outperform broader markets as earnings momentum sustains and structural reforms take hold.