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Investing.com -- European stocks are drawing attention again as defense spending rises, governments loosen purse strings, and interest rate pressures ease.
UBS highlights six themes where investors can find value, despite an overall neutral stance on the region.
1. Rebuild and rearm
European defense budgets are rising fast. Companies like BAE Systems (LON:BAES) and Rheinmetall (ETR:RHMG) stand to benefit as NATO allies target 3.5% of GDP on core defense.
A ceasefire in Ukraine could also open long-term reconstruction opportunities.
2. German fiscal shift
With Berlin likely to pivot toward stimulus, banks like BAWAG (VIE:BAWG) and industrials such as Siemens (ETR:SIEGn) and Heidelberg (ETR:HDDG) Materials could gain from infrastructure and capex flows.
3. Recovery trade
Cyclical names such as BMW (ETR:BMWG) and Volkswagen (ETR:VOWG_p) Preference are bouncing back. Both automakers are priced cheaply and may benefit from easing trade tensions and improved US production footprints.
4. Defensive yield
Names like Allianz (ETR:ALVG) and Deutsche Telekom (OTC:DTEGY) offer earnings resilience, high dividends, and are less exposed to global volatility.
They’re potential shelters in a bumpy macro environment.
5. Energy and electrification
As AI drives power demand and Europe doubles down on renewables, Schneider Electric (EPA:SCHN) and Enel (BIT:ENEI) look well positioned.
BP (NYSE:BP) and TotalEnergies (EPA:TTEF) are also leaning back into fossil fuels with tighter cost control and strong shareholder returns.
“We also expect a recovery in automation end-markets later this year and in 2026,” UBS analysts wrote.
6. Trade-proof growth
Companies with limited tariff risk and steady margins, like AstraZeneca (NASDAQ:AZN) and Haleon.
“While we remain Neutral on the region overall, we see stock opportunities emerging from these potential macro and structural catalysts,” analysts at UBS
These names have strong pipelines and operate largely within Europe or with diversified global exposure.
Europe’s recovery is uneven, but these six strategies give investors a way to position for upside, while navigating policy swings and geopolitical risk.