Dividend yield on European stocks reaches record high

ON EUROPE

Premier's Chris Wright on why negative sentiment towards Europe is turning

In local currency terms, the Euro Stoxx 50 index is down 6% since the beginning of the year, while the Dow Jones is up 7% and the FTSE 100 is up 3.9%. News of Greek riots and 30% of GDP to prop up the Irish banks have impacted investors’ views. Add in the belief Europe is perennially a low grower, and you can see why asset allocators have steered clear. Could this be changing? Recently, indicators have suggested European economies are not that fragile. German leading indicators have remained firm, driven by exports and investment. Spain has seen quarter on quarter GDP growth. Gover...