Why Europe is land of opportunity for stockpickers

Negative sentiment towards Europe's economic prospects has caused valuations in many cases to become very attractive, says Barings' Nick Williams.

The recent slump in oil prices, disappointingly weak German data, and the International Monetary Fund‘s downward revisions of growth forecasts have been among the triggers for renewed fears of deflation in Europe. The wind-down of the US Federal Reserve's quantitative easing programme has also weighed on sentiment.  In an attempt to shore up confidence in Europe's economic prospects, the European Central Bank (ECB) has been proactive, with Mario Draghi's commitment to do "whatever it takes" intended to reassure the eurozone that further unconventional policy actions are available to the ...