Liontrust's Russ: Europe is finally leaving the eurozone crisis behind

Overseas investors returning

Last year saw the highest earnings growth rate in Europe for seven years and we see another solid year of profit expansion in 2018.

This earnings growth, if sustained, should represent the beginnings of a virtuous circle of declining bad debts for banks leading to more capital being available for loans, leading ultimately to more growth, and so on.  Europe finally seems to have left the eurozone crisis behind it, albeit at significant missed opportunity cost in certain regions. There are also encouraging signs that overseas investors are finally returning, which could be a welcome boost to markets. Where are the value plays in Europe? The prospect of political turmoil in 2017 caused significant investor nerv...