Invesco Perpetual's Butcher: Too early to call the end of EU

Volatility in elections year

Invesco Perpetual's Stephanie Butcher has said it is too early to prophesise the end of the European Union, despite speculation the UK's vote to leave the bloc will lead to further countries breaking away, as she also highlights the opportunities arising from political risk.

Since the Brexit vote last June, many have questioned whether we are witnessing the beginning of the end of the EU, with these views exacerbated by US President Donald Trump announcing he will strike a favourable UK/US trade deal after Brexit. However, Butcher (pictured), who manages the £560m Invesco Perpetual European Equity Income fund and several other mandates, warned against jumping to conclusions before this year's elections are over. "Any discussion about how Europe responds to Brexit is premature until you have seen post German elections [in September] and what that comes up ...