Sick man on the mend? Europe could finally be about to shine

Continent on course for improving financial health

Billy Bragg was not wrong when he wrote 'There is Power In A Union'. While mired in seemingly endless political crisis, the European Union has proved its worth in bringing disparate European economies together to form the economic powerhouse it is today.

Despite being the second largest economic bloc in the world, with GDP standing at around $15trn in 2020, Europe has for years been hampered by painful sovereign debt crises, constant political instability, deep structural impediments and measly economic growth. Such is the political and economic stagnation that Europe has traditionally been considered the 'sick man' of global equity markets as overseas investors shun out-of-favour and apparently unexciting European companies for their shiner, more glamourous North American and Asian peers.   Resurgence of global dividends expected aft...