Germany

The recent drop of the 10-year German bund yield into negative territory has left many bond investors scratching their heads.

Growth in the eurozone is slowing to stall-speed. The most recent raft of indicators point to weak manufacturing activity, with German data at lows last seen in 2009.

Economic surplurses also pose risks

The European economy has proved a major disappointment this year. Investors started 2018 full of optimism.

It has been a difficult year for global equities, with volatility caused by factors such as concern about trade wars leaving many of the world's stock markets in retreat.

Few regions have experienced as bifurcated an economic landscape as Europe over the past decade.

Held position since 2000

Tit-for-tat rhetoric doing little to ease tensions within bloc

We meet management teams from companies across Europe and they continue to report a positive trading environment.

Global top spot went to the US