Our List Of Popular Publicly Traded European Investments
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Beyond the S&P 500: A Guide to Popular European Investments for Our Readers
For many investors, the portfolio often begins and ends with Wall Street. However, as we navigate 2026, a growing number of savvy individuals are looking across the Atlantic to diversify their holdings.
As political uncertainty and high deficits persist in the U.S., many investors are shifting capital toward international markets to hedge against domestic volatility and a potentially weakening dollar.
This global pivot offers a diverse range of entry points, from high-conviction individual stocks to International or European centric ETFs that provide broad exposure to developed and emerging markets.
For our readers, the "only free lunch" in this environment remains diversification; spreading capital across additional countries can help capture growth in regions like Europe, which are benefiting from proactive interest rate cuts and fiscal spending packages.
Mario Veneroso's Take On Investing More Broadly In ETFs
Mario Veneroso is a financial advisor based in Woodbury, New York, working with Kingsview Wealth Management, LLC.
The reason why it make sense to look overseas is for the following reasons:
Diversification: As last year highlighted, by investing outside the US, you are adding a layer of diversification because foreign markets don't necessarily trade in tandem with domestic markets. So by allocating a sleeve of non-US investments you could be "hedging" your bets to any type of risk we have domestically (e.g., Geopolitical).
The beta on the STOXX/MSCI historically is about .80 on a 10 yr plus basis, and over the last 3 years it is about .90, thus you have diversification from US markets)
VGK Beta is about .67, so again less risk compared to S&P 500. This ETF has a strong weighting w/more of developed countries in Europe, like Germany, France, Switzerland, etc.
Valuation: The trailing P/E of the STOXX Europe 600 (this index is a popular index that covers 600 large, mid, and small cap companies across 17 European countries) was at a nice discount to the US (e.g., 19 vs. 22 S&P 500 approx.). Furthermore, with future earnings growth projected w/in this index the forward P/E is projected to be even lower, around 15-16! This is a steep discount to the US (about 30% discount!).
Income: The MSCI Europe Index for example is another key benchmark in Europe (about 401 large/mid cap stocks) and comparing this index to the S&P 500, the yield is about 2.9% vs. S&P 500 1.05%. So you are getting close to 3 X the income on this index! VGK income is about 2.71% so again higher income with their index.
Individual Stocks To Consider
For our readers looking to diversify through individual stocks, there are multiple corporations based in Europe that are conveniently traded on U.S. markets. Investing in these individual stocks allows for direct entry into established European businesses without the need to navigate the logistical hurdles of foreign exchanges or complex currency conversions.
LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton): As the undisputed titan of luxury, LVMH remains a cornerstone for those betting on high-end global consumption. Headquartered in Paris, the conglomerate owns an unparalleled portfolio including Louis Vuitton, Dior, and Tiffany & Co. While the luxury sector has faced a "normalization" period following the post-pandemic boom, LVMH’s massive scale and brand loyalty often make it a primary choice for investors seeking exposure to the "aspirational" economy.
Spotify Technology S.A.: Though ubiquitous in the U.S., Spotify is a proud European export based in Luxembourg and Sweden. In 2026, the company has shifted its focus from pure subscriber growth to aggressive profitability. Through AI-driven personalization and a revamped podcasting strategy, Spotify has matured from a disruptive startup into a dominant media platform. For our readers interested in the intersection of tech and culture, it remains a high-growth favorite.
Novo Nordisk: The Danish pharmaceutical giant has become a household name globally due to its leadership in the GLP-1 market (the class of drugs including Ozempic and Wegovy). As of early 2026, Novo Nordisk continues to command a significant portion of the European market cap. Its ongoing innovations in obesity and diabetes treatment have turned it into a "mega-cap" staple for healthcare-focused portfolios.
Nestlé Group: For those seeking "defensive" stocks—investments that tend to remain stable regardless of the economic climate—Switzerland’s Nestlé is the gold standard. As the world’s largest food and beverage company, its reach spans from coffee (Nespresso) to pet care (Purina). In a volatile market, Nestlé’s consistent dividends and essential product lines provide a layer of security for long-term investors.
Mario Veneroso's Wrap Up
Between reducing risk, reasonable valuations, and stronger income, it may make sense to look abroad as opposed to domestically for your next investment!
Additionally with a weaker dollar (and perhaps continued weakness with impending lower rates), this means a stronger Euro which benefits European equities. The reason being is that many companies derive revenue from exports, so if their currency is stronger, their bottom line is stronger. This is because foreign earnings convert back to more Euros when repatriated. Think of it as higher profits, so a weaker dollar is higher profits for European companies in the most elementary way of thinking.
