Market Capitalization – United States vs. Asia vs. Europe The U.S. market outperformed global markets over the past decade due to strong earnings, profitability, and capital dynamics, but sustaining this may be challenging given high valuations and other factors. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Returns – Magnificent Seven vs. European Banks Since January 2022, European banks have outperformed U.S. mega-cap tech stocks—a notable achievement considering the longstanding dominance of American tech giants in global markets. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Performance – S&P 500 Index vs. MSCI ACWI ex-US Despite rebounding after the tariff pause, the S&P 500 has not regained global equity leadership; European and Asian stocks have outperformed in 2025 due to better valuations and more stable policies. Image: Bloomberg
Valuation – 12-Month Forward STOXX Europe 600 PE European stocks look less expensive than at the beginning of this year. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. vs. Non-U.S. Equity and U.S. vs. Europe Equity and Real Trade-Weighted US Dollar Index The start of 2025 marks a significant pause-and possible reversal-in U.S. equity exceptionalism. Whether this is a temporary pause or a fundamental shift remains to be seen, but the landscape for global investors has changed. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment…
Valuation – Average P/E for Stoxx Europe 600 and S&P 500 As equity markets rally and valuations climb, markets become more susceptible to negative surprises. This has led many investors and analysts to worry about stretched prices and limited margin for error. Image: Bloomberg
Quarterly Seasonality of S&P 500 Returns vs. STOXX Europe 600 U.S. equity returns tend to be strongest relative to Europe during the second quarter. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Over the Following Time Horizons, Would you Rather Own U.S. or European Equities? Deutsche Bank’s survey of 400 financial professionals worldwide shows a strong short-term preference for European stocks over U.S. equities, but this trend is expected to reverse in the longer term. Image: Deutsche Bank
Performance – S&P 500 vs. Stoxx Europe 600 European stocks are delivering robust gains relative to the U.S. this quarter, but sustaining this momentum through year-end remains uncertain given past trends. Image: Bloomberg
European Defense Stock Returns vs. U.S. Defense Stock Returns The trend of European defense stocks outperforming U.S. peers is likely to persist in the medium term due to sustained increases in military spending and geopolitical realignments favoring local suppliers. Image: Gavekal, Macrobond
Valuation – PEG Ratio between U.S. and Europe The widening PEG ratio gap suggests European stocks are currently offering more attractive valuations compared to their U.S. counterparts, based on their respective growth prospects. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research