Investing In Western Europe
As investors continue to seek high returns in the face of volatility in domestic markets, emerging markets are becoming increasingly attractive options. The likes of China, Brazil, and India have been popular choices for some time, but there are other countries whose markets are worth considering. One of the world’s top banks has warned that investors should not buy indiscriminately, as opportunities vary widely region by region. Instead, investors should take the time to research the markets and the companies within them to become early movers in markets that offer great growth potential.
In this article, we will explore three Western European Countries whose markets are worth keeping an eye on. Norway, Ireland, and Austria all have different strengths, from top-performing infrastructure to business-friendly environments, from renewable energy commitments to the growing BNPL industry. It is essential to understand the risks and rewards of each market and to exercise caution and diversify your portfolio to maximize the potential for returns.
Investing in Ireland
Ireland is best known for being a very business-friendly country. This is one of the reasons why it has such a significant attraction for Foreign Direct Investment FDI.
Here are two of the major driving factors in the country’s market currently.
The Northern Ireland Housing Executive, which is Northern Ireland’s public housing authority, is increasing rents by 7% from the start of April. UK housing prices are already headed south but about 80% of tenants will be protected from the impact of the rent increase by getting housing benefits or universal credit. Those who don’t get those benefits will have to pay an average of an additional £4.86 per week.
Chief executive Grainia Long said a further freeze would have meant a cut in services against a backdrop of 10% inflation. “The new rent level will improve our ability to invest in our stock and ensure sustainable levels of pay for our staff,” she said. “It has also taken into account the rate of inflation and rising costs for goods and materials.”
Pharmacy shelves remain without several medicines as asthma inhalers, nasal sprays, and 11 eye-drop products have been added to the growing list of drug shortages.
Medicines in short supply in the past week included those that treat epilepsy and those for high blood pressure, according to the index prepared by industry expert Azure Pharmaceuticals, which analyzes data from the Health Products Regulatory Authority. This is expected to have an effect on the health sector stocks. Some of the most costly effects include little profit margin, small market size, consolidation, absence of maintenance, and low procurement ability.
Investing in Norway
In terms of infrastructure, Norway is among the top 20 on the aggregate logistics performance index. It is also a country known for its many big global companies plus it is a hot spot for big names like Paypal holdings incorporated and Alphabet incorporated. Here are some of the country’s stocks making headway.
Equinor ASA recently announced that it has awarded a key contract to Aibel for the Hammerfest LNG renovations, as part of the Snohvit Future project. The contract awaits the government’s approval of the project.
Aibel has been granted an EPCI contract, involving the engineering, procurement, construction, and installation of two additional processing modules for the Melkoya plant’s onshore compression and electrification.
TechnipFMC, FTI a leading global provider of subsea systems and services for the oil and gas industry, has been awarded two significant subsea contracts by Equinor for projects in the Norwegian and North Seas. The contracts involve the delivery and installation of subsea equipment and systems for Equinor’s new developments and expansions.
Investing in Austria
Austria is known for being one of the most business-friendly countries, this is true given that the government offers grants to foreign investors and promotes corporate R&D. Companies in Austria also get a 14% research bonus courtesy of the government.
The “Austria Buy Now Pay Later Business and Investment Opportunities Databook, on BNPL Market Size, End-Use Sectors, Market Share, Product Analysis, Business Model, Demographics - Q1 2023 Update” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
BNPL payments are expected to grow by 22.0% on an annual basis to reach US$1,414.8 million in 2023.
The industry has recorded strong growth over the last four quarters, supported by increased ecommerce penetration. It is expected to keep growing steadily over the foreseeable future.
In 2021, the Austrian National Parliament established a law to move Austria to 100 percent renewable energy generation by 2030. According to a recent report by Photovoltaic Austria, newly installed solar capacity in the country doubled between 2020 and 2021. A global energy technology company announced it has started shipping Batteries to customers in Austria, further expanding the product’s availability in the European market.
Investor’s Note
In conclusion, emerging markets such as Norway, Ireland, and Austria are presenting attractive investment opportunities in various sectors. However, it is crucial for investors to conduct thorough research before investing, as each market has its unique risks and rewards. Norway’s top-performing infrastructure, Ireland’s business-friendly environment, and Austria’s commitment to renewable energy and the growing BNPL industry make them promising destinations for investors seeking growth potential.
As the global economy continues to recover, investors who are willing to put in the effort to identify early movers in these markets could potentially reap significant returns. It is crucial to exercise caution and do thorough research before investing in any market, and to keep a diversified portfolio to mitigate risks.