iShares MSCI Europe Financials ETFEUFNBUYDec 16, 2016Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of May 29, 2026. Market Open.
He's never made money investing in Europe. One reason is that they have some very funny labour rules, such as not being able to fire anyone. Government coalitions are always ready to break apart. An investor probably already has North American financials, so to invest in this would put a portfolio overweight in financials.
A lot of global funds are 40-50% US anyway, so he just buys the S&P.
ETF with high dividend It holds 30% UK banks. The Brexit story will continue, but a no-deal Brexit is off the table. Expectations for Euro banks can't get lower. EUFN pays a 5% yield. The average company trades below book value. This space is so unloved that it's time to buy.
The last six months have been a perfect storm for Europe. Resurgence of populist policies, trade tensions. Nobody believes in Europe anymore. He thinks there is good value there. Negative interest rates are certainly a headwind. All you need in the sector is a very little positive news. He likes it.
EUFN-N vs. ZWE-T. EUFN-N is an interesting way to get exposure to European banks. The risk is that the European recovery does not take hold. It appears the world is recovering and that the banks are a good place to be, although his outlook longer term is not great on them, and so he does not recommend it. He sees more risk than not. Otherwise, it is a good way to play European banks. He prefers ZWE-T for the yield and the covered calls to lower risk.
Euro Banks?He holds this in his personal account, because basically you are taking a shot. There are a lot of really top banks in this. Until people are confident on European banks, you are not going to get much of a move. Keep it under 5% and it might be worth a trade.