Wainwright Marks Management - Trade Worries Hurt Euro Stock Outlook for 2019

Analysts at Wainwright Marks Management say that, according to a recent poll, European stocks will operate in a tight range till the end of this year and throughout next year as slowing growth, trade protectionism and political uncertainty cloud outlook.

European and euro zone stock market indices have already fallen by between 8 and 10 percent this year, lagging behind their American counterpart as market analysts continue to reduce their earnings predictions. As the euro zone economic outlook continues to worsen and tensions over Italy's budget rise, analysts at
Wainwright Marks Management are anticipating a tough year for European stocks in 2019.

The analysts say the pan-European STOXX 600 index will likely reach 365 points by the end of this year. This is 6.2 percent less than last year.

The Euro STOXX 50 index of top companies is forecast to reach 3,250 points by the end of 2018, 7.2 percent less than last year.

Wainwright Marks Management analysts say investors are reluctant to expose themselves to the increased risk of the European stock market at this time and that sentiment will probably not improve until there is more certainty in the markets.

A poll taken in August forecast that the STOXX 600 and Euro STOXX 50 would reach 400 and 3,575 points respectively by the end of this year and a rise of 6 percent in 2018.

A more recent poll taken after a massive sell off at the end of October resulted in a downwardly-revised forecast of below 5 percent growth for 2018.