BofA says a surge in AI-driven capex and a stronger economic outlook have tilted investor preference toward European equities over US names. Its survey found ~47% of fund managers expect European stocks to slightly outperform US stocks over the next

2026-08-19

BofA says a surge in AI-driven capex and a stronger economic outlook have tilted investor preference toward European equities over US names. Its survey found ~47% of fund managers expect European stocks to slightly outperform US stocks over the next 12 months — the highest since February when the Iran war began. About 97% of users expect Europe to avoid recession, the strongest reading since 2007. More than three-quarters said further equity gains would be driven mainly by upward revisions to corporate earnings. BofA strategist Andreas Bruckner said the bank is refocusing on pro‑Europe themes that were temporarily stalled by the Iran war.