--- title: "Granolas: the European superstar stocks" description: As in the United States, European markets are dominated by a small group of large-cap companies. Overview. image: https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/Focus-GRANOLAS-05.jpg --- [![Syz Private banking](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo.png?width=140&name=Logo.png "Syz Private banking")](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr) ## **Thinking** out loud [Subscribe](https://25733253.hs-sites-eu1.com/newsletter-signup?hsLang=en) [![Contact Us](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/25733253/3d762f49-4e71-4f99-97b1-bf6781ef3da2.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/25733253/3d762f49-4e71-4f99-97b1-bf6781ef3da2) - [OUR SERVICES](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/private-banking) - [ABOUT SYZ](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/about/welcome-to-syz) - [CAREERS](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/careers) - [PRESS](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/news) - [Blog Homepage](https://blog.syzgroup.com) - [Slow Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought) - [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus) - [Asset allocations Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights) - [Market Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/market-outlook) - [Swiss Perspectives](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/swiss-perspectives) - [Syz the moment](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment) - [Crypto corner](https://blog.syzgroup.com/crypto-corner) - [Syz AI Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-ai-insights) - [Fast Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought) - [The week in seven charts](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/the-week-in-seven-charts) - [Flash](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/flash) - [Fixed Income Weekly](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-fixed-income) - [Equity Weekly](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-equities) - [Global markets outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/global-markets-outlook) - [CONTACT](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form) - [ENGLISH](https://www.syzgroup.com/) - [FRANÇAIS](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr) - [Slow Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought) - [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus) - [Asset allocations Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights) - [Market Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/market-outlook) - [Swiss Perspectives](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/swiss-perspectives) - [Fast Food for Thought](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought) - [Flash](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/flash) - [Weekly Fixed Income](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-fixed-income) - [The week in seven charts](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/the-week-in-seven-charts) - [Global markets outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/global-markets-outlook) - [Weekly Equities](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thought/tag/weekly-equities) - [Syz the moment](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment) - [Crypto corner](https://blog.syzgroup.com/crypto-corner) - [Syz AI Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-ai-insights) - [Our Services](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/private-banking) - [About Syz](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/about/welcome-to-syz) - [Careers](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/careers) - [Press](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/news) - [Contact](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form) - [English](https://www.syzgroup.com/) - [Français](https://www.syzgroup.com/fr) ## **Sign-up** for our newsletter This website uses cookies to enhance user navigation and to collect statistical data. You can change your settings below to refuse the use of cookies. For more information, please refer to the [Cookies policy](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/legal-notices). Mandatory cookies Functional cookies Statistics & marketing I confirm I am not a US citizen residing in the US I confirm I am not accessing this site from the US I confirm that I am not a resident of Canada (except for Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia or Alberta). Agree and confirm ### Restricted access We are sorry that for legal reasons we are not able to help US citizens or Canadian residents other than in Ontario, Quebec, or Alberta. Best wishes for the future… ### Restricted access We are sorry that for legal reasons we are not able to help US citizens or Canadian residents other than in Ontario, Quebec, or Alberta. Best wishes for the future… You chose the following profile. If you made a mistake, please change here USA Country Switzerland Canada: Other than Ontario, Quebec, Alberta Canada: Ontario, Quebec or Alberta USA Other country Language Language English French German Italian I confirm Legal information This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor. This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document. [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/tag/focus) ### Granolas: the European superstar stocks As in the United States, European markets are dominated by a small group of large-cap companies. Overview. [![Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/charles-2.jpg)](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/author/charles-henry-monchau) [**Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA**](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/author/charles-henry-monchau) Chief Investment Officer **Tuesday, 05/16/2023** | - ![Pdf](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/pdf%20(1).png) - - - - Two weeks ago, we explained in a FOCUS note ("The tip of the iceberg") the lack of depth in the US market. We highlighted the fact that the rise of the S&P 500 since the beginning of the year is only based on the performance of a few large technology companies. Even if the effect is less marked, a similar phenomenon can be observed in European equities. Admittedly, the old continent does not (yet) have mega-cap companies worth more than a trillion dollars, as is currently the case in the United States with the GAFAs (Google, Apple, Microsoft Corp, Amazon, etc.). However, it is possible to isolate ten or so very large-cap stocks (over 200 billion euros) that are increasingly attracting the attention of foreign investors.  These ten stocks now account for almost one fifth of the market capitalization of the benchmark Stoxx 600 index. By 2020, investment bank Goldman Sachs had coined  the acronym GRANOLAS for 11 pan-European stocks: GlaxoSmithKline, Roche Holding, ASML, Nestlé, Novartis, Novo Nordisk, L'Oréal, LVMH, AstraZeneca, SAP and Sanofi. ** The great "Granolas" companies** **![pic 1-May-16-2023-12-22-15-1860-PM](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pic%201-May-16-2023-12-22-15-1860-PM.jpg?width=756&height=163&name=pic%201-May-16-2023-12-22-15-1860-PM.jpg)** Three years later, the ranking of the largest capitalizations has changed somewhat. GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi and SAP have dropped out of the Top 10, while Hermès and Shell have entered.  But the characteristics of these stocks remain the same: strong balance sheets, strong earnings growth that is not sensitive to the economic cycle and high dividend yields. Unlike the US, Europe is not dominated by technology. Instead, the luxury, healthcare and consumer sectors account for the lion's share of the Top 10.  For the first time in history, a European company has seen its market capitalization exceed 400 billion euros: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, whose operating profit reached 21 billion euros in 2022. The other GRANOLAS are not so far behind: the Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk A/S has reached a capitalization close to 350 billion euros, while the Dutch semiconductor equipment company ASML NV is worth 230 billion euros. Ten European companies now have a market capitalization of more than $200 billion, crossing the threshold of "megacapitalization. Ten years ago, there were only three. --- **European Megacaps** **10 European companies now have a market cap in excess of $200 Billion** **![pic 3-May-16-2023-12-24-04-4118-PM](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pic%203-May-16-2023-12-24-04-4118-PM.jpg?width=742&height=334&name=pic%203-May-16-2023-12-24-04-4118-PM.jpg)** Sources: Bloomberg These European "super-stocks" have contributed to the outperformance of the Stoxx 600 (vs. S&P 500 since the beginning of the year). Over the last 24 months, the GRANOLAS have clearly outperformed both the Stoxx 600 index and the Nasdaq 100 ![pic 4-May-16-2023-12-24-51-0322-PM](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pic%204-May-16-2023-12-24-51-0322-PM.jpg?width=699&height=458&name=pic%204-May-16-2023-12-24-51-0322-PM.jpg) As mentioned above, GRANOLAS have several common characteristics. First, strong sales growth, despite their large size.  LVMH's first-quarter sales rose 17% year-over-year on the back of rebounding Chinese demand, while cosmetics maker L'Oréal SA reported a 13% increase in like-for-like sales in the first quarter. Norwegian pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk predicted 2023 sales would rise about 27%, while ASML expects sales growth of more than 25% this year. Most revenues are generated outside Europe, and many of these companies have dominant positions in "niches": Novo Nordisk controls nearly a third of the global diabetes treatment market by value, and its Wegovy is the first new obesity drug in years. ASML is the only company capable of producing the extreme ultraviolet lithography machines needed to write tiny features on chips.  A monopolistic or oligopolistic position and a demand that often exceeds supply allow GRANOLAS to pass on any cost increases to prices. This pricing power is particularly sought after by investors in the current context of inflationary pressure. The luxury and healthcare sectors are particularly well positioned to preserve their operating margins, which are very high (over 40% for Hermès and Novo Nordisk). These sectors are also relatively resilient during growth slowdowns and even economic recessions.       GRANOLAS also offer relatively attractive dividends, with an average dividend yield of around 3%. These dividends should continue to grow over time, due to strong earnings growth, a strong balance sheet and a payout ratio of about 50%.     --- ## What are the downside risks?  The intrinsic qualities of GRANOLAS have not gone unnoticed by investors. Most of these stocks trade on relatively high price-earnings multiples. Hermes is trading at over 50 times estimated earnings, while Novo Nordisk's 33 times multiple represents more than double the average P/E for the pharmaceutical sector. As the chart below shows, the 5-year sales growth justifies part of the valuation premium. But any sign of deterioration in their earnings power could cause these stocks to underperform. Another factor that could put downward pressure on valuation multiples is investor rotation toward more cyclical companies in the event of a strong recovery in global growth.   ![pic 5-May-16-2023-12-28-06-6005-PM](https://blog.syzgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pic%205-May-16-2023-12-28-06-6005-PM.jpg?width=598&height=651&name=pic%205-May-16-2023-12-28-06-6005-PM.jpg)   --- ## Conclusion Unlike the 2010s, Europe is no longer dominated by oil, banking and telecommunications companies. Today, a group of very large market capitalizations enjoys dominant positions in products whose demand is exploding internationally: luxury goods (LVMH, Hermès), consumer goods (L'Oréal, Nestlé), healthcare (Novartis, Roche, Novo Nordisk, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, etc.) or semiconductors  (ASML). The current valuation premium seems particularly high on most of these stocks. But it is partly justified by superior earnings growth, a strong balance sheet and a sustainable competitive advantage.  NB : These are not investment recommendations --- #### Disclaimer This marketing document has been issued by Bank Syz Ltd. It is not intended for distribution to, publication, provision or use by individuals or legal entities that are citizens of or reside in a state, country or jurisdiction in which applicable laws and regulations prohibit its distribution, publication, provision or use. It is not directed to any person or entity to whom it would be illegal to send such marketing material. This document is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an offer, solicitation or recommendation for the subscription, purchase, sale or safekeeping of any security or financial instrument or for the engagement in any other transaction, as the provision of any investment advice or service, or as a contractual document. Nothing in this document constitutes an investment, legal, tax or accounting advice or a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate for an investor's particular and individual circumstances, nor does it constitute a personalized investment advice for any investor. This document reflects the information, opinions and comments of Bank Syz Ltd. as of the date of its publication, which are subject to change without notice. The opinions and comments of the authors in this document reflect their current views and may not coincide with those of other Syz Group entities or third parties, which may have reached different conclusions. The market valuations, terms and calculations contained herein are estimates only. The information provided comes from sources deemed reliable, but Bank Syz Ltd. does not guarantee its completeness, accuracy, reliability and actuality. Past performance gives no indication of nor guarantees current or future results. Bank Syz Ltd. accepts no liability for any loss arising from the use of this document. Read More ## Related Articles [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/tag/focus) #### [Rethinking active and passive investing](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/rethinking-active-and-passive-investing?hsLang=en) “Don’t look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack!” John C. Bogle, 2007 the founder of Vanguard. The advice still holds. But the haystack has changed: ten stocks now make up 38% of the S&P 500. **[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)** | 15/09/2026 [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/tag/focus) #### [GPT-6 Astra](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/gpt-6-astra?hsLang=en) Why a more efficient model means more AI infrastructure, not less **[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)** | 09/09/2026 [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/tag/focus) #### [Venezuela's oil rollercoaster takes a new turn](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/venezuelas-oil-rollercoaster-takes-a-new-turn?hsLang=en) $100bn in investment, $209bn in projected state revenue, 65 billion barrels of oil. The figures attached to the new US-Venezuela deal are as large as the uncertainty surrounding them. **[Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA](https://blog.syzgroup.com/author/charles-henry-monchau?hsLang=en)** | 08/09/2026 ## Straight from the Desk # Syz the moment Live feeds, charts, breaking stories, all day long. [Discover more](https://blog.syzgroup.com/syz-the-moment?hsLang=en) ## **Thinking** out loud Sign up for our weekly email highlighting the most popular posts. Follow us ## **Thinking** out loud - - - - ## **Investing** with intelligence Our latest research, commentary and market outlooks #### [Weekly Market Update](https://blog.syzgroup.com/fast-food-for-thoughts/tag/weekly-market-update?hsLang=en) #### [Focus](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/focus?hsLang=en) #### [Asset Allocation Insights](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/asset-allocation-insights?hsLang=en) #### [Semi-annual Outlook](https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thoughts/tag/semi-annual-outlook?hsLang=en) - [Contact](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/contact-us/form) - [Terms & conditions](https://www.syzgroup.com/sites/default/files/document/2021-12/001-2_en-general_terms_and_conditions_w.pdf) - [Data protection notice](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/data-protection-notice) - [Cookies policy](https://www.syzgroup.com/en/legal-notices) - [Syzgroup.com](https://www.syzgroup.com/) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Charles-Henry Monchau, CFA, CMT, CAIA", "url" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/author/charles-henry-monchau" }, "dateModified" : "2023-05-16T12:29:44.513Z", "datePublished" : "2023-05-16T12:29:44.000Z", "headline" : "Granolas: the European superstar stocks", "image" : [ "https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/Focus-GRANOLAS-05.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/slow-food-for-thought/anti-fragile-assets-0-0-0", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.syzgroup.com/hubfs/Logo%20(1).png" }, "name" : "Syz Group" } } ```