France announced 71 foreign investment projects worth a combined €93 billion ($108.3 billion) at its annual Choose France business summit on Monday, adding they would create more than 15,600 jobs.
The iShares MSCI France ETF offers cost-effective exposure to high-quality French blue chips, trading at a P/E of 17.85x versus the S&P 500's 30x. EWQ's sector allocation favors industrials (31%), benefiting from France's nuclear-driven low-energy costs and competitive advantage in European manufacturing. Top holdings include TotalEnergies, Schneider Electric, LVMH, Safran, and Airbus, with significant weights in energy, luxury, and aerospace/defense.
EWQ: Falling Real Rates Delayed The Bear Case, But 2026 May Not
The iShares MSCI France ETF has outperformed the S&P 500 in 2025, benefiting from a stronger euro. With the ECB on hold and the Fed widely expected to continue with rate cuts, EUR/USD futures price in incremental EUR strength in 2026. Coupled with more attractive current valuations, this should allow EWQ to outperform the S&P 500 next year.
EWQ offers attractive value, robust dividend yield, and global diversification via French companies with significant international revenue streams. Key sectors—luxury, aerospace, energy, and healthcare—are poised for strong growth, offsetting France's modest economic outlook. The ETF's mix of defensive and growth industries, plus mid-cap exposure, creates a balanced risk/reward profile with superior historical performance.
European stocks, particularly French equities, are reasonably valued, with the iShares MSCI France ETF breaking out from a long consolidation phase. EWQ offers exposure to large- and mid-sized French companies, with a significant allocation to Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Despite increased volatility, EWQ's strong relative strength and low PEG ratio make it a compelling buy for diversification and potential upside in 2025.
Cinco de Mayo, meaning the fifth of May in Spanish, is a day of gratification for all Mexicans. The day honors the Mexican army's incredible victory over the French militia in the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Rising debt, fiscal deficits, and political instability are weighing on the economy and The iShares MSCI France ETF. France's GDP growth is sluggish, with recent contraction in Q4 2024. Debt-to-GDP ratio exceeds 112%, with growing fiscal deficits and limited political solutions.
The developments that began in June will lead France to a chaotic political situation by the end of 2024. Uncertainty demands a premium, and the growing budget deficit makes the market price French bonds as Greek ones while the political impasse is not resolved. Despite this scenario, the valuation is not so attractive, pricing a downside of 5.7%, which supports holding the EWQ ETF.
France's economy faces challenges, but the iShares MSCI France ETF offers exposure to diverse French stocks, tracking the MSCI France Index with a 0.50% expense ratio. The ETF's top five holdings, including LVMH and TotalEnergies, make up 36% of assets, highlighting a concentrated yet diversified portfolio. Sector allocation emphasizes France's strength in industrials and luxury goods, differing from broader European funds with minimal exposure to real estate and utilities.
iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ) is recommended as a buy due to its fair valuation and expected earnings growth in 2025. EWQ has underperformed the S&P 500 due to low technology exposure but benefits from France's improving macroeconomic environment. France's declining inflation and strengthening economy, along with a weakening U.S. dollar, are positive tailwinds for EWQ.
iShares MSCI France ETF (EWQ) has had a choppy 2024 with only low single-digit returns, underperforming both global and European stocks. Political uncertainty in France, fiscal deficit concerns, and weak economic indicators suggest caution in investing in French equities. LVMH, accounting for 11% of EWQ's portfolio, faces challenges in the luxury goods market in China, whilst it also does not appear to offer attractive earnings growth.