Business Leaders Optimistic About Recovery in Europe, Research from Accenture Finds

Two-thirds (66%) of business leaders globally are optimistic that the European market will make a relatively fast recovery from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from Accenture (NYSE: ACN).

The report, entitled “Bold Moves in Tough Times” and based on a survey of nearly 500 C-level executives in Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific across 15 industries, found that approximately three in 10 respondents (29%) expect the recovery in Europe to be fairly rapid (“V-shaped”), while 37% anticipate a slower, but steady, “U-shaped” recovery in the next 12 months.

The most optimistic sector is pharmaceuticals/biotech/life sciences, with 34% of business leaders in that sector expecting an increased demand in Europe as a result of the pandemic. The second-most-optimistic sector is communications, media & entertainment, with 52% of those respondents expecting a V-shaped recovery in their European markets, followed by insurance, at 47%. At the other end of the spectrum are the automotive and airlines/travel/transportation sectors, with only 7% and 12% of respondents, respectively, expecting a rapid recovery.

The report also reveals that executives expect the German, Nordic and U.K. economies to rebound the fastest from the downturn, followed by France, Spain and Italy. In addition, European business leaders are optimistic regarding Europe’s competitiveness, as four in 10 respondents (39%) believe that European companies will be more competitive vis-a-vis their U.S. peers than they were before the crisis, and even more (43%) believe that European companies will be more competitive compared with Chinese businesses.

“Confidence is critical in the current economic environment, which is still volatile and uncertain,” said Jean-Marc Ollagnier, CEO of Accenture in Europe. “The optimism regarding Europe’s economic recovery and competitiveness offers European companies a unique opportunity to reinforce their leadership and close the gap with their American and Asian competitors. However, this will depend on how well they translate optimism into bold actions. The biggest risk is that European business leaders remain over-reliant on government support, stay on the defensive and underinvest in game-changing innovations — because their global competition won’t wait.”