In this article, we will look at the 10 Best European Stocks That Beat Earnings Estimates to Buy.
European stocks that beat earnings estimates are getting more attention as investors look outside the U.S. for companies that can still surprise on the upside. J.P. Morgan Asset Management points to “European equities: Earnings improvement,” noting that “Europe’s 2026 EPS estimate is now being revised up” and that “European valuations remain attractive relative to US equities.” Europe does not need to look like the fastest-growing market in the world to become interesting. It just needs improving expectations, reasonable valuations, and companies that can clear a still-muted bar.
That is where earnings surprises become important. AllianceBernstein says “companies outside of the US continued to enjoy positive payoffs for exceeding earnings forecasts,” which makes the beat-and-revision angle especially relevant for a European stock list. The point is not just that a company grew its earnings. It is that the market underestimated how much it could earn, and that gap can force analysts and investors to rethink the stock.
Against this backdrop, European companies that beat estimates deserve a closer look, especially when the surprise is supported by better margins, stronger demand, or room for further earnings revisions. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the 10 Best European Stocks That Beat Earnings Estimates to Buy.
Our Methodology
We used the Finviz screener to identify European stocks that beat earnings estimates. We then limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds.
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10. AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER)
On April 30, 2026, TD Cowen analyst Moshe Orenbuch raised the price target on AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER) to $175 from $170 and maintained a Buy rating, citing a broad-based Q1 beat driven by higher gains on sale. The firm also noted that 2026 EPS guidance was raised to $14.50.
Susquehanna analyst Christopher Stathoulopoulos lifted the price target to $170 from $165 with a Positive rating, saying a higher-for-longer fuel environment could pressure airline margins but pointing to AerCap’s portfolio management, aircraft supply constraints, and SLB opportunities as supportive of future lease revenue, with secondary market volatility continuing to support gains on sale.
Truist also raised its price target to $161 from $159 and kept a Buy rating following the earnings beat, noting strong sales gains reflect supply-demand imbalance and highlight the resilience of aircraft leasing despite pressures such as higher oil prices.
AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER) reported Q1 adjusted EPS of $5.39 versus $3.71 consensus and book value per share of $116.67 as of March 31, up about 20% year over year. CEO Aengus Kelly said the company delivered a “record quarter,” with strong demand for aviation assets, 286 transactions completed, and an 87% lease extension rate, while raising 2026 adjusted EPS guidance to $14.50 and announcing a $1.0B share repurchase program.
AerCap Holdings N.V. (NYSE:AER) leases, finances, and manages commercial aircraft globally.
9. UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS)
On April 29, 2026, UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) reported Q1 EPS of 94c compared to 51c last year, with revenue of $14.2B versus $12.6B and net profit of $3.04B compared to $1.7B. The company reported a CET1 capital ratio of 14.7% and tangible book value per share of $27.50. CEO Sergio Ermotti said the bank delivered “excellent financial results” while helping clients navigate a volatile environment, and highlighted progress on the Credit Suisse integration, including the transfer of all Swiss-booked client accounts.
The company said it completed client account migrations in Switzerland, positioning it to substantially complete the integration by year-end, while delivering an additional $0.8B in cost reductions for total cumulative savings of $11.5B. UBS also cited strong capital generation, with a 14.7% CET1 ratio, a 4.4% CET1 leverage ratio, mid-teens dividend growth accrual, and $0.9B in share repurchases, with plans to buy back $3B in shares by Q2 results.
UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) also outlined regulatory updates from the Swiss Federal Council, including changes to capitalized software treatment, revised prudential valuation adjustments, and proposals affecting foreign subsidiary investments. The company said these measures could require around $22B of additional CET1 capital at the UBS AG standalone level, with total incremental capital requirements of about $37B when including prior requirements tied to the Credit Suisse acquisition.
UBS Group AG (NYSE:UBS) operates a global wealth management and banking business across multiple segments.
8. BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP)
On April 28, 2026, BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) reported Q1 underlying EPS of $1.24 versus 93c consensus and revenue of $53.37B compared to $45.75B expected. The company said performance reflected “strong operational and financial delivery,” supported by high plant reliability, refining availability, and increased production in the Gulf of America and at BPX Energy.
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) said it expects Q2 upstream production to be lower than Q1 due to seasonal maintenance in the Gulf of America and disruption in the Middle East, with volatility in oil and gas prices also affecting results. The company noted refining throughput will be impacted by higher turnaround activity, while margins across fuels and refining remain sensitive to supply costs and Middle East conditions. BP also plans to redeem EUR 2.5B of perpetual hybrid bonds in Q2 without replacement.
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) reaffirmed its FY26 capital expenditure guidance of $13B to $13.5B and said upstream production is expected to be broadly flat versus 2025, with oil stable and gas and low carbon energy lower. The company continues to expect $9B to $10B in divestment proceeds in 2026, including about $6B from the Castrol transaction, and Gulf of America settlement payments of around $1.6B pre-tax for the year.
Earlier in April, Scotiabank raised its price target on BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) to $58 from $41 and maintained an Outperform rating as part of a broader update across integrated oil, refining, and large-cap E&P stocks. The firm said its sector view is mixed, with earnings forecasts generally above consensus for E&P companies but below for independent refiners, and noted investor focus may shift to whether recent oil market volatility affects activity levels in 2026.
BP p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) operates an integrated energy business across oil, gas, and customer-facing segments globally.
7. ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING)
On April 30, 2026, ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) reported Q1 net result per share of 0.54 compared to EUR 0.47 last year, with a CET1 ratio of 13%. CEO Steven van Rijswijk said the quarter reflected “the resilience of our business” amid geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainty, adding the company continues to support clients while executing its growth strategy and remains on track to meet its upgraded outlook.
On the same day, ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) said it completed the share buyback program announced on October 30, 2025, and launched a new program to repurchase up to EUR 1B in shares to maintain its CET1 ratio around 13%.
Earlier in April, Deutsche Bank raised its price target on ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING)to EUR 29 from EUR 28 and maintained a Buy rating, while Citi increased its price target on ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) to EUR 28.70 from EUR 28.60 with a Buy rating.
On April 7, 2026, ING said it terminated the planned sale of ING Bank JSC to Global Development JSC after concluding the buyer was unlikely to obtain required approvals, adding it continues to pursue an exit from Russia and expects any alternative scenario to have a similar impact of about 7 basis points on its CET1 ratio.
ING Groep N.V. (NYSE:ING) provides banking products and services across Europe and international markets.
6. LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB)
On May 1, 2026, LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) reported Q1 adjusted EPS of 49c versus 28c consensus and revenue of $7.2B compared to $7.37B expected. CEO Peter Vanacker said results reflect “operational discipline and commercial execution,” while noting the global petrochemical cost curve has “materially steepened” due to the Middle East conflict. The company said it is increasing production to address supply gaps, leveraging low-cost North American assets and passing through higher input costs in Europe.
LyondellBasell said Q2 conditions are expected to drive sequential improvement across most businesses, supported by tighter supply and stronger pricing tied to disruptions in the Middle East. North America margins are expected to expand on export demand and crude-linked pricing, while Europe margins should improve following asset sales and wider polymer spreads despite lower volumes. The company is adjusting operating rates, including maximizing North American olefins and polyolefins output and raising European O&P rates to 80%, with Intermediates & Derivatives at 75%, while noting that ongoing geopolitical uncertainty may continue to impact supply and pricing.
Following the results, RBC Capital raised its price target on LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) to $94 from $91 and maintained an Outperform rating, citing the Q1 performance and outlook for “significant Q2 uplift.” The firm said it has not seen demand destruction in the U.S. or Europe and noted polyethylene pricing remains below 2021 levels.
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE:LYB) operates a global chemicals business.
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