15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

Published on May 4, 2024 at 8:40 am by Talha Qureshi in Business, Economy, Lists, News

In this article, we will look at the 15 most competitive countries in Europe. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, you can go directly to the 5 Most Competitive Countries in Europe.

Economic Outlook of Europe

The competitiveness of a country is determined based on economic performance, business efficiency, government efficiency, infrastructural development, and overall human development. The economic outlook of Europe is poised for a soft landing amidst a series of regional shocks, geopolitical tensions, low consumption rates, weaker private demand, an aging population, and climate-related challenges. In economics, a soft landing refers to a gentle cool down of an economy by decreasing inflation and maintaining growth, thereby avoiding a recession.

According to the April 2024 Regional Economic Outlook for Europe Report by the IMF, advanced and emerging economies of Europe grew by 0.5% and 3.2% in 2023. These economies are projected to maintain a steady growth streak, with advanced economies expected to experience a growth rate of 0.8% and 1.6% in 2024 and 2025, respectively. Whereas, for emerging economies of Europe the growth is expected to steadily cool down to 3.1% in 2024 and 2.8% in 2025. In one of our recent articles on the most competitive countries in Asia, we saw how a stable global economy fosters business development and drives growth for regional economies. Moreover, to read about the global competitive landscape you can look at the 20 Most Competitive Economies In The World.

Easing inflation rates, a strong labor market, and steadily recovering consumption rates are fostering a soft landing for the European economies. On April 30, Reuters reported inflation in 20 eurozone countries sharing the European currency held steady at 2.4% in April after decreasing by 0.2% in March. Meanwhile, the core inflation, exempting the prices of volatile commodities slowed 0.2% from 2.9% in March to 2.7% in April. These steadily easing inflation rates are reinforcing the European Central Bank’s promise to cut interest rates in June. The officials say they are still waiting for reassuring data related to wages to implement the interest rate cut decision.

Key Players in the European Economy

TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE), Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY), and Uniper SE (OTC:UNPRF) are some of the most valuable European companies. Let’s discuss some recent updates from them.

TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) is a multi-energy company that produces and markets hydrocarbon products internationally. The company was founded in 1924 and is based in Courbevoie, France. On April 22, TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) signed an agreement to acquire 50% of SapuraOMV, an upstream gas operator in Malaysia. Previously on January 1, TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) acquired 50% interest in SapuraOMV, after the completion of both of these transactions the company will successfully acquire 100% of SapuraOMV. The current transaction under consideration is expected to be worth $530 million, however, it is subject to closing conditions. This acquisition will make TotalEnergies SE (NYSE:TTE) one of the top gas operators in Malaysia.

Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) is a leading automobile company based in Germany. The company manufactures and sells automobiles in Europe and international markets. The company sells passenger, luxury, and sports cars under the brand names of Lamborghini, Audi, Bentley, Porsche, and Ducati. On January 8, Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) announced that it presented the first artificial-intelligence-based ChatGPT-powered integrated IDA voice assistant vehicles. The voice assistant chatbot’s database is expected to grow constantly and provide seamless access to Volkswagen AG (OTC:VWAGY) users. This integration is expected to go far beyond mere voice control and will enable drivers to control infotainment, navigation, and temperature, and ask questions while driving.

Uniper SE (OTC:UNPRF) is a key energy company based in Germany. The company operates in three segments including green generation, greener commodities, and flexible generation. Uniper SE (OTC:UNPRF) engages in the provision of hydroelectricity, wind power, solar, nuclear energy, and more. On May 2, Uniper SE (OTC:UNPRF) announced its partnership with the Energy Transition Fund of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) to bring green hydrogen from the HØST PtX Esbjerg project to Germany. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) is one of the leading dedicated fund managers for green renewable energy investments, whereas the HØST PtX Esbjerg project is a Danish power project that is under development. The project is expected to use electrolysis technology to produce green hydrogen on a gigawatt level. Entirely powered by renewable energy, the project will have the capacity to produce 140,000 tons of green hydrogen per year and will predominantly be marketed in Germany.

With this context, let’s look at the 15 most competitive countries in Europe.

Andrij Vatsyk/Shutterstock.com

Our Methodology

To curate the list of the 15 most competitive countries in Europe we relied on the Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 by Solability, the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 by Insead, and the World Competitiveness Ranking by IMD. The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index ranks countries based on 190 indicators including but not limited to governance, economic stability, intellectual capital, natural resources, and social capital. On the other hand, the Global Talent Competitiveness Index measures how countries attract, grow, and sustain their human resource talent, depicting the talent potential of different countries. Finally, the World Competitiveness Ranking takes into account the economic, government, business, and infrastructure efficiency of various countries and ranks them based on their performance in each of these indicators.

We used the overall score for each country from these 3 indices and averaged them to compile a global Insider Monkey Competitiveness ranking. From this index, we shortlisted the European countries and ranked them in ascending order of their Insider Monkey competitiveness score. Moreover, we have also included the GDP per capita growth rates in 2024 in the description for each country sourced from the IMF.

Please note that the scores are calculated on a scale of 0 to 100 where a greater score represents a more competitive country.

In addition to covering topics like the most competitive countries in Europe, at Insider Monkey, we scour multiple sources to uncover the next great investment idea. For example, artificial intelligence technology is on the cusp of earth-shattering breakthroughs, so we identified the cheapest AI stock that is trading at less than 5 times its market value excluding cash and investments with the potential to deliver 100x returns. Even though we recommend positions in only a tiny fraction of the companies we analyze, we check out as many stocks as we can. You can subscribe to our free daily enewsletter on our website. Now, let’s take a look at the most competitive countries in Europe.

15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

15. Estonia

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 65.94

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 56.7

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 64.29

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 76.84

Estonia is a Northern European country that ranks 15th on our list of most competitive countries in Europe. The country has a GDP per capita growth of 6.52% in 2024 and an Insider Monkey competitiveness score of 65.94. Estonia is also one of the top digital countries in the world.

14. Czech Republic

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 66.87

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 54.7

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 62.43

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 83.48

The Czech Republic is a Central European country with a GDP per capita growth rate of 6.29% in 2024. The country ranks 14th on our list of most competitive countries in Europe with an Insider Monkey competitiveness score of 66.87. On February 9, Reuters reported a cut of 50 base points in interest rates by the Czech bank to maintain the rate at 6.25%. The Czech government has been following a tight fiscal policy that has helped keep inflation projections below 3% in 2024 and expects further cuts in the cost of borrowing.

13. Austria

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 67.80

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 56.2

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 69.05

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 78.16

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe that ranks as the 13th most competitive country in Europe. Austria has a GDP per capita growth rate of 4.45% in 2024 and an Insider Monkey competitiveness score of 67.80. On February 12, Reuters reported that Austria is seeking to end its decade-long dependency on Russian oil due to high prices after the Russia-Ukraine conflict and will seek alternative providers to meet its demand.

12. United Kingdom

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 68.01

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 54.8

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 73.75

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 75.48

Comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom is situated in the northwestern part of Europe. It ranks 12th on our list of most competitive countries in Europe. The UK’s GDP per capita rate for 2024 is 7.18% and it has an Insider Monkey competitiveness score of 68.01.

11. Germany

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 68.45

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 55

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 69.88

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 80.47

Germany is a Western European company that ranks 11th on our list of the 15 most competitive countries in Europe. It has a GDP per capita growth rate of 6.08% as of 2024. On April 30, Reuters reported that the German GDP grew by 0.2% during the first quarter of 2024 above the expectations of a 0.1% growth rate. The growth of the German economy is attributed to a robust construction sector and exports. If you want to read about German companies you can look at the Top 20 Most Valuable German Companies.

10. Luxembourg

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 69.65

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 53.6

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 72.88

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 82.46

Luxembourg is a small European country bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany. The country ranks 10th on our list of most competitive countries in Europe. Luxembourg has a GDP per capita growth rate of 3.47% as of 2024 and an Insider Monkey competitiveness score of 69.65.

9. Belgium

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 70.17

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 51.7

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 69.12

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 89.69

Belgium ranks as the 9th most competitive country in Europe. It is situated in the western part of Europe and has a GDP per capita growth rate of 4.53% in 2024. The country performs well on our Insider Monkey Competitiveness Index and has a score of 70.17.

8. Iceland

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 71.77

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 59.2

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 69.38

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 86.74

Iceland is a Nordic island country that ranks 8th on our list. The country has a GDP per capita growth rate of 11.45% and an Insider Monkey Competitiveness score of 71.77.

7. Norway

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 73.36

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 57.7

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 73.96

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 88.43

Norway is a Scandinavian country in Europe that ranks as the 7th most competitive country in Europe. The GDP per capita of Norway is growing at 3.22%. On May 3, Reuters reported that the Norges Bank has decided to keep the Interest rate stable at 4.50%. Following the announcement, the Norwegian Krone appreciated against the Euro, rising from 11.77 NOK, just before the announcement to 11.74 NOK.

6. Finland

Insider Monkey Competitiveness Score: 74.49

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 59.4

The Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023 Score: 74.35

IMD World Competitiveness Score 2023: 89.73

Finland ranks as the 6th most competitive country in Europe. The country has a GDP per capita growth rate of 3.03% in 2024 and ranks well on our Insider Monkey competitiveness ranking with a score of 74.49.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Most Competitive Countries in Europe.

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

Published on October 6, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

When Jeff Bezos said that one breakthrough technology would shape Amazon’s destiny, even Wall Street’s biggest analysts were caught off guard.

Fast forward a year and Amazon’s new CEO Andy Jassy described generative AI as a “once-in-a-lifetime” technology that is already being used across Amazon to reinvent customer experiences.

At the 8th Future Investment Initiative conference, Elon Musk predicted that by 2040 there would be at least 10 billion humanoid robots, with each priced between $20,000 and $25,000.

Do the math. According to Musk, this technology could be worth $250 trillion by 2040.

Put another way, that’s roughly equal to:

175 Teslas
107 Amazons
140 Metas
84 Googles
65 Microsofts
And 55 Nvidias

And here’s the wild part — this $250 trillion wave isn’t tied to one company, but to an entire ecosystem of AI innovators set to reshape the global economy.

It’s a leap so massive, it could reshape how businesses, governments, and consumers operate worldwide.

Even if that $250 trillion figure sounds ambitious, major firms like PwC and McKinsey still see AI unlocking multi-trillion-dollar potential.

How could anything be worth that much?

The answer lies in a breakthrough so powerful it’s redefining how humanity works, learns, and creates.

And this breakthrough has already set off a frenzy among hedge funds and Wall Street’s top investors.

What most investors don’t realize is that one under-owned company holds the key to this $250 trillion revolution.

In fact, Verge argues this company’s supercheap AI technology should concern rivals.

Before I reveal the details, let’s talk about how some of the richest people on the planet are positioning themselves.

Bill Gates sees artificial intelligence as the “biggest technological advance in my lifetime,” more transformative than the internet or personal computer, capable of improving healthcare, education, and addressing climate change.
Larry Ellison — through Oracle, is spending billions on Nvidia chips and partnering with Cohere to embed generative AI across Oracle’s cloud and apps.
Warren Buffett — not known for tech hype — says this breakthrough could have a ‘hugely beneficial social impact.

When billionaires from Silicon Valley to Wall Street line up behind the same idea — you know it’s worth paying attention to.

Even as we admire what Tesla, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Microsoft have built, we believe an even greater opportunity lies elsewhere…

But the real story isn’t Nvidia — it’s a much smaller company quietly improving the critical technology that makes this entire revolution possible.

And judging by what I’m hearing from both Silicon Valley insiders and Wall Street veterans…

This prediction might not be bold at all:

A few years from now, you’ll wish you’d owned this stock.

The best part? You can discover everything about this company and its groundbreaking technology right now.

I’ve compiled everything you need to know about this groundbreaking company in a detailed, members-only report.

Trust me — you’ll want to read this report before putting another dollar into any tech stock.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 a month, you can unlock a year’s worth of in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

• Access to our Detailed Report on this Game-Changing AI Stock: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.

• 11 New Issues of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive 11 new issues and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.

• One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149

• Bonus Reports: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews

• Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a year of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.

• 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

If you’re thinking about getting in, don’t wait – because once Wall Street catches wind of this story, the easy money will be gone.

Space is Limited! Only 1000 spots are available for this exclusive offer. Don’t let this chance slip away – subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter today and unlock the potential for a life-changing investment.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99 a month.

2. Enjoy a year of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the revolutionary AI company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter over the next 12 months.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

Subscribe Now!

No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!

Insider Monkey Ads

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on October 5, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Artificial intelligence is the greatest investment opportunity of our lifetime. The time to invest in groundbreaking AI is now, and this stock is a steal!

AI is eating the world—and the machines behind it are ravenous.

Each ChatGPT query, each model update, each robotic breakthrough consumes massive amounts of energy. In fact, AI is already pushing global power grids to the brink.

Wall Street is pouring hundreds of billions into artificial intelligence—training smarter chatbots, automating industries, and building the digital future. But there’s one urgent question few are asking:

Where will all of that energy come from?

AI is the most electricity-hungry technology ever invented. Each data center powering large language models like ChatGPT consumes as much energy as a small city. And it’s about to get worse.

Even Sam Altman, the founder of OpenAI, issued a stark warning:

“The future of AI depends on an energy breakthrough.”

Elon Musk was even more blunt:

“AI will run out of electricity by next year.”

As the world chases faster, smarter machines, a hidden crisis is emerging behind the scenes. Power grids are strained. Electricity prices are rising. Utilities are scrambling to expand capacity.

And that’s where the real opportunity lies…

One little-known company—almost entirely overlooked by most AI investors—could be the ultimate backdoor play. It’s not a chipmaker. It’s not a cloud platform. But it might be the most important AI stock in the US owns critical energy infrastructure assets positioned to feed the coming AI energy spike.

As demand from AI data centers explodes, this company is gearing up to profit from the most valuable commodity in the digital age: electricity.

The “Toll Booth” Operator of the AI Energy Boom

It owns critical nuclear energy infrastructure assets, positioning it at the heart of America’s next-generation power strategy.
It’s one of the only global companies capable of executing large-scale, complex EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) projects across oil, gas, renewable fuels, and industrial infrastructure.
It plays a pivotal role in U.S. LNG exportation—a sector about to explode under President Trump’s renewed “America First” energy doctrine.

Trump has made it clear: Europe and U.S. allies must buy American LNG.

And our company sits in the toll booth—collecting fees on every drop exported.

But that’s not all…

As Trump’s proposed tariffs push American manufacturers to bring their operations back home, this company will be first in line to rebuild, retrofit, and reengineer those facilities.

AI. Energy. Tariffs. Onshoring. This One Company Ties It All Together.

While the world is distracted by flashy AI tickers, a few smart investors are quietly scooping up shares of the one company powering it all from behind the scenes.

AI needs energy. Energy needs infrastructure.

And infrastructure needs a builder with experience, scale, and execution.

This company has its finger in every pie—and Wall Street is just starting to notice.

Wall Street is noticing this company also because it is quietly riding all of these tailwinds—without the sky-high valuation.

While most energy and utility firms are buried under mountains of debt and coughing up hefty interest payments just to appease bondholders…

This company is completely debt-free.

In fact, it’s sitting on a war chest of cash—equal to nearly one-third of its entire market cap.

It also owns a huge equity stake in another red-hot AI play, giving investors indirect exposure to multiple AI growth engines without paying a premium.

And here’s what the smart money has started whispering…

The Hedge Fund Secret That’s Starting to Leak Out

This stock is so off-the-radar, so absurdly undervalued, that some of the most secretive hedge fund managers in the world have begun pitching it at closed-door investment summits.

They’re sharing it quietly, away from the cameras, to rooms full of ultra-wealthy clients.

Why? Because excluding cash and investments, this company is trading at less than 7 times earnings.

And that’s for a business tied to:

The AI infrastructure supercycle
The onshoring boom driven by Trump-era tariffs
A surge in U.S. LNG exports
And a unique footprint in nuclear energy—the future of clean, reliable power

You simply won’t find another AI and energy stock this cheap… with this much upside.

This isn’t a hype stock. It’s not riding on hope.

It’s delivering real cash flows, owns critical infrastructure, and holds stakes in other major growth stories.

This is your chance to get in before the rockets take off!

Disruption is the New Name of the Game: Let’s face it, complacency breeds stagnation.

AI is the ultimate disruptor, and it’s shaking the foundations of traditional industries.

The companies that embrace AI will thrive, while the dinosaurs clinging to outdated methods will be left in the dust.

As an investor, you want to be on the side of the winners, and AI is the winning ticket.

The Talent Pool is Overflowing: The world’s brightest minds are flocking to AI.

From computer scientists to mathematicians, the next generation of innovators is pouring its energy into this field.

This influx of talent guarantees a constant stream of groundbreaking ideas and rapid advancements.

By investing in AI, you’re essentially backing the future.

The future is powered by artificial intelligence, and the time to invest is NOW.

Don’t be a spectator in this technological revolution.

Dive into the AI gold rush and watch your portfolio soar alongside the brightest minds of our generation.

This isn’t just about making money – it’s about being part of the future.

So, buckle up and get ready for the ride of your investment life!

Act Now and Unlock a Potential 100+% Return within 12 to 24 months.

We’re now offering month-to-month subscriptions with no commitments.

For a ridiculously low price of just $9.99 per month, you can unlock our in-depth investment research and exclusive insights – that’s less than a single fast food meal!

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

Access to our Detailed Report on our AI, Tariffs, and Nuclear Energy Stock with 100+% potential upside within 12 to 24 months
BONUS REPORT on our #1 AI-Robotics Stock with 10000% upside potential: Our in-depth report dives deep into our #1 AI/robotics stock’s groundbreaking technology and massive growth potential.
One New Issue of Our Premium Readership Newsletter: You will also receive one new issue per month and at least one new stock pick per month from our monthly newsletter’s portfolio over the next 12 months. These stocks are handpicked by our research director, Dr. Inan Dogan.
One free upcoming issue of our 70+ page Quarterly Newsletter: A value of $149
Bonus Content: Premium access to members-only fund manager video interviews
Ad-Free Browsing: Enjoy a month of investment research free from distracting banner and pop-up ads, allowing you to focus on uncovering the next big opportunity.
Lifetime Price Guarantee: Your renewal rate will always remain the same as long as your subscription is active.
30-Day Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not absolutely satisfied with our service, we’ll provide a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.

Here’s what to do next:

1. Head over to our website and subscribe to our Premium Readership Newsletter for just $9.99.

2. Enjoy a month of ad-free browsing, exclusive access to our in-depth report on the Trump tariff and nuclear energy company as well as the revolutionary AI-robotics company, and the upcoming issues of our Premium Readership Newsletter.

3. Sit back, relax, and know that you’re backed by our ironclad 30-day money-back guarantee.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity! Subscribe now and take control of your AI investment future!

Subscribe Now!

No worries about auto-renewals! Our 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee applies whether you’re joining us for the first time or renewing your subscription a month later!

Insider Monkey Ads

Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Log In

Sign Up

15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

Published on May 4, 2024 at 8:40 am by Talha Qureshi in Business, Economy, Lists, News

Economic Outlook of Europe

Key Players in the European Economy

15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

15. Estonia

14. Czech Republic

13. Austria

12. United Kingdom

11. Germany

10. Luxembourg

9. Belgium

8. Iceland

7. Norway

6. Finland

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

Published on October 6, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on October 5, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up:

Markets

Insider Trading

Hedge Funds

Retirement

Opinion

Premium

Log In

Sign Up

15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

Published on May 4, 2024 at 8:40 am by Talha Qureshi in Business, Economy, Lists, News

Share

Economic Outlook of Europe

Key Players in the European Economy

15 Most Competitive Countries in Europe

15. Estonia

14. Czech Republic

13. Austria

12. United Kingdom

11. Germany

10. Luxembourg

9. Belgium

8. Iceland

7. Norway

6. Finland

Share

The $250 Trillion AI Hype is Real. A few years from now, you’ll probably wish you’d bought this stock.

Published on October 6, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

AI, Tariffs, Nuclear Power: One Undervalued Stock Connects ALL the Dots (Before It Explodes!)

Published on October 5, 2025 at by Inan Dogan, PhD

Here’s why this is a deal you can’t afford to pass up: