Markets appear to be looking past the initial oil shock from the Iran war, and risk appetite has firmed even as crude remains volatile.
But while many companies on U.S. exchanges have already made new highs, international stocks suffered larger drawdowns and therefore have more ground to recover. Foreign bank stocks, especially those in Europe, were attractive investments in 2025, and many remained at the top of analysts’ recommendations lists for 2026. Now that geopolitical shocks are (hopefully) behind us, these stocks once again have a chance to lead, and the three companies we’ll mention today are quickly resuming their bullish marches.
