Nearly one in two companies have already reduced their exposure to the eurozone because of the bloc’s debt and banking problems, according to a study released on Tuesday by Accenture. This includes 10% that may quit the bloc altogether.
But the consulting firm also found that half of eurozone businesses are looking to take advantage of the crisis by seeking acquisitions in the 17-currency area. Accenture found 44% of firms have accelerated investments in high-growth emerging markets.
Accenture surveyed 450 companies, 96% of which have annual revenues of at least $1bn.
“It is inevitable that slow growth and uncertainty in Europe will make investment to emerging markets look attractive,” said Mark Spelman, Accenture’s managing director for strategy.
“But the eurozone remains a good long-term bet and a significant number of high-performing companies see opportunities for organic and inorganic growth,” he said in a statement.
Whereas seven out of 10 Chinese firms are keen to expand in the eurozone through acquisitions, only 20% of US businesses surveyed by Accenture are on the takeover trail.
