Top PIIGS Stocks
The 'PIGGS' are the European countries that are suffering due to current economic woes. The countries are Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and Spain, and the crises that is looming is heavy. Recently, there has been much talk about Greece being bailed out by stronger EU countries, but even that is uncertain. And even if Greece is bailed out, will there be enough funds or even enough interest in bailing out Spain or Italy, with a much greater amount of sovereign debt outstanding?
But if the bailouts come through, the economies will come through, and the stocks in those countries should do well. So if you are a real contrarian, here are some stocks worth taking a look at.
PORTUGAL
Portugal Telecom SGPS SA (PT), is the largest telecom company in Portugal.
ITALY
Benetton Group SpA (BNGPY.PK) makes and sells fashion clothing for men, women, and children. Some of the brands include Playlife, Killer Loop , United Colors of Benetton, Undercolors, and Sisley brands.
Eni SpA (E) is lucky enough to hold one of the one-letter stock ticker symbols. The company is involved in the oil and gas business, electrical generation, petrochemicals, and oilfield services.
Fiat SPA ADS (FIATY.PK), the famous Italian automobile manufacturer, trades on the New York Stock Exchange.
Luxottica Group SpA (LUX) makes and sells high quality eyeglass frames and sunglasses, including such brands as Ray-Ban, Vogue, Luxottica, Chanel, Prada, Versace, Bulgari, DKNY, Brooks Brothers and Anne Klein.
Natuzzi SpA (NTZ) makes and sells fabric and leather furniture which is sold in Europe and the United States.
Telecom Italia (TI), an NYSE traded company that provides telecommunications services in Italy.
IRELAND
Allied Irish Banks plc (AIB) is a Dublin based bank holding company, with branches in Ireland, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Poland.
Bank of Ireland (IRE), is the oldest bank in Ireland, founded in 1783, has branches in Ireland and the U.K.
CRH plc (CRH), formerly known as Cement-Roadstone Holdings plc, manufactures building materials, such as cement, asphalt, concrete, and lime.
Elan Corp. plc (ELN) is involved in the development of therapies in the areas of autoimmune diseases and neurodegenerative diseases and drug optimization technologies. They are working on NanoCrystal technology which reduces crystalline drugs to extremely small particles under 400 nanometers.
Genesis Lease Ltd (GLS) is a commercial aircraft leasing company based in Limerick.
ICON plc (ICLR) provides outsourcing services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
GREECE
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA (OTE) is a major telephone and Internet service provider in Greece and southeast Europe.
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company SA (CCH) is an Athens, Greece based company, which is a distributor of Coca Cola products in Europe.
National Bank of Greece SA (NBG), is a major banking institution in Greece.
SPAIN
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBV) is a bank holding company that was founded in 1988 and is based in Bilbao, Spain.
Banco Santander SA (STD) is a bank, asset management, and insurance company with over 10,700 branches around the world.
Repsol YPF SA (REP) is an integrated oil and gas company based in Madrid, Spain. They have operations in Argentina, Brazil, and Bolivia.
Telefonica SA (TEF), founded in 1924, is a large telecommunication company providing landline and wireless services, and serves Spain, Europe, and Latin America.
If you like international stocks, and high yield stocks, check out the lists at WallStreetNewsNetwork.com.
Author does not own any of the above.
The preceding article is from one of our external contributors. It does not represent the opinion of Benzinga and has not been edited.
