The Most Googled UK Stocks in Europe

According to a recent study, Shell (LON: SHEL) is Europe’s most searched UK stock, topping search results in 12 countries. There are over an estimated 460,000 monthly global searches for Shell stock. 

The study, by UK financial services provider CMC Markets, analysed Google search data for over 250 top UK stocks in every European country (nine countries were excluded due to low search volumes) and found that Shell, Endava, and AstraZeneca were the top searches in just over half of all countries included. However, BP has the largest combined search volumes, driven by the UK, where it was the most Googled stock.

Of all European countries, oil and gas company Shell, which recently announced record profits of £32.2 billion, is the most popular in 12, including Belgium, Netherlands, Finland, and Germany. Searches for Shell make up over 1 in 50 average monthly global searches for UK stocks. 

Shell announced record-breaking profits last week as fuel prices soar amid a cost of living crisis driven by several global and domestic factors.

The analysis revealed that Shell and BP (LON: BP) were most searched in almost two-fifths of Europe, making UK oil and gas sector stocks the most searched by far.

Software developer Endava (NYSE: DAVA) is the second most Googled UK stock in Europe, topping search results in four countries: Romania, Moldova, Macedonia, and Serbia. Romania’s interest is the highest, with 10,750 monthly searches for Endava stock. This represents under two-thirds of Romania’s UK stock search volume.

Technology stocks are the second most popular UK industry stocks after oil and gas, representing one-fifth of Europe’s top UK stocks. While Endava is the most Googled in four countries, three technology companies top searches in one each: Darktrace (LON: DARK) in Luxembourg, GAN (NASDAQ: GAN) in Malta, and Argo Blockchain (LON: ARB) in Iceland. 

Biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca (LON: AZN) has the highest searches in three countries: Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, and is the third most searched UK stock in Europe. It is the only pharmaceutical company to top searches in any European country. There are over 270,000 monthly global searches for AstraZeneca stocks.

EasyJet (LON: EZJ) is the most searched stock in Italy and Greece, with 3,380 and 1,780 average monthly searches, respectively. Stelios Haji-Ioannau, a Greek Cypriot entrepreneur, founded EasyJet.

The study also revealed that BP is the most Googled UK stock in the United Kingdom with the highest search volume. Over 650,000 monthly searches for BP stock in the UK represent every one in 20 of the UK’s stock searches. The multinational oil and gas company is the most searched in the United Kingdom but no other European country. 

International Airlines Group (LON: IAG) is Spain’s most searched UK stock. IAG is an Anglo-Spanish company with a significant presence in Spain and a registered office in Madrid. With almost 30,000 monthly searches, IAG stock represents over one in six of Spain’s UK stock searches. Spain also has the highest European search volume for British stocks after the UK and Ireland, with over 175,000 monthly searches. 

UK travel companies make up almost one in ten (9%) of Europe’s most searched UK stocks, the third-highest share by industry.  

Aerospace and defence companies represent 6% of Europe’s top UK stocks, with Rolls-Royce Holdings (LON: RR) being the most popular in Croatia and Babcock International Group (LON: BAB) in France, where it operates. Babcock represents over one in six of France’s UK stock searches, with just under 10,000 monthly searches.

Mining companies also have top searches in two countries: Glencore (LON: GLEN), the most searched UK stock in Switzerland, and Fresnillo (LON: FRES) in Bulgaria. 

Two apparel companies reach the top searches in Europe: British-Portuguese company Farfetch (LON: 0K6O) in Portugal and Boohoo (LON: BOO) in Ukraine. Farfetch represents one in three UK stock searches in Portugal, a volume of over 12,000 a month. 

Two food and beverage company stocks – Diageo (LON: DGE) and Ocado (LON: OCDO) – are the top results in Ireland and Poland.

Diageo is influential in Ireland and owns several Irish alcoholic beverage brands, including Guinness. Ireland has an estimated 16,000 searches per month for ‘Diageo share price.’

Ocado partnered with Auchan Retail Poland in March 2022, expanding its e-commerce services further using Ocado’s technology.

Arrival (NASDAQ: ARVL) is the most searched UK stock in Russia and is the only UK electric automotive company to reach the top search results in Europe. Arrival is founded by a former Russian deputy minister. According to Financial Times, the company closed its Russian operations due to the Ukraine war in 2022. 

A spokesman from CMC Markets commented:

“There are over 16.6 million estimated monthly searches for UK stocks worldwide, with just over one in four searches coming from outside the UK. 

These findings highlight Shell’s European reach and popularity as a publicly traded company. The high search volume for these stocks indicates strong consumer interest in oil and gas and technology companies and their financial performance. 

It is also worth noting that the average monthly search volume for these stocks indicates consumer sentiment toward the stock. Investors should take note of the highest profile companies in each country, as this may indicate strong potential for growth.

The study provides valuable insight into consumer sentiment toward UK stocks among its neighbours. The findings of the study can help investors make more informed decisions when it comes to investing in UK stocks”.

This study was conducted by CMC Markets, a UK-based financial services company that offers online trading in shares, spread betting, contracts for difference, and foreign exchange across world markets.