The Internationalisation of Asset Ownership in Europe

An authoritative analysis of the evolution and impact of foreign ownership of assets in Europe today. This book examines some of the major challenges foreign ownership poses to policy-makers at the European-wide as well as national levels. It is one of the first in-depth studies of European financial market integration.

Financial markets in Europe have become increasingly integrated in recent years, leading to a rise in foreign ownership of domestic equities and other assets. This volume brings together ten expert contributions to provide an authoritative analysis of the evolution and implications of foreign ownership in Europe today. In addition to providing new data on the extent of foreign ownership in Europe, the authors analyse some of the major challenges it brings for policy-makers at both the European and the national level. Part I looks at the legal framework for foreign ownership and for cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Part II explores important aspects of the economic impact of foreign ownership, including taxation and labour market outcomes, from a European perspective. The volume concludes with four in-depth country studies that focus on the process of internationalisation of assets in Finland, Italy, Sweden and the UK.