EuroHerald announced that on 16 September it will release its 2026 Europe 500 index, a ranking of the 500 largest companies on the continent by revenue, and simultaneously host a CEO Forum in London. The event will gather senior leaders from Europe and the Middle East to debate growth strategies and share best practices.
Growth concerns in Europe
European growth has been a persistent worry since the turn of the century. Former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi noted in 2024 that despite various policy attempts, the euro-area's average annual GDP growth since the financial crisis has lingered around 0.9 per cent, compared with more than 2 per cent in the United States.
"Europe has been worrying about slowing growth since the start of this century," Draghi said.
Critics have also pointed to the uneven progress of the EU's capital markets union, the lingering effects of the United Kingdom's departure, and mixed reactions to the Digital Markets Act, which some argue hampers both consumer choice and investment.
Fortune 500 Europe list
The upcoming list will showcase the continent's corporate powerhouses. Last year the top spots were held by Volkswagen, Shell and Glencore. The new index will provide detailed statistics on profits, revenues and growth, offering a data-rich snapshot of European business performance.
CEO Forum in London
The parallel CEO Forum will convene executives from a wide range of sectors. Attendees will include leaders from AI firms such as Anthropic and OpenAI, automotive giants Ferrari and Volvo Cars U.K., energy group EDF, banking institutions like NatWest and Société Générale, as well as defence and technology companies including Honeywell and Tech Mahindra. Collectively, the participants represent close to two trillion dollars of wealth.
Signs of resilience
A recent research note from Goldman Sachs highlighted that Europe's growth has proved more resilient than expected after the energy price shock triggered by recent geopolitical tensions. The note cited declining energy dependence, supportive fiscal policy, robust household income growth and a tight labour market with unemployment at historically low levels.
"We see several reasons for this resilience," the Goldman Sachs note said. "The economy's energy dependence has declined. Fiscal policy supports growth, and real household income growth remains robust."
Consumer confidence remains positive despite persistent inflation, and many households retain sufficient liquidity to sustain spending.
Looking ahead
Draghi has called for a renewed stance on cooperation, urging the removal of obstacles, harmonisation of rules and coordinated policy action to sustain momentum. The Fortune 500 Europe list and the CEO Forum are intended to translate that optimism into concrete collaboration across the continent and beyond.
Stakeholders will watch the September announcements closely, as the data and discussions are expected to shape policy debates and corporate strategies throughout 2026.