3 European Bank Stocks Nearing New 52-Week Highs

European bank stocks (led by UBS, Banco Santander and Erste Group) have rebounded from Iran-war-driven drawdowns of roughly 20% and are approaching new 52-week highs as markets look past the oil shock. Technical indicators (MACD, 50- and 200-day MAs, RSI) and analyst upgrades have supported the rallies, while upcoming Q1 2026 earnings on April 29 provide near-term catalysts. UBS benefits from Credit Suisse integration, buybacks and eased Swiss capital rules; Santander trades at ~10x forward earnings with 1.39x book value; Erste’s acquisition of a 49% stake in Santander Bank Polska should boost EPS and ROTE. The piece is constructive on the region, implying upside potential for European bank equities as risk appetite recovers.