European equities are crushing it this year. We're looking at the strongest annual run in four years, and the reason? They dodged the AI chaos that's been whipping other markets around.

Here's the thing - Europe's economy leans heavy into services rather than tech gambling. That structure's paying off now. While markets with massive AI exposure are riding a rollercoaster, European stocks are grinding upward with way less drama.

The service-focused setup acts like a buffer. Less volatility means steadier gains, and the numbers are backing it up. This isn't about missing out on AI hype - it's about sustainable performance when the dust settles.