Currencies

BMW anybody? Carmakers to gain most from weak euro

European carmakers and chemical and tourism companies stand to benefit most from the weakening euro, according to Moody's, while the airline sector looks set to be worst hit.

The credit ratings provider said the falling euro would be "positive for companies that have the majority of their cost bases in the euro area with significant sales to regions outside it."

These included German premium auto manufacturers such as BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen, which export a large share of their production to external markets including the U.S.

Timm Schamberger | AFP | Getty Images

Germany companies were also seen as the major beneficiaries in the chemicals sector, with Moody's naming K&S and Lanxess as those most likely to gain, given that potash and synthetic rubber are "typically U.S. dollar markets."

Moody's added that the hotels and tourism sector would also receive a boost, due to increased demand as euro area destinations became cheaper for travelers from overseas.

Read MoreWeak euro boosts region's business growth

Since the start of last year, the euro has fallen by around 12.5 percent again U.K. sterling to £0.73 on Wednesday. It has slipped 19 percent against the U.S. dollar to $1.11.

On Wednesday, Moody's said it had lowered its forecast for the euro-dollar exchange rate to 1.10 through 2015 and 1.13 in 2016, adding that it did not expect any major recovery in the single currency before 2017.

"In general, a weaker euro boosts the price competitiveness of euro area exports, which account for about 25 percent of Europe's gross domestic product," the ratings agency said in a research note.

"However, a lower euro exchange rate will raise import prices and increase the cost of inputs that are denominated in currencies other than the euro."

Moody's said the low euro would prove "mildly negative" for non-food retailers, while airlines would suffer the most.

"While demand for flights to Europe might increase, driven by the rising popularity of euro area destinations, most of this rising demand will be captured by non-European airlines," it said.

"In addition, flying from Europe to other continents will become less attractive. Furthermore, the positive effect of falling oil prices will be partially offset by the weakening euro, as global oil prices are quoted in U.S. dollars making fuel purchases more expensive for European airlines."

In a February research note, Goldman Sachs Asset Management said the weak euro could boost revenues for many of the region's companies.

"With 54 percent of aggregate corporate revenues being generated outside of Europe, we look for a weakening euro to benefit the competitiveness and profitability of many European companies through a more competitive export business and higher profits when converting overseas profits back into the local euro currency," the bank said.