Investing December 28, 2000

A Rough Year for Global Stock Markets

December 28, 2000 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Just six of the world's top 38 stock market indices posted gains over the past year, according to calculations by Merrill Lynch. China's Shanghai B index led the way, gaining 136.6%.
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Coming in a distant second was Ireland’s bourse with an 11.7% jump. The rest of the positives were Switzerland’s 5.5% increase, Canada’s 4.2%, Italy’s 3.2% and Israel’s 1.5% gain.

Korea fared worst, losing nearly 51% for the year, while Thailand and Taiwan also fell by more than 40%.

Turkey, last year’s “star” with a 485% return, fell hard in 2000, coming in 34th.

 

MERRILL LYNCH IPCG WORLD STOCK MARKET PERFORMANCE

2000 Rank

Country

% Increase (2000)

1999 Rank

% Increase (1999)

     

1

China

136.6%

22

32.0%

2

Ireland

11.7%

37

0.0%

3

Switzerland

5.4%

36

6.0%

4

Canada

4.2%

24

30.0%

5

Italy

3.2%

28

22.0%

6

Israel

1.5%

10

66.0%

7

Australia

-0.3%

32

12.0%

8

Poland

-1.4%

17

41.0%

9

France

-2.9%

14

51.0%

10

South Africa

-3.6%

13

57.0%

     

18

United States

-10.5%

29

20.0%

     

32

Japan

-26.0%

20

37.0%

33

The Philippines

-31.5%

33

9.0%<</p>

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