S&P: International Equities See Bullish July

August 8, 2005 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - July's 3.85% was the best month so far for the S&P/Citigroup Developed World Index, and its strong performance has vaulted the index to a year-to-date return of 4.20%, S&P has announced.

An S&P news release said regions across the developed world finished July in positive territory, and remain there year-to-date.  The North America, Europe and Asia Pacific regions posted 4.18%, 3.76% and 2.70% gains respectively in July, and are now up 4.71%, 4.30% and 1.97% since January 1, 2005.  Individual country returns ranged from 0.18% for Finland to 11.57% for South Korea.

“Gains were widespread in July with every developed world country posting increases, whether calculated in US dollar or local currency terms,” said Nicholas Aninos, analyst at Standard & Poor’s, in the news release. “All of the major regions were in positive territory during the month, whether investors used cap-range, style, or industry to define their universe.”

According to the S&P data, countries in the S&P/Citigroup Emerging Markets Index registered July performances ranging from a 5.08% giveback in Venezuela to an 18.22% gain in Jordan.  The three heavyweights, Taiwan, South Africa and Brazil, posted strong gains of 3%, 7.66%, and 4.85% respectively during July.  The S&P/Citigroup Emerging Market Index increased 5.92% during the month.

The S&P/Citigroup Global Composite Index returned 3.95% for the month of July across developed and emerging markets. Year-to-date, the Emerging Market Index leads with an 11.59% gain, lifting the Global Composite to a 4.55% increase, according to the announcement.

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