World Equity Markets Continue Upward Track

June 10, 2008 (PLANSPONSOR.com) - Emerging world equity markets gained 2.34% in May, while developed world markets returned 1.85%, according to Standard & Poor's monthly stock market review, The World by Numbers.

This is the second consecutive month of positive returns despite increasing volatility, inflation fears, and rising commodity prices, S&P said in a press release (See April Starts Path of Recovery for World Equity Markets ).

Fourteen of the 26 emerging markets posted positive returns during the month. Performance was buoyed by the strong double-digit returns of Russia (+15.56%), Argentina (+13.17%), Czech Republic (+11.77%), and Brazil (+11.36%).  However, S& P said much of the returns were negated by Pakistan which fell 25.99% during the month.

Among developed world markets 18 gained ground and eight fell during the month. Luxembourg posted a double digit return of 10.94% in May, and is the best performing market over the past three- (+24%) and twelve month periods (+42.34%). Iceland continues to perform poorly, posting a 7.9% monthly decline while losing almost half of its value over the past year (49.59%).

Nine of the ten sectors posted gains in May, with the Financials sector the decliner at -3.50%. Energy was again on top, adding 6.12% to its April gain of 12.05%.

Over the past 12-months, Energy has gained 25.27% while Financials have fallen 20.29%.  Information Technology also performed well in May, especially in the U.S., posting a 5.27% gain (+3.49% ex/U.S.).

The S&P/Citigroup World by Numbers Report for May can be accessed in full by going to www.worldbynumbers.standardandpoors.com .

align="center"> S&P/Citigroup BMI Total Returns*

align="center"> May- 08

align="center"> 1-Month %

align="center"> 3-Months %

align="center"> 12-Months %

France

align="center"> 2.00

align="center"> 9.35

align="center"> -3.97

Germany

align="center"> 2.20

align="center"> 7.82

align="center"> 3.42

Japan

align="center"> 2.64

align="center"> 5.67

align="center"> -6.31

United Kingdom

align="center"> 0.49

align="center"> 3.15

align="center"> -7.47

United States

align="center"> 2.03

align="center"> 6.39

align="center"> -5.98

AsiaPacific

align="center"> 2.00

align="center"> 4.80

align="center"> -1.61

Europe

align="center"> 0.79

align="center"> 5.68

align="center"> -3.47

North America

align="center"> 2.50

align="center"> 6.46

align="center"> -4.39

Dev. World

align="center"> 1.85

align="center"> 5.92

align="center"> -3.62

Brazil

align="center"> 11.36

align="center"> 17.94

align="center"> 68.97

China

align="center"> -3.80

align="center"> -2.96

align="center"> 26.74

India

align="center"> -9.43

align="center"> -11.50

align="center"> 9.31

Russia

align="center"> 15.56

align="center"> 16.67

align="center"> 46.16

South Africa

align="center"> 1.36

align="center"> 4.41

align="center"> 0.08

Taiwan

align="center"> -3.32

align="center"> 4.34

align="center"> 15.08

Emerging Markets

align="center"> 2.34

align="center"> 4.39

align="center"> 23.84


     *Country returns in $US
     Source: Standard & Poor's
     Data as of: 5/30/08

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