Global Stock Market Capitalization Hits 20-Month High In March 2010

According to data from the World Federation of Exchanges, world stock market valuation reached a 20-month high of $49.1 trillion in March, the highest level since July 2008. Compared to last March, world markets have gained 55.4% in value, led by strong annual, triple-digit gains from Brazil (102%), India (125%), Turkey (131%), and Japan (104%).

From the February 2009 bottom of $28.6 trillion, world stock market capitalization has gained more than $20 trillion, and has increased by 72%. From the all-time December 2007 high of about $61 trillion, the world stock markets lost about $30 trillion in value in 14 months through February 2009, and $20 trillion of that loss has been regained through March of this year. Although world stock market value is still down $10 trillion from the peak, it should be noted that there is $29 trillion more of stock market wealth today ($49 trillion), than in 2002 ($20 trillion).