Global Stock Market Update: Advancers Still Dominate

Here is an update of the performances of world stock markets courtesy of Bespoke Invest.

From Bespoke

Just over 30% of the countries shown are down so far this year. Bangladesh has been the worst performer in 2011 with a decline of 23.69% year to date. The country was the 2nd best performer in 2010 behind Sri Lanka with a gain of 82.79%. With its uprising this month, Tunisia is the only other country down more than 10%.

Of the G7 countries, Italy ranks first, followed by France (+6%), the US (+2.57%), Germany (+2.22%), and Japan (+1.14%). The UK ranks second to last of the G7 countries with a gain of 0.74%. Canada ranks dead last and is the only G7 country that is down year to date (-0.69%).

Looking at the BRICs, China continues to struggle with a year-to-date decline of 4% after falling 14.31% in 2010. India is also struggling with a decline of 6.62%, but unlike China, India saw nice gains last year. Russia is currently the top performing BRIC country with a year-to-date gain of 5.39%, and Brazil is just barely in the black at +0.12%.

My comments

Trading Places. Many of last year’s top performers are at the bottom and that includes the Philippines. Whereas many of last year’s laggards are on the upper echelon of the winner’s bracket (Italy, Spain, Greece).

Tailwind. Some of last year’s topnotchers continue to sizzle (Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Estonia), while some of last year’s tailenders continue to trail (Bermuda, Dubai, China).

Definitely NOT A Bear Market. With 30% of global equities down, the obverse side is that 70% of global equities are up. In short, gainers still dominate.

Developed world outpaces major Emerging Markets. It’s yet too early to say that this will be the central trend for the year. Though I wouldn’t bet on it.

Web Revolution. Bespoke links to a New York Times site which shows of the video that triggered the People’s Power revolution in Tunisia. The link here. It’s amazing to see how political events are being shaped by the web.