World Stock Markets Gain $5 Trillion In May

As stock markets around the world gained ground last month, the total world stock market capitalization increased by almost $5 trillion in May, according to preliminary data released today by the World Federation of Exchanges. The May gain follows increases of $3.65 trillion in April and $1 trillion in March, and is the first time in almost two years of three consecutive monthly advances in world stock market value.

The cumulative three-month gain of $9.625 trillion in world stock market capitalization brings the value of world equities up to $38.39 trillion, the highest level since September 2008, and marks a 33.5% increase from the February bottom (see chart above). All 52 world stock markets reporting to the World Federation of Exchanges registered May increases in their domestic stock market capitalization, led by India with a whopping 44% increase.