Last Updated on 11 September, 2023 by Samuelsson

1. United States: The United States stock market has been one of the best performing stock markets in the world ever since 1900. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) has seen a return of roughly 5,800% since 1900, making it one of the best-performing markets of all time. The Nasdaq Composite has also seen a return of roughly 8,400% since its inception in 1971.

2. Japan: Japan is another country that has seen remarkable stock market growth since 1900. The Nikkei 225 index has seen a return of nearly 4,000% since its inception in 1950. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

3. Germany: The German stock market has seen a return of 2,500% since the end of World War II in 1945. This makes it one of the best-performing stock markets of all time.

4. United Kingdom: The UK stock market has seen a return of around 2,500% since 1900. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

5. Switzerland: The Swiss stock market has seen a return of around 1,700% since 1900. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

6. Canada: The Canadian stock market has seen a return of around 1,400% since 1900. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

7. Australia: The Australian stock market has seen a return of around 1,200% since 1900. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

8. Hong Kong: The Hong Kong stock market has seen a return of around 1,000% since 1900. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

9. Singapore: The Singapore stock market has seen a return of around 800% since its inception in 1973. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

10. India: The Indian stock market has seen a return of around 800% since its inception in 1992. This makes it one of the best-performing markets of all time.

History of the stock markets in the world

The history of the stock markets in the world can be traced back to medieval Italy, where the first public stock exchange was established in the city of Venice in 1171. This exchange allowed for the trading of government-issued bonds and other financial instruments. The concept of a stock exchange then spread to other countries in Europe, such as France and the Netherlands.

The first stock exchange in the United States was the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, which opened in 1790. It was followed by the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the oldest stock exchange in the US, in 1817. The NYSE is the largest stock exchange in the world, with a total market capitalization of over $30 trillion.

The modern stock market has evolved significantly since its early days. The introduction of computerized trading systems in the 1970s allowed for the rapid execution of trades and the ability to instantly access real-time information about stocks and other financial instruments. This revolutionized the way in which stock markets operated, making them more efficient and allowing for greater liquidity.

Today, the stock markets in the world are highly interconnected and the global market capitalization is estimated to be around $80 trillion. Stock markets are now dominated by large institutional investors, such as mutual funds, pension funds, and hedge funds. These investors are responsible for the majority of trading activity on the stock markets and have a significant influence on the overall direction of the markets.

The stock markets in the world have experienced numerous peaks and troughs over the years, but have generally trended upwards over the long-term. Despite the occasional volatility, stock markets remain an important part of the global economy and offer investors the opportunity to diversify their portfolios and generate returns.

What is the worst stock market performance in the world?

The worst stock market performance in the world since 1900 occurred in Zimbabwe in 2008. At the beginning of the year, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) All Share Index had a value of 5,677. By the end of the year it had plummeted to a mere 0.05, a drop of 99.99%. This dramatic decrease in value was the result of a combination of extreme hyperinflation, a rapidly depreciating currency, and a struggling economy.

Inflation in Zimbabwe had been on an upward trajectory since 1999, when the government introduced land reforms that disrupted agriculture and caused a severe shortage of food and other supplies. By 2008, inflation had reached a staggering 231 million percent, making it impossible for citizens to purchase basic necessities. This economic turmoil was exacerbated by Zimbabwe’s decision to abandon its own currency, the Zimbabwean dollar, in favour of foreign currencies such as the United States dollar, the South African rand and the British pound. This led to a further devaluation of the Zimbabwean dollar and caused the stock market to plummet.

The government attempted to restore confidence in the market by introducing a multi-currency system, which allowed foreign currencies to be used in parallel with the Zimbabwean dollar. However, the move failed to have any significant effect on the market, and the ZSE All Share Index continued to fall throughout the year. By the end of 2008, the value of the index had dropped to 0.05, making it one of the worst stock market performances in the world since 1900.

The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has since recovered somewhat, and the All Share Index was valued at around 18,000 at the end of 2019. However, this dramatic drop in 2008 serves as a reminder of the fragility of the stock market and the potential risks involved in investing in international markets.