11 Jan 2010 14:07

Russian stock market proves world growth leader for 2009

MOSCOW. Jan 11 (Interfax) - The Russian stock market, which in 2008 had set a world record for losses, ended 2009 as the world's growth leader.

Having fallen to under 500 points in January of last year, the RTS had rebounded 128.6% to 1444.61 points by the end of the year, while the MICEX leapt 121.1% to 1370.01 points

The Sri Lanka Colombo All Share, the Russian stock market's closest growth competitor last year, rose 125.2%, the China Shenzhen A Shares gained almost 1175% and Argentina's Merval 115%.

Stocks gained almost 100% in Turkey and Ukraine's PFTS index, considered that market's strongest, rose 90%.

By way of comparison, the Dow Jones ended 2009 up only 18.8%, the FTSE 22.1%, and the Nikkei 19%.