This article and chart courtesy of Bespoke Investment.
Below we highlight the performance of major equity market indices in 81 countries around the world. While most of the world is struggling, there are 8 countries that are within 1.7% of 52-week highs. Sri Lanka, Chile, Bangladesh, and Venezuela are all basically at 52-week highs. Of the G-7 countries, Germany and Canada are closest to their 52-week highs at about -6%. The US ranks third out of seven at -12.74%, followed by Britain (-13.41%), France (-16.41%), Japan (-17.26%), and Italy (-23.63%). It's not surprising to see Greece the farthest from its 52-week high at -50.15%. Other key countries that are more than 20% away from their 52-week highs include Russia, China, and Spain.
In terms of year to date performance (local currency), Bangladesh ranks first at +36.59%, followed by Estonia (32.86%) and Sri Lanka (31.87%). Of the G-7, Germany is doing the best with a decline of just -0.05%, followed by Canada at -1.74% and the US at -4.49%. Of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries, India is holding up the best so far in 2010 with a decline of 4.62%. Brazil ranks second at -6.67%, followed by Russia at -7.54% and then China at -21.15%. Greece (-33.44%), Bermuda (-28.33%), and Spain (-26.55%) are down the most of any countries year to date.
