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WASHINGTON, D.C., June 4, 1995 -- The International Finance Corporation (IFC) released the 1995 Emerging Stock Markets Factbook which provides detailed information on 60 stock markets in developing countries. Now in its ninth annual edition, the Factbook has become a key reference on emerging stock markets for investors, businesspersons, academics, and journalists. The Factbook examines movements of stock markets over the last decade in 26 developing countries, as well as the impact of 1994's political and economic events on these markets. Data summaries for dozens of other markets are also included, along with overviews of emerging market economies and a detailed directory of emerging stock market exchanges around the world. The Factbook features 10 more markets than last year, including South Africa, reflecting the continued growth of private capital markets around the world. According to the Factbook, 1994 was a year in which many emerging markets experienced dramatic price swings and most markets ended th
e year at lower levels, however, there was also substantial progress in these markets. The total number of domestic companies listed on the principal stock exchanges rose 15 percent last year to over 17,000. The value of these new listings and other stock issues pushed aggregate market value at year end to a record US$1.9 trillion, up nearly 21 percent from 1993. Additionally, the total value of shares traded in emerging markets rose to a record US$1.6 trillion, up nearly 52 percent from 1993. "Emerging markets as a whole made impressive structural gains during the year," said Farida Khambata, Director of IFC's Capital Markets Department. "It was also a year which saw a tremendous broadening in increased liquidity and listings. These developments suggest that despite their performances in 1994, emerging markets continued to attract significant investment." The Factbook reports that out of 20 of the best performing equity markets in the world, 19 were emerging markets. Kenya topped the list with a 179 percent
increase over the year, followed by Egypt, Bangladesh, and Tunisia, each increasing well over 100 percent. (More) Press Release No. 95/109, page 2 of 2 In a pattern now familiar to emerging market investors, however, emerging markets also constituted 8 of the 10 worst performing markets in 1994. Turkey, Argentina, and Mexico were among the larger emerging markets that lost ground last year, each down by more than 40 percent. IFC is a member of the World Bank Group and is the leading multilateral source of equity and loan financing for private sector projects in developing countries. It is also the world's leading publisher of data on stock markets in developing countries. The 1995 Emerging Stock Markets Factbook is available for US$100 from IFC and World Bank Book stores. For book order requests, contact: International Finance Corporation Emerging Markets Data Base Room: I-3-175 1850 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20433 Tel: (202) 473-9550 Fax: (202) 676-9299 or The World Bank Book Store Tel: (202) 473-1155 Fax:
(202) 676-0581 For press copies, contact: Mr. Roderick Garnett International Finance Corporation Corporate Relations Unit Tel: (202) 473-3397 Fax: (202) 676-0365
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