China Tops Merrill Lynch's Market PerformersChina's stock market soared 47 percent in the first half of 2000, becoming the best global performer, according to Wall Street investment firm Merrill Lynch in New York.China's market went up 32 percent in 1999, ranking 22 globally on Merrill Lynch's list. A latest survey released Thursday by the company's International Private Client Group (IPCG) said Canada was the second best performer recording a 20 percent increase in the January-June 2000 period. Among the growth listings were also Israel, 13 percent; Poland, 10 percent; Italy, 9 percent; and France, 7 percent. But most of the developed nations' markets saw a dip. The United States, which rose 20 percent in 1999, fell 2 percent this year. Merrill Lynch IPCG world stock market performance ranking is based on the major index for each market surveyed in local currency. The company advised investors to build an internationally diversified investment portfolio to balance risk and ensure returns. |
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