US Stock Markets Lead Globally in Returns in 2024, India Lags Behind Most Counterparts: Report

New Delhi :The year 2024 was a strong one for global financial markets, with the United States leading the charge in stock market returns, according to a report by Axis Securities. While the Indian stock market showed steady growth, it lagged behind most major global indices.

The report highlighted that the S&P BSE Sensex in India delivered a solid 8.9% return, with the Nifty 50 also providing about 9% growth. However, these figures were modest compared to the performance of stock markets in the US and other global markets.

In contrast, the US equity markets saw substantial gains in 2024. The Dow Jones Industrial Average posted a 14.1% gain, while the broader S&P 500 surged by 25.2%, making it the best-performing major market globally. The NASDAQ-100, driven by technology stocks, led the pack with an impressive 27.6% return. Even smaller companies thrived, with the Russell 2000 Index showing an 8.9% return, just slightly above India’s performance.

In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 stood out, showing an impressive 20.4% return, signaling a strong economic recovery. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index bounced back sharply from its 16% decline in 2023, registering a 17.9% gain.

European markets demonstrated more moderate growth, with the Euro Stoxx 50 climbing by 6.5%, and the UK FTSE 100 rising by 5.4%.

Sectorally, the Indian markets displayed robust strength across most sectors, although Bankex and FMCG underperformed compared to the Sensex. This suggests healthy investor sentiment, particularly in sectors outside the banking and consumer goods industries.

Overall, 2024 was marked by a global rally in equity markets, with the US standing out as the top performer. The year saw strong recovery, driven by technological growth and widespread investor participation, positioning the US as the leader in global stock market returns.