New Report Out! Exchanges in 2021: the year in statistics

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A summary of FESE members’ trading figures

Global Overview

The data for the year 2021 confirms the growth trend observed by the end of 2020, with many indicators on stock markets around the world reaching record levels.[i] In the US, for example, the S&P 500 reached 70 all-time highs in the year, a figure second only to the record set in 1995.[ii] The Stoxx 600 in Europe also recorded a significant jump last year, the second-best yearly performance in the last decade.[iii] In the second half of 2021, new post-summer highs were also recorded for a variety of European indices, including the CAC 40, Italy 40, and Dax 40.[iv]

In line with the general positive trend experienced in global financial markets, 2021 marked a very successful year across most asset classes. It is worth highlighting the high number of IPOs, new listings, market capitalisation, ETFs trading and bonds. Other asset classes have gone more under the radar than in previous years, such as stock/index options and futures, while Forex observed a decline in (notional) turnover and UCITS a fall in market capitalisation.

Download the report for a summary of the 2021 results of trading figures provided by FESE members.


[i] FESE. (2021). Statistics: Capital Market Fact Sheet. https://www.fese.eu/statistics/#cmf; & WFE. (2021). H1 2021 market highlights. https://www.world-exchanges.org/storage/app/media/H1 2021 Market Highlights Final.pdf
[ii] Jackson, A. (2022, January 3). 2021 Stock Market Year In Review. Forbes Advisor. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/investing/stock-market-year-in-review-2021/
[iii] Reuters. (2022). European stocks kick off 2022 at record highs. https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/european-stocks-kick-off-2022-record-highs-2022-01-03/
[iv] Ibid.