World stock markets have hit a five-year high following equity prices increases over the past year, with Thailand posting the biggest returns.
A benchmark report tracking share movements in 39 countries found that 82 per cent of them have seen prices rise by an average of 11 per cent over the last 12 months, defying a bleak global economic outlook.
It was the highest number of countries with annual price rises since 2007 and compared with 8 per cent a year ago.
The biggest increases have, unsurprisingly, been in emerging economies, according to the Lloyds TSB International Survey of International Stock Markets, published today.
Thailand was the best performing stock market in the 12 months to the end of September, with growth of 42 per cent.