South Africa’s stock exchange ranked world’s best

For the fifth time, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has  ranked the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as the number one stock exchange globally.

The bourse, which operates the largest equities and bond markets in Africa, was deemed a world best for effectiveness of regulation and supervision among the 144 nations examined in the Global Competitive Report (GCR) 2014-2015.

Criteria for the ranking included quality of infrastructure and institutions, efficiency and market sophistication for its judgement.

On the GCR index, South Africa ranked Number 56. 

However, on its ability to  raise finance through the local equity market and the effectiveness of corporate boards, it was ranked third.

It was also placed second in protecting the rights of minority shareholders.

The JSE is Africa’s biggest stock market and the 19th in the world by market capitalisation.