How to Access Global Index Funds from Kenya and What the 2020–2025 Trends Reveal FAQs

1: What are the top-performing global stock indexes by country from 2020 to 2025?

Between 2020 and 2025, global stock indexes exhibited varying performance, influenced by COVID-19 recovery, interest rate adjustments, inflation trends, and geopolitical risks.

Top-performing indexes by country (2020–2025) include:

• India – Nifty 50 / [suspicious link removed]: Strong returns driven by tech, energy, and manufacturing growth.
• United States – S&P 500 / Nasdaq 100: Robust performance post-pandemic, led by AI, tech, and energy sectors. You can track the S&P 500 on financial news sites like Yahoo Finance and the Nasdaq 100 on Nasdaq’s official site.
• Japan – Nikkei 225: Benefited from a weakening yen and strong exports.
• Mexico – IPC Index: Outperformed due to nearshoring trends and fiscal stability.
• United Kingdom – FTSE 100: Stable performance with oil, gas, and finance support.

The average annual return (CAGR) for these indexes ranged from 8% to 13%, depending on the base year and currency denomination.

Formula:

CAGR = (Ending Value / Beginning Value) ^ (1 / Number of Years) – 1

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2: How has the S&P 500 compared to other major global indexes since 2020?

The S&P 500, a benchmark for U.S. equities, has shown solid performance but faced strong competition from certain global markets.

• From 2020 to 2021: S&P 500 surged due to tech stocks and low interest rates.
• 2022: Faced setbacks due to inflation and Fed tightening.
• 2023–2025: Recovered with strong AI and green tech momentum, impacting companies like Nasdaq Meta, Nasdaq TSLA, and Nasdaq Amazon.

Comparison with other indexes:

• S&P 500 (U.S.): ~11% CAGR (2020–2025). You can find its performance on S&P Dow Jones Indices.
• Nasdaq 100 (U.S.): ~13% CAGR. Track the Nasdaq performance on Nasdaq.com.
• Nikkei 225 (Japan): ~10% CAGR.
• MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Emerging Markets): ~6% CAGR.
• Euro Stoxx 50 (Eurozone): ~7% CAGR.

Overall, the S&P 500 outperformed most developed market indexes but was occasionally outpaced by tech-heavy or resource-driven indexes like Nasdaq and India’s Nifty 50.

3: Which countries had the best stock market growth between 2020 and 2025?

Top countries by stock market growth (2020–2025):

• India – Nifty 50 gained significantly due to economic resilience, digital transformation, and FDI inflows.
• United States – Led by mega-cap tech and consistent earnings growth, impacting the Nasdaq and S&P500.
• Japan – Benefited from a weak yen and capital expenditure recovery.
• Mexico & Brazil – Commodity prices and nearshoring drove index performance.
• Vietnam & Indonesia – Among frontier/emerging markets with high growth.

Key factors:

• Domestic consumption
• Technological innovation
• Government policy reforms
• Export growth and FDI

Sample return comparison (indicative):

• Nifty 50: ~13% CAGR
• S&P 500: ~11% CAGR
• Nikkei 225: ~10% CAGR
• MSCI EM: ~6% CAGR

4: What trends have shaped country-level stock index performance from 2020 to 2025?

Major trends influencing index performance:

• COVID-19 Recovery (2020–2021): Governments introduced massive stimulus, boosting equity markets, including the Nasdaq and S&P500.
• Tech Acceleration: Global digital adoption post-pandemic drove tech-heavy indexes higher. This was particularly evident in the performance of companies like Nasdaq Meta, Nasdaq TSLA, and Nasdaq Amazon.
• Monetary Tightening (2022): Interest rate hikes caused corrections, especially in growth stocks.
• Energy Transition (2022–2025): Green energy stocks outperformed; carbon-heavy economies lagged.
• De-dollarization & Reshoring: Countries benefiting from supply chain realignments (e.g., Mexico, India) performed well.
• Geopolitical Risks: Russia-Ukraine conflict, China–U.S. tensions affected select markets.

These trends caused divergence between developed vs. emerging markets and resource vs. tech-driven economies.

5: How did emerging markets perform compared to developed markets from 2020 to 2025?

Emerging markets had a mixed performance when compared to developed markets over 2020–2025.

Key comparative metrics:

Emerging market indexes (e.g., MSCI Emerging Markets Index) underperformed developed market indexes (e.g., MSCI World) in aggregate, though specific EMs like India, Brazil, and Mexico outpaced many European markets.

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6: What factors influence the performance of a country’s stock index?

Several macroeconomic, geopolitical, and market-specific factors influence a country’s stock index performance. These include:

• GDP Growth Rate: A growing economy usually leads to higher corporate earnings, boosting stock performance.
• Interest Rates: Lower interest rates generally make borrowing cheaper, encouraging investment and spending, which can increase stock prices.
• Inflation Rates: Moderate inflation is generally seen as a sign of a growing economy. However, high inflation can erode purchasing power and impact corporate profits.
• Currency Stability: A strong and stable currency can attract foreign investors.
• Political Stability: Countries with stable governments tend to attract more long-term investors.
• Sector Weightings: If a stock index is heavily weighted toward a specific sector (e.g., tech or energy, like the Nasdaq), that sector’s global performance will significantly influence the index.

These factors do not act in isolation but interact to shape investor sentiment and capital flows.

7: How do I interpret the annual return of a global index?

Annual return reflects the percentage change in the value of an index over a one-year period and includes price appreciation and dividends (if applicable). It’s calculated using:

Formula:

Annual Return (%) = [(Ending Index Value – Beginning Index Value) / Beginning Index Value] * 100

For example, if the S&P 500 index started at 4,000 and ended at 4,600 over one year:

Annual Return = [(4,600 – 4,000) / 4,000] * 100 = 15%

A positive return indicates index growth; a negative return signals a loss. Comparing this figure across indexes or to inflation and interest rates helps evaluate relative performance.

8: What is the difference between developed and emerging market indexes?

Developed Market Indexes represent countries with mature, stable, and large economies. Examples include:

• S&P 500 (USA)
• FTSE 100 (UK)
• DAX (Germany)
• Nikkei 225 (Japan)

Emerging Market Indexes cover countries with rapid economic growth but higher risk and volatility. Examples include:

• MSCI Emerging Markets Index
• NSE All Share Index (Kenya)
• Bovespa (Brazil)
• Shanghai Composite (China)

Key differences:

• Liquidity: Developed markets are more liquid.
• Regulation: Developed markets have stricter regulatory frameworks.
• Growth Potential: Emerging markets offer higher growth potential but with higher volatility.
• Currency Risks: Emerging markets are more susceptible to currency fluctuations.

9: How have African indexes performed compared to global indexes from 2020 to 2025?

While specific performance varies by country and year, some general trends include:

• 2020–2021: African markets lagged due to COVID-19’s impact on tourism, commodities, and local currencies. The NSE 20 in Kenya and Nigeria’s NGX were particularly sluggish.
• 2022–2023: Recovery driven by commodities (oil, gold, copper) and improved investor sentiment. Egypt and South Africa saw notable upswings.
• 2024–2025: Mixed trends. Political instability in some countries caused volatility, but others like Kenya and Ghana attracted green investment inflows. ESG-related gains and fintech adoption supported index gains in select regions.

By contrast, developed markets showed higher average annual returns (e.g., 8–12%) due to tech and infrastructure rebounds, as seen in the Nasdaq and S&P500. African indexes, while less consistent, showed 5–10% returns in their best-performing years.

10: Can I invest in global indexes from Kenya, and if so, how?

Yes, investors in Kenya can access global indexes in multiple ways:

• Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs): These track global indexes like the Nasdaq 100 or S&P500 and are accessible via platforms like:
  • Interactive Brokers
  • Saxo Bank
  • Hisa App (Kenya-based)
• Mutual Funds: Some Kenyan asset managers offer feeder funds that invest in global index funds.
• Global Brokerage Accounts: You can open an account with an international broker to directly buy ETFs or index mutual funds.
• Structured Notes & Derivatives: High-net-worth individuals can access custom index-linked products via local investment banks.

Before investing, consider:

• Currency risk
• Platform fees
• Regulatory compliance (CBK & CMA)
• Diversification strategy

Global index investing is ideal for long-term growth and portfolio diversification. For more detailed guidance on global investment opportunities, visit serrarigroup.com.

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