India Stock Market Could Enter Top 5 In World Based On This

India's market capitalisation has surged 37 per cent this year to $3.46 trillion, according to an index compiled by Bloomberg

India's equity market is on the cusp of overtaking that of the UK in value to join the world's top-five club, at least by one measure. The likely feat comes as record-low interest rates and a retail-investing boom propel stocks in the former British colony to record highs.

India's market capitalisation has surged 37 per cent this year to $3.46 trillion, according to an index compiled by Bloomberg, representing the combined value of companies with a primary listing there. That's closing in on the UK, which has seen an increase of about 9 per cent to $3.59 trillion, though the number is much larger if secondary listings and depositary receipts are included. 

As the two economies converge in size, India's higher growth potential and a vibrant technology sector that's seen a flood of startups going public this year are giving the emerging market an edge -- especially when sentiment toward Chinese equities has soured. As for the UK, uncertainties related to Brexit continue to weigh on the market.

“India is seen as an attractive domestic stock market with good longer-term growth potential from an immature economy, and a stable and reformist political base is helpful in realizing this potential,” Roger Jones, head of equities at London and Capital Asset Management, wrote in emailed comments. “On the other hand, the UK has been out of favor since the Brexit referendum outcome.”