The 2009 performance numbers of foreign bank stocks traded in the US markets are listed below in three sections.
a. Foreign Bank ADRs
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The best foreign bank ADR was Banco Macro of Argentina with a return of 175%. The worst performer was Llyods Bank of UK which lost 56%. Another British bank Royal Bank of Scotland also was a poor performer with a loss of 38%. Brazilian banks Itau Unibanco and Banco Bradesco more than doubled last year.
b. Canadian Inter-Listed Banks
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Among the five Canadian banks, Bank of Montreal was the top performing stock with a return of 116%. Canada’s most profitable bank Royal Bank of Canada returned 86%. Overall all the Canadian bank stocks rebounded nicely in 2009.
c. Select Foreign Bank ADRs Traded on the OTC
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Commerzbank of Germany was the performing stock with a loss of 13%. Societe Generale of France beat BNP Paribas easily. All the three Australian banks – Westpac, National Australia Bank and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group – had great runs last year. Erste Bank received one of the most favorable bailouts from the Austrian government.DBS and United Overseas Bank of Singapore jumped over 50%.
