The index, which aims to reflect market sentiment, closed at 22,480.58 on 31 July 2009, with 14 of its 18 listed exchanges experiencing an increase in share value.

Four exchanges showed decreases during July with the CME Group and the Intercontinental Exchange showing the biggest decline in share price with recorded figures of -10.4 per cent and -17.7 per cent respectively.

Listed exchanges reached an all-time low in February 2009, but produced steep increases during March, April and May. This declined slightly in June but July's figures show a return to growth overall across the markets. The overall trend remains positive as year to date the index has increased by 42.4 per cent.

Herbie Skeete, managing director of Mondo Visione and co-founder of the index, says: 'The outlook for listed exchanges is still very positive and reflects the general trend in global equities across the world.

'The reason behind the sharp drops in share price for the CME Group and Intercontinental Exchanges could lie with regulatory matters. The Commodity and Futures Trading Commission is conducting hearings into position limits and hedge exemptions in energy derivatives markets. The imposition of stricter limits could cause volumes to fall.'

The FTSE Mondo Visione Exchanges Index best performer by capital returns in US dollars was the Singapore Exchange with a 23.3 per cent increase in share price from 30 June 2009 to 31 July 2009.

The worst performer by capital returns in US dollars was Intercontinental Exchange with a 17.7 per cent decrease in share price from 30 June 2009 to 31 July 2009.