To mark our 20th anniversary, CommSec has undertaken an in-depth review of economic developments and the evolution of share trading in Australia over the last two decades. Since CommSec started in 1995, the nation has enjoyed year after year of economic growth. The average wage has more than doubled during that time, while wealth has tripled. The share market has also changed markedly. Twenty years ago, BHP was the largest listed company on the ASX, ahead of News Corporation and the National Australia Bank. Today, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia sits in top position, followed by Westpac Banking Corporation and the Australia and New Zealand Banking Group. Find out more about investment returns and market performance at https://www.commsec.com.au/20years

1. 1995 2015
CommSec Celebrates
Size of the economy
RBA Cash Rate
Average Home Price
Average Wage
ASX Market Cap
ASX Listed Companies
ASX Daily Turnover
Gold (oz)
Iron Ore (tonne)
AUD/USD
Petrol (litre)
$488.6B $1,604B
2.00%7.50%
$125,000 $485,000
$32,755 $76,804
$299.1B $1.7T
1,163 2,220
$4.259B$0.467B
US$384.20 US$1,172
US$12.30 US$59.30
70.86 76.80
$0.705 $1.36
This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL
234945 (the Bank). The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities,
property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this
report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future
performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing. We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are rea-
sonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness. To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage aris-
ing from the use of this report. *ASX monthly Index data 30 June 1995 and 30 June 2015, ASX Share Ownership Survey 1994 and 2015.
All Ordinaries Index
1996
6300
6900
20101998 20062000 20082002 2004 2012 2014
2100
2700
3300
3900
4500
5100
5700
Source: ASX*, Iress, CommSec
A comparison of the Australian
sharemarket and economy