Last year proved to be one of significant growth and success for listed Western Australian companies, according to a recent stock exchange performance report. The Deloitte WA Stock Exchange Index provides a review of major changes in capitalisation of WA listed companies, and highlights of individual company movements in 2005. According to the report, the increase over the calendar year took the total market capitalisation of WA listed companies to $83.4 billion at December 31. The Deloitte WA Index rose by 31.9 per cent during the past 12 months, continuing its trend of substantial out-performance of the benchmark ASX All Ordinaries, which rose 16.2 per cent. Individual company highlights included Woodside Petroleum, which doubled its market capitalisation from $13 billion to $26 billion and is now the largest WA listed company. Paladin Resources also enjoyed a strong year, leaping from 48th in the previous year to 15th in 2005 in terms of WA companies by market capitalisation. The company also recorded the largest increase in market capitalisation by percentage with growth of more than 400 per cent. Triple digit growth was also recorded by Fortescue Metals Group and the United Group. Overall, the top 20 companies in 2005 increased their market capitalisation by more than $16 billion, or 37 per cent.
