The world's financial assets reached a record $140 trillion worth of stocks, bonds and other financial assets as of 2005, more than three times as large as the total worldwide GDP, according to a study by McKinsey & Co., the Wall Street Journal reported.
Global financial stock of $140 trillion in 2005 was a an increase of $7 trillion from a year earlier. Eurozone added $3.3 trillion of assets in 2005, reflecting a 6% annual growth rate over the last ten years – nearly twice the pace of Anglo–Saxon rivals.
The depth of world financial markets rose to an all–time high of 316% – more than three times world GDP. With few exceptions, deeper financial markets create better access to funding for companies.

Source: Wall Street Journal