Shares of IMF Bentham Limited (ASX:IMF) last traded at 2.6, representing a move of 3.17%, or 0.08 per share, on volume of 637,413 shares. After opening the trading day at 2.52, shares of IMF Bentham Limited traded in a close range. IMF Bentham Limited currently has a total float of 204.61 million shares and on average sees 353,513 shares exchange hands each day. The stock now has a 52-week low of 2.23 and high of 3.38.

This Is Why S&P/ASX 200 Is Up 4.7% For The Year

S&P/ASX 200 is a leading market index that features Australia?s top 200 companies ranked based on market capitalization. IMF Bentham Limited is one of many involved in trades. The index first went online in April of 2,000 after inheriting all the data from All Ordinaries. The index does not have restrictions on the kind of companies that can be listed as long as one meets the minimum eligibility requirements.

ASX 200 Highs and Lows

Since its inception, the index all time high stands at 6828.70 points recorded in November 2007. The index boasts of an all-time low of 1358.50 points registered in November 1992 and inherited from All Ordinaries.

The index currently covers 80% of Australia?s equity market something that has made it a reliable tool for gauging the health of the country?s equity market. ASX 200 is also liquidperfect from addressing all kinds of investment needs for managers who need to diversity in their portfolio. Good liquidity of IMF Bentham Limited attracted traders at the market.

S&P/ ASX 200 is market-capitalization weighted, meaning its rating can only move up or down, based price changes of stocks listed. Weighted points are not in any way affected by changes in market capitalization not tied to stock prices. Unlike other indexes, ASX 200 does to take into consideration-restricted stocks normally issued to strategic investor?s, governments or venture capitalists as these are deemed strategic holdings mostly considered log term investments.

Listing Requirements

Companies that would wish to be listed in the index must first have their shares listed on the country?s national bourse, the ASX. Liquidity of a stock is another factor that is usually taken into consideration prior to a company being listed. The index also ensures that no single company dominates trading.

Rebalancing of the index usually takes place every three months in a bid to ensure that all the stocks listed meet the minimum requirement. In the just concluded rebalancing carried out on September 16, 2016, six companies were dropped and consequently replaced by six others that had met the minimum requirement.

The index rebalancing is normally carried out by a five-panel ?index committee? with the next one slated for December 16, 2016. While rebalancing can reduce the number of stocks listed, the committee cannot list more than 200 companies. Fortunately, IMF Bentham Limited is one of them.

Some of the sectors that feature prominently in the index include utilities, financials, and Healthcare. Financials account for a huge chunk of the index?s total weighted points, at 40% with the second one accounting for less than 20%. The index total equity capitalization on the other hand accounts for 80% of Australian Securities Exchange total capitalization.

ASX 200 Performance

The S&P ASX 200 is currently up by 4.7% for the year as institutional and retail investors continue to scramble for positions in some of the companies with solid growth prospects. Strong corporate governance is one of the reasons that most investors are showing strong interest in the country?s top tier companies most of which are listed in the ASX 200.

Australia also boasts of one of the lowest interest rate environment in the developed world seen as a key drawer of investments from investors abroad. Companies like IMF Bentham Limited are the safe haven for many.

More notable recent IMF Bentham Limited (ASX:IMF) news were published by: Fool.com.Au which released: “Why I’m sticking closer to my circle of competence right now – Motley Fool Australia” on October 19, 2018, also Theguardian.com with their article: “Australian shares hit four-month low as IMF warns on growth – The Guardian” published on October 09, 2018, Fool.com.Au published: “Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX:WOW) hit with $100 million class action – Motley Fool Australia” on September 11, 2018. More interesting news about IMF Bentham Limited (ASX:IMF) were released by: Fool.com.Au and their article: “Brambles Limited denies misleading shareholders – Motley Fool Australia” published on August 15, 2018 as well as Fool.com.Au‘s news article titled: “Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today – Motley Fool Australia” with publication date: July 23, 2018.

IMF Bentham Limited investigates, manages, and funds litigation claims in Australia, the United States, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Europe. The company has market cap of $531.98 million. The company's practice areas include commercial litigation, funding for insolvency, class actions, and arbitration. It currently has negative earnings. The Company’s services include funding for litigations; factual investigations preliminary to litigations; appeal funding; payment of adverse costs orders; strategic planning, monitoring, and managing of litigation; and assistance in facilitating settlements and maximizing the value of claim.