What are the top 10 global stock market trends of the year?

As an AI language model, I can provide you with an overview of some significant stock market trends observed globally in the year. However, please note that the stock market is highly dynamic and subject to change. Here are ten notable trends observed in the global stock market:

1. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact: The COVID-19 pandemic dominated the markets, causing significant volatility and market downturns, followed by a strong recovery as economies reopened and vaccine distribution progressed.

2. Tech Stocks Surge: Technology sector stocks experienced robust growth as the pandemic accelerated digital transformation and remote work. Companies like Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, and Tesla reached record highs.

3. E-commerce Boom: As lockdowns and social distancing measures became prominent, online shopping and e-commerce platforms witnessed significant growth, promoting companies like Amazon, Alibaba, and Shopify.

4. Renewable Energy Focus: Growing concerns about climate change led to increased investments in renewable energy stocks like solar, wind, and electric vehicle companies.

5. SPACs (Special Purpose Acquisition Companies): SPACs gained popularity as an alternative path for companies to go public, allowing significant capital raising through IPOs. Several well-known companies chose this route.

6. Vaccine Developments: Positive vaccine breakthroughs brought optimism to the markets, leading to rallies in sectors hit hardest by the pandemic, such as travel, tourism, and hospitality.

7. Emerging Markets: Emerging markets experienced a roller-coaster ride due to currency fluctuations, political uncertainties, and economic challenges brought by the pandemic. Countries like China, India, Brazil, and South Korea showcased both opportunities and risks.

8. Electric Vehicle Boom: Companies in the electric vehicle industry witnessed remarkable growth as governments worldwide increased focus on EV adoption and announced plans to phase out traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

9. Cryptocurrency Surge: Cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin, gained significant attention and experienced a surge in value, partly due to increased institutional interest and wider adoption.

10. Inflation Concerns: Towards the end of the year, concerns surrounding potential inflationary pressures rose, impacting bond yields and leading to market volatility.

Please note that these trends are generalized, and specific events and market movements may have influenced individual stock performance differently.