New Zealand equity funds dominated the poorest performers, particularly market-tracking index funds such as AMP's Tracker and those offered by BNZ, WestpacTrust and ASB Bank, reflecting the relatively poor returns available from the New Zealand sharemarket.

The top-performing unit trust for both the September 2000 quarter and year was the Affinity Healthcare Worldwide Growth Trust (part of the Calan group). It returned 28.33% and 145.62% for the periods respectively.

Sovereign topped the superannuation area for both the quarter and the year. The top-performing super trust for the quarter was the Sovereign Super International Property Fund which returned 10.66%, and for the year it was the Sovereign Super International Special Opportunities Fund with 36.81%.

The lowest-performing unit trust for the quarter was the AMP Unit Trust Asian Shares Fund, (-5.87%) while the FCMI Toronto New Zealand Equity Trust was the worst performer in the 12 month period with a - 4.78% net return.

The Tower FreedomPlan - Asia/Emerging Markets Fund was the lowest-performing superannuation trust over the quarter, while over the year the Royal & SunAlliance Superplan New Zealand Large Companies Fund was the lowest performer. These funds posted returns of -13.07% and -7.39% respectively.

For detailed analysis of the winners and the losers go to FEATURES.