Canada Life's fund manager, Setanta, was the top performer in 2000, achieving investment returns of 10.8 per cent. This compares with very disappointing average returns of just 2.6 per cent for the industry - a long way short of the double-digit growth of recent years. Bank of Ireland Asset Management recovered its position among the top performers, coming in second place with returns of 8.4 per cent. Montgomery Oppenheim came in third at 8.3 per cent.

The worst performers were Baillie Gifford and Eagle Star. The value of these funds dropped 2.8 per cent last year.

Fund managers who invested heavily in the Irish stock market achieved the best results while those with exposures to technology, media and telecommunications stocks suffering most.