Thornton NTS Korea fund was the top performing emerging-market fund in the first quarter, gaining 100.93%, according to Standard & Poor's Micropal. In second place was Barclays ASF Korea Fund, up 96.18%; followed by Fidelity Advisor Korea Fund, up 82.08%.
In S&P Micropal's rankings for the 12 months ended March 31, the Russia Growth Fund claimed the top spot with a 123.32% rise, followed by Paribas EM Index Allocation Portugal Portfolio with 81.31%, and the SR Global Emerging Fund at 75.84%.
Russian equity funds continued to dominate the three-year rankings, ended March 31, taking eight of the top 10 positions. At the top was Firebird Fund LP, which advanced a cumulative 564% (88% annualized) in the period.
INVESCO CEAM Asset Management's East Europe Development Fund was the top performer for the five- and seven-year periods, with cumulative returns of 637.69% and 700.47%, respectively, reported S&P Micropal. Annualized returns were 49% and 35%, respectively.
The other funds in the top five for the five-year period were all Brazilian equity funds.