Asia Pacific Funds

Investors who dared to invest in Asia despite the region's recent economic troubles have been rewarded of late. Most Asian funds have easily beaten the Standard & Poor's 500 Index this year. But over the long-term, investing in Asia has been far less profitable. Below are the top performers in this category, according to Morningstar Inc.

Total return

Fund name YTD 3-yr.*

Strong Asia Pacific 43.9 -3.8

800-368-1030

Deutsche Top 50 Asia A 43.7 N/A

888-433-6385

Federated Asia Pacific Growth A 40.6 -3.5

800-341-7400

John Hancock Pacific Basin Equities A 40.1 -3.7

800-225-5291

Excelsior Pacific/Asia 38.6 -2.6

800-446-1012

Alliance All-Asia Investment A 37.8 -8.7

800-227-4618

Schroder All-Asia A 36.9 -9.6

800-464-3108

GAM Pacific Basin A 33.7 -4.9

800-426-4685

Delaware New Pacific A 32.8 -11.4

800-523-4640

MSDW Pacific Growth A 32.2 N/A

800-869-6397

S&P 500 Index 9.0 28.9

Source: Morningstar Inc. as of 6/23/99; *Annualized N/A - not available