Record year for savers in Handelsbanken's mutual funds
In 1999, the total value of Handelsbanken's funds rose from SEK 55bn to 88bn. Almost SEK 8bn of this amount was new savings. "The rest - in other words SEK 25bn - goes back to the unit-holders. I am particularly happy about how well our fund savers have done. 1999 is far and away our best year ever," says Peter Engdahl, Head of Handelsbanken Mutual Funds.
The best perfomers were Nordenfonden (Nordic) which grew by 70 percent, Nordiska småbolagsfonden (Nordic small caps) up 67 percent, Reavinstfonden (Capital Gains) 65 percent, Östeuropafonden (Eastern Europe) 76 percent, Tillväxtmarknadsfonden (Emerging markets) 77 percent and Japanfonden (Japan) up 89%. The Europa Aggressiv fund increased by 37 percent compared to 17 percent for its benchmark index.
Out of the major Swedish banks, Handelsbanken has the most mutual funds which top the value increase statistics for 1999.
"It is hardly likely that 2000 will be as outstanding as 1999 but there are nevertheless a number of bright points which make us optimistic about the future success of our funds," says Peter Engdahl.
"Another important reason to save in mutual funds is the new premium pension selection which must be made later this year. For this purpose we have specially designed a number of generation funds with varying focus for different age-groups. Several of our most successful funds are also included of course as an alternative for fund-savers. They are also a good choice if you want to save a bit more over and above the premium pension," says Peter Engdahl.
For further information, please contact: <br>Peter Engdahl, Chief Executive, Handelsbanken Fonder, tel +46 8 701 2630 or +46 70-550 79 55. <br>