The XIE Shares FTSE Chimerica ETF delivered 71.71% in 2017, the highest return among funds authorised for sale in Hong Kong, according to data from FE. The Hong Kong-domiciled ETF tracks the performance of Chinese companies listed in the US, such as Alibaba, Baidu, Ctrip, JD.com or Netease.
The list of top ten best performing funds and ETFs consists of nine China equity funds and one India equity fund. All of them delivered more than 60% of return on the one-year basis as of 31 December 2017, measured in US dollars.
Top 10 performers (Hong Kong)
| Fund | Sector | 1-year Return |
| XIE Shares FTSE Chimerica ETF | China Equity | 71.71% |
| Investec All China Equity Fund* | China Equity | 69.01% |
| Hang Seng China Equity | China Equity | 65.84% |
| Neuberger Berman China Equity Fund* | Greater China Equity | 65.10% |
| Hang Seng Consumer Sector Flexipower Fund | China Equity | 64.31% |
| C Shares CSI Consumer Staples Index ETF | China Equity | 62.25% |
| CUAM China Hong Kong Strategy Fund | Greater China Equity | 61.23% |
| Value Partners Chinese Mainland Focus Fund* | China Equity | 61.19% |
| Invesco PRC Equity Fund | China Equity | 61.00% |
| Alquity Indian Subcontinent Fund | India Equity | 60.15% |
Data: FE, 31 December 2017, returns in US dollars
The list of worst performers in 2017 consists mostly of physical commodity and energy equity funds, however some China equity funds have also made it to the bottom ten, proving that a rising tide does not, in fact, lift all boats.
In particular, Chinese high-tech stocks listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange did poorly compared to Chinese equities overall, dragging down the performance of the CSOP SZSE Chinext ETF.
Bottom 10 performers (Hong Kong)
| Fund | Sector | 1-year Return |
| Invesco Energy Fund* | Energy Equity | -9.18% |
| Schroder ISF Global Energy Fund | Energy Equity | -9.08% |
| Schroder AS Agriculture Fund | Physical Commodity (Agriculture) | -8.13% |
| BOCHK China-A Small and Mid Cap Fund | China Equity | -7.68% |
| CSOP SZSE Chinext ETF | China Equity (Telecommunications, Media and Technology) | -7.34% |
| Investec Global Energy Fund | Energy Equity | -6.05% |
| Mirae Assets Horizons S&P Crude Oil Futures Enhanced ER ETF | Physical Commodity | -5.92% |
| Schroder AS Commodity Fund | Physical Commodity | -3.77% |
| MFS Meridian Global Energy | Energy Equity | -2.74% |
| Bosera Global Income Opportunities Fund | Global Fixed Income | -2.34% |
Data: FE, 31 December 2017, returns in US dollars
* Funds available for sale in Hong Kong and Singapore
The picture is generally similar among funds registered for sale to investors in Singapore, although the lists of funds differ. China, India and Asia Pacific ex-Japan equity funds dominate the top-ten list, with one European equity fund, the Old Mutual UK Smaller Companies Focus Fund also delivering a stellar return exceeding 60%.
Top 10 performers (Singapore)
| Fund | Sector | 1-year Return |
| BCM Vitruvius Greater China Equity Fund | Greater China Equity | 81.33% |
| UBS (CAY) China A Opportunity | China Equity | 73.53% |
| Morgan Stanley Asia Opportunity Fund | Asia Pacific ex-Japan Equity | 73.30% |
| IDFC Sterling Equity Fund | India Equity | 71.56% |
| Investec All China Equity Fund * | China Equity | 69.01% |
| Neuberger Berman China Equity Fund* | Greater China Equity | 65.10% |
| IDFC Imperial Equity | India Equity | 64.20% |
| Old Mutual UK Smaller Companies Focus Fund | UK Equity | 63.97% |
| EI Sturdza Strategic China Panda Fund | Greater China Equity | 62.65% |
| Value Partners Chinese Mainland Focus Fund* | China Equity | 61.19% |
The bottom of the performance ranking of funds available for sale in Singapore is dominated by hedge funds and absolute-return strategies. The list includes two funds with the focus on merger/acquisition arbitrage and two with the focus on volatility. None of them is authorised for sale in Hong Kong.
Bottom 10 performers (Singapore)
| Fund | Sector | 1-year Return |
| AMAM The Magma Fund | Hedge Fund | -34.04% |
| DB X-trackers MSCI Pakistan IM Index Ucits ETF | Emerging Asia Equity | -25.44% |
| Odey Odyssey Fund | Mixed Asset | -24.22% |
| SHK Corporate Arbitrage Manager Fund | Hedge Funds | -22.95% |
| Schroder Gaia Paulson Merger Arbitrage Fund | Hedge Funds | -18.75% |
| Amundi Absolute Volatility World Equities Fund | Absolute Return | -18.37% |
| Natixis Seeyond Equity Volatility Strategies Fund | Hedge Funds | -17.42% |
| PE FX Strategy Fund | Hedge Funds | -15.87% |
| Odey Swan Fund | Hedge Funds | -12.26% |
| Invesco Energy Fund* | Energy | -9.18% |
