The last 12 months have been phenomenal for equity fund investors. An average diversified equity fund gained 85.42% in the year ended April 18, 2006.

Of the 114 funds with a history of at least one year, the following 21 funds have pulled off over a 100% return during this time period.

The Net Asset Value is as on April 27, 2006. 

• Fund investors take care

Magnum Multiplier Plus
1-year teturn: 125.09%
NAV: 48.5

The 'Magnums' from SBI [Get Quote] Mutual Fund have been in top gear this bull run.

Till as late as September 2005, Magnum Multiplier Plus was given a one-star rating (star rating takes into account the risk taken by the fund in its investment choice and the resulting return from its investments. Five is the highest star rating and one, the lowest).

But, because of its robust performance numbers in recent times, its rating has shot up to three stars. This fund is aggressive, with two of its top holdings accounting for more than 8% of its total investments.

Magnum Contra
1-year return: 120.06%
NAV: 35.22

Magnum Contra continues to post a solid performance year after year. Its success has perhaps been the motivation behind some of the recently launched contra funds.

Magnum Global
1-year return: 115.22%
NAV: 38.61

Arguably the most impressive mover in recent times. Like the other Magnums, it has made full use of the ongoing rally. Once an easily avoidable fund, it has now forced its way into the top rating.

• The best tax saving funds

Prudential ICICI Emerging STAR
1-year return: 114.65%
NAV: 26.66

This fund had an explosive start. It has extracted smart gains out of small companies. Currently, more than half its assets are parked in small-cap stocks.

Prudential ICICI Dynamic
1-year return: 113.76%
NAV: 57.523

This fund has a very flexible asset allocation (this refers to its ability to move money between debt and equity) which allows it to park its entire corpus in debt instruments should the need arise.

But the roaring markets have ensured it never exploited this option significantly.

After lagging in its category in the first two years of its existence, Prudential ICICI [Get Quote] Dynamic is trying to set the record right.

Sundaram Select Midcap
1-year return: 111.86%
NAV: 83.77

Launched at just the right time, Sundaram Select Midcap has everything an investor can expect from a mid-cap fund: a disciplined fund house, diversity in portfolio (the fund has invested in various stocks of various sectors), manageable asset size (amount of money invested in the fund) and a five-star rating.

Sundaram India Leadership
1-tear return: 111.47%
NAV: 29.04

The fund has a focused objective -- it invests in stocks of companies that are leaders in their respective sectors. Or, it invests amongst the top two to three companies in any sector in terms of net revenue or total income.

So far, things have gone pretty well for this fund.

• How to select a good fund

Franklin India Opportunities
1-year return: 109.80%
NAV: 23.17

One of the most impressive funds launched in recent times, it started with a strong large-cap bias; this strategy is not usually followed by opportunities funds. But all that changed in the last few months as large-caps increasingly made way for small-cap stocks.

HDFC Core & Satellite
1-year return: 109.12%
NAV: 25.58

With a concentrated portfolio spread over around 25 stocks, HDFC [Get Quote] Core & Satellite has done well since its launch in late 2004. Its fund manager invests heavily in individual stocks. So far, it has kept a large-caps oriented portfolio, while mid- and small-caps have played a supporting role.

Kotak Opportunities
1-year return: 108.24%
NAV: 27.89

This fund has seized the opportunity with both hands to race ahead. Its portfolio is well spread-out across various market capitalisations. It is one of the few funds betting big on the metals sector.

DSPML T.I.G.E.R.
1-year return: 107.11%
NAV: 28.99

Another 'fresher on fire', this fund seeks to make a profit by investing in stocks that directly benefit from the continuing liberalisation in economic policies and investments in infrastructure. So far, so good!

Sundaram Select Focus
1-Year Return: 105.49%
NAV: 55.62

This Sundaram fund offers a concentrated large-caps oriented portfolio. It is one of the rare funds that has flourished with a decisively large-caps tilted portfolio.

UTI Basic Industries
1-Year Return: 103.89%
NAV: 25.31

Another fund that has made full use of the ongoing mid-caps rally. With a well-diversified portfolio tilted towards companies engaged in sectors like metals, building materials, oil & gas, power, chemicals, engineering, UTI Basic Industries has done well in its nearly two-year-old run.

Bonanza Exclusive
1-Year Return: 103.05%
NAV: 37.71

This fund's fortunes depend on select few stocks. It has a long history of keeping nearly half of its portfolio parked in just five of its top holdings.

Magnum Midcap
1-Year Return: 102.81%
NAV: 20.78

Mid-caps are the flavour of the season and this fund seems to be benefiting thoroughly. Launched in March last year, Magnum Midcap has had a ballistic start with a fairly concentrated mid- and small-cap portfolio.

Pru ICICI Power
1-Year Return: 102.77%
NAV: 73.61

Investors looking for a diversified fund with an inclination towards core sector stocks may like this fund, although it has modified its character to include pharma stocks. Over the years, it has delivered consistently with a large-cap dominated portfolio.

Franklin India Flexi Cap
1-Year Return: 102.45%
NAV: 19.01

Another fresher that has had a promising start. Unlike most of the new funds, Franklin India Flexi Cap has flourished with a portfolio decisively tilted towards large-cap stocks in a time that has suited mid-cap stocks.

Taurus Starshare
1-Year Return: 102.06%
NAV: 37.34

Though this fund keeps 40 to 50 stocks in its portfolio, the top two holdings dominate. For example, on March 30, 2006, the fund had nearly 52% of its assets invested in just two stocks.

ING Vysya Select Stocks
1-Year Return: 101.97%
NAV: 26.08

This fund is having the time of its life. ING Vysya Select Stocks has a wretched past, but it has done well in the last one year.

HDFC Equity
1-Year Return: 100.18%
NAV: 130.554

This fund needs no introduction. Winning is its habit. Ability to change with time has resulted in top quartile performance year after year under star fund manager Prashant Jain. It's one of the most versatile equity funds.

Tata Infrastructure
1-Year Return: 100%
NAV: 21.66

With a mix of large-, mid- and small-cap stocks, this fund has done well so far. The fund attempts to minimise risk by spreading the portfolio over 50 to 60 stocks. Though it's too early to say anything concrete on the fund, Tata Infrastructure has started off well.