Little known Australian funds shine

Over the last year the Australian All Ordinaries inched just 3.55 per cent higher, while only three per cent of Australian managed funds (or 114 funds out of 3,340) captured 100 per cent of the market upside, according to Financial Express' data.

Over half of (62 per cent) Australian managed funds returned over 10 per cent to investors.

When it came to which fund captured the most upside, Colonial First State's (CFS) First Choice Wholesale Geared Share fund led the way, when it caught 310.5 per cent of the markets rises over the last three years.

Meanwhile, the same fund also captured 176.43 per cent of the markets falls. All in all, the fund generated an annual return of 12.18 per cent.

On the flip side, when it came to the fund that captured the most downside, CFS led the way again, when its First Choice Geared Boutique Australian Share fund caught 185.68 per cent of the downward market pressures.

The same fund also captured 259.79 per cent of the upside and generated a total investor return of 16.80 per cent over the last 12 months.

However, if you wanted to err on the side of caution and seek a fund that captured the smallest amount of downside, Forager's Australian Share fund would claim that spot. It only caught 11.62 per cent downside, caught 71.83 per cent upside and left investors with a total of 34.34 per cent.

But, if you wanted to only chase the best return, Forager's Wholesale Value fund would take the pick. It generated a return of 39.59 per cent, caught 25.23 per cent of downside and 82.81 per cent of upside.