White Knuckle Ride on the Fuel Rollercoaster

Rising oil prices helped energy funds easily beat the average for all types of unit trust in recent years but falling prices this week prompted fears the upswing is over.

Brent crude traded at less than $20 a barrel in 2001 but hit $55 last month before easing to nearer $52 this week. The effect on energy funds can be seen in the table on this page;