Dutch pension fund performance for 2000 was the worst for many years, with a weighted average of 2.6% within the WM Company universe.

Funds with a high proportion in equities were particularly badly hit. The returns ranged from -3.7% to 10.2%, according to results published jointly by the two Dutch associations of industry-wide and company pension funds, VB and OPF. The Shell pension fund fell from last year's pole position to last place this year, returning -3.7%. The fund for textile cleaners returned 10.2%. Apart from equity holdings, the slowdown in the Far East and emerging markets had a negative impact on returns.