Investors put US$3.62 billion into equity funds around the world in January with Greater China leading the pack. The Standard of Hong Kong reported US$914 million was invested in Greater China equity funds during the month as investors looked for higher returns on equities and ignored risks associated with high valuations, market volatility and policy. Investments in Greater China funds jumped 88% from December. Gross sales of all investment funds in the first month of the year topped US$3 billion for the first time, the newspaper reported, quoting data from the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association. "Investor interest in funds is performance-driven," said Daniel Chui Wing-cheong, of JF Asset Management. "China equity funds had an average return of 90% last year."