KIEV, Feb. 18 – Ukrainian investment funds lost an average 9.58% in January, according to the Ukrainian Association of Investment Business.

"The first month of 2008 was difficult and mainly unsuccessful for open joint investment institutions. Almost half of them saw a fall in net assets and a cut in the number of investment certificates bought," association's experts said.

As of January 31, the number of market players reached 16 open joint investment institutions.