One detriment to asset growth, for example, is a mismatch between the funds' objectives and the companies' marketing strategies.

The rise comes against a national picture of rising repossessions, falling profits and poor asset growth at other regional building societies.

At corporate pension funds, this single-minded focus on asset growth is fueled in part by accounting rules.

The surge in short-term rates has also spurred asset growth, Donoghue's said.

Another crucial variable is asset growth, reflecting a company's ability to invest successfully in its business.

Small funds that grow rapidly often change character, as asset growth forces them to buy stocks in bigger companies.

So when such funds falter, it's easy to say asset growth is a factor.

For investors, there could be one tangible benefit to asset growth.

All have more than doubled in size during the last five years, although most showed little asset growth in 1987.

To this end, we have an invaluable asset: growth.