Ginga Service Sector Fund, the third-best performing Japan-focused hedge fund in 2008, held its ranking in January by investing only in the telecommunications and services companies.

The 3.4 billion yen ($36 million) fund, advised by Tokyo- based Stats Investment Management Co., returned 0.7 percent last month, extending its 13 percent advance in 2008, according to a letter to investors.

Average losses in the $1.4 trillion hedge-fund industry reached 19 percent in 2008, the worst on record, as the biggest market declines since the Great Depression slashed asset values and caused investors to withdraw their money, according to Chicago-based Hedge Fund Research Inc.

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