EVER so often, the longer established tracker bond providers produce the latest yields on their maturing bonds this week it is Irish Life's turn to put on a show about its most recently matured five year bond, the UK Tracker. To the delight of its investors, the FTSE100 bond has produced a 71.5 per cent return after all tax and charges or 14.3 per cent net per year. According to the company, for every £1,000 that was invested, customers received £1,715 back, "considerably ahead of the £1,400 that An Post Saving Certs would have paid over the same period".

So far, Irish Life's five year trackers - the first one was launched in 1990 - have produced the following net returns European Guaranteed - 46 per cent; Equity ET Tracker 1 - 48 per cent; Guaranteed Plus - 36 per cent; FT Tracker 2 - 48 per cent; UK Tracker - 71.5 per cent.

Irish Life has 12 more bonds maturing within the next two to five years with after tax returns to date well in excess of 10 per cent per annum in the case of those bonds maturing next year and the year after, and even higher annual performances so far for bonds launched in the last year. It should be noted, however, that stock markets are now at an all time high and there is no guarantee that this type of performance will be maintained. Investors should hire an independent financial adviser before, making any final decision on where to put their money.