Falling returns

Parochial investors who put their money into Western Australian stocks have just experienced their worst year in nearly a decade, judging by the results of WA Business News' annual total shareholder return survey.

Investors looking for sure and steady Western Australian stocks offering capital growth and consistent dividends have limited choices.

Uranium miner Paladin Energy and iron ore miner Fortescue Metals Group have for the third year running maintained their status as the top performing Western Australian stocks, based on rolling five-year returns.

There's been a lot of interest in Como-based carbon steel resources producer and developer Aquila Resources Ltd in recent times.

Investors trying to pick the next big thing in the resources boom poured their money into a diverse group of Western Australian companies last year, including iron ore, coal and phosphate stocks.