Every year, we squint at Forbesmagazine's list of best-value actors and wonder. This year's list of female stars, which deals with the ratio between fees paid and box-office results, is more peculiar than ever.

Who is Hollywood’s best buy? Aniston? No, she’s down at No 6. Bizarrely, the answer is Naomi Watts, who, apparently, brings in $44 for every dollar spent. The figures are assessed over several years, and the relatively inexpensive Ms Watts is still sitting on the heap of money brought in by

King Kong

.

The full chart is Naomi Watts (1), Jennifer Connelly (2), Rachel McAdams (3), Natalie Portman (4), Meryl Streep (5), Jennifer Aniston (6), Halle Berry (7), Cate Blanchett (8), Anne Hathaway (9), and Hilary Swank (10).

Hang on? Halle Berry? This is voodoo economics.