Superannuation fund returns appear almost guaranteed to end their eighth successive financial year in positive territory, according to the latest analysis released by SuperRatings.
The superannuation research and ratings house said that returns in April had been boosted by international shares and a fall in the Australian dollar resulting in the median balanced option returning 1.5 per cent.
SuperRatings noted that this was on top of the 1.5 per cent return recorded in March, bringing financial year to date returns to 10 per cent with the likelihood that May would also end with returns in positive territory.
Commenting on the data, SuperRatings chairman, Jeff Bresnahan said the economic indicators had remained robust, although weaker inflation figures might be of some concern to investors as well as the central banks.
He noted that cash and fixed interest returns remained meagre, sitting at 1.4 per cent and 1.3 per cent for the financial year to date respectively, with Australian and global shares having been the star performers for the financial year thus far with returns of 15.3 per cent and 15.6 per cent respectively.
“It would be a great result to achieve a double-digit return for the financial year, but we still have a bit longer to go,” Bresnahan said.
Australia’s second-largest super fund has confirmed it is expanding its presence in the UK following significant investment in the region.
A member of the super fund has approached ASIC to investigate potentially misleading or deceptive representations by UniSuper regarding the holdings of its sustainable portfolios.
The median growth fund delivered 1.9 per cent in March, adding to the “stunning” rally that has seen super funds gain 11 per cent since November.
Vanguard has affirmed its support for the current super performance test, emphasising the importance of keeping the process straightforward.
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