The general buoyancy of listed investments saw retail funds outperform their industry superannuation fund counterparts in April, according to the latest data released by Chant West.
The Chant West data confirmed retail funds edged out industry funds returning 1.6 per cent versus 1.4 per cent for the period, but with the research company pointing out that industry funds continued to hold an advantage over the longer term.
The research showed that, overall, super funds were again in positive territory in April with the median growth fund (61 to 80 per cent growth assets) up 1.5 per cent – the eighth month of positive performance out of the past 10.
It said the cumulative return for the financial year to date now stood at an impressive 10.1 per cent.
The analysis pointed out that all major asset sectors delivered positive returns in April, led by listed shares and property with Australian shares were up one per cent, while international shares advanced 1.1 per cent in hedged terms.
“However with the slide in the value of the Australian dollar over the month (down from US$0.76 to US$0.75), the return in unhedged terms was boosted to 3.6 per cent,” the analysis said. “Listed property also delivered strong returns, with Australian and global REITs up 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively.”
Commenting on the data, Chant West director, Warren Chant said growth funds had performed better than expected over the first 10 months of the 2017 financial year.
“With the cumulative return sitting at 10.1 per cent, it is almost certain that they’ll finish the year in the black for the eighth consecutive time – and quite possibly in the double digits,” he said.
Michael Lovett, who left the investment firm just three months after launching its Vanguard Super offering, has taken up a chief executive role at an Australian asset manager.
The Central Bank of Ireland has granted the approval of Equity Trustees’ exit from its Irish operations, with the transaction expected to be complete on 30 April.
Super returns continued to climb in March, raising hopes of delivering double-digit returns by June depending on the performance of this next quarter.
The dedicated super fund for emergency services and Victorian government employees is under fire for unpaid entitlements to transport employees, which could exceed $40 million.
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