Industry funds edge retail in lacklustre January

Industry funds once again managed to outperform their retail fund counterparts in what represented a lacklustre start to the new calendar year.

According to the latest data from Chant West, industry funds with their generally higher exposures to unlisted investments returned -0.1 per cent in January compared to -0.3 per cent for retail funds.

The Chant West data revealed the median growth fund (61 to 80 per cent growth assets) was down 0.1 per cent albeit the return over the seven months of the financial year to date remained healthy at 5.6 per cent.

Chant West principal, Warren Chant said listed shares were the main drivers of growth fund returns, and the performance of those markets was mixed in January.

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Australian shares retreated 0.8 per cent and, while international shares were up 1.3 per cent in hedged terms, the appreciation of the Australian dollar (up from US$0.72 to US$0.76 over the month) turned this into a loss of 2.4 per cent in unhedged terms.

The analysis said listed property was also in negative territory, with Australian and global real estate investment trusts (REITs) down 4.7 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively.