Superannuation funds lost ground last month, with the median balanced option declining 0.6 per cent in September.
The median return came in at 1.6 per cent, down from 2.1 per cent in August, according to SuperRatings.
The decline was largely driven by a high weighting to Australian shares, which experienced a tough month, with a fall of 4.3 per cent.
The data shows the median return was lifted slightly by international shares, which rose 2.2 per cent in the month.
The median return for the year is still solid though, at 9.2 per cent, SuperRatings said.
A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.
Big business has joined the chorus of opposition against the proposed Division 296 tax.