AustralianSuper has released its annual performance figures and its fourth consecutive positive result for its balanced investment option.
The industry fund returned 15.63 per cent after investment fees and taxes for the balanced option, into which most fund members are invested.
Earlier this week research house Chant West said early estimates showed super funds would post their second-best performance in 16 years, with the average balanced option returning 15.5 per cent.
AustralianSuper chief investment officer and deputy chief executive, Mark Delaney, said that although performance had been strong, the fund had weathered a lot of volatility over the last 12 months.
"People shouldn't focus too much on one-year numbers," he said.
"For most people super is a long-term investment which needs a sensible long-term strategy, and part of that is accepting that returns will go up and down from year to year.''
The fourth positive year for AustralianSuper's balanced option brings the fund's average 10-year returns to 7.64 per cent.
Equity markets proved a positive boost to the balanced option, with Australian equities returning 21.9 per cent and global equity markets returning 21.4 per cent. In key markets, the US and Japan were up 20.6 per cent and 51.9 per cent respectively. A low Australian dollar also helped increase the value of overseas assets by 11.8 per cent.
The Future Fund’s CIO Ben Samild has announced his resignation, with his deputy to assume the role of interim CIO.
The fund has unveiled reforms to streamline death benefit payments, cut processing times, and reduce complexity.
A ratings firm has placed more prominence on governance in its fund ratings, highlighting that it’s not just about how much money a fund makes today, but whether the people running it are trustworthy, disciplined, and able to deliver for members in the future.
AMP has reached an agreement in principle to settle a landmark class action over fees charged to members of its superannuation funds, with $120 million earmarked for affected members.