Industry fund Cbus has posted its strongest investment result in five years, achieving 16.15 per cent for its default growth investment option Cbus Choice.
Its results for the 2012 financial year also showed a 12.65 per cent return for Cbus Property, the fund's wholly-owned subsidiary.
The year has seen Cbus embark on a suite of infrastructure and property investments including developments in South Australia and Queensland, and investments in Port Botany and Port Kembla.
"Cbus is proud of the strong return achieved this financial year; however the investment environment remains difficult, both globally and in Australia, and the challenge remains to meet our investment objectives for members," Cbus chief executive David Atkin said.
Next year marks the first time the fund will report on environmental, sustainable and governance (ESG) issues, applying the Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) framework to the National Trustee Office.
Australia’s superannuation funds are becoming a defining force in shaping the nation’s capital markets, with the corporate watchdog warning that trustees now hold systemic importance on par with banks.
Payday super has passed Parliament, marking a major shift to combat unpaid entitlements and strengthen retirement outcomes for millions of workers.
The central bank has announced the official cash rate decision for its November monetary policy meeting.
Australia’s maturing superannuation system delivers higher balances, fewer duplicate accounts and growing female asset share, but gaps and adequacy challenges remain.