Industry super funds only just ahead

Superannuation fund returns look likely to end the financial year in the high single digits, despite faltering in May, with the industry funds just edging out the retail master trusts, according to Chant West.

The data revealed industry funds and master trusts performed broadly in line with each other returning 0.2 per cent and 0.3 per cent respectively in May and by 10 per cent and 9.9 per cent in financial year to date terms.

Chant West director, Warren Chant said that while the median growth fund return had retreated 0.2 per cent during May, the return for the financial year to date was 10 per cent.

Chant warned, however, that the data for June suggested that super fund members might have to settle for high single digit returns.

“This is still a pleasing result and can be viewed as a year of consolidation on the back of last year’s 10.4 per cent return,” he said.

“West estimate the return to the end of June will be about 8 per cent after investment fees and tax, which is above the long-term expected return of about 7 per cent a year for growth funds,” Chant said.