One of the smallest absolute return focused superannuation funds has made the highest return during the first quarter of 2021 and had the second-highest returns over the last decade, according to data.
According to FE Analytics, the CFS FC Personal Super – Acadian Global Equity Long Short fund returned 12.22% over the three months to 31 March, 2021, compared to the sector average of 3.92%. The fund was the third-smallest absolute return super fund at $5.4 million.
The fund was followed by CFS FC W Personal Super – Acadian W Global Equity Long Short (10.9 million) at 12.14%, Perpetual WF Super Perpetual Shareplus LongShort ($33.6 million) at 7.8%, AMP SignatureSuper Antipodes Global ($25.9 million) 7.13%, AMP Flexible Super Super Antipodes Global ($67.9 million) at 7.1%.
The largest absolute return fund, AMP Flex LifetimeSuper and CustomSuper Antipodes Global, at $81.9 million came in at sixth at 6.98% during the first quarter.
Top-performing absolute return super funds during Q1 2021
Source: FE Analytics
Over the 10 years to 31 March, 2021, four CFS funds made the top five performing funds with the sector average return of 57.25%.
The CFS FC W Personal Super – Acadian W Global Equity Long Short came in first at 234.15%, followed by CFS FC Personal Super – Acadian Global Equity Long Short 219.69%, CFS FC W Personal Super – Acadian W Australian Equity Long Short at 146.95%, Perpetual WF Super Perpetual Shareplus LongShort at 142.46%, and CFS FC PersonalSuper – Acadian Australian Equity LS at 131.26%.
The largest fund, AMP Flex LifetimeSuper and CustomSuper Antipodes Global came in at eighth at 112.52%.
Top-performing absolute return super funds over the 10 years to 31 March 2021
Source: FE Analytics
The two funds have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU to explore a potential merger.
The board must shift its focus from managing inflation to stimulating the economy with the trimmed mean inflation figure edging closer to the 2.5 per cent target, economists have said.
ASIC chair Joe Longo says superannuation trustees must do more to protect members from misconduct and high-risk schemes.
Super fund mergers are rising, but poor planning during successor fund transfers has left members and employers exposed to serious risks.