The medium growth superannuation fund (61 to 80 per cent growth assets) gained 1.5 per cent over the September quarter thanks to the listed shares market driving growth, according to Chant West.
Chant West’s latest report found that Australian shares provided a 0.8 per cent return for the quarter and international shares four per cent on a hedged basis. However, the appreciation of the Australian dollar to US$0.78 reduced this to 2.5 per cent in unhedged terms.
Chant West director, Warren Chant, said While most of the major listed markets had share prices that moved higher in recent months, Australia had been slower than most in the upward trend. He said the other main laggard was the UK, still beset by Brexit’s uncertain ramifications.
The medium growth fund returned 9.1 per cent over the year to 30 September 2017, 9.7 over five years, and 4.9 per cent over 10 years.
The report also found that industry funds outperformed retail funds in September at one per cent compared to 0.7 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.