The median superannuation growth fund recorded a respectable 9.2 per cent for the calendar year despite growth assets producing generally poor results, according to Morningstar data.
Morningstar’s survey found Maple-Brown Abbott was the best performing growth fund for the year, returning 12.8 per cent, followed by Aon Balanced Growth (10.8 per cent), REST Super Core, and VicSuper FutureSaver Growth (both 10.3 per cent), and Energy Super Balanced (10.2 per cent).
Growth assets produced generally poor results over the month of January with Australian equity performing the best at -0.8 per cent, followed by global listed property -1.0 per cent, global equities -2.4 per cent, and Australian listed property at -4.8 per cent.
CBUS was the best performing MySuper option over the year to 31 January 2017 at 11.6 per cent, followed by Russell Balanced (11.4 per cent), AustralianSuper Balanced (11.3 per cent), and REST Super Core (10.3 per cent).
The best-performing balanced (40 to 60 per cent growth assets) super funds over the same period were Optimum Balanced Growth at 8.4 per cent, Energy Super Capital Managed at 8.2 per cent, and REST Super Balanced at eight per cent.
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.