Australian superannuation median growth funds returned a positive 7.5 per cent for the 2016 calendar year thanks to Australian listed property returning 13.2 per cent in December, according to Morningstar.
The research house's latest survey found Australian listed property was the best-performing growth asset class in December 2016, followed by Australian equities (11.8 per cent), global listed property (8.3 per cent), and global equities (7.9 per cent).
Maple-Brown Abbott was the best performing growth fund for the year, returning 10 per cent, followed by Care Super Balanced (9.4 per cent), Optimum Growth and Energy Super Balanced (both at 8.8 per cent), and HESTA Super Core Pool (8.4 per cent).
CBUS Growth was the top MySuper option over the year to 31 December 2016 at 9.6 per cent, followed by Care Super Balanced (9.4 per cent), and Energy Super (8.8 per cent).
The survey found the best performing balanced (40 to 60 per cent growth assets) super funds were Energy Super Capital Managed (7.3 per cent), Optimum Balanced Growth (7.1 per cent), and EISS Super (6.6 per cent).
The super fund announced that Gregory has been appointed to its executive leadership team, taking on the fresh role of chief advice officer.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.