Australian superannuation fund returns were largely positive over the year to 31 December 2014, with an 8.5 per cent median return.
The Morningstar Australian Superannuation Survey also showed super funds also held their own over the long term, over three (13.2 per cent), five (8.1 per cent) and 10 years (6.3 per cent).
The median growth fund returned 1.4 per cent in December, with results ranging from 2.5 to 0.5 per cent.
Legg Mason Growth was the top performing growth fund over the year to 31 December at 11 per cent, while BT Active Balanced recorded 10.5 per cent, AMP Capital Balanced achieved 9.8 per cent and AMP Balanced Growth recorded 9.7 per cent.
Among balanced funds (40-60 per cent growth assets) BT Balanced Returns was the best performer (10.7 per cent), followed by State Super Balanced (8.6 per cent), and AMP Capital Moderately Conservative (8.4 per cent).
Multi-sector growth funds' average allocation to equities at 30 November was 56.3 per cent (28.5 per cent Australian and 27.8 per cent global), while property stood at 8.2 per cent.
Defensive assets made up 26.4 per cent on average (11.2 per cent domestic bonds, 6.4 per cent international, and 8.8 per cent cash).
Legg Mason Growth had the highest allocation to Australian shares (45.9 per cent), followed by Legg Mason Balanced (41.3 per cent), and Maple-Brown Abbott (35.3 per cent).
The fund has appointed Fotine Kotsilas as its new chief risk officer, continuing a series of executive changes aimed at driving growth, but NGS Super’s CEO has assured the fund won’t pursue growth for growth’s sake.
AMP Super has taken a strategic stake in Atmos Renewables, funding major battery and wind farm projects to boost Australia’s clean energy transition.
The regulator has commenced a targeted review to address regulatory hurdles that may be discouraging superannuation funds from investing in property assets.
Rest’s FUM growth coincides with the arrival of Michael Clancy as the fund’s new CIO and the appointment of two senior executives.