Australian superannuation funds entered negative territory for the third time over the past 12 months with all funds recording negative returns, according to Morningstar.
Morningstar's report found the poor June results prevented the median growth fund from reaching double-digit returns over the financial year to 30 June 2015.
The median growth fund fell just short, returning 9.9 per cent. Over three years the media returns were at 13 per cent, and 9.5 per cent over five years.
The best-performing growth super funds were Legg Mason Growth (12.7 per cent), followed by AMP Balanced Growth (12.5 per cent), and AMP Capital FD Balanced (11.5 per cent).
Best-performing balanced (40 to 60 per cent growth assets) super funds were BT Balanced returns at 10.3 per cent, followed by REST Super Balanced (nine per cent), and AMP Moderately Conservative (8.8 per cent).
Global equities were the standout performance among asset classes over the year at 25.2 per cent. This was followed by Australian listed property (20.3 per cent), global listed property (9.3 per cent), and Australian shares (5.6 per cent).
A member body representing some prominent wealth managers is concerned super funds’ dominance is sidelining small companies in capital markets.
Earlier this month, several Australian superannuation funds fell victim to credential stuffing attacks, which saw a small number of members lose more than $500,000.
Small- to medium-sized funds have become collateral damage in an "imperfect" model for super industry levies, a financial institution has said.
Big business has joined the chorus of opposition against the proposed Division 296 tax.