Australian super funds have started the new financial year on a positive note, with the median growth fund returning 0.8 per cent, according to the Morningstar Australian Superannuation Survey.
Individual results varied from 1.8 per cent to a low of 0.2 per cent.
Longer-term annualised median returns stood at 11.3 per cent (one year), 12 per cent (three years), 8.6 per cent (five years), and 6.8 per cent (10 years to 31 August).
Among growth super funds, Legg Mason Growth came out on top (15.3 per cent), followed by Legg Mason Balanced and Maple-Brown Abbott (both 13.1 per cent), CFS Growth and MLC Growth (both 12.2 per cent).
BT Balanced finished first among balanced (40-60 per cent growth assets) super funds over the year to 31 August at 10.9 per cent, followed by CFS FirstChoice Moderate (10.4 per cent) and AMP Moderate Growth (10.1 per cent).
Defensive assets stood at 23.2 per cent on average (9.5 per cent domestic bonds, 5.9 per cent international, and 7.8 per cent cash).
Multi-sector growth super funds' average allocation to equities at 31 July was 56.3 per cent, with 29.5 per cent Australian and 26.8 per cent global.
Legg Mason Growth had the highest allocation to Australian shares (48.4 per cent), followed by Legg Mason Balanced (42.5 per cent), and State Super Growth (38.1 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.