The latest Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) quarterly superannuation performance data has revealed an annual industry-wide rate of return for the year ending September of 8.1 per cent.
The data, released today, also recorded that the five-year average annualised rate of return was 7.3 per cent.
It said that over the September 2018 quarter, total assets increased by 1.8 per cent (or $34.9 billion) to $1.9 trillion.
“As at the end of the September 2018 quarter, 51.5 per cent of the $1.7 trillion investments were invested in equities, with 24.7 per cent in international listed equities, 22.8 per cent in Australian listed equities and 3.9 per cent in unlisted equities,” the APRA analysis said.
“Fixed income and cash investments accounted for 31.1 per cent of investments, with 21.0 per cent in fixed income and 10.1 per cent in cash. Property and infrastructure accounted for 13.6 per cent of investments and 3.8 per cent were invested in other assets, including hedge funds and commodities.”
It said superannuation assets totalled $2.8 trillion at the end of the September quarter, with total assets in MySuper products standing at $695 billion.
The super fund has significantly grown its membership following the inclusion of Zurich’s OneCare Super policyholders.
Super balances have continued to rise in August, with research showing Australian funds have maintained strong momentum, delivering steady gains for members.
Australian Retirement Trust and State Street Investment Management have entered a partnership to deliver global investment insights and practice strategies to Australian advisers.
CPA Australia is pressing the federal government to impose stricter rules on the naming and marketing of managed investment and superannuation products that claim to be “sustainable”, “ethical”, or “responsible”, warning that vague or untested claims are leaving investors exposed.