The heavier exposure of industry funds to unlisted assets has again seen them outperform their retail counterparts during the March quarter, according to the latest data from Chant West.
The data pointed to industry funds returning -0.6 per cent, compared to a -1.6 per cent result on the part of retail funds.
Chant West principal, Warren Chant attributed the outperformance to the industry funds' higher allocations to unlisted assets such as unlisted infrastructure, unlisted property, and private equity which had outperformed listed markets over the period.
"Australian and international share markets, which are down 9.3 per cent and 4.4 per cent, respectively, over the past year, are marked to market. However, unlisted assets are valued infrequently with their valuations typically lagging listed markets by six to nine months," the Chant West analysis said.
Australia’s superannuation sector is being held back by overlapping and outdated regulation, ASFA says, with compliance costs almost doubling in seven years – a drain on member returns and the economy alike.
Two of Australia’s largest industry super funds have thrown their support behind an ASIC review into how stamp duty is disclosed in investment fee reporting, saying it could unlock more capital for housing projects.
The corporate watchdog is preparing to publish a progress report on private credit this September, following a comprehensive review of the rapidly expanding market.
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.