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Optimistic share markets drive funds to eighth consecutive gain

Super funds have delivered a positive return for the eighth consecutive financial year, with the median growth fund up 10.7% for 2016/17. Among the major funds, double digit returns were common. Hostplus took the top spot with 13.2%, and even the worst performing fund in our growth category delivered a respectable 7.4%. Growth funds are those that have a 61 to 80% allocation to growth assets and are the ones in which most Australians are invested.

Eighth positive year, and over 100% gain since GFC

Super funds are poised to deliver a positive return for the eighth consecutive financial year, capping off a remarkable 110% rebound since the end of the Global Financial Crisis. With just two business days remaining, early estimates suggest that the median growth fund will post a very healthy return of 10.5% for 2016/17, while some of the better-performing funds may deliver as much as 12.5%. Growth funds are those that have 61 to 80% of their investments in growth assets, and they are the ones in which the majority of Australian workers are invested.

Super funds power on towards the FY17 finish line

With just two weeks of the financial year remaining, super funds are on track to post a remarkably strong annual performance. The median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) gained another 0.5% in May, taking the return over the eleven months of the financial year to 10.4%. And with a positive start to June, a double digit return is looking increasingly possible.

Double digit super returns a live possibility for FY17

Super funds were again in positive territory in April with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) up 1.5%. This was the eighth month of positive performance out of the past ten, and the cumulative return for the financial year to date now stands at an impressive 10.1%.

Another solid quarter for super funds as economic outlook improves

Super funds had a solid March quarter, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) up 2.5%. The previous two quarters were also positive, at 3.1% for the September quarter and 2.5% for the December quarter, so the cumulative return for the first nine months of the 2016/17 financial year is now a healthy 8.5%.

Super funds march towards 8th consecutive financial year gain

After a flat January, super funds had a better month in February with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) up 1.2%. This brings the return over the first eight months of the 2017 financial year to a healthy 6.8%.

Chant West awards to recognise the value of advice

On May 24, Chant West will present its fifth annual awards at a black-tie function at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney. The awards recognise the cream of Australia's superannuation and pension funds.

Super funds take a breather after heady end to 2016

After a strong finish to 2016, super funds were relatively flat in January with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) down 0.1%. Nevertheless, the return over the seven months of the financial year to date remains healthy at 5.6%.

Late share surge powers super funds to another positive year

A strong finish to 2016 from Australian and global share markets ensured that super funds delivered a healthy return for the year and a fifth consecutive positive annual return. The median growth fund returned 7.7% in 2016, and every fund in the growth category delivered a positive result. Returns ranged between 4.2% and 10.1%, with Catholic Super and Hostplus tied for top spot. Growth funds are those that have a 61 to 80% allocation to growth assets and are the ones in which most Australians are invested.

'Trump effect' propels funds towards a positive 2016

After averaging 11% per annum over the past four years, super funds look set to deliver a fifth consecutive positive calendar year return. A gain of 1.1% in November propelled the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) to a cumulative 5% for the first 11 months of 2016. And with share markets continuing to rise in December, the median return for the year currently stands at an estimated 6.3%.

Super funds give ground in October, but positive year in sight

Following a solid September quarter, super funds retreated in October in the lead-up to the US election, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) down 0.7% for the month. This brought the return for the first ten months of 2016 to 4.1% so, with only six weeks of the year remaining, there is a good chance that funds will deliver a fifth consecutive calendar year return.

A solid quarter to start FY17, but markets nervous ahead of US interest rate and election decisions

After a tumultuous finish to 2015/16, super funds have got off to a good start in the new financial year. Over the September quarter, the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) gained a solid 3.1%.

Super funds nudge ahead in August

After surging in July, super funds delivered a more modest gain in August with the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) rising 0.3%. This brings the cumulative return for the first two months of the 2016/17 financial year to 3%.

Super funds off to a strong start in FY17

After a tumultuous finish to 2015/16, super funds got off to a strong start in the new financial year with the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) gaining 2.7% in July.

Diversified investments help funds post seventh straight gain

Australia's major super funds weathered a late Brexit scare to post their seventh consecutive positive financial year return. The median growth fund returned 3% in 2015/16, while the top-performing fund – QSuper – delivered 7.6%. All funds in the Growth category posted positive returns for the year. Growth funds are those that have 61 to 80% of their investments in growth assets and are the ones in which the majority of Australians are invested.

Super funds set to post gains despite Brexit vote tremors

As the UK’s decision to leave the European Union reverberates through financial markets, super funds are still poised to finish in positive territory for the 2015/16 financial year. With just hours remaining, early estimates suggest that the median growth fund will post a small positive return of about 2.5%, while some of the better-performed funds may deliver up to 6%. Growth funds have 61 to 80% of their investments in growth assets, and are the ones in which the majority of Australians are invested.

A strong May keeps funds in the black

Super funds have posted a third consecutive positive month, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) gaining 2.3% in May. That takes the return for the first eleven months of the financial year to 4.0%, raising the prospect of a small positive annual return come the end of June.

When you're winning the game, just let the true numbers tell the story

Superannuation in Australia is fiercely competitive – far more so than the Government and some commentators give it credit for. One enduring rivalry is that between industry funds and retail funds, particularly regarding their investment performance. Unfortunately, while industry funds have delivered superior long-term investment performance, their lobby group, Industry Super Australia (ISA), exaggerates the quantum of this outperformance to the detriment of the industry and consumers.

Super funds edge closer to another positive year

After a disappointing start to the year, super funds have posted a second consecutive positive month and are edging closer to a positive financial year result. Following a rise of 1.8% in March, the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) gained another 1.4% in April. That takes the return over the ten months of the financial year to date to 1.7%.

A negative March quarter for super funds, but still an even bet on a positive FY16

Super funds were in the red over the March 2016 quarter with the median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) retreating 1.1%. That means the return over the nine months of the financial year to date is only marginally positive at 0.1%.

Super funds down in February – but it could have been much worse

Super funds lost further ground after a tumultuous February, but a mid-month turnaround in share markets limited the damage. The median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) ended up retreating just 0.4%, bringing the return over the eight months of the financial year to date to -1.6%.

Super Fund Awards Finalists Announced

The finalists for the Chant West 2016 Super Fund Awards have been announced. The awards span 12 categories, including Super and Pension Funds of the Year.

How to compare super funds in 7 easy steps

If, like most people, you can choose the super fund your employer contributes to, you need to be able to compare one fund with another. At the very least, it's important to be able to compare the fund you're in now with any alternatives you may want to consider. So how do you compare super funds? To do the job thoroughly, it's a 7 step process.

AIA Australia & Pillar Administration major sponsors of Chant West Awards event

Chant West is delighted to announce that AIA Australia & Pillar Administration have agreed to be the major sponsors of its 2016 Super Fund Awards evening to be held on Wednesday, 4 May, at the Ivy Ballroom in Sydney.

Super funds avoid full brunt of share market turmoil

Super funds are off to a disappointing start in 2016 on the back of sharp falls in share markets worldwide. The median growth fund (61 to 80% allocation to growth assets) retreated 2.3% in January, and has continued to slide further into the red in February.

Chant West awards to recognise the cream of the crop

On May 4, Chant West will present its fourth annual awards at a black-tie function at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney. The awards recognise the cream of Australia's superannuation and pension funds.

Super funds defy tepid share markets to post respectable returns

After averaging 12.7% per annum over the three previous years, super funds delivered a fourth consecutive calendar return in 2015 with the median growth fund returning a more modest but respectable 5.8%. The top-performing fund for the year was MTAA, which returned 9.5%. Even the worst-performing fund in the growth category produced a positive return of 1.8% which is still slightly ahead of inflation for the year. Growth funds are those that have 61 to 80% of their investments in growth assets and are the ones in which the majority of Australians are invested.

Super funds limp towards the line, but still in the black for 2015

After averaging 12.7% per annum over the past three years, super funds look set to deliver a fourth consecutive positive calendar year return – but a much smaller one this year. Following a loss of 0.3% in November, the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) was up 5.7% for the first 11 months of 2015. And while the first half of December has been negative, the median return for the year still stands at an estimated 5%.

Markets oscillate, but funds still on track for a positive 2015

Following an up and down September quarter, super funds bounced back strongly in October with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) up 3.2% for the month. This brought the return for the first ten months of the calendar year to 6.1%, so with only six weeks of 2015 remaining there is a good chance that funds will deliver a fourth consecutive calendar year return.

Retirement calculators – getting better, but where’s the consistency?

The ultimate purpose of superannuation is to provide an income in retirement, but often that fundamental point is lost. That's hardly surprising, considering that most of the public discussion focuses exclusively on lump sums. To the average member, some of the numbers bandied about sound more like Lotto prizes than real life targets, so no wonder they switch off and fail to engage. One way to change the focus is through online calculators that generate income projections. These are becoming more common, but to be really useful they need to be more comprehensive and more consistent in their design, assumptions and outcomes.

There's far more to assessing investments than just the numbers

Investment is the single most important aspect of superannuation, so it is only natural that it carries the highest weighting (35%) in our fund rating process. While we take performance numbers into account, there are other factors that we consider far more important in determining whether funds are likely to deliver the best outcomes for their members over time.

Diversification cushions the blow in disappointing quarter for super funds

A weak September capped off a disappointing quarter for super funds, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) down 1.7% for the first three months of the financial year. However the good news for fund members is that, while listed shares – the main drivers of performance – tumbled more than 6.5%, the broad spread of assets that their funds hold provided a strong measure of protection.

A low fee diet is no guarantee of healthy returns

A year into the MySuper era, there is no evidence emerging that the latest batch of low fee, passively managed super funds are delivering any additional value for their members. One year is too short a period to form a judgement, of course, but over the medium and longer term the better performing funds have been those that have focused on maximising their net returns, not on minimising their fees.

China jitters drag super funds lower in August

Super funds suffered significant losses in August, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) down 2.9% on the back of growing concerns over slowing economic growth in China. The poor performance in August more than outweighed the gains in July, so the overall return for the first two months of the 2015/16 financial year was negative, at -0.6%.

Super funds up in July but the outlook is not so rosy

Super funds got off to a good start for the 2015/16 financial year, with the median growth fund (61 to 80% growth assets) gaining 2.3% for the month of July. This is on the back of an impressive 9.8% return for the year ended 30 June, which was the sixth consecutive positive financial year.

Chilean Pension System: Relevance for Australia

In the Financial System Inquiry's Interim Report (July 2014), it made considerable reference to the Grattan Institute's report on fees in the Australian superannuation system (Super Sting: April 2014). The Grattan report claims that Australians pay too much for superannuation when compared with other countries, and it recommends we hold a fee-based tender to select one or more funds to be the default fund for compulsory employer contributions for a period of time. This is similar to the approach used in the Chilean pension market.

Chant West Awards Celebrate Excellence in Super

The winners of the Chant West 2015 Super Fund Awards were announced at a gala event in Sydney on 6 May, attended by more than 300 guests in attendance including industry luminaries and VIPs.

At last… a simple way to assess the competitiveness of super fund insurance

Insurance through super is a valuable benefit, but also a significant cost to members. At a time when claims are escalating and premiums are rising, it’s more important than ever to know whether a fund's insurance represents good value. Now, thanks to ground-breaking analysis by Chant West, there's a simple way to do just that.

Chant West awards to recognise the cream of the crop

On May 4, Chant West will present its fourth annual awards at a black-tie function at the Ivy Ballroom, Sydney. The awards recognise the cream of Australia's superannuation and pension funds.

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