POWERED BY MOMENTUM MEDIA
ASFA/FTSE introduce new index
The Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) and the FTSE Group have launched the FTSE ASFA Australia Index Series, claimed to be the industry standard tax-adjusted benchmarks for Australian investors.
The development of the 36-index series was spearheaded by super funds' demand for benchmarks that allow them to assess portfolio performance on an after-tax basis, according to ASFA chief executive Pauline Vamos.
It addresses the need for super fund managers to better align investment decisions with their tax positions, providing options for different tax categories including tax exempt, superannuation funds, mid-tax bracket and high-tax bracket.
"We see tremendous benefit for super funds to adopt these tax-adjusted benchmarks and progress the dialogue with their fund managers around tax aware decision making and after-tax reporting, particularly as the industry continues its push towards compulsory after-tax reporting."
The series can also be used as the basis for the creation of index-linked products such as exchange-traded funds, structured products and other derivatives, Vamos said.
Additionally, she said investors have a new formidable alternative for non tax-adjusted Australian equity benchmarks, which are part of the FTSE ASFA Australia Index Series.
An independent committee of senior superannuation investment professionals and finance industry experts will govern the ongoing management of the series.
Recommended for you
Vanguard Super has reported strong returns across most of its investment options, attributed to a “low-cost, index-based approach”.
The fund has achieved double-digit returns amid market volatility, reinforcing the value of long-term investment strategies for its members.
Australian super funds notched a third consecutive year of strong returns, with the median balanced option delivering an estimated 10.1 per cent over the 2024-25 financial year, but an economist has warned that the rally may be harder to sustain as key risks gather pace.
AustralianSuper has reported a 9.52 per cent return for its Balanced super option for the 2024–25 financial year, as markets delivered another year of strong performance despite the complex investing environment.
TOP PERFORMING FUNDS
ACS FIXED INT - AUSTRALIA/GLOBAL BOND
Fund name
3y(%)pa
1
DomaCom 465 Calder Road Calder
99.46 3 y p.a(%)
2
DomaCom DFS Mortgage
95.46 3 y p.a(%)
3
Global X 21Shares Bitcoin ETF
78.55 3 y p.a(%)
4
BetaShares Crypto Innovators ETF
50.39 3 y p.a(%)
5
Global X GlobalX FANG+ ETF
47.50 3 y p.a(%)
