Growth fund returns boosted by vaccine breakthroughs

17 December 2020
| By Jassmyn |
image
image
expand image

COVID-19 vaccine breakthroughs have boosted share markets to help the median growth superannuation fund return 4.9% during November, according to Chant West.

Since the start of the year, funds with 61% to 80% in growth assets returned 2.6% and were set to finish the calendar year at around 3%.

Chant West senior investment research manager, Mano Mohankumar, said growth funds had made a 14.7% turnaround since the global sell-off in February and March that saw median growth funds plummet 12%.

“November’s surge in global share markets was driven mainly by reports of vaccine breakthroughs which gave investors a sense of light at the end of the tunnel and provided optimism around a return to some economic normality,” he said.

“Indeed, it was the more economically-sensitive sectors, including energy and financials, that experienced the biggest gains over the month. Additionally, Joe Biden’s US election victory removed much of the uncertainty that had been weighing on markets. In the Eurozone, infection rates fell in many countries resulting in the easing of restrictions.

“This year’s experience highlights to super fund members the importance of maintaining a long-term focus. Those who panicked and switched to cash or a more conservative option back in March would not only have crystallised losses, but as markets rebounded so sharply they would have missed out on some or all of the rebound.”

Read more about:

AUTHOR

Recommended for you

sub-bgsidebar subscription

Never miss the latest developments in Super Review! Anytime, Anywhere!

Grant Banner

From my perspective, 40- 50% of people are likely going to be deeply unhappy about how long they actually live. ...

11 months ago
Kevin Gorman

Super director remuneration ...

11 months 1 week ago
Anthony Asher

No doubt true, but most of it is still because over 45’s have been upgrading their houses with 30 year mortgages. Money ...

11 months 1 week ago

Jim Chalmers has defended changes to the Future Fund’s mandate, referring to himself as a “big supporter” of the sovereign wealth fund, amid fierce opposition from the Co...

1 day ago

Demand from institutional investors was the main driver of growth in Australia’s responsible investment (RI) market in 2023, as the industry continued to gain momentum....

1 day ago

In a new review of the country’s largest fund, a research house says it’s well placed to deliver attractive returns despite challenges....

1 day 1 hour ago