Outsourcing services can deliver superior investment results, State Super believes.
The trustee's chief executive, John Livanas, said the firm had been working collaboratively with key services providers and that their outsourcing model allowed State Super to deliver superior outcomes.
"Our returns were driven by a combination of State Super's investments in alternatives like Melbourne Airport, the Port of Geelong and the financial planning business StatePlus, as well as our property portfolio and equities," he said.
"The returns also clearly signalled the success of our downside risk protection practices and active management approach."
State Super said their professionals working in investments, actuarial, product and policy management, member engagement, education and communication, legal, finance and operations, worked closely with key services providers to achieve superior results in member services, investment performance and business management.
State Super said in 2015-16 their growth strategy delivered a return of 5.01 per cent, their balanced strategy 5.3 per cent, their conservative strategy 4.6 per cent, the trustee selection 3.64 per cent, and cash delivered 2.04 per cent.
"Four out of five strategies delivered results in the top quartile," Livanas said.
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 Coalition, which has pledged to reverse any changes if it wins next year’s election.
In a new review of the country’s largest fund, a research house says it’s well placed to deliver attractive returns despite challenges.
Chant West analysis suggests super could be well placed to deliver a double-digit result by the end of the calendar year.
Specific valuation decisions made by the $88 billion fund at the beginning of the pandemic were “not adequate for the deteriorating market conditions”, according to the prudential regulator.