The median growth superannuation fund (61% to 80% growth assets) started the 2021-22 financial year up 1.1%, according to Chant West.
The research house found in July both Australian shares (1.1%) and international shares were up in hedged terms (1.7%), and were boosted to 4% in unhedged terms because of the Australian dollar depreciation over the month.
However, emerging market shares were down 4.7% during July in unhedged terms led by falls in the Chinese market. The Chinese government’s regulatory crackdown on technology and private education sectors sparked a sell-off.
Bonds during July were up both domestically and globally at 1.8% and 1.3% respectively.
Chant West senior investment research manager, Mano Mohankumar, said: “It’s a solid start, and a continuation of the remarkable bounce-back we’ve seen over the past 16 months.
“The cumulative return since the COVID low point at end-March last year is now about 27%, which is astonishing given the ongoing disruptions caused by the pandemic. Not only have we recovered all the losses incurred in the early COVID period, but we’re now sitting about 12% above the pre-COVID crisis high that was reached at the end of January 2020.”
In its pre-election policy document, the FSC highlighted 15 priority reforms, with superannuation featuring prominently, urging both major parties to avoid changing super taxes without a comprehensive tax review.
The Grattan Institute has labelled the Australian super system as “too complicated” and has proposed a three-pronged reform strategy to simplify superannuation in retirement.
Super funds delivered a strong 2024 result, with the median growth fund returning 11.4 per cent, driven by strong international sharemarket performance, new data has shown.
Australian Ethical has seen FUM growth of 27 per cent in the financial year to date.