Super fund returns have continued their decent start to 2019, with returns up for the fourth consecutive month in April.
According to Chant West, the median growth fund gained 1.7 per cent for the month, following a March quarter return of 6.1 per cent. This put it firmly back in positive territory for the financial year to date, sitting at 5.2 per cent despite the slump suffered as a result of December’s share market fall.
It’s worth noting however, that growth funds, which Chant West categorises as those that are 61 – 80 per cent in growth assets, had averaged returns of nine per cent over the past nine financial years. It looked unlikely that this financial year’s returns, while in the black once again, would hit that height.
Chant West senior investment research manager, Mano Mohankumar, warned that the nine per cent strong run should be seen as the exception rather than the rule, though.
“While the results over the past four months have been positive, we caution members not to get carried away. In the past week we’ve seen the re-emergence of trade tensions between the US and China, prompting a retreat in global share markets so far in May,” he said.
“And while concerns about Brexit and the pace of global economic growth may have lessened, they are still lingering at the back of investors’ minds.”
Mohankumar said that April’s strong performance came on the back an increased appetite for riskier assets, following encouraging economic data and ongoing dovishness from major central banks around the world.
The super fund announced that Gregory has been appointed to its executive leadership team, taking on the fresh role of chief advice officer.
The deputy governor has warned that, as super funds’ overseas assets grow and liquidity risks rise, they will need to expand their FX hedge books to manage currency exposure effectively.
Super funds have built on early financial year momentum, as growth funds deliver strong results driven by equities and resilient bonds.
The super fund has announced that Mark Rider will step down from his position of chief investment officer (CIO) after deciding to “semi-retire” from full-time work.