Superannuation funds had their best-performing year in 2013, with the median superannuation balance option increasing by 15.5 per cent for the calendar year, SuperRatings' estimates have shown.
These are the best results since SuperRatings began tracking this index in 2000.
Despite a poor start, December's late rally saw super funds record an estimated 0.9 per cent gain for the month.
The strong recovery in the second half of December was mainly driven by the performance of listed equity markets.
Both Australian and international equity markets recovered strongly to finish positive for the month.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed higher in five out of the last seven trading days to end the year, and finished December up 0.6 per cent.
The fall in the Australian dollar over the month also helped international equity returns for those funds that remain in an unhedged position.
The profit-to-member super fund’s MySuper default option has returned 9.85 per cent for the financial year 2024–25.
Colonial First State (CFS) has announced solid double-digit returns for its MySuper balanced and growth equivalent funds during the financial year.
The super fund’s Future Saver High Growth option delivered an 11.9 per cent return for the financial year 2024–25, on the back of a diversified portfolio and actively managed investment strategy.
HESTA has delivered a 10.18 per cent return for its MySuper Balanced Growth option in the 2024–25 financial year, marking the third consecutive year of returns above 9 per cent for the $80 billion industry fund’s default investment strategy.