February strong for superannuation returns
The median balanced or growth superannuation fund returned almost 2 per cent in February, continuing a positive start to the year, according to data from Chant West and SuperRatings.
That brings the cumulative return for the first two months of 2012 to 4.4 per cent for the median growth fund, but only 0.6 per cent overall for the financial year to date, according to Chant West.
The results came on the back of a 2 per cent increase in the Australian share market and a 4.9 increase in global shares in hedged terms for the month, while Australian and global real estate investment trusts returned 2.3 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively, according to Chant West.
"It's worth noting that the negative returns we saw during the GFC, which extended from the end of October 2007 to the end of February 2009, have now completely worked their way out of the three-year returns," Chant West director Warren Chant said.
Master trusts again out-performed industry super funds in February, returning 2.2 per cent against 1.8 per cent, due to their higher weighting to listed shares and property at a time when those markets are rising strongly, Chant West found.
Master trusts are also ahead over three years, by 10.5 per cent to 9.0 per cent due to rising markets. However industry funds remain in front over 10 years by 1.2 per cent per annum, Chant West found.
SuperRatings estimated the median balanced fund was on track for a quarterly return of around 4.5 per cent for the March quarter, making it the first positive quarter since the March quarter last year.
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