Federal government doubles down on expansionary budget It’s been only seven months since the last federal budget in October 2020, which was delayed in order to give the government maximum flexibility to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. This budget is the second pandemic budget, with the focus now shifting from temporary spending measures to keep […]
SuperRatings and Lonsec have announced the winners of this year’s Fund of the Year Awards, which was held virtually for the first time in the event’s 18-year history. The Fund of the Year Award went to QSuper, which also took home the Pension of the Year Award and the Smooth Ride Award. UniSuper claimed the […]
The recovery in superannuation continued through August as funds posted their fifth consecutive month of gains amid signs of economic recovery in the September quarter. Market stability and continued momentum in shares helped to bolster account balances in August. However, while consumers and investors are looking ahead to a ‘COVID normal’ world, the recovery is […]
Super funds have started the new financial year with some positive momentum but face a period of stark uncertainty as Australian cases of Covid-19 rise and Victoria enters harsher lockdown conditions. While we have seen stabilisation in markets, they remain vulnerable to further shocks, while super fund performance is contingent on how communities and economies […]
In a financial year that saw a bull market turn into a sharp selloff followed by a recovery, super funds were rocked by a level of volatility not seen since the financial crisis a decade ago. As funds finalise their reporting for June 2020, the fallout from the Covid-19 crisis is clear, but far from the […]
Super members have every reason to be optimistic about 2020, but when it comes to a repeat of 2019’s double-digit returns, it would be wise to temper expectations. According to estimates from leading research house SuperRatings, 2019 was the best year for superannuation funds since 2013, with the median balanced option returning 13.8%. Despite a […]
Conveying the importance of insurance to members is one of the biggest challenges that super funds face. Insurance is often seen as a cost rather than a benefit, especially for younger members, meaning funds need to be in a position to clearly communicate the advantages for individuals and for the system as a whole. The […]
One of the most common investment pitfalls is to back the current winner. All too often investors pile into the best performing share, asset class or fund manager over the past year in the hope that its success will be repeated. This type of naïve momentum strategy can pay off in the short term, but […]
The SuperRatings and Lonsec Day of Confrontation 2018 may be over, but the conversation hasn’t finished. Once again, the event has sparked discussion on a range of critical issues, from the government’s view on the ‘Best in Show’ proposal to the future of financial advice and the vexed issue of licensing. Below is a selection […]
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