Super funds continue to post negative returns, according to research firm SuperRatings.
The median balanced option of all major super funds has seen its highest ever one month fall of negative 6.65 per cent, according to the latest data from SuperRatings.
"This takes the year-to-date returns down to -9.36 per cent and the rolling 12 month return to an unprecedented -17.61 per cent," SuperRatings managing director Jeff Bresnahan said.
Despite the market downturn, balanced funds still posted 6.67 per cent over the past five years.
"It is clear that when members are encouraged to focus more on the five year numbers, their chance of a panic reaction due to fear would be substantially reduced," he said.
The top 10 performers were all industry funds, with MTAA, BUSSQ and Cbus all posting 10.7 per cent, 9.4 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively over the 5 years to October 31, 2008.
"What will be interesting, once all this turmoil has washed through our super system and the six-monthly statements to members are sent out early next year, is the reaction of members to their own funds," Bresnahan said.
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