Australia’s managed funds stake has increased, with new figures showing an increased gap between Australia’s funds per person growing more than funds per person in the rest of the world.
According to bi-annual report AFG Global Funds Management Index, managed funds based in Australia grew by 13 per cent in the 12 months to the end of 2006.
In the same period, the USA reported growth of 6 per cent. The gap between Australia and USA widened from 14.7 per cent in 2005, to 22.3 per cent in 2006.
The report revealed that Australians had an average of $50,753 per person invested in managed funds.
This compares to per capita figures for USA of $41,496, France of $34,757 and Sweden with $23,505.
AFG Financial Planning dealer principal Ross Nayler said Australia’s performance arose from a number of factors including an increased focus on superannuation, the improved popularity of margin lending and a robust stock market.
“The combined effect of 9 per cent employer super contributions and increasing focus on superannuation, a very robust stock market, and the popularity of margin lending and leveraged investment products are very real causes for success,” Nayler said.
Other international regions that also reported strong growth were France and Belgium with 19 per cent, the UK with 16 per cent, and Sweden with 48.6 per cent.
