Super funds on track in May: SuperRatings

Despite a 1.8 per cent drop in US stock markets last week, the superannuation sector is still likely to deliver members positive returns in May, says SuperRatings.

Super funds continued their “eight-year bull run” in April buoyed by international shares and a declining Australian dollar, according to research from SuperRatings.

The positive returns look set to continue in May despite a 373 point drop in the US Dow Jones Industrial Average on 17 May, said the firm.

“The median balanced option return posted 1.4 per cent [in April], building on the 1.5 per cent returned in March and bringing the financial year to date return to 10 per cent,” the firm said.

SuperRatings chairman Jeff Bresnahan said economic indicators remain “robust”, although weaker inflation figures are worrying some investors (as well as central banks).

“We have not seen the strong boost in confidence many have been hoping for, but neither have we seen any sign of a sustained pullback or dramatic loss of momentum,” Mr Bresnahan said.

“Despite the fact that significant risks remain, including in the [Australian] housing market, the outlook for 2017 remains somewhat positive.

“Interestingly, equity market gains have coincided with a fall in yields in major markets, as well as a fall in the US dollar.

“With valuations starting to look high in the US, investors are holding out for the President’s proposed tax cuts to be made law, which are needed to consummate the reflation trade.”