Investment update: the year so far
February 26th, 2020
With share markets mainly buoyant in the first half of 2019/20, First Super’s investment options fared well, with our Balanced option – in which most members are invested – achieving 3.59% for the six–month period.
The 2019/20 financial year got off to a positive start in July with interest rate cuts in major economies, including Australia and, for the first time in 11 years, the United States.
These gains were subsequently reversed worldwide in August due to fears of a recession, but despite trade tensions, political concerns and some negative economic indicators, September through to November saw more stability and strong gains. Australia was an exception, with markets dropping sharply in October due to commodity prices and suffering another correction in early December.
Even so, the gains sufficiently outweighed the losses to deliver a very solid first-half performance for First Super members – see the table below. Our web page firstsuper.com.au/investments has more information on the Fund’s investment returns.
| Super Fund investment option | Performance returns from 1 July to 31 December 2019 |
| Balanced (default) | 3.59% |
| Shares Plus | 5.21% |
| Growth | 4.35% |
| Conservative Balanced | 3.01% |
| Cash | 0.78% |
Past investment returns are not a reliable indication of future returns.
Like other super funds, we are preparing for some investment market volatility in 2020. Rest assured that First Super is committed to an investment strategy that seeks to both protect and grow your super balance and help provide for a dignified retirement.