March sees strong returns continue
As we head into the final quarter of the financial year, Media Super is continuing to perform strongly for our members.
The Balanced super and pension options – in which most of our members are invested – are ranked top five for the financial year and 12 months to 31 March 2019, according to SuperRatings.¹
Our other pre–mixed investment options – High Growth, Growth and Stable – are also performing well, with returns to 31 March predominantly in the top 25% of funds and well above the median returns.³
Your investment returns
Our Balanced (MySuper) option returned 4.61%⁴ for the financial year to 31 March 2019, well ahead of the median return of 3.22%.¹
Over a rolling 12–month period the Balanced (MySuper) option returned 8.06%⁴ and is ranked in the top five funds, well ahead of the median return of 5.64%.¹
The pension Balanced investment option recorded 5.06%⁴ for the financial year to 31 March 2019, also well ahead of the median return of 3.76%.² The pension option is also performing well over 12 months, returning 8.74%⁴ compared to the median 7.54%.²
Media Super's Balanced options are well diversified across shares (Australian and international), property, infrastructure, fixed interest and cash investments, as well as various alternative investments, such as our Fulcrum film and television financing fund.
By investing in our Balanced investment option you also have added peace–of–mind knowing we have portfolio protection in place, a mechanism designed to reduce the impact of losses if share markets fall heavily, as they did numerous times throughout this financial year. We are one of the few funds that has this type of protection in place.
Performance information is also available for our full range of super, transition to retirement and pension investment options.
2019 Outlook
The sharemarket has not only recovered losses from late 2018, but is in fact close to all–time highs again. There are still elevated risks around global politics and the fact that stock prices are quite high historically. Media Super continues to maintain a cautious position for the remainder of 2019. We are closely monitoring the potential consequences of the upcoming federal election, ongoing trade talks between the US and China, as well as the implications of a delayed Brexit.
To navigate the potential risks ahead we've maintained our portfolio protection and increased the diversification and flexibility of our investment portfolio.
It's important to remember that short–term losses happen but super is a long–term investment and we are pleased that our three and five year results are also firmly in the top 25% of funds.¹
Looking ahead, we are confident our Balanced investment strategy is well positioned to continue meeting our long–term investment objectives for your super and pension.
We're here to help
We understand that some members may be concerned about the impact of share market fluctuations on their super or pension account balance.
If you are concerned or would like to discuss your investment options, please call our Helpline on 1800 640 886⁵ to talk through your concerns and your investment options.
1 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SR50 Balanced options (60-76) Index, March 2019.
2 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SRP50 Balanced options (60-76) Index, March 2019.
3 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, March 2019
4 Investment returns are not guaranteed and past performance gives no indication of future returns.
5 Helpline Advisers providing general or limited advice are representatives of Mercer Outsourcing Australia Pty Ltd ABN 83 068 908 912, AFS Licence 411980.
Media Super has engaged Industry Fund Services Limited (IFS) ABN 54 007 016 195 AFSL No 232514 to facilitate the provision of financial advice to members of Media Super. Advice is provided by one of our Financial Planners who are Representatives of IFS. Fees may apply. Further information about the cost of advice is set out in the relevant Financial Services Guide, a copy of which can be obtained by calling IFS on 1300 138 848. IFS is responsible for any personal advice given to you by its Representatives.