Top three investment performance for 2018-2019
Media Super has ended the financial year with a strong investment performance for our members, with the Balanced (MySuper) option ranked third for the 2018–19 financial year, according to SuperRatings¹, with the pension Balanced option ranking fourth.²
Five years ago we reviewed and made significant changes to our investment strategy, including putting in place portfolio protection. While we've made changes and improvements to our portfolio, we've stuck with this strategy, confident it would lead to strong returns and we're pleased that our strategy is continuing to provide great results for members.
Your investment returns for 2018-19
Our Balanced (MySuper) option returned 8.76%³ for the financial year, well ahead of the median return of 6.93%.¹
The pension Balanced investment option returned 9.87%³ for the financial year, also well ahead of the median return of 7.95%.²
Both Balanced options are also performing well longer term, ranking fifth over three years and tenth over five years.¹&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.
Our other pre–mixed investment options also performed well for the financial year, with our Stable option ranked second⁴, Growth option ranked third⁵ and High Growth option ranked tenth.⁶
Performance information is available for our full range of super, transition to retirement and pension investment options.
2019–20 Outlook
Media Super maintained a cautious outlook and positioning last financial year, due to what we considered to be elevated macroeconomic risks. Despite these risks not being resolved, 2018–19 ended up being a strong year for shares on the back of accommodative central bank policies.
Moving into 2019–20, our views have not changed and we continue to closely monitor sluggish retail activity domestically, as well as trade wars and Brexit globally.
To navigate the potential risks ahead we've maintained our portfolio protection and increased the diversification and flexibility of our investment portfolio.
Looking ahead, we are confident our Balanced investment strategy is well positioned to deliver a strong end of financial year result, and will 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 886⁷ to talk through your concerns and your investment options.
1 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR50 Balanced options (60-76) Index, June 2019.
2 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SRP50 Balanced options (60-76) Index, June 2019.
3 Investment returns are not guaranteed and past performance gives no indication of future returns.
4 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR50 Capital Stable (20-40) Index, June 2019
5 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – SR50 Growth (77-90) Index, June 2019
6 SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey – High Growth (91-100) Index, June 2019
7 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 (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 Authorised 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 Authorised Representatives.