2013 best year for super funds’ returns at 15 per cent
Superannuation funds had their best-performing year in 2013, with the median superannuation balance option increasing by 15.5 per cent for the calendar year, according to SuperRatings' estimates.
Despite a poor start, December's late rally saw super funds record an estimated 0.9 per cent gain for the month.
The strong recovery in the second half of December was mainly driven by the performance of listed equity markets.
These are the best results since SuperRatings' began tracking this index in 2000.
Both Australian and international equity markets recovered strongly to finish positive for the month.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed higher in five out of the last seven trading days to end the year, and finished December up 0.6 per cent.
The fall in the Australian dollar over the month also helped international equity returns for those funds that remain in an unhedged position.
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