The medium growth fund (61 to 80 per cent allocation to growth assets) gained 0.8 per cent for the month, bringing the cumulative return for the first 11 months of 2013 to 15.6 per cent.
International shares were the main driver of this growth, increasing by 2.3 per cent in hedged terms and 5.7 per cent in unhedged terms, due to the depreciation of the Australian dollar.
The Australian share market declined, however, falling 1.4 per cent.
Listed property also fell, with Australian and global REITs decreasing 2.7 per cent and 3.5 per cent respectively.
Data from SuperRatings showed a 0.1 per cent increase in diversified fixed interest and a 0.2 per cent rise in cash.
SuperRatings expects December to generate the weakest returns of 2013, given that both Australian and international markets have fallen 4.1 per cent and 2 per cent respectively in Australian dollar terms.
The company predicts the total return of the 2013 calendar year will sit at 13 per cent.
Chant West’s director, Warren Chant, said despite the fall in share markets in December to date, Chant West estimates the medium growth return from January 1 to December 17 at 14.3 per cent.
“With only two weeks of the year remaining, we can say with great confidence that the final return for the year will be a very healthy one,” Mr Chant said.
Overall, 2013 has been an exceptional year for super fund members, particularly those invested in the growth fund.
“The strength of the listed share and property markets over the year is what’s driven these excellent returns,” he said.
According to Mr Chant, the strong performance of listed share markets in 2013 was driven by confidence that economic conditions are steadily improving in the United States.
A key issue for the new year will be how the US economy fares and how markets react when the US Federal Reserve begins tapering its bond buying programme, which has been pumping money into the economy.
“Investors will also be keeping an eye on the Chinese economy which, after a slight stutter, appears to have resumed a relatively stable growth pattern, even if the pace of growth has slowed a little from recent years,” Mr Chant said.
