April was the eighth month of positive performance out of the past 10, and the cumulative return for the financial year to date now stands at an “impressive” 10.1 per cent, said superannuation researcher Chant West.
All major asset sectors delivered positive returns in April, and were led by listed shares and property, Chant West said.
"Australian shares were up 1 per cent, while international shares advanced 1.1 per cent in hedged terms. However, with the slide in the value of the Australian dollar over the month (down from US$0.76 to US$0.75), the return in unhedged terms was boosted to 3.6 per cent," said the researcher.
"Listed property also delivered strong returns, with Australian and global REITs up 2.6 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively."
Chant West director Warren Chant said growth funds have performed better than expected over the first 10 months of the 2017 financial year.
"With the cumulative return sitting at 10.1 per cent, it is almost certain that they’ll finish the year in the black for the eighth consecutive time – and quite possibly in the double digits," Mr Chant said
"This is particularly impressive given that we’re still in a period of considerable uncertainty, both economic and political. It seems investors are looking through the uncertainty and focusing on the economic and market outlook, which is certainly looking better than it did 12 months ago."
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