Investment Performance Highlights – 02 April 2020
- 02 Apr 2020
Daniel Selioutine, Head of Investments, takes the opportunity to review market activity and the Fund’s performance in light of recent events.
Market UPDATE:
Market volatility continued to decrease for a second week as policy action by central banks helped calm investment markets. While news headlines continue to be dominated by the Coronavirus, investment markets have recovered some of their losses despite the number of infections growing in many developed economies. The virus has spread very quickly in the U.S., undermining President Trump’s intention to relieve containment measures by Easter. Italy’s situation continues to improve while other parts of mainland Europe are at earlier stages of the virus and are actively struggling to contain its spread. China’s economy continues to show positive signs of restarting and new Coronavirus cases have not appeared in the official data.
Governments around the world continue to take action to address declining economic activity and rising unemployment. Investment markets are looking for signs of stability in Coronavirus cases which would point to signs of a successful containment strategy and possibly pave the way for a more significant rebound in economic activity towards the latter half of 2020.
ASSET CLASS RETURNS
Australian equity markets (S&P / ASX 200) have slowly recovered this week, returning around 8.6% after gaining 0.6% last week. The U.S. equity market (S&P 500 in US dollars) declined -2.8% this week after recovering 10.3% last week. Sovereign bonds (as given by the Bloomberg AusBond Composite 0+ Year Index) rose 1.1% this week and 0.7% last week.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
If you're a Defined Benefit member:
- If your superannuation is invested in the Emergency Services Superannuation Defined Benefit Fund or the State Superannuation Defined Benefit Fund, then your entitlements are guaranteed by the Victorian State Government. Recent equity market declines will not impact your ESSSuper retirement benefit.
If you are an Accumulation Plan or Income Stream member:
- It is important to remember that superannuation is a long-term investment, which includes peaks and troughs along the way. Over the longer term, our Accumulation Plan and Income Stream Investment Options have continued to meet their return objectives. Historically, periods of negative returns are usually followed by longer periods of strong returns.
If you're a retiree or nearing retirement:
- There are things to consider if you’re thinking about switching your investment options. Switching Investment Options to lower risk Options may inadvertently lock-in investment losses and miss out on the potential for higher returns by being out of the market when it recovers. Market downturns, whatever their trigger may be, are inevitable and temporary. Every crisis, downturn, and recession comes to an end. And it is very likely that this crisis will be no different.
We're here to help
Our aim is to help every member achieve a comfortable and financially secure life in retirement through investment options that meet their retirement objectives over the long-term. We have a range of foundational principles that we adhere to when it comes to making these decisions. To learn more about how our investment approach works, click here.
Before you make any change to your super investment strategy, we encourage you to speak to an ESSSuper financial adviser, to book an appointment please call us on 1300 650 161 or email us at info@esssuper.com.au