Investments

Investment philosophy

Our investment philosophy guides the way we invest your money. It combines key principles to give you consistent, strong returns.

1. Our investment strategy transcends short-term trends

We don’t get distracted by short-term market events. In fact, we’re always looking to your future. We’re here to give you real growth over time, so you can enjoy years of income from your super.

2. We actively manage investments

We search for the best investment opportunities in Australia and overseas. And we add extra value by choosing specialised investments that we believe have potential to outperform the market. Not every super fund can do this, but our size means we can secure prime investments, as well as niche opportunities. All of this means we strive to add to your return and reduce risk. We put our historically strong returns* down to our active management approach.

3. We diversify your super

The best defence against unpredictable investment markets? Diversification. We spread investments in the Managed Options across a mix of asset classes, so your returns don’t rely on a single asset class performing well all the time. Explore how our investment options give you diversification across and within asset classes.

4. We protect your savings

There will be ups and downs over the life of your super. It’s how we prepare for changes that matters. We employ strategies that aim to minimise the impact of negative returns when the market falls. This is called ‘downside protection’. Protecting against downside risk means we’re better prepared for market downturns, and you can be more confident about recovering losses.

5. We invest sustainably

We consider environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors when choosing investments. And we ask our investment managers to do the same. Along with economic and market-related factors, we believe that ESG factors are important as they can have a long-term impact on how your super performs.

Learn more

*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investment performance

Investment update with Chief Investment Officer, Suzanne Branton

Positive returns in a challenging year

The 2019/20 financial year will long be remembered for the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a particularly challenging time for investment markets. It was the year that global share markets went into rapid decline through February and March, in reaction to the economic shutdowns required to contain the spread of COVID-19, before recovering most of the losses by the end of the financial year. Against this backdrop, our Balanced (MySuper) investment option returned 0.22% for the year to 30 June 2020, which was well above the median of -0.82%, according to independent ratings agency, SuperRatings. Amid so much uncertainty, we’re proud to have delivered a positive investment return for members. Pleasingly, we were also able to reduce our investment fees across all investment options. The new fees were disclosed to members in the October 2020 PDS.

Top performer over the long term

Despite the small positive investment return this year, the long-term returns for our Balanced (MySuper) option remain strong. It has delivered 8.43% per year, on average, over the past 10 years. This is a wide margin above the industry median of 7.4% per year.*

CareSuper’s Balanced option (for both super and pension members) was a top performer over the last 5, 7, 10 and 15 years.** Also, our Balanced (MySuper) option is also ranked the number one fund over 20 years, returning an average 7.48% per year.*

The returns for all our investment options across the various timeframes are set out in the Returns at a glance tables.

Key lessons for investors

The key lesson from the past financial year is the importance of maintaining a well-diversified portfolio and sticking to your investment strategy.

The extraordinary events of the past year highlight the value and importance of our more defensive investment approach and certainly showed the power of diversification. Our active investment strategy ensures that we diligently select investments – avoiding those that are expensive and assessing investments that might be facing greater risks.

The diversification in our Balanced option ensures that members can remain invested through different market cycles and benefit from any recovery of share markets and the broader economy.

Economic recovery will take time

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to play out, it’s important to remember that superannuation is a long-term investment. It’s better measured over decades rather than months or years. Having successfully navigated an extremely turbulent financial year with further volatility still expected, we’ll continue to monitor financial market movements and seek out investment opportunities that we believe will outperform the market over the long term. See our market updates for the annual investment update video.

* SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate survey SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index – June 2020.
** SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate survey SR50 Balanced (60-76) Index – June 2020 and SuperRatings Pension Fund Crediting Rate Survey - SRP50 Balanced (60-76) Index - June 2020.

Returns at a glance

Here are our compound average returns (after investment fees, indirect costs and tax) as at 30 June 2020.

Super

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Investment choice 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 10 yr 7 yr 5 yr 3 yr
Managed options
Balanced 0.22% 6.88% 10.10% 11.70% 4.45% 10.76% 8.43% 8.05% 6.59% 5.65%
Growth -0.43% 7.13% 11.53% 13.69% 3.04% 11.78% 9.01% 8.72% 6.86% 5.96%
Alternative Growth -0.19% 6.45% 9.59% 11.54% 5.47% 9.68% 8.37% 7.81% 6.49% 5.20%
Sustainable Balanced 2.05% 9.37% 8.53% 9.36% 4.35% 9.79% 8.24% 7.91% 6.69% 6.60%
Conservative Balanced 0.15% 5.52% 7.21% 8.83% 3.08% 8.26% 6.77% 6.07% 4.91% 4.25%
Capital Stable 0.51% 4.96% 5.73% 6.86% 3.56% 6.67% 5.93% 5.16% 4.30% 3.71%
Capital Guaranteed 1.58% 1.89% 1.64% 1.65% 2.27% 2.91% 2.01% 1.94% 1.81% 1.70%
Asset class options
Overseas Shares 3.53% 7.22% 12.04% 18.56% -0.39% 20.47% 11.19% 11.12% 7.99% 7.54%
Australian Shares -6.50% 7.74% 15.93% 14.72% 0.19% 7.60% 8.05% 7.77% 6.06% 5.31%
Direct Property 1.69% 8.37% 12.74% 12.94% 13.34% 9.61% 8.86% 9.54% 9.72% 7.50%
Fixed Interest 2.41% 5.53% 2.14% 1.77% 4.05% 4.87% 4.98% 3.66% 3.17% 3.35%
Cash 1.13% 2.00% 1.92% 2.08% 2.44% 2.78% 2.76% 2.17% 1.91% 1.68%

The returns shown above are net of investment fees, indirect costs and tax. They may differ from the actual returns earned in your account. Your actual net returns will appear in your annual statement. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Transition to retirement

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Investment choice 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 10 yr 7 yr 5 yr 3 yr
Managed options
Balanced 0.22% 6.88% 10.10% 12.67% 4.89% 11.64% 9.16% 8.54% 6.86% 5.65%
Growth -0.43% 7.13% 11.53% 14.68% 3.89% 12.84% 9.86% 9.33% 7.22% 5.96%
Alternative Growth -0.19% 6.45% 9.59% 12.81% 5.88% 10.72% 9.08% 8.19% 6.82% 5.20%
Sustainable Balanced 2.05% 9.37% 8.53% 10.22% 4.58% 10.83% 9.08% 8.40% 6.90% 6.60%
Conservative Balanced 0.15% 5.52% 7.21% 9.53% 3.77% 8.85% 7.46% 6.51% 5.19% 4.25%
Capital Stable 0.51% 4.96% 5.73% 7.47% 4.08% 7.55% 6.54% 5.58% 4.52% 3.71%
Capital Guaranteed 1.58% 1.89% 1.64% 2.03% 2.61% 3.41% 2.16% 2.14% 1.95% 1.70%
Asset class options
Overseas Shares 3.53% 7.22% 12.04% 20.94% -0.45% 21.85% 12.27% 11.83% 8.41% 7.54%
Australian Shares -6.50% 7.74% 15.93% 16.35% 1.27% 8.18% 8.97% 8.56% 6.59% 5.31%
Direct Property 1.69% 8.37% 12.74% 14.95% 14.86% 10.92% 9.76% 10.36% 10.40% 7.50%
Fixed Interest 2.41% 5.53% 2.14% 2.23% 4.68% 5.44% 5.56% 4.03% 3.39% 3.35%
Cash 1.13% 2.00% 1.92% 2.43% 2.66% 3.22% 3.14% 2.37% 2.03% 1.68%

The returns shown above are net of investment fees, indirect costs and tax. They may differ from your actual returns. Your actual net returns will appear in your annual statement. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Pension

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Investment choice 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 10 yr 7 yr 5 yr 3 yr
Managed options
Balanced -0.91% 7.50% 11.09% 12.67% 4.89% 11.64% 9.20% 8.59% 6.94% 5.77%
Growth -1.63% 7.98% 12.58% 14.68% 3.89% 12.84% 9.92% 9.41% 7.33% 6.14%
Alternative Growth -1.09% 6.81% 10.90% 12.81% 5.88% 10.72% 9.15% 8.29% 6.95% 5.42%
Sustainable Balanced 1.06% 10.60% 9.60% 10.22% 4.58% 10.83% 9.20% 8.57% 7.14% 7.00%
Conservative Balanced -0.50% 6.10% 8.31% 9.53% 3.77% 8.85% 7.56% 6.65% 5.38% 4.57%
Capital Stable 0.23% 5.54% 6.42% 7.47% 4.08% 7.55% 6.64% 5.71% 4.72% 4.02%
Capital Guaranteed 1.91% 2.28% 1.97% 2.03% 2.61% 3.41% 2.27% 2.29% 2.16% 2.05%
Asset class options
Overseas Shares 3.63% 8.28% 13.96% 20.94% -0.45% 21.85% 12.59% 12.27% 9.01% 8.54%
Australian Shares -7.67% 8.80% 17.86% 16.35% 1.27% 8.18% 9.12% 8.77% 6.88% 5.79%
Direct Property 1.71% 8.79% 13.84% 14.95% 14.86% 10.92% 9.91% 10.58% 10.70% 8.00%
Fixed Interest 2.78% 6.41% 2.50% 2.23% 4.68% 5.44% 5.72% 4.26% 3.71% 3.88%
Cash 1.27% 2.39% 2.26% 2.43% 2.66% 3.22% 3.23% 2.49% 2.20% 1.97%

The returns shown above are net of investment fees, indirect costs and tax. They may differ from your actual returns. Your actual net returns will appear in your annual statement. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.

Investment approach

OUR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

CareSuper’s assets are managed according to the investment strategy for each investment option that has specified asset allocation benchmarks or, in the case of the Managed options, an asset allocation range. We develop our investment strategies after considering CareSuper’s overall circumstances and membership demographics, current market conditions and all applicable legislation.

We also consider the following objectives in establishing an investment strategy:

We select and appoint professional investment managers to invest members’ assets in line with the strategies for our investment options.

Within most asset classes, we’ve diversified the management of investments across several investment managers (and varying investment styles) with the aim of moderating the volatility in the overall return of the asset class. We don’t manage any investments internally, except for term deposits and the cash flow required for day-to-day operations. Licensed investment consultants advise and assist us with all investment matters including the selection of investment managers whose investment objectives must be consistent with our requirements. Controls applied to the managers are consistent with our objectives and philosophy.

INVESTMENT RISK

All investments have varying degrees of risk and can change in value. Risk can mean either a fall in the value of an investment, particularly over shorter periods, or an investment not meeting its investment objectives over the long term. Some of the most significant risks for investing are:

Read our Investment Guide or Pension Guide for more information.

DERIVATIVES

Investment managers may use futures, options and other derivative instruments to enhance returns or manage risk. However, these instruments may not be used to leverage the fund or to cause overall exposure to any asset class or combination of classes to breach the long-term strategic ranges.

VOTING

Owning shares in many different companies gives us the right to have a say in how they are managed.

By exercising our voting rights on a range of different resolutions at companies’ annual general meetings, we aim to maximise value for CareSuper members by using our influence to support positive corporate behaviour and drive improved ESG practices.

Our policy is to vote all shares where possible and in a manner that is consistent with our investment philosophy. We aim to ensure that all voting decisions incorporate good ESG practices and support our engagement activities. In doing so, we take into account the views of independent proxy voting advisers and our investment managers. The right to instruct the final voting direction resides with CareSuper.

See how we voted

INVESTMENT EXPOSURES

At 30 June 2020 the following investment managers held more than 5% of CareSuper’s assets.

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IFM Investors 7.54%
- IFM Enhanced Index Equities 4.63%
- IFM Australian Infrastructure Fund 2.02%
- IFM Specialised Credit Fund 0.51%
- IFM Recap Australia Strategy 0.13%
- IFM International Private Equity Fund III 0.12%
- IFM Infrastructure Debt 0.12%
- IFM Australian Private Equity Fund IV 0.02%
- IFM International Private Equity Fund II 0.01%
- IFM Australian Private Equity Fund III 0.00%
- IFM International Private Equity Fund I 0.00%
First Sentier Wholesale Cash 7.16%
MFS Global Equity Trust 5.38%

UNIT PRICING

CareSuper uses unit prices to calculate and report members’ super balances and apply investment returns in relation to investments in a Managed or Asset Class option. New unit prices for each investment option are calculated each business day (Monday to Friday excluding public holidays) and are published on our website within two business days.

Every member’s account balance information includes the number of units they own.

A buy price is usually the price applied when contributions are made into an investment option, at which time a member’s account will be allocated units at the buy price.

A sell price is usually applied when money is withdrawn from an investment option, including withdrawals from accounts for investment switches and payments, insurance fees and tax deducted directly from an account. The sell price is also used to calculate account balances.

To find out more about buy–sell spreads and how unit prices are calculated, read our Investment Guide or Pension Guide

RESERVE ACCOUNTS

CareSuper maintains reserves designed to provide for known and potential commitments and contingencies. We maintain two reserve accounts:

  1. General Reserve, and
  2. Operational Risk Reserve (ORR).

How we manage reserves

CareSuper maintains a General Reserve that reflects the size of funds under management, the demographics of our member base and the perceived financial market conditions and liquidity risks. The ORR is maintained to provide for the risks of operating a superannuation fund. The level of ORR maintained reflects the size, complexity and business of CareSuper (0.25% of net assets as at 30 June 2020). Reserves are reviewed on at least a quarterly basis.

These reserves are invested in a strategy appropriate to their time horizon and risk profile, which the CareSuper Board reviews annually. The General Reserve is invested in a combination of asset class exposures in line with the superannuation Balanced option as well as interest bearing cash balances to maintain liquidity. The ORR is invested in an investment exposure consistent with the aggregate asset allocation of CareSuper’s investments.

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  2019/20
$'000
2018/19 
$'000
2017/18 
$'000
General reserve 69,607 125,868 133,187
ORR 40,654 39,699 36,041
Total Reserves 110,261 165,567 169,228

Your investment choices

CareSuper offers 12 different investment choices, each with different levels of investment risk and targets for return, plus a Direct Investment option (DIO).

Members can invest in a pre-mixed combination of assets or create their own investment strategy by mixing and matching any of our Managed and Asset class options. Eligible members also have the choice to invest part of their super directly in shares, exchange traded funds, listed investment companies and term deposits through the DIO.

You can learn more about each of our investment options at explore our investment choices.

Actual asset allocations

For information on the actual asset allocations to 30 June 2020 and the preceding financial year, please refer to the tables below. Please note that the government introduced changes to the taxation of investment earnings on Transition to Retirement (TTR) accounts from 1 July 2017, which meant that they were no longer 'tax free'. Having regard to these changes, the asset allocation figures for TTR have been the same as they are for super since 2018. Previously TTR and pension were the same.

Here’s a summary of each of our Managed and Asset Class options as at 30 June 2020.

Our managed options

Balanced (MySuper)

Overview: The Balanced (MySuper) option invests in a diversified mix of assets with an emphasis on Australian and overseas shares, property and alternatives. It’s designed to achieve relatively high returns in the medium to long term but is subject to short-term fluctuations in returns. Your money will go into this option if you don’t make an investment choice.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 3% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). To ensure as far as possible that the investment return members receive each year is competitive with comparable options in other super funds.

Risk level: Medium. The chance of a negative annual return is 2.8 in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 21 24 22 25 10-40
Overseas Shares 25 18 26 19 10-40
Property 12 13 12 13 0-25
Alternatives 24 26 24 26 0-55
Fixed Interest 7 7 6 5 5-35
Cash 10 7 11 11 0-30

Growth

Overview: The Growth option mainly invests in growth assets with an emphasis on Australian and overseas shares. It’s designed to achieve long-term capital growth. Returns for this option may display a significant level of volatility with a relatively high risk of capital loss over the short or medium term.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 4% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). To ensure as far as possible that the investment return members receive each year is competitive with comparable options in other super funds.

Risk level: Medium to high. The chance of a negative annual return is 3.5 in every 20 years for super accounts, transition to retirement accounts and full pension accounts.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 27 32 28 33 15-50
Overseas Shares 34 24 36 26 15-50
Property 12 13 12 13 0-25
Alternatives 20 23 19 21 0-70
Cash 7 8 6 7 0-20

Alternative Growth

Overview: The Alternative Growth option invests in a diversified mix of assets with an emphasis on alternatives as well as Australian and overseas shares. It’s designed to achieve long-term capital growth.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 3.5% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). To produce a less volatile return profile than the Growth option by investing a significant portion of the portfolio in alternative investments.

Risk level: Medium. The chance of a negative annual return is 2.5 In every 20 years for super accounts, transition to retirement accounts and full pension accounts.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 18 22 20 24 10-40
Overseas Shares 24 17 24 17 10-40
Property 12 13 12 13 0-25
Alternatives 37 38 37 39 10-85
Cash 9 9 7 7 0-20

Sustainable Balanced

Overview: The Sustainable Balanced option seeks to select investment managers for the Australian and overseas shares asset classes based on a higher degree of focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, as well as investing in a wide range of other asset classes.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 3% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). Within the Australian and overseas shares asset classes, to favour industries and companies that are expected to achieve sound investment returns, maintain good social and/or environmental records and have a sustainable future.

Risk level: Medium. The chance of a negative annual return is 2.9 in every 20 years for super and transition to retirement accounts and 2.8 in every 20 years for full pension accounts.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 21 24 22 25 10-40
Overseas Shares 25 18 26 19 10-40
Property 12 13 12 13 0-25
Alternatives 24 27 24 26 0-55
Fixed Interest 7 7 5 5 5-35
Cash 10 11 11 12 0-30

Conservative Balanced

Overview: The Conservative Balanced option is designed to achieve a balance of risk and return by investing in a blend of assets, with an emphasis on fixed interest, cash and shares (Australian and overseas).

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 2.5% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). To ensure as far as possible that the investment return members receive each year is competitive with comparable options in other super funds.

Risk level: Medium. The chance of a negative annual return is 2.0 in every 20 years for super accounts, transition to retirement accounts and full pension accounts.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 16 19 17 20 5-30
Overseas Shares 20 14 20 14 5-30
Property 7 8 7 8 0-15
Alternatives 20 22 21 23 0-45
Fixed Interest 11 11 9 9 0-50
Cash 27 27 26 26 10-60

Capital Stable

Overview: The Capital Stable option invests in a diversified mix of assets, with an emphasis on fixed interest and cash. It’s designed to provide stability of capital over the medium term combined with the prospect for limited capital growth.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 2% per year (over rolling 10-year periods). To ensure as far as possible that the investment return members receive each year is competitive with comparable options in other super funds.

Risk level: Low to medium. The chance of a negative annual return is 1.1 in every 20 years for super and transition to retirement accounts and 1.0 in every 20 years for full pension accounts.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 10 12 11 13 0-25
Overseas Shares 13 9 13 9 0-25
Property 6 7 6 7 0-15
Alternatives 18 19 19 20 0-35
Fixed Interest 17 17 15 15 0-50
Cash 37 37 36 36 10-70

Capital Guaranteed

Overview: This option invests in capital guaranteed products issued by life insurance companies. This means that the issuing life insurance company guarantees the capital invested as well as the investment returns and not CareSuper. A capital guarantee does not however guarantee the level of future investment performance, other than that it won’t be negative. The asset allocation for this option is mainly made up of capital guaranteed investments. From time to time, this option may also invest in the term deposits of Authorised Deposit Taking Institutions and hold a modest amount of cash for liquidity purposes. These securities are not covered by the guarantee.

Return objective: To achieve returns after tax and fees at least in line with the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) over rolling 10-year periods. To provide a full guarantee on capital and credited accrued interest. To provide ‘smooth’ returns which iron out market fluctuations and are never negative.

Risk level: Very low. The chance of a negative annual return is nil in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Fixed Interest 22 22 22 22 0-50
Cash 78 78 78 78 50-100

ASSET CLASS OPTIONS

Overseas Shares

Overview: The Overseas Shares option invests in shares listed on the stock exchanges around the world, including both developed and emerging markets. To provide diversification a number of different investment managers with different approaches are appointed.

Return objective: To outperform the return of the overseas share market (as measured by the MSCI All Country World ex-Australia Index in $AUD).# To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 4% per year (over rolling 10-year periods).

Risk level: High. The chance of a negative annual return is 4.4 in every 20 years.

#The benchmark used is a composite of the hedged and unhedged MSCI All Country World ex-Australia indices to reflect use of currency hedging in managing the option.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Overseas Shares 100 100 100 100 n/a

Australian Shares

Overview: The Australian Shares option invests mainly in shares of Australian companies listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). To provide diversification, a number of different investment managers with varying approaches are appointed.

Return objective: To outperform the return of the Australian share market (as measured by the S&P/ASX 300 Accumulation Index). To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 4% per year (over rolling 10-year periods).

Risk level: High. The chance of a negative annual return is 5.4 in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Australian Shares 100 100 100 100 n/a

Direct Property

Overview: The Direct Property option holds units in portfolios focused on core, high-quality properties — mainly CBD office buildings and large shopping centres. Returns may come from both rental income and capital growth.

Return objective: To outperform the return of the Australian direct property market (as measured by the MSCI/Mercer Australia Core Wholesale Monthly Property Fund Index). To achieve returns after tax and fees that exceed the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) by at least 3% per year (over rolling 10-year periods).

Risk level: Medium to high. The chance of a negative annual return is 3.2 in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Direct Property 100 100 100 100 n/a

Fixed Interest

Overview: The Fixed Interest option invests in a diversified portfolio of debt securities, mainly fixed-rate bonds issued by Australian and overseas governments and companies, mortgage-backed securities and cash. The investment managers include specialist credit managers and other managers focused on managing sector and interest rate exposures.

Return objective: To outperform returns from a mix of the Australian and overseas bond markets (as measured by a benchmark consisting of the Bloomberg AusBond Composite Bond Index and, the Barclays Capital Global Aggregate Index [hedged] and cash). To achieve returns after tax and fees at least in line with the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) over rolling 10-year periods.

Risk level: Very low. The chance of a negative annual return is 0.2 in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Fixed Interest 66 66 65 65 50-100
Cash 34 34 35 35 0-50

Cash

Overview: The Cash option invests in a mix of cash and money-market securities, including at call and term deposits, bank bills, negotiable certificates of deposit, short-dated and floating rate securities issued by Australian and overseas government, banks and companies.

Return objective: To outperform the return of the Australian cash market (as measured by the Bloomberg AusBond Bank Bill Index). To achieve returns after tax and fees that is at least in line with the inflation rate (as measured by the CPI) each year (over rolling 10-year periods).

Risk level: Very low. The chance of a negative annual return is nil in every 20 years.

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  Actual asset allocations (%) for the financial year to: Range
  30 June 2020 30 June 2019 (%)
  Super & TTR Pension Super & TTR Pension Super, TTR & Pension
Cash 100 100 100 100 n/a

Our investment managers

We use a combination of in-house experts and external fund managers to manage our members’ super.

Here’s a list of our managers, ordered by asset class, as well as the value of funds held by each and the percentage of CareSuper’s total assets each holding represented at 30 June 2020 and 30 June 2019.

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CareSuper's investment managers during 2019/20 Investments held by managers
  2020 2019
  $m % of
Fund
$m % of
Fund
Absolute Return        
BNP Absolute Return Fixed Interest Trust 161.36 1.03% 273.41 1.67%
Coolabah Capital Credit Fund1 196.81 1.26% 0.00 0.00%
Insight Absolute Return Bond Fund4 14.43 0.09% 262.98 1.60%
Wellington Global Total Return 175.47 1.12% 243.99 1.49%
Total 548.07 3.50% 780.37 4.76%
Australian Shares        
Airlie Australian Equities 238.22 1.52% 238.66 1.45%
IFM Enhanced Index Equities 725.45 4.63% 806.17 4.91%
IFM Recap Australia Strategy1 20.07 0.13% 0.00 0.00%
Lennox Capital Partners Australian Equities 148.27 0.95% 48.34 0.29%
Ophir High Conviction Australian Equities 133.11 0.85% 115.47 0.70%
Ophir Opportunities Fund 106.07 0.68% 90.15 0.55%
Optar Australian Equities 171.27 1.09% 202.33 1.23%
Paradice Investment Management Large Caps 668.97 4.27% 754.29 4.60%
Renaissance Smaller Companies2 0.00 0.00% 109.68 0.67%
Schroder Australian Equities 682.83 4.36% 761.78 4.64%
Ubique Australian Equities 463.54 2.96% 579.32 3.53%
Total 3,357.79 21.43% 3,706.19 22.59%
Capital Guaranteed        
AMP Guaranteed Savings Account3 157.07 1.00% 102.35 0.62%
Total 157.07 1.00% 102.35 0.62%
Cash        
First Sentier Wholesale Cash 1,121.59 7.16% 980.53 5.98%
Term Deposits 565.06 3.61% 926.71 5.65%
Total 1,686.65 10.77% 1,907.24 11.63%
Credit        
Apollo Credit Fund 149.70 0.96% 180.78 1.10%
Apollo Athene Dedicated Investment Program1 19.32 0.12% 0.00 0.00%
Barings Multi Strategy Credit 236.30 1.51% 272.10 1.66%
HayFin Direct Lending Fund 4.80 0.03% 7.66 0.05%
HayFin Direct Lending Fund II 94.83 0.61% 108.64 0.66%
IFM Infrastructure Debt 18.03 0.12% 22.38 0.14%
Marathon Multi Strategy Credit1 244.82 1.56% 0.00 0.00%
Shenkman Capital Bank Loans 249.45 1.59% 282.16 1.72%
Total 1,017.25 6.49% 873.72 5.33%
Direct Property        
Charter Hall Prime Office Fund 448.54 2.86% 429.91 2.62%
DEXUS Wholesale Property Fund 690.41 4.41% 726.73 4.43%
Eureka Development Fund No. 24 0.01 0.00% 0.01 0.00%
ISPT Core Fund 627.88 4.01% 628.73 3.83%
ISPT Development & Opportunities Fund No. 2 3.44 0.02% 3.70 0.02%
ISPT International Property Trust5 0.00 0.00% 0.02 0.00%
ISPT Retail Australia Property Trust 146.23 0.93% 154.94 0.94%
Lend Lease Australian Prime Property Fund Retail 20.92 0.13% 37.66 0.23%
Total 1,937.43 12.37% 1981.70 12.08%
Fixed Interest        
IFM Specialised Credit Fund 79.24 0.51% 144.58 0.88%
Janus Henderson Australian Fixed Interest 200.14 1.28% 190.02 1.16%
Brandywine Global Fixed Income Fund 147.68 0.94% 219.07 1.34%
ME Bank Super Loans Trust 0.51 0.00% 1.29 0.01%
UBS Australian Fixed Interest 238.96 1.53% 190.55 1.16%
Western Fixed Income 277.35 1.77% 226.03 1.38%
Total 943.88 6.03% 971.74 5.92%
Infrastructure        
AMP Capital Infrastructure Equity Fund 243.55 1.55% 258.25 1.57%
Antin Co Investment Fund 32.17 0.21% 23.86 0.15%
Antin Infrastructure Fund4 0.03 0.00% 3.46 0.02%
Antin Infrastructure Fund III 120.82 0.77% 96.30 0.59%
Antin Infrastructure Fund IV1 1.39 0.01% 0.00 0.00%
Morrison Utilities Trust Of Australia 341.03 2.18% 352.11 2.15%
IFM Australian Infrastructure Fund 315.79 2.02% 312.44 1.90%
Macquarie Global Infrastructure Fund II 1.84 0.01% 48.22 0.29%
Total 1,056.60 6.74% 1094.65 6.67%
Overseas Shares        
Antipodes Partners Global Equity 575.37 3.67% 588.67 3.59%
Baillie Gifford Long Term Global Growth 343.75 2.19% 255.79 1.56%
GQG Emerging Markets1 103.81 0.66% 0.00 0.00%
Janus Henderson Global Equity2 0.00 0.00% 184.61 1.13%
Intermede Global Equities 399.71 2.55% 348.45 2.12%
MFS Global Equity Trust 843.36 5.38% 838.58 5.11%
Neuberger Berman Emerging Markets 153.85 0.98% 260.83 1.59%
Orbis Global Equity Fund 323.61 2.07% 475.08 2.90%
Robeco Global Equities 560.11 3.58% 553.95 3.38%
Skerryvore Emerging Markets1 154.60 0.99% 0.00 0.00%
Wellington Global Contrarian Equity 477.61 3.05% 468.19 2.85%
Total 3,935.79 25.12% 3974.15 24.23%
Private Equity        
Advent Private Capital V 0.61 0.00% 0.43 0.00%
Bain Capital Fund IX 0.77 0.00% 1.76 0.01%
Coller International Partners V 0.70 0.00% 0.91 0.01%
HarbourVest Co-Investment Opportunities Fund 49.38 0.32% 31.40 0.19%
HarbourVest Partners IV 87.87 0.56% 95.59 0.58%
Highland Credit Opportunities Fund 5.01 0.03% 4.92 0.03%
IFM Australian Private Equity Fund III 0.49 0.00% 0.82 0.00%
IFM Australian Private Equity Fund IV 2.50 0.02% 3.89 0.02%
IFM International Private Equity Fund I 0.22 0.00% 0.23 0.00%
IFM International Private Equity Fund II 1.65 0.01% 3.54 0.02%
IFM International Private Equity Fund III 18.15 0.12% 38.18 0.23%
Industry Super Holdings Pty Ltd 35.60 0.23% 35.68 0.22%
LGT Crown Europe Middle Market II 17.63 0.11% 21.04 0.13%
LGT Crown Global Secondaries II 5.19 0.03% 7.01 0.04%
Members Equity Bank Pty Ltd 41.39 0.26% 44.97 0.27%
Partners Group Direct Investments 2012 91.35 0.58% 103.53 0.63%
Partners Group Direct Investments 2016 122.51 0.78% 93.21 0.57%
Partners Group Direct Investments 20191 6.27 0.04% 0.00 0.00%
Partners Group Secondary 2008 3.55 0.02% 5.08 0.03%
Partners Group Secondary 2011 40.75 0.26% 57.86 0.35%
Partners Group Yarra LP 36.39 0.23% 20.57 0.13%
Siguler Guff Collins Fund 66.99 0.43% 41.33 0.25%
Siguler Guff Distressed Opportunities IV 39.51 0.25% 50.56 0.31%
Siguler Guff Small Buyout Opportunities Fund II 73.97 0.47% 83.52 0.51%
Siguler Guff Small Buyout Opportunities Fund III 43.25 0.28% 36.85 0.22%
Siguler Guff Small Buyout Opportunities Fund IV1 6.84 0.04% 0.00 0.00%
Stafford International Timberland VI 20.95 0.13% 21.25 0.13%
Wilshire Private Markets 11.67 0.07% 18.22 0.11%
Wilshire Private Markets Asia No. 2 1.29 0.01% 1.47 0.01%
Total 832.45 5.31% 823.81 5.02%
Sustainable Australian Shares        
Alphinity Sustainable Shares 57.72 0.37% 60.09 0.37%
DNR Socially Responsible Australian Equities 33.40 0.21% 35.13 0.21%
Total 91.13 0.58% 95.23 0.58%
Sustainable Overseas Shares        
Baillie Gifford Positive Change 15.29 0.10% 10.06 0.06%
Impax Asset Management 36.32 0.23% 33.94 0.21%
Robeco Sustainable Global Equities 50.00 0.32% 49.28 0.30%
Total 101.61 0.65% 93.27 0.57%
  15,665.73   16,404.41  

1 Appointed/added during 2019/20.
2 Terminated during 2019/20.
3 Accumulation assets are invested in the AMP Guaranteed Savings Account (Superannuation) and Pension assets are invested in the AMP Guaranteed Savings Account (Pension).
4 Investment being wound down. Small residual balance remaining.
5 Investment wind down complete. All distributions received.
Figures exclude derivative positions. Percentages may not sum to totals shown due to rounding.
QIC is CareSuper's currency hedging and asset allocation (rebalancing) manager.
Percentages may not sum to totals shown due to rounding.

Our major holdings

CareSuper invests around $16 billion worth of super in assets such as shares, airports, office blocks, shopping centres and corporate bonds.

Our top investment holdings as at 30 June 2020 are set out in the tables below.

Australian Shares

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Security % of asset class % of Balanced (MySuper) option
BHP Group Ltd 5.85% 1.23%
CSL Ltd 5.27% 1.11%
Commonwealth Bank of Australia 5.14% 1.08%
Westpac Banking Corporation 3.53% 0.74%
National Australia Bank Ltd 3.00% 0.63%
Woolworths Group Ltd 2.68% 0.56%
Telstra Corporation Ltd 2.58% 0.54%
Australian and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd 2.34% 0.49%
Origin Energy Ltd 2.24% 0.47%
Coles Group Ltd 2.21% 0.47%
Rio Tinto Ltd 2.03% 0.43%
Wesfarmers Ltd 1.70% 0.36%
Amcor Limited 1.58% 0.33%
Aurizon Holdings Ltd 1.54% 0.32%
Newcrest Mining Ltd 1.48% 0.31%
Incitec Pivot Ltd 1.39% 0.29%
Lendlease Group 1.30% 0.27%
QBE Insurance Group Ltd 1.28% 0.27%
Alumina Ltd 1.22% 0.26%
Macquarie Group Ltd 1.21% 0.26%
49.58% 10.44%

Overseas Shares

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Security % of asset class % of Balanced (MySuper) option
Facebook Inc 1.94% 0.53%
Alibaba Group 1.91% 0.52%
Tencent Holdings LTD 1.55% 0.42%
Alphabet Inc 1.24% 0.34%
Samsung Electronics Co LTD 1.19% 0.33%
Amazon Dotcom Inc 1.19% 0.32%
Roche Holding Ag 1.17% 0.32%
Linde PLC 1.12% 0.30%
Comcast Corp 1.11% 0.30%
Netease Inc 1.08% 0.30%
Nestle SA 1.04% 0.28%
Heineken NV 1.02% 0.28%
Microsoft Corp 1.02% 0.28%
Apple Inc 0.98% 0.27%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co LTD 0.98% 0.27%
Medtronic PLC 0.91% 0.25%
Walt Disney Co 0.89% 0.24%
Tesla Inc 0.82% 0.22%
Visa Inc 0.82% 0.22%
Accenture PLC 0.79% 0.22%
22.78% 6.20%

Property

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Location % of asset class
ACT 2.5%
NSW 45.7%
QLD 18.5%
SA 1.9%
VIC 25.2%
WA 6.2%
Other 0.0%
Total 100.0%
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Sector % of asset class
Retail 30.5%
Office 62.2%
Industrial 6.6%
Other 0.7%
Total 100.0%

Infrastructure

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Location % of assets
Overseas 25.0%
NSW 24.5%
VIC 23.6%
QLD 7.4%
WA 11.6%
TAS 0.0%
NT 1.2%
SA 1.7%
ACT 2.5%
Other 0.0%
Multiple 0.0%
Listed 0.0%
Other Net Assets 2.4%
Total 100.0%
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Sector % of assets
Airports 38.2%
Seaports 8.2%
Other Economic 5.9%
Utilities 25.1%
Social 12.8%
Communications 9.6%
  100.0%

Fixed Interest

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Government bonds / Cash Non-Government
Australia Overseas Total Australia Overseas Sub-total Total
22.73% 23.23% 45.96% 35.27% 18.73% 54.00% 100%
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Credit rating
AAA AA A BBB Below BBB Total
41.26% 15.54% 17.19% 21.91% 4.07% 100%

International fixed interest investments are fully hedged. Percentages may not sum to totals shown due to rounding. The figures are subject to change or revision at any time and CareSuper accepts no responsibility for omission or errors.