NZ Super Fund has its best year, makes 25% annual return
Sept. 1 (BusinessDesk) – The New Zealand Superannuation Fund made its biggest annual return since establishment eight
years ago, making 25% after fees from riding the rebound in global equities.
The value of the fund, which was set up to help pre-fund pensions for an ageing population, $3.9 billion in the 12
months ended June 30, more than half the pre-tax returns it has made since its inception in 2003.
That beat its previous best performance in 2005/6 when it made an after fees return of 19%.
The so-called Cullen Fund, named for architect former Finance Minister Michael Cullen, had $19.03 billion under
management as at June 30, and has beaten Treasury bills by 2.23% since its inception, just 27 basis points shy of its
benchmark.
The year marked a change in investment policy at the fund as it lifted its exposure to international stock markets after
having to deal with the suspension of government contributions that have made up the bulk of its cash.
As at June 30, the fund had almost 61% of its cash in global stocks, followed by international fixed interest at 11% and
infrastructure at 9.5%. Timber investment was the next largest exposure at 6.8%, then New Zealand shares at 5.2% and
global listed property at 4.2%.
The fund held 2.6% in other private markets, 1.3% in local property and 1.2% in private equity, with just 0.1% in New
Zealand bonds.
Auckland International Airport Ltd. was the biggest locally listed holding, making up 1.5% of the fund, while Transurban
Group was the biggest foreign listed holding, also at 1.5%.
(BusinessDesk)