Powered by MOMENTUM MEDIA
SMSF adviser logo
subscribe to our newsletter

SMSFs embracing managed funds, ETFs, new research shows

SMSFs embracing managed funds, ETFs, new research shows
By Miranda Brownlee
20 June 2022 — 1 minute read

Almost a third of SMSF assets are now invested pooled structures, with SMSFs using managed funds and ETFs to access international equities and fixed interest, according to a recent SuperConcepts survey.

SuperConcepts has relaunched its SMSF Investment Patterns Survey after a harmonisation of internal systems. 

The survey for March covers 4,500 funds, a sample of the SMSFs administered by SuperConcepts, and the investments they held at 31 March 2022 which exceeds $7.5 billion in assets.

SuperConcepts Executive Manager Technical and Strategic Solutions, Philip La Greca, said one of the key takeaways from this survey is that almost 1 in 3 dollars are invested through pooled structures.

“The highest usage is in international sectors with over 75 per cent of international equities and international fixed interest exposure is through managed funds and ETFs,” said Mr La Greca.

“This is reflected in the top ten pooled vehicles where eight are international products and four are ETFs.”

The findings of the survey also highlights some of the differences in asset allocation between SMSFs and APRA funds.

Mr La Greca said that the allocation to cash is higher for SMSFs which is unsurprising given the larger proportion of pension members.

“Equities exposure is almost identical but the split between domestic and international highlight the limited ways SMSFs, and other retail investors, can access overseas markets.”

Mr La Greca also questioned whether SMSFs actually have a greater exposure to real property, compared with APRA funds.

While the figures showed that SMSFs hold 16 per cent in real property versus APRA-regulated funds at 8.5 per cent, Mr La Greca pointed out that assets such as airports, toll road and ports are classified as infrastructure, rather than specialist property by APRA funds. SMSFs held 4.9 per cent in infrastructure assets versus the 9 per cent held in APRA funds.

 

You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member for free today!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE
SMSF ADVISER BULLETIN

Get the latest news and opinions delivered to your inbox each morning