Australia’s Retail Superannuation Fund Industry: Structure, Conduct and Performance

Abstract

In this analysis of Australia's superannuation arrangements it is our conjecture that the structure and conduct of the retail superannuation industry in Australia directly impacts performance, resulting in the delivery of costly funds management products which add minimal value for investors over the long term. In this study, we take the perspective of an investor faced with selecting a retail superannuation fund, and explore the extent to which various differentiating characteristics (such as style, rating and cost) provide insights into fund quality which uses a variety of asset pricing models for the period 1991 through 2003. The results of this study, suggest that investors cannot garner superior riskadjusted returns through reliance on such characteristics.