Super drives asset growth to new heights

Superannuation growth has been a key player in the increase of assets under management (AUM) within Australia, which has recorded the fastest growing level of AUM among the world's top 10 developed countries.

Data collected by The Boston Consulting Group shows that total AUM (including superannuation and managed funds held by retail and institutional investors) grew by 14 per cent from US$1.4 trillion in 2011 to US$1.6 trillion in 2012.

Australia's AUM growth exceeded the Netherlands, which was up 12 per cent of US$1.9 trillion; Germany, which was up 11 percent to US$2.3 trillion, and the United States, up 10 percent to US$28.3 trillion.

Boston Consulting Group head of financial services practice in Australia and New Zealand, Matthew Rogozinski, said the total value of AUM increased for the first time since the Global Financial Crisis, spurred on by superannuation inflows.

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"The superannuation system is a major driver of growth in assets under management, but Australia has been stuck in a downturn along with the rest of the developed world. This is partly a result of our equity market not rebounding in the same way as the US and other countries, which exacerbated a shift out of equity funds into bank deposits, despite low interest rates," Rogozinkski said.

"In 2012, the Australian market finally began to improve, with the S&P/ASX200 rising by 13.5 percent. This trend has continued in 2013 and, along with further growth in super, suggests we can expect another year of significant growth in assets under management."

China was the fastest growing country in 2012 with total AUM increasing by 23 per cent, resulting in a total AUM of US$1.6 trillion, on par with Australia among the world's top 10 by AUM.

Total AUM rose across the globe to US$62.4 trillion in 2012. It finally passed the 2007 record of US$57.2 trillion after four years of fitful growth, with the report indicating that ongoing lower interest rates and investor preferences would expand demand for specialised products.