Investment Performance

Cbus compares well

After years of strong growth, financial markets around the world have gone through a difficult 12 months. Unsettling as this can be, the current period should be seen as a natural part of the investment cycle. Don't forget to focus on the long-term growth of your super, and remember that Cbus' fees are among the lowest in the industry. As you can see in the table below, Cbus' Core Strategy Option (over 95% of Cbus members are in this option) continues to outperform most other funds*. The table compares the top 50 balanced funds by size.

Type of super fund	Average return over 5 years
Cbus Core Strategy Option	11.2%*	Over 95% of Cbus members are in this option
Not for Profit Funds	10.3%
Retail Master Trusts	8.1%
Cbus Ranking	3rd (out of the top 50 balanced funds by size)	Source: SuperRatings SR50 Balanced Fund Survey (As at 30 June 2008)

Market volatility - what this means for your super

Click on this link to find out the do's and don'ts of surviving market ups and downs.

Annual Crediting Rate

The crediting rate for Cbus' Core Strategy, the default option for the year ended 30/6/2008 is -4.5%. See below for rates for other options or go to our section on Monthly Crediting Rates.

Strong long-term investment returns

Super is a long-term investment. Information about the crediting rates of Cbus' investment options are listed below. These rates are calculated as at 30 June 2008 (after the deduction of fees and tax):

HIGH GROWTH	Since inception (1998) this option has credited an average of 7.3% pa to members' accounts. In the financial year 2007/08, the crediting rate for High Growth was -11.07%*
CORE STRATEGY	Since inception (1984), this option (Cbus' default option) has credited an average of 10.2% pa to members' accounts. Over five years the crediting rate has averaged 11.2% pa. In the financial year 2007/08, the crediting rate for the Core Strategy option was -4.50%*
MODERATE GROWTH	The Moderate Growth option has only been available to Cbus members since 1 April 2007. In the financial year 2007/08, the crediting rate was -2.76%*
CONSERVATIVE	Since inception (1999), this option has credited an average of 6.7% pa. In the financial year 2007/08, the crediting rate was 2.25%*
CAPITAL GUARANTEED	Since inception (1998), this option has credited an average of 4.7% pa to members' accounts. In the financial year 2007/08, the crediting rate was 5.03%*

*Past performance is not an indication of future performance. The value of investments can rise and fall.

Find out more about Cbus' Monthly investment performance and Member Investment Options.

Where Cbus invests

Cbus uses a number of international and domestic investment managers who specialise in different areas, chosen on the basis of their skills and ability to add value. The performance of the fund's managers is monitored regularly during the year. To find out about the managers and investment vehicles used by Cbus, click here.

Derivatives

Cbus permits some of its investment managers to use derivatives, such as futures and options, to reduce risk and enhance returns. However, strict parameters apply, and at no time during the year did the derivatives-charge ratio exceed 5 per cent of assets.