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How we invest

What drives the results we deliver for members?

We believe that long term investment outcomes for members is driven by asset allocation and investment diversification.

The outcomes desired by members can vary with their age and personal situation, so we offer a broad range of investment options each with different investment objectives – from options targeting very high returns (and a high exposure to shares - and risk) to options targeting moderate returns (from mainly fixed interest investments which usually have a markedly lower risk of loss).

How we construct and refine each option

smartMonday leverages the research views and insights of its internal investment team, Future Group and third party consultants to formulate investment strategies and construct investment options. It utilises best in class internal and external super industry experts, specialised across asset allocation, risk analysis, and investment implementation. As well as designing the strategic investment position of each investment option, this team regularly introduces new ideas to seek higher returns or reduce investment risks for members.

Third party managers

Fundamental to our implementation approach is the appointment of independent third-party investment managers to implement the investment portfolios. This approach helps us manage a key conflict of interest and it enables us to easily remove managers who don’t meet our performance standards. This can be difficult to do with an internal investment team.

We utilise the expertise of third-party managers to supplement our extensive in-house expertise in finding the best investment ideas no matter where these are. To help us keep track of manager activity, we maintain detailed information on various investment strategies worldwide.

Responsible investing is in our DNA

smartMonday has been a strong advocate for sustainable and socially positive investment practices through the application of Environmental, Social and Governance principles. smartMonday’s ethical investment capabilities have been enhanced since the acquisition by Future Group, with the investment team being able to leverage the extensive experience and skill set of Future Group’s Investment Team and Impact Team.

We instil ESG attributes in smartMonday portfolios mainly by seeking to work with investment managers whose own views are consistent with Future Group and the trustee of smartMonday. We have taken additional steps to reduce risk by screening our international equities portfolio to remove investment exposure to fossil fuel companies, controversial weapons producers, tobacco companies, nuclear energy and uranium mining companies and gambling companies.

How we invest with impact

The money in your super has an impact. What your super is funding matters. The total amount of money in Australia’s superannuation system is $4.1 trillion – that's $4,100,000,000,000, which is a lot by anyone’s standards! Where all that money is invested matters. It has the ability to shape our economy, society and environment while building your retirement savings.

That’s what impact investing is all about. Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.

In super, delivering positive financial outcomes for members is always the number one priority. Impact investing isn’t about leaving returns on the table, it’s about acknowledging that it’s possible to have a positive impact alongside generating returns.

Find out more about some of our impact investments here.