In it latest quarterly review of the SMSF sector Class have indicated that Platform use is actually rising a little among SMSF Trustees from 55% to 58%. However there is some change in the guard in terms of which platforms are seeing inflows. From the media release on the report:

Investment platforms have maintained their share of self-managed super funds in the past two years but the market share of the providers has shifted in favour of the non-aligned in the latest Class SMSF Benchmark Report.

The September quarter Report, based on an analysis of 120,000 SMSFs, shows that slightly less than 1 in 5 SMSFs use platforms and this has remained relatively stable for the past two years. However, the proportion of assets these funds hold on the platform has actually increased since 2014, from 55% to 58%, suggesting that predictions of the imminent demise of platforms in the SMSF market are premature.
However, the market share of different platform types has shifted significantly over the same period.

While all platforms increased the value of SMSF assets they held, most institutional platform providers lost ground compared to their non-aligned peers, especially Praemium, HUB24 and netwealth. The notable exception among the institutions was BT, which was able to build on its leading position and grow from 41% to 46% of all platform assets. Excluding BT, institutional platforms saw their share of platform assets drop from 47% to 40%.

I don’t find this a surprise as BT has launched its new generation BT Panorama platform which works especially well for SMSF investors. You can access Cash, very competitive Term Deposits from BT, Westpac and St George as well as shares, hybrids, ETFs, managed funds and managed accounts all on the one reporting platform as well as include external assets in the report. We have started using this platform for new clients as it is keenly priced with no administration charge for cash or term deposits and competitive admin fees for shares and managed funds.

Platform users more likely to use Managed Funds

Again the report also shows a higher use of managed funds by those using Platforms which no doubt is due somewhat to the preference for platforms by many SMSF advisers and also that many trustees use platforms to access sectors or managers they can’t get direct/retail. Again from the report:

The Report also found that SMSFs that use a platform allocate their assets differently to those that don’t. SMSFs that use platforms hold less cash and direct property but almost three times the percentage of managed funds as other SMSFs.

While the two categories of SMSFs have a similar direct exposure to shares, those that use platforms appear to be increasingly holding their equities off the platform, such as through a broker.

You can access the full Class Benchmark report and previous release here 

I found the table of the Top 20 investment holdings in each class very insightful as it shows the increase in use of ETFs in SMSF portfolios. Hear is a summary of the top 5 ETFs from the data:

1   IVV     Ishares S&P 500 ETF – Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 IshS&P500
2   IOO     Ishares Global 100 ETF – Chess Depositary Interests 1:1 Ishglb100
3   STW    SPDR S&P/ASX 200 Fund – Exchange Traded Fund Units Fully Paid
4   VTS     Vanguard Us Total Market Shares Index ETF – Chess Depositary Interests 1:1
5   VEU    Vanguard All-World Ex-Us Shares Index ETF – Chess Depositary Interests 1:1

Likewise the top 5 Managed funds

1    PLA0002AU   Platinum International Fund
2   MGE0001AU  Magellan Global Fund
3   PLA0004AU   Platinum Asia Fund
4   FID0008AU   Fidelity Australian Equities Fund
5   MAQ0482AU Winton Global Alpha Fund

I hope this guidance has been helpful and please take the time to comment. Feedback always appreciated. Please reblog, retweet, like on Facebook etc to make sure we get the news out there. As always please contact me if you want to look at your own options. We have offices in Castle Hill and Windsor but can meet clients anywhere in Sydney or via Skype. Just click the Schedule Now button up on the left to find the appointment options.

Liam Shorte B.Bus SSA™ AFP

Financial Planner & SMSF Specialist Advisor™

Tel: 02　98941844, Mobile: 0413 936 299

PO Box 6002 BHBC, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153

5/15 Terminus St. Castle Hill NSW 2154

Corporate Authorised Representative of Magnitude Group Pty Ltd ABN 54 086 266 202, AFSL 221557

This information has been prepared without taking account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. Because of this you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. This website provides an overview or summary only and it should not be considered a comprehensive statement on any matter or relied upon as such.