Superannuation funds should speak with members before talking to investment managers when equity markets collapse, says David Hartley, chief investment officer at Sunsuper.

Hartley says many Sunsuper members revised their investment strategies after the 2008 crash and now have higher exposures to defensive assets.

“They have been through this. Through the advice we have given them they’ve positioned themselves so it isn’t as painful,” says Hartley.

He was speaking from the Brisbane airport after visiting the $18 billion fund’s call centre in the Queensland capital.

Hartley is worried by the market downturn, but this state of mind is nothing new.

“I’m always worried, even when things are going well.”

Hartley says the market rout will provide buying opportunities for Australian equity funds managers as good and bad stocks have been indiscriminately punished.

“Managers need to buy stocks at good valuations or get out if necessary.”

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