Australian super funds have bounced back after fluctuation in the September quarter, with experts predicting modest returns for the year.

The results bring the return for the first 10 months of the year to 6.1 per cent, after a rise in October brought the median growth up to 3.2 per cent.

Superannuation consultant firm Chant West predicted that with only six weeks left of the year, it’s likely super funds will deliver a fourth consecutive calendar year return.

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Retail funds outperformed industry funds in October with returns of 3.5 per cent against 3 per cent.

Industry funds have the long-term advantage, with returns of 7 per cent per annum compared against 5.8 per cent for retail funds over 15 years to October of this year.

Chant West said modest returns are unsurprising, as asset managers have been predicting lower returns for the future.

Meanwhile, Australian and overseas share markets have rebounded, meaning the return in unhedged terms was slightly lower at 6.3 per cent.

The results show a sixth positive return for super funds over the past seven years, but the yearly return will not be as high as the past three years.