Investment update to 30 November 2025
21 January 2026
Solid returns for members despite slowing markets
While growth in global markets slowed in November 2025, Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continued to deliver solid returns.
Market momentum eased in November as investors reassessed the outlook for some artificial intelligence (AI) related stocks, resulting in more subdued market conditions.
We continue to manage portfolios with a disciplined and diversified approach, supporting resilience through changing market conditions. Market ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and with super designed for the long term, history shows markets recover over time. Our focus remains on delivering strong, long-term returns for members.
How our diversified options performed
Despite slower markets, Brighter Super’s diversified investment options delivered solid returns in November, as shown in SuperRatings’ latest Fund Crediting Rate Survey, which compares performance across the superannuation industry1.
Our Growth option continues to rank #1 in its index over rolling 7 years, for both Super (Accumulation) and Pension accounts, reflecting consistent long-term performance.
The table below shows returns for Brighter Super’s diversified investment options for periods ended 30 November 20251.
|
Brighter Super investment option
|
Returns for periods ended 30 November 2025 (%) |
| 1 year |
3 year |
5 year |
7 year |
| Accumulation accounts |
| Growth |
8.64% |
11.34% |
9.78% |
10.68% |
| Balanced |
7.78% |
10.01% |
8.19% |
9.20% |
| MySuper |
8.32% |
9.45% |
7.85% |
7.73% |
| Conservative Balanced |
6.90% |
8.21% |
6.18% |
7.11% |
| Indexed Balanced |
8.69% |
11.10% |
8.87% |
– |
| Stable |
5.93% |
6.58% |
4.30% |
5.29% |
| Secure |
4.00% |
4.26% |
2.51% |
2.90% |
| Pension accounts |
| Growth |
9.47% |
12.60% |
10.85% |
11.96% |
| Balanced |
8.54% |
11.12% |
9.04% |
10.22% |
| Conservative Balanced |
7.55% |
9.19% |
6.86% |
7.94% |
| Indexed Balanced |
9.54% |
12.23% |
9.80% |
– |
| Stable |
6.64% |
7.49% |
4.84% |
6.00% |
| Secure |
4.62% |
4.76% |
2.59% |
3.10% |
This monthly investment update focuses on the performance of our diversified options, where most of our members are invested. To see how our single asset class options are performing, visit the latest performance page for all our investment options’ returns.
Looking back: global market trends in November 2025
Global developed markets slowed in November, with the MSCI World Index (hedged into AUD) posting a modest return of 0.4%. This follows a strong year, with the index up 16.2% over the past 12 months.
In the US, the S&P 500 Index delivered a small gain of around 0.3% in November. During the first half of the month, investors moved away from popular artificial intelligence (AI) related stocks. While Nvidia’s robust earnings initially lifted sentiment among AI and technology stocks, this was not enough to ease concerns about high valuations.
Economic data from the US has been more limited recently, with some releases delayed following a government shutdown. On the trade front, tensions between the US and China continued to ease, with the US granting a one-year extension of tariff exclusions for select Chinese imports in November.
Emerging Market shares fell in November, with the MSCI EM Index (unhedged in AUD) down 2.6%. In the second half of November, Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean shares reached monthly lows, due to the global sell-off in technology stocks.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX300 index fell throughout most of November, before a late-month recovery cut some of those losses, ending the month down 2.6%.
Shortly after month end, the Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate unchanged for December, reflecting renewed signs of inflationary pressure. Returns in the Information Technology sector were particularly poor, with a sharp drop of -10.8% for the month. The Financials sector fell by 6.5%.
The yield on 10-year Australian government bonds rose in November, reaching 4.52%. In contrast, US 10-year Treasury yields fell by 0.08%. Australian bonds posted a negative return of -0.9%, while Global bonds managed a modest gain of 0.2%.
The Australian dollar remained fairly steady over the month, returning 0.2%. The US dollar was generally weaker, with major developed and emerging market currencies performing strongly against it.
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SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, November 2025. Refer to superratings.com.au for further information about these results. The information is current as at the date of the SuperRatings Survey (released on 19 December 2025). Brighter Super’s Growth option is in the SR Growth (77-90) Index for Accumulation accounts and the SRP Growth (77-90) Index for Pension accounts. Investment returns are only one factor to be considered when deciding whether to invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Returns are based on daily unit pricing valuations and are net of external investment manager fees, net of taxes and gross of all Brighter Super administration fees for all performance periods.
The information contained is up to date at the time of publishing. Some of the information may change following its release. Any questions can be referred to Brighter Super by calling 1800 444 396, or by emailing info@brightersuper.com.au.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484) (AFSL 230511) (the Trustee) as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) (RSE R1000160) (the Fund). Brighter Super may refer to the Trustee or the Fund as the context may be. Brighter Super products are issued by the Trustee on behalf of the Fund.
You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making any decision to acquire any products. A TMD is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs and TMDs at www.brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides
This article provides general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider whether it is appropriate in light of your own objectives, financial situation and needs prior to making any decision. You should consult a licensed financial adviser if you require advice which does take into account your personal financial circumstances.
