Investment update to 30 September 2025
28 October 2025
Steady growth continues for Brighter Super members
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continued to perform well in September, adding to the steady gains we’ve seen in recent months. It’s been another positive period for members as markets continued their upward trend.
Recent share market gains highlight how quickly conditions can improve after periods of uncertainty. Brighter Super’s long-term investment approach is designed to stay the course, adapt when needed, and keep your super savings working toward long-term success.
You can read more about our approach in Investing with confidence: a guide to your super investment options.
Strong results across our diversified options
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options delivered another month of positive results, as shown in SuperRatings’ latest Fund Crediting Rate Survey (September 2025), which compares performance across the superannuation industry1.
Our Growth option continues to lead the way – holding the #1 ranking in its index over rolling seven years, for both Accumulation and Pension accounts.
The table below shows returns for Brighter Super’s diversified investment options for periods ended 30 September 20251.
Light blue shading shows top-quartile rankings in their SuperRatings category, and dark blue shading shows those ranked number one.
.
|
Investment option
|
Returns for periods ended 30 September 20251
|
| 1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
7 years |
| Accumulation accounts |
| Growth |
11.50% |
14.35% |
11.11% |
9.64% |
| Balanced |
9.97% |
12.52% |
9.30% |
8.32% |
| MySuper |
10.65% |
11.62% |
8.57% |
7.13% |
| Conservative Balanced |
8.27% |
10.07% |
6.98% |
6.47% |
| Indexed Balanced |
12.27% |
13.69% |
9.96% |
– |
| Stable |
6.36% |
7.77% |
4.78% |
4.85% |
| Secure |
3.40% |
4.93% |
2.56% |
2.77% |
| Pension accounts |
| Growth |
12.58% |
16.17% |
12.42% |
10.82% |
| Balanced |
10.84% |
14.09% |
10.31% |
9.22% |
| Conservative Balanced |
9.09% |
11.39% |
7.80% |
7.21% |
| Indexed Balanced |
13.43% |
15.11% |
11.10% |
– |
| Stable |
7.14% |
8.90% |
5.41% |
5.49% |
| Secure |
4.03% |
5.48% |
2.64% |
2.96% |
|
i Returns ranked in the top quartile of the option’s SuperRatings index or category.
i Returns ranked #1 in the option’s SuperRatings index or category.
|
Because our diversified options are designed for long-term growth and to smooth short-term volatility, most achieved their highest rankings in this latest survey over 3, 5 and 7 years.
When reviewing investment returns, it’s important to consider performance over different timeframes and how these align with your own investment goals.
Looking back: global market trends in September 2025
Global share markets have performed strongly in 2025 and continued to rise in September. The MSCI World Index (hedged into AUD) returned 3.3% for the month and has gained 15% calendar year-to-date.
In the US, the S&P500 performed strongly, returning 3.7% in September. Confidence remains high in companies linked to artificial intelligence, with major technology companies performing strongly. However, gains were seen across a range of sectors, with the Russell 2000 index (which tracks smaller companies) also returning more than 3%.
Some measures of labour market strength showed signs of softening, after earlier figures were revised down for the past year. The US economy has shown strong resilience, with data released in September pointing to annual Gross Domestic Product growth of 3.8%. Consumer spending helped support this growth.
In Asia, major share markets in Taiwan, China and South Korea posted returns of nearly 10% in September.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX300 index's performance was mildly negative in September, returning –0.7%. Over the past 12 months, Australian shares have underperformed hedged Developed Market shares by nearly 7%. Losses were sharpest in the energy sector which returned –9.1%, while the materials sector returned 6.5%.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) left the cash rate unchanged at 3.6% in September In its statement, it noted that private demand has recovered more than expected and the labour market remains tight. Despite inflation returning to target in the June quarter, the RBA considered some signs of persistent inflation as sufficient reason to leave the cash rate unchanged.
Australian Bonds were effectively flat over the month, with the Bloomberg AusBond Composite Bond Index (0+ years) returning 0.1%. Global bonds performed strongly, with the Bloomberg AusBond Composite Bond Index (0+ years) returning 0.7%. Australian 10 year yields rose very slightly, ending September at 4.30% (rising 0.2%). US 10-year yields ended September at 4.15% (falling 0.8%).
For the currencies, despite some reasonable volatility during the month for the US dollar, it ended the month close to flat against many of the major trading partners’ currencies. The Australian dollar finished marginally higher vs the US dollar, rising 1.3%. Performance of the Australian dollar (relative to the US dollar) has been much more muted in recent months, following a period of heightened volatility in late 2024 and in the period surrounding the US tariff announcements in April 2025.
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SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, September 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 21 October 2025). 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.
Indexes and categories that Brighter Super’s investment options are ranked in are as follows: Growth option is in the SR Growth (77–90) Index and SRP Growth (77–90) Index; Balanced option is in the SR Balanced (60–76) Index and SRP Balanced (60–76) Index; MySuper option is in the SR MySuper Index; Conservative Balanced option is in the SR Conservative Balanced (41–59) Index and SRP Conservative Balanced (41–59) Index; Indexed Balanced option is in the Balanced (60–76) category; Stable option is in the SR Capital Stable (20–40) Index and SRP Capital Stable (20–40) Index; and Secure option is in the Secure (0–19) category and SRP Secure (0–19) category.
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.
