Investment update to 31 August 2025
1 October 2025
Brighter Super continues to grow as markets improve
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continued to deliver solid returns for members in August, maintaining our momentum from July.
Global markets gained as trade tensions eased, supported by strong US company earnings and expectations of monetary policy easing in major economies. This gave share markets a lift and helped create good results for diversified portfolios.
Super is a long-term investment, and the recent easing of trade tensions and market gains show how quickly conditions can improve. Past market cycles also demonstrate that markets tend to recover from short-term downturns and deliver growth over time.
When markets are volatile and uncertain, it’s important to avoid rushed decisions. Brighter Super’s investment strategy is built to adapt to change, manage risk, and support your long-term goals. You can learn more in our article: Investing with confidence – a guide to your super investment options.
How our diversified options performed
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options delivered another month of positive results, as shown in SuperRatings’ latest Fund Crediting Rate Survey (August 2025), which compares performance across the superannuation industry1.
Brighter Super’s Growth option continues to hold the #1 ranking in its index over rolling 7 years, for both Accumulation and Pension accounts.
The table below shows returns for Brighter Super’s diversified investment options for periods ended 31 August 2025, with blue shading indicating those ranked in the top quartile of their SuperRatings index or category1.
|
Investment option
|
Returns for periods ended 31 August 20251
|
| 1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
7 years |
| Accumulation accounts |
| Growth |
11.76% |
12.47% |
10.75% |
9.44% |
| Balanced |
10.25% |
10.85% |
9.03% |
8.15% |
| MySuper |
10.97% |
10.12% |
8.26% |
6.96% |
| Conservative Balanced |
8.55% |
8.68% |
6.80% |
6.32% |
| Indexed Balanced |
12.51% |
11.96% |
9.56% |
– |
| Stable |
6.56% |
6.75% |
4.67% |
4.73% |
| Secure |
3.61% |
4.31% |
2.56% |
2.71% |
| Pension accounts |
| Growth |
12.93% |
13.90% |
12.02% |
10.59% |
| Balanced |
11.19% |
12.09% |
10.01% |
9.02% |
| Conservative Balanced |
9.42% |
9.78% |
7.59% |
7.05% |
| Indexed Balanced |
13.92% |
13.40% |
10.69% |
– |
| Stable |
7.35% |
7.71% |
5.28% |
5.35% |
| Secure |
4.21% |
4.85% |
2.60% |
2.88% |
|
i
Blue shading indicates options where returns are ranked in the top quartile of their 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 August 2025
Global share markets rose again in August, supported by strong US earnings and forecasts of monetary policy easing. The MSCI World Index (hedged into AUD) returned 2.1% in August.
In the US, the S&P500 returned 2.0% in August. While tariffs remained a concern, investors focused more on possible US interest rate cuts after weaker economic data, particularly the recent softening in employment figures.
In Europe, the MSCI Europe Index was slightly stronger than in July but underperformed the wider group of Developed Markets, which returned 0.9%. In Asia, key share markets, including Japan, Taiwan and China were all positive. Tensions on trade and tariffs have eased.
Australian shares returned 3.2% in August, marginally outperforming Developed Markets over the month (on a hedged basis) but weaker over the past quarter. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lowered the cash rate to 3.6%, its third interest rate cut in 2025. The RBA noted that the labour market remains tight, though conditions have eased in recent months. It also noted that private sector demand is gradually recovering and that real household incomes have improved.
Both Australian and Global bonds delivered moderate positive returns, at 0.3% and 0.5% respectively. Rate cuts in Australia, and a cautious tone by the US Federal Reserve, were supportive to bond market performance. US 10-year yields ended August at 4.22% (falling 0.13%), while Australian 10-year yields were effectively unchanged at 4.28%.
The Australian dollar strengthened against the US dollar, rising by 1.7% over the month. The US dollar was generally weaker against most major currencies.
After nearly four decades in finance, Mark Rider announces his retirement
After nearly four decades in finance, our Chief Investment Officer, Mark Rider, will be retiring in December 2025. Mark has made a significant contribution to Brighter Super, strengthening our $35 billion portfolio and fostering a collaborative, highly skilled investment team.
We are grateful for Mark’s leadership and the legacy he leaves. Importantly, members can be assured their investments remain in safe hands. Our well-established investment process, supported by strong governance and oversight, will not change.
Our experienced team is supported by investment operations and risk specialists, with robust oversight that ensures stability and resilience. The depth of expertise across our leadership team provides further strength and confidence.
Together, these elements mean that Mark’s transition will not affect day-to-day operations or our ongoing commitment to delivering strong outcomes for members., Supported by a long-term diversified investment strategy, the team is well placed to continue delivering strong returns into the future.
For more information, refer to our media release. We will share news of Mark’s successor once the appointment has been confirmed.
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SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, August 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 23 September 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.
Brighter Super Trustee (ABN 94 085 088 484 AFS Licence No. 230511) ("Trustee") as trustee for Brighter Super (ABN 23 053 121 564) ("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. 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.
