Investment update to 31 July 2025
27 August 2025
Brighter Super shines through global trade uncertainty
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options have again delivered strong results for members, supported by resilient performance through recent volatility.
Global markets in July were calmer than earlier this year. The US administration’s 1 August deadline for trade deals passed with agreements struck with some trading partners. Volatility wasn’t as sharp as before, but it’s a reminder that global politics can quickly shift markets.
Super is designed as a long-term investment, and history shows that despite periods of turbulence, markets recover and grow over time. By holding the course, members can continue to grow their retirement savings and benefit from long-run returns.
We encourage you to stay calm, stay invested and stay focused on your long-term goals. Our investment strategy is designed to adapt to change, manage risk and deliver results over time.
These insights can help you stay informed and confident:
How our diversified options performed
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continue to deliver competitive returns, as shown in SuperRatings’ latest Fund Crediting Rate Survey (July 2025), which compares the performance of funds across the superannuation industry1.
Brighter Super’s Growth option kept its #1 ranking over 7 years ended 31 July 2025, for both Accumulation and Pension accounts. Our Conservative Balanced was also ranked #1 over 7 years ended 31 July 2025, for both Accumulation and Pension accounts.
The table below shows returns for Brighter Super’s diversified investment options for periods ended 31 July 2025, with blue shading indicating those ranked in the top quartile of their SuperRatings index or category1.
|
Investment option
|
Returns for periods ended 31 July 20251
|
| 1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
7 years |
| Accumulation accounts |
| Growth |
10.66% |
11.51% |
10.87% |
9.58% |
| Balanced |
9.56% |
9.93% |
9.13% |
8.29% |
| MySuper |
10.15% |
9.46% |
8.31% |
6.99% |
| Conservative Balanced |
8.18% |
7.82% |
6.83% |
6.41% |
| Indexed Balanced |
10.98% |
11.09% |
9.70% |
- |
| Stable |
6.58% |
5.98% |
4.65% |
4.78% |
| Secure |
4.20% |
3.87% |
2.49% |
2.73% |
| Pension accounts |
| Growth |
11.71% |
12.85% |
12.18% |
10.74% |
| Balanced |
10.40% |
11.09% |
10.14% |
9.18% |
| Conservative Balanced |
8.99% |
8.83% |
7.66% |
7.14% |
| Indexed Balanced |
12.17% |
12.43% |
10.86% |
- |
| Stable |
7.37% |
6.85% |
5.27% |
5.41% |
| Secure |
4.92% |
4.35% |
2.51% |
2.90% |
|
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 July 2025
Global share markets kept climbing in July, helped by stronger investor confidence. The US announced trade deals with the EU, Japan and other countries ahead of its 1 August deadline. The MSCI World Index (hedged into AUD) returned 2.1% in July and gained 12.3% over the rolling quarter.
In the US, the S&P500 returned 2.2% in July. Investor confidence was boosted by easing trade tensions and strong company results, especially from large technology companies. The US Federal Reserve kept rates steady for the fifth time in a row, cautious of potential inflationary pressures in the near term.
Chinese shares were positive, returning 4.9% (in local currency). Sentiment toward Chinese shares has also improved materially over the last 12 months. Economic data released in July pointed to stronger than expected Gross Domestic Product growth, partly driven by strong exports over the previous quarter.
In Europe, the MSCI Europe Index (in euros) was marginally stronger, but underperformed broader Developed Markets. The European Central Bank left rates unchanged, following a series of cuts since late 2024. ECB policy makers are increasingly conscious of the risks to growth and inflation from trade-linked uncertainty.
Australian shares returned 2.4% in July, slightly ahead of hedged Developed Market returns. Healthcare was the standout sector with 8.8% returns, while Financials was the weakest at -1%. The Reserve Bank of Australia kept the cash rate steady in July, citing strong employment and an uncertain outlook, but has since lowered it by 0.25% to 3.60 per cent (on 13 August 2025).
Bond markets delivered mild returns, with Australian and Global bonds returning 0% and -0.2%, respectively, despite moderate volatility mid-month.
In Australia, bond performance was impacted by the surprise decision of the RBA not to cut rates. Globally, markets responded to concerns about tariff-linked inflation and weaker US employment data. By the end of July, US 10-year yields were at 4.36% (rising 0.13%), while Australian 10-year yields were also marginally higher at 4.26% (rising 0.10%).
The Australian dollar fell 1.8% against the US dollar, in July. Most major currencies also weakened against the US dollar, giving the US currency some relief after a long period of weakness.
-
SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, July 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 August 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.
This article may contain general advice, which has been prepared without taking into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. As such, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice to your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on the advice. You should also obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Financial Services Guide (FSG) before making any decision to acquire any product or contribute additional amounts to your Brighter Super account. A Target Market Determination (TMD) is a document that outlines the target market a product has been designed for. Find the PDSs, FSG and TMDs at brightersuper.com.au/pds-and-guides.
