Investment update to 31 October 2025
26 November 2025
Strong returns continue for Brighter Super members
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continued their strong performance in October, supported by another month of global market gains. Despite brief volatility as US-China trade tensions resurfaced, share markets quickly recovered as conditions stabilised.
Investor confidence remained high in October, particularly in companies linked to artificial intelligence. However, since October, there has been growing concern about the sustainability of current valuations and long-term earning potential.
We continue to manage portfolios with a disciplined and diversified approach, ensuring they are well positioned through changing market conditions. Our focus remains on delivering strong, long-term returns for members.
Many of our diversified options, including Growth and Balanced, ranked in the top quartile of their SuperRatings categories over multiple timeframes1. These results reflect the consistency of Brighter Super’s investment strategy through varying market conditions.
Staying calm through artificial intelligence uncertainty
Global markets have remained strong in recent weeks, helped by easing trade tensions and improving inflation trends. However, investors are concerned that the rapid rise in artificial intelligence stocks, which has driven much of the market’s recent growth, could face volatility as expectations adjust.
When markets are volatile, it’s important to avoid rushed decisions. Super is designed as a long-term investment, and history shows that despite periods of volatility, markets recover and grow over time.
Our guidance remains clear: stay calm, stay the course and trust in a strategy designed to weather uncertainty and deliver over the long term.
Brighter Super’s well-diversified portfolio has remained resilient through this year’s market ups and downs. A diversified portfolio means your super is spread across different types of investments, so it’s not relying too heavily on any single market or sector.
Our long-term, diversified investment strategy continues to deliver strong, competitive returns for members – supporting financial security and steady growth over time.
To learn more about staying on course with confidence through market changes, explore these insights:
Another strong month for diversified options
Brighter Super’s diversified investment options continued to deliver solid results in October, as shown in SuperRatings’ latest Fund Crediting Rate Survey (October 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 7 years, for both Accumulation and Pension accounts.
The table below shows returns for Brighter Super’s diversified investment options for periods ended 31 October 20251.
|
Brighter Super investment option
|
Returns for periods ended 31 October 2025 (%) |
| 1 year |
3 year |
5 year |
7 year |
| Accumulation accounts |
| Growth |
12.60% |
12.96% |
11.19% |
10.62% |
| Balanced |
11.10% |
11.37% |
9.36% |
9.14% |
| MySuper |
11.83% |
10.81% |
8.73% |
7.78% |
| Conservative Balanced |
9.54% |
9.30% |
7.05% |
7.07% |
| Indexed Balanced |
13.20% |
12.55% |
10.24% |
– |
| Stable |
7.82% |
7.34% |
4.84% |
5.27% |
| Secure |
4.92% |
4.85% |
2.61% |
2.92% |
| Pension accounts |
| Growth |
13.77% |
14.49% |
12.48% |
11.89% |
| Balanced |
12.08% |
12.72% |
10.36% |
10.15% |
| Conservative Balanced |
10.47% |
10.47% |
7.85% |
7.90% |
| Indexed Balanced |
14.47% |
13.81% |
11.41% |
– |
| Stable |
8.76% |
8.39% |
5.48% |
5.97% |
| Secure |
5.74% |
5.38% |
2.70% |
3.12% |
When reviewing investment returns, it’s important to consider performance over different timeframes and how these align with your own investment goals.
All our options’ returns available online
Brighter Super offers a range of investment options to suit different goals, timeframes and levels of risk. You can choose from our ready-made diversified options – which invest across a broad mix of asset classes – or create your own strategy using single asset class options.
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 October 2025
Global share markets were again stronger in October, with the MSCI World Index (hedged into AUD) returning 2.7% for the month. Over 2025, this index has now returned about 18%, with strong investor confidence across most major Developed and Emerging share markets.
In the US, the S&P500 index slightly underperformed the Developed Market index, although it still delivered a strong return of 2.3% for the month. There was a momentary spike in share market volatility during October as US–China tariff disputes flared up again. Share markets quickly recovered after trade tensions eased, with China lifting its suspension on rare earth exports and the US lowering some tariffs on Chinese goods. Investor confidence continues to remain high in companies involved in artificial intelligence, with the major technology companies performing strongly in 2025.
In Asia, both Taiwanese and Korean share markets were materially stronger (in local currency terms), posting double-digit returns. In both markets, Technology and Industrial sectors were the primary drivers of strong performance. Chinese shares were marginally weaker, reflecting continued concerns of trade tensions with the US. Chinese share market returns have been very strong over the last 12 months however, returning 34% in local currency, with a sharp upswing in investor confidence since the post-COVID period.
In Australia, the S&P/ASX300 index performance was positive, returning 0.4% in October. Returns for Consumer Discretionary and Healthcare sectors was particularly poor, bringing down the performance of Australian shares relative to broader Developed Markets. Australia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 4.3 per cent in October. The Reserve Bank of Australia has noted that the labour market remains tight, with low level underemployment and a high participation rate compared with past levels.
Australian Bonds were positive over the month, with the Bloomberg AusBond Composite Bond Index (0+ years) returning 0.4%. Global bonds were also positive, with the Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index (hedged in $AUD) returning 0.7%. Performance was only slightly impacted by changes in yields, with very small changes in both the Australian and US 10 year bond yield. Australian 10 year yields were unchanged at 4.30%, while US yields fell to 4.09%.
Most major Developed Market currencies weakened against the US dollar over the month. This included the Australian dollar, which fell 1.2% against the US dollar. The Japanese yen was notably weaker, driven by a material fall early in the month. The election of a new leader in Japan was the main driver of this volatility.
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SuperRatings Fund Crediting Rate Survey, October 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 20 November 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.
