End of year investment update
Global markets took a breather after months of strong growth, as shifting interest rate expectations and persistent inflation signal a turning point ahead.
Strong long-term returns for members
Our Growth (MySuper) investment option returned 9.27% for 2025. This result contributes to our 10 and 15 year annual average returns of 8.00% and 8.39%, respectively, making us one of the top performing super funds over the long term1.
Impact of the US Government shutdown
Although the United States (US) Government shutdown was resolved, investors were uneasy due to delayed economic updates and worries that technology and AI stocks had become too expensive.
The shutdown meant investors had less information about key economic indicators, like the unemployment rate and inflation. This uncertainty made share and bond prices more unpredictable. The available numbers hinted that the US job market was still soft, which led many to believe the Federal Reserve may lower interest rates again in December.
Australia’s inflation and interest rate outlook
In Australia, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) kept interest rates steady at 3.60% despite inflation data from the September quarter showing prices rising faster than hoped.
Because inflation remains higher than the RBA’s target range of 2% to 3%, markets have shifted to expect a possible interest rate hike in 2026.
What to watch for in 2026
If the global economy remains steady, companies could continue their earnings growth. However, with share prices remaining high and further interest rate cuts looking increasingly unlikely, 2026 looks set to be another interesting year for financial markets.
See how our end of calendar year returns compare:
- Super members
- Transition to Retirement Super Income Stream members
- Fully Retired Super Income Stream members
Investment performance to 31 December 2025
All returns areas at 31 December 2025. The crediting rate is the investment return minus investment fees and costs, transaction costs and investment-related taxes and until 31 January 2020, the percentage-based administration fee. Excludes fees and costs that are deducted directly from members’ accounts. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
1 Taken from the SuperRatings FCRS SR Balanced (60-76) Index (December 2025). The Growth (MySuper) investment option obtained a top quartile performance ranking over 10,15 and 20 years for the period ending 31 December 2025. SuperRatings is a rating agency that collects information from super funds to enable performance comparisons – visit superratings.com.au for details of its rating criteria.
2 The median investment return is taken from the comparable SuperRatings Index Survey for the period ending 31 December 2025. Growth (MySuper) investment option: FCRS SR Balanced (60-76) Index, High Growth investment option: FCRS SR Growth (77-90) Index, Conservative Growth (fully retired) investment option: FCRS SRP Conservative Balanced (41-59) Index, Conservative Growth (transition to retirement): FCRS SR Conservative Balanced (41-59) Index. SuperRatings is a ratings agency that collects information from super funds to enable performance comparisons – visit superratings.com.au for details of its rating criteria.
Cbus news
Cbus news
February 2026
Quick reads, member stories and podcasts to help you take action.
Find your share of $18 billion
3 min read | Super news
There’s $18 billion sitting in lost and unclaimed super. Some of it could be yours.
Balancing your super and Age Pension
17 min listen | Retirement
Your super and Age Pension can work together in retirement. Listen to our podcast to plan with confidence.