Super funds kick off FY26 with solid gains
Data shows funds have had a smooth start to the new financial year following the turmoil of the initial tariff announcements.
SuperRatings estimated the median balanced super option returned 1.5 per cent in July, as markets continued to tolerate increased volatility with both local and international sharemarkets starting the new financial year with a positive return.
The median growth option grew by an estimated 1.8 per cent in July, while the median capital stable option rose by a more modest 0.7 per cent, SuperRatings said on Tuesday.
“Following the turmoil of the initial tariff announcements, markets continue to be taking news in their stride at present,” said Kirby Rappell, director of SuperRatings.
But despite the financial year’s positive start, Rappell warned that the outlook for FY2026 remains uncertain given the current strength of valuations and lingering global worries, which, he warned, “have the possibility to drive changes in Australia’s superannuation returns”.
Super funds notched a third consecutive year of strong returns, with the median balanced option delivering an estimated 10.1 per cent over FY24–25.
In data released in July, SuperRatings outlined tech stocks as clear winners and drivers of positive returns, alongside the strong performance of the financial sector locally, led by bank shares – the CBA in particular.
Commenting on the data at the time, AMP chief economist Shane Oliver flagged several risks that could test market resilience, as a result of which he expects returns to come in around 6–7 per cent over the next 12 months.
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