Super fund performance: Annual returns to June 2026

Super funds surpassed expectations again in the year to June 2026, marking a fourth consecutive year of strong returns. Despite tensions in the Middle East and lingering inflation concerns, the median Growth fund (61–80% growth assets) returned 9.5%.

This followed gains of 9.2% in 2022–23, 9.1% in 2023–24 and 10.4% in 2024–25, meaning super funds have returned 44% over the past four financial years.

Once again, international shares were the main driver of the strong 2025-26 result.

Chant West’s Head of Superannuation Investment Research, Mano Mohankumar says international shares surged 25.5% in hedged terms, supported by continued enthusiasm for AI and robust corporate earnings.

International shares in unhedged terms were lower, at 17%, due to a stronger Australian dollar. Australian shares returned a more modest 6.2%. Mohankumar says Growth funds have about 31% of their total investments in international shares on average, and a further 24% in Australian shares.

Almost every asset class produced a positive return over the year. Australian bonds, international bonds and cash returned 1.5%, 2.9% and 3.9% respectively. The only asset class to finish in negative territory was Australian listed property, down 1.8%, while international listed infrastructure and listed property returned 17.2% and 14.3% respectively.