NESS Quarterly Investment Update – 31 March 2026
NESS SUPER MAINTAINS POSITIVE INVESTMENT RETURNS FOR MYSUPER DURING TURBULENT TIMES
The NESS MySuper accumulation option dropped 1.1% in the March 2026 quarter. Share markets were unstable and dropped, especially in March, due to a new conflict in the Middle East triggering oil prices to jump. The key driver for the negative returns was inflation fears returning, rather than weaker company earnings. Higher oil prices raised concerns that inflation would stay higher for longer, meaning interest rates may not come down as quickly as previously hoped.
MySuper investment option performance as at 31 March 2026
| Investment Option Name | 3 Month (%) | FYTD (%) | 1 Year (%pa) | 3 Year (%pa) | 5 Year (%pa) | 7 Year (%pa) | 10 Year (%pa) |
| NESS MySuper Accum | -1.10 | 3.29 | 8.71 | 8.18 | 6.61 | 6.86 | 7.36 |
Most NESS Super Choice options had positive results for the FYTD.
Accumulation Choice investment option performance as at 31 December 2025
| Investment Option Name (Accumulation) | 3 Month (%) | FYTD (%) | 1 Year (%pa) | 3 Year (%pa) | 5 Year (%pa) | 7 Year (%pa) | 10 Year (%pa) |
| High Growth | -1.48 | 4.16 | 10.95 | 10.17 | 8.13 | 8.54 | 9.20 |
| Stable | 0.11 | 2.65 | 6.15 | 5.60 | 4.02 | 4.27 | 4.66 |
| Australian Shares | -1.73 | 1.93 | 11.42 | 9.11 | 8.19 | 8.26 | 8.98 |
| Overseas Shares | -3.77 | 4.82 | 11.28 | 14.18 | 9.72 | 10.44 | 10.88 |
| Property | -13.11 | -10.43 | 0.61 | 6.33 | 3.66 | 2.71 | 5.15 |
| Cash | 0.76 | 2.35 | 3.18 | 3.49 | 2.37 | 1.91 | 1.96 |
What happened during the March 2026 quarter?
Markets showed mixed performance recently.
In January and February, share markets around the world generally went up. However, those gains were lost in March after conflict broke out involving Iran. Events like this can cause markets to move suddenly, even when the underlying economy hasn’t changed much.
In Australia, the Reserve Bank increased interest rates in both February and March because the cost of living is still higher than they would like. This has taken the official cash rate to 4.10%.
Higher interest rates can slow the economy and often affect investment markets in the short term. One area that performed well was energy and resources. Prices rose sharply in March due to the conflict, which helped companies in that sector. On the other hand, bonds had a difficult month. Bonds are normally steadier investments, but when inflation and interest rates rise, their value can fall. This is what happened in March.
How NESS performed
The MySuper accumulation option fell 3.5% in March, resulting in a -1.1% return for the quarter. For the financial year to date, MySuper remains up 3.29%. The main reason for the negative result this quarter was a fall in Australian and overseas share markets. This was partly offset by good performance from infrastructure and property, which helped cushion the impact. Different options behave differently depending on market conditions.
Near-term outlook
The global economy held up better than expected, even with recent US tariff changes, which helped keep investor confidence reasonably steady. Economists now expect slightly stronger global growth in the near term, although some experts still think the full impact of tariffs hasn’t been felt yet.
Here in Australia, the RBA has cut interest rates by 0.75% since February as inflation has started to ease. That has brought the cash rate down to 3.60%. The market expects a bit more easing ahead but there’s also a chance the RBA could go the other way and lift rates if needed.
With the economy still uncertain and global tensions elevated, markets may stay a bit choppy for a while. We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely over the short to medium term.
Pension investment option performance as at 31 December 2025
| Investment Option Name | 3 Month (%) | FYTD (%) | 1 Year (%pa) | 3 Year (%pa) | 5 Year (%pa) | 7 Year (%pa) | 10 Year (%pa) |
| NESS MyPension Balanced1 | -1.22 | 3.77 | 9.77 | 9.22 | 7.50 | 7.47 | 7.61 |
| High Growth Pension2 | -1.62 | 4.72 | 12.27 | 11.37 | 9.13 | 9.31 | 9.72 |
| Stable Pension3 | 0.14 | 3.05 | 6.72 | 6.19 | 4.48 | 4.69 | 4.75 |
| Australian Shares Pension4 | -2.95 | 1.10 | 12.03 | 8.71 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Overseas Shares Pension4 | -4.25 | 5.57 | 13.52 | 15.70 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Property Pension4 | -15.08 | -12.60 | -0.46 | 6.95 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cash Pension | 0.88 | 2.75 | 3.73 | 4.00 | 2.71 | 2.20 | 2.26 |
| My Income Pension5 | 0.30 | 1.73 | 4.72 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Past performance is not a guarantee of future performance. Super member investment returns, and Account Based Pension (ABP) investment returns differ as Account Based Pension investment returns are tax free.
- Prior to 1 February 2021, the MyPension Balanced investment option was the Moderate investment option.
- Prior to 1 February 2021, the High Growth investment option was the Aggressive investment option.
- Prior to 1 February 2021, the Stable investment option was the Conservative investment option.
- New investment options introduced on 1 February 2021.
- My Income Pension option introduced on 1 July 2024.
Things you should know
This publication has been issued by NESS Super Pty Ltd ABN 28 003 156 812 AFSL 238945 (the Trustee), as trustee of NESS Super ABN 72 229 227 691 (The Fund).
Investment returns are not guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future returns.
The information contained in this communication is current at the time of its publication. However, some information may change over time. The content is for general information only and does not constitute personal advice. We recommend that you consult with a suitably qualified person before making any financial decisions. Before deciding whether to acquire or hold a product, consider if it is appropriate for you.
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