InvestSMART Performance Update: March 2025

InvestSMART's diversified ETF portfolios returned between 4.0% and 5.9% in the 12 months to the end of March 2025. These lower-than-usual annual returns are to be expected given the market volatility over the past few months. That's why it's so important to take a long-term view when investing. 

Over five years the diversified portfolios have delivered annual returns of between 4.1% and 12.0% on average. The table below illustrates how InvestSMART's portfolios compare to funds in the same risk category over five years. As you can see, our High Growth portfolio has returned 12.0% a year over five years, outperforming similar options by an average of 2.4% over that period. Keep in mind, past performance is not an indication of future performance. 

InvestSMART's single-asset portfolios returned between 2.1% (Australian equities) and 11.0% (international equities) in the 12 months to the end of March. Over five years our Australian Equities Portfolio has delivered returns of 12.2%p.a. and the International Equities Portfolio returned 14.7%p.a. over that same period.

March wrap-up

March was a tough month for markets. The Aussie share market had another negative month, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping 3.4%. Over in the US, things were even worse, with the S&P 500 falling 5.8% in Aussie dollar terms. International shares also struggled, with the MSCI World ex-Australia Index down 4.7%.

These declines were mainly driven by ongoing concerns, including fears of a potential US recession and the risk of a global trade war.

The only sector on the ASX 200 to finish March in positive territory was utilities, which gained 1.5%. On the flip side, technology (-9.7%), consumer discretionary (-6.3%), and property (-4.9%) were the worst-performing sectors.

April has started off a bit rocky as well. It's normal to feel uneasy during times of market volatility, but it's important to stay calm, avoid knee-jerk reactions, and keep your long-term investment goals in sight.