What is market volatility?
Updated on 1 July 2025 | 4 minute read
Learn about financial market volatility, how it can affect your super, and what you can do to help manage it.
Your superannuation is an investment in your future. And like all investments, its value can change from day to day. This is because financial markets have ups and downs, which is called market volatility. While it might make you feel worried, ups and downs are a normal part of investment markets and investing.
What causes markets to move up and down?
Lots of things cause volatility, including company performance and interest rates. Elections, economic data, wars, and natural disasters can also cause prices to rise and fall.
Sometimes events will happen that cause more extreme market volatility. Two recent examples include the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, and in 2020 when the World Health Organisation declared the Covid-19 global pandemic. Financial markets tend not to like uncertainty and so uncertain times can mean big ups and downs in financial markets for a period of time.
How does market volatility affect my super?
This depends on what you've invested your money in.
If you've invested your money in shares for example, the value will probably change every day. If you've invested in cash, the value won't change as much. Generally speaking, investment options that aim for higher returns will typically experience more volatility. This is what we call the balance between risk and expected return.
We help you to compare the risk and expected return of each of our investment options by taking you through the returns over the last 10 years, who it suits, and what level of risk it is. Have a look at our High Growth page as an example.
And if you're not sure about your investment choices, or what's right for you, you can get financial advice.
What if I feel nervous about market volatility?
Ups and downs are a normal part of investing, and all investments carry risk. Here are some things you can do to make sure that you’re comfortable with the volatility you have.
Learn what to think about when investing your super
We cover what to think about and how to choose investments that suit you.
Learn what type of investor you are
Test your risk profile with our quick quiz. See what type of super investments may suit you best.
Get advice about your investments
You can get advice over the phone about your super investments with us at any time – it's included as part of your membership1.
Choose us to look after your super
We've navigated our share of ups and downs in the market for over 100 years2. Join ART today to experience our strong performance3 and investment options tailored to your needs.
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