The following chart plots the results for the entire 38 year period:

The next table summarises the 38 year investment results:

                                                                  Source: Austmod historical returns before tax and fees

* The "standard deviation" indicates, for normally distributed investment returns, that approximately: 

(a) one-sixth of annual returns are less than (average - standard deviation) 
(b) two-thirds are in the range (average - standard deviation) to (average + standard deviation) 
(c) one-sixth of annual returns are more than (average + standard deviation). 

The year-by-year investment performance for each financial year ending 30 June has been:

Note that the annual returns for Australian Shares were negative 7 times in the 38 years and the
annual returns for the Fixed Interest portfolio were negative 5 times. The highest annual return for
Australian Shares was 80.8% (and 10 times the annual return exceeded 27%) but the highest annual
return for the Fixed Interest portfolio was 25.2%. 

To give some indication of the trends in investment returns over the period, the next chart
plots the ten year moving average compound returns per annum: 

Disclaimer:   This article is intended to be a factual analysis of past investment returns.  It is not intended, nor is it to be regarded, as investment/securities advice.  It does not take into account whether any particular investment or type of investment is suitable for your individual circumstances.  It is strongly recommended that you seek professional advice before making any investment choice or decision.