ETFs are one of the most straightforward and cost-effective ways to begin our investment journey. ETFs have gained even more attention and appeal in recent years, and have now surpassed active investing in terms of popularity. There are currently around 7,600 ETFs listed around the world (as of 2020).
While many ETFs are designed to give wide market exposure, their diversity and complexity have grown over time. Aside from duplicating country indexes, ETFs for extremely particular business sectors, regions, and asset classes, as well as more intricate leveraged and synthetic ETFs, are now available.
What Is An ETF?
ETFs are traded on stock exchanges and aim to mirror an index’s performance. Broad country-based indices, such as the Straits Times Index (STI), Hang Seng Index, or S&P 500 Index, can be used. It can also mimic tighter indexes that monitor certain industries, geographic regions, or asset classes. We can purchase and sell them because they are listed on stock markets, just like we can buy and sell other stocks and bonds.
How To Invest In ETFs In Singapore?
Because ETFs are traded on a stock exchange, the most frequent way to invest in them is through a stock brokerage account, just like how we buy and sell stocks in Singapore. There are 45 ETFs listed in Singapore, according to the Singapore Exchange (SGX). Because some ETFs are listed in many currencies, the actual number may be lower. Apart from the Singapore Exchange, most local stock brokerage accounts also give us access to other major stock exchanges across the world. As a result, we can invest in ETFs registered on these foreign markets.
Regular Shares Savings (RSS) plans are another way to invest in ETFs in Singapore. In Singapore, there are now four RSS providers; some of them also allow us to invest in individual equities or ETFs that are listed on foreign exchanges.
Also see: A Step-By-Step Guide To Investing In Singapore Using Regular Shares Savings (RSS) Plans
Investing through robo-advisory platforms in Singapore is a third avenue for investors to obtain exposure to ETFs. In Singapore, there are at least 11 robo-advisory platforms, with nine of them employing ETFs as part of their offerings. The ETFs that robo-advisory platforms mostly employ are exposed to broad indexes listed in the United States.
#1 Low Barrier Of Entry For New Investors
ETFs are a great method for new investors to get started because they don’t require much in the way of investment knowledge or expertise. Investors would also save time by not having to constantly monitor or rebalance their portfolios.
#2 Low-Cost Method To Invest
When compared to actively managed funds, ETFs usually have cheaper management fees. This is because ETFs simply replicate the index and follow the instructions on what to invest in. We can save money by not hiring an active fund manager to pick stocks or time stock prices.
The S&P 500 ETF, for example, has a net expense ratio of 0.0945 percent. The overall expense ratio of the STI ETF is 0.3 percent. Generally speaking, the larger the ETF, the lower the expense ratio it may charge.
Also see: A Complete Guide To Investing In Singapore’s Straits Times Index (STI) ETFs
#3 Instant Diversification
We can theoretically create our entire portfolio with just one investment in an ETF, depending on the index that the ETF tracks.
For example, just investing in the S&P 500 ETF will provide us access to over 500 blue chip firms, accounting for roughly 80% of the market capitalization in the United States. Furthermore, this investment will be diversified to include IT (26%), healthcare (13%), consumer discretionary (12%), financial (12%), communications (11%), industrials (9%), consumer staples (6%), and other sectors.
#4 Passive Approach To Investing
We are removing the decision to pick equities from our hands by investing in ETFs. We’re merely allowing the index to determine which equities we should buy.
We will essentially get the market returns of the US market if we invest in a broad country index, such as the S&P 500. This manner, we don’t want to time or beat the market; instead, we just wish to earn market returns over time.
Another advantage of taking a passive strategy to investing is that we don’t have to keep such a tight eye on our money. This is due to the fact that most indexes have a process for selecting and deleting member stocks. This means that if a stock fails to meet the criteria, it is automatically withdrawn from the index and, by default, the ETF. This is why, unlike individual companies, a solid index (and the ETFs that track it) may last a long time.
#1 ETFs Always Underperform The Index
We can never expect spectacular gains when we invest in an ETF. As previously said, it’s the equivalent of electing to earn only the market return.
We also have to pay brokerage costs when we buy (or sell) an ETF. We must pay management fees and other expenditures when we invest in an ETF. As a result, we will never achieve the return that the index provides. We will, however, earn a return that is just little less than that.
In Singapore, how do I purchase Vanguard ETF?
Where may the Vanguard ETF be purchased?
- You can also purchase other trackers, such as the SPY (S&P500 tracker), which is offered by another company named SPDR.
Is voo available in Singapore?
To purchase VOO ETF, I recommend using a normal regulated brokerage. There are no custodian fees or account inactivity fees with standard chartered. Commissions are very reasonable, with a minimum of $10.
ABF Singapore Index Fund: What Is It?
A wealthy individual may consult a private banker for guidance and management of his or her government and corporate bond portfolio. Unfortunately, the average investor has access to only a small number of bond options. In that instance, a Bond Unit Trust or Bond ETF would be a better choice because he can diversify his portfolio with less money.
In comparison, I favor a Bond ETF over a Bond Unit Trust because the former has far lower fees than the latter. Compounding effects can be beneficial, but compounding expenses can be detrimental!
Because it invests primarily in sovereign and quasi-sovereign bonds issued or guaranteed by the government of Singapore or any government of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, or Thailand, the ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund is classified as a low-risk product.
The majority of the portfolio assets as of 30 April 2017 were Singapore Government bonds, which have been rated AAA for at least 19 years by all three main credit rating agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s, and Fitch). Furthermore, Singapore Government Bonds are among the highest-yielding AAA-credit-rated government bonds in the world. The Fund also buys quasi-government bonds from companies like HDB, Temasek, and LTA. These Singapore Government and Quasi-government Bonds are both categorized as risk-free.
Overall, the ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund is an excellent choice for the patient investor who enjoys moderate and steady returns.
Is it possible to buy ETFs directly?
ETFs, like any other stock on the exchange, can be purchased and sold at any time during market hours. Typically, the trading price is close to the fund’s real net asset value (NAV). Investors in ETFs, on the other hand, must have stock trading and demat accounts. 2.
How can I begin purchasing an ETF?
How to Purchase an ETF
- Create an account with a brokerage firm. To purchase and sell assets like ETFs, you’ll need a brokerage account.
- With the use of screening tools, you can find and compare ETFs. It’s time to determine which ETFs to buy now that you have your brokerage account.
Are ETFs suitable for novice investors?
Because of their many advantages, such as low expense ratios, ample liquidity, a wide range of investment options, diversification, and a low investment threshold, exchange traded funds (ETFs) are perfect for new investors. ETFs are also ideal vehicles for a variety of trading and investment strategies employed by beginner traders and investors because of these characteristics. The seven finest ETF trading methods for novices, in no particular order, are listed below.