In 2018, inspired by the book Get Rich By Retirement, I embarked on my investment journey with high hopes. I set up a regular
savings plan (RSP), diligently investing $300 per month into each of two
local ETFs: the ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund (A35) and the Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF (G3B).
My Experience with Local ETFs From August 2018 to January 2024, I invested a total of $19,800 in each ETF ($300 × 66 months), excluding brokerage fees. The ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund, which tracks high-quality Singapore government and quasi-government bonds, was meant to provide stability. The Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF, tracking the Straits Times Index (STI) of Singapore’s top 30 companies, aimed for long-term growth. After 5.5 years, my portfolio looked like this:
My Experience with Local ETFs From August 2018 to January 2024, I invested a total of $19,800 in each ETF ($300 × 66 months), excluding brokerage fees. The ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund, which tracks high-quality Singapore government and quasi-government bonds, was meant to provide stability. The Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF, tracking the Straits Times Index (STI) of Singapore’s top 30 companies, aimed for long-term growth. After 5.5 years, my portfolio looked like this:
- ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund (A35): Sold for
~$17,800, resulting in a $2,000 loss (after fees).
Rising interest rates from 2022–2023 hit bond prices hard, and the ETF’s
low yield (~2–3% annually) couldn’t offset the decline.
-
Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF (G3B): Sold for ~$22,000,
yielding a $2,000+ gain (after fees). The STI’s
recovery post-COVID and reinvested dividends helped, but the growth felt
sluggish compared to global markets.
Why Local ETFs Didn’t Work for Me
- Too Slow for My Goals:
-
The ABF Bond ETF’s focus on stability meant low returns,
especially in a rising-rate environment. Its historical annualized
return (~2.79% from 2005–2021) felt like treading water, barely
keeping up with inflation.
-
The Nikko STI ETF, while better, was tied to the STI, which is
heavily weighted toward banks and REITs. Singapore’s small market
limited its growth potential, with annualized returns (~8.8% with
dividends) paling compared to global indices.
-
The ABF Bond ETF’s focus on stability meant low returns,
especially in a rising-rate environment. Its historical annualized
return (~2.79% from 2005–2021) felt like treading water, barely
keeping up with inflation.
- Too Passive for My Style
-
Both ETFs are passively managed, tracking indices without active
intervention. While this keeps fees low (0.24% for A35, 0.20% for
G3B), it also means no chance to outperform the market. I craved
investments with more dynamic growth potential.
- The STI’s narrow focus and the bond index’s sensitivity to rates felt like a drag, especially when US markets were booming.
-
Both ETFs are passively managed, tracking indices without active
intervention. While this keeps fees low (0.24% for A35, 0.20% for
G3B), it also means no chance to outperform the market. I craved
investments with more dynamic growth potential.
-
Limited Exposure:
-
Local ETFs are heavily tied to Singapore’s economy, which is stable
but lacks the scale and diversity of the US market. I wanted
exposure to global leaders in tech, healthcare, and consumer
goods—sectors underrepresented in the STI.
After my lackluster experience, I’m ready to explore US ETFs, which
offer broader market exposure, higher growth potential, and alignment
with my preference for faster-paced investing. I’m now researching US
ETFs like VOO, QQQ, and IWDA, which offer exposure to dynamic markets
and higher returns. My top pick is the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO),
which tracks the S&P 500, representing 500 leading US companies like
Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon.
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, and investing carries risks. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.
Disclaimer: This is my personal experience, and investing carries risks. Always conduct your own research before making investment decisions.