Index funds in Singapore or elsewhere in Asia

[jpatokal]

The stockmarket's tanked 30% since the peak in Oct-Nov and it's starting to look like it's time to buy. I'm looking for a nice index fund, but I have little faith in the US dollar and am starting to suspect that the euro is due for a drop, so I'd prefer to stay out of those markets. The only one I can find that tracks the STI is streetTRACKS, but I remember some recommendations here previously, it just looks like the thread was eaten by the database monster. Any recommendations?

[MikeDirnt]

i think you mean exchange traded fund? do take note of its liquidity issues.

maybe you want to consider dbs shenton thrift. it is a unit trust. a good index fund as well.

[jpatokal]

No, I mean index fund. That is, instead of some hot-shot asset manager churning through stocks and reaping commissions and kickbacks on my dime (which is why it costs 1-2%/year just to hold onto an actively traded fund), I want to just get a representative sample of stocks and let it sit there (which is why index fund commissions are <0.5%; 0.3% in the case of the streetTRACKS).

I'd actually prefer a normal mutual fund over an exchange traded fund, but streetTRACKS appears to be an ETF.

[MikeDirnt]

ok you mean pasive index funds instead of an active one.

in sg, as far as i know there are only 3. infinity europe, usa and global. of the 3, only europe is the one i vested in.

but you should check out dbs shenton thrift. it is a good fund which tracks sg index very closely and slightly better. expense ratio of 0.93%

http://www.fundsupermart.com/main/admin ... 370007.pdf

[jpatokal]

This seems to be authoritative list of funds in Singapore, and here's the selection of those that qualify as index funds:

* ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund from DBS Asset Management
* US Dollar Nasdaq 100 Index Capital Protected Fund from HSBC Investments
* Infinity European Stock Index Fund from Lion Capital Management
* Infinity Global Stock Index Fund from Lion Capital Management
* Infinity U.S. 500 Stock Index Fund from Lion Capital Management
* Singapore Index Fund from Singapore Consortium Investment Management Ltd
* ABF Pan Asia Bond Index Fund from State Street Global Advisors
* StreetTRACKS Straits Times Index Fund from State Street Global Advisors

It's not a complete listing though, as there are other funds domiciled outside Singapore, eg. Vanguard Asia's offerings. (These guys pretty much invented the index fund.) But for these you'll need to factor in currency conversions into your expenses.

[MikeDirnt]

ehm some doesnt sound familiar. i will check them out.

currently most of my funds are actively managed except for infinity europe

[cks]

Guys I think you all are focusing pretty much on shopping for funds to capitalise on. Perhaps it is better to stick back to the basics, have your own asset allocation, having a mix of cash,bonds and equities. Of course i t is good to also diversify through several fund house but no too many of them too. Investments are for long term, we are no fund managers! That is what unit trusts are for, because we don't have that much money and access to buy our own stocks and bonds world wide. Most people buying stocks in singapore are merely trading the STI stocks, which make up less than 1% of the world's economy.

Interesting article
http://finance.yahoo.com/expert/article ... IOiOu7YWsA

Valuations if you date back to historic stats, are still pretty low. If I have the money I will dump it a lump sum, mix into emerging markets, asian markets(especially india and china) and european markets together with a mix of global equites and bonds. In addition I will also start to dollar cost average with a monthly savings plan to start catching the lows at the moment at the same time building up my long term savings.

Just a few cents to share.

Cheers :>

[jpatokal]

Valuations if you date back to historic stats, are still pretty low.

Which is why now is the time to invest now innit

Although I've decided to hang on for a few more months and let the dust settle a bit.

[MikeDirnt]

i am slowly averaging in UT now.

[ksl]

i am slowly averaging in UT now.

I guess we havn't seen thew full effects of the sub-prime yet, especially so in the insurance industry...and a few other manufacturing industries too.

One of mine is down from an high of 60 to 23 becuase their main sales channel was wallmart, although I will also average down rather than dump it.

I presume, we have further to drop yet too, based on the above.

[ksl]

i am slowly averaging in UT now.

I guess we havn't seen thew full effects of the sub-prime yet, especially so in the insurance industry...and a few other manufacturing industries too.

One of mine is down from an high of 60 to 23 becuase their main sales channel was wallmart, although I will also average down rather than dump it.

I presume, we have further to drop yet too, based on the above.

We are bound to see quite a few rallies, follwed by drops, due to bargin hunters!

[MikeDirnt]

so how have your investments been doing? been buying?

[ksl]

so how have your investments been doing? been buying?

I'm swing trading at the moment, and yes, I'm doing OK, especially up to the Taiwan election.

Many foreign investors are in at the moment, averaged down well on my wallmart supplier...for Flat TV...LCD will do well this year, all turning profit these days.

[Winxkid]

I don't bother looking at all these news or index nowadays until something decent has been implemented globally to keep everything under control

[Gilly]

Can anyone recommend a clever and trustworthy financial advisor in Singapore, looking to start investing quite late in life.