Passive Index Investing - What To Buy?

In order to perform passive index investing in Singapore, two of the vehicles you have access to are listed below. Both are Exchange-Traded Funds tracking the Straits Times Index (STI).

What is an Exchange-Traded Fund?

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is an investment fund traded on stock exchanges, much like stocks. An ETF holds assets such as stocks, commodities, or bonds, and trades close to its net asset value over the course of the trading day. Most ETFs track an index, such as a stock index or bond index. ETFs may be attractive as investments because of their low costs, tax efficiency, and stock-like features. [read more from Wikipedia here]

While I'm at this, let me add on a third ETF that would be useful to you, and is also one that I'm intending to blog a bit on in future.

[1] SPDR Straits Times Index ETF | Price via Yahoo! Finance

Fund Information :
The SPDR® Straits Times Index ETF ("STI ETF"), Singapore's first locally created exchange traded fund which was formerly named streetTRACKS STI ETF, seeks to generate returns that closely correspond to the performance of the Straits Times Index ("Index"). The Fund is listed and traded like any share on Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited.

Lot Size : 1,000
A minimum purchase is going to cost $3,210 based on 24-Dec-2012 price, excluding brokerage fees etc.

[2] Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF | Price via Yahoo! Finance

Fund Information :
The Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF will initially invest in a portfolio of Straits Times Index (STI) stocks listed on the Singapore Exchange. It will mirror closely the performance of the STI. The STI is a market-weighted stock market index based on the performance of the Singapore stock market. It comprises of the most well-known and frequently traded shares on the Singapore Stock Exchange. The Fund's investment objective is to replicate as closely as possible, before expenses, the performance of the Straits Times Index or upon the Manager giving three (3) months' prior written notice to the Trustee and the Holders, such other index which tracks the performance of Singapore listed equity securities. The Fund will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in Index Shares in substantially the same weightings as reflected in the Index.

Lot Size : 100
A minimum purchase is going to cost $321 based on 24-Dec-2012 price, excluding brokerage fees etc.

[3] ABF Singapore Bond ETF | Price via Yahoo! Finance 

Fund Information :
ABF Singapore Bond Index Fund (the "Fund") will initially invest in a portfolio of high quality, Singapore government and quasi government bonds. It will mirror closely the basket of bonds in the iBoxx ABF Singapore Bond Index. The target tracking error of the fund is set at not more than 0.4% per annum.

Lot Size : 1,000
A minimum purchase is going to cost $1,180 based on 24-Dec-2012 price, excluding brokerage fees etc.