A unit trust is a collective investment arrangement in which investors pool their money together and invest in a portfolio of assets. The key benefits of investing in unit trusts include professional asset management, diversification and economies of scale. For those interested in starting, you can go to https://www.home.saxo/en-sg/products/regular-savings-plan.
Determine your investment objectives
Before investing in any financial product, you must understand your investment objectives. Do you want to produce income or grow your capital? Are you looking for short-term or long-term investment opportunities? Once you know your goals, you can look for unit trusts that match your needs.
Research different unit trusts
Several different unit trusts are available in Singapore, each with different features and benefits. Common unit trusts include equity, bond, balanced, and money market funds. Do research to determine which fund is right for you.
Consider the fees
When investing in any financial product, it’s essential to consider the fees charged by the provider. Unit trusts typically have two types of fees: management and entry/exit fees. The management fee is a yearly charge that covers the costs of running the fund, while the entry/exit fee is a one-time charge when you buy or sell units in the fund.
Open a brokerage account
To invest in unit trusts, you’ll need to open a brokerage account with a licensed financial institution. When choosing a broker, compare fees, investment options, and customer service levels.
Start investing
Once you’ve opened your account, you’re ready to start investing in unit trusts. Decide how much money you want to invest and which funds you want to purchase. Remember to watch the fees your broker charges and the performance of your investment.
Benefits of investing in a unit trust in Singapore
Professional asset management
When you invest in a unit trust, you’ll have access to professional asset managers who will handle your investment portfolio. These experts will decide where to allocate your funds and how to rebalance your portfolio to help you meet your investment objectives.
Diversification
Investing in a unit trust allows you to diversify your investment portfolio across different asset classes and industries, which means you’ll be less exposed to risks associated with any particular investment.
Economies of scale
Another advantage of investing in unit trusts is that you can benefit from economies of scale. When large numbers of people pool their money together, the fund manager can make investments that wouldn’t be possible for individual investors. It can lead to higher returns and lower risks.
Liquidity
Another benefit of unit trusts is that they are relatively liquid, meaning you can buy and sell units quickly and easily without worrying about finding a buyer for your investment.
Accessibility
Unit trusts are also accessible to a wide range of investors. In Singapore, no minimum investment amount is required to buy units in a fund, which makes unit trusts an attractive option for those new to investing or with a limited budget.
Risks of investing in unit trusts
Market risk
All investments are likely to experience market risk, which is the chance that the value of your investment will go down due to factors such as economic recession or political turmoil. When investing in unit trusts, you should be aware of the risks associated with the underlying assets in the fund.
Currency risk
If you invest in a foreign unit trust, you’ll also be exposed to currency risk, which is the risk that the value of your investment will go down due to changes in exchange rates. To hedge against this risk, you can invest in a currency-hedged unit trust or use other hedging strategies.
Interest rate risk
Investing in bond funds exposes you to interest rate risk, which is the risk that the value of your investment will go down if interest rates rise. When investing in bond funds, be sure to consider the duration of the fund and your risk tolerance.
Counterparty risk
When investing in unit trusts, you should be aware of counterparty risk, which is the risk that the fund manager will be unable to meet its obligations to investors. Make sure to choose a fund with a strong track record and good financial standing to mitigate this risk.
