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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Here are the 10 best-performing ETFs on SGX
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox As at June, Singapore's ETF market comprised 47 listings with total assets under management reaching $14.3 billion, up 32 per cent year on year. SINGAPORE - Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) have recorded net inflows of $700 million in the first half of 2025, according to the local bourse's latest ETF Market Highlights report. This is supported by $1.2 billion in net creations across 22 ETFs, alongside $500 million in net redemptions from 13 ETFs. As at June, Singapore's ETF market comprised 47 listings with total assets under management (AUM) reaching $14.3 billion, up 32 per cent year on year. Equity and gold ETFs led the growth, with turnover increasing by 69 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Retail segment turnover also saw strong momentum, climbing 67 per cent. Inflows for Singapore-focused ETFs stood at $568 million, driven by declining Singapore dollar rates and robust market momentum. In particular, the combined AUM of the SPDR Straits Times Index ETF and Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF hit a record high of $2.8 billion in June. Here are the top 10 SGX-listed ETFs in terms of total returns for the first half of 2025. As a gauge, the US S&P 500 is up more than 8 per cent this year. 1. SPDR Gold Shares The SPDR Gold Shares ETF tracks the performance of gold bullion, with its underlying index being LBMA Gold Price PM. As such, it provides investors with direct exposure to gold prices without the need to hold physical metal. Its return rate was the highest among all SGX-listed ETFs for the half year at 17 per cent. With growing geopolitical uncertainties and robust safe-haven demand, the ETF saw record inflows and AUM, as holdings surged 75 per cent year on year to reach $2.4 billion in June 2025. 2. Phillip SING Income ETF The top Singapore equity ETF for H1 of this year offers exposure to 30 high-yielding SGX-listed stocks screened for quality and financial health. Its interest is in income-focused strategies and has a dividend yield of 3.6 per cent. It tracks the Morningstar Singapore Yield Focus Index and saw a return of 11.9 per cent for the half year and nearly 26 per cent for the full year. 3. Lion-Nomura Japan Active ETF (Powered by AI) An actively managed ETF using artificial intelligence (AI)-driven models to select constituents from Japan's Tokyo Stock Price Index, its returns for the first half year was at 11.7 per cent. Its total returns for one year stood at 13.8 per cent. The Lion-Nomura Japan Active ETF is the second best performing equity ETF on SGX for the half year. 4. Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng Tech ETF The ETF tracks the Hang Seng Tech Index, and provides exposure to 30 of the largest Chinese tech firms listed in Hong Kong, such as Tencent, Alibaba, and Meituan. Its first half year return stood at 10.4 per cent. The Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng Tech ETF continued to perform well amid China's stimulus efforts and optimism on AI-related technologies despite broader macro challenges. Its top three sectors are consumer discretionary, communications and information technology, with its AUM standing at $378 million as at May 2025. 5. Lion-OCBC Securities APAC Financials Dividend Plus ETF This ETF tracks top dividend-paying financial stocks across Apac via the iEdge APAC Financials Dividend Plus Index, with a 9.9 per cent return recorded for the period. It is able to offer stable income and quality exposure to the region's banking and insurance sectors, and benefits from regional rate cut expectations. The Lion-OCBC Securities APAC Financials Dividend Plus ETF is the fourth top-performing equity SGX-listed ETF for the half year. 6. Xtrackers FTSE Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF This ETF offers exposure to Vietnam's equity market, which made gains on manufacturing recovery and foreign direct investment inflows. It tracks the FTSE Vietnam Index, and benefits from Vietnam's export-driven growth and regional supply chain shifts. For the first half, its return stood at 9.9 per cent. It is the fifth top-performing equity SGX-listed ETF for the half year. 7. CGS-Fullgoal Vietnam 30 Sector Capped ETF The CGS-Fullgoal Vietnam 30 Sector Capped ETF tracks 30 of Vietnam's top-performing sectors with caps to prevent over-concentration. It gives investors balanced exposure across financials, industrials, and consumer sectors – key growth drivers in the country's economy. The ETF's underlying index is the SGX iEdge Vietnam 30 Index, and recorded a first-half return of 9.7 per cent. 8. Xtrackers MSCI Singapore UCITS ETF The ETF benefited from the recovery in property and banking stocks, and Singapore dollar-focused investor sentiment amid falling local rates. It provides exposure to large-, mid-, and small-cap Singapore companies by tracking the MSCI Singapore Investable Market Total Return Net Index, with a first half return of 9.7 per cent. 9. UOB APAC Green REIT ETF Focused on high-yield real estate investment trusts (Reits) across Apac with strong ESG credentials, the UOB APAC Green Reit ETF achieved the best half year performance among the five Reit ETFs listed on the SGX. It tracks the iEdge-UOB APAC Yield Focus Green Reit Index, with a first half half return at 9.3 per cent. The ETF recorded the highest returns among SGX's sustainability-linked ETFs as well for H1 of this year. 10. Xtrackers MSCI China UCITS ETF This ETF offers broad exposure to Chinese equities including tech, financials, and consumer names, as its underlying index is the MSCI China TR Net Daily USD Index. For the half year, its returns stood at 8.9 per cent. It tracks the performance of large and mid-cap Chinese companies across A Shares, H Shares, B Shares, Red Chips, P Chips and foreign listings. Reit ETFs see new AUM all-time high; S-Reits record strong distribution yield Amid the current murky geopolitical and global trade climate, SGX-listed Reit ETFs displayed strength in the first half, with S-Reit ETFs offering highest returns in June. S-Reit ETFs also have the highest gross dividend indicated yields of up to 6 per cent now. The AUM value of Reit ETFs achieved a new record of nearly $1.2 billion, surpassing the last high in September 2024 of around $1 billion. UOB APAC Green Reit ETF recorded the top half-year returns level of 9.3 per cent followed by Phillip APAC Div Reit ETF with 7.5 per cent. CSOP iEdge S-Reit ETF was the best performer for the month of June, returning 4.7 per cent. The five Reit ETFs pay out an average dividend of close to 5.2 per cent, with the CSOP iEdge S-Reit ETF's 12-month gross yield at about 6 per cent. According to SGX data in June, retail investors were the net buyers of S-Reits, as the sector received a total net retail inflow of around $400 million as at June 26.
Business Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
These are the 10 top-performing ETFs on SGX; Reit ETF AUM hits new high of S$1.2 billion
[SINGAPORE] Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) have recorded net inflows of S$700 million in the first half of this year, according to the local bourse's ETF Market Highlights report for H1 2025. This is supported by S$1.2 billion in net creations across 22 ETFs, alongside S$500 million in net redemptions from 13 ETFs. As at June 2025, Singapore's ETF market comprised 47 listings with total assets under management (AUM) reaching S$14.3 billion, up 32 per cent year on year. Equity and gold ETFs led the growth, with turnover increasing by 69 per cent and 62 per cent respectively. Retail segment turnover also saw strong momentum, climbing 67 per cent year on year. Inflows for Singapore-focused ETFs stood at S$568 million, driven by declining Singapore dollar rates and robust market momentum. In particular, the combined AUM of the SPDR Straits Times Index ETF and Nikko AM Singapore STI ETF hit a record high of S$2.8 billion in June 2025. Here are the top 10 SGX-listed ETFs in terms of total returns for H1 2025. As a gauge, the S&P 500 is up more than 8 per cent this year. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up 1. SPDR Gold Shares The SPDR Gold Shares ETF tracks the performance of gold bullion, with its underlying index being LBMA Gold Price PM. As such, it provides investors with direct exposure to gold prices without the need to hold physical metal. Its return rate was the highest among all SGX-listed ETFs for the half year at 17 per cent. With growing geopolitical uncertainties and robust safe-haven demand, the ETF saw record inflows and AUM, as holdings surged 75 per cent year on year to reach S$2.4 billion in June 2025. 2. Phillip SING Income ETF The top Singapore equity ETF for H1 of this year offers exposure to 30 high-yielding SGX-listed stocks screened for quality and financial health. Its interest is in income-focused strategies and has a dividend yield of 3.6 per cent. It tracks the Morningstar Singapore Yield Focus Index and saw a return of 11.9 per cent for the half year and nearly 26 per cent for the full year. 3. Lion-Nomura Japan Active ETF (Powered by AI) An actively managed ETF using artificial intelligence (AI)-driven models to select constituents from Japan's Tokyo Stock Price Index, its returns for the first half of this year was at 11.7 per cent. Its total returns for one year stood at 13.8 per cent. The Lion-Nomura Japan Active ETF is the second best performing equity ETF on SGX for the half year. 4. Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng Tech ETF The ETF tracks the Hang Seng Tech Index, and provides exposure to 30 of the largest Chinese tech firms listed in Hong Kong, such as Tencent, Alibaba, and Meituan. Its H1 2025 return stood at 10.4 per cent. The Lion-OCBC Securities Hang Seng Tech ETF continued to perform well amid China's stimulus efforts and optimism on AI-related technologies despite broader macro challenges. Its top three sectors are consumer discretionary, communications and information technology, with its AUM standing at S$378 million as at May 2025. 5. Lion-OCBC Securities APAC Financials Dividend Plus ETF This ETF tracks top dividend-paying financial stocks across Apac via the iEdge APAC Financials Dividend Plus Index, with a 9.9 per cent return recorded for the period. It is able to offer stable income and quality exposure to the region's banking and insurance sectors, and benefits from regional rate cut expectations. The Lion-OCBC Securities APAC Financials Dividend Plus ETF is the fourth top-performing equity SGX-listed ETF for the half year. 6. Xtrackers FTSE Vietnam Swap UCITS ETF This ETF offers exposure to Vietnam's equity market, which made gains on manufacturing recovery and foreign direct investment inflows. It tracks the FTSE Vietnam Index, and benefits from Vietnam's export-driven growth and regional supply chain shifts. For H1 2025, its returns stood at 9.9 per cent. It is the fifth top-performing equity SGX-listed ETF for the half year. 7. CGS-Fullgoal Vietnam 30 Sector Capped ETF The CGS-Fullgoal Vietnam 30 Sector Capped ETF tracks 30 of Vietnam's top-performing sectors with caps to prevent over-concentration. It gives investors balanced exposure across financials, industrials, and consumer sectors – key growth drivers in the country's economy. The ETF's underlying index is the SGX iEdge Vietnam 30 Index, and recorded a H1 2025 return of 9.7 per cent. 8. Xtrackers MSCI Singapore UCITS ETF The ETF benefited from the recovery in property and banking stocks, and Singapore dollar-focused investor sentiment amid falling local rates. It provides exposure to large-, mid-, and small-cap Singapore companies by tracking the MSCI Singapore Investable Market Total Return Net Index, with a first half of 2025 return rate of 9.7 per cent. 9. UOB APAC Green REIT ETF Focused on high-yield real estate investment trusts (Reits) across Apac with strong ESG credentials, the UOB APAC Green Reit ETF achieved the best half year performance among the five Reit ETFs listed on the SGX. It tracks the iEdge-UOB APAC Yield Focus Green Reit Index, with half year returns at 9.3 per cent. The ETF recorded the highest returns among SGX's sustainability-linked ETFs as well for H1 of this year. 10. Xtrackers MSCI China UCITS ETF This ETF offers broad exposure to Chinese equities including tech, financials, and consumer names, as its underlying index is the MSCI China TR Net Daily USD Index. For the half year, its returns stood at 8.9 per cent. It tracks the performance of large and mid-cap Chinese companies across A Shares, H Shares, B Shares, Red Chips, P Chips and foreign listings. Reit ETFs see new AUM all-time high; S-Reits record strong distribution yield Amid the current murky geopolitical and global trade climate, SGX-listed Reit ETFs displayed strength in the first half, with S-Reit ETFs offering highest returns in June. S-Reit ETFs also have the highest gross dividend indicated yields of up to 6 per cent now. The AUM value of Reit ETFs achieved a new record of nearly S$1.2 billion, surpassing the last high in September 2024 of around S$1 billion. UOB APAC Green Reit ETF recorded the top half-year returns level of 9.3 per cent followed by Phillip APAC Div Reit ETF whose H1 return rate stood at 7.5 per cent. It achieved 4.4 per cent returns in Q2, beating its peers in total returns over a 3- month period. CSOP iEdge S-Reit ETF was the best performer for the month of June, returning 4.7 per cent. The five Reit ETFs pay out an average dividend of close to 5.2 per cent, with the CSOP iEdge S-Reit ETF's 12-month gross yield at about 6 per cent. According to SGX data in June, retail investors were the net buyers of S-Reits, as the sector received a total net retail inflow of around S$400 million as at Jun 26, 2025. The report noted that investor interest in S-Reits has been 'reignited' in the first half of this year, as reflected in strong total inflows of S$155 million in H1 2025.
Mint
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Why Arun Kumar of FundsIndia backs investment styles others are avoiding
Arun Kumar, vice-president and head of research at FundsIndia, has a distinct style of investing in mutual funds, one that leans heavily on value investing. Around 55% of his portfolio is parked in funds that follow a value style of investing. In an interaction with Mint for the Guru Portfolio series, Kumar shared his contrarian approach when it comes to picking mutual funds for his portfolio. 'I like it when certain investment styles or investment approaches are not doing well," he says. I have always been equity-heavy. Currently, my portfolio is 90% equity, and the remaining 10% is in debt and arbitrage funds. I'm comfortable with this because my wife and I have active income and contribute 10-15% of the portfolio value each year. Even during bear markets, we contribute to the portfolio. However, as our portfolio grows over time, our savings might not catch up with it. There will be a time when our portfolios will become so big that we'll not be able to add meaningfully (less than 5%) to our portfolios. At that time, I will shift to a more conservative portfolio and keep it 70% equity, 15% gold, and 15% debt and debt-like investments. A chunk of my portfolio, 55%, is in four funds. I have a natural bias towards value investing as a style and have invested in funds that fund managers manage with a value bias. It's split across Sankaran Naren's ICICI India Opportunities, Rajeev Thakkar's PPFAS FlexiCap , Kenneth Andrade's Old Bridge focused equity fund, and HDFC FlexiCap, which Prashant Jain earlier managed. Another 15% of our portfolio is to make slightly concentrated bets. I am bullish on banking as a sector and put all this portion in one banking stock. I feel that the NPA cycle has been cleaned up, and the credit growth cycle is about to start. Banks also have a strong balance sheet because they had over-prepared for covid, but the impact wasn't as bad as we thought. Banking is a good sector going through a bad time with decent valuations, and I'm hoping for a reversal in the future. The other 15% is spread across the globe. I had taken a bet in Chinese tech through Mirae's Hang Seng Tech ETF two years ago. It didn't do well for some time, but started playing out in the last one year. I also had an SIP in a Nasdaq fund. When the markets crashed in 2022, I built up my position in a FAANG [Meta (formerly Facebook), Amazon, Apple, Netflix, and Alphabet (formerly Google)] stock, which was part of that index. That stock has gone up 4x, leading to slightly skewed exposure. The remaining 5% is allocated to mid- and small-cap funds. I did not have any allocation to mid- and small-cap before and missed the whole rally. The only exposure I had was indirectly through flexi-cap funds that had some exposure to such companies. I was already too much into equities and didn't want to get too aggressive. Over time, the plan is to gradually start building the small and mid-cap exposure. Also Read: Why Marcellus' Saurabh Mukherjea has 40% global weight I had missed the whole small and mid-cap rally. I did not have any funds from that category, and the only allocation I had was through my flexi cap. Learning from this experience, I have now put in place a framework to play small caps. SIP can also be a simple way to build exposure. I like it when certain investment styles or investment approaches are not doing well. Lately, momentum-oriented funds have not been doing great, and I am looking at it, although I haven't made up my mind. We also didn't have many options before, but now we have plenty of them. Quality is another style that has dramatically underperformed in the last four years, and I see some early signs of a turnaround. I am now looking at quality schemes and will slowly build up exposure there. That is what I'll focus on for the next few months. Everyone wants high-quality companies with high ROCE (return on capital employed), low debt, consistent earnings, high earnings growth potential, and good management at decent valuations. It's very difficult to get all of these in one stock. So, quality fund managers usually end up compromising on the valuations front. This overpaying has come to bite them in the past four years. When the markets rebounded, it was a broad-based recovery where all stocks, regardless of their quality, were growing their earnings at a rapid pace, and so there was no need to pay an exorbitant price for quality. But when the market starts going through a tough phase, and only a few good quality companies are winning, that's when quality starts performing. While it's tough to time styles, the recent underperformance and the moderating growth environment with a lot of uncertainty thrown in augurs well for quality. Overall, it seems like a good place for quality to start working again. When the tide turns is anybody's guess, but at least it's crucial to remain consistent with our process. Also Read: Look who's making a comeback: Quality vs value investing I like UTI Flexi cap for sticking to its quality investment style even when it has fallen out of favour. I have hardly sold any of my funds since I started seriously investing in 2015. I have redeemed a few small allocations here and there to clean my portfolio. However, I've kept all my core holdings. I buy funds mostly by looking at the fund manager. As long as the same fund manager runs the fund, I don't mind even if it's underperforming. HDFC Flexi cap is one scheme that I bought due to Prashant Jain, but he left HDFC in 2022. However, I continued holding that scheme because the current manager, Roshi Jain, manages the fund reasonably well. As a thumb rule, I would contemplate selling when the fund manager changes or there is a significant change or dilution from the stated investment approach. Another aspect is on the performance front. If the returns deteriorate and I am not able to understand the reason behind it, then that can be an issue. But let's say a fund manager who follows a quality style is underperforming, and all others with the same style and index are also struggling; then it's okay. In this case, underperformance is not an issue. In fact, I bought most of my schemes when the fund manager was underperforming. In contrast, if you're following a certain style and are performing poorly when others following the same style are doing well, then that's a sign to sell out. Also Read: Sachet-sized mutual funds can still be difficult for the house help as an investment option Keeping it simple works: Fewer decisions, fewer funds, and more patience. Backing good fund managers during tough phases: Buying into skilled fund managers who are going through challenging times—but sticking to their proven approach—often pays off. The magic of compounding also becomes truly meaningful once the portfolio reaches a reasonable size. It's also important to track incremental savings. It helps in two ways: identifying where you can get a bigger bang for your buck and deciding how much time and effort to allocate between increasing savings versus chasing higher returns. It also brings the focus back to what truly matters: growing the overall portfolio through a combination of steady savings and returns. Lastly, behaviour beats brilliance: Sticking to the plan is hard because of the three S: Scare you : The equity market tries to scare you into selling through ABCD (all-time highs; bad news; crash predictions; cash calls by experts; declines) Slow you down with entry anxiety: Waiting for a 10% correction to deploy funds—as it always feels like markets will fall further. Seduce you with ABCD : Temptations to go all in; borrow to invest; chase performance and concentrate heavily; derivatives and day trading. Mint's Guru Portfolio series features leaders in the financial services industry who share their money management secrets.
