ETFs are just one of many investment options available. Picking the right investment tool can sometimes feel overwhelming. This series highlights how ETFs could offer a better way to invest your wealth and help your financial future. In this series, you’ll learn about the essential benefits and costs of ETFs compared specifically to managed funds and insights on why some people either invest in ETFs or hold onto cold hard cash.

2 min

ETFs vs managed funds

Like managed funds, ETFs are baskets of stocks and assets. There are quite a few differences though. While managed funds may offer returns that meet your investment goals, in most cases you can’t buy and sell them whenever you want. ETFs however act similarly to stocks so you can buy and sell them anytime during market hours. Let’s look into how each investment tool matches up to your actual need.

First thing to remember

Don’t assume one is better than the other. ETFs and managed funds each have pros and cons. Mapping your needs to the benefits of each will help you make the right decision for your needs.

Comparing ETFs, managed funds and stocks

ETFs may be a good option if you’re looking for exposure to a specific market. Often with lower management fees¹, ETFs can be traded on the stock exchange and are an alternative to managed funds.

But, despite being flexible, they may not always be the solution to your investment needs. An actively managed fund can be used for investment strategies in complex and opaque markets that may be difficult to access using other investment options. Another reason actively managed funds may be your choice of investment is if you need someone to help you make specific investments to generate above-market returns.

It can be hard to compare the differences and similarities of active managed funds, ETFs and stocks – so we’ve done it for you.

Benefits	Actively Managed Fund	ETFs	Stocks
Diversified Many stocks or bonds in a single fund
Traded on Exchange Throughout the trading day
Intraday Pricing Live pricing throughout the course of the trading day
Traded Throughout Trading Day Buy and sell during market hours
Management Fees Annual cost of a professionally managed fund
Transaction Fees Costs associated with buying or selling (e.g., managed fund sales loads, brokerage commission fees)
Tax Efficient² Generally have fewer unplanned capital gains distributions
Index Tracking Seek to track the return of a market index

ETFs or managed funds?

ETFs can be a great addition to your portfolio if you already hold managed funds. On the other hand, if you’re new to investing, ETFs can be a great starter kit given their flexibility and instant exposure to a multitude of stocks.

Compared to managed funds, they are simpler, more cost-effective and can generally be lower risk. They offer immediate visibility and flexibility as you can trade at any time during trading hours. If you already hold managed funds, ETFs can be a great addition to your portfolio, as they can offer potentially more predictable returns.

Next up:ETFs vs Cash

ETFs vs Cash

We work hard for our money, and so, naturally we want to protect it. Once it’s in our bank account, we want to keep it safe and secure without the risk of losing it through investments. Even renowned investors like Warren Buffet swear by holding onto cash for a rainy day. But how much cash do you need and do you in fact have excess cash that could be working harder for you?

What cash can and can’t do for you?

We all need cash. But stashing all of your cash is not necessarily a long-term solution to protecting your wealth, especially when inflation rises. When prices go up even at a steady pace over the long term, the value of your cash declines. The result? Reduced spending power and net wealth.

Comparing ETFs and cash

Saving your cash and investing in ETFs play different roles in an investment strategy. Investors sometimes advocate for keeping cash on hand; however it is only through investments that you have the opportunity to potentially make your cash work harder for you. ETFs are a great low cost, transparent and flexible investment tool.

Categorize your cash

One way to better protect your cash and make it work harder for you is to segment it. Think about categorizing your cash into the minimum you project you need for the below periods of time:

Longer-term segments allow you to explore putting cash into different savings or investments with appropriate levels of risk. Assets like high rated bonds and government securities that may be relatively low risk are not always easily available to regular investors, but ETFs can provide that access and is one of the avenues you can look into, when thinking of investing excess cash.

Expected yield on cash vs ETFs

The purchasing power of cash can decrease as inflation eats away at it over time. What’s the difference in yield for cash compared to short duration bond ETFs

As you’ll see in the table below, short duration bond ETFs, have the potential to add more income to meet your investment goals.

Average yield for cash equivalents and short duration bond ETFs

*This graph is for illustrative purpose only

Source

Monetary Authority of Singapore, as of Jun 2019. Figures refer to average rates compiled from that quoted by 10 leading banks and finance companies.
Based on 1-yr total return %. The performance quoted represents past performance and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when sold or redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance quoted.

Cash is great but make it work harder for you

You’ll always need cash in hand, but categorizing your cash can help identify what excess cash you have to invest with, opening up new possibilities. Investing your cash into ETFs can help grow your wealth at the same time, while giving you the option of flexible trading and immediate visibility. Investing in ETFs may allow you to have the potential to meet your short or long-term financial goals quicker than if you were to hold onto cold hard cash.

Points to take away

In summary, there is no one size fits all investment strategy and there are many pros and cons to every investment tool. However, when looking to grow your wealth, ETFs are worth looking into.

No investment option is better than the other
Decide on investments to meet your needs
Make your money work harder for you

Sources

Morningstar, as of 12/31/18. Comparison is between the average Prospectus Net Expense Ratio for the iShares ETFs (0.34%) and active open-end mutual funds (0.96%).
This does not take into account your personal circumstances nor constitute tax advice.

Congratulations.
You have finished
Comparing ETFs

Next up:

8 mins

Choosing the right ETFs

ETFs. SIMPLIFIED.

COMPARINGETFs

ETFs vs managed funds

First thing to remember

Comparing ETFs, managed funds and stocks

ETFs or managed funds?

Next up:ETFs vs Cash

ETFs vs Cash

What cash can and can’t do for you?

Comparing ETFs and cash

Categorize your cash

Expected yield on cash vs ETFs

Average yield for cash equivalents and short duration bond ETFs

Cash is great but make it work harder for you

Points to take away

Congratulations.
You have finished
Comparing ETFs

ETFs. SIMPLIFIED.

COMPARINGETFs

ETFs vs managed funds

Share this article

First thing to remember

Comparing ETFs, managed funds and stocks

ETFs or managed funds?

Next up:ETFs vs Cash

ETFs vs Cash

Share this article

What cash can and can’t do for you?

Comparing ETFs and cash

Categorize your cash

Expected yield on cash vs ETFs

Average yield for cash equivalents and short duration bond ETFs

Cash is great but make it work harder for you

Points to take away

Congratulations. You have finishedComparing ETFs

Congratulations.
You have finished
Comparing ETFs