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POSB Invest-Saver RSP Update


It was about 3 months ago that I subscribed to POSB Invest-Saver Regular Savings Plan (RSP) amid all the global turmoil. This RSP buys the Nikko AM STI ETF(Ticker: G3B.SI) every month with the amount you set(eg. $100). There is another STI ETF(Ticker: ES3.SI) but you can't buy it with this plan. This 2 ETFs simply tracks the performance and try to replicate its returns of the Straits Times Index(STI).

From an NSF

This is also the first foray into stocks for me, putting $100 from my NS allowance into this. Now how did it go?


Dollar-Cost Averaging

Buying less at high prices and buying more at low prices has allowed me to average down the Average Unit Price and Average Unit Cost though it is quite insignificant given the short period of buying.






Currently, with the $1 commission, the Total Investment Cost is $293.49. The Cumulative Portfolio Value is $290.49. 



Given the negative news surrounding the world financial markets, it's a -$29.49 portfolio loss with the current portfolio at $261. How do I feel about it? Well I can sleep tight at night, but bear in mind that I am starting with very little. Those who have significant cash invested into this STI might be reacting differently. As the invested sum grows, I could lose a little sleep also.

Dividends

 

January paid out dividends of $2.93 and I consider $0.93 as the interest(dividends- 2 months of commission) for $293.49 invested.

Not bad considering the bank's interest rates in a savings account. 1% commission is a little steep to me honestly, but I'm using interest from CIMB FastSaver which is my investment warchest to pay for it.

More $ into this RSP given that STI is at 2539.95 right now? 

 Maybe. It can go even lower, nobody knows. If you're serving NS right now and would like to start a RSP, note that you need to know what you're getting into and this cash is not guaranteed.

For now, I love it because:

1. I don't try to time the market.
2. I need instant diversification and buying into the ETF that tracks 30 stocks of the STI allows me to have it.
3. I can afford to stomach this for who knows how long this bear market will last.
4. I'm still reading up on stocks but I get the exposure to it in the meantime.

I'm still adding to my emergency funds(note I don't call it just savings) to have a good cash buffer, and saving for an ORD trip.

Till next time,
Mr K.
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Comments

  1. Serendib14 February 2016 at 22:19

    well done Mr K - you guys are lucky to have all these cost-effective options at your fingertips. I saved $10k during my NSF days (almost 20 years ago) and could only plonk it into unit trusts which charged 5% upfront fees! and then the market totally tanked! It took my almost 10 years to get back a decent return (and then I ditched it for ETFs!) Good luck and stay safe

    ReplyDelete
  2. K18 February 2016 at 05:43

    Hi there Serendib!

    Wow, quite a lot of effort to save up that much! Can tell you were very disciplined! Were you an officer? Haha.

    It must have hurt as well. I think I'm quite negative on unit trusts because most don't beat the market. Well, that was after I read books and I never checked out unit trusts. Thank you for sharing your experience!

    Today, we have forums and then financial blogs that suggests alternatives! So I must say we are pretty lucky today. It is out there and people just need to spend a bit of time googling it.

    Wishing you the best also!

    ReplyDelete
  3. d:esmond;5 March 2016 at 08:11

    I wish I had started as early as you, but potentially there wasnt this product then.

    Anyway, if you have not joined us yet, here's a link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/indexinvestingsingapore/

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown11 December 2016 at 23:02

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Frugal Youth Invests 31 August 2017 at 19:14

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Frugal Youth Invests 31 August 2017 at 19:51

    Hi, how do you calculate CGAR?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. K9 September 2017 at 22:03

      Hi,

      I used the formula from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cagr.asp

      In the formula, it's Ending Value / Beginning Value.
      My Total Investment Cost was the Beginning Value and my Ending Value was the Current Portfolio Value(market price)

      Delete

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