Located on the Malayan peninsula, Singapore is a maritime center linking
over 600 ports in 120 countries. Its strategic location allows it to serve as a
headquarters for 37,000 international companies. The country's robust
financial markets have become a key source of funding for a total market of
four billion people within a seven-hour flight radius. Singapore attracts
foreign investors for several reasons. It contains thriving trade and financial
sectors. Singapore has an extensive trade network amounting to 20 free
trade agreements with 31 trading partners. The country also ranks as the
fourteenth largest export economy and the fifteenth largest importer. Its
stock market, the Singapore Exchange Limited, has a market capitalization
of around $7.1 billion, as of December 2019.It boasts a pro-business
environment. Its low corporate tax rate of 17% and low level of corruption, a
product of anti-corruption laws and audits, have made it home to 7,000
multinational corporations from the U.S., E.U., and Japan and 3,000
companies from India and China. It has a skilled workforce. It attracts more
most skilled workers from abroad than any other country in Asia, according
to KDM Engineering. More than half of the labor pool comprises white-
collar workers . It features advanced infrastructure. Singapore has highly
developed physical transportation, including over 100 international airlines.
Its digital infrastructure is also superlative, offering broadband coverage to
over 99% of the country. Benefits and Risks of Investing in Singapore
Singapore has one of the world's richest populations, favorable
demographics, and a growing economy, but its focus on trade leads to
some degree of economic dependence on global foreign trade that should
be factored in before people make an investment decision.
Benefits of investing in Singapore include: It has favorable demographics.
Singapore is the third-richest in the world based on GDP, as of 2019. It also
has one of the largest concentrations of millionaires and one of the lowest
unemployment rates among developed countries. It boasts a free, diverse
economy. Singapore is considered to be one of the freest global economies
and one of the easiest countries in the world in which to conduct business
as a result of its business-friendly regulations. In addition, its economy
boasts diverse verticals including shipping, finance, tourism, and
pharmaceuticals.
Risks of investing in Singapore include: It is reliant on foreign trade.
Singapore's economy is heavily dependent on foreign trade, which led to a
contraction during the 2001 bubble and 2008 financial crisis, but the
country was quick to rebound. It has a strong connection to China.
Singapore's economy is highly interconnected with China's economy given
the nation's significant capital. This connection has proven to be
disadvantageous in recent years, as China's economic growth has
gradually decreased since 2011.Singapore Investment Opportunities- can
gain exposure to the financial markets in Singapore by buying exchange-
traded funds, closed-end mutual funds, or American Depositary Receipts
(ADRs).
Invest in Singapore With ETFs
The easiest way to invest in Singapore is with exchange-traded funds
(ETFs), which offer diversified exposure to the country in a single U.S.-
traded security. One of the most popular ETFs chosen for investing in
Singapore is the iShares MSCI Singapore ETF (EWS), which has a net
asset value of more than $530 million and holds 25 different securities
spanning medium and large companies, as of December 2019.Since
Singapore is primarily a trade destination, the ETF is heavily weighted
towards financial (46.93%), industrial (17.79%), and real estate (17.51%)
companies. Investors should be aware that this overweight position could
result in added risk if one of these sectors (for example, the financial
system) was strained.
Buy Closed-End Mutual Funds
Unlike ETFs, these funds can trade at a premium or discount to their net
asset value. However, closed-end mutual funds offer limited shares, unlike
open-end mutual funds. Investors can, for example, purchase the
Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. (FAX), a closed-end mutual fund
with a market capitalization of nearly $1.1 billion, as of December 2019.
This fund invests in the debt securities of countries including Singapore,
China, Indonesia, India, and Australia.Closed-end mutual funds are
different from closed mutual funds, which are actually open-end funds that
are closed to new investors.
Invest With ADRs
Finally, investors can purchase ADRs, which are certificates representing
shares in foreign firms. You can trade ADRs on U.S. stock exchanges, but
they tend to be riskier than ETFs and mutual funds since they offer less
liquidity and diversification.
Final Thoughts on Investing in Singapore
Before putting your money in this unique market, keep in mind that;
Singapore is best known in the investment community for its participation in
global trade as one of Asia's largest trading hubs. It has a robust free
economy but is susceptible to slowdowns because of its dependence on
global trade.
ETFs offer the simplest investment opportunity in Singapore.
Investors should carefully weigh these pros and cons before making an
investment decision. Economic downturns are difficult to predict, especially
in emerging markets, which tend to be a bit more volatile than developed
markets. To hedge against risk, make any investments in Singapore a
single part of an otherwise diversified portfolio. The Balance does not
provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is
being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk
tolerance or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not
be suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of future
results. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.
