Endowus has partnered with global asset manager Amundi to launch Singapore’s first unit-trust-based index fund tracking the Straits Times Index (STI), exclusively available on the Endowus platform. Chief Investment Officer Hugh Chung noted that the STI’s recent highs reflect strong capital inflows into Singapore, and while long-term returns may trail global markets, its short to mid-term outlook remains positive due to continued investor demand for stability in a volatile world.

In line with SG60, Endowus has partnered with Amundi to launch Singapore’s first unit-trust-based index fund tracking the Straits Times Index (STI), offering a low-cost, no-sales-charge investment option exclusively on the Endowus platform. Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer Samuel Rhee said the fund supports Singaporeans’ long-term wealth journeys while contributing to the nation’s market development.

Endowus has partnered with global asset manager Amundi to launch Singapore’s first unit-trust-based index fund tracking the Straits Times Index (STI) by a global manager. Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer Samuel Rhee said the fund offers Singaporeans a low-cost and meaningful way to invest in the nation’s growth, while expanding access to long-term wealth building.

Endowus Chief Client Officer So Sin Ting highlighted findings from the Endowus Wealth Insights Report 2025, which revealed a disconnect between investors' long-term goals and short-term decision-making in Singapore and Hong Kong. She emphasised the need for advisors to play a more proactive and educational role in helping clients build long-term financial resilience.

In an interview with CNA Money Mind, Endowus Chief Client Officer So Sin Ting guides young adults on retirement planning, highlighting the importance of starting early, setting clear goals, and investing for the long term. She also explains how to estimate retirement needs and why holding too much cash can erode wealth over time.

Endowus Chairman Samuel Rhee and CIO Hugh Chung stressed that long-term market growth is driven by structural forces like population growth, inflation, and expanding liquidity. Despite short-term dips, markets like the S&P 500 tend to rebound and reach new highs. They urged investors to stay focused on fundamentals and align portfolios with long-term goals.

Endowus Chief Client Officer So Sin Ting outlined a holistic approach to retirement planning, highlighting the importance of CPF, SRS, and early investment. She urged Singaporeans to set realistic goals, automate contributions, diversify portfolios, and avoid emotional decisions to build long-term financial security.

In a live interview, Steffanie Yuen, Head of Endowus Hong Kong, shared findings from the Endowus Wealth Insight Report 2025, highlighting a gap between investor goals and behaviours in Hong Kong and Singapore. She stressed the importance of staying goal-aligned amid short-term market noise, urging investors to remain diversified and avoid reactive decisions in today’s uncertain environment.

Endowus Chief Investment Officer Hugh Chung said the weakening US dollar reflects declining confidence in US exceptionalism, due to fiscal deficits, trade policy, and geopolitical tensions. Despite these factors, he advised investors to stay focused on long-term strategies, noting that gold can act as a store of value, and that a diversified portfolio is essential for managing volatility and building wealth in the long term.

Endowus Chief Client Officer So Sin Ting discussed how emotional biases, such as present bias and inertia, can delay retirement planning, leading to many Singaporeans postponing their investment decisions. To stay on track, she advised automating monthly contributions from bank, CPF, or SRS accounts and selecting globally diversified portfolios managed by professionals to simplify long-term investing and reduce decision fatigue.

Endowus CIO Hugh Chung explained how CPF contributions and allocations shift across life stages to support retirement, healthcare, and housing needs. He highlighted key milestones such as the Retirement Account at 55 and CPF LIFE payouts at 65, while cautioning that CPF alone may not be sufficient. Hugh encouraged individuals to build personal savings alongside CPF to ensure financial security and flexibility in retirement.

As Asia expands retail access to private credit, Endowus CIO Hugh Chung noted key barriers such as limited transparency remain. He projected that Singapore’s retail demand could reach S$100 billion, if 5% of household assets shift to private credit. Chung emphasised the need for investor education, highlighting the illiquid nature of such assets and the importance of a long-term investment horizon.