Investors are getting some new options on the Singapore Exchange (SGX: S68).
On 13 October 2026, DWS Group cross-listed four Irish-domiciled Xtrackers UCITS Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) on SGX, denominated in the Singapore dollar (SGD).
This brings tax-efficient global equity exposure from overseas venues like the London Stock Exchange (LSE) right to the doorstep for Singapore investors.
The implications?
No more upfront currency conversion fees, lower withholding tax on US dividends, and trading during Singapore market hours.
However, as the ETFs hold US-dollar assets, their value will still move with the USD/SGD exchange rate.
Beyond these conveniences, investors enjoy seamless access to major global benchmarks.
Investors can also use their Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS) funds to buy these ETFs, and SRS contributions qualify for income tax relief.
While these advantages equip local investors with a more robust investing toolkit, do they match your personal investment strategy and financial objectives?
The “Set-and-Forget” Global Core: Xtrackers MSCI World UCITS ETF (SGX: XWR)
You are looking for global diversification but can’t stand the hassle of having to monitor your portfolio allocations frequently.
If this sounds like you, XWR could be for you.
Tracking the MSCI World Index, XWR captures 1,249 large- and mid-cap stocks across 23 developed economies with an affordable Total Expense Ratio (TER) of 0.12%.
Still, it’s worth noting that it’s market-capitalisation weighted, meaning that while developed markets anchor its global exposure, the US represents more than 70% of the index.
With an annualised ten-year standard deviation (SD) of 14.88%, XWR is the least volatile ETF of the four.
For conservative, passive investors seeking a “set-and-forget” investment style, XWR offers the most complete geographic breadth within a single ticker; its index has delivered a respectable annualised return of 13.37%.
The Ultra-Low-Cost Bet on US Equities: Xtrackers S&P 500 UCITS ETF (SGX: XUS)
US companies make up almost three-quarters (72.94%) of the MSCI World Index, a reflection of how dominant American businesses have become.
Many investors believe that leadership will continue.
If you are one of them, check out XUS, which tracks the S&P 500 Index and its market-leading US companies.
It has a razor-thin TER of 0.03% and its index has returned 13.44% a year over the past decade.
Notably, XUS’s top ten holdings make up 39.1% of the portfolio, which creates a significant concentration risk.
If your priority is low-cost US compounding and you are comfortable riding the ups and downs of US mega-cap tech companies, XUS could be one of your core holdings.
The Concentration Antidote: Xtrackers S&P 500 Equal Weight UCITS ETF (SGX: EUS)
If XUS’s heavy concentration in a few tech giants keeps you up at night, perhaps EUS, which tracks the equal-weight version of the S&P 500 Index, could offer an antidote for a TER of 0.15%.
EUS trims stocks that have grown and tops up those that have lagged, cutting the weight of its top ten holdings from 39.1% (for XUS) to about 2.68%.
This means its exposure is shifted away from technology into mid-sized firms across sectors such as industrials, financials, and healthcare.
However, this has also meant a lower annualised return for its index: 9.52%, compared with XUS’s 13.44%.
If your goal is broad US exposure without excessive tech concentration, EUS could work as a concentration hedge.
The High-Octane Growth Satellite: Xtrackers Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETF (SGX: XND)
Since generative AI went mainstream in 2023, technology companies have become an ever-larger part of global stock markets.
Will this tech-driven bull run last?
If you think it will, then XND is for you.
Targeting 100 of the largest non-financial powerhouses on the Nasdaq, it allocates 68.01% of its weight to technology, giving focused access to software, cloud computing, and semiconductor leaders.
XND’s top ten holdings make up close to half (46.86%) of its portfolio weight, making it highly volatile with an SD of 22.78% – not for the faint-hearted.
However, XND’s index has delivered the highest annualised return of the four indices over the past decade, at 20.09%, though past performance is no guarantee of future results.
XND also carries a TER of 0.20%, making it the costliest Xtrackers ETF of the four to own.
Instead of just owning XND, you could consider complementing it with diversified core holdings like XUS or XWR.
Get Smart: Selecting The Right Fund for the Right Strategy
| Underlying Index | Corresponding Xtrackers ETF (SGX Ticker) | 10-Year Annualised Performance | 10-Year Annualised Volatility (SD) | Weight of Top 10 Holdings | Xtrackers Total Expense Ratio (TER) |
| Nasdaq-100 Index | XND | 20.09% | 22.78% | 46.86% | 0.20% |
| S&P 500 Index | XUS | 13.44% | 15.35% | 39.1% | 0.03% |
| MSCI World Index | XWR | 13.37% | 14.88% | 27.85% | 0.12% |
| S&P 500 Equal Weight Index | EUS | 9.52% | 16.69% | 2.68% | 0.15% |
Note: Index data in US dollars as of 30 September 2026. MSCI World figures are gross total returns (including dividends); S&P 500, S&P 500 Equal Weight and Nasdaq-100 figures are price returns (excluding dividends).
XWR could look attractive for investors seeking single-ticker exposure to global equities as their core portfolio.
This global core can be paired with XUS to benefit from greater cost efficiency.
EUS can help to reduce tech concentration and capture value across the wider market to balance your portfolio.
If you want to spice up your portfolio with a growth theme, XND could be a suitable high-growth satellite alongside a diversified core holding.
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Disclosure: Larry L. does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
