Singapore funds score an overall C in best practices: Morningstar report

FUNDS sold in Singapore got an overall C grade from Morningstar Asia in a report on global best practices for mutual funds, the research house said on Tuesday.

This puts Singapore at the middle of the 25-country pack, with Korea and the United States graded A, and China receiving the lowest score of D+.

"While there are no major weaknesses, Singapore is more expensive than other markets in this study and disclosure practices have room for improvement, specifically around portfolio holdings disclosure," Morningstar said in its biannual report on fund-investor experience.

"Singapore's portfolio holdings disclosure requirements are similar to many markets, but the actual practice of managers reporting portfolios falls behind many in the study. Similarly, there is limited management commentary on performance for investors."

Morningstar also highlighted the poor transparency around the cost of advice in Singapore, as captured in fund fees.