Financial advisers can add value during turbulent times

SINGAPORE investors are generally resourceful. They source for investment opportunities from friends, family members and online blogs. Despite having access to multiple sources of information, a 2020 CFA Institute survey revealed that the confidence of Singapore retail investors in making investment decisions is lower than the global average.

This lack of confidence is an opportunity for financial advisers to “close the gap” by rendering sound financial advice to increase the probability of retail investors achieving their financial goals whatever they may be – retirement adequacy, emergency funds accumulation, deposit for real estate purchase, etc.

If financial advisers cannot add value, retail investors have two options. Either shop around for a competent adviser, or alternatively, invest in low-cost index funds that yield market returns. After all, do-it-yourself passive index investing can outperform active investing over the long term.