- Listings mark iFAST’s entry into ETF issuance, strengthening Singapore’s home-grown ETF ecosystem
SGX Stock Exchange today welcomed the listing of four iFAST Xtrackers UCITS ETFs, marking home-grown financial services group iFAST’s debut as an ETF issuer and expanding investors’ access to global markets and themes through SGX.
Traded in Singapore dollars and eligible under the Supplementary Retirement Scheme (SRS), the ETFs provide investors with access to Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, as well as companies participating in the global artificial intelligence and big data theme:
The listings broaden iFAST’s role in Singapore’s capital markets. Already listed on SGX and providing access to a wide range of investment products through its brokerage platform, iFAST now also participates in Singapore’s ETF market as an issuer. The collaboration combines iFAST’s fund issuance and distribution capabilities with Xtrackers’ scale and established index-investing expertise.
Ng Yao Loong, Head of Global Financial Markets, SGX Group, said, “iFAST’s debut as a home-grown ETF issuer brings new capability and ambition to Singapore’s ETF ecosystem. Its partnership with Xtrackers gives investors a convenient SGD-traded channel to three important North Asian markets and the global AI and Big Data theme on SGX. It is a strong example of how familiar brand names, trusted distribution and global investment expertise can come together to broaden investor choice and accelerate the growth of our ETF market.”
Lim Chung Chun, Group CEO, iFAST Corporation, said, “The launch of our first ETFs marks an important milestone as iFAST continues to grow, strengthen and broaden our global investment platform. It is a natural extension of our mission to help investors around the world invest globally and profitably. Through this initiative, we aim to make global investment opportunities more accessible and convenient for Singapore-based investors, with ETFs traded on SGX in Singapore dollars and during local market hours. Beyond this initial launch, we see opportunities to broaden our ETF offerings and deepen our collaborations with established global fund houses over time. We are pleased to work with SGX, Xtrackers and our business partners in taking this important step forward.”
Sophia Kim, Head of Xtrackers Sales APAC, DWS, said, “The listing of iFAST’s inaugural suite of ETFs on SGX marks an important milestone in our partnership. By bringing together complementary global and local capabilities, we aim to broaden investment choice and bring global investment opportunities closer to investors in Singapore. Xtrackers remains committed to building on its established ETF capabilities and working with partners to develop relevant solutions for investors and contribute to the continued development of Singapore’s ETF market.”
Francois Verlaine, Managing Director and Regional Head of Securities Services for ASEAN and South Asia, Standard Chartered, said, “The launch of these ETFs is another important milestone in our longstanding partnership with iFAST. As authorised custodian and ETF registrar, Standard Chartered is pleased to provide the infrastructure and expertise that enables iFAST to bring new investment solutions to market. We are proud to support their continued growth and, more broadly, the development of Singapore as a leading funds and wealth management hub.”
Following these listings, SGX offers 64 ETFs spanning a range of geographies, asset classes and investment themes with combined assets under management of S$21 billion.
[1] The overall Total Expense Ratio (TER) represents the total annual costs of managing and operating the ETF as well as the iFAST fee comprising management fees and fixed costs.
