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As Singapore celebrates its 61st birthday, it is easy to take our country’s financial stability for granted.
Today, Singapore is widely recognised as a global financial hub, supported by a strong regulatory environment, robust governance and an AAA sovereign credit rating. But this reputation was built over decades, through economic cycles, market shocks and changing investor needs.
The way we invest has changed too.
In the past, many Singapore families held most of their wealth in property or private businesses. Today, we have access to a much wider range of investment options, such as equities, bonds, money market funds and even gold.
As one of Singapore’s leading homegrown asset managers, Lion Global Investors has been part of this journey for 40 years. Over the past few decades, Lion Global Investors has developed investment solutions that reflect how our priorities as investors have also evolved over time.
Building Investors’ Confidence Through Singapore Equities
In the 1980s, investing in listed companies was still relatively unfamiliar to many Singaporeans. The Stock Exchange of Singapore (as it was then known) had only been formed in 1973 and our capital markets were still developing. For many families, wealth remained tied up in their savings, property and private businesses. Buying shares was not yet seen as a natural way to build or preserve wealth.
Against this backdrop, Lion Global Investors launched the LionGlobal Singapore Trust Fund in 1989.
The launch reflected growing confidence in Singapore’s economic future and gave investors a more structured way to participate in our country’s growth. As one of Singapore’s longest-running equity funds, it has also gone through several major market cycles.
The fund focuses on Singapore-domiciled companies and invests in large-cap stocks, as well as smaller and mid-sized companies listed in Singapore, the US and Hong Kong.
This exposure to smaller companies has become an important source of returns. Today, around 70% of the fund’s outperformance relative to its benchmark comes from the small- and mid-cap segment. The fund is one of the recipients of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), which will inject S$6.5 billion into the Singapore equities market. It is the only existing fund selected for the EQDP, while the other EQDP managers have to launch brand new funds.
Balancing Growth With Stability Through Bonds
As investors became more comfortable with equities, another question emerged: how could we continue growing our wealth without depending entirely on the stock market?
Bonds offered one answer.
Following the launch of a new government securities market in 1987, the LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund was established in 1991.
The fund combines exposure to Singapore bonds, which provide a measure of stability, with international bonds that offer a broader range of opportunities. Its shorter duration also makes it less sensitive to interest-rate movements than longer-duration bond funds. The portfolio is built around investment-grade bonds and follows strict investment limits. It gives a weighted yield to maturity of 3.14%p.a.1
Lion Global Investors later introduced an active ETF share class of the fund. Launched in 2025, it was Singapore’s first active bond ETF and the first listed share class of an existing fund.
By the late 1990s, investors were also paying closer attention to liquidity.
As Singaporeans became more affluent, we needed somewhere to hold cash without locking it away for long periods. This led to the launch of the LionGlobal SGD Money Market Fund in 1999. Denominated in Singapore dollars, the fund gives investors a way to keep their money relatively accessible while earning potential returns from high-quality, short-term, investment-grade instruments.
The role of such a fund is quite different from that of an equity or bond fund. Rather than aiming for high growth, it can serve as a place to park cash while keeping it accessible.
Generating Dividend Income
By the 2000s, investing was no longer only about growing wealth for some distant point in the future. As Singapore’s financial markets matured, we became more focused on how our portfolios could support real-life needs, whether that meant retirement, family expenses or passing wealth to the next generation.
In 2015, Lion Global Investors launched the LionGlobal Singapore Dividend Equity Fund.
The fund was not designed simply as a way to chase the highest available yields. Instead, it focused on Singapore dividend-paying stocks that could provide a combination of capital growth and quarterly dividend income. This made it relevant to investors looking for income from their portfolios, whether to support retirement, manage family-office assets or preserve wealth across generations.
As of 17 Jul 2026, it has a dividend yield of 4.47%-5.38%p.a.2 depending on share class (Source: Bloomberg). Of course, dividend income is not guaranteed, and share prices can still fluctuate. But for those of us who want our portfolios to generate cash flow as well as long-term growth, dividend-paying companies can play a different role from growth-focused stocks.
Sustainability And The Next Generation
The 2020s brought another shift in priorities. Sustainability moved from being a niche concern to something more of us were paying attention to, especially younger investors and the next generation inheriting family wealth.
Launched in 2022, the Lion-OCBC Securities Singapore Low Carbon ETF reflected this change.
The ETF provides exposure to 40 Singapore-domiciled large-cap companies selected based on their carbon footprint. It aims to give investors access to companies adapting to a lower-carbon future while retaining exposure to the Singapore market.
To facilitate diversification, the ETF applies weight caps of 8%, or 10% for mega-cap companies, so there’s well-rounded exposure across companies and sectors. It tracks the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index, giving investors a relatively transparent and cost-efficient way to gain diversified exposure to this theme.
Beyond its sustainability focus, the ETF has also provided investors with dividend income since its 2022 listing. According to SGX ETF market highlights for Q4 2024 and Q4 2025, as well as SGX’s ETF Trading Summary for June 2026, it recorded the highest dividend-payout among Singapore equity ETFs in 2024, 2025 and first half of 2026.
Diversification Through Gold
Gold has long been viewed as a portfolio diversifier and a potential hedge during periods of inflation, market stress or uncertainty. Because it can behave differently from equities and bonds, it may have a role in a broader portfolio. However, buying and storing physical gold directly can be inconvenient for individual investors.
This is why the Lion Global Investors expanded beyond traditional equities and bonds into gold. It launched the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund in 2025, followed by the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold ETF in 2026. The LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund addresses this by holding allocated gold that is insured and securely vaulted in Singapore. It was the first physical gold fund in the country.
For those seeking direct gold exposure, practical details such as where the gold is stored, whether it is insured and whether it meets international standards can matter just as much as the gold price itself.
Read Also: LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold ETF: The Simple Way To Own Physical Gold In Singapore
Forty Years Of Singapore DNA
Singapore’s investment landscape did not change overnight. It evolved gradually as our needs became more varied.
Equities offered a way to participate in growth. Bonds provided greater stability. Money market funds helped us manage liquidity. Dividend-paying stocks supported income needs. Low-carbon investments reflected changing values, while gold added another source of diversification. These options are not interchangeable, and we do not need all of them. Each serves a different purpose depending on our goals, time horizon and tolerance for risk.
As Lion Global Investors marks its 40th anniversary, its own development mirrors Singapore’s broader financial journey: disciplined, resilient and forward-looking.
Anchored in the OCBC Group, the firm has continued to develop investment solutions around local needs while meeting global standards.
Its Signature Singapore Suite brings these investment options together, giving us a way to consider which combination may be most relevant to our needs.
After all, our investment needs rarely stay the same forever. As our life stages, priorities and markets change, the way we build our portfolios may need to change too. Investors can also take Lion Global Investors’ online quiz to discover their investment-inspired diner persona.
Funds are available from the following partners: OCBC, Bank of Singapore, Great Eastern, Singlife, Grow with SInglife, DollarDex, POEMS, iFAST Financial, Moomoo, Etiqa, FSM Global and Standard Chartered.
ETFs are available from your brokers.
Source: Lion Global Investors Ltd / Morningstar / Bloomberg, date 30 Jun 2026 unless otherwise stated.
1 In local currency yield terms and on unhedged foreign exchange basis. Weighted yield to maturity in SGD is 2.70% and USD is 5.30%
2Distributions are not guaranteed and may fluctuate. Past distributions are not necessarily indicative of future payments. Distribution payouts and its frequency might be changed at the Manager’s discretion and can be made out of income, capital or both. Any payment of distributions by the fund may result in an immediate reduction of the net asset value per share/unit. Please refer to LGI website for more information on the income disclosures.
Disclaimer – Dollars and Sense
This is a sponsored advertisement. Dollars and Sense may receive fees, commissions or other benefits in connection with the sponsorship, remuneration or commercial arrangements concerning the products and/or services mentioned. Such arrangements may influence the content or presentation of information. Dollars and Sense is not licensed or authorised to provide financial advice and/or financial services in Singapore.
The content here is for informational purposes only and should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice. It does NOT constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase any investment or a recommendation to buy or sell a security. In fact, the content is not directed to any investor or potential investor and may not be used to evaluate or make any investment. Do note that this is not financial advice. If you are in doubt as to the action you should take, please consult your stock broker or financial advisor.
Disclaimer – Lion Global Investors Limited
This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (the “MAS”). It is for information only, and is not a recommendation, offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any capital markets products or investments and does not have regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation, tax position or needs. You should read the prospectus and Product Highlights Sheet of the relevant fund/ETF which are available and may be obtained from Lion Global Investors Limited (“LGI”) or any of its distributors and appointed Participating Dealers (“PDs”), for further details including the risk factors and consider if a fund/ETF is suitable for you and seek such advice from a financial adviser if necessary, before deciding whether to invest in the fund/ETF. Applications for units in our funds must be made on forms accompanying the prospectus.
Investments in our funds/ETF are not obligations of, deposits in, guaranteed or insured by LGI or any of its affiliates and are subject to investment risks including the possible loss of the principal amount invested. The performance of a fund/ETF is not guaranteed and the value of units in a fund/ETF and the income accruing to the units, if any, may rise or fall. Past performance, payout yields and payments as well as any predictions, projections, or forecasts are not necessarily indicative of the future or likely performance, payout yields and payments of a fund/ETF. Any extraordinary performance may be due to exceptional circumstances which may not be sustainable. Dividend distributions, which may be either out of income and/or capital, are not guaranteed and subject to LGI’s discretion. Any such dividend distributions will reduce the available capital for reinvestment and may result in an immediate decrease in the net asset value of the fund/ETF. Any references to specific securities are for illustration purposes and are not to be considered as recommendations to buy or sell the securities. It should not be assumed that investment in such specific securities will be profitable. There can be no assurance that any of the allocations or holdings presented will remain in the fund/ETF at the time this information is presented. Any information (which includes opinions, estimates, graphs, charts, formulae or devices) is subject to change or correction at any time without notice and is not to be relied on as advice. You are advised to conduct your own independent assessment and investigation of the relevance, accuracy, adequacy and reliability of any information or contained herein and seek professional advice on them. No warranty is given and no liability is accepted for any loss arising directly or indirectly as a result of you acting on such information. The fund/ETF may, where permitted by the prospectus, invest in financial derivative instruments for hedging purposes or for the purpose of efficient portfolio management. LGI, its related companies, their directors and/or employees may hold units of a fund/ETF and be engaged in purchasing or selling units of a fund/ETF for themselves or their clients.
©2026 Lion Global Investors® Limited (UEN/Registration No. 198601745D). All rights reserved. This publication is issued in Singapore by LGI. LGI is a Singapore incorporated company and is not related to any corporation or trading entity that is domiciled in Europe or the United States (other than entities owned by its holding companies).
For all Exchange-Traded Funds managed by Lion Global Investors Limited (“LGI”):
Please refer to the Prospectus for further details. The units of the ETF are listed and traded on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX”), and may be traded at prices different from their net asset value, suspended from trading, or delisted. Such listing does not guarantee a liquid market for the units. You cannot purchase or redeem listed units in the Fund directly with the manager of the Fund, but you may, subject to specific conditions, do so on the SGX or through the PDs.
For LionGlobal Singapore Trust Fund, LionGlobal Singapore Dividend Equity Fund and Lion-OCBC Securities Singapore Low Carbon ETF:
The Fund’s net asset value may have higher volatility as a result of its narrower investment focus on a limited geographical market, when compared to funds investing in global or wider regional markets.
For LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund (Listed and Unlisted Share Class)
The LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund (the “Fund”) is not like a typical unit trust offered to the public in Singapore. The Fund comprises both classes of units listed and traded on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX-ST”) and classes of units which are neither listed on the SGX-ST nor any other stock exchange.
The Fund may invest in Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital instruments that carry elevated risks, including potential write-down, conversion to equity, suspended coupons and loss of capital.
The Fund is an actively managed fund.
Please refer to Prospectus for discussion of certain factors to be considered in connection with an investment in the listed units of the Fund on the SGX-ST.
For LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund (Unlisted and Listed Share Class)
The LionGlobal New Wealth Series II – LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund (the “Fund”) is not like a typical unit trust offered to the public in Singapore. The Fund comprises both classes of units listed and traded on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX-ST”) and classes of units which are neither listed on the SGX-ST nor any other stock exchange. The LionGlobal New Wealth Series II – LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund (the “Fund”) is not like a typical unit trust offered to the public in Singapore. The Fund comprises both classes of units listed and traded on the Singapore Exchange (“SGX-ST”) and classes of units which are neither listed on the SGX-ST nor any other stock exchange.
An investment in a precious metals fund carries risks of a different nature from other types of collective investment schemes which invest in transferable securities and a precious metals fund may not be suitable for persons who are adverse to such risks.
An investment in a precious metals fund is not intended to be a complete investment programme for any investor. As a prospective investor, you should carefully consider whether an investment in a precious metals fund is suitable for you, taking into account, your investment objectives, risk appetite and the potential price movements of precious metals. You are responsible for your own investment choices.
The Fund’s net asset value may have higher volatility due to its narrower investment focus (primarily in Gold (as defined in the prospectus)), when compared to funds with more diversified portfolios.
Please refer to Prospectus for discussion of certain factors to be considered in connection with an investment in the listed units of the Fund on the SGX-ST.
Disclaimer – ICE Benchmark Administration Limited
THE LBMA GOLD PRICE, WHICH IS ADMINISTERED AND PUBLISHED BY ICE BENCHMARK ADMINISTRATION LIMITED (IBA), SERVES AS, OR AS PART OF, AN INPUT OR UNDERLYING REFERENCE FOR LIONGLOBAL SINGAPORE PHYSICAL GOLD FUND.
LBMA GOLD PRICE IS A TRADE MARK OF PRECIOUS METALS PRICES LIMITED, AND IS LICENSED TO IBA AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE. ICE BENCHMARK ADMINSTRATION IS A TRADE MARK OF IBA AND/OR ITS AFFILIATES. THE LBMA GOLD PRICE AM, AND THE TRADE MARKS LBMA GOLD PRICE AND ICE BENCHMARK ADMINISTRATION, ARE USED BY LION GLOBAL INVESTORS LIMITED WITH PERMISSION UNDER LICENCE BY IBA.
IBA AND ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO CLAIM, PREDICATION, WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM ANY USE OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE, OR THE APPROPRIATENESS OR SUITABILITY OF THE LBMA GOLD PRICE FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE TO WHICH IT MIGHT BE PUT, INCLUDING WITH RESPECT TO LIONGLOBAL SINGAPORE PHYSICAL GOLD FUND. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ALL IMPLIED TERMS, CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, AS TO QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PURPOSE, TITLE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT, IN RELATION TO THE LBMA GOLD PRICE, ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED AND NONE OF IBA OR ANY OF ITS AFFILIATES WILL BE LIABLE IN CONTRACT OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE), FOR BREACH OF STATUTORY DUTY OR NUISANCE, FOR MISREPRESENTATION, OR UNDER ANTITRUST LAWS OR OTHERWISE, IN RESPECT OF ANY INACCURACIES, ERRORS, OMISSIONS, DELAYS, FAILURES, CESSATIONS OR CHANGES (MATERIAL OR OTHERWISE) IN THE LBMA GOLD PRICE, OR FOR ANY DAMAGE, EXPENSE OR OTHER LOSS (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT) YOU MAY SUFFER ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE LBMA GOLD PRICE OR ANY RELIANCE YOU MAY PLACE UPON IT.
Disclaimer – Singapore Exchange Limited
The units in the Lion-OCBC Securities Singapore Low Carbon ETF are not in any way sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Singapore Exchange Limited (“SGX”) and/or its affiliates and SGX and its affiliates make no warranty or representation whatsoever, expressly or impliedly, either as to the results to be obtained from the use of the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index and/or the figure at which the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index stands at any particular time on any particular day or otherwise. The iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index is administrated, calculated and published by SGX. SGX shall not be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) to any person for any error in the Lion-OCBC Securities Singapore Low Carbon ETF and the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index and shall not be under any obligation to advise any person of any error therein.
OCBC is a registered trade mark of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited and is used under licence. Save for the foregoing, all intellectual property rights in the iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index vest in SGX. The iEdge-OCBC Singapore Low Carbon Select 40 Capped Index is used by Lion Global Investors Limited under licence.
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