What is the difference between SGD & USD and why is the rate of return different when I have only 1 account for StashAway?

The base currency of your StashAway account is USD. You may invest in SGD, but StashAway will convert it to USD and invest in the underlying USD-denominated ETFs.

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So, different rate of return is due to different USD/SGD exchange rates at the time of investment and divestment.

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For example. if you invested SGD1k when the exchange rate was 1.33, it is converted to about USD750. When your investment grow to USD825, the return is +10% in USD. If exchange rate is now 1.32, USD825 would convert to SGD990, your SGD return becomes -1%.

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Correction:

If exchange rate is 1.32, USD825 would convert to SGD1089, SGD return becomes +8.9%.