Would it be the same as if I put money into stocks IWDA and EEM which covers msci world index as well as emerging markets?

Hi Anonymous,

If you want to invest on your own, you can try to replicate a world index. Please take note NOT to buy EEM because you would be hit by a 30% dividend withholding tax from US to Singapore, which works out to almost 1% cost on a per annum basis. Just to highlight, this is NOT the only Dividend withholding tax you are paying.

When dividends are paid from the underlying emerging market securities to the US fund, the emerging market securities will pay taxes to the tax authorities. This is why we dont advise people to use US ETFs.

https://endowus.com/insights/an-inconvenient-tr...

This is not the same as investing through UCITS funds which are tax efficient.

Hope this answers!​​​