Hi, Im 22 and have around $5k that I would like to invest. Currently have a DBS Vickers account and looking to invest long-term. Should I start with STI ETF (ES3), or Lion Phillip S-REIT ETF (CLR)?

Given your age, I would suggest something that is higher risk with the potential of higher returns. You currently does not have much commitments to consider, like housing loan, children, retirement. Investing in STI would be a bad move because it does not increase much as compared to the US market.

Let me help you out a little here. I will base my comments on what investments you have suggested as I assume you have done a little bit of homework and respect your shortlisted options.

When starting out to invest, you do not want too much volatility (i.e wide swings) in your portfolio. Too much of it will kill you psychologically. Thus, start with a diversified portfolio that consists of assets all around the world. This leaves you with IWDA and VWRA. Both are rather similar with a correlation of 0.99933 (See below). Thus, just choose 1.

Next, your approach is to build in your position gradually through a Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA) method, can be monthly and quarterly. If Vickers charges a high commission, you got to increase your DCA horizon (eg. quarterly or semi-annually). Or comb through this forum for recommendations on good platforms.

After you start to own assets all around the world and pick up a few investment strategies along the way, you can start to look at other regions, themes and sectors and start drilling down into specific assets that you are good at. The more depth you drill down, the more specific your risk/return/volatility will be.

I have done up some charts for you based on what you have listed (See link below). Take a look and hope they help to give you some perspectives.

Link: https://dl.orangedox.com/fund-analysis-pdfs

File Names:

ISHARES CORE MSCI WORLD (IWDA LN Equity)_updated_200820

VANG FTSE AW USDA (VWRA LN Equity)_updated_200820

LION-PHILLIP S-REIT ETF (SREITS SP Equity)_updated_200820

NIKKO AM SINGAPORE STI ETF (DBSSTI SP Equity)_updated_200820

ABF SINGAPORE BOND INDX FUND (SBIF SP Equity)_updated_200820