How does investing in REITS (under the approved CPFIS-list) directly using DBS compare with using Endowus?

HI!

I am assuming you are referring to investing directly through a brokerage.

The CPFIS SGX investable stocks can be found here. This is subjected to the 35% CPF investible in stock, compared to 100% for unit trusts, which is what Endowus offers. This is the first disadvantage, not being able to invest a bigger amount of your CPF.

Another thing is the dividends portion- Reits give high dividend, the unit trusts Endowus uses are all accumulating share class (no dividends, pure capital gain). For CPF investing it really doesnt make sense to receive dividends

1. you cannot use the cash flow from dividends anyway

2. you will incur agent bank fees for reinvestment of dividends if you do it through a broker, and brokerage charges.