Good expectation and mindset for investment, have a long term horizon. But imagine this, assume yearly 10%, 5 years compounded total return 61.05%

Your investment of 1k will grow to 1.61k, will that additional RM 610 makes any big difference to your life? If yes, go on.

If not, then you should consider set aside a fix amount and invest periodically (weekly best, else monthly), with that you will get a more meaningful amount for your future self.

Ah, what I mean is, KDI Invest don't really offer anything attractive or unique to a person with international brokerage access. But it remains a good alternative to those who aren't willing to DIY.

Currently, KDI Invest's aggressive portfolio consist of ~65% $VT (Vanguard Total World Index) and the rest a mix of BNDX (Aggregate bond), CASH, and a sprinkle of miscellaneous ETF like QQQ and SPY.

Functionally, it's literally just a mix of VT (Total World Equities), BNDX (World Aggregate Bond), and CASH.

Such a simple portfolio can further be simplified by dropping BNDX (young people usually opt to not add Bond to portfolios until latter in investing life, or use EPF/ASNB/SSPN as pseudo bonds).

Thus, its a 1-fund portfolio consist of VT. Most brokerage charge very little commissions (free or 0.35 US cents) on US etfs, and the ongoing charges for holding VT is only 0.07%.

So to grossly simplify it, if VT returns 7% a year - you get 6.93% of the return. You get only 6.3% of the return if investing through KDI. (~10% less). This will greatly affect your compounding - and hurts a lot when market is sideways for a very long time.

Furthermore, VT's non-US alternative, VWRA, only pay 15% withholding tax instead of VT's 30% - that's another 0.5% different in annual returns.

So it doesn't actually take too much capital to quickly outperform KDI Invest or any roboadvisor investing in basically the same thing, but earn more simply you are paying less fees.

TL:DR: fees bad, KDI Invest no offer anything unique

Below RM3k no fees just need to pay for FX rate. If invest past 3k better go DIY buy via IBKR. That’s my take anyway.

Anyhow robo like these will always have their customers. They too lazy to DIY

Damn such an eye opening :thumbsup: If I see the market still in red next few weeks, will definitely top-up. Thanks for bringing up the confidence.
Okay, basically I was already flying when I saw lovelyuser remarks then suddenly your reply slam me back on the road with fun fact. Technically, it's good to share such information so that we can take every steps into consideration 

TBH, I'm still new in this investment thingy. All along, always park my extra in FD which I find very low return these few years (very discouraging 2-2.3% ) So no choice has to rely on KDI/ Stashaway until confident enough to DIY.

Any reference for beginner?   

Damn such an eye opening If I see the market still in red next few weeks, will definitely top-up. Thanks for bringing up the confidence.
Okay, basically I was already flying when I saw lovelyuser remarks then suddenly your reply slam me back on the road with fun fact. Technically, it's good to share such information so that we can take every steps into consideration 

TBH, I'm still new in this investment thingy. All along, always park my extra in FD which I find very low return these few years (very discouraging 2-2.3% ) So no choice has to rely on KDI/ Stashaway until confident enough to DIY.

Any reference for beginner?   

It'll depend on your capital, your investment interval, and how much you plan to deposit each time. It goes something like this:

1. 0 lump sum capital, plan to put in 200 or so a month build investing habit: Stashaway, KDI Invest is fine.

2. 500-1000 a month, prefer monthly DCA to better capture up and downs of the market - IBKR and buy $VT, accept paying 15% more WHT for cheaper trading fees. Move to Ireland domiciled &VWRA in the future when withholding tax drag is bigger than trade commission cost.

3. ~2500-3000++ a month, or willing to invest quarterly (save up to 3000-5000+ then one shot invest every 3-4 months): $VWRA on IBKR.

Fees for reference:

Wise forex MYR -> USD is about 0.5% forex charge
IBKR forex: 2USD fixed, spot rate.
IBKR US stocks : 0.35USD
IBKR Ireland domiciled USD denominated stocks: 1.70USD
$VT Expense Ratio: 0.07% annually
$VWRA Expense Ratio:  0.22% annually

Very good sharing, thank for the long explanation, it's so true that the lower the fees, the higher effective return our portfolio will be. Kudos!

Have you ever thought of how your portfolio can pass down to your love ones if anything happens to you? Estate distribution for each country differs and require lawyer of that country to run the paper work, which cost much more fees and time compare to assets setup in Malaysia (KDI). This could be an example of penny wise pound foolish. Worst is non of your family aware you have account in overseas platform, that will be equivalent to total lost.

Alternatively, make sure you write down your platform login particular with trading code, your phone password somewhere so your next of kin can access to the portfolio you setup with IBKR. Make sure you hide somewhere very hard to find but easy to find when you're gone.

My 2 cents for those who wish to have overseas investment platform, think long term, think about your estate planning, consult your lawyer or estate planner.

Hey, can someone PM their referral code? Looking to sign up, thanks!

Ah, what I mean is, KDI Invest don't really offer anything attractive or unique to a person with international brokerage access. But it remains a good alternative to those who aren't willing to DIY.

Currently, KDI Invest's aggressive portfolio consist of ~65% $VT (Vanguard Total World Index) and the rest a mix of BNDX (Aggregate bond), CASH, and a sprinkle of miscellaneous ETF like QQQ and SPY.

Functionally, it's literally just a mix of VT (Total World Equities), BNDX (World Aggregate Bond), and CASH.

Such a simple portfolio can further be simplified by dropping BNDX (young people usually opt to not add Bond to portfolios until latter in investing life, or use EPF/ASNB/SSPN as pseudo bonds).

Thus, its a 1-fund portfolio consist of VT. Most brokerage charge very little commissions (free or 0.35 US cents) on US etfs, and the ongoing charges for holding VT is only 0.07%.

So to grossly simplify it, if VT returns 7% a year - you get 6.93% of the return. You get only 6.3% of the return if investing through KDI. (~10% less). This will greatly affect your compounding - and hurts a lot when market is sideways for a very long time.

Furthermore, VT's non-US alternative, VWRA, only pay 15% withholding tax instead of VT's 30% - that's another 0.5% different in annual returns.

So it doesn't actually take too much capital to quickly outperform KDI Invest or any roboadvisor investing in basically the same thing, but earn more simply you are paying less fees.

TL:DR: fees bad, KDI Invest no offer anything unique

Where can you see what exact ETFs does KDI Invest allocate to? I can't find it anywhere on the app or the website.

anyone here dislikes the app?

anyone here dislikes the app?

yea no face or fingerprint scan makes it hard to login.
also need to wait statement on 1st to see any up or downs for the portfolio.

as long it can make profit on long term hold I'm ok.
Free management fees for first RM3k for KDI invest makes it a sell for me.
I like to have something easy to withdraw.. KDI invest suit this reason. (5 days wait time is standard)

withdrawing from IBKR back to Malaysia will incur higher charges (need to withdraw larger amounts to be worth it).

I registered the account at 1pm, got the approve by 4pm same day.

Made my first deposit last night at 10pm, till now still didn't reflect in the statement. Received email notification on the deposit but why is the turnaround time so slow hmmmm..

I registered the account at 1pm, got the approve by 4pm same day.

Made my first deposit last night at 10pm, till now still didn't reflect in the statement. Received email notification on the deposit but why is the turnaround time so slow hmmmm..

Hi, anyone can PM me their referral code ?