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Help Center - StashAway

Help Center

With Flexible Portfolios, you get the freedom to customise portfolios the way you want. You can choose which asset classes to include and adjust their allocations according to your preferences. You’ll also be able to create a portfolio from scratch or start with one of our template portfolios.

What are Flexible Portfolios?

Flexible Portfolio templates allow you to customise your portfolio from a pre-built template curated by our investment team. We currently offer 3 different templates: Risk-focused, Passive Income, and World Index Tracking. Whichever template you chose, you can decide which assets to include or remove, and adjust their allocations according to your preferences. See our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/r/flexible-portfolios-fund-selection" target="_self" rel="undefined">Flexible Portfolios’ fund selection</a>.

What are the Flexible Portfolio templates?

The Risk-focused template is designed to build the foundation of your wealth with globally-diversified assets that align with your risk appetite. It offers 5 different Risk Levels and has exactly the same composition as our signature General Investing powered by StashAway portfolios. But with the template, you’ll be able to adjust assets and their allocations based on your preferences. Do note that if you decide to make changes to your template portfolio, your overall portfolio risk might change, too. You will be able to see it in the app. See our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/r/flexible-portfolios-fund-selection" target="_self" rel="undefined">Flexible Portfolios’ fund selection</a> for more details.

What is a Risk-focused template and what does it comprise of?

The Passive Income template offers a 99% exposure to a variety of bond assets. This template may suit you if you’d like to create an additional income stream. You can choose from 2 risk levels that offer different risk-reward ratios. Do note that if you decide to make changes to your template portfolio, your overall portfolio risk might change too. See our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/r/flexible-portfolios-fund-selection" target="_self" rel="undefined">Flexible Portfolios’ fund selection</a> for more details.

What is Passive Income template and what does it comprise of?

Tracking market indexes is a popular method of long-term wealth accumulation, since they typically cover a broad range of diversified assets. For instance, global market indexes provide investment exposure to the whole world, reducing the impact of volatility from being overexposed to one region or industry. The World Index Tracking template offers 3 different Risk Levels. See our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/r/flexible-portfolios-fund-selection" target="_self" rel="undefined">Flexible Portfolios’ fund selection</a> for more details.

What is World Index Tracking template and what does it comprise of?

Yes, you can.

Can I edit my Flexible Portfolio after I’ve created and funded it?

We manage your portfolio by maintaining your asset allocations according to the proportions you set, including when market conditions change. We’ll also notify you if there are any major changes to your Flexible Portfolio’s Risk Level.

How does StashAway manage my Flexible Portfolio?

We rebalance your portfolios by maintaining the target allocations that you set. When market changes influence the valuation of the assets in your portfolio, your asset allocation may change. We’ll then re-align your portfolio to its original target asset allocation by buying and/or selling specific assets. Your portfolio is also rebalanced when you make a deposit, request a partial withdrawal, or make a change in the allocations within your portfolio. Rebalancing is important because it allows an investor to stay on target with his or her original investing strategy.

How does StashAway rebalance my Flexible Portfolio?

Yes, we’ll rebalance templates just like any other Flexible portfolio. Rebalancing a portfolio involves maintaining the target allocation that you set. We rebalance your portfolios because market movements can affect the price of assets, which in turn affects their proportions within your portfolio.

Will my templates be rebalanced? 

Yes, there’s no limit to how many template portfolios you can have.

Can I have multiple template portfolios?

Re-optimisation is when we change your target asset allocation in response to market conditions. Flexible Portfolios will not be re-optimised, so we’ll maintain your asset classes and allocations in the proportions you set them even if there are changes in economic conditions. However, we may replace the underlying individual ETFs within each asset class with more cost-efficient or preferable funds in the market.

Will StashAway re-optimise my Flexible Portfolio?

No, we won’t reoptimise your templates, just like any other Flexible Portfolio. Reoptimisation refers to the changes we make to other portfolios managed by us, in order to keep our clients’ risk profile constant during shifts in economic conditions. When this happens, we may introduce new ETFs or change the weightage of existing ETFs in our clients’ asset allocation.

Will my templates get reoptimised?

Your Flexible Portfolios will be rebalanced by us, but will not be re-optimised when economic conditions change. 
<ul>
<li class="wysiwyg-text-align-justify" style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Rebalancing a portfolio involves maintaining the target allocation that you set. This is done because market movements affect the price of assets, which in turn affects their proportions within your portfolio.
</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Re-optimisation refers to the changes we make to other portfolios managed by us, in order to keep our clients’ risk profile constant during shifts in economic conditions. When this happens, we may introduce new ETFs or change the weightage of existing ETFs in our clients’ asset allocation.
</li>
</ul>
Read more about <a href="https://www.stashaway.com/r/rebalancing-and-re-optimisation-at-stashaway">rebalancing and reoptimisation</a>.

What’s the difference between rebalancing and re-optimisation?

We choose the largest, most liquid, most tradable, and most cost-effective ETFs with the lowest tracking error to their indexes, and those with a sufficiently long track record. 
 
We choose simple ETFs, which means they have no leverage or complex payoffs, and have no ETFs to avoid credit risk of issuers. Read about our <a href="https://www.stashaway.com/r/how-stashaway-selects-etfs">fund selection criteria</a>.

How does StashAway choose ETFs for each asset class?

The underlying ETFs within each asset class may change. Our investment team carefully selects each individual ETF, and they may be replaced by more cost-efficient or preferable funds in the market.

Will the underlying ETFs under the asset classes always remain the same?

We keep at least 1% of your assets in cash for <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/help-center/360009982134-what-is-rebalancing" target="_self">rebalancing</a> and your platform fees.

Why can’t I remove cash from my Flexible Portfolio?

It's really up to you! You can create as many Flexible Portfolios as you want depending on your needs and preferences.

How many Flexible Portfolios can I create?

1% is the minimum.

What is the minimum allocation per asset class within a Flexible Portfolio?

There’s no minimum amount to start investing with Flexible Portfolios.

What’s the minimum amount required to invest in a Flexible Portfolio?

Our annual management fee for Flexible Portfolios ranges between 0.2% and 0.8%. There's no minimum investment amount and no subscription fees, switching fees, nor rebalancing fees. Learn more about <a href="https://www.stashaway.com/pricing">our pricing</a>.
 
You can also get free investing until 30 June 2023 on any fresh funds deposited into Flexible Portfolios with our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/help-center/6430514813849-what-are-the-terms-and-conditions-of-the-launch-promotion-for-flexible-portfolios" target="_self">launch promotion</a>.

What are the fees involved in creating a Flexible Portfolio?

No, however, you may create a new Flexible Portfolio with your desired asset classes, and then transfer the funds from your existing portfolio(s) to the new Flexible Portfolio.

Can I convert an existing portfolio to a Flexible Portfolio?

The Risk Level is a measure of risk, expressed as a percentage, whereby in any given year, there is a 99% probability that you won’t lose more than this percentage in terms of the portfolio’s value.
 
These are the Risk Level brackets for Flexible Portfolios.
<ul class="wysiwyg-text-align-justify">
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Very Conservative: Up to 7%</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Conservative: 8-13%</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Moderate: 14-19%</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Balanced: 20-25%</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Aggressive: 26-32%</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">
Very aggressive: 33% and more 
</li>
</ul>
For example, in a worst-case scenario, there's a 99% chance a Balanced portfolio won't lose more than 25% of its value in any given year.
 Generally, a higher Risk Level percentage denotes a more risky portfolio, and thus should be accompanied with a longer-term investment horizon.

How is the Risk Level calculated for Flexible Portfolios?

If you’re a client with <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/faq/900000198566-what-is-domestic-ringgit-borrowing-drb">Domestic Ringgit Borrowing</a>, you unfortunately won’t be able to access Flexible Portfolios. That’s because our Flexible Portfolios don't meet Bank Negara's <a href="https://www.bnm.gov.my/fep">Foreign Exchange Policy</a> requirements for customers with domestic ringgit borrowing. We encourage you to explore our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/how-we-invest">other investment products</a>, and to reach out to our <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/contact">Client Experience </a>team if you have any other questions.

Why can’t I access Flexible Portfolios in my StashAway account?

Here are the gross returns for the benchmarks of different Risk Levels, assuming that distributions are reinvested. 
<img src="https://stashaway.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/15979132148121" alt="table_of_content_-_FAQ.png">
The corresponding risk benchmarks are proxies for the MSCI World Equity Index (for equities) and FTSE World Government Bond Index (for bonds). Past performance is not a guarantee for future returns. Note that gross returns are not inclusive of fees. All returns are in MYR terms. Last updated on 27 February 2023.

What are the benchmark returns for the various Risk Levels of Flexible Portfolios?

Yes, you can get dividend payouts from any of the Flexible Portfolios, including from those built by you or from any of our templates. You simply need to update your payout preference on the mobile app (on your Flexible Portfolio overview screen like in the screenshot below).
 <img src="https://stashaway.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/13541159169817" alt="MY__4_.png"> 
The image is only for illustrative purposes
 Do note that the payout amount and frequency will depend on which assets you choose to add to your Flexible Portfolio. We also apply a monthly RM25 dividend payout minimum.

Can I get dividend payouts with any of the Flexible Portfolios?

Yes, to receive the dividends from any of your Flexible Portfolios (including the templates), your portfolio needs to generate a minimum of RM25 in dividend payouts on a monthly basis. This means that any amount you earn on your portfolio below RM25 will get automatically reinvested into your portfolio.
 Do note that payouts are only available to a local Malaysia bank account.

Is there a minimum investment to get dividend payouts from Flexible Portfolios?

The payout amount and schedule will depend on which assets you choose to add to your Flexible Portfolio. If you want to calculate exact earnings, you can follow these steps:
<ul class="wysiwyg-text-align-justify">
<li aria-level="2">
Find all available assets under Flexible Portfolios on <a href="https://www.stashaway.my/r/flexible-portfolios-fund-selection" target="_self" rel="undefined">our fund selection page</a>. 
</li>
</ul>
<ul class="wysiwyg-text-align-justify">
<li aria-level="2">In the list above, look for the assets in your portfolio and visit the links to the ETF pages </li>
</ul>
<ul class="wysiwyg-text-align-justify">
<li aria-level="2">On the respective ETF pages, look for ETF factsheets - you will find dividend yields and their payout frequencies there. </li>
</ul>
 Here’s an illustrative example:
 Let’s imagine you have two assets in your portfolio: 1% allocation to cash and 99% allocation to SPDR® Blooomberg 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF in your Flexible Portfolio.
 You’ve invested RM10,000 into this portfolio. You see that the dividend yield for the ETF is 3.84%, and the payouts are distributed monthly. Your monthly payout distribution would then equal approximately RM32 (3.84% x 10,000 divided by 12 months). In this case, because your dividend payout is above the RM25 minimum, you can choose to reinvest your earnings or have them transferred to your bank account.  You simply need to update your payout preference on the mobile app in advance (on your Flexible Portfolio overview screen like in the screenshot below).
 
<img src="https://stashaway.zendesk.com/hc/article_attachments/13541388593945" alt="MY__4_.png">
The image is only for illustrative purposes 
 Note that dividend payouts aren’t always distributed every month and amounts may vary as they are determined by the fund managers. As such, you may be above the RM25 minimum on certain months and below on others.
 Also note that payouts are only available to a local Malaysia bank account.

How are dividend payouts calculated for my Flexible Portfolios?

Questions about customizing your own portfolios