Buy Nasdaq in Singapore: A Simple Guide for 2025

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Syfe Singapore
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If you’re looking to buy Nasdaq exposure from Singapore, you’re not alone. The Nasdaq-100 ETF—led by giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia—has been one of the most popular ways to tap into the U.S. tech-growth story. In this guide, we’ll explain what the Nasdaq-100 is, why investors use a Nasdaq 100 ETF (such as Invesco’s QQQ or QQQM) for targeted growth, and how it stacks up in the classic Nasdaq vs S&P 500 comparison. We’ll also cover practical buying steps, costs and taxes, key risks, and how to position a Nasdaq tilt in your portfolio as a Singapore investor. Whether you’re brand new to the index or refining your strategy, this guide has you covered.

Invest in Nasdaq-100 ETF With Syfe Brokerage

Syfe Brokerage makes investing in U.S. ETFs simple. Enjoy unlimited free U.S. trades for your first 3 months, and at least 2 free U.S. trades monthly thereafter — with no platform fees and no hidden charges. Plus, with fractional trading on Syfe, you choose exactly how much to invest, even if it’s less than the price of a single share.

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Table of Content

What Is the Nasdaq-100 (and What It Isn’t)?

The Nasdaq-100 tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on Nasdaq. That means it captures many of the world’s most innovative firms across technology, consumer services, and communication services—while excluding financials. The index has rules for eligibility (seasoning, liquidity) and is reviewed and reconstituted on a schedule, with ad-hoc special rebalances if concentration runs too hot.

What it isn’t: It’s not the Nasdaq Composite (which includes thousands of Nasdaq-listed companies), and it’s not a broad U.S. market index like the S&P 500. The Nasdaq-100 is intentionally more concentrated—great when leaders surge; harsher when sentiment rotates. That concentration is central to both its appeal and its risk.

How it stays current: The methodology governs additions/removals, ensuring the index remains representative of the biggest non-financial companies on Nasdaq. Rebalances and reconstitutions keep weights in check; famously, special rebalances have occurred when top names overweight the index.

Nasdaq vs S&P 500: Which Fits a Singapore Investor?

At a glance: The S&P 500 holds ~500 large U.S. companies across all major sectors, while the Nasdaq-100 holds 100 large non-financial Nasdaq-listed companies with a notable tech tilt. The result is a trade-off between broader diversification (S&P 500) and more concentrated growth exposure (Nasdaq-100).

Performance context: Historically, tech-heavy exposures like the Nasdaq-100 have often led during innovation-driven cycles—but with higher volatility and deeper drawdowns than broader indices. If you’re risk-tolerant and growth-seeking, a Nasdaq tilt can complement a broad core. If you prefer steadier exposure, the S&P 500’s sector breadth can be a better anchor.

A simple framing:

  • Use S&P 500 as a core U.S. allocation (broad sector exposure, smoother ride).
  • Use Nasdaq-100 as a satellite tilt for growth, understanding higher cyclicality and concentration risk.

The Main Ways to Get Nasdaq Exposure From Singapore

1) Buy a Nasdaq-100 ETF (e.g., Invesco QQQ or QQQM)

The simplest path is an ETF that tracks the Nasdaq-100. Both QQQ and QQQM follow the same index; the key differences are fees and trading liquidity (see the QQQ vs QQQM section). You fund your brokerage account, convert SGD to USD if needed, choose your ETF, and place a buy order—many investors set up a recurring purchase to dollar-cost average over time.

2) Build a mini-basket of leading Nasdaq names

Prefer picking stocks yourself? You can buy several of the largest Nasdaq-100 companies (think the mega-cap tech leaders) to mimic part of the index. This gives you control, but it also means more work—monitoring earnings, rebalancing weights, and accepting the risk that a few picks may lag the broader basket. It’s harder to match the index’s diversification, and trading costs can add up.

3) Know the difference between trading products and investing

Some platforms market US Tech 100 products that are CFDs/derivatives—they’re geared for short-term trading, use leverage and incur financing costs. Long-term investors generally stick to unleveraged ETFs or stocks. If you explore trading products, understand the risks and how they’re classified in Singapore (EIP vs SIP) before using them.

QQQ vs QQQM: Fees, Liquidity, and Use Cases

Among Nasdaq-100 trackers, Invesco’s QQQ and QQQM are the most widely used by investors—QQQ is one of the largest, most-traded ETFs globally by assets and volume, while QQQM has grown quickly as its lower-fee twin. 

Want a deeper dive into costs, liquidity and use cases? Read our full QQQ guide.

Caveats: Both are U.S.-domiciled, distributing funds—dividends face 30% U.S. withholding tax for Singapore residents (see “Costs & Taxes”). Neither eliminates the Nasdaq-100’s underlying concentration in a few mega-caps, so portfolio sizing and rebalancing still matter.

Practical How-To: Buying the Nasdaq-100 ETF from Singapore

Step 1 — Open and fund a global brokerage account
Choose a broker that gives you access to U.S. markets. Deposit SGD, then convert to USD inside the app if required. Check for any conversion fees—they add up over time, especially if you invest monthly.

Step 2 — Pick your ETF (e.g. QQQ or QQQM)
Compare total expense ratio (TER), typical bid-ask spreads, and average daily volume. For long-term investors, the all-in cost (TER + spreads + FX + commissions) usually matters more than brand.

Step 3 — Place your order smartly
Use a limit order during U.S. market hours so you control the price you pay. If the share price is high, see if your broker offers fractional shares to invest smaller amounts.

Step 4 — Automate your plan
Set up a recurring buy (weekly or monthly) to dollar-cost average. This keeps you consistent and removes the stress of timing the market.

Step 5 — Maintain and rebalance
Decide your target allocation (e.g., “Nasdaq-100 = 10–20% of my equities”). Review once or twice a year or when allocations drift beyond a band (e.g., ±5%). Rebalancing helps manage risk after big market moves.

Invest in Nasdaq-100 ETFs with Syfe Brokerage

Syfe’s Brokerage makes it easy to invest in Nasdaq-100 ETFs like QQQ. 

  • Open a Syfe brokerage account, complete your KYC and transfer funds in.
  • Search for your preferred ETF using their ticker symbols.
  • Enter the amount you want to invest in. 
  • Double-check your order details and click “Buy” to place your trade.

What’s more, enjoy unlimited free U.S. trades for your first 3 months, and at least 2 free U.S. trades monthly thereafter — no platform fees and no hidden charges. Plus, with fractional trading for U.S. trades on Syfe, you choose exactly how much to invest, even if it’s less than the price of a single share.

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Costs & Taxes: What Singapore Investors Should Know

Total Expense ratios (i.e. ongoing fund fees)

A lower Total Expense Ratio (TER) is generally better for long-term holders; even a small difference can compound over time. Check the fund page/fact sheet for current expense ratios.

Trading & FX costs

Expect commissions, bid-ask spreads, and SGD→USD conversion costs. If you invest monthly, these recurring charges can add up.

Dividend withholding tax (WHT)

Dividends from U.S.-domiciled ETFs are generally subject to 30% U.S. withholding tax for Singapore-based investors. This doesn’t change the ETF’s price performance, but it reduces the cash dividend you receive.

Key Risks: Concentration, Valuation, and Currency

Concentration risk:
The top constituents in the Nasdaq-100 wield large weight, making performance sensitive to a few mega-caps. Special rebalances have historically aimed to curb outsized concentration—but the index remains top-heavy by design.

Valuation & cyclicality:
Tech leadership can drive bursts to record highs—and sharp corrections when the market rotates or macro shifts (rates, regulation, geopolitics). Recent records underscore momentum’s power; equally, prior pullbacks show the other side of the coin.

Currency risk (USD-SGD):
Your base spending is in SGD, but Nasdaq 100 ETF exposure is USD. A strengthening SGD can drag returns; a weakening SGD can boost them. Currency moves compound with equity swings.

Behavioural pitfalls:
Chasing peaks, panic-selling during drawdowns, and abandoning a plan are bigger threats than TER differences. Write down your DCA cadence, rebalancing rules and how you’ll act in a 20–30% drawdown—then stick to it.

Portfolio Fit

A simple framework to place Nasdaq in your portfolio

  • Start with a broad core. Make your main holding a diversified global equity fund/portfolio sized to your risk tolerance. This spreads exposure across the U.S., Europe, Asia, and more, giving you a steadier base.
  • Add a Nasdaq-100 “tilt.” Use a smaller satellite allocation to the Nasdaq-100 if you want extra growth potential from large, tech-heavy names. Keep it purposeful rather than your entire equity exposure.
  • Rebalance on rails. Review once or twice a year (or use a ±5% band) to bring weights back to target. This locks in gains after rallies and keeps risk from drifting.

Consider time horizon and risk tolerance as a guide to how much to tilt

  • Long runway / higher risk tolerance:: A moderate tilt can make sense (e.g., 10–20% of equities). Expect bigger swings; stick to a plan through drawdowns.
  • Closer to goals / lower risk tolerance: Keep the tilt smaller (e.g., 0–10% of equities) and rebalance more tightly to control volatility.

Quick Takeaways

  • What the Nasdaq-100 is: A tech-tilted index of 100 large non-financial Nasdaq-listed companies—higher growth potential, higher volatility.
  • How to get exposure: A U.S.-listed Nasdaq-100 ETF gives simple, diversified access; compare TER, spreads and FX rather than brand names.
  • Nasdaq vs S&P 500: Nasdaq can outperform in tech-led cycles but usually swings more; the S&P 500 is broader and steadier.
  • Costs & taxes to expect (SG investors): Commissions, spreads, SGD→USD FX, and 30% U.S. dividend withholding tax on U.S.-listed funds.
  • Portfolio use: Treat the Nasdaq-100 as a satellite tilt, not your entire equity allocation, and rebalance on a schedule.

Conclusion

The Nasdaq-100 is a concentrated slice of U.S. innovation—heavy on technology and digital leaders—so it can power long-term growth but will swing more than broader markets. From Singapore, the cleanest way to access it is a U.S.-listed Nasdaq-100 ETF. Keep the mechanics simple: fund your account, convert SGD→USD if needed, place a limit order during U.S. hours, and automate contributions with DCA so you keep building the position without trying to time the market.

Treat Nasdaq-100 as a satellite tilt around a diversified core portfolio. Size it so you’re comfortable holding through downturns; the same concentration that lifts returns in rallies can deepen drawdowns. Review your allocation periodically and rebalance to prevent the tilt from quietly growing too large after strong runs. Finally, pay attention to all-in costs (fund fees, spreads, FX, commissions) and remember your returns will also move with USD/SGD. Done this way, you capture the Nasdaq’s growth potential while keeping your plan disciplined and sustainable.

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

1) Is the Nasdaq-100 good for long-term investing?
It can be, if you accept higher volatility tied to a concentrated, tech-heavy index. Many investors pair a Nasdaq 100 ETF with a broad core to balance risk.

2) Which Nasdaq-100 ETF type suits me: lower fee or higher liquidity?
Lower fees help buy-and-hold/DCA investors compound cost savings; higher liquidity and options access benefit active traders. Performance should be similar when both track the same index—focus on all-in cost and how you trade.

3) What taxes apply to Singapore investors?
Dividends from U.S.-listed ETFs are generally subject to 30% U.S. withholding tax for Singapore-based investors (no U.S.–Singapore treaty). This reduces dividend cash but not price returns; brokers typically process it automatically.

4) Does currency matter?
Yes. You’re buying USD assets. If SGD strengthens, it can reduce your SGD returns (and vice versa). Consider this in your allocation and rebalancing plan.

5) Are leveraged “US Tech 100” products the same as ETFs?
No. Those are typically CFDs or other trading instruments with financing costs and higher risk—very different from a buy-and-hold Nasdaq 100 ETF.

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