What Makes Syfe Core Equity100 Different from SPY, VOO, CSPX, and VWRA

June 12, 2025

Many investors turn to well-known ETFs like the SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO), iShares Core S&P 500 UCITS ETF (CSPX), or the FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWRA) to gain equity exposure. And while these ETFs provide a solid starting point, they’re not without limitations – especially when it comes to concentration risk, optimisation, and maintenance.

That’s where Syfe Core Equity100 stands out. Designed for long-term investors, Core Equity100 offers broader diversification, portfolio construction through factor investing, and hands-off management – all tailored to investors based in Singapore. Here’s how it adds value beyond what traditional ETFs can offer.

Table of Contents

Managed and Rebalanced for You
More Diversified, Lower Concentration Risk
Factor Investing for Long-Term Outperformance
Transparent, All-Inclusive Fees
Invest Smarter with Core Equity100

Managed and Rebalanced for You

Managing a portfolio of ETFs on your own can be time-consuming and emotionally challenging. Investors often struggle with when to rebalance, what to switch, or whether to react to market movements.

All of this can lead to emotional stress and suboptimal decisions. In fact, studies (e.g. DALBAR) have shown that DIY investors tend to underperform the market by 1% to 3% annually due to behavioural mistakes and poor timing. In 2024, the average return of DIY equity investors lagged the market by a staggering 8.5%.

Core Equity100 takes that weight off your shoulders. We monitor market conditions, select high-quality ETFs, and rebalance the portfolio for you when needed. This means your investments stay aligned with target allocations and market conditions, without you needing to track markets or make constant decisions.

More Diversified, Lower Concentration Risk

Popular S&P 500 index-tracking ETFs like SPY, VOO, and CSPX may appear broadly diversified, but in reality, over 34% of their weight is concentrated in just the top ten US mega-cap stocks such as Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Global equity ETFs like VWRA offer broader coverage, but still have a high allocation to a few mega-cap stocks..

Syfe Core Equity100 offers a broader and more balanced approach. Built using multiple carefully curated ETFs, the portfolio spans over 4,000 stocks across the US, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets.

It also includes small- and mid-cap companies that are often overlooked in traditional cap-weighted indices. This significantly reduces regional and sector concentration, providing investors with more stable and diversified global equity exposure.

Factor Investing for Long-Term Outperformance

Core Equity100 goes beyond simple index tracking by integrating factor investing. It tilts the portfolio toward time-tested factors like value, quality and size, proven drivers of long-term returns.

What exactly is factor investing? It is a systematic, data-driven investment approach designed to outperform the market by targeting specific characteristics, or “factors,” that have historically been associated with higher returns.

Unlike traditional active investing, which relies on a manager’s judgement, or passive investing that simply tracks the market, factor investing targets proven characteristics like value, quality, and size. These factors have historically delivered stronger returns. It’s a balanced approach that removes emotion and adds discipline – helping long-term investors grow their wealth with greater confidence. Want to learn more? Check out this quick explainer on factors.

Multiple studies on historical performance have shown that factor-based strategies have delivered superior returns, especially over the long term across multiple market cycles. For example, if you had invested $1 in the S&P 500 in 1928, it would have grown to $11,861 by 2024. Impressive—but even better, that same $1 would have grown to $54,842 in US small-cap stocks, and an incredible $166,044 in US small-cap value stocks. This highlights the long-term potential of factor investing to significantly enhance portfolio growth.

Transparent, All-Inclusive Fees

While Core Equity100 charges an all-in management fee (as low as 0.25% – 0.65% per year), the total cost could often be lower than managing ETFs on your own. That’s because DIY ETF investing comes with hidden costs—brokerage fees (typically $10–25 per trade), high FX conversion charges from SGD to USD (typically range from 0.5% to 1.0% for retail investors), bid-ask spreads, and other platform fees.

With Core Equity100, everything is bundled into one transparent fee. No hidden charges. No separate trading and clearing costs. Just one simple, all-inclusive pricing structure that gives you full clarity and control.

Invest Smarter with Core Equity100

For long-term investors, especially those based in Singapore, Core Equity100 offers a powerful alternative to building your own ETF portfolio. You get broader diversification, factor-based optimisation, and a fully managed experience – all at a transparent, competitive fee.
Start your investing journey with Syfe Core Equity100 and build a portfolio that works harder for you.