{"id":4435,"date":"2021-09-27T13:43:08","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T05:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/?post_type=guide_article&#038;p=4435"},"modified":"2021-11-22T10:37:44","modified_gmt":"2021-11-22T02:37:44","slug":"how-to-build-a-3-fund-portfolio-as-your-core-investment","status":"publish","type":"guide_article","link":"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/guide_article\/how-to-build-a-3-fund-portfolio-as-your-core-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/invest.syfe.com\/financial-wellness\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"447\" height=\"504\" data-attachment-id=\"4697\" data-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/healthy-tips-calendar-plan\/\" data-orig-file=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\" data-orig-size=\"447,504\" data-comments-opened=\"0\" data-image-meta=\"{&quot;aperture&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;credit&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;camera&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;created_timestamp&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;copyright&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;focal_length&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;iso&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;shutter_speed&quot;:&quot;0&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;orientation&quot;:&quot;0&quot;}\" data-image-title=\"Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan\" data-image-description=\"\" data-image-caption=\"\" data-medium-file=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan-266x300.png\" data-large-file=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\" src=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4697\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png 447w, https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan-266x300.png 266w, https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan-373x420.png 373w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Investors looking for simplicity often turn to the famed Bogleheads Three-Fund Portfolio. As its name suggests, the portfolio holds only three funds, making it the ideal core portfolio for fuss-free investing.&nbsp;The three-fund portfolio typically holds the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A US total stock market fund<\/li><li>A total international stock fund<\/li><li>A total US bond fund<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why the three-fund portfolio works<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The three-fund portfolio has all the hallmarks of a good investment strategy: diversification, low cost, and simplicity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, despite holding just three funds, the portfolio is incredibly well diversified. It provides exposure to thousands of stocks and bonds across the world. As such, it\u2019s much less risky compared to a portfolio of individual stocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since a three-fund portfolio is usually built using low-cost index funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs), your overall investing costs are kept low. For instance, the Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is a popular option that\u2019s used for broad US stock exposure. Its expense ratio is 0.03%, meaning you pay just 30 cents for every $1,000 you invest in VTI each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Who is the three-fund portfolio suitable for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re new to investing and want to build your own \u201cset-and-forget\u201d portfolio, the three-fund portfolio is a good starting ground. You control the investments you put your money in, and you decide exactly how much to allocate to each fund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The three-fund portfolio is also a great approach if you want to invest with zero effort. There are no complex strategies to follow and no need to keep track of multiple investments. All you need are three ETFs that offer exposure to the total US stock market, the total international market and the total bond market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more advanced investors, the three-fund portfolio serves as an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/the-syfe-core-satellite-investment-approach\/\">ideal core investment <\/a>too. You can complement it by adding ETFs with targeted exposure to certain sectors or trends. For example, you could add an emerging market ETF or one focused on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/theme-detail\/?type=ESG_AND_CLEAN_ENERGY\">ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What ETFs can you use?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While the three-fund strategy calls for US stocks, international stocks, and bonds, the exact funds to use are up to you.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some ETFs you can consider. Most of these options can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/select-custom\">Syfe Select platform<\/a>. The international equity ETFs listed below exclude US exposure to maintain a more globally diversified stock allocation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Popular US ETFs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF <strong>(VTI)<\/strong>: Exposure to the entire US equity market<\/li><li>Vanguard S&amp;P 500 ETF <strong>(VOO) :<\/strong> Exposure to the 500 largest US stocks<\/li><li>iShares Core S&amp;P 500 UCITS ETF <strong>(CSPX): <\/strong>UCITs exposure to the 500 largest US stocks<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Popular international ETFs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Vanguard Total International Stock ETF (<strong>VXUS<\/strong>): Exposure to global stocks outside the US<\/li><li>SPDR\u00ae MSCI ACWI ex-US ETF (<strong>CWI<\/strong>): Exposure to large and mid cap global stocks outside the US<\/li><li>SPDR Portfolio Developed World ex-US ETF (<strong>SPDW)<\/strong>: Exposure to developed market stocks outside the US<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Popular bond ETFs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Vanguard Total International Bond ETF (<strong>BNDX<\/strong>): Exposure to investment-grade global bonds<\/li><li>Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF <strong>(BND<\/strong>): Exposure to the broad, investment-grade US bond market<\/li><li>iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (<strong>AGG<\/strong>): Exposure to the total US investment-grade bond market&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to build a three-fund portfolio with Syfe Select<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can create your three-fund portfolio by buying your chosen ETFs through a broker. An easier way however is through Syfe Select,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/select-custom\"> Singapore\u2019s first fully customisable ETF portfolio builder<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One key aspect is that Syfe does not charge any brokerage fees. If you\u2019re planning to invest monthly in your three-fund portfolio, Syfe Select is a more cost effective option compared to buying three ETFs each month on a brokerage platform.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a sample three-fund portfolio created on Syfe Select. You can set the allocation of each ETF as you prefer. In this example, we\u2019ve gone with the traditional Bogleheads allocation of 80% stocks and 20% bonds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, you should determine your own asset allocation by considering factors such as your age, risk appetite, time horizon and investment goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/D82NgQqwEAG50g97FvQqB0D-vPa0HkPStgGYkgEuoE99XHkoE5Gbw-gkoueYZ2lSM3tzlyl6zjq6pptCgdLtwZj_l3BgyY_Nhut1fVVi7fxSGFrK6Gn1sxYqdZKtdCt11COI9t9E.png\" alt=\"three-fund portfolio syfe select\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/h0mdeg3ont0UZXmIyUeJcjckudapnuCZHpEULCtQQwdAcM2F0SNLMK7N0SzZoQKHBuEjcnT613PYxlZt_e_3JEJ5Z1omQ72-qi5MAi13Zs_liUcZ_Pe5Smayq7iOMq_SBmjAZMgY.png\" alt=\"three-fund portfolio syfe select\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Syfe Select provides additional analyses such as the overall top holdings or geographical exposure of your created portfolio, as well as its historical returns. Such insights are not available through conventional brokers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Final thoughts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The three-fund portfolio is one of the most popular among investors, and for good reason. It is an easy, low-cost, and diversified way to invest. You can stick with your three-fund portfolio for the long-term, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-complement-your-core-portfolio-with-satellite-investments\/\">supercharge it by adding complementary satellite investments<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-complement-your-core-portfolio-with-satellite-investments\/\">final article<\/a> in our core satellite investing series to learn how.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","guide":[39],"class_list":{"0":"post-4435","1":"guide_article","2":"type-guide_article","3":"status-publish","5":"guide-how-to-up-your-investing-game-with-core-satellite-investing"},"acf":{"readingTime":"4","authorName":"","authorThumbnail":false,"publishDate":"2021-09-27","thumbnail":"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Copy-of-Stock-photos-18.png","order":"4"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment | Syfe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Investors looking for simplicity often turn to the famed Bogleheads Three-Fund Portfolio. As its name suggests, the portfolio holds only three funds,\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Connect\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-11-22T02:37:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/guide_article\/how-to-build-a-3-fund-portfolio-as-your-core-investment\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/\",\"name\":\"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment | Syfe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-09-27T05:43:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-11-22T02:37:44+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Healthy-Tips-Calendar-Plan.png\",\"width\":447,\"height\":504},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/how-to-build-a-three-fund-portfolio-on-syfe-select\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/\",\"name\":\"Connect\",\"description\":\"Helping you take charge of your financial future\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Syfe Pte Ltd\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/logo_black.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/logo_black.png\",\"width\":550,\"height\":240,\"caption\":\"Syfe Pte Ltd\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.syfe.com\/magazine\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment | Syfe","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How To Build A 3-Fund Portfolio As Your Core Investment","og_description":"Investors looking for simplicity often turn to the famed Bogleheads Three-Fund Portfolio. 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