StashAway’s Latest Promo
StashAway is bringing new & existing investors a special promotion to help you grow your cash.
Earn up to 3.2% p.a. on your cash between 1 Jul and 31 Dec 2022.
New Users
- Simply sign up hERE.
- Make your first deposit into StashAway Simple between 1 July and 31 August 2022 to enjoy a rate of 3% p.a. on up to RM 20,000 in your StashAway Simple portfolio.
- Subsequently, successfully refer two friends to use StashAway Simple before 31 August 2022 to enjoy a rate of 3.2% p.a. on up to RM 20,000 in your StashAway Simple portfolio.
- Limited to the first 5,000 new investors only.
Existing Users
- Refer your first friend and earn 3% p.a. on your StashAway Simple portfolio when they make their first deposit into StashAway Simple between 1 July and 31 August 2022 on up to RM 20,000.
- Subsequently, refer your second friend to StashAway before 31 August 2022 to enjoy a rate of 3.2% p.a. on your StashAway Simple portfolio of up to RM 20,000.
For full terms and conditions visit the campaign landing page here
Moving on to the Main Article…
Latest portfolio updates can be found hERE at the bottom of the page.
If you’re looking for a referral or promo code, you can register hERE.
You get 50% off your fees for the first RM100,000 invested for 6 months.
Having been watching and hearing a lot about
I got to know more about the company itself and the team behind it. I was impressed by both the team and the technology behind
How Does StashAway Work?
I’ve put off opening an account for a while now as I wasn’t too sure what kind of investment strategies StashAway’s Robo algorithm was going to apply to my hard-earned money.
They call it the Economic Regime-based Asset Allocation (ERAA). In short:
1. You determine your risk levels
2.
3. ERAA will re-adjust the asset allocation to maintain your previously determined risk level
StashAway essentially invests your money in ETFs for you, covering every major sector depending on your selected risk profile.
I went for a higher risk (higher potential reward) portfolio. In fact, I went for the highest 36% risk index one. I’ll be updating my portfolio’s performance on a monthly basis. You can find it hERE at the bottom of the page.
Another thing to note is that the type of portfolios you have access to on StashAway depends on the risk assessment you did. 36% being the highest risk index. Some of you, depending on your answers in StashAway’s assessment survey, may not have access to the higher risk portfolios.
How Does StashAway Calculate Your Returns
Time-weighted Return
StashAway uses Time-weighted Return (”TWR”) to calculate your returns. And I’ve gotten a lot of questions regarding this metric.
Time Weighted Return measures the compound rate of return over a given period for one unit of money.
From StashAway’s website:
Time-weighted Return (TWR) is the most commonly-used way to calculate returns in the financial industry, and it’s an easy metric to compare returns between different portfolios.
By tracking the portfolio’s performance from your first deposit, a portfolio’s TWR removes the distortions that various cash inflows and outflows create. In essence, TWR measures the portfolio manager’s ability to generate returns, not the effects of an individual’s deposit and withdrawal behaviours.
In essence, TWR measures compound rate of growth. It eliminates the distortion created by your inflows and outflows of money. This is important as many using StashAway use the dollar-cost averaging (”DCA”) method.
Money-weighted Return
A Money Weighted Return measures the compound growth rate in the value of all funds invested in the account over the evaluation period.
This approach helps to gauge the effectiveness of the individual’s timing of deposits and withdrawals. As a result, MWR may also overweight or underweight the returns you see as a result of factors unrelated to the performance of the portfolio manager and their investment strategy. It will potentially inflate your returns when you deposit while markets are going up and understate your performance when you deposit while markets are going down. It will also give your lump sum deposit performance a larger weighting when calculating the money weighted return.
So, unless your portfolio manager determines when to deposit or withdraw funds from your portfolio, MWR doesn’t effectively measure your portfolio manager’s performance. You should only use MWR to compare two different portfolios if you have the exact same deposit and withdrawal behaviors for both portfolios.
MWR’s merit lies in that it clarifies the impact of the individual investor’s investment decisions (e.g., when you deposit and withdraw).
Is StashAway Safe?
StashAway is regulated by our very own Securities Commission (SC) Malaysia. That’s as safe as a Malaysian company can get in the capital market.
So, yes! StashAway is totally safe and they’re regulated.
That being said though, robo-advisors have been known to shut down. Your money however, will be held with trustees. So don’t worry.
StashAway Simple
The people behind StashAway have recently come up with StashAway Simple – a cash management fund in essence. They’re projecting returns of up to 2.4% p.a. Which is absolutely brilliant!
You get great liquidity with cash management funds. You can withdraw your money anytime. Comparing it to FDs, if you uplift your FD prematurely, you lose all interest you were meant to gain. No such thing with a cash management fund.
Also, with a projected return of 2.4%, it’s easily beating most FD rates right now with Malaysia experiencing all-time low rates.
As for its risks, they’re about as safe as FDs as StashAway Simple invests in money market instruments issued by banks themselves.
I personally use StashAway Simple as a place to hold my unutilized cash. I foresee myself eventually moving most of my cash here.
What I Like About StashAway
- As a retail investor, you get access to a multitude of investments from around the world including the US, Japan etc.
- You also pay lower fees only available to the big boys.
- Auto readjustment of your portfolio. You can leave your portfolio as it is for years and let StashAway handle it.
- Annual fees start at 0.8% and it goes down as you invest more. (Use my referral code below to get 50% off for the first 6 months)
- As foreigners investing in the US and other countries, we are liable to pay withholding tax. StashAway as an institution tries its best to reduce this for its investors.
Dislikes
I found that I was unable to pick and choose personally the assets which I want to invest in. The only choice I had as an investor was to reset my risk profile and look at the breakdown of assets to be invested in.
Why? This is in StashAway’s FAQ –
Based on your risk preferences, selected goal, and current economic regime, our algorithm carefully picks the ETFs most suitable for your goal. This allows us to provide the most optimal diversification personalized to you. As such, it is not possible for a customer to handpick the ETFs or the allocation.
Verdict and Review
StashAway I think is a godsend for people that don’t have the know-how and/or time to do their research and valuation of individual stocks. If it’s a simple buy and wait strategy you’re vying for then this is the platform you should use.
Instead of paying enormous and exorbitant fees for unit trusts and mutual funds here, go with StashAway. You’ll have AI invest for you, which means no emotional and irrational decisions by human fund managers.
Updated Oct’20
With the Covid-19 pandemic, StashAway performed pretty well with my 36% risk portfolio. They managed to reduce losses as the market tanked in March and a few short weeks after, my portfolio was back in the green.
I’m pretty sure not everyone was able to predict such a quick recovery by the equity markets in such a short time which was why we didn’t see huge returns for StashAway’s portfolios.
In short, StashAway managed to weather the storm. The algorithm works and I’ll continue making recurring deposits.
I’ll also be storing a portion of my portfolio into StashAway Simple for that sweet >2% returns.
Have any of you started investing in StashAway? How is your porfolio doing? And for those who are planning to start out, please do share the portfolio mix you’ve decided on and why.
StashAway Referral Code
First things first, sign up at this link hERE.
Dividend Magic has partnered with StashAway to get you 50% off your fees for the first RM100,000 invested for 6 months.
StashAway Step-by-Step Registration Guide
Now, I didn’t have too much trouble with the account sign up. It took me about 5 minutes but I’ll guide you through it as best I can. With pics.
My Stashaway Portfolio Update
I will be updating my StashAway portfolio on a regular basis.
May 2022
Total value: RM62,400.43
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM50,000.01
Current Value – RM46,814.01
Time-weighted return – 1.86%
Money-weighted return – -12.10%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM10,767.34
Time-weighted return – 7.67%
Money-weighted return – 7.67%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,819.08
April 2022
StashAway made a really bad move with China’s side of things and it has caused a huge stir, both in the portfolio and the community. I’m not gonna lie, I’m pissed. I wouldn’t have had a problem if they just continued taking up positions in China or even holding them.
I’m losing money! Guess what? The only portfolio doing well is StashAway Simple.
Total value: RM63,104.55
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM50,000.01
Current Value – RM47,405.90
Time-weighted return – 3.15%
Money-weighted return – -10.32%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM10,891.76
Time-weighted return – 8.92%
Money-weighted return – 8.92%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,806.89
January 2022
Total value: RM67,120.99
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM50,000.01
Current Value – RM50,867.39
Time-weighted return – 10.68%
Money-weighted return – 3.92%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,463.32
Time-weighted return – 14.63%
Money-weighted return – 14.63%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,790.28
December 2021
Total value: RM64,777.86
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM48,000.01
Current Value – RM48,575.135
Time-weighted return – 10.19%
Money-weighted return – 2.79%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,433.23
Time-weighted return – 14.33%
Money-weighted return – 14.33%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,769.28
October 2021
Right back on track this month! Glad I made the decision to put in a little more last month. Not at July’s returns but we are getting there.
Total value: RM61,904.62
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM44,000.01
Current Value – RM45,600.19
Time-weighted return – 12.82%
Money-weighted return – 8.92%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,552.14
Time-weighted return – 15.52%
Money-weighted return – 15.52%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,752.29
September 2021
A bad month for almost all my investments. My StashAway portfolio wasn’t spared as well. Apart from the usual RM2K per month, I moved an additional RM3K from StashAway Simple to the main 36% Risk portfolio. DCA + a little buying the dip.
Additionally, if you’ve been wanting to invest with a roboadvisor, now could be a good time. Of course, please do your own research and due diligence first.
Total value: RM58,171.19
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM42,001.00
Current Value – RM42,266.36
Time-weighted return – 9.41%
Money-weighted return – 1.56%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,167.54
Time-weighted return – 11.68%
Money-weighted return – 11.68%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM4,500.00
Current Value – RM4,737.29
August 2021
A pretty big dip in performance here. I, in fact, had hopes that StashAway would actually be making gains the past month. Will wait a bit to see if performance continues to drop.
Total value: RM55,033.95
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM35,001.00
Current Value – RM35,973.59
Time-weighted return – 11.03%
Money-weighted return – 6.34%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,350.24
Time-weighted return – 13.50%
Money-weighted return – 13.50%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM7,500.00
Current Value – RM7,710.12
July 2021
Total value: RM55,444.93
My stashaway portolio has steadily grown in value from a mere RM5K back in March 2020. Started regular monthly injection of RM2K in September as well as some extra money pumped in when the market was bad and now we’re at RM55K in value.
Returns have been pretty good so far and looking forward to the next 10 years. StashAway is the platform I most often urge beginners to start with when they ask me ”how to start investing?”. So if you haven’t already, sign up for Stashaway. And then slowly move to other assets.
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM33,001.00
Current Value – RM35,895.38
Time-weighted return – 17.96%
Money-weighted return – 21.46%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,857.11
Time-weighted return – 18.57%
Money-weighted return – 18.57%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM7,500.00
Current Value – RM7,692.44
June 2021
Moved some funds from StashAway Simple to my 36% portfolio to capitalise on the dip in the market last month. Making a little more gains. Just touched about RM50K in total value in StashAway now.
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM31,001.00
Current Value – RM33,541.37
Time-weighted return – 15.88%
Money-weighted return – 19.94%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,590.84
Time-weighted return – 15.91%
Money-weighted return – 15.91%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM7,500.00
Current Value – RM7,692.44
May 2021
With the dip in the markets recently, I’ll be moving some money out of SA Simple into my 36% Risk Index Portfolio. We should see it reflected in the next update!
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM24,001.00
Current Value – RM26,000.47
Time-weighted return – 13.25%
Money-weighted return – 17.45%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,416.45
Time-weighted return – 14.16%
Money-weighted return – 14.16%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,676.72
April 2021
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM22,001.00
Current Value – RM24,634.88
Time-weighted return – 15.99%
Money-weighted return – 24.70%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,443.90
Time-weighted return – 14.44%
Money-weighted return – 14.44%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,642.31
March 2021
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM20,001.00
Current Value – RM23,047.82
Time-weighted return – 18.20%
Money-weighted return – 30.70%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,374.55
Time-weighted return – 13.75%
Money-weighted return – 13.75%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,625.37
February 2021
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM18,001.00
Current Value – RM21,630.61
Time-weighted return – 21.69%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,444.72
Time-weighted return – 14.45%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,588.00
January 2021
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM16,001.00
Current Value – RM18,319.50
Time-weighted return – 13.97%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM11,010.15
Time-weighted return – 10.10%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,568.69
December 2020
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM14,001.00
Current Value – RM15,378.03
Time-weighted return – 8.01%
Dividend Magic US – Risk (30% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM10,603.19
Time-weighted return – 6.03%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM12,500.00
Current Value – RM12,559.17
September 2020 (Started DCA)
Dividend Magic – Risk (36% Risk Index)
Gross Investment – RM10,000.00
Current Value – RM10,753.27
Time-weighted return – 3.25%
StashAway Simple
Gross Investment – RM7,500.00
Current Value – RM7,500.00