StashAway and Women in ETFs host Global ETF Insights and Circles

Exploring the Latest ETF Trends at Global ETF Insights and Circles

ETFs continue to grow in popularity worldwide, thanks to their cost efficiency, transparency, and ability to provide convenient access to a wide range of assets and markets.

On 4 August 2026, StashAway, together with Women in ETFs, hosted Global ETF Insights and Circles at Bloomberg’s Bangkok office. The event brought together industry experts to share perspectives on the evolving ETF landscape and how investors can use ETFs to build long-term portfolios:

• Rebecca Sin, Head of APAC Funds, Bloomberg Intelligence
• Rory Caines, ETF Specialist, J.P. Morgan Asset Management
• Jirawin Tochirakul, Managing Director, StashAway Thailand

Here are 3 key takeaways investors can apply to their own portfolios

Start with your goal, not what to buy

Before asking “Which ETF should I buy?”, a more important question is: “What am I investing for?”

Buying a home in five years, funding a child’s education, or preparing for retirement in 20 years each comes with a different time horizon and level of risk. Once the goal is clear, investors can determine an appropriate mix of equities, bonds, and cash, as well as how much they should invest regularly.

A good portfolio is not one that holds the hottest investments. It is one that is built around your goals.

More ETFs does not always mean better diversification

With so many ETFs available today, it can be easy to assume that adding more funds automatically means better diversification. That is not always the case.

Different ETFs can hold many of the same companies. For example, a US equity ETF and a global equity ETF may both have significant exposure to the same large technology companies.

Before selecting an ETF, investors should look beyond its name or recent returns and consider its underlying holdings, fees, liquidity, tax structure, and how much it overlaps with the rest of their portfolio.

Diversification is not about how many funds you own. It is about what you actually own across the portfolio.

The role of AI in a portfolio

AI, technology, and semiconductors continue to attract significant investor attention. But allocating too much of a portfolio to a single theme simply because it is currently popular can create significant concentration risk.

One approach discussed at the event was the core–satellite strategy:

• Core Portfolio: The main part of the portfolio, diversified across countries, sectors, and asset classes.
• Satellite Portfolio: A smaller allocation to specific themes or ideas an investor has greater conviction in, such as AI or semiconductors.

Thematic investments can add opportunities and variety to a portfolio, but they should not become its foundation. An excessive allocation to a single theme can leave the portfolio overly concentrated.

Ultimately, great investing is not about chasing excitement — it is about building something meaningful over time. Guided by a clear plan, thoughtful diversification, and the discipline to stay invested through every cycle, it becomes a powerful way to turn today’s decisions into tomorrow’s possibilities.

Please study the product's features, return conditions, and relevant risks before making an investment decision.