Another ETF portfolio!

[RodolfoMcM]

Before I forget, just want to say awesome first thread for a newbie.

Thanks pin but there's a high chance I'm about to blow it by messing up this quote function...

Can I ask why you want your UK exposure to be so high? Home bias because you think you may move there? IWDA has 6% UK exposure already (its third highest exposure).

Home bias yes but definitely not because I have any view on the UK market potential versus anywhere else. I'm thinking about potential future UK expenses like looking after the folks, kids' university fees, spending at least a few weeks there a year. I guess there's an argument that the FTSE 100 is so international that it doesn't actually track what's going on in the UK (and actually moves inversely to GBP because of that). But the UK house builders, supermarkets, media companies are in there so I think it's as good a proxy as I can get (can't find a FTSE 250 that even accumulates dividends).

You have got me very nearly convinced on AGGG, however! Checking it out now.

[pin]

Thanks pin but there's a high chance I'm about to blow it by messing up this quote function...



Home bias yes but definitely not because I have any view on the UK market potential versus anywhere else. I'm thinking about potential future UK expenses like looking after the folks, kids' university fees, spending at least a few weeks there a year. I guess there's an argument that the FTSE 100 is so international that it doesn't actually track what's going on in the UK (and actually moves inversely to GBP because of that). But the UK house builders, supermarkets, media companies are in there so I think it's as good a proxy as I can get (can't find a FTSE 250 that even accumulates dividends).

You have got me very nearly convinced on AGGG, however! Checking it out now.

Another option. Open a Swissquote account and get a UK Vanguard Lifestratergy Fund. I think you need a minimum of USD100k (which you seem to meet).

The Lifestratergy fund has an inbuilt UK bias and may suit your needs (probably the 80/20 fund for you).

[Sith]

Can you convert other currencies within HK using Transferwire / InstaRem and then remit to an HK foreign currency account? I'm not sure about this. I think I did ask Ofx onetime and they said this wasn't possible. Also I think you may get hit with inward remittance fees (would obviously need to check with your specific bank).

Or if depositing to brokers like IB, Saxo, etc money has to come from your bank account, not from a third party remittance provider. Brokers don't allow third party transfers.

Edit just to add, IB still has better rates than Transferwire, InstaRem, etc.

Have you tried to transfer money from IB to an overseas account (in your name)?

[RodolfoMcM]

Lifestrategy is tempting and doesn't seem any more expensive than the underlying ETFs which is a bit strange to me. Ultimately, though, I'd like to go DIY because I can get a handle on exactly what is in 3/4 ETFs and why I've allocated the way I have rather than relying on Vanguard's view that it has chosen the correct allocation of 10+ ETFs that I don't intend to study.

[shri]

Another option. Open a Swissquote account and get a UK Vanguard Lifestratergy Fund. I think you need a minimum of USD100k (which you seem to meet).

Going on a tangent here - no tax / residency implications?

[pin]

Going on a tangent here - no tax / residency implications?

apparently not!

[shri]

I guess there's an argument that the FTSE 100 is so international that it doesn't actually track what's going on in the UK (and actually moves inversely to GBP because of that). But the UK house builders, supermarkets, media companies are in there so I think it's as good a proxy as I can get (can't find a FTSE 250 that even accumulates dividends).

CSUK - Tracks MSCI UK?

You might want to look FTAL, SPDRs tend to be low cost..

[RodolfoMcM]

CSUK - Tracks MSCI UK?

Which I think is pretty much the same as the FTSE 100 but with a cost of 0.33% compared to 0.07% for CUKX.

You might want to look FTAL, SPDRs tend to be low cost..

Though VUKASSA (or whatever the accumulating equivalent is) is cheaper. It seems that, in the long term, FTSE UK All Shares and FTSE 100 behave pretty similarly.

I think this goes to show that you can tinker indefinitely! My problem is I can't meet Saxo for 2 weeks so I'll have another 10 days of tinkering before probably settling on something close to the following (with many thanks for all the suggestions; still mulling pin's point that I'm over-exposed to UK):

IWDA 55%
EIMI 5%
CUKX 20%
AGGG 20%

[shri]

Ok, so Swiss quote is simply not a viable option for me..

Rod, would be interested to find out how you plan on getting access to the Vanguard fund - I assume you have UK residency / tax issues?

[RodolfoMcM]

Ok, so Swiss quote is simply not a viable option for me..

Rod, would be interested to find out how you plan on getting access to the Vanguard fund - I assume you have UK residency / tax issues?

The Vanguard Lifestrategy fund? I don't plan to. Haven't looked into the details because decided I don't want pursue it.