Q1 2026 was anything but smooth sailing, with the outbreak of war in Iran throwing global supply chains into chaos and spiking energy prices. Our portfolio posted returns of +1.09% in Q1 2026, underperforming the STI which posted returns of +5.15%.
I attribute this underperformance to the general price decline of REITs over the past two months, as well as some purchases of DBS around the 57-58 price range.
When the unit prices of our holdings are volatile, a constant stream of dividend cash flow serves as a great shock absorber. Dividend cash keeps coming in, and we can use this cash to build more dividend income streams.
New Satellite Portfolio: STI ETFs
While my main portfolio is custodized on Moomoo, I decided to expand our strategy from Q1 2026 onwards. I have started a new Dollar-Cost Averaging (DCA) strategy into the Straits Times Index (STI) ETFs, specifically the SPDR STI ETF (ES3) and the Nikko AM STI ETF (G3B).
To execute this, I have opened a new account with IG Markets. IG Markets is currently running a highly aggressive customer acquisition promotion, offering a guaranteed 3% interest on shares held (up to S$50,000 NAV) alongside a welcome bonus of S$188 and virtually zero platform fees. IG Markets is giving me a brand new way to optimize my capital efficiency. There are no referrals and I am just sharing what I think is a generous and accessible welcome reward.
We are stacking the inherent 3.5% dividend yield of the STI on top of a 3% promotional interest rate from IG Markets, to give ourselves an effective 6.5% yield for holding up to S$50,000 worth in the index funds.
This satellite also plays an important role in our overall investing strategy. This ensures that we capture the self-cleansing, total-return mechanics of the broader Singapore market to complement our focused dividend stock-picking.
I will continue the DCA strategy into these ETFs on IG Markets until we reach S$50,000 NAV, or until the promotional 3% interest ends. I have yet to decide if I will keep holding on to the ETFs for the long term, or if I will liquidate the portfolio and find a better use of capital elsewhere.
Q1 Dividends Received and Upcoming Dividends
| Status | Date | Stock / REIT |
| ✅ Received | 16 Feb 2026 | Kimly |
| ✅ Received | 25 Feb 2026 | SGX |
| ✅ Received | 2 Mar 2026 | Suntec REIT |
| ✅ Received | 11 Mar 2026 | ParkwayLife REIT |
| ✅ Received | 13 Mar 2026 | Mapletree Industrial Trust |
| ✅ Received | 19 Mar 2026 | Mapletree Logistics Trust |
| ✅ Received | 20 Mar 2026 | Keppel DC REIT |
| ✅ Received | 25 Mar 2026 | CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust |
| ✅ Received | 27 Mar 2026 | AIMS APAC REIT |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 6 Apr 2026 | Riverstone |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 17 Apr 2026 | DBS |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 8 May 2026 | OCBC |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 8 May 2026 | UOB |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 13 May 2026 | ComfortDelGro |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 14 May 2026 | CapitaLand Investment |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 15 May 2026 | Sembcorp |
| ⏳ Upcoming | 19 May 2026 | YKGI |
| ⏳ Upcoming | Late May (TBC) | Genting Singapore |
While the geopolitical headlines out of the Middle East are grim, we can still do our best to ensure our personal balance sheets remain robust. Volatility is a small price to pay for long-term wealth creation. All Huat!!
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