Wahed Invest just launched their new thematic portfolio. The term "Thematic" is a trendy term to refer to a focus portfolio. In the past, such funds/portfolio would be called "Select Focus" fund. I guess the guys in the marketing departments decided Thematic was more trendy.
The portfolio will focus on specific areas of investment.
For the new year of 2022, Wahed Invest have 4 thematic portfolio. The details are as follows :
| Portfolio | Details |
|---|---|
| China Stocks A-shares (MYR) | Exposure to Shariah-compliant stocks within the China A-Shares equity universe that are expected to benefit from China’s new economy. This includes stocks in the technology, consumption, healthcare and 5G space. |
| Emerging Market Stocks (USD) | Exposure to Shariah-compliant stocks from emerging markets that are expected to benefit from higher economic growth and increasing demand for goods and services. |
| Malaysia REITs (MYR) | Exposure to Shariah-compliant real estate investment trusts (REITs), allowing investors to participate in a range of real estate-related assets and benefit from rental income distribution. |
| Money Market Fund (MYR) | Exposure to Shariah-compliant money market instruments, suitable for investors that seek short-term liquidity and regular income. |
Earlier last year gold and US focus portfolio were launched by Wahed Invest on top of their standard conservative, moderate , aggressive portfolios.
I've signed up for the Local REIT thematic portfolio. A quick check shows the REIT portfolio only has got exposure to KLCCP and Axis REIT. Interestingly, the robo advisor also allocates into other asset classes despite being a thematic REIT portfolio. I've already got exposure to emerging markets and china A shares via my unit trust/mutual fund portfolios so for now I'm not building these thematic portfolios. As for money market portfolio, there's already so many players (Stashaway Simple, Versa, Opus Touch, Public Mutual eCash, Touch N Go GO+) in the market with this type of flexible funds so I'm out for now.
I believe in the near future in 2022, Wahed Invest will launch an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) portfolio since they have listed their Shariah-Compliant and ESG-Aware ETF on Nasdaq (Wahed Dow Jones Islamic World ETF UMMA).
Stashaway, the other robo advisor in Malaysia has their own version of thematic portfolio which is focus on vertical sectors (healthcare, technology, consumer tech) than country or REIT specific like Wahed Invest's thematic portfolio.
Do take note Wahed Invest charges a 1.00% currency exchange service fee for all deposits, withdrawals and inter-fund transfers to and from a foreign denominated thematic portfolio which will be only applicable to US Stocks (portfolio) and Emerging Market Stocks thematic portfolios
📍Links
https://wahedinvest.com/portfolio/
📍Referral Link to sign up to Wahed Invest Malaysia
You can use my referral/invite code : cheong1 when signing up. You and I will get RM10 for each activation after you have topped up a minimum RM100, from there you can do your invites to friends also.
