Steve Cronin, founder of Wise (wiseuae.com) a non-profit organisation to help UAE expats invest their wealth, is campaigning to alert people to the dangers posed by 25-year investment plans.
He says expats would do far better building a small portfolio of low-cost passive funds that track key stock market indexes because they give you access to a diversified range of stocks and their low costs boost your overall investment return.
Funds in your portfolio should vary according to your attitude to risk and the investments you already hold, Mr Cronin says.
He has produced four sample portfolios for The National, each containing a balanced blend of five different funds covering asset classes and markets. The funds listed below boast total annual charges, as measured by the total expense ratio (TER) of as low as 0.2 per cent a year.
1. The Abra – slow, steady and cautious
20% inflation-linked government bonds (global): iShares Global Inflation-Linked Government Bond ETF USD (IGIL). Total expense ratio (TER): 0.25%
20% government bonds (global): iShares Global AAA-AA Government Bond ETF USD (IAAA). TER: 0.2%
20% short-term government bonds (US): iShares $ Treasury Bond 1-3yr ETF USD (CSBGU3). TER: 0.2%
20% corporate bonds (global): iShares Global Corporate Bond ETF USD (CORP 0.2%)
20% equities (global): HSBC MSCI World ETF USD (HMWO). TER: 0.15%
2. The Reliable Brunch – a conservative choice with a bit of everything
25% cash: in a long-term savings account,
25% long-term bonds: iShares $ Treasury Bond 20+ year ETF USD (IDTL). TER: 0.2%
25% equities (global): Vanguard FTSE All-World ETF USD (VWRD). TER: 0.25%
25% gold: iShares Physical Gold ETC USD (SGLN). TER: 0.25%
3. The Desert Safari – a great adventure that still gets you home safely
20% government bonds (global): iShares Global Government Bond ETF USD (IGLO). TER: 0.2%
20% corporate bonds (global): iShares $ Short Duration Corporate Bond ETF USD (SDIG). TER: 0.2%
50% equities (developed): Vanguard FTSE Developed World ETF USD (VDEV). TER: 0.18%
10% equities (emerging): Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF USD (VDEM). TER: 0.25%
4. The Supercar Roller Coaster – exhilarating but not for the over-50s
20% corporate bonds (global): iShares $ Short Duration Corporate Bond ETF USD (SDIG). TER: 0.2%
30% equities (developed): Vanguard FTSE Developed World ETF USD (VDEV). TER: 0.18%
30% value equities (global): Vanguard Global Value Factor ETF Shares USD (VDVA). TER: 0.22%
10% equities (emerging): Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets ETF USD (VDEM). TER: 0.25%
10% small cap equities (US): iShares MSCI USA Small Cap ETF (CUSS). TER: 0.43%
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Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand
UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final
What's in the deal?
Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024
India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.
India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.
Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments
India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.