Latest news with #BrokerChooser
Independent Singapore
9 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore ranks 2nd most 'investing-obsessed' country globally
SINGAPORE: Singapore has been ranked the second most 'investing-obsessed' country in the world, according to forex broker BrokerChooser . The study examined global search volumes of investment-related terms and found that Singapore had 22,527 such searches per million people each month. Only Australia ranked higher, with 29,359 searches. BrokerChooser analysed commonly searched phrases, such as 'how to trade forex,' 'which crypto to buy now,' and 'investing for beginners,' to rank each country. The report also revealed that Singaporeans are especially curious about crypto, which accounted for 8,108 of the monthly searches. Forex-related searches came next at 5,962, followed by general investing questions like 'how to invest my money' at 3,322. Other 'investing-obsessed' countries in the top 10 were Kenya (17,288), New Zealand (16,061), Canada (14,566), the UAE (13,904), the UK (12,655), Ireland (11,096), and the US (10,194), with Malaysia (8,589) completing the list. Adam Nasli from BrokerChooser said that while many people still hesitate to start investing, the growing curiosity worldwide shows that more are ready to move past hesitation and explore what's possible. 'Some of the biggest barriers tend to be a lack of knowledge and fear of losing money,' he noted, adding that learning about risk management and diversifying portfolios can help starting investors make informed decisions instead of reacting out of fear. 'Once you get past those initial hurdles, smart investing opens up real opportunities to build sustainable wealth. Rather than seeing it as a gamble, think of it as a strategic tool to achieve your financial goals,' he added. A separate survey from BrokerChooser also revealed that younger adults have become more interested in investing, with about 30% of Gen Z starting to invest while still in university or early adulthood . /TISG Read also: 'Equity', 'ETF', and 'GDP' are the top financial terms Singaporeans don't understand
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Australia, Singapore, Kenya most curious on investing; India ranks 13th
Are you a saver looking to grow your money? According to a new analysis by forex broker platform BrokerChooser, India ranks 13th globally for online interest in investing. Based on monthly Google search volumes per capita, the study finds that Indian users are especially drawn to stock market queries, reflecting a growing appetite for retail investing among younger generations. The country recorded 2,629 monthly investment-related searches per million residents, with 'stocks' emerging as the top category (1,138 searches), followed by crypto (501), forex (625), and general investing terms like 'investing for beginners' (259). • It surpasses Malaysia's stock-related search volumes by over 50% • However, India still lags behind the global top tier, with Australia, Singapore, and Kenya leading the list with significantly higher search activity. India's youth, stocks and search-driven curiosity BrokerChooser's findings align with broader shifts in India's financial habits. With growing financial uncertainty, younger Indians are actively turning to digital platforms to learn how to invest and diversify income sources. While real estate and gold remain traditional assets, stock market participation is accelerating, fuelled by mobile trading apps, social media finance influencers, and SIP awareness campaigns. Crypto remains a secondary, but notable, area of interest—despite regulatory ambiguity. Monthly searches for cryptocurrency-related terms like 'which crypto to buy now' stood at 501 per million, showing sustained curiosity among tech-savvy users. Australia tops the global chart, but Asia not far behind Australia ranked first globally with 29,359 monthly investment-related searches per million people, driven by interest in stocks (17,654) and crypto (6,691). Singapore came second (22,527), and Kenya third (17,288)—with Kenya notably leading in forex-related search activity. India's position in the middle tier of the rankings suggests a growing but still maturing investing culture, with knowledge gaps and risk aversion acting as key barriers. BrokerChooser's Adam Nasli attributed hesitation globally to lack of confidence and misinformation. 'A lot of people hesitate to make their first move into investing, often held back by fear of making the wrong decision… Once you get past those initial hurdles, smart investing opens up real opportunities to build sustainable wealth,' said Nasli. The report tracks global search interest in five investing categories—crypto, forex, general investing, stocks, and ETFs—offering a digital snapshot of which countries are most eager to build financial literacy and engage in long-term wealth creation. Top 15 countries by investment-related search interest (per one million residents): 1. Australia – 29,359 total searches Crypto: 6,691 Forex: 2,122 General investing: 1,412 Stocks: 17,654 ETFs: 1,478 2. Singapore – 22,527 Crypto: 8,108 Forex: 5,962 General investing: 3,322 Stocks: 3,245 ETFs: 1,891 3. Kenya – 17,288 Crypto: 414 Forex: 16,757 (highest globally) General investing: 38 Stocks: 64 ETFs: 14 4. New Zealand – 16,061 Crypto: 7,112 Forex: 2,371 General investing: 1,361 Stocks: 4,646 ETFs: 571 5. Canada – 14,566 Crypto: 5,044 Forex: 1,601 General investing: 708 Stocks: 5,702 ETFs: 1,510 6. UAE – 13,904 Crypto: 3,552 Forex: 6,161 General investing: 2,142 Stocks: 1,564 ETFs: 485 7. UK – 12,655 Crypto: 4,974 Forex: 2,282 General investing: 1,326 Stocks: 3,331 ETFs: 742 8. Ireland – 11,096 Crypto: 5,011 Forex: 1,262 General investing: 603 Stocks: 3,514 ETFs: 706 9. US – 10,194 Crypto: 3,953 Forex: 1,101 General investing: 930 Stocks: 3,165 ETFs: 1,045 10. Malaysia – 8,589 Crypto: 1,677 Forex: 5,392 General investing: 460 Stocks: 752 ETFs: 307 11. Hong Kong – 8,067 Crypto: 2,427 Forex: 827 General investing: 2,393 Stocks: 960 ETFs: 1,460 12. South Africa – 4,057 Crypto: 710 Forex: 2,749 General investing: 229 Stocks: 276 ETFs: 93 13. India – 2,629 Crypto: 501 Forex: 625 General investing: 259 Stocks: 1,138 ETFs: 106 14. Pakistan – 2,078 Crypto: 398 Forex: 1,325 General investing: 58 Stocks: 285 ETFs: 12 15. Philippines – 1,714 Crypto: 700 Forex: 504 General investing: 120 Stocks: 349 ETFs: 41
Independent Singapore
10-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
"Equity", "ETF", and "GDP" are the top financial terms Singaporeans don't understand
SINGAPORE: More younger adults in Singapore have become interested in investing , with some starting as early as university. However, new research from forex broker experts at BrokerChooser shows that many still struggle to understand financial jargon. According to the report, 'equity' is the most confusing financial term both globally and in Singapore, with 2,170 searches a month locally and over 247,000 worldwide. Adam Nasli, Head Analyst at BrokerChooser, said the confusion about what equity is comes from its broad usage in different contexts. He defined it as the amount an owner would retain if they sold an asset or business after settling any debts tied to it. 'In simple terms, it's the value you truly own. If you own a house worth $300,000 and you owe $200,000 on the mortgage, your equity in the home is $100,000,' he said, citing an example. Meanwhile, in the stock market, equity usually refers to shares in a company, giving investors partial ownership, potential voting rights, and a share in the profits. 'As with a home, a company's equity represents the difference between its assets and liabilities—what the owners would effectively be left with after selling all assets and settling all obligations,' he added. ETF (Exchange Traded Fund) ranked the second most confusing financial term for Singaporeans, racking up 1,800 local searches and 142,230 globally. While many people are drawn to ETFs because of their low fees, tax efficiency, and flexibility, many still struggle to understand what ETFs are. 'Think of it as a ready-made investment portfolio that trades on the market,' Mr Nasli said. 'Whether you're looking to invest in a specific sector, track a major index like the S&P 500, or gain exposure to gold or tech stocks, there's likely an ETF for it,' he added. Meanwhile, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) ranked third on the list, even though it's often mentioned in the news. Singaporeans search for what it means 1,500 times on a monthly average, while 176,800 do so globally. See also Hedge Funds vs Mutual Funds vs ETFs – Which Should I Invest In? Other financial terms Singaporeans find most confusing include: arrears, correlation, yield, annuity, capital, APR (annual percentage rate), and principal. While 55% of Singaporeans said they are financially illiterate, 52% don't even know how much they spend each month, costing the average Singaporean household between S$1,997 and S$5,410 every year. The study also highlighted that those with low financial literacy are 'worse off', even when they're earning similar income levels compared to their financially literate peers. Mr Nasli said, 'People need to be better equipped not only to manage their money wisely but also to protect themselves from misleading offers and deceptive financial products.' /TISG Read also: More women take seats on the board in Singapore's top 100 SGX-listed companies Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Independent Singapore
07-06-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Gen Z and Millennials are confident in spotting scams, yet are the first to jump into new investments
Are Gen Z and Millennials too clever for their own good? While these risk-tolerant investors may feel the most confident about spotting scams, they're also the most likely to jump into new investment opportunities, sometimes without conducting proper due diligence . A recent survey by forex broker experts at BrokerChooser found that 76.22% of 25- to 34-year-olds are 'confident' they can spot investment scams, and 32.62% even said they are 'very confident.' Across all age groups, 60.20% of respondents felt confident spotting scams—but only 16.8% were 'very confident,' with that number dropping to just 8.67% among those over 55. At the same time, a striking 91% admitted they would act in ways that could expose them to fraud. When asked what they'd do when presented with a new forex investment platform 'pending regulation,' claiming to have 2,000 investors and offering returns of 15% to 20% per month, 35.67% of respondents aged 25 to 34 said they'd ask friends or family if they'd heard of it. According to the report, this is a form of social proof that scammers often exploit. Millennials (26.53%) and Gen Z (20.21%) said they would 'test' the platform by investing a small amount, compared to just 3% of Boomers, unknowingly exposing themselves to greater risk. This comes as investment scams surge worldwide. In 2024 alone, Infosecurity Magazine reported that fake investment domains jumped 25% compared to the previous year, with nearly 13,000 fake investment domains detected across more than 7,000 IP addresses. Globally, it is estimated that over US$1 trillion was stolen through scams, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Despite these, interest in investing among younger adults continues to rise. About 30% of Gen Z started investing while still in university or early adulthood—over three times more than Gen X (9%) and five times more than Boomers (6%). BrokerChooser also found that younger investors are more likely to be swayed by common scam tactics. Almost one in five Gen Zs (19.96%) said screenshots of profitable trades would convince them to invest, while 15.03% would trust celebrity or influencer endorsements. See also Is Cash Out Refinancing a Smart Financial Move? 'This is concerning given that two out of three forex customers typically lose money and the fact that 50% of fraud now involves the use of AI, which can be used to fake images,' it noted. Notably, OSC research found that people were 22% more likely to invest in AI-enhanced scams than in traditional ones. Meanwhile, 35.37% of Millennials said they would trust testimonials from so-called 'successful traders,' even though these could be easily faked or paid endorsements to create a false sense of credibility. One of the most common red flags, unregulated platforms claiming to be 'pending approval,' still manages to hook people. When asked how they would verify the legitimacy of a forex trading platform, 23.15% of respondents said they would ask the broker directly for copies of their licences and certificates. However, this can be risky, as it relies entirely on trusting the broker's word, who may provide forged or misleading documentation. See also Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore for Jan 2024 Krisztián Gátonyi, from BrokerChooser, said, 'It's critical that people learn to pause and verify, checking for official registration with financial regulators and scrutinising contact information.' He noted, 'A quarter of young investors admit to making impulsive decisions in order to keep up with current investment trends, often leaving little time to properly evaluate the risks. Amid a sharp rise in investment scams, this behaviour is particularly dangerous, especially as fraudsters grow increasingly sophisticated in how they present themselves.' 'With the rise of AI, we're now seeing realistic fake websites, chatbot 'advisors', and even deepfake videos of celebrities endorsing bogus schemes. It's becoming harder for even seasoned investors to separate genuine opportunities from high-tech fraud,' he added. /TISG Read also: Fraud and scams driven by generative AI are now among the biggest cyber threats in the financial sector
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Investment in Aberdeen increases by over 10,000% in five years
BrokerChooser, a global platform specializing in brokerage analysis and comparison, recently released a new study that reveals investment trends across the UK, finding that Aberdeen has had the most dramatic growth in business investment in the last five years with an 11,590% increase. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... While London still takes the top spot, several regional cities have shown significant growth in investment similar to Aberdeen, with Nottingham also seeing exponential increases compared to 2019. According to the latest data, London recorded an investment amount of £54.2 billion in 2024, a 174% increase from 2019. It also had the highest number of investors (61,594) and search volume (73,080), further cementing its position as the UK's financial powerhouse. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Beyond London, Aberdeen saw an extraordinary 11,590% surge in investment compared to 2019, with funding rising from £3.2 million to £379.5 million, while Nottingham followed with a 7,388% increase. The top 10 cities for investment in the UK Meanwhile, some key UK cities experienced declines. Manchester, despite ranking second overall, saw a 9% drop in investment since 2019, now standing at £2.8 billion. Birmingham faced the most significant decline, with investment levels plummeting 97% to £59.1 million. Despite challenges in certain regions, the UK's investment landscape remains dynamic, with emerging cities experiencing rapid growth. The data suggests that while London retains its stronghold, shifting investment patterns highlight new opportunities across the country. For those looking to contribute to their city's investment landscape, understanding key investment strategies is essential. Whether based in a thriving hub like Aberdeen or Nottingham, where investment has surged in recent years, or in a city experiencing fluctuations like Manchester or Birmingham, making informed decisions can help maximise opportunities. Navigating the complexities of investing requires careful consideration of brokerage options, asset diversification, and long-term growth potential. With that in mind, BrokerChooser has outlined essential tips for individuals looking to start their investment journey with confidence. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad BrokerChooser's tips for people looking to get into investing: Before getting started, new investors should consider several key factors, including which types of assets matter most to them, potential broker fees, and how much they plan to deposit. BrokerChooser offers expert advice on what to watch for before diving into investing: Selecting a trusted and regulated broker is a key first step for those entering the market. This is especially important as the number of scam brokers has increased significantly in recent years. While there is no right time to start investing, historically, markets have shown that starting early has led to long-term growth despite short-term ups and downs, making it always the right time to start learning and exploring opportunities. Another key aspect of investing is diversification, which means spreading investments across different asset classes such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and index funds. Diversification is seen as a way to manage risk and navigate market fluctuations. 'There is definitely development and diversification in the UK's investment landscape, with impressive growth in areas that used to fly under the radar,' said Adam Nasli, Analyst Head, BrokerChooser. 'As individuals embark on their investment journey, securing a trustworthy brokerage partner is the most crucial step. This can be achieved only through transparent, uncomplicated comparisons of online brokers. There remains significant work to be done on this front to empower individuals to make sound financial choices and navigate the increasingly complex financial world.'
