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What you need to know about Ethical investing

Ethical investing is a type of investing process that considers an investor’s personal principles – could be social, moral, religious, political, or otherwise, before making investment decisions.
At ARM, the overarching focus remains to help everyone regardless of their beliefs or principles realise their ambitions – and so, to support anyone seeking to embark on ethical investing, the ARM Ethical Fund was specially designed.
What is the ARM Ethical Fund?
The ARM Ethical Fund is a mutual fund which invests in Sha’ria compliance securities to help investors invest in line with their religious morals or beliefs. This open-ended mutual fund with a flexible entry and exit scheme, provides long term capital preservation as well as competitive returns amongst other benefits in a professionally managed investment scheme. It is ideal for investing towards medium to long-term goals due to its exposure to equities which is a volatile instrument.
What it invests in and who it is for
The ARM Ethical Fund invests in shares, real estate, fixed income and other Islamic instruments.
The fund will not invest in any company that involves interest-bearing transactions, gambling, alcohol and tobacco, arms and ammunition or adult entertainment.
To ensure that the fund trades in line with Islamic principles, a Sha’ria advisory board chaired by influential Muslim individuals must approve of the investment portfolio before investments are carried out.
While the ARM Ethical Fund invests in Sharia compliance securities, it is open to every individual who is looking to protect his/her religious morals and beliefs.
Fund performance in the past five years
The ARM Ethical Fund has performed positively in the last five (5) years.
The coronavirus pandemic has also left the performance of the fund in the positive zone. Further to the long-term view of the funds, the current status of the stock market supports future growth.
3 benefits of the ARM Ethical Fund
  • Achieve long-term capital growth
  • Invest according to core Islamic values and beliefs
  • Open-ended which simply means that you can sell or buy into the Fund whenever they want.

Click here to sign up for the ARM Ethical Fund or send an email with subject ‘Ethical Fund’ to [email protected]  and we’ll  get in touch with you with further information.

Financial Market Update

The best performing sector over the month was the banking sector (+4.29%) while the worst performing sector was the oil and gas sector (-15.71%).

We expect the equity market to trade sideways in the near term in the absence of any positive catalyst however we would continue to take advantage of market opportunities to the enhance the value of the pension assets.

Fixed Income 

The fixed income market traded on a bullish note with yields declining across the curve during the month of June. The bullish sentiment was largely supported by the buoyant system liquidity and the reduction in the monetary policy rate from 13.5% to 12.5%.
We expect yields to continue on a downward trajectory largely due to the healthy demand from local investors for federal government securities.

4 Reasons you should diversify your Investment portfolio

As an expert stock trader or a beginner, one thing, you are constantly weary of is risk. The popular phrase -the higher the risks, the bigger the reward, has started to loose relevance, as day after day we realize that smart risks often present the best rewards, as they shield you from losses and unforeseen events. One way to take smart risks is by diversifying your portfolio. Simply put, DO NOT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.

In this article, we have analysed 4 reasons you should always diversify:

YOU OWN THE ADVANTAGE IN DIFFERENT MARKETS.

Diversification allows you to explore different markets. For instance, rather than just investing in the Nigerian Stock Markets, you might explore some other markets like NASDAQ or New York Stock Market, known to be home to stocks like Exxon Mobil, Uber etc. With this in mind, you should only trade with an app like ARMSTOCKTRADE that gives you the best of all markets.  Investing globally is great way to diversify your investments, because different areas of the world may be experiencing different growth than the domestic market, thus, creating principal shield, and higher returns potential for you.

YOU WORRY LESS ABOUT YOUR EXPOSURE TO RISK. 

Still on, putting all your eggs in one basket, basically, if you’re investing all of your money in one sector, your risk level is far higher. What if something happens and that sector crashes? E.g. the effect of COVID-19 on the travel sector. It is important to diversify by investing in multiple sectors, and with ARM Stocktrade app, you can do this, and also, enjoy research analysis that can guide you on which stocks/sectors to invest in that help you mitigate risk. By diversifying, you can spread your wealth sources around, so that you’re never risking everything.

Weather market storms.

Sometimes, a market event can affect a particular industry, which can negatively affect your entire portfolio. For example, companies in the Tourism and Hospitality are the most by hit by the recent Covid 19 pandemic. Diversification allows you to invest in a variety of industries, company types, and even different sorts of assets. By having a variety of assets, you are better prepared to weather market storms.

Gain a better understanding of the market.

Moreover, diversifying your investment portfolio will make you a well-rounded investor and trader. It exposes you to different markets and different investment types, ensuring you’ll gain a more inherent understanding of the economy and WHAT MAKES MONEY MOVE.

By continuing to educate yourself in these ways, you’ll expand your knowledge base. Knowledge is power when it comes to investing. The more you know, the more investment ideas you’ll be able to generate.

One thing is certain: the market and the business landscape are both ever-changing. By diversifying, you’ll be better able to stay mentally on top of it, thus remaining more nimble as an investor.

Start investing in local and foreign stocks, download ARM Stocktrade app now

A question of investing in dollars

Dear Financial Experts,

I hear that when there’s an economic downturn due to pandemics like the current Covid-19 surge, it is wise to consider diversifying investments. I want to know if I should go ahead and invest in dollars.

Thank you.

Jane Umenna from PH

Financial experts’ response

Dear Jane,

Thank you for writing to us with your enquiry. In response to your question, yes, investors can hedge their capital from downside risks of a possible naira devaluation by investing in dollars.

It also affords you as an investor the benefits of diversified portfolio whilst meeting any future dollar-denominated obligations.

One such investment vehicle which trades in dollar-denominated funds is the ARM Eurobond Fund. You can also trade in dollar-denominated stocks via ARM Stocktrade.

Please reach out to our Financial Experts today via [email protected] or 0700 225 5276 for further inquiries or  Click Here if you prefer for us to get in touch.

How to deal with a pay cut during this pandemic

How to deal with a pay cut during this pandemic – Realising Ambitions

One of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals has been the sudden reduced income, pay cut or layoffs by organizations seeking to lower costs and stay afloat.

If you suddenly find yourself taking home less than you’re used to, these tips will help you find a balance. Likewise, if you’re among the lucky few who won’t have a reduced income, using these tips to stay cautious with your spending will help you easily navigate the potential high cost of living brought about by the pandemic.

Create a monthly expense list

The first step is to create a new expense list based on your new salary. When building your new expense list, ensure to list the needs and wants in separate columns. This helps you to identify areas that you can cut back on more easily.

Slash spending

Try cutting your clothing, entertainment, and food spending by 10% across board. Making these types of cuts enables you to find the money that you need without heavily cutting back in any one area. One way to categorize where you can cut back is to try less expensive alternatives to some of your traditional spending habits.

It helps to work with a budget number in mind. Let’s say you have an income shortfall of N50,000 per month. Knowing this number gives you an idea of the exact amount you need to trim from your budget and also helps you prioritize your expenses.

Identify ways to save on necessities

You may want to consider scaling back on your cable TV bouquet to a cheaper option, reducing your internet cost and petrol usage for your generator. Although the savings may not be huge by cutting back on only one area, the combination may be enough to help you save money. Look into finding more affordable car insurance and find less expensive alternative shopping centers for your groceries.

Don’t cut your savings

Take a look at your financial goals and find a way to continue to save money. If you make a direct debit when you’re paid, it will be easier to keep saving because now when you’re dealing with an emergency is when you need to have savings to rely on.

Develop yourself

While you utilize the above-mentioned suggestions, consider:

  • Keeping up with certifications so that you can easily find another job

  • Exploring alternative income streams

  • Learning a skill that will position you for the future

Final words: It takes discipline to handle a pay cut because you may have gotten accustomed to certain lifestyle expectations. It is, however, important to know that this is a phase that will eventually pass, and your ability to effectively manage your finances now will help you manage it better when things stabilize and your earning power improves again.

Investment options in the midst of Covid-19

Hello Financial Experts,

What are the investment options available given the current Covid-19 pandemic?

Jude. A from Kano

Hello Jude,

In periods of heightened uncertainties, we recommend that investors remain cautions and position themselves to take advantage of investment opportunities in sectors with good fundamentals and growth prospects. Investors who currently have exposure to the equities market with a long-term investment  horizon must not feel pressured  to exit the market or worry about loss in their portfolios as a result of the decline in the equities market, however, they should expect significant upside as market conditions improve.

Please find below the following channels for investment opportunities below:

  • ARM’s Money Market Fund – An open-ended mutual fund with a highly liquid and low-risk profile that invests in high quality, short term Money Market Instruments;
  • ARM Eurobond Mutual Fund – A US dollar-denominated mutual fund that is authorized to invest in Eurobonds floated by the Federal Government of Nigeria and highly rated Nigerian corporates;
  • Eurobond investments– ARM Investment Managers offer investors access to invest directly in domestically issued Eurobonds; and
  • ARM Stocktrade– ARM’s proprietary mobile trading platform that provides access to trade domestic and international equities listed on the largest stock exchanges in the world.

How Offshore Stocks Are Doing

We hope you are keeping safe during this pandemic and observing all the safety procedures listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and various public health authorities.

The coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on the global economy and stock markets. While most companies’ shares are experiencing a dip, there are a handful of resilient stocks that are navigating this turbulent period better than others. here

As an investor, we hope you will take advantage of investing in these stocks. We also want to draw your attention to diversifying your portfolio by investing in offshore stocks. Here are some interesting names weathering the covid19 storm:

The online streaming giant, Netflix, has historically proven to be a formidable stock that can stand any tidal wave that may be putting some other giants on their knees. Recently, Netflix reported first-quarter earnings last week that showed a surge in demand for the service. The company reported that 15.7 million new customers signed up in the first three months of the year. This figure is higher than the 7 million users they projected for the year 2020. However, the impressive growth in subscription did not translate to an impressive bottom line owing to other charges that pressured profits. That said, Netflix stock has gained 30% so far this year.

In the same light, Microsoft reportedly recorded significant increase in the use of their services. As more people continue to work remotely, active users of the Microsoft Teams is said to have increased from 10 million last year to 44 million earlier in the month.Microsoft is expected to release result for the last quarter this week. The stock has gained 10% so far this year.

Like Microsoft, Zoom has become a household name since the pandemic started. Zoom’s stock has increased from $68 at the start of the year to $168 per share. Demand for Zoom is high during this new pandemic and it is a great add to your portfolio.

As the quest to find vaccines to the coronavirus pandemic increases, Gilead Sciences Inc, is one of the companies leading the trail. The pharmaceutical company is reputable for making HIV treatment drugs, and Ebola Virus vaccine, Remdesivir. The company’s stock has gained ~22% so far in 2020

These are only a few and we hope you will take advantage of these offshore stocks to diversify your investment portfolio. Start here

Download ARM Stocktrade App today and start trading both local and foreign stocks

To keep dollars in cash or not?

Hello Financial Experts,

Since this pandemic and lock-down started, my wife and I have been advised by friends to hold on to the cash we have at hand especially dollars. Do you advise us to keep our dollars in cash?

Thanks.

Michael from Lagos

Dear Michael,

We won’t advise you to keep dollars in cash because you’ll be losing income that you could have earned if that cash was invested.

We encourage you to invest instead in dollar-denominated funds such as Eurobond Funds to protect against downside risk (devaluation of the naira).

In dire economic situations like we have today, we advise investors to take on a risk-off approach by investing in safe haven assets such as Money market funds and Government securities with some degree of cash to fund anticipated liabilities. The current economic climate faced in Nigeria has found several investors seeking to lower their exposure to the naira relative to the US dollar as the nation braces for increased currency uncertainty.

We hope we’ve been of help at this time.

Thank you.