How I’m building a global stock portfolio for growth and passive income

This post was created in partnership with IG Markets All views and opinions expressed in this article are Beansprout's objective and professional opinions.

What happened?

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about building a portfolio for long-term growth and income. 

While the US still offers access to many of the world’s leading companies, I’ve been looking beyond US stocks to diversify across markets and tap different opportunities. 

Singapore remains useful for dividend-paying stocks and REITs, while markets like the UK, Hong Kong, and Japan can add another layer of diversification. 

The challenge is that investing across multiple markets can come with friction, from brokerage fees to juggling multiple platforms. 

Recently, I came across IG Markets, a broker that offers access to stocks and ETFs across five global markets with zero trading fees. 

On top of that, it also pays 3% p.a. interest on eligible invested shares and ETFs. 

Here’s how I’d think about building a globally diversified portfolio for both growth and income, and how IG Markets could fit into that approach.

Why I’m building a globally diversified portfolio for growth and income

Building a globally diversified portfolio would allow me to have exposure to different sources of return.

This could mean owning broad market ETFs, global companies with strong earnings potential, or countries and sectors that may benefit from long-term structural trends.

Meanwhile, having a portion of my portfolio in dividend-paying Singapore stocks, REITs, income-oriented ETFs, or even overseas holdings that provide distributions would allow me to earn passive income. 

Taking a global approach also helps me avoid relying too heavily on one country, one market narrative, or one currency.

By spreading my portfolio across markets, I can potentially build something that is more balanced, with some holdings contributing growth and others contributing income.

Using IG Markets to build a globally diversified portfolio

#1 – Access five major markets in one place

IG Markets gives investors access to five major markets from a single account:

• Singapore (SGX)
• United States (NYSE & NASDAQ)
• United Kingdom (LSE)
• Hong Kong (HKEX)
• Japan (TSE)

Source: IG Markets

You can build a globally diversified portfolio without juggling multiple accounts: Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), US tech stocks, UK dividend stocks, Hong Kong China-tech shares like Alibaba, and Japanese equities side by side.

IG Markets also provides access to some of the most widely used US-listed ETFs tracking the S&P 500, such as SPY and VOO. 

IG Markets is one of the few low-cost brokers in Singapore that offers access to the London Stock Exchange, where popular globally diversified ETFs like the Vanguard FTSE All-World UCITS ETF (VWRP) and iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI) are traded. 

IG Markets also supports fractional share investing in the US market, letting you invest from as little as S$1. 

This lowers the barrier to entry, making it easier to build diversified portfolios even with small amounts.

#2 – Trade with zero fees

IG Markets charges zero commission on all stock and ETF trades, with no platform, custody, inactivity, or settlement fees. 

This means you keep 100% of your gains without broker fees eating into returns. 

Many other platforms charge around S$0.99 per order or percentage-based fees. IG Markets does not.

Other fees and charges may apply.

Source: IG Markets

As with all brokers, there are unavoidable pass-through costs such as currency conversion spreads for foreign markets and mandatory exchange fees like SGX clearing or UK stamp duty. 

#3 – Earn 3% p.a interest on shares

You also can earn 3% p.a. interest on shares and ETFs you already hold in your account. 

Source: IG Markets

This isn't interest on idle cash, which many brokers offer, but interest on your actual invested holdings. 

Interest is paid on holdings up to S$50,000, with no minimum balance or lock-in period, and payouts are credited in Singapore dollars on the first day of the following month. 

To qualify, you need to make one trade per month. 

Learn more about how the 3% p.a. interest on shares works here 

#4 – Simple, easy-to-use mobile app 

If you’re building a portfolio for growth and income over the long term, you may not need something designed for short-term trading decisions. 

Instead, you may prefer a platform that makes it easy to find investments, place trades, and monitor holdings.

Source: IG Markets app

That is part of what makes IG Markets feel more aligned with a long-term investing approach. 

It is positioned around investing in stocks and ETFs rather than leveraged products, and the overall proposition feels more relevant for investors who want straightforward market access without unnecessary complexity. 

Source: IG Markets

The signup and onboarding process is quick and easy with Singpass MyInfo integration and the funding process is also straightforward. 

Source: IG Markets app

IG Markets accepts PayNow via QR code or UEN for instant transfers, as well as debit and credit cards, Apple Pay, and bank transfer, from as low as S$1.

What investors may need to consider when investing globally

Even with a strong proposition, there are still a few things I would keep in mind when investing globally using IG Markets.

First, global diversification still comes with currency risk. If I buy assets in US dollars or Hong Kong dollars, for instance, exchange rate movements will still affect my returns in Singapore dollar terms.

Second, market risk does not go away. Stocks and ETFs can still be volatile, and the additional 3% p.a. interest on holdings does not protect against drawdowns.

Third, investors looking for a wider product range may find IG Markets more focused. Its main appeal is clearly around direct investing in stocks and ETFs, rather than a broad shelf of investment products

Is IG Markets licensed and regulated? 

Safety matters when choosing a broker. IG Asia Pte Ltd is licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), holding a capital markets services licence. 

Client monies are kept in segregated trust accounts with local banks, separate from IG's funds.

More broadly, IG Group, the parent company of IG Markets, traces its history back to 1974, while IG Singapore has operated locally since 2006.

IG's Singapore presence has historically been as a leading CFD provider with significant market share. So while IG Markets is new, the company behind it isn't.

What would Beansprout do?

If I’m building a globally diversified portfolio for both growth and income, I want a platform that helps me invest across markets simply, keep my costs low and make the most of holdings I already plan to keep for the long term.

That is where IG Markets could be interesting. The ability to invest across Singapore, the US, the UK, Hong Kong and Japan from one account gives me flexibility in how I build my portfolio. 

The zero-fee structure helps reduce friction. And the 3% p.a. interest on eligible invested shares and ETFs allows me to potentially earn up to S$125 extra each month. 

Exclusive IG Markets New User Promotion

New IG Markets customers who sign up through Beansprout in May 2026 can enjoy:

An exclusive S$50 voucher from Beansprout when you fund S$500 by 31 May 2026. 

Plus IG Markets offers welcome rewards of up to S$258. Fund S$500 and make 1 trade to get $188 cash bonus, and if you complete your funding and trading in 7 days from sign up, you get an extra S$70 bonus. 

This promotion runs until 31 May 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about the IG Markets welcome rewards here.

Disclaimer: This article is meant for information only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Terms and conditions apply. Please refer to IG Markets’ official website for complete terms and conditions, disclaimers and disclosures. Trading is a high-risk activity, and it is possible to lose your initial investment. Investments are not covered by the Singapore Deposit Insurance Corporation (SDIC).

All content presented herein may contain advertisements. No content should be construed as investment advice or recommendation, or an offer or solicitation, to deal in any investment product. All investors should consider for themselves if the investment products are suitable. Investors are advised to seek advice from a professional financial adviser if they are uncertain if the investment products are suitable for them. Principal is not guaranteed. Past performance of any investment products is not indicative of future performance. The value of the investment products and the income from them may fall as well as rise. Investing in investment products contains risks and investors may lose all their investments. Margin trading increases the risk of loss and clients’ losses may exceed the deposits placed.  All investments involve risks and are not suitable for every investor. 

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