How to Invest in Mutual Funds in the Philippines

Last Updated on – Mar 12, 2024 @ 11:53 am

Do you know how much your Php 100,000 will earn if you invest it in a bank for a year?

Seven hundred fifty pesos.

I used a local bank’s savings deposit rate to get a rough figure of how much a certain amount of money will grow in a year.

I know what you’re thinking. “A full year of waiting and my Php 100k only grew a measly Php 750? That’s ridiculous! I bet there are better ways to grow that kind of money.”

The results are more abysmal as you invest less. What if you only had Php 10,000 to invest?

Ready the confetti because at the end of the year you’ll get—drum roll please—

Twenty-five pesos.

I’m not kidding. Your annual earnings will just be enough to pay for a cup of extra rice.

You might say, “Hey, at least I’m saving right? That’s the point.”

I’m with you, buddy. Having savings is better than no savings at all.

But at those rates, watching your money grow will be as exciting as watching paint dry.

And we haven’t even counted in inflation rates yet.

But more importantly, you lose on potential better returns on your money for a full year.

If we want better returns for our money, we have to look at other avenues for investing our hard-earned cash.

And today you’ll learn about one of the most popular investment vehicles in the Philippines, Mutual Funds.

What are Mutual Funds?

A Mutual Fund is essentially a company that collects money from different investors and then allocates them in a variety of investment options like stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and others.

If owning stocks lets you directly buy a piece of a company, being a mutual fund investor lets you pick a basket containing portions of stocks bought from different companies.

This means you do not directly own the shares of the company. Rather, you own shares within the Mutual Fund itself.

Also, unlike stocks, you don’t have to make the investment decisions yourself. Mutual Funds employ fund managers who—you guessed it—manage the funds.

These are experts who analyze the market and decide which investment options to seize.

I like comparing this idea with buying fruits. If you’re investing in the stock market, it’s similar to grabbing a basket and filling it up with apples, oranges and lemons (stocks).

You pay for it at the cashier, making you the owner of each piece of fruit you stuffed in there.

If we apply the same analogy to Mutual Funds, here’s what it will look like:

You and other shoppers hand over your money to a “Fruit Manager” who decides and picks which fruits to buy. Each person now owns a “piece” of each fruit in the basket.

So instead of owning a whole apple, for example, you share a “bite” of it with others. As well as several other “bites” on other fruits stuffed in the basket.

Types of Mutual Funds

Now that we have a basic understanding of how Mutual funds work, let’s take a quick look at its different types.

1. Stock/Equity Funds

This type of mutual fund is considered to be have the highest risk (relative to other MF types) but with the potential for the biggest returns in the long term (5 years or more) since it invests primarily in stocks and equities.

2. Bond Funds

This type of mutual fund invests in a mix of fixed-income investments like treasury notes, government securities, and commercial papers.

Investors who opt for Bond Funds are in it for the lesser volatility (vs. other MF types) while still providing potential for capital growth and safeguard their money against inflation.

3. Balanced Funds

This type of mutual fund features a combination of stocks, bonds, and/or money market funds in its portfolio. It’s deemed as the fund type of choice for investors with an appetite for moderate risk.

4. Money Market Funds

This type of mutual fund invests primarily in short-term debt securities like time deposits and corporate bonds. It’s considered to be the safest MF type but also generates the least amount of return for your money.

Generally recommended for people looking to invest their money in the short-term.

Mutual Fund Types Comparison Table

Check out our: Live Price List Tracker of Philippine Mutual Funds

Mutual Funds VS. UITF

Pros & Cons of Mutual Funds

Pros:

• Taxes are not applied in your capital gains.
• MF companies also has the potential to provide dividends and offer some shareholder rights.
• Reports are more transparent and has a higher level of accountability overall compared to UITF.
• MF is considered by many to be better overall in terms of regulation because MF companies are subject to full disclosure and issuance of reports

Cons:

• MF companies charge Entry and Management fees.
• May offer fewer investment choices because of high capital requirements
• UITFs are technically easier to set-up since most banks offer them.

Pros & Cons of UITFs

Pros:

• Easier to set-up versus MF since banks are almost everywhere.
• No Entry fees, lesser Management fees vs MF
• Wider Variety of Funds

Cons:

• Owning units does not make you a shareholder (no potential dividends and shareholder rights)
• Capital gains are subject to 20% withholding tax (case-to-case basis)

If MFs and UITFs follow the same investing philosophy, how do they differ then?

Let’s have a closer look.

Mutual Funds VS. UITF Comparison Table

Why should you invest in Mutual Funds and UITF?

I once read somewhere that investment vehicles like banks, MF, UITF, and the stock market can be compared to transportation vehicles. How?

Each offers a way to “reach” your financial destination.

Some compare putting money in banks as the same as walking. While it can take you to your financial destination, it will probably take a very looooong time.

Meanwhile, MF and UITF can be thought of as speedier vehicles similar to riding a bike or a car.  They can take you to your financial destination faster.

I thought it was a useful analogy that paints a simple picture explaining the benefits of utilizing other investment options.

But what are the actual reasons that make Mutual Fund and UITF investing worth a look? Here are some of them.

1. Better potential returns for your money

Compared to a savings account in a bank, your money will have better growth potential when invested in MF or UITF.

2. Professional Fund Management

Both UITFs and Mutual Funds employ fund managers who handle the allocation of your funds. This takes out the guesswork on your end unlike stock investing where you yourself have to decide which stocks to pick.

3. Diversification

Your money will be spread across a wide variety of portfolios of stocks, bonds, securities, money markets and other funds, making it considerably safer in principle versus stock market investing.

4. Low Initial Investment Costs

For as low as Php 5,000 you can open an MF or UITF account. Additional investments can be as little as Php 1,000 monthly.

5. Liquidity

Both UITFs and Mutual Funds provide an easy way to redeem your investment should you want/need to.

6. Protection against Inflation

Having better potential gains means you have a better chance of protecting your capital against inflation.

7. Easy to Set-up & Manage

It’s easy to open a UITF or MF account. All you need to do is visit your nearest bank (UITF) or MF company and submit the requirements and initial deposit.

In terms of “managing” your account, it’s really just a matter of putting in more funds since the fund manager will take care of the investing part.

8. Compound Interest

In principle, the longer the time your money is invested in investment options like MF and UITF, the higher potential earnings for your money.

How much can you earn from investing in Philippine Mutual Funds?

Earnings are highly dependent on how well a particular Mutual Fund performed for a certain time frame (computed via NAVPS).

If you do a bit of research online, you’ll see data showing average returns broken down in 1, 3, 5 and 10-year increments.

That being said, Mutual Funds are ideally considered a mid-to-long term investment venture with optimal returns gauged at the 5-yrs or higher horizon.

10 Best Philippine Mutual Funds in 2024

Here are the top 10 mutual funds companies in the Philippines – as of Feb 2024:

Best Stock/Equity Funds in the Philippines for 2024 [Mutual Funds]

Stock or Equity types of mutual funds are considered to be the riskiest but may provide the highest potential gains for your money.

Funds are typically allocated in the following stocks: growth, dividend, value, large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap (or any combinations of these).

Note: The data shown in the table below are based on the performance reports at PIFA – as of Feb 2024 We will be updating our list of Mutual Fund Companies on a quarterly basis. 

Related: Best Index Funds to Invest in the Philippines

Best Balanced Funds in the Philippines for 2024 [Mutual Funds]

Balanced funds typically carry a moderate-risk rating and appeal to those who are looking into a 3-5 year horizon. Balanced funds are typically allocated in time deposits, bonds, and the stock market.

Note: The data shown on the table below are based on the performance reports at PIFA – as of February 2024. We will be updating our list of Mutual Fund Companies on a quarterly basis.

Best Bond Funds in the Philippines for 2024 [Mutual Funds]

Bond funds are tagged a notch higher above money market funds in terms of risk.

Still, they are considered as conservative in general since money is allocated in less volatile investments (relative to Equity and Balanced funds) like investment-grade and high-yield corporate bonds, and government bonds.

Note: The data shown on the table below are based on the performance reports at PIFA – as of February 2024. We will be updating our list of Mutual Fund Companies on a quarterly basis.

Best Money Market Funds in the Philippines for 2024 [Mutual Funds]

Also known as Fixed Income funds. Money market funds promise the lowest risk rating but at the expense of having the least potential returns for your money.

Money market funds invest in time deposits and other similar products.

Note: The data shown in the table below are based on the performance reports at PIFA – as of February 2024. We will be updating our list of Mutual Fund Companies on a quarterly basis.

Best Feeder Funds in the Philippines for 2024 [Mutual Funds]

A feeder fund allows investors to target larger funds that are usually not accessible to retail investors. This is done by pooling investors’ money in order to reach larger funds’ high minimum investment requirements.

Note: The data shown in the table below are based on the performance reports at PIFA – as of February 2024. We will be updating our list of Mutual Fund Companies on a quarterly basis.

How to Start Investing in Mutual Funds in the Philippines

It’s easy to set up a mutual fund account. Here are the usual steps required.

1. Go to the Mutual Fund company’s website and click on its MF registration page (refer to listed websites above).
2. You might be required to answer a few questions to determine your risk profile. An MF sales agent should assist you in this stage.
3. Download the required forms and documents.
4. Submit all requirements by visiting their office or sending it via courier.
5. Fund your account once you receive confirmation/statement of account arrives.

How to Invest in Philippine Mutual Funds Online

Once you have an account open, buying shares of mutual funds can be done through the bank or via in-person visit at the nearest MF branch.

For convenience purposes, most investors enroll their MF accounts in their bank’s online banking system which enables them to easily transfer money for funding their Mutual fund.

More savvy investors who already have accounts in COL Financial or First Metro Sec have the option to buy and sell MF shares directly through its online trading platforms. Both COL Financial and First Metro Sec are authorized MF agents.

SeedBox

Another way is to invest in mutual funds online via SeedBox.

Seedbox is an online investment platform offered by ATR Asset Management (ATRAM).

It is particularly handy for beginner investors who need help identifying a portfolio that match their investment goals.

And by making investment convenient and affordable, Seedbox helps newbies get into the habit of investing–even a small amount–regularly.

With Seedbox, you can choose to put your money in individual products or fund packages selected by their researchers.

SeedBox’s Individual Products:

NOTE: The data shown in the table below have been taken from Seedbox’s page on individual products as of August 2021.

SeedBox Packages:

NOTE: The data shown in the table below are based on Seedbox’s product packages as of August 2021.

Each product is matched with an investor’s risk profile.

Your risk profile will depend on several factors, including your personality and goals, and is among the questionnaires you need to fill out after activating your Seedbox account. 

Let’s say you have a risk profile of Moderate, but you want to put your money in aggressive investment vehicles.

You can do so in Seedbox simply by clicking the box beside the waiver to indicate that you are investing in products that do not match your risk profile.

Here’s how you can start investing through Seedbox:

Step 1: Sign up with Seedbox. You will be prompted to enter the activation code sent to your email. 

Step 2: Once your account is activated, continue filling up the online forms (i.e., KYC, FATCA, and Risk Profile).

Step 3: Sign the documents during a face-to-face meeting as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Once your account has been approved, you can start investing. 

Step 4: Begin with the end in mind. Use the Goal Planner to identify what this investment is for. Is it for retirement? Your children’s education? A home purchase or another big spend? Indicate when or in how many years you’ll need the money and how much you’ll need by then. 

Step 5: In the Goal Planner, indicate your desired initial investment and monthly investment.

If your initial and monthly investments are not enough to meet your target amount, Seedbox’s Goal Planner will give you some tips. For instance, it will advise you to lower your target amount, adjust your timeframe, increase your initial and/or monthly investments, or take a higher-risk level.

With the Goal Planner, you can easily see whether you’re on track to meet your target amounts. If not, you can decide from the get-go to increase the amount you set aside for investments.
If this is not feasible for you right now, then you can manage your expectations. You can still reach your target amount, but within a longer timeframe.

Step 6: Seedbox will recommend portfolio models that can help you meet your target amount.

Step 7: Start investing either by paying through banks or online.

Step 8: To top up your investment, just go to your Seedbox Dashboard and click the “+” sign in the Portfolio section.

Investa

Investa aims to help Filipinos invest by giving them the right tools, technology, and education to improve their financial standing.

Since 2015, this startup has been offering financial tools for its users, and they have also organized some of the most successful stock market events in the Philippines. 

The platform has partnered with BPI Investment Management, Inc., Phil Equity Management, Inc., and Sun Life Asset Management Inc., so its users can easily invest in the best-performing global and national mutual funds, whether they want to take low-risk or high-risk investments. This can be done for as low as P100. 

Thanks to the new Investa app, investing has never been more affordable and accessible for Filipinos. 

Here’s how you can start investing through Investa:

Step 1: Download the Investa app on Google Play Store or Apple App Store. 

Step 2: Create an account. 

• Enter your name, email address, and password. 
• Create a Trading PIN (for unlocking the app on your phone). 
• Complete your account’s investor profile requirements:
  • Verify your mobile number & email address
  • Fill up the application form
  • Read and accept the platform’s terms & conditions
  • Upload required documents (government-issued IDs)

Step 3: Fund your account. 

You can cash in through online banking and GCash.  

• BPI Online Banking
• BDO Online Banking
• Unionbank Online Banking
• Metrobank Online Banking
• GCash (via Pay Bills)

Step 4: Choose the mutual fund(s) you want to invest in. 

The platform offers 20 different types of funds to choose from, including global/index feeder funds. As of this writing, the mutual funds available at Investa are:

• PhilEquity Dividend Yield Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund
• PhilEquity Alpha One Fund, Inc.
• PhilEquity Fund, Inc.
• PhilEquity MSCI Philippines Index Fund, Inc.
• Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund Inc.
• PhilEquity PSE Index Fund
• ALFM Growth Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund Inc.
• ALFM Money Market Fund
• ALFM Peso Bond Fund
• Phil. Stocks Index Fund (Unitized)
• Philam Managed Income Fund
• Philam Fund
• PhilEquity Peso Bond Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund Inc.
• Sun Life Prosperity GS Fund Inc.
• ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Fund (Peso)
• Philam Bond Fund

Features: 

• Invest for as low as P100
• Easy to use app

Related: 15 Best Online Investment Platforms in the Philippines

COL Financial

COL Financial is one of the most popular online stock brokers in the country. For decades, it has been providing an easy and accessible way for Filipinos to try their luck in stock market investing.

In COL Financial, you can choose from 30 mutual funds from the top mutual fund houses in the Philippines, and pay no front-end fees when you buy through your account.

Because it’s all online, it’s more convenient. COL Financial also has an auto-investing feature that lets you automate your long-term investments.

For beginners, they offer expert guidance to help you choose the best funds so you can easily meet your goals.

Requirements:

• 1 valid gov’t-issued ID with clear photo & signature
• Philippine bank account details
• Philippine TIN (for employed, self-employed, foreigners)
• SSS/GSIS/CRN # (for locally employed)
• Photo requirements:
  • Blank sheet of paper with 3 consistent signatures
  • Selfie with your ID
• Additional requirements (if applicable):
  • For minors:
    • Birth certificate
  • For resident-foreigners:
    • 1 valid passport
    • ACR I-Card/SIRV/SRRV/ work permit from DOLE
  • For dual citizens:
    • 1 valid passport & dual citizenship papers
  • For US persons:
    • 1 US government-issued ID and accomplished W9 or W8-BEN IRS form

How to open an account:

• After you get all your requirements ready, sign up here.
• When your account is verified, you can start funding your account through online bills payment, overseas remittances, over-the-counter bills payment, or through the COL Business Center in Pasig.

Mutual Funds users can choose within the COL’s platform:

• ALFM Money Market Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity Money Market Fund
• Philam Managed Income Fund
• ALFM Peso Bond Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity Bond Fund
• Philequity Peso Bond Fund
• First Metro Save and Learn Fixed Income Fund

Features:

• EIP portfolio tracker (accessible 24/7)
• Calendar schedule
• Notification system 
• Automated order placement and execution via the internet
• Access to live quotes and other market statistics
• Online portfolio tracker
• Research materials and market commentaries
• Price charting program and ticker system display

FundSmart

This is a FirstMetroSec investment funds supermarket that enables Filipinos to invest in the top peso and dollar-denominated mutual funds and Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs) in the Philippines.

FundSmart allows its users to quickly compare funds so they can identify the best ones for them. 

Requirements:

• TIN
• SSS or GSIS Number
• Metrobank account number
• Any government-issued ID with signature
• Email address
• Specimen signatures 
• Proof of address may be under another person’s name AND should be the same as the registered address
  • Bank Statement
  • Credit Card Statement
  • Insurance Statement
  • Electricity Bill
  • Water Bill
  • Telephone or Cellphone Bill
  • Cable/Internet Bill
  • Association Dues
  • Remittance Receipt
  • ID with address

How to open an account:

• Open an account here. 
• Fund your account.
• Take the risk assessment if you’re a first-time investor. This is required to ensure that your chosen funds are suited to your goals.

Shortlist of Mutual Funds users can choose within the platform: 

• ALFM Growth Fund
• Philam Bond Fund
• PAMI Equity Index Fund
• ATRAM Alpha Opportunity Fund
• Sun Life Prosperity Balanced Fund
• Manulife Money Market Fund
• Manulife Asia Dynamic Bond Feeder Fund
• PAMI Global Bond Fund
• ALFM Dollar Bond Fund

Features: 

• Client suitability assessment for automatic fund filtering based on their risk profile 
• Fact sheets, risk rating, top holdings, feel information, fund overview, performance of funds
• Fully online process·  No sales load and transaction fees

10 Tips on Mutual Fund Investing

1. Set clear financial goals 

This will lay the blueprint for your investing strategy. Are you investing for retirement? Or is it for short-term goals, like funding a new purchase?

Setting clear and measurable goals will set the tone for your investing philosophy and mindset.

2. Be mindful of your current financials 

Determine how much you are willing to set aside for growing your nest egg for MF. It’s ideal to have a separate emergency fund and not put all your savings into these investment vehicles.

Remember, gains are not always guaranteed here so you have to take into consideration your current assets and liabilities.

3. What kind of investor are you?

Know your risk-appetite. Whether you’re risk-driven or full-conservative with your selection, what matters most is that you pick a strategy that suits your investment philosophy perfectly.

4. Do your due diligence.

Try to pick an MF product that meets your requirements and aligns with your investing strategy. Also, bonus perks like website platform usability and ease-of-funding are nice to have for convenience.

Related: Investment Statistics in the Philippines

5. It always helps to gain more financial knowledge.

Even though you have professional fund managers handling your money, the actual process of selecting your MF company or UITF bank rests solely on you.

Doing some bit of homework in getting to know more about how MF works makes you a step ahead over those who are completely clueless and makes you less prone to acting on bad advice.

6. Past performance may not be indicative of future results.

You’ll read this quote a lot as you browse through your MF reports. It simply means that even if a specific fund is performing admirably for the last few years, it does not guarantee the same results in the future.

While it’s useful in gauging a fund’s performance, you should also take into consideration the timeline it covered.

7. How long do you plan to be invested?

Most seasoned MF investors will probably tell you that the best strategy is to be in it for the long term.

In theory, the longer you stay invested in a fund, the better chance for gains since the underlying investments become less prone to market fluctuations over time.

8. Be mindful of fees and charges 

Not all mutual fund products are created equal. Some will have more (or less) overall fees required to operate and manage the fund. While it may look trivial, these small percentages can negate any potential gains especially if the fund is underperforming.

Know which products suits your preferences well when it comes to fees.

9. Manage your emotions 

Most new investors commit the mistake of calling it quits and withdrawing their funds at the first sight of a dip in their capital. Remember, these types of investment vehicles don’t promise instant gains nor guarantee a consistent positive value on your assets.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, more experienced investors extol the importance of having a long-enough horizon for MF to perform best.

10. Don’t limit yourself to MF investing

There are other ways you can get better returns for your money. Alternatives such as VUL, cryptocurrency, Personal Equity Retirement Account (PERA), and more are possible options for wealth building.

For a more in-depth look, you can check our list of the 11 Best Investments in the Philippines. 

Mutual Fund Investing FAQs

Still got questions about mutual funds? We’ll answer them below.

How do I choose the right mutual fund for me?

The ultimate tip when choosing mutual funds is to clearly identify your goals and risk. After this, you can assess the best asset allocation for you. Don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional advisor if you’re still confused.

What are the risks involved in investing in mutual funds?

All investments come with risks. Whether you’re investing in a mutual fund or UITF, you can still experience losses if you withdraw your asset when the market price declines.

However, this can be avoided if you research well and time your investment properly.

How do mutual fund returns compare to other investments?

Mutual funds are amazing at diversifying your portfolio. Because it is generally dubbed as a safe investment, you can reduce your risk.

How are mutual funds taxed in the Philippines?

Capital gains on mutual funds are subject to a 15% tax on net capital gains, but it’s not subject to your personal income tax. 

How often can I buy and sell mutual fund shares?

You’re allowed to sell your mutual fund any time after you buy it. However, mutual funds only trade once per day.

It’s best to sell your investments only when you reach your investment goals or if you want to switch your investment strategy.

Can I lose money investing in mutual funds?

Yes. As stated above, all investments have an inherent risk. You can still lose your money when you invest in UITFs or mutual funds.

What fees are associated with mutual fund investing?

Generally, all fees associated with mutual funds will be outlined in the prospectus.

For mutual funds, you’ll be charged an annual fund operating expense, as well as shareholder fees.