The Philippine stock market has been treading water for years. The PSEi has hovered around the 6,000-mark, trading volumes remain among the lowest in Asia, and investment choices are largely confined to banks, property developers, and conglomerates. In contrast, global markets are charging ahead, powered by technology giants, healthcare innovators, and consumer brands that shape the way the world lives and spends.
For Filipino investors, the reality is clear: if you want your money to grow, the Philippines is no longer enough. Diversifying abroad offers something the local market cannot: access to world-class companies, deeper liquidity, and exposure to powerful long-term growth themes. This guide explains why global investing matters now more than ever and how everyday Filipinos can start, even with small amounts in pesos, through locally available feeder funds.
Philippine investing is not enough: The Case for Going Global
1. The local market has been flat and sentiment is weak
The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) has been stagnant. Over the last decade, its compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) is about –0.39%, and over the past five years it only managed +2.97%. Compare that with inflation averaging around 4–5% annually in the Philippines, and it becomes clear: PSEi investors have effectively lost real value.
Despite GDP growth averaging 5–7% in many years, the stock market has not translated this into wealth for shareholders. Many retail investors who started in 2015 find their portfolios in nearly the same place a decade later.
2. Low liquidity relative to Southeast Asia and the world
Liquidity is like oxygen for a stock market. In 2024, the PSE’s average daily trading value was only around ₱5–7 billion.
Compare that with:
Thailand’s SET: ₱40–50 billion equivalent per day
Singapore Exchange (SGX): much larger relative to GDP
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE): over US$50–60 billion traded daily (~₱3–3.5 trillion)
Nasdaq: around US$200 billion per day (~₱11 trillion)
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The difference is staggering. The PSE’s entire daily trading activity can be less than a rounding error compared to just one hour of trading in New York.
A thin market means wider spreads, less efficient price discovery, and limited participation from big institutions. It also discourages global investors from allocating here in size. Over time, this makes it harder for your capital to compound compared to investing in deeper, more liquid global markets.
3. Limited sector exposure
The PSEi’s composition reveals its narrowness. As of 2025, it is dominated by:
Financials (banks and insurance): ~20–25%
Property developers and REITs: ~20%
Conglomerates and holding firms: ~35%
Utilities, telcos, industrials: ~20% combined
This means more than 80% of your exposure is tied to domestic credit, property, and consumer spending. Missing are industries driving global growth, such as:
Technology: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Alphabet, Amazon
Healthcare and biotech: Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk
Consumer leaders: Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, LVMH
Renewables and energy transition companies
By staying local, Filipino investors miss the innovation engines of the global economy.
4. Performance gap versus global benchmarks
The difference in returns is striking.
*as of August 31, 2025. For illustration purposes only.
In plain terms, ₱100,000 invested in the PSEi 10 years ago shrank in value. The same amount in the S&P 500 almost tripled.
No wonder Warren Buffett has long recommended ordinary investors simply buy an S&P 500 index fund, historically, it has been one of the world’s most reliable compounding vehicles.
5. Currency diversification
The peso has repeatedly weakened against the US dollar, testing the ₱57–₱59 range in recent years. Historically, the peso loses about 3–4% annually against the dollar in the long run.
Peso-only investments lose purchasing power when this happens. Global funds, which hold dollar assets, protect against this risk. In fact, when the peso depreciates, peso-based investors in global funds may see higher local-currency returns.
6. Heavy dependence on foreign inflows and outflows
Perhaps the most overlooked risk: the PSE is heavily dependent on foreign participation. On many days, foreign funds make up 40–50% of total trading activity.
This means the direction of the local market is often dictated by foreign inflows and outflows. If global funds pull money from emerging markets due to US interest rate hikes, geopolitical shocks, or global risk-off sentiment, the PSE drops, even if local company fundamentals are solid.
For local investors, this makes the PSE more volatile and vulnerable to forces outside our control. Global diversification reduces this dependence on hot money flows.
Why Invest Globally, in Plain Language
1. Global Exposure
When you invest abroad, you gain access to the world’s most successful companies in a single portfolio. These include Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, Samsung, Nestlé, Toyota, and LVMH: firms that dominate their industries and are not available on the Philippine Stock Exchange. Every time you use an iPhone, stream on Netflix, or drink a can of Coca-Cola, you are contributing to the profits of these companies. By investing globally, you move beyond being a consumer to becoming a shareholder of businesses that shape how the world works, shops, and entertains itself.
2. Proven Compounding Engines
One of the strongest arguments for global investing is the power of long-term compounding. The S&P 500, which represents 500 of the largest US companies, delivered a total return of around 242 percent in the past decade. That means ₱1,000 invested in 2015 would now be worth about ₱3,425. In contrast, the same amount in the PSEi would have barely moved, leaving investors with nearly the same value ten years later. Even broader global indices such as the MSCI All Country World Index (ACWI) have compounded at more than 10 percent annually, a rate that allows money to double roughly every seven years.
3. Sector Balance
The Philippine market is heavily concentrated in financials, property, and conglomerates. While these sectors are important for domestic growth, they do not capture the industries driving innovation globally. International indices allocate significant weight to technology, healthcare, and global consumer brands, the very sectors shaping the future. By holding global funds, Filipino investors gain exposure to resilient and fast-growing industries that are impossible to replicate through the local exchange. This balance is crucial for anyone looking to build a portfolio that reflects where the world is heading.
4. Diversification Strategy
Relying only on the Philippines for your investments is like putting all your eggs in one basket. Our local market is small, volatile, and heavily influenced by foreign inflows and outflows. By spreading your investments across countries, industries, and currencies, you reduce your exposure to local shocks such as peso weakness, political events, or economic downturns. Global diversification not only smooths out short-term volatility but also provides a more reliable path to long-term wealth. It ensures that your portfolio benefits from growth wherever in the world it happens, not just in one corner of the market.
How Filipinos Can Invest in Global Markets
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to open a US brokerage account, wire dollars abroad, or study complicated charts to invest globally. Through mutual funds and unit investment trust funds (UITFs) available locally, you can access world markets in pesos.
1. Start Small
Global investing is not just for the wealthy. Many feeder funds allow you to begin with as little as ₱1,000, making it possible for almost anyone to participate. This low entry point helps beginners ease into investing without feeling pressured to commit large sums. Over time, consistent small contributions can compound into significant growth, proving that even modest beginnings can lead to meaningful wealth.
2. Beginner-Friendly
For those who feel intimidated by charts, market news, or stock picking, feeder funds are designed to be simple. Professional fund managers handle the heavy lifting: research, diversification, portfolio construction, and regular rebalancing. All you need to do is decide how much to invest and stick with it. This approach allows you to focus on your goals while experts manage the technical side of global investing.
3. Peso Investing with Global Exposure
One of the biggest advantages of feeder funds is that you can invest in pesos, yet the fund itself buys global, dollar-denominated assets. This means you gain exposure to world-class companies and protect yourself from peso depreciation without worrying about currency conversion. You enjoy the convenience of local transactions while reaping the benefits of international diversification. For many Filipinos, this removes the barrier of opening foreign accounts or wiring money abroad.
4. Diversification in One Simple Step
Feeder funds give you instant diversification across dozens or even hundreds of global companies, bonds, or alternative assets. Instead of relying on just a handful of local stocks or sectors, your portfolio is spread across different industries and regions. This reduces your risk and makes your investments more resilient to shocks in one market or economy. In effect, you are buying into the growth of the world, not just one country.
5. Tax Benefits
Unlike direct stock trading, locally offered mutual funds and UITFs are exempt from capital gains tax in the Philippines. This means you get to keep more of your returns and let your money compound without additional deductions eating into your gains. Over years of investing, this tax advantage can make a big difference in your total wealth. It is one of the most overlooked benefits of investing through these regulated funds.
6. Safe and Regulated
Global mutual funds and UITFs are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). This regulatory oversight ensures that your money is managed transparently and responsibly. You can also monitor your investment performance easily through online dashboards, giving you both peace of mind and control. For Filipinos who want both growth and security, this regulated environment makes global investing a safe choice.
Platforms like Rampver Online make the process simple and accessible.
Global Fund Options Available via Rampver Online
1. BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund
The BPI US Equity Index Feeder Fund mirrors the performance of the S&P 500 Index, giving investors exposure to 500 of the largest US companies. It is ideal for those with a long-term horizon who want to participate in broad US market growth and are comfortable with short-term volatility.
2. ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund
The ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund focuses on the world’s leading tech companies in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing, and software. This makes it best suited for investors who believe that technology will continue to drive global growth and innovation in the years ahead.
3. ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Feeder Fund
The ALFM Global Multi-Asset Income Feeder Fund invests in the BlackRock Global Multi-Asset Income Fund, which spreads assets across equities, bonds, REITs, and alternatives. By balancing different asset classes, it seeks both capital appreciation and steady income, offering a more stable risk-return profile compared to equity-only funds.
4. Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund
The Sun Life Prosperity World Equity Index Feeder Fund tracks the MSCI All Country World Index, providing exposure to both developed and emerging markets. It serves as a convenient one-stop solution for investors who want diversified global equity exposure without the need to pick individual countries or sectors.
How to Start Investing Globally Through Rampver Online
Getting started is easier than most people think. You can open an account and make your first global investment in less than an hour.
Step 1: Register online
Visit Rampver Online and sign up for a FREE investing account. The process only takes about 10 minutes.
Step 2 : Upload your requirements
Submit one valid ID, a selfie, and nominate your bank account (for crediting proceeds). This ensures your account is verified and secure.
Step 3: Choose your global fund
Once verified, log in to your dashboard. For example, if you want balanced exposure, you can select the fund of your choice. Make sure to read the fund information sheet and risk disclosures to confirm that the fund fits your investing profile.
Step 4: Decide your investment amount
You can start with as little as ₱1,000. You can make a one-time investment first, then apply for regular monthly top-ups through BPI auto-debit facility.
Step 5: Make your payment
Pay conveniently via GCash, UnionBank, or Instapay. Upload your proof of payment to confirm the transaction.
Step 6: Get confirmation
You’ll receive an email once your investment is processed. From there, you can track your performance anytime through your Rampver Online dashboard.
Prefer personal guidance?
If you’d like to talk to a professional before starting, you can reach out to Rampver’s licensed financial advisors via info@rampver.com for a personalized consultation.
Why you should invest globally
The Philippine market will always have a place in a Filipino investor’s portfolio. But relying solely on it is limiting. With thin liquidity, narrow sectors, heavy dependence on foreign flows, and weak long-term performance, the PSEi has not been able to build lasting wealth for investors.
Global investing offers what the local market lacks: strong compounding, exposure to innovative industries, currency protection, and true diversification. Most importantly, it is now accessible. With as little as ₱1,000 in a peso-denominated feeder fund, Filipinos can start building wealth alongside the world’s best companies.
The choice is clear: stay stuck in a flat local market, or start smart, start global, and let your wealth grow with the world.
Disclaimer: Mutual Funds and UITFs offered through Rampver Online are not deposit accounts and are not insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC). Returns are not guaranteed and will vary depending on market conditions. The value of your investment may go up or down, and you may receive less than your original investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Investors are strongly advised to read the fund’s Prospectus, Fund Fact Sheets, Key Information and Investment Disclosure Statement (KIIDS), and other offering documents carefully before investing.
These products are suitable only for investors who understand the risks involved and have the financial capacity to absorb potential losses. Currency fluctuations may also affect returns for peso investors in global assets.