What is GInvest?

GInvest is GCash’s investment platform that lets Filipinos start investing money for as low as P50. The pros? It’s convenient since it’s already in your GCash app and you can gradually add small sums anytime you like. GCash partnered with ATRAM Trust Corporation and Seedbox Philippines to manage the funds you contribute.

Sounds exciting, right? But if you’re finally planning on investing for the first time, here are a few things you should remember:

• Assess your risk appetite. GCash’s Risk Profile Questionnaire will give you an idea if you’re a Conservative, Moderate, or Aggressive investor.
• Invest the amount you can afford to lose. This way, you’re not entirely attached to the money and you can accept losses.
• Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Just because the stocks look good now does not mean it will be in an hour or the next day.
• Scared money doesn’t make money. You have to have the proper mindset and strong will for investing.

Sure, GInvest is easy to navigate but that doesn’t mean it can’t lose you money. At the end of the day, it’s still investing, and the volatile market is still unpredictable.

Just last April 2021, GInvest added four new investment funds to their catalog which initially only had the ATRAM Pero Money Market Fund. Check them out below, ranked according to risk rating and percentage of returns:

ATRAM Peso Money Market Fund

Risk rating: Conservative
Min. initial investment: P50
Past 1 yr. return: 0.51%

If you’re new to investing and you just want to test the waters, start with ATRAM Peso Money Market Fund. It’s low-risk which means you won’t lose a huge amount, plus, you just need a minimum of P50 to buy a fund. For the past year, it recorded a 0.51% return which is still better compared to traditional banks’ 0.0125% annual interest rate.

ATRAM Total Return Peso Bond Fund

Risk rating: Moderate
Min. initial investment: P50
Past 1 yr. return: 2.67%

The ATRAM Total Return Peso Bond Fund is composed of a bunch of Philippine government and corporate bonds. It can make you a 2.67% investment return, based on the past year’s data. The return is significantly larger than the Peso Money Market Fund but the risk rating is moderate. It’s still worth investing in since you can start buying units for P50.

ATRAM Philippine Equity Smart Index Fund

Risk rating: Aggressive
Min. initial investment: P50
Past 1 yr. return: 14.95%

If you buy units from this fund, your money will be invested in 30 companies that are part of the Philippine Stock Exchange index. This includes Globe Telecom, Ayala Corp, SM Investments, and Universal Robina Corp. Since this fund’s risk rating is categorized as aggressive, you need to be prepared for losses. The 14.95% return rate might fluctuate anytime.

ATRAM Global Technology Feeder Fund

Risk rating: Aggressive
Min. initial investment: P1,000
Past 1 yr. return: 67.31%

Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Samsung are just some of the tech giants your money will go to. The Global Technology Feeder Fund gives Filipinos a chance to invest in foreign companies. You do have to shell out a bit more for the initial investment but for that startling 67.31% return, it might just be worth it in the long run.

ATRAM Global Consumer Trends Feeder Fund

Risk rating: Aggressive
Min. initial investment: P1,000
Past 1 yr. return: 74.18%

And finally, you’ll get the highest return percentage if you buy units from the Global Consumer Trends Feeder Fund. The whopping 74.18% needs an initial investment of P1,000. This fund invests your money on companies like Amazon, Alibaba, Shopee, and Sony. And since it’s an aggressive fund and the market is volatile, you might want to prepare your heart for either wins or losses throughout the year.

How can you start investing with GInvest?

Getting started with GInvest is easy. You just have to be 18 years old and older and have a verified GCash profile.

Here’s a quick step-by-step on how to get started on GInvest:

1. Download the GCash app via Google Play Store or Apple Store

2. On the GCash dashboard, look for GInvest. If it isn’t on the home screen, tap “Show more.”

3. Register and answer the Risk Profile Questionnaire

4. Select a fund you want to invest in

5. Buy a fund and wait for GCash to approve your pending order.

6. Track your investments on the app

7. Set reminders to invest consistently

And that’s how you invest for as low as P50! After you buy a fund, sit tight and see where it goes. Since this is your first foray into investing, you can expect to learn a lot whether that’s through losing or succeeding. But if you want to broaden your knowledge on investing, check out r/phinvest on Reddit or hang out on YouTube with these Pinoy financial gurus.

How to start investing with GInvest FAQ

Are there fees with GCash GInvest?

Nope, there aren’t any hidden fees, charges, or minimum holding periods, unlike investing with banks. You just put the amount you want to invest and that’s it.

How does GCash GInvest work?

Once you invest your money, the GInvest professional fund manager will invest it in different financial instruments like stocks and bonds.

How do I sell my funds?

Repeat the steps you did when you bought your funds and then click on “Sell.” GInvest > Investment Product > Sell. Wait for the email/SMS confirmation that you’ve sold your funds to get your money.

How long should I keep the funds before I sell them?

It depends on you. Do you intend to invest in the short term? You can pull it out in a year or even shorter. Do you intend to invest long term? If you’re investing in an aggressive find, you better have the strong mindset and emotions of steel to stomach potential losses you see.

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