This video was recorded in 2025, but it remains highly relevant today.
Is beating the market really possible, or just a myth?
In managing over S$1 billion worth of our clients’ assets, there is continuous monitoring in place to ensure that the funds in our portfolios are behaving as we would expect them to.
To share deeper insights into how we manage investments beyond the basics, we’re pleased to launch a “Investment 201” video series featuring Dr Peng Chen, Senior Advisor & Director at Providend. In this series, Isaac Ong, our Client Adviser, engages Dr Peng in conversations on more advanced investment topics, while still breaking them down into simple, practical insights for everyday investors.
In this episode, Dr Peng shares with Isaac, his simple but profound investment formula: (alpha + beta – costs) + risk. He explains what alpha really means, why beta may matter more for most investors, and how hidden costs and real-world risks can quietly eat into returns. Most importantly, he explores what this formula means for you as an investor, and whether it can be applied to achieving your ikigai goals.
You may also refer to our CEO, Christopher’s article here, which Dr Peng and Isaac had mentioned in the video, titled “The Relentless Pursuit of Better Investment Options“.
This video series is now available as a podcast for those who prefer listening on the go:
Watch all five “Investment 201” videos here.
Learn more by reading our investment eBook titled “A More Reliable Way to Get Enough Investment Returns: Even During Times of Market Uncertainty“:
Music courtesy of ItsWatR.
The host of this episode, Isaac Ong, is a Client Adviser at Providend, the first fee-only wealth advisory firm in Southeast Asia and a leading wealth advisory firm in Asia.
Did you know that our Providend’s Money Wisdom podcast is now available in video format on YouTube? Follow us on our YouTube channel for new episodes every Thursday at 8pm.
