Periodic investing in investment funds

1. Go to your account overview.
   Log in using Internet Banking or the ABN AMRO app. Click or tap your Self-Directed Investing Basic or Plus account. Click or tap New order in your portfolio overview. In the menu at the top, select Investment funds.
   Search by fund name or ISIN code or scroll through the list. Click or tap the investment fund you want. Use the tabs to filter. Check the fund details for the price at the most recent cut-off time (closing price) and price information. Once you have selected a fund, click or tap Buy.
2. Set up a periodic order
   At the top of the screen, you will see the price at which the investment fund is currently trading, the next cut-off time, and the execution date of your order. Make sure you always read an investment fund’s Key Information Document under Price information. Select the investment account you want the funds to go into and the linked account (contra-account) that you want the money for the investment to come out of.
   Next, select Periodic order. Set an amount to invest and the frequency. Select the start date for the order, and possibly an end date as well. You can change or cancel a periodic order at any time. Check the order summary carefully. To make any changes, click or tap Back in the top-left corner. Click or tap Next to place the order.
3. Confirm your periodic order
   Confirm the buy order either by scanning the QR code in the ABN AMRO app or by using your e.dentifier. You will then return to the portfolio overview. Your order will not be listed there right away, because it still has to be processed on the execution date. Click Order status to check the status of your order.

Pros

• Periodic investing allows you to the spread the risk over time and makes you more resistant to stock market fluctuations. Possible dips in the market will not hit you as hard. If you enter the stock market in stages, you’ll avoid entering at the wrong time.
• You can start investing by choosing to invest regular small amounts via periodic investing, so you’ll gradually build up your capital for later.
• Your returns over a year are driven mainly by a combination of good and bad trading days over that year. Periodic investing means you’re always invested, including on the good days. This will probably help to increase your returns.

Cons

• Periodic investing also involves risk. You could lose all or part of your initial investment.
• Even when you’re investing small amounts, it’s important to make sure it’s money you can spare.
• Additionally, it’s important that you check now and again whether the risk level is still right for you.

You can invest as much and as often as you like, but make sure that you only invest with money you have to spare.

The exact time at which your order is executed depends on the ‘cut-off time’. Every investment fund has a fixed cut-off time on trading days. Orders placed before the cut-off time will be forwarded to the fund manager that same day. Orders placed after the cut-off time will be forwarded to the fund manager on the next trading day. The fund manager will generally execute your order within two or three days after the cut-off time.