When it comes to building long-term wealth, choosing the right investment strategy is crucial. And while every investor seeks to grow their portfolio, the path to achieving this can differ significantly.

To make sense of it all, the DBS CIO Team shares key insights into how investors can think about portfolio construction in a way that aligns with their individual needs.

The Barbell Strategy

The Barbell Strategy is an investment approach developed by the DBS CIO Team.  It focuses on balancing risk by investing at both ends of the risk spectrum:

• Growth: High-conviction, long-term growth themes
• Income: Stable, income-generating assets for downside protection

The DBS CIO Team introduced this approach in 2019 and has consistently advocated it as a way to ride enduring growth trends while managing risk with stable cash flows.

This is not a one-size-fits-all framework. Younger investors with higher risk tolerance may tilt more towards growth-oriented equities, whereas retirees may lean more heavily into income assets like bonds or dividend-paying REITs. The beauty lies in its adaptability – investors can tailor the barbell to suit their needs.

On the surface, the Barbell Strategy may resemble a traditional balanced portfolio – both diversify across asset classes. But here’s the key distinction:

Balanced Portfolios	Barbell Strategy
Balanced portfolios aim for moderation, often sticking to a static allocation across asset types with average market exposure.	The Barbell Strategy encourages conviction investing – overweighting specific growth sectors while offsetting the risk with strong income buffers.
Balanced portfolios may yield stability but can result in bland returns.	Barbell portfolios aim to seize opportunities without compromising on risk control.

The Growth Component: I.D.E.A. Stocks

DBS CIO Team identifies quality growth stocks through the I.D.E.A. framework:

These are companies riding megatrends such as AI, digitisation, and healthcare transformation. Many are in tech, but the framework also includes high-quality names in insurance, automotive, and medical sectors – businesses with strong profitability and earnings resilience.

The Income Component

The income side focuses on:

• Dividend-paying equities (e.g. large Asian financials, blue-chip REITs)
• Investment-grade corporate bonds
• Short-duration bonds

This forms the more defensive component of the Barbell Strategy – focused on generating steady cash flows regardless of market conditions.

Its relevance is heightened in today’s environment, where rising U.S. tariff risk keeping inflation elevated. In response, the Federal Reserve is likely to hold off on rate cuts as it assesses the impact on consumer prices. Against this backdrop, the DBS CIO Team prefers high-quality, short-duration bonds to manage risk while maintaining income.

How You Can Invest with the Guidance of the DBS CIO Team

In today’s digital age, managing your investments shouldn’t feel complicated – and DBS makes sure of that. Through the DBS digibank app’s Wealth Management Account, clients get access to a powerful, all-in-one platform designed not just for wealth tracking, but also to tap into expert insights from the DBS CIO Team.

One of the most actionable features? The Team publishes quarterly model portfolios that cater to different risk appetites – whether you’re conservative, moderate, balanced, or aggressive. Each portfolio provides a recommended asset mix aligned with DBS’s house views, giving you a clear benchmark for how your own portfolio stacks up.

Compare your current allocations by asset class – stocks, bonds, alternatives, and cash – against the model. Spot deviations in your own portfolio and identify what needs to be rebalanced.

Adjust your regional exposure with geographical allocation comparisons. This makes it easy to stay on track with your financial goals – or pivot when market conditions change.

As a DBS Treasures client, you’ll be able to dive into the details of your investments, anytime on the go. View income and expenses, check product maturity, coupon and redemption details, and analyse your portfolio by asset, currency, sectors and more.

Beyond comprehensive digital tools, DBS Treasures also offers exclusive access to invitation-only wealth events. These sessions bring together:

• CIOs, industry experts and senior wealth specialists sharing timely strategies and their insights on the economic landscape
• Curated investment ideas for the current environment
• Networking opportunities with other affluent and like-minded investors

These events are not just informative – they’re designed to enrich your knowledge with timely insights and give you a strategic edge to make the next move in your financial journey.

Why Choose DBS Treasures?

With so many investment platforms available today, a fair question to ask is: Why DBS Treasures?

One key differentiator is that DBS, as one of the largest banks in Asia, offers unparallel on-the-ground insights – especially in lesser-covered Asian markets. In today’s fast-moving world, having expert perspectives can make the difference between reacting emotionally and repositioning your portfolio with confidence.

Take 2025 as an example. Despite trade tariffs, Trump-era policy twists, and a ballooning U.S. fiscal deficit, global equities staged a sharp rebound in Q2 – a classic V-shaped recovery. While uncertainty gripped the market, the DBS CIO Team consistently advised investors to stay the course. It is this invaluable clarity and steadfast conviction that helped investors avoid panic and remain focused on long-term outcomes.

This is a core belief that the DBS CIO Team holds dearly: time in the market beats timing the market. Their experience shows that many investors struggle to buy at market lows – and even find it difficult to re-enter at higher levels once markets recover. In reality, timing the market is far more difficult than it appears.

Some may argue that U.S. tech and AI stocks are overvalued. Yet, the DBS CIO Team remains structurally overweight in technology and AI, and for good reason:

• Nvidia’s blowout results confirm the persistent strength of AI demand
• U.S. tech giants are expected to invest over USD 250 billion in AI infrastructure in 2025
• Middle Eastern sovereign funds are set to commit nearly USD 100 billion in AI-driven investments this decade

Rather than chasing hype, the DBS CIO Team builds conviction from deep research and long-term structural trends – helping clients position themselves early and confidently.

While robo-advisors serve a purpose, they fall short when your financial needs go beyond basic asset allocation.

Affluent individuals often face more complex considerations in estate planning and generational wealth transfer. These are areas where a human advisor’s expertise becomes indispensable.

At DBS Treasures, you’ll find not just investment advice, but an integrated wealth solution. From philanthropy planning to cross-border structuring, DBS Treasures offers a holistic approach backed by institutional strength and a dedicated team.

Learn more → DBS Treasures: Access More Wealth Expertise

Get up to S$15,000 when you make your move to DBS Treasures. (T&Cs apply)

Disclosure: This article is part of a paid collaboration with DBS. All opinions are Dr Wealth’s own.

Disclaimers and Important Notice

The information and opinions contained in this article has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but DBS makes no representation or warranty as to its adequacy, completeness, accuracy or timeliness for any particular purpose.

This article is meant for information only and should not be relied upon as financial advice. Before making any decision to buy, sell or hold any investment or insurance product, you should seek advice from a financial adviser regarding its suitability.

It is provided in Singapore by DBS Bank Ltd (Company Registration. No.: 196800306E), an Exempt Financial Adviser as defined in the Financial Advisers Act and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.