KUCHING, Dec 27: Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), has announced an income distribution of 4.60 sen per unit for its flagship unit trust fund, Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB), for the fiscal year ending Dec 31, 2022 (FY2022).
According to a press release issued by PNB, the income distribution consisted of a 3.35-sen dividend and a 1.25-sen bonus, totaling 4.60 sen per unit.
ASNB also announced a ‘Bonus Tambahan’ of 0.50 sen per unit for unit holders with the first 30,000 units.
The total income distribution is RM8.9 billion, which will benefit 10.6 million ASB unit holders.
PNB group chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria stated, “Despite difficult market conditions, we have delivered a competitive income distribution to ASB unit holders, which includes a Bonus Tambahan this year.
“The total distribution of RM8.9 billion will benefit the 10.6 million ASB unitholders who own 186.4 billion units.
“The Bonus Tambahan is intended to aid our unitholders during a period of rising costs of living.”
Meanwhile, PNB president and group chief executive Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn mentioned that Malaysian companies contributed the most to returns this year, driven by ASB’s investments in the financial services, plantation, and healthcare sectors.
“In the first half of 2022, ASB took advantage of the relatively strong domestic equity market performance to capture gains, rebalance its portfolio, and increase its cash holdings,” said Ahmad Zulqarnain.
He also noted that ASB has continued to provide sustainable and competitive returns, outperforming the benchmark Maybank 12-month Fixed Deposit rate.
“ASB’s number of accounts increased by more than 200,000 to 10.6 million accounts, whilst units in circulation rose by 4.6 billion or 2.53% to 186.4 billion units.
“This indicates continued confidence in ASB as an essential savings and investment tool for Bumiputeras in their financial planning,” he explained.
Moreover, Ahmad Zulqarnain reiterated that ASB has continued to outperform its benchmark as a result of asset allocation and diversification strategies implemented in recent years.
“We are pleased to see the steady rise of Malaysians investing with us, as well as the increase in the size of their investments.
“ASB remains a fundamental component for our unit holders’ financial planning,” he remarked.
In navigating the uncertainties of 2022, PNB has once more demonstrated its resilience.
PNB’s total Assets Under Management (AUM) increased from RM336.7 billion to RM343.1 billion during the first 11 months of the year.
During the same time period, the total number of units in circulation for all 17 ASNB funds rose from 276.2 billion to 283.2 billion, while the number of account holders rose from 14.8 million to 15.2 million in 2021.
According to PNB, the income distribution and bonus for ASB are calculated based on the average minimum monthly balance maintained throughout the fund’s fiscal year.
“The calculation of Bonus Tambahan distribution is limited to the first 30,000 units per account.
“On Jan 1, 2023, the re-invested income distribution and bonus units will be credited to the unit holders’ accounts.
“The dividend is paid from ASB’s net income, while bonuses are paid from PNB’s discretionary proprietary funds,” disclosed PNB.
Transactions for ASB at ASNB branches and agents, as well as all online channels and internet banking, have been temporarily suspended from Dec 22 to De 31, 2022.
On Jan 1, 2023, unit holders may resume transactions through the myASNB portal (www.myasnb.com.my) or the myASNB mobile application, or through any ASNB branch or its agents nationwide beginning Jan 3, 2023. — DayakDaily
