[UPDATED] ASNB’s fund bonanza: ASB’s 5.25 sen per unit income distribution beats last year’s 4.6 sen payout

KUALA LUMPUR – Unit trust management company, Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), today declared a total income distribution of 5.25 sen a unit for its flagship fund, Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for the financial year ending December 31, 2023 (FY2023).

The total distribution consists of an income distribution of 4.25 sen a unit and a bonus of 1.00 sen a unit. The total payout amounts to RM9.3 billion and will benefit 10.8 million ASB unitholders.

In comparison, ASNB distributed a combined dividend and bonus dividend of 4.6 sen (3.35 sen dividend and 1.25 sen bonus dividend) for ASB last year.

It also gave out a special bonus dividend of 0.5 sen for the first 30,000 units held by a unit holder.

According to a statement by Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) today, ASB’s number of accounts increased by more than 200,000 to 10.8 million accounts.

The units reinvested from the income distribution will be credited into the unitholders’ accounts on January 1, 2024. Transactions for ASB at ASNB branches and agents, including all online channels and internet banking, will be suspended temporarily from December 22 to 25, 2023. 

Meanwhile, other transactions using online channels and internet banking will resume on January 1 and at any ASNB branches and agents beginning January 2.

A special feature was introduced this year to encourage Malaysians to continue saving, which allows additional cash investment transactions in ASB starting December 26, 2023. These investment transactions will be taken into account for the monthly minimum balance in January 2024, allowing unitholders to enjoy the full calculation of income distribution.

“This year, we saw an increase in the number of accounts to 15.6 million as of October 2023 (from 15.2 million last year),” said PNB group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda.

According to the Finance Ministry, Malaysia’s economy is projected to grow 4.0% in 2023, with continuous support from strong domestic consumption, infrastructure spending, and a rebound in the tourism sector.

Malaysia’s economy registered a stronger growth of 3.3% in the third quarter of 2023 (Q3 2023), compared to Q2 2023 at 2.9% (Q1 2023: 5.9%). Nonetheless, the capital market is not insulated from global macrotrends, especially elevated interest rates. 

The FBM KLCI has declined 2.2% as of December 15, 2023.

In addition, the consolidation of UMW Holdings Bhd and Sime Darby Bhd this year strengthened PNB’s presence in the domestic and regional automotive sectors. 

Other developments involving PNB include the merger of Malaysia Building Society Bhd and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Bha and the signing of a RM2 billion sale and leaseback transaction agreement together with the Employees Provident Fund, and Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) with Osram Opto Semiconductors Sdn Bhd for its manufacturing facility in Kulim Hi-tech Park, Kedah. – December 21, 2023