KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 21): Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) has declared a total income distribution of 5.25 sen per unit, amounting to a total income payout of RM9.3 billion for the financial year ended Dec 31, 2023 (FY2023).
In a statement on Thursday, ASNB — which is wholly owned by Permodalan Nasional Bhd — said the payout comprises an income distribution of 4.25 sen per unit, plus a bonus of one sen per unit, benefitting 10.8 million unit holders.
Despite volatile market conditions amid higher interest rates and inflationary pressures, PNB has consistently delivered competitive returns through its fixed-price funds, all of which had outperformed their benchmark over the years, said PNB chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda.
“Therefore, people are encouraged to continue saving for the long term and a secure future. We recognise the importance of championing financial literacy and guided by our recently refreshed purpose to uplift the financial lives of Malaysians across generations, we are committed to serving our unitholders and delivering competitive outcomes,” he said.
“This year, we saw the increase in number of accounts to 15.6 million as of October 2023 (from 15.2 million last year). The sustained popularity of our unit trust products was evident through the findings from the 2023 RinggitPlus Malaysian Financial Literacy Survey (RMFLS), with ASNB products maintaining their position as the most popular investment choice,” he added.
PNB noted that 2023 has proven to be a significant year for the fund management company, marked notably by the consolidation of UMW Holdings Berhad, of which PNB holds a 61.2% stake, and Sime Darby Berhad.
PNB owns a 5.11% stake in Sime Darby and is deemed to have a 37.73% interest via Amanah Saham Bumiputera, as well as a collective 4.37% shareholdings through its other unit trust funds, including Amanah Saham Malaysia 2 — Wawasan, Amanah Saham Malaysia and Amanah Saham Malaysia 3.
Other developments include the merger of Malaysia Building Society Berhad and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad, and the signing of a RM2 billion sale and leaseback transaction agreement with the Employees Provident Fund (EPF), Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) and Osram Opto Semiconductors Sdn Bhd for its manufacturing facility in Kulim Hi-tech Park, Kedah.
Moving into next year, PNB said it will embrace innovation and digitalisation to enhance unitholders’ experience while keeping itself on track to delivering its 10 Environmental, Social and Governance commitments.
“PNB will also be more active in championing financial literacy to uplift the financial lives of Malaysians across generations. Among the initiatives include offering Auto Labur, a recurring investment function on myASNB app, to boost savings habit and promoting the ASNB Academy, a financial literacy tool accessible for all Malaysians which serves as a knowledge hub and reference center on investment and financial planning.
The computation of the income distribution for ASNB is based on the average minimum monthly balance held throughout the fund’s financial year. The units re-invested from the income distribution will be credited into unitholders’ accounts on Jan 1, 2024.