Amanah Saham Nasional 2 ( ASN 2), income distribution of 6.50 sen per unit for the financial year ended 30 June 2012.

KUALA LUMPUR - Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) has announced an income distribution of 6.50 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Nasional 2 ( ASN 2) for the financial year ended 30 June 2012.

This is an increase of 1.00 sen per unit compared to the income distribution of 5.50 sen per unit announced the previous year.

PNB Chairman, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said the income distribution will involve a total payment of RM11.9 million and would benefit a total of 8,483 unit holders who collectively owned 183 million units of ASN 2.

According to him, overall the fund performed well throughout the financial year ended 30 June 2012 although the performance of the bourse and the world's economy is uncertain due to prolong Europe debt crisis. The FBM KLCI index increased by 1.52 percent from 1,579.07 points recorded on 30 June 2011 to 1,603.07 points recorded on 22 June 2012.

Up until 22 June 2012, ASN 2 has recorded a gross income of RM15.08 million. Dividend income from investee companies contributed RM10.07 million or 66.8 percent of gross income while profit from the sale of shares contributed RM3.25 million or 21.5 percent. The remaining income of RM1.76 million or 11.7 percent is derived from other investments.

All transactions for ASN 2 at the ASNB offices and agents have been suspended from 22 June 2012 to 1 July 2012 to facilitate the calculation of income distribution.

ASN 2 unit holders can update their ASN 2 investment pass book at ASNB offices and agents nationwide beginning 2 July 2012.

The income distribution of ASN 2 will be calculated based on the unit holdings on 30 June 2012 which is the last day of the financial year of the fund. It will be re-invested into additional units of ASN 2 which will be automatically credited into the unit holders' accounts, based on the NAV on 30 June 2012.

For the unitholders who subscribed to the ASN 2 through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Members' Investment Scheme, the income distribution will be credited directly into their respective EPF accounts.

The income distribution statement and fund's annual report will be sent to unit holders beginning end of August 2012.

ASN 2 is a variable-priced growth fund with the objective of generating reasonable level of distribution income and capital appreciation at a reasonable risk level to the unit holders through a diversified portfolio of investments. It is opened to Malaysian Bumiputera investors aged 18 years and above. It is also listed in the Employees Provident Fund Members' Investment Scheme.

At the same function, the President & Group Chief Executive of PNB, Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman also announced the amendment made to the ASB Akaun Remaja features and the launch of the Labur On-Line Campaign.

Beginning 1 July 2012, the maximum investment limit for ASB Akaun Remaja will be increased from 10,000 units to 50,000 units. According to Tan Sri Dato' Sri Hamad Kama Piah, this step is taken to encourage parents to develop a financial plan for their children. Before this, in October 2011, ASNB has amended the eligible age for ASB investors from 12 years old to 6 months old.

Labur On-Line Campaign is opened to ASB account holders utilising the internet banking facility through Maybank2u, CIMBClicks, AffinOnline and RHBNow. This campaign offers 165 units of the latest iPad for the lucky investors investing a minimum of RM2,000 per transaction. The Labur On-Line Campaign will be held for 3 months beginning 1 July to 30 September 2012.