Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 (ASW 2020), income distribution of 6.60 sen per unit for the financial year ended 27 August 2012

KUALA LUMPUR - Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), today announced an income distribution of 6.60 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 (ASW 2020) for the financial year ended 31 August 2012.

This is an increase of 0.10 sen per unit compared with the income distribution of 6.50 sen per unit last year.

The income distribution will involve a total payment of RM981.89 million, an increase of 9% compared with the previous year's total payment of RM900.72 million.

It will benefit 907,594 unit holders which currently hold 14.85 billion units of ASW 2020.

Up until 15 August 2012, ASW 2020 has recorded a gross income of RM1,205.76 million. Dividend income from investee companies contributed RM666.55 million or 55.3% of the gross income. Profit from the sale of shares contributed RM334.59 million or 27.7%, meanwhile investment in short term instruments and other income contributed RM204.62 million or 17% of the gross income.

The calculation of income distribution will be based on the average monthly minimum balance held throughout the financial year of ASW 2020.

PNB Chairman, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said, "Despite the unstable share market and world economy brought upon by the European debt crisis, ASW 2020 fund has managed to fulfill its investment objective throughout the ASW 2020 financial year ended 31 August 2012. This is following the good performance of the Malaysian economy and local share market.

He added, "Between 1 September 2011 and 15 august 2012, the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Index (FBM KLCI) has recorded a gain of 14.3%, from 1,447.27 points recorded on 29 August 2011 to 1,653.78 points recorded on 15 August 2012".

The income distribution will be automatically credited into the unit holders' accounts on 1 September 2012. All transactions for ASW 2020 has been suspended beginning 24 August 2012 to 2 September 2012 to facilitate the calculation of income distribution.

Unit holders will be able to update their accounts at ASNB head office, ASNB branch offices or ASNB agents beginning 3 September 2012.

Investors who participated in ASW 2020 through the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Members' Investment Scheme will have their income distribution credited directly into their respective EPF accounts.

ASW 2020 unit holders will receive their income distribution statement together with the fund's annual report beginning mid October 2012.

ASW 2020 is an all-Malaysian fixed price equity fund in which 51% of its size is open for Bumiputera investors while 49% is open for non-Bumiputera investors aged 6 months and above.