ASNB announces highest ASM 3 payout in 7 years

KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) has declared an income distribution of five sen per unit for Amanah Saham Malaysia 3 (ASM 3) for the financial year ending Sept 30, its highest payout in seven years.

The RM1.01 billion distribution will benefit 818,137 unit holders holding a total of 20.97 billion units.

ASNB, the wholly-owned unit trust management company of Permodalan Nasional Bhd, said the payout was higher than the 4.75 sen per unit declared for the previous financial year.

It also exceeded Maybank's 12-month fixed deposit rate of 1.99 per cent by 301 basis points.

Up to Sept 23, ASM 3 recorded net realised income of RM1.23 billion.

ASNB said the fund's performance was supported by realised gains, dividend income and other income from its diversified domestic and international investments.

Allocations to fixed income, real estate and private investments further diversified its income sources amid changing market conditions.

"The income distribution of five sen per unit reflects the fund's resilience in navigating an increasingly uncertain investment environment and its ability to continue delivering sustainable returns to unit holders," ASNB said.

It attributed the performance to disciplined portfolio management, prudent risk management and selective positioning in areas with strong structural growth potential.

For unit holders who opted for the Zakat Khultah (Class B) payment, the distribution translates into a net dividend rate of 4.87 per cent after a 2.57 per cent deduction for zakat.

The distribution will be automatically reinvested as additional units in unit holders' accounts on Oct 1.