AS1M declares dividend of 6.38 sen

Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) today announced a maiden income distribution of 6.38 sen per unit for Amanah Saham 1Malaysia (AS 1Malaysia) for the financial year ending Sept 30, 2010.

"This translates into a payout of RM204.67 million and will benefit 259,162 unitholders who collectively own 4.02 billion units of AS 1Malaysia," PNB Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said.

Ahmad Sarji said until Sept 21, 2010 the fund recorded a gross income of RM294.05 million.

Profit from the sale of shares contributed RM165.47 or 56.3 per cent, dividend income from investee companies contributed RM99.8 million or 33.9 per cent, while RM28.79 million or 9.8 per cent was derived from investment in short-term instruments and other income.

He said the income distribution calculation this year will be based on the average monthly minimum balance held throughout the financial year from August 5, 2009 until Sept 30, 2010.

Commenting on the performance of the fund, President and Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman said AS 1Malaysia has been well received by Malaysians since its inception.

The fund, launched in July 2009, offered 10 billion units for subscription at a fixed price of RM1 per unit.

Half of the fund was allocated for Bumiputeras, 30 per cent to the Chinese community, 15 per cent to Indians and five per cent to others.

So far, 100 per cent of the quota given to the Chinese community has been subscribed while the units for Bumiputeras and Indians have remained largely unsubscribed.

"While it has taken time, we are now beginning to see growing interest from the Bumiputeras," he told a media briefing today.

On a monthly average, some RM30 million worth of units are sold to Bumiputeras, he added.--BERNAMA