ASNB announces six sen income distribution per unit for ASN3

KUALA LUMPUR: Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB) today announced an income distribution of six sen per unit for Amanah Nasional 3 Imbang (ASN 3) for the financial year ended Nov 30, 2010.

This is the second consecutive year the ASNB is declaring the same dividend.

PNB Chairman Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said this would involve a payment of RM7.52 million that will benefit 11,500 unit holders who hold 125.41 million shares in ASN 3.

"Up until Nov 21, ASN 3 recorded a gross income of RM9.26 million. Of the amount, profit from the sale of shares contributed RM4.48 million or 48.38 per cent.

"Dividend income contributed RM2.59 million or 27.97 per cent while RM2.19 million or 23.65 per cent is derived from investment in short-term instruments and other income," he told a press conference to announce ASN 3's financial performance here today.

Ahmad Sarji said the income distribution for ASN 3 would be calculated based on the unit holdings, as of Nov 30, 2011, the last day of the financial year.

It will be re-invested into additional units of ASN 3, which will be automatically credited into the unit holders' accounts, based on the net asset value on Nov 30, 2011.

All transactions for ASN 3 at ASNB offices and agents have been suspended beginning today until Nov 30 to facilitate the calculation of income distribution.

ASN 3 is a variable priced balanced fund with the objective of generating capital growth over the medium to long-term, by investing in a balanced investment portfolio through the re-investment of distribution, if any.

Meanwhile, PNB president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman said overall, ASN3's performance was much better this year than in 2010.

He said although the stock market was sluggish the portfolio of shares held by ASN3 performed well.

"We actually can declare returns of 12 per cent but taking into consideration the balanced fund, we fixed an income distribution of six sen.

"The balance of six sen we will plough back into investments and we hope investors will continue to invest in ASN3. We hope to declare competitive dividends from time to time," said Hamad Kama Piah.

Commenting on PNB's take over of SP Setia Bhd, he said they were finalising the necessary documents.

Besides, PNB is also awaiting the nod from the Securities Commission before making an announcement accordingly.

On Sept 28, PNB offered to acquire SP Setia shares at RM3.90 per share and 91 sen per warrant after triggering a mandatory general offer following its shareholding exceeding the 33 per cent threshold on Sept 27. - BERNAMA