6.35 SEN PER UNIT FOR ASD INCOME DISTRIBUTION
JUNE 15, 2010

KUALA LUMPUR: - Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) has announced an income distribution of 6.35 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Didik (ASD) for the financial year ended June 30, 2010.

PNB Chairman, Tun Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said the income distribution will involve a total payment of RM207.75 million, an increase of 33.50 percent compared to RM155.59 million paid last year.

According to Tun Ahmad Sarji, through prudent investment strategy, the ASD has generated income in line with the current investment situation.

“Throughout the ASD financial year, the local bourse showed encouraging performance beginning the second half of 2009 following the positive economic development globally and domestically,” he said.

Up until June 11, 2010, ASD has recorded a gross income of RM258.33 million. Dividend income from investee companies contributed RM89.09 million or 34.49 percent to the total income.

Profit from the sale of shares contributed RM149.00 million or 57.68 percent. The remaining income of RM20.24 million or 7.83 percent is derived from investments in short term instruments.

The income distribution will benefit a total of 293,504 unit holders who collectively owned 3.59 billion units of ASD.

The calculation of the income distribution is based on the average monthly minimum balance held throughout the financial year of ASD.

All transactions for ASD at the ASNB offices and agents will be suspended from June 23, 2010 to June 30, 2010 to facilitate the calculation of income distribution. Unit holders will be able to update their accounts at ASNB offices and agents nationwide beginning July 1, 2010 when transactions resume.

The income distribution of ASD will be automatically re-invested in the form of units and credited into the unit holders’ accounts on July 1, 2010. For the unit holders who subscribed to the ASD 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 middle of August, 2010.

Since its launch in 2001, ASD has always been the preferred fund for Bumiputera investors who are interested in investing for theirs and their children’s education.

Up to May 31, 2010, the fund has received a total of 67,403 new unit holders, an increase of 29.96 percent compared to the numbers as at July 1, 2009. The net inflow of new funds have also increased by 603.22 million or 21.26 percent.

ASD is a fixed price equity income fund aimed at providing investment opportunity which can generate long term, growth and competitive returns to the unit holders.