ASW 2020: 6.30 sen dividend per unit, drop 0.10 sen from last year

Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB), today announced a 6.30 sen dividend for a unit of the Amanah Saham Wawasan 2020 (ASW 2020) for the financial year ending Aug 31, 2016.

The dividend was a decline of 0.10 sen a unit from the 6.40 sen declared last year.

Speaking at his maiden press conference as PNB Chairman, Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar said the income distribution this year would involve a total payment of RM1.146 billion and benefit 878,000 unit holders, who currently hold 18.193 billion units of ASW 2020.

He said the 6.30 sen dividend was commendable considering volatilities surrounding the local market this year, which had been affecting the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI's (FBM KLCI) performance.

Up until Aug 24, ASW 2020 had recorded a gross income of RM1.394 billion.

From this amount, profit from the sale of shares contributed RM735.83 million or 52.8 per cent, whole dividend yield income from investee companies contributed RM451.7 million or 32.4 per cent.

The remaining RM206.84 million or 14.8 per cent was derived from short-term instruments and other income.

The income distribution would be reinvested automatically in the from of units, which would be credited to the unit holders' accounts on Sept 1.

All transactions for ASW 2020 have been suspended from yesterday until Aug 31 to facilitate the computation of income distribution.

All unit holders can update their accounts at any ASNB branches or agents nationwide beginning Sept 1.