Amanah Saham 1Malaysia first dividend 6.38 sen per unit

Finally, the much awaited moment has arrived. The expected dividend payout for Amanah Saham 1Malaysia is only 3.7-4%. Many are worried about the outcome of this investment and are in doubt on the potential of this fund since it is just newly launched. For previous article on AS 1 Malaysia, click here for general info and click here for detailed explainations and key data. 

However, all doubts are now answered. Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB) as on 23 September 2010 had announced the first dividend of 6.38 sen per unit for Amanah Saham 1Malaysia for financial year ended 30 September 2010. Official article here.

Gross income up to 21 September 2010 = RM 294.05 million

1. Sale of shares contributed RM165.47 million or 56.3%
2. Investee companies contributed RM99.80 million or 33.9%
3. Investment in short term instruments and other income contributed RM 28.78 million or 9.8%

The income distribution achieved will be automatically credited into unit holder accounts on 1 October 2010. Hence, all account holders can update their accounts at ANSB office or ANSB agents starting from 1 October 2010. However, the income distribution statement and the fund annual report will only be send out beginning November 2010. 

So, to all my dear investors-mate who have been checking my blog for the Amanah Saham 1Malaysia information last year, are you guys satisfied? I'm am sure most of you are very happy and regretted of not purchasing more units. Haha. Who can expect the dividend payout is higher than ASM with 6.3%? 

Will be looking forward this coming 1 October to update my account book~ xD

Happy investing and happy earning!!

Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM)

Camping at Maybank? Some of my friends were puzzled when I told them I will be going for a camp. However, close friends knew that my destination was to Maybank instead to purchase the Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) which was selling like hot cakes. It was an issue that have been long discussed. Ever since the Prime Minister announced that there will be a new unit trust called Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia, I were searching the information online as well as friends around. A shocking finding was that many of them about 40% had actually bought ASM long time ago. I had heard about ASM previously but too naive to know what was it all about until today. So, what is ASM? The below images were captured from the ASNB website.

In short, ASM is like a fixed deposit. The difference would be the return rates or interest rates. You can only buy the unit trust during the selling period after which it is difficult for you to purchase unless there is people selling off their units but very slim chance.

Normally, during the first launching, there will be NO limit to the amount you wish to purchase. Then, there might be additional fund in the subsequent years of which the unit trust holders can purchase additional unit for their investment. If not mistaken, there is no race quota for this unit trust when it was introduced. As the time changed, the policy also had changed.

ASM is an equity-income fund launched in 2000 with a fund size of two billion units which were fully subscribed in 21 days. It must be noted that such unit trust has quota for different races. On 21 April 2009, 3.33 billions additional unit were open for sale. RM 1.665 billion (50%) were allocated for the Bumiputras, 999 millions (30%) for Chinese, 499.5 million (15%) were allocated to Indians and the remaining 5% for other races. All the Chinese quota was sold off while 99.4% or 496 millions quota for Indians were purchased as on 7 July 2009. All the Chinese allocations has been sold off within hours or HALF DAY.

As on 20 July 2009, the allocations for the Indians have been totally sold out. The Bumiputras bought 7.65 millions (50%) from the allocated 1.665 billion. There was a total of 1.635 billions unsubscribe ASM units for Bumiputra which probably include those units from previous ASM launch that was unsold. The expiry of this newly introduced quota based offer period was till 20 July 2009, after which will open for sale to ALL.

The minimum initial investment is 100 unit or RM 100. However, it is only logical for investors to invest at the minimum RM 1000 in order to gain good return. This ASM is yearly basis sort of FD which expiry on every 31 March. From the table above, the dividend payout is as high as 6.25 to 7.8%. Lets take 2009 as an example. At the current FD rate of 2.5 % per year, the difference if you invest the money into ASM is additional 3.75 % (6.25-2.5%) CASH into your account. It is exactly 2.5 x more interest rate or return to your investment.

I myself predicted that the dividend payout for 2010 will be slightly higher based on the current positive economic boost. (compared to other countries globally) Lets say you have a capital of RM 100, 000 and you used it to purchase ASM. If you have any FD or special investment FD alike plan offered by the banks, the interest rate would be 2.5-3.5% per year. Compared to ASM, you are actually earning RM 6250/year (as for 2009) rather than RM 2500-RM 3500.

As the terms investment, the more you invest the visible is the figure of earning. As compared to any other forms of investment, this ASM or any other related unit trusts are the SAFEST in terms of cost and risk of investment.

On 21 July 2009, PNB offered 1.6 billion unsubscribed ASM units including the Bumiputera quota to all Malaysians. However, there was 20,000 unit maximum limit for investors to ensure all the people have the equal chance to purchase and to prevent the rich to buy all the remaining units. It is a fair for all investment. If you want to purchase and earn some money, you need to compete with the rest of Malaysians to grab this opportunity.

The fundamental of purchasing this unit trust is to QUEUE up as early as possible. For those who had bought before and own an investment book, it is much faster for them to top up their account or investment than those newbies spending at least 10-15 minutes registering for new account. Such great deal is mainly targeted to low to moderate income Malaysians to somehow earn some money and learn on investment.

So, as planned, I met up with Vun at 7.30 am at Maybank, Taman Connought. He came earlier a bit than me and was 2 persons in front of me. There were many other friends whom I told them about this plan and interested on it. However, this ASM might be new to them and they need time to decide and prepare the investment capital. I suggest to those who are interested to open up a account now based on your convenience and later top up your investment as needed when you think the need arise. Early minimum investment can save up your time in future as you no need to wait a longer queue to register a new account.

See.. this was the queue at 7.30 am and there were about 20-30 people in earlier than me. Those experienced uncles and aunties brought along foldable stool, newspaper and some foods along. For the younger one, they brought along headset to listen to the music while reading books. (the person in front of me) It is always good to have somebody to accompany you to prevent you dying from boredom. This was my first time experience queuing up and will never forget the long hours I stood. For your information, Maybank opens its door at 9.15 am and they start giving out the numbers at 8.30 am.

Vun got number 14 while me, 17. Coincidentally, my mum who also queued up got the number 17 like me as well. Ironically, I got the number by queuing up at 7.30 am but she got hers at 8.15 am ++. What I wanted to stress here is that always aim at the banks who have lesser customers or in less dense population or in this case, Malay dominated area. This is because if the Malays are interested to buy, they need not to wait until today to purchase (no bias against any race). Usually, the allocation for them will not run out so fast.

The small paper printed with the number is usually given out instead of printed from the machine. It was claimed by the bank officers that such transaction was done manually and hence no auto generated tickets. I found this way of distributing the tickets is not efficient. When we are purchasing ASM, they claimed they will call your number out but sadly they speak softly and the customers cannot listen to their voice. By having the usual auto generate ticket and usual calling up of number using the display board, it is much easier for the customers to know.

See the queue. Due to the inefficiency of the calling, some customers went to queue up for long period of time only to know that their number will be called out later. The process of registering a new account may take from 10-15 minute. It was a dreadful period having the need to stand for a long period of time before waiting for your turn. It was my turn at about 11.15 am after queuing up for approximately 3 hours and I think I got everything settle by 11.30 am before rushing back to the university. If you bring CASH, the application is faster and can be even done at Post Office which opens at 8.30 am. However, there is a risk and its better to do money transfer at banks.

On 22 July 2009 approximately 11 am, my sister who queued up and got number 7 was told that all the ASM units have been sold off. This meant that the 3.33 billions additional funds launched in April were fully subscribed. The duration of sold out should be in just 1.2 days for 1.6 billions. It is actually longer than expected 1 day time.

So, do you want to buy ASM? PM Dato Seri Najib had announced that there will be launching of new fund called Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia in coming September with the size of 10 billions. If the quota remains to be 30% to the Chinese, the amount would be 3 billions. Lets do some prediction:
a) If 999 millions were sold out half day, it means that the maximum sold out time will be in only 3 DAYS time.
b) If 1.6 billions were sold out 1.1 day with the maximum investment of RM 20, 000, it means that maximum sold out time will be only in exactly 2 DAYS only.

So, what do you think? As for me, I was happy to own my very first investment book. Hope it grows more and more and more. Haha =P

Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia *UPDATED 3 AUG 2009

*Original article*

Finally, the most awaited moment had arrived. PM Dato Seri Najib had make the announcement today, 31 July 2009 on the launching of the biggest ever trust fund so far with the size of 10 billions. Dear readers, mark your calendar on 5 August 2009, Wednesday to do camping again to buy these units. For employees, hope it is not too late to apply leave now. A shocking news is that Najib also announced that 50,000 fresh undergraduates of local public institutions of higher learning will get 100 units of this newly launched Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia. Though the amount is not that big, it however provide a starting point or catalyst for the students to learn how to save their money and generate some income through long term investment plan. In another view, it make the students easier to make additional investment in the future by having an account now. Let's have a look to this plan.

From what I can see, this plan is exactly the same like Amanah Saham Malaysia which I bought few weeks ago. It just differs in terms of the date of birth and the fund size. Haha.

On the maximum investment, there is a difference from ASM. Initially, ASM was sold to all and later on a new system of selling based on race quota was introduced. For this plan, the new system is used. Though it is stated unlimited investment, I think the maximum investment or limit will still apply even after the initial sales period.

As stated, those aged 55 years and above can only purchase a maximum of 100,000 unit per unit holder whereas those bellow 55 years old can only purchase a maximum of 50,000 units. Such limitation is of course a good news to all poor to moderate income Malaysians but not to the big tauke or big boss. They no longer can enjoy the luxurious of putting their 'side income' amounting hundred thousands ringgit and buy all the units within days of launching.

Another difference is that there is a new ruling stating that 1% of amount invested may be charged after initial sales period. Not to bias, this system seem targeted to charge the Chinese for buying the additional units after initial sales period ended. Why such ruling never been implemented before but now?

As usual, from the 10 billions fund size, there will be 50% allocation to the Bumiputras, 30% to the Chinese, 15% to the Indians and 5% to the other races. So, there will be 3 billions allocated for the Chinese. The Chinese who are well known to buy all the allocation within days may have a better chance among them. This is due to the maximum limit that one can buy. Judging into this, we can expect more people will but this units and hence there will be a longer queue.

The time frame for this allocation to finish up is predicted to be about 2 days with extension of another half day. So, dear friends, are you interested to start your an investment for your own future? As for me at the time of writing, I am still unsure whether to buy or not as I need to consult with my 'financial supplier' first. Most probably I will start it small if I do not get allocation this time. However, this is a golden opportunity to all Malaysians and I foresee to have a better dividend payout looking to the current economic that is slowly recovering. I would like to share a tip for buying this units.

QUEUE up as early as possible. It's better for you to suffer from getting up early than having a super long waiting time till the end of the day should you come on or after 9-10 am. If your number is still far away, don't be silly to stand at the banks. Go to have your breakfast and estimate the time. Last time when I bought ASM, it was about 6-8 people in 1 hour. If your investment is low lets say RM 1000, take the money out and buy at post office. it will be much faster. If possible, take the application form from the banks and filled before you come so that you won't be lost on that super crowd day.

Bring a headset and enjoy to your music or bring a book. Ask some friends to accompany you and a light meal before you start queuing. if you don't mind people laughing at you, bring a movable stool so that you can sit while waiting. A newspaper is a good companion. Find banks located in a less denser population or lesser Chinese populated area. That's all from now. So, any friends want to camp with me??



*Latest update as on 5 August 2009 together with exclusive clarification of the plan, click HERE*

*Latest update as on 3 August 2009*

I went to Maybank today and the first word they said to me was 'no capital guaranteed, think first before you buy. Apparently, the whole Malaysians was confused and assume this new AS 1 Malaysia to be same as ASM. Well, it is NOT.

Accordingly, this new plan is based on market value and the expected dividend payout is 3.7 to 4%. which is not a guaranteed. (might have loses as well). After the initial sales period, the price per unit is not fixed at RM 1.00 but will shoot up or down depends on the market value. Hence, it poses a risk in the investment but it is not something new in mutual funds like those offered by banks.

Besides, it has also additional charges namely management fees (if not mistaken 5% of the investment value) and also trustee feees (if not mistaken 0.5 % of investment). Such 'new' plan makes the buyers to have a second thought on the reliability and risks of this investment. I am not sure about mutual funds, but if it same like them in terms of risks and return rates, question arise is why don't I invest in established mutual funds? Comments from experts are essential HERE ASAP in helping us making a decision.

For the form, it will be only distributed on Wednesday during launching. TQ.

*UPDATE ENDS* 

Amanah Saham 1 Malaysia, 5 August 2009 *Updated 8 August 2009*

*UPDATES ON 8 AUGUST 2009* Source: Bernama

Amanah Saham 1Malaysia (AS1M) received strong support from the investing public with more than 1.4 billion units taken up within two days of its launch. The selling and buying price of AS1M is fixed at RM1. Unitholders, therefore, can purchase or redeem the AS1M units at RM1 per unit at all times, said Hamad. Redemption however could only be done after the 30 day offer period, he added.

Since units of AS1M is fixed at RM1 at all times, it is not defined as a "capital guaranteed fund" because by definition of the Guidelines on Unit Trust Funds, a "capital guaranteed fund" would guarantee investors the capital invested only if units are held until maturity, explained PNB. Fixed price fund meanwhile does not have a maturity date, and therefore its unit is fixed at RM1.

*UPDATES END*

Yo.. it is another successful camping and different type of experience today! I went to the Maybank at about 6.30 am. Initially, we were planning to go to the post office. However, since we got a lucky number 2 and 3, my friend decided to buy at Maybank instead. Perhaps, we have good companion with the 1st person and the 5th and 7th persons, our conversation went lively as we waited for our queue.

pre dawn

For your information, Maybank (the whole nation I guess) network server went down and could not connected to ASNB. My application was registered at 9.30 am with my account book printed, stamped and signed. However, I have to wait until 11.15 am for the server to be connected and my registration to be fully completed. On the other hand, post offices went smoothly. At 10 am ++, the number went far to 29 and at about 11 am ++, it reached 40. Information given is for post office, CMC , Taman Connought.

Sukuk 1 Malaysia (S1M) with 5% per annum profits

Great news to all Malaysians! The Ministry of Finance will be issuing Sukuk 1 Malaysia (S1M) 2010) under Financial Funding Act 1983 with a total amount of 3 billion on 21 June 2010. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) had been appointed to issue the S1M on behalf of the Ministry of Finance.

Let’s have a look to the key features of this plan as issued by Ministry of Finance on 10 May 2010.

This S1M is sort of like fixed deposit but this is a Government savings bond with guaranteed 5% per annum fixed profits for maturity period of 3 years. The current FD rates among local banks for 12 months (1 year) is about 2.8% whereas for 36 months (3 years) is about 3%. Thus, the 5% return is definitely attractive to the investors.

Revised Fixed Deposit Rates Among Local Banks as on 1/5/2010

Hey, dear readers! Do you notice that the rates of fixed deposit among local banks had changed since early of March? The revised of the rates was not something unpredictable as the rates as on previous year was way too low with the lowest of 2.00% for 1 month. Correct me if I was wrong, the rate was the lowest ever recorded in history perhaps.

I only noticed the changes towards the end of March when I browse through Maybank2u.com to update my account. After some findings, then only I realised the changes have been made since early of March. In addition, CIMB Bank had actually revised the rates twice and the latest rates is effective from 23 March 2010.

Now, let's have a look on the most updated current rates as on 1 May 2010. Hey, it's LABOUR DAY!! Wishing everyone a HAPPY HOLIDAY! For those who still need to work today, hey, no worry, it's double payments right?