ASM 3 declares highest payout in seven years at five sen per unit

Permodalan Nasional Bhd's wholly-owned unit trust management company, Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), has declared its highest payout in seven years for Amanah Saham Malaysia 3 (ASM 3) at five sen per unit for the financial year ending September 30, 2026. This RM1.01 billion distribution benefits 818,137 unitholders who own 20.97 billion units.

The payout surpasses the previous year's 4.75 sen per unit and exceeds the 12-month fixed deposit rate of Maybank by 301 basis points. As of September 23, ASM 3 had generated a net realized income of RM1.23 billion, supported by realized gains, dividend income, and other income from diversified investments in domestic and international markets.

The income distribution of 5.00 sen per unit highlights the fund's resilience in navigating an uncertain investment environment and its capacity to deliver sustainable returns to unitholders. The fund's performance was attributed to disciplined portfolio management, prudent risk management, and strategic positioning in sectors with strong growth potential.

During the financial year, ASM 3 faced challenges such as interest rate uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and market volatility. For unitholders who chose the Zakat Khultah (Class B) payment method, the distribution equates to a net dividend rate of 4.87 percent after a 2.57 percent zakat deduction. The distribution will be automatically reinvested as additional units in unitholders' accounts on October 1.

Transactions at ASNB branches, agents, online channels, and internet banking were suspended from September 27 to 30 to facilitate the distribution calculation, resuming on October 1 via the myASNB portal, mobile application, and ASNB branches and agents nationwide.