Analysts have assessed the dividend distribution of 5.75 sen per unit for Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB) for the financial year 2025 as a balanced and resilient rate. This decision is supported by the conservative distribution approach by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) as well as the current low inflation conditions.
According to Mohd Sedek Jantan, Director and Analyst of Investment and Economic Strategy at IPPFA Sdn Bhd, the distribution rate reflects the balance of risks arising from tariff uncertainties, delayed corporate investments, inconsistent asset returns, currency exchange effects, and reliance on domestic income.
“The result is above average when assessed against ASB’s structure, which only distributes from realised income and maintains a stable unit price of RM1,” he explained to Bernama.
Mohd Sedek added that market fluctuations have been successfully absorbed through internal reserves, thus protecting the capital value of unit holders and ensuring stable income. While expanding exposure to international markets can improve long-term portfolio efficiency, the direction of fund distribution and allocation remains influenced by macroeconomic factors, exchange rate dynamics, reserve availability and national development priorities.
Meanwhile, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad Chief Economist, Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid, stated that this dividend distribution is expected to stimulate higher savings levels among ASB investors, especially with the low inflation rate of 1.4 percent for the first 10 months of this year.
“Therefore, the real dividend rate remains positive at around 4.35 percent,” he said. He also stressed that an investment strategy that diversifies exposure to global markets can reduce the impact of domestic equity market fluctuations.
Dr Afzanizam encouraged investors to continue investing to take advantage of the compounding effect, which can gradually increase their savings.
Highest Distribution Since 2019
Previously, Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad (ASNB), the unit trust management company wholly owned by PNB, announced an income distribution of 5.75 sen per unit for ASB for the financial year ending 31 December 2025. The total distribution of RM10.4 billion benefited 11.4 million unit holders nationwide.
For 2025, ASB recorded a return of 5.75 sen per unit, which is the highest distribution record since 2019. In 2024, ASB also distributed the same amount, namely 5.75 sen per unit, resulting from a combined basic dividend of 5.50 sen and a bonus of 0.25 sen.
Prior to that, ASB's total distribution remained moderate in the range of 5.00 to 5.25 sen per unit for the period 2021 to 2023, reflecting a more conservative investment approach in a challenging global market environment.
