Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM)

The unit trust funds that Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) distributes had vastly attracts many malaysians into owning a certain portions of units. To some, Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM) funds is the golden opportunity they could not resist purchasing, as it generates a promissable stable and high return with contrast to other unit trust funds distributed by Unit Trust Management Company (UTMC). In fact, the returns outpaced the one year tenure of any prevailing Fixed Deposit schemes offered by local financial and banking institutions. Therefore, seeing a sight of long curving queue of people waiting infront of selected distribution agents of PNB ready to purchase the 'Dana' ASM is not a surprise to many.

But wait!! Think first before you decide. Is ASM the right fund to buy?

Below, i have pen down some salient points that you might not have known or told of about the characteristic of this ASM, in contrast to the other funds of UTMC's.

There are 2 major points which an investor should weigh prior to decision-making, and they are the fund's published selling unit price and secondly the fund's ability to declare distribution. Investors make a placement judging on this two sources of income.

1. UNIT PRICE

Amanah Saham Malaysia(ASM)

It is high and it is fixed!! The unit price stays throughout the life of the fund. And because of the price is high, the number of units purchased are always low.

With an initial capital of Rm1000, and if the selling price is Rm1.00, you will be given only 1000 units.

If you purchase a unit of ASM that cost Rm1.00, that fund will remain valued at Rm 1.00 at anytime in future.

We refer this as NO CAPITAL GAIN.

Other Unit Trust Management Company (UTMC) funds.

In contrast to ASM, other UTMC's funds carry a much lower selling price and the price does not remain stagnant indefinitely. The unit trust prices are quite volatile and it fluctuate based on the principle of demand and supply factor. As a result of this changes in price, the feature provides an investor the possibility of reaping capital gain, i.e. the growth of unit prices. In the same token, an investor may also face depleting unit prices, i.e. the fall in unit prices.

Suppose you buy an unit for Rm 0.2500 now, and the fund's price has the potential to move upwards. Lets say if it moves to Rm 0.3000 a unit, the difference of Rm 0.0500 a unit will be the gain for you! We refer this as CAPITAL GAIN!

If an investor with a capital of Rm1000 purchases a unit trust fund that sells at Rm 0.2500 (ignoring the sales charges), he/she will be earn 4000 units, which is 4 times more than ASM units of the same initial investment. Is not this great?

So, with regards to unit price, ASM scheme does not stand out to funds of other UTMC.

I will write about the other source of income, i.e. Distribution, in the next web blog soon.

Regards,
Dave