Distributions for Financial Year End July 2009

Public Mutual Bhd has declare gross income distributions for six funds for the financial year ended July 31st, 2009.

The funds involved are:

Public Growth Fund (PGF)
4.00 sen per unit

Public Islamic Opportunities Fund (PIOF)
2.00 sen per unit

Public Islamic Select Enterprises Fund (PISEF)
1.25 sen per unit

Public Bond Fund (PBOND)
5.00 sen per unit

Public Islamic Select Bond Fund (PISBF)
3.50 sen per unit

Public Islamic Income Fund (PI Income)
2.50 sen per unit

According to The Edge-Lipper Fund Table dated 20 July 2009, Public Growth Fund and Public Islamic Opportunities Fund have generated a three-year return of 40.11% and 45.01% respectively for the period ended 10 July 2009.

As for the bond funds, Public Bond Fund has generated a three-year return of 15.56% while Public Islamic Select Bond Fund which was launched in 2007 has generated a one-year return of 6.59%. These funds have outperformed their benchmarks for the respective periods.

Meanwhile, Public Islamic Select Enterprises Fund and Public Islamic Income Fund which were launched last year have generated a six-month return of 16.08% and 4.45% respectively for the period ended 10 July 2009. Both funds are open for EPF Members Investment Scheme.

Distributions for Financial Year End June 2009

Public Mutual Bhd has declare gross income distributions for seven funds for the financial year ended June 30th, 2009.

They are:

PB Growth Fund
7.50 sen per unit

PB Balanced Fund
6.00 sen per unit

PB Fixed Income Fund
5.00 sen per unit

PB Islamic Bond Fund
3.00 sen per unit

Public Islamic Money Market Fund
2.50 sen per unit

PB Islamic Cash Management Fund
2.50 sen per unit

PB Cash Management Fund
2.50 sen per unit

W.E.F 1st August 2009: Dearer Public Transport

Public transport fares will go up by 30% from 1st August 2009!

Taxi Rates
Current
RM2 for first 1km/2 minutes
RM0.10 for every subsequent 150m/45 seconds

New
RM3 for first 1km/3 minutes
RM0.10 for every subsequent 115m/21 seconds.

Express Bus Fares
Current
6.5 sen/km

New
8.5 sen/km

Stage Bus Fares in Kuala Lumpur
Increase by 25 to 75 sen according to zones

School Bus Fares
Current
RM21.10 for the first kilometre
RM1.55 for every subsequent kilometre

New
RM27.43 for the first kilometre
RM2.02 for every subsequent kilometre

http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=35869

Savings Return turned negative? Unit Trust is your answer!

Let's see this simple equation:

Real Interest Rate = Rate-(tax+rate of inflation)

Based on the article published on The Star ( the link to the article here)

Based on the January 2009 Consumer Price Index of 3.9%, savings which offer the best rate (Fixed Deposit offers the rate of 2.50%) are already in the red!!! Which means, even if you save all your money safely in the bank, your money is losing value every moment. This is the POWER OF INFLATION!

So why are you keeping your money there? Oh ya.. I know, you will said it's safe, no risk..ya, sure! Of course no risk, cause it's a CERTAINTY that you will be losing the value of your money!

Sure enough, when Fixed Deposits offer interest rates of more than 10%, you will go for FD and deemed unit trust a risk..but now?

FD always offer certainty, and now it's certain to LOSE, and unit trust is the opportunity (instead of risk) to earn REAL INTEREST.

Price of Public Mutual- 8th July 2009

For the convenience of the investors under the Direct Debit Instruction (DDI), the price of Public Mutual on the 8th and 18th every month will be posted to this blog, so that investors can conveniently check their units obtained for the particular day of DDI purchase

Special Campaign for Public China Ittikal Fund (PCIF) - 16 June 2009 to 31 July 2009

Just in case u missed the ad on the newspaper, Good News! Public Mutual will be running a special campaign for Public China Ittikal Fund (PCIF) from 16 June 2009 to 31 July 2009.

During this period, investors will enjoy a special promotional service charge as low as 5.00%! The normal charge rate is at 5.50%

For investment of RM10,000 & above, the service charge will be at 5.00%

As for investment from RM5,000 to RM9,999-99, the service charge will be at 5.25%

Besides, you will be contributing to charity, while investing!

For every successful transaction above RM500 into PCIF during the promotional period, RM1 will be donated by Public Mutual to Baitulmal, an authorized body to accept and manage funds for the benefits of the society.

Will PCIF perform? They have been dissapoiting thus far..

In the current economic crisis, if there is any country who can lead the rest of the world out of this crisis, it has to be China. The Chinese economy is expected to lead emerging markets in a period of economic recovery throughout 2009 and 2010. The Chinese economy is projected to grow by 6.5% in 2009 and 7.5% in 2010 supported by the government’s US$586 billion stimulus package and accommodative monetary policy.

Based on the quarterly report (as at 31 March 2009) by Public Mutual, PCIF invest 44.64% of their money in China, 25.54% in Taiwan, 17.81% in Malaysia and 12.01% in Hong Kong.

Within the stock markets of Greater China, there is a wide range of listed companies which may provide good opportunities for investors to participate in the future growth of the region. PCIF is positioned to tap into the long-term growth opportunities of the Greater China region of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Public Mutual: Malaysia’s Most Trusted Brand

Sometimes, awards won are gauged as to whether the company is a reputable or not. Therefore, it is tempting for companies to “buy” some award to help them gain some reputation.

So how do we gauge which is good? There are no definite answers to our doubts, so we can only observe. While some awards that are not so reputable can be easily “bought”, award such as the renowned Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand award is simply one of the awards that can’t be easily “bought”!

For over a decade, the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands survey has been recognized as Asia’s most comprehensive and credible measure of consumer confidence, based on scientific, structured and transparent research.

So when Public Mutual, the country’s biggest Private Investment Fund Company was named as Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand 2009: Investment Fund Company along side the government’s Amanah Saham Nasional Berhad, we can be sure that this is one company that has performed, and up until now, has the faith of the Malaysians!

If their funds are performing badly, surely, the investor would not have been happier to vote them into this award!

Distribution For the Financial Year ending 31 May 2009

Public Mutual Bhd has declare gross income distributions for five funds for the financial year ended May 31, 2009.

They are:

1) Public Ittikal Fund (6.00 sen per unit)
2) Public Islamic Equity Fund (1.75 sen per unit)
3) Public Dividend Select Fund (2.00 sen per unit)
4) Public Balanced Fund (5.00 sen per unit)
5) Public Select Bond Fund (2.50 sen per unit).

Despite the financial crisis, Public Mutual still able to generate double digit three-year return rate, and outperform the respective benchmark! The three-year return rate is as follows (based on The Edge-Lipper Fund Table dated May 18, 2009)

1) Public Ittikal Fund 16.87% (Benchmark 7.92%)
2) Public Islamic Equity Fund 19.26% (Benchmark 7.92%)
3) Public Dividend Select Fund 23.33% (Benchmark 6.30%)

Inflation in April 2009

Inflation for April 2009, rises 3% compared to April 2009, though it had fallen compared to March's 3.5%. And the items that rise the most: Food and Non-alcoholic drink, which increased by 7.5%, while non-food increased by 0.9%.

So, we can see that even financial crisis can't stop inflation! As long as the demand is there, prices will keep on rising, and the value of your savings in Fixed Income will continue to shrink!

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20090520171101/Article/index_html

Why you shouldn't put your money in Fixed Deposit now!!!

The obvious reason why you shouldn't put your money in the Fixed Deposit now!


1) Damansara Heights Bungalow1960's: RM40,000
Today: RM3,000,000
Compounded Annual Rate: 11.71%

2) Popular Vehicle
1960's: 1.2 litre Datsun 1200
Cost: RM7,000

Today: 1.3 litre Perodua Myvi
Cost: RM43,000

Compounded Annual Rate: 4.76%

3) A Cup of Coffee
1960's: RM0.15
Today: RM1.20 to RM1.50
Compounded Annual Rate: 4.71%

4) Arrow's T-Shirt
1960's: RM10.00
Today: RM90.00
Compounded Annual Rate: 5.80%

5) Civil Servant's Salary
1960's: RM100 to RM150
Today: RM2,000
Compounded Annual Rate: 6.87%

I haven't check out what is the lastest FD rate now, but surely it's lower than the 3.5% before the Bank Negara cut the rate. And all these examples have a higher annual compounded rate of 3.5%.

Source:
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/18/business/3695447&sec=business

Public Select Alpha-30 Fund

On the 7th of April, 2009, Public Mutual launched their first fund for 2009, Public Select Alpha-30 Fund. It has been quite some time since they last launch a new fund, obviously due to the worsening financial crisis in the US.

So what is the focus of this fund?

- As the name suggests, it will invest in up to a maximum of 30 stocks primarily listed on Bursa Malaysia.

- To diversify its investments, the Fund may invest in selected foreign markets which include Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and other markets.

- equity fund that seeks to achieve capital growth

Nature of the fund: Aggressive risk-reward temperament

Issue price: RM 0.25

During the offer period between 7 April to 27 April 2009, a service charge of up to 5.00% will be charged. After the offer period, service charge of up 5.50% will be charged.

Distributions for financial year ending 31 March 2009

Public Mutual will be declaring distributions its funds for the financial year ending 31 March 2009.

Distributions will be applicable to unit holders of Public Aggressive Growth Fund (PAGF) and Public Regular Savings Fund (PRSF) who remains in the Register as at 31 March 2009.

The rate of distributions will be as below:

PAGF 5.00 sen

PRSF 3.50 sen

The continuous declaration of distributions of Public Mutual funds during this tough times is a sign of its strength in the unit trust industry

Tips to help newly-employed graduates to build a secure nest egg

1) Open a financial freedom account and deposit 10% of your monthly salary there every month.

2) Keep proper records of spending to monitor.

3) Set a monthly expenditure budget and compare that with the actual amount spent. There are free software in the market that can be used.

4) Buy a medical card to protect against hospitalisation and surgical cost if the cover from the employer is inadequate.

5) Create an emergency fund for rainy days; put this money in fixed deposit or money market fund. The amount should be around 3 to 6 months of monthly mandatory expenses.

6) If you really need to use the credit card, pay them in full by end-month. A credit card should be treated like a form of payment, not extra money.

Source: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/3/28/business/3558733&sec=business

Inflation never stop!

Think you can escape from inflation during the economic crisis? NO is the answer
Below are the headline from The Star

"February inflation rate rises


MALAYSIA’S inflation rate in February increased to 3.7% from a year earlier.

When compared with the previous month, it increased by 0.2%."

Full article here

3 "Be"s..

According to the Malaysian Investor, when you look through a company's prospectus, there are three "Be"s that you adopt

The three "Be"s are

1) Be assertive
Make sure you are given a prospectus before investing and insist on help if you need it.

2) Be inquisitive
Ask any question that you may think of about the IPO. If you are not satisfied with the answers, do not invest

3) Be sceptical
If a claim or business plan does not look workable, perhaps it isn't

So be sure to carefully look through the prospectus, as we should know what we are getting into!

Kuala Lumpur Composite Index Events (1990 to 31 December 2007)

Distribution For the Financial Year ending 31 January 2009

Public Mutual will be declaring distributions its funds for the financial year ending 31 January 2009.

Distributions will be applicable to unit holders of Public Index Fund (PIX), Public Money Market Fund (PMMF), Public Enhanced Bond Fund (PEBF) and Public Islamic Optimal Growth Fund (PIOGF) respectively, who remains in the Register as at 31 January 2009.

The rate of distributions will be as below:

PIX 5.00 sen

PMMF 3.00 sen

PEBF 2.00 sen

PIOGF 0.30 sen

The continuous declaration of distributions of Public Mutual funds during this tough times is a sign of its strength in the unit trust industry.

Investment Clock: The Cycle

List of Additional Non-Business Days for Foreign Funds: China Funds

28-Jan-09 (Wednesday)
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Occasion: Chinese New Year 3rd Day

10-Apr-09 (Friday)
Country: Hong Kong
Occasion: Good Friday

13-Apr-09 (Monday)
Country: Hong Kong
Occasion: Easter Monday

28-May-09 (Thursday)
Country: Hong Kong, Taiwan
Occasion: Tuen Ng Festival

01-Jul-09 (Wednesday)
Country: Hong Kong
Occasion: HK SAR Establishment Day

01-Oct-09 (Thursday)
Country: Hong Kong
Occasion: China National Day

26-Oct-09 (Monday)
Country: Hong Kong
Occasion: Chung Yeung Festival

China Funds:
1. Public China Select Fund
2. Public China Titans Fund
3. Public China Ittikal Fund
4. PB China Pacfic Equity Fund

List of Additional Non-Business Days for Foreign Funds: Far East/Asia Funds

Far East/Asia Funds

28-Jan-09(Wednesday)
Occasion: Chinese New Year 3rd Day
Countries Involved: Hong Kong, Taiwan

10-Apr-09(Friday)
Occasion: Good Friday
Countries Involved: Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore

13-Apr-09(Monday)
Occasion: Easter Monday
Countries Involved: Hong Kong

05-May-09(Tuesday)
I)Occasion: Children's Day
Countries Involved: Japan, Korea

II)Occasion: Coronation Day
Countries Involved: Thailand

28-May-09(Thursday)
Occasion: Tuen Ng Festival
Countries Involved: Hong Kong, Taiwan

01-Jul-09(Wednesday)
Occasion: HK SAR Establishment Day
Countries Involved: Hong Kong

01-Oct-09(Thursday)
Occasion: China National Day
Countries Involved: Hong Kong

26-Oct-09(Monday)
Occasion: Chung Yeung Festival
Countries Involved: Hong Kong

31-Dec-09(Thursday)
Occasion: Bank Holiday
Countries Involved: Japan, Philippines

Occasion: New Year's Eve
Countries Involved: Indonesia, Thailand

List of Far East/Asia Funds
1. Public Far-East Select Fund
2. Public Asia Ittikal Fund
3. Public Regional Sector Fund
4. Public Islamic Asia Dividend Fund
5. Public Far-East Dividend Fund
6. Public Islamic Asia Balanced Fund
7. Public Far-East Balanced Fund
8. Public Far-East Property & Resorts Fund
9. Public Far-East Consumer Themes Fund
10. Public Far-East Telco & Infrastructure Fund

Public Index Fund (PIX): September 2008 Review

Public Index Fund

Fund objective:
To achieve long-term capital appreciation while at the same time attempting to outperform the KLCI

Investor's Risk Profile:
Moderate

Lipper Leaders Rating:
3 for Consistent Return
3 for Preservation
3 for Total Return

Morningstar Rating: 3 STAR
Morningstar Category: Malaysia Equity

Financial Year End: 31 January

Approved Fund Size: 1.5 billion units

Current Fund Size:
NAV: RM 487.18 million
Units: 802.23 million

Public Index Fund (PIX) posted a -16.48% compared to the benchmark KLCI's -18.34% in the 6 months ending 30 September 2008. Since launched on 2nd March 1992, PIX has at all time, outperformed the benchmark KLCI.

The Top 5 Sectors where the PIX invested in:

1) Financial (25.98%)
2) Consumer, Cyclical (10.92%)
3) Industrial (10.20%)
4) Communications (9.90%)
5) Utilities (9.12%)

Top 5 Holdings

1) Public Bank Berhad (9.87% of NAV)
2) Malayan Banking Berhad (6.17%)
3) Sime Darby Berhad (5.59%)
4) Tenaga Nasional Berhad (5.58%)
5) UMW Holdings Berhad (5.52%)

Asset Allocation

1) Equities & Derivatives (86.17%)
2) Money Market Instruments & Others (9.33%)
3) Fixed Income Securities (4.50%)