KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) achieved RM6.8 billion in sales from its three major funds last year.
The funds are Amanah Saham Bumiputera (ASB), Amanah Saham Bumiputera 2 (ASB 2), and the expansion of Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM).
According to its integrated annual report (IAR) for the financial year 2023 (FY23), PNB provided returns across its portfolio of 17 funds, which included both fixed and variable price funds.
"The increase of individual investment limits for ASB, ASB2 and the expansion of the ASM funds met with encouraging response with over 780,000 unitholders seizing the opportunity to grow their savings.
"In total, this generated an additional RM6.8 billion in sales for the three funds.
"For FY23, PNB recorded an increase of 13 per cent and 25 per cent respectively in its gross income and net income from RM14.5 billion in financial year 2022 (FY22) to RM16.4 billion in FY23 and from RM10.4 billion in FY22 to RM13.0 billion in FY23," it said.
Group chairman Raja Tan Sri Arshad Raja Tun Uda said PNB's success is primarily due to its strategic asset allocation (SAA) and diversification across different asset classes.
"Despite the challenging market conditions of 2023, we delivered commendable returns. We enhanced our portfolio stability by increasing investments in fixed income, real estate, private markets and foreign assets," he added.
Raja Arshad noted that these strategies not only protected PNB from market volatility but also maintained positive returns for unitholders.
Furthermore, PNB's report highlighted its renewed purpose: to uplift the financial lives of Malaysians across generations, emphasising its dedication to not only fund management but also fostering financial security and hope.
"This purpose supports PNB's mandate which is to enhance the economic wealth of the Bumiputera community and all Malaysians, for the prosperity of the nation.
"It is a call to action to inspire Malaysians to save more and secure their financial future," it added.
To help unitholders achieve their needs and goals, PNB said Touch n Go Sdn Bhd (TNG) was brought on board in August 2023 as the first fully digital agent.
This move aims to expand PNB's reach to a digitally-focused customer base by leveraging the existing TNG e-wallet ecosystem.
On its outlook, the fund manager expressed a mix of caution and optimism for 2024, anticipating that key economic plans under the Madani Economy framework will drive growth by increasing domestic consumption and attracting new investments.
"We are committed to excel in our service for our unitholders and our broader societal responsibilities.
"We are grateful for every unitholder's trust in PNB and we continue to strive towards upholding the trust through our products and services," Raja Arshad said.