Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Public Mutual lancar dana Islam asing pertama


KUALA LUMPUR 21 Ogos – Public Mutual Bhd., anak syarikat Public Bank akan melancarkan dana Islam pertamanya di seberang laut, Public Asia Ittikal Fund (PAIF) 22 Ogos.

PAIF, sebuah tabung ekuiti berasaskan Syariah yang agresif, disasarkan untuk mencapai pertumbuhan modal jangka sederhana hingga panjang dengan melabur di dalam satu porfolio pelaburan di pasaran-pasaran domestik dan serantau yang mematuhi syarat-syarat Syariah, kata syarikat itu, dalam kenyataannya di sini hari ini.

Sejumlah 70 peratus daripada nilai aset bersih (NAB), tabung itu, dijangka dilabur di dalam pasaran-pasaran asing terpilih termasuk Kora Selatan China, Jepun, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, Filipina, Indonesia, Singapura dan Thailand.

Pendedahan ekuitinya berjajaran dari 75 peratus hingga 90 peratus daripada NABnya, kata Public Mutual.

Tabung itu mempunyai harga terbitan RM0.25 seunit, dan satu peratus unit-unit percuma akan diberikan semasa tempoh tawaran awal 21 hari dari 22 Ogos higga 11 September.

Pelaburan permulaan minimum bagi PAIF ialah RM1,000

Friday, August 18, 2006

UT Managers deserve payment?

I came across to this letter from USJ forum...
Might be interesting to share with more people.... :-)

pcyeoh
25-08-2004, 01:44 AM
Unit trust managers deserve payment
Peter Chang
Aug 24, 04 3:52pm

I refer to the letter by Ng Shu Tsuing entitled Unit trust funds a gamble.

He says: “My father, who is against unit trust funds, says: ‘Why should I let fund managers manage my money for me? Despite lacking in business and finance knowledge, I can just invest it by myself and outperform the KLCI anytime.’”


The question is, how many people can actually do that?


I do not understand why there is all this hoo-ha about the 6.5 percent up-front service fees charged by the unit trust funds company. Is this a lot to pay a professional? We are talking about professional fund managers after all.


From what I know, they have to buy analytical reports from research houses – both local and foreign - make analyses using analytical tools which may be bought at a hefty price, give reports to investors at least twice a year, and set up a company which is investor-friendly to help the investor achieve his financial goals more effectively.


I, for one, have benefitted from investing in unit trust funds. I started investing in 1987 at the rate of RM50 per month until 1993. Then I ceased payments.


My total investment outlay is RM3,600. Would you believe that my investment is now RM17,700? This works out to be a hefty 360 percent returns, after deducting the service charge of 6.5 percent.


At the same time, I am also covered with an insurance of RM50,000 at an annual premium of RM170 only. What is 6.5 percent spread over 17 years? Wouldn’t you mind sharing 6.5 percent with someone who helps your money grow without you fearing of losing your investment?


Also during the same period, I invested in an endowment insurance with a protection of RM10,000. I paid my annual premium of RM601 from 1984 to 1997. But when I surrendered my policy in 1997, would you believe that I lost an additional RM64. Why is this so?


Personally, I would recommend that the charges we should really be worried about are those charged by insurance companies. Look at your own policy, are you getting a fair deal?


Secondly, please question the banks about services charges. Can you imagine that to close a bank account we are being charged at RM10 and to use the ATM we are either charged RM8 per annum or 50 sen after more than four transactions.


Also, how many consumers question the property management companies about the 10 percent interest charge for the late payment of maintenance fees?


Do anyone question the professional fees charged by doctors, especially specialists, and lawyers? I, for one, would be very interested to meet such a person.


With the scenarios stated above, I feel that it is quite okay that some fees be charged by the unit trust fund managers for managing our funds. As the saying goes, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!


But I would appreciate it if fund managers in Malaysia reduce their up-front service charges as this will definitely be an advantage to small but regular investors like me.


Source: http://www.malaysiakini.com/letters/29434

Spreading The Risks For Small Investors (Final)

Part 3 (final part of the article)...
Hope the information sharing has shed some lights to the new investors...

Q: Can a potential investor inspect the trust deed before investing?
A: Yes. The trust deed can be opened for inspection at the premise of the management company. Some campanies even allow the investor to purchase the deed.

Q: What rights do Unit Holders have?
A: Unitholders do not have any say in investment decisions. However, they can request the management company to provide an up-to-date portfolios and if they are not happy with the investments, they can always withdraw all their investments at any one time as the management companyis bound by the trust deed and by law to repurchase the units.

Q: How does a Unit Trust derives its income?
A: A Unit Trust derives its income from 3 main sources. Firstly, the income from the dividends of the stocks and shares invested. Secondly, it receives interests from investments with the financial instituitions and thirdly, from the sale of investment. Together they make up the total income for the year.

Q: How often do investors receive their dividends?
A: Each fund has its own financial year and dividends are only declared once. Upon the declaration of dividends, the investor will receive the warrant within 2 months's time. The amount of distributions depends on the fund managers and the objective of the fund. If the objective is income, then most of the income received would be distributed.


Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Spreading The Risks For Small Investors (Part 2)

Pardon me for not updating the blog regularly... time is just jealous of me. However... as a continuation from the previous article...

Q: How much does it cost to invest in Unit Trust?

A: Most people associate Unit Trust with banks and that they do no pay any charges. This is certainly not true. You buy units at the quoted offer (seller) price and when you sell the units back to the managers, you would find that the bid (buyer) price would be used to buy them back from you. The difference in the prices is normally 5% though the managers are allowed to charge up to 10%.

This represent the initial service fee and other expanses. Out of this, the company pays its overhead expenses and the commissions to its agents or intermediaries.

Q: What type of investments can a Unit Trust holds?
A: Unit Trust in Malaysia can only invest in shares quoted in the Bursa Malaysia (and other Bursa as approved by the SC), Governement bonds and securities, NCDs, FDs, finance and discount houses.

Q: Are Unit Trusts similar to one another?
A: No. Normally the name of the fund may ring a bell as to the objectives of the fund. It is generally classified into income, balance, growth and specialized funds. For the new investors, most of them would opt for income or growth fund. The more experienced once may go for specialized fund.

Q: How much do I need to invest in a Unit Trust?
A: Minimum of RM500 @ RM1000 to open an account and subsequent investments can be as low as RM50. This low amount is good for those who wish to save through a regular savings plan.

Q: What documents do I receive as a Unitholder?

A: The unitholder will receive a unit certificate within 2 months as stipulated in the trust deed. Each year, the fund is required to distribute performance report twice.

to be continue...

Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Spreading The Risks For Small Investors (Part 1)

I found this very interesting article, I believe it was from The NewStraits Times, dated October 20, 1991. Allow me to share with the readers ya....

Q: What is a Unit Trust?
A: A Unit Trust is an investment vehicle which allows a fund management company to make investments on behalf of the individuals and instituitions that share similar financial objectives.

Q: How does a Unit Trust works?
A: It is based on a simple principle of dividing a fund into equal portions referred to as units and each unit represents exactly the same proportion of the value of the portfolio of the investments.

This means that in a fund where, for example, the investments in which it is invested are worth RM1million and there are 1 millioin units issued, each unit will be worth RM1.

Q: Why is it called a Unit Trusts?
A: It is a trust in the strictest legal sense, being based on a deed of trust made between the managers and the trustees. The trustees is also a legal owner and the custodian of all the assets.

Q: What are the advantages of investing in a Unit Trust to a small investor?
A: A Unit Trust allows the smaller investor to participate in a wide range of securities, thereby spreading the investment risk. A small capital outlay can be invested in as many as 40 different counters in the stock market.

He/She also enjoys and gains access to the expertise of experienced fund managers who not only manage the funds but also keep track of all the proper records.

Q: Is it safe to invest in Unit Trust?
A: The value of the units directly reflects the value of the underlying assets. In a falling market trend, the value of the units may well go down along with the share prices in general. However, a good fund manager should be able to limit the fall in the price of units. He should be able to perform better than the Bursa Malaysia (then KLSE Composite Index)

Q: What are the safeguards of investing in a Unit Trust?
A: Only a sound investments management can protect you from fluctuations in share prices, which are reflected in the value of the units. However, fund managers must abide by a set of rules and regulations governing the trusts as stated in the trust deed.

All funds must also have a trustee whose role is to look after the interest of the investors. The managers make the investment decisions on which shares to buy but the trustee holds the cash and securities on trust for the unitholders. If any money is misappropriate, the trustee could be liablefor negligence or breach of trust.

to be continue...

Sunday, August 13, 2006

A week after...

Today is 13 August, exactly a week after Utusan Mingguan brought up the first news about the EPF investment's HUGE losses in UT. Federation of Malaysian UT Managers met up with EPF and interestingly, those who claimed about the losses cannot give valid proof .

So.... now business as usual.... If the investors really understand that UT investment is for middle to long term... and they are with the right fund managers... i'allah, they will be at the safe side.

To think positively, now MORE and more people know / aware about Unit trust and the EPF investment scheme and please get ready to get more and more applications for this sort of investment, EPF! :-)

Of course there will be some risks.. any investment will face certain degree of risks...

Let me share with you now.. 6 ways to turn savings into investment

SAVING ACCOUNTS
PRO
  • Easy to open and maintain
  • Minimum requirements, very reasonable
  • Relatively low interest rate
CONS
  • Ease of cash withdrawal can distrupt your savings programme
  • Relatively low interest rate
FIXED DEPOSIT
PROS
  • Higher interest rate than saving account
  • Withdrawal less flexible
  • Money cannot be spent on impulse purchases
CONS
  • Money cannot end up with a confusing mass of FDs and lose control over all the pieces of paper and the money they represent.
LIFE INSURANCE
PROS
  • A useful savings-cum-protection vehicle
  • As many policies have a penalty for premature break, it acts as a mechanism to promote saving
  • Proven as an effective 'forced savings" plan
CONS
  • Relatively low returns compared with other long term investment vehicles
  • Lack of flexibility

PROPERTY
PROS
  • A good 'forced savings' plan
  • A good hedge against inflation
  • Can bring good returns in 'boom' economy
CONS
  • As a starting point for savings, it is difficult: high 'start-up' down payment and you must qualify for a bank loan
  • Long term inflexible mortgage repayment scheme
  • Not readily converted to cash
UNIT TRUST
PROS
  • The perfect investment vehichle for regular savers
  • Starting amounts are not as small for savings accounts, but are reasonable
  • Investment are easy to build up on a regular basis
  • Benefit derived from Dollar-Cost-Averaging
  • Unit Trust gives a well balanced investment portfolio that you do not need to manage yourself
  • You can sell your shares when the price is right at any time (advice to liquidate once has reace the objective of investment.
CONS
  • Affected by ups and downs of share market.
SHARE MARKET

PROS
  • More exciting than operating a current account
  • Can bring speculator returns when timing is right
CONS
  • You need a lump sum to get into the share market
  • Not for the regular saver investing a couple of hundred ringgit per month
  • You need vast amounts of market information and luck in order to manage your investments yourself
The higher the return, the higher the risk.

FD - Insurance - Bond [Wealth Preservation]
Bond to Property [for Wealth Management]
Unit Trust - Shares [Wealth Accummulation

hope you've learn something new today. Feel free to email me if you have futher question(s)

Thursday, August 10, 2006

::Circular from Federation of Malaysia Unit Trust Managers (FMUTM)::

These were taken direct from the desk of the president:
YM Tengku Dato' Ya'acob Tunku Abdullah
President of Federation of Malaysian Unit Trust Managers

in response to the Utusan Malaysia articles dated 6 and 7 August 2006 in respect of EPF members suffering losses in Unit Trust investments.

1. We are extremely concerned by the recent report in a Malay daily newspaper stating that 80% of the EPF members who withdrew from their EPF savings to invest in Unit Trusts had suffered losses totaling RM600 million. A quick survey among some of our members indicated that while there are some investors losing monies, but the percentage quoted of 80% remains unsubstantiated. Based on the fund performance report as at 28 July 2006 from Standard and Poor's, an international research fund house, the average returns from Malaysian equity funds for 7 years is 24%, 5 years is 56% and 3 years is 26%. The hallmark of Unit Trusts is its mid to long term investment strategies for investors and the above figures from S&P's indicate Unit Trust investments do deliver respectable returns.


2. From the newspaper's reported losses of RM600 million as apposed to the respectable returns as mentioned above, we are perplexed as to how the former figures were arrived at. We are unsure at this moment the basis used in arriving at these figures. The difference of RM600 million as quoted might not have taken into consideration other factors which may have an impact in calculating returns such as members redemptions upon realization of profits, switching-in with profits into other funds, conversion to ordinary accounts after reaching age of retirement, death and other incapacitation.


3. Moving forward, we will schedule for an industry dialogue with EPF to address the above mentioned conflicting end results and try to arrive at a consensus in measuring the actual performance of the contributors' investments. We believe more time is needed to resolve the pertinent issues for the benefit of the EPF contributors/industry and not make any hasty decisions.

4. As FMUTM and/or our members have yet to receive any directives from the EPF, the present procedures relating to investments under the EPF's Members Investment Scheme remains unchanged.

5. Compared to other form of investments, Unit Trust investments are well regulated. Before a sale is concluded, the Unit Trust consultant is required to give a prospectus to the prospective investor and explain to the latter the risks and benefits of investing in Unit Trusts, the fund investment objective and charges to be incurred etc. A need analysis of the prospective investor is also done.

6. Furthermore, the fund managers are appointed after a thorough selection process to determine their competency and proficiency in the industry and such appointments are vetted and approved by the regulators. Accordingly, the fund managers investment philosophy is determined by the fund objectives and they have to achieve these goals within the parameters set. The question of fund managers' inability to manage the funds on a viable basis is thus unfounded. As you all know, the equity market was rather flat last year and coupled with investors' instinct to try to time their investments, it has not helped to boost investors' returns.

7. To maximize returns, investors are advised to practise dollar-cost-averaging in a consistent manner over the long term and be savvy in recognizing when to buy into suitable funds and perform switching when necessary in response to market conditions and personal circumstances.

8. Diligent investment planning and regular consultation with qualified Unit Trust consultants are important to keep investors from assuming risks beyond their tolerance such as chasing short term performance. Investors should resist buying or selling investments unless they are part of their long term plan. In this regard, FMUTM has always stressed the importance of investors' education and their understanding that Unit Trust is for the medium to long term and not for quick gains. Like other form of investments, Unit Trust does carry a certain amount of risks.


Dated: 8 August 2006

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Good Financial Calculator

When do you want to retire?
How much do you need when you retire?


2 simple questions... easy to answer?


I'll share with you later how to get to those two answers... however, for now, please play around with this calculator so that you're familiar with the effect of p.a returns, timing etc... for your financial planning...

http://www.oneinvest.com.my/calculators/financial_calculator.asp

Tighten procedures, EPF tells unit trust managers

PETALING JAYA: The Employees Provident Fund (EPF) has asked all 42 trust fund management institutions sanctioned by the Finance Ministry to pay more attention to EPF members’ investments in trust funds.

EPF chairman Tan Sri Abdul Halim Ali said in a statement that the Fund viewed seriously the losses suffered by its members who had invested in trust funds and had as a result sent a proposal to the Federation of Malaysian Unit Trust Managers asking fund management institutions to tighten the process, procedures and management of investment risks.

The proposal also called for the institutions to ensure that products introduced are more suitable for the target of savings for old age that did not pose too high a risk.

Institutions were also asked to make sure that their agents promoted products that fitted the profile of EPF members and explained clearly the risks that the investors would have to bear.

The EPF also called on the fund management institutions to reduce the investment management fee that they now charged.

Abdul Halim explained that the EPF’s investment scheme was introduced in 1996 upon the insistence of a group of members in the wake of encouraging conditions on the stock market.

He said that seeing that the investment in trust funds had a relatively high risk, the amount of funds that could be withdrawn was limited to only 20% of savings in Account 1 that exceeded RM50,000. <-- see... camne laa ada orang boleh claim habis semua duit EPF dia di keluarkan for this investment?? hmm... reporters! tolong la interview orang yang dah invested.. ni pi carik orang yang tak tau apa-apa pasal UT buek apo... :-)

He said members who applied to make the withdrawals were also told that the Government guaranteed 2.5% in dividends for their EPF savings whereas there was no guarantee for their investment in unit trust funds.

Abdul Halim said the EPF held annual meetings with FMUTM, which represented the fund management institutions, to allow it to monitor the performance of the institutions and call for the management of its members’ investments to be upgraded.

Cuepacs president Datuk Nordin Abdul Hamid said EPF members had the right to withdraw their funds, but they should be wary of the consequences. He said there were some who were misinformed about investing in unit trusts because agents tended to disguise the risks involved. <-- Datuk Nordin's answers was ok laa... members have the right... since it's their money what... :). yup, true... the agents should informed betul2... this is for middle to long term la people... come on... there are people out there who have made big money... but hey... sabar laa...

MTUC secretary-general G. Rajasekaran said the congress had opposed the move to allow EPF contributors to withdraw funds for investment purposes as far back as 1997. <-- tengok orang atas pagar camne dia komen. hehehe...

“Those from the private sector have only their EPF savings to rely on in their old age and should therefore be more careful with their funds,” he said.

Experts dispute 80% loss claim

finally!!! the expert da bukak mulut...

PETALING JAYA: Unit trust managers disagree with reports saying that 80% of EPF members who had invested in unit trusts had lost some RM600mil.

Federation of Malaysian Unit Trust Managers president Tunku Datuk Ya’acob Tunku Abdullah said that while there were investors who had lost money, the 80% figure quoted was unsubstantiated.

“The difference of RM600mil might not have taken into consideration factors which may have an impact in calculating returns.

“(These include) members redemption upon realisation of profits, switching-in with profits into other funds, conversion to ordinary accounts after reaching the age of retirement, death or other incapacitation,” he said in a statement.

He was responding to recent press reports that EPF contributors had suffered losses of RM600mil after investing in unit trusts.

Under the EPF’s investment scheme, the amount of savings that can be withdrawn should not be less than RM1,000 and not more than 20% of the amount exceeding RM50,000 in Account 1.

Tunku Ya'acob said based on international research agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) report, the average returns from Malaysian equity funds was 24% over seven years, 56% over five years and 26% over three years.

He said the hallmark of unit trusts was its mid- and long-term investment strategies for investors.

The S&P report indicated that the investments did deliver respectable returns over time, he said.

He said this was why the federation had always stressed on the importance of investors’ education and their understanding that investments in unit trusts were for the medium to long term and not for quick gains.

Tunku Ya'acob said unit trusts, though well regulated, do carry a certain amount of risk.

He said the equity market was rather flat last year and investors had probably not timed their investments correctly to boost returns.

He said to maximise returns investors were advised to practise dollar cost averaging in a consistent manner over the long term.

They also had to be savvy in recognising when to buy into suitable funds and perform switching in response to market conditions and personal circumstances.

Tunku Ya’acob said the current procedures relating to investments under the EPF’s Members Investment Scheme would remain unchanged pending any directive from the EPF.

Unit trust managers are concerned over the effects the claims of the losses would have on their business.

Avenue Invest Bhd executive director Danny Wong said it was too soon to see any impact, but if the figures were not clarified soon the industry could be affected.

He said he did not believe that the losses suffered were as high as had been claimed as Avenue Invest's long-term investment clients, including those investing with EPF funds, had been registering good returns.

He said, however, that only 1% of his client base consisted of those who withdrew money from the EPF for investing.

Prudential Unit Trusts Bhd chief executive officer Mark Toh said he, too, felt that those who invested via the EPF Investment Scheme would not have made losses over the long term (three to five years).

He said the 80% figure in the report about the EPF members’ losses should be verified.

http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/8/9/nation/15087693&sec=nation

Public Mutual not one of them?

and I did wrote an email to Shah saying that I want to know more about the market and to my suprise.... this was his answer... :-)


Hi Ida,
I'm sure you know about the market since you are with public mutual. You are in the 11 companies that's not at the lost. My advice is just that....please be more careful with the client's money and exercise extra care when planning for your clients.

If you or your group wish...I can conduct a free session for you guys about how to plan for your clients. You guys don't have to pay me. I'm doing this just to ensure that everyone that I know or come in contact with know more about unit trust so that my reputation as a Financial Planner won't be at risk.

We have a reputation to preserve don't we. You take care...All the best.
Regards,
Shah

Many sides of stories...

Ada yang positive....
Lip,

Let's just say that those who invested in unit trusts stand to gain more if
they are able to invest prudently. I've been investing in unit trust....been
practising what is called dollar cost averaging (putting equal amt of money
each month), ...and plus I added a bit more margin whenever the market goes
down. To date, my investment easily beat the EPF dividend rate. I am
seriously thinking of taking my account 1 to invest in unit trust. The key
thing is to go in at the 'right time' and not to follow the crowd. :)

But I couldn't agree more with you, the risk is rather high if you're geared
towards equities (the higher the risk...the higher the gain). But then
again, the unit trusts has several risk....low (as good as FD), medium
(balanced fund) and high (> 80% in equities). If u go for the high risk...it
is as good as going into the stock market..but without the worries of having
to manage the portfolios on your own. You pay a bit portion to the fund
manager to enjoy this benefit.

EPF monies are geared mostly in malaysian government bonds which are used to
fund various new/improved infrastructure projects. Not much goes into the
equities (if in equities, most are parked in GLCs or MBSB). So do expect
it's performance to mirror the balanced fund ...and perhaps slightly above
the low risk funds of the unit trust. This concurs with Zack's point # 4.

I kinda agree with Zack's point # 5 and 6. You do have to choose the unit
trust fund company wisely. Look into the Star's Bizweek every Sat...it'll
tell u which fund is the best. Edge-Lipper and Standard&Poor do rank these
units trusts both by the segment and syariah/non-syariah categories. If we
are to follow the trend elsewhere in the world capital market, unit trust
fund or some people called mutual fund are playing a big role in stimulating
and helping the domestic economy to grow. To me, it's better than these unit
trust companies own majority stake in malaysian based companies than leaving
to foreign-owned companies like Temasek...don't u think so? Besides, with
big stake , these fund managers would be able to ensure better corporate
governance by bringing the voice of the minority stake holders...in addition
to the voice of the Minority Shareholders watchdog fraternity.

regards,
Redza
dan tak ketinggalan juga yang berhati-hati...

Zack,
I agree with Thuan Lip on what he has written. I'm a Financial Planner too and I have stop selling unit trust for about 18 months now. The current economy situation is much too risky for investors to risk their life savings (EPF) to earn a little bit more from the market. Although the company I represent beats the EPF returns, I still would believe the risk faced by investors in the current market is much greater than the returns itself.
From the statement that you gave, it is easy to see that you are still very fresh and naive in the financial planning sector especially when it comes to investment. Please do more homework on the market outlook before putting your clients head at risk.
Do put yourself in your clients shoes to get a better prespective of what they are facing rather than focusing on your commission and your incentive trips.
&n! bsp;
Anyone who wants the real picture of the current investment circle, please email me.
Regards,
Shah

More and more responses...

I gather all these for sharing...


I have invested in Hong Leong unit trust which at
first said by the bank personel, who assume an
internal agent, that u sure will make good money.
Nornmally more than 10% return.

I invested some fund over there and after 3 years.. i
find myself at losing end. Eventough i did receive
many shares issued to me, i lost about 10% of my
principle.


So, the statement, unit trust will gurantee return is

surely not true. I will go with our PM in this matter.
EPF should be used for it's purpose, for the use after
your retirement, not to gamble with it.

Suresh

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dude,


I heard about Hong Leong unit trust and typically they don't perform
of what they guaranteed. My friend have the similar situation as you
and he waited for 2 years then make a decision to move another more
flexible unit trust company.You need to identify a flexible unit
trust to invest, you cannot rely on the agent totally.


Any sum of investment worth to study clearly and carefully before

taking any action. I too invest in Unit Trust, although is not some
huge amount, the truth is we need to understand the unit trust fund
by nature.


If you just invest blindly, not only unit trust, you will even lose

money via investing in properties too. Perhaps your Unit Trust agent
just a one time-go agent.

There are times, the market will not perform and perform and it is
our judgement to look after our money, although the responsibility of
investing still the agent.

Think about it carefully...

Desmond

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suresh,

Sorry to hear about ur bad experience tu.... In 3 year you're still loosing 10%
of your principle... that is too much.
He/She was so not ethical by saying "SURE will make good money...."
My sincere advise.... once u get back ur capital... liquidate it and invest
in other places.... :)

There are 36 private UT companies in Malaysia and the performance
is differ from one another...
Top of the list.... Public Mutual, AmMutual, SBB, Prudential,
CIMB-Principal etc etc etc.... (in terms of market share)
*source The Edge, March 20, 2006


If we solely depend on our EPF money to go thru our retirement days....

it is not enough la.....
EPF sendiri mengaku what.... and they even suggested other
sources of investment..

.. one of them is Unit Trust....


Are EPF Savings Enough?

http://www.kwsp.gov.my/index.php?ch=81&pg=983&ac=228

rgds,
Ida

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

More response... (From PROMUDA group)

Someone responded to the first posting...
and here goes

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zack,

Are you marketing unit trusts?

What you say is typical of unit trust agents - always focusing on the upside and never the downside.

You did not mention that unit trust investments are not capital guaranteed unlike EPF deposits or bank deposits. This means you can actually LOSE money in unit trust investments but NEVER in EPF or bank deposits. Theoretically, the worst you can do leaving your money in EPF is get zero interest but never lose your deposit.

The money-losing scenario played out when we endured the Asian Financial Crisis where 99% of the funds out there lost money when the stock market and currency rates crashed.

That said, such a crisis may or may not happen in the near term. But what the investor needs to be advised is the potential downsides of such investments. Yes, the returns in unit trusts could be higher BUT you have to weigh it against the risks. Read the fine print.

...Lip...

and here is my reply....

Hi Lip....

You're right.... there is no guarantee that the Unit Trust returns can beat EPF deposit or bank deposit. [at least EPF guarantees that their return cannot be lower than 2%]

However, I can share with you my 'little' investment of 3 years that has generated some return + your capital investment..

:-)

So, I disagree that investment in 'some' good fund managers, worst case scenario you'll end up with zero interest after minimum of 3 years investment.
*afterall.... UT is an alternative form of investment for middle to long term... and not 'skim cepat kaya' one..... so u kena sabar la sikit... :-)

We are a bit worried about our current inflation rate that keeps on increasing... (tak silap this year is somewhere around 3.2%-3.4%).
EPF has to assist us in giving better return from our hard earned money so that we can be assured comfortable retirement....
if the fund managers can give avg p.a return of 8% - 10% for 10 years period.... why EPF can only gives us 4.5% - 7%?

Yup, I agree with you that the higher the return the higher the risk and investors should be made known for that... :-)

rgds,
Ida

Kaji semula skim caruman KWSP beli unit amanah

This is not a national crisis lah.... There are more people who have gained benefit from their investment with UT...

Oleh HAMDAN TAWADI

KUALA LUMPUR 6 Ogos – Orang ramai menggesa kerajaan dan Kumpulan Wang Simpanan Pekerja (KWSP) mengkaji semula pengeluaran caruman bagi tujuan pelaburan dalam unit amanah kerana ia mendatangkan kerugian.

Mereka berpendapat, ketiadaan pengetahuan dalam selok belok pelaburan dan mudah percaya kepada ejen unit amanah terbabit merupakan punca mereka mengalami kerugian.

Tinjauan Utusan Malaysia mendapati, pencarum juga mudah gelap mata apabila dijanjikan keuntungan dalam masa singkat.<-- Unit Trust adalah pelaburan jangka sederhana dan juga jangka panjang... sape pulak yang berikan fact pelaburan ini beri keuntungan dalam masa yang singkat?

Kerani swasta, Habsah Ahmad, 54, yang telah mengeluarkan caruman bagi tujuan itu berharap kerajaan dan KWSP menarik balik kebenaran tersebut kerana berpendapat kebanyakan pencarum tidak mempunyai pengetahuan yang cukup tentang unit amanah.

<>‘‘Kerajaan dan KWSP sepatutnya melindungi kepentingan pencarum kerana kebanyakan mereka termasuk saya, kurang pengetahuan tentang unit amanah dan tidak menyedari bahawa pelaburan tersebut juga terdedah kepada risiko kerugian,” katanya. <-- this is so vague, tak menjawab isu. Puan ni adalah seorang pelabur. Beliau tidak menyatakan beliau ni da mendapat untung ataupun kerugian dan kalau rugi, sukalah kami ingin bertanya, dah berapa lama Puan ni dah invest? Kalau tak faham kenapa invest?

Unit Trust industry di Malaysia ada regulator ok.... Tugas regulator (Suruhanjaya Sekuriti) adalah memastikan pelaburan di UT ni selamat... mereka ni yang melindungi kepentingan para pelabur... bukan EPF :-) Sebab EPF juga melabur berjuta-juta ringgit di Unit Trust...

Pekerja hotel, Mohd. Joefry Mohd. Arif, 30, turut sependapat dengan Habsah bahawa kebanyakan pencarum hanya melabur disebabkan pengaruh rakan-rakan.

<>‘‘Kebanyakan mereka terpengaruh dengan cerita rakan-rakan tentang unit amanah yang kononnya menjanjikan keuntungan tanpa melakukan kajian terlebih dahulu,” jelasnya. <-- penting... you kena buat kajian dahulu.... sometimes track record pun penting... sebab since we have done it before..the probability nak buat lagi dan lagi adalah tinggi! :-) *www.publicmutual.com.my

Ahli perniagaan, Saharuddin Omar, 38, menggesa kerajaan mengkaji semula pelantikan Institusi Pengurusan Dana (IPD) yang dilihat gagal membuat pelaburan menguntungkan.

‘‘Kewibawaan IPD yang dilantik boleh dipertikaikan berikutan kerugian ini dan sesuatu mesti dilakukan untuk menyelamatkan duit pencarum,’’ katanya. <-- currently ada 36 private UT companies in Malaysia. Ini tidak termasuk yang state own Fund Managers (mostly RUGI!) Apa jadi dengan Amanah Saham Johor? Amanah Saham Selangor? Kenapa Public Mutual dll boleh beri keuntungan dan mengapa Amanah Saham yang state own tak boleh nak beri keuntungan??

Mingguan Malaysia hari ini melaporkan kira-kira 80 peratus pencarum KWSP yang melabur dalam unit amanah mengalami kerugian bernilai kira-kira RM600 juta.

Sementara itu, kakitangan kerajaan, Norfazilah Mat Nordin, 45, merasakan KWSP telah lari daripada matlamat asalnya sebagai tabung untuk simpanan hari tua.

‘‘Konsep asal KWSP iaitu simpanan untuk hari tua perlu dikembalikan dan bukannya amalan pelaburan berisiko tinggi seperti sekarang,” ujarnya.

Mohd. Isa Mohd Nor, 35, pula menyatakan bahawa pengeluaran sewajarnya dibataskan kepada keperluan yang mendesak sahaja.

<>‘‘Saya rasa pengeluaran caruman wajar dihadkan untuk keperluan utama seperti perbelanjaan pendidikan dan pembelian rumah,” katanya. <-- excuse me... korang semua da lupa ke?? Tahun lepas EPF buat kajian.. 70% orang2 yang pencen ni... keluarkan duit2 EPF umur 55... habiskan duit2 tu dalam masa 3 tahun??? Kenapa?? Bukan ke dahulu kerajaan sendiri yang cakap simpanan di EPF tak mencukupi?? Maka oleh yang demikian, pada tahun 1996, Kerajaan benarkan para pencarum mendapatkan khidmat pelaburan di tempat lain.

Why don't we ask... if Fund Managers boleh kasik 8%-13% p.a returns from their investment.. kenapa EPF hanya kasik 4%-5%?? Ternyata... simpanan di EPF tidak banyak mana pun... Inflasi sahaja sudah almost 4%. Apa yang tinggal???

Pegawai syarikat swasta, Mohd. Taha Baharudin, 49, menyarankan agar kebenaran bagi pengeluaran caruman tersebut dihentikan segera seperti yang dilakukan kepada pengeluaran caruman untuk pembelian komputer. <-- saya tak setuju. Kalau Encik ni tak nak keluarkan duit simpanan EPF tu dan dilaburkan ke UT... by all means.. please stay there... Tapi jangan paksa orang lain yang faham akan konsep UT yang baik ni untuk melabur di UT. Jgn jeles bila orang lain boleh round the world bila dah pencen dan anda hanya mampu round Malaysia sahaja.... :-)

Dalam pada itu, pengajar bebas, Saleh Rashidi Daud, 40, berpandangan pelaburan wajar dihadkan kepada unit amanah yang telah terbukti kejayaannya.

Juruteknik sebuah syarikat swasta, Wang Ink Hong, 32, menegaskan bahawa perlu ada kajian mendalam tentang aspek ini kerana ia membabitkan sejumlah besar wang rakyat.

‘‘Adalah menjadi hak pencarum untuk mengeluarkan wang caruman mereka dan menjadi tanggungjawab KWSP untuk mengkaji secara mendalam tentang potensi unit amanah kerana ia membabitkan duit rakyat,” jelasnya <-- cuba tengok gaya dan cara Chinese Malaysian menjawab and compare it to the Malay Malaysian menjawab terhadap isu yang sedang di bincangkan... :-) Itu adalah hak pencarum... yup...

Lain kan? :-)

Monday, August 07, 2006

What is Unit Trust @ Amanah Saham?

Unit Trust is an investment vehicle that pools the financial resources of many individual investors who aim to achieve similar investment objectives

"The Mutual Fund is a wonderful invention for people who have neither the time nor the inclination to test their wits against the stock market, as well as for people with small amounts of money to invest who seek diversification".
Quote from Peter Lynch (One Up On The Wall)

Unit Trust vs EPF

Sunday 6 August 2006.

Front page of Utusan Mingguan...
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/archive.asp?
y=2006&dt=0806&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Muka_Hadapan&pg=mh_01.htm

and today... well written by one of PROMUDA's member....

The statement from the newspaper is definitly not true.

1-Its based on 10 years statistic

2-The statistic doesnt include the redemption profit which has made by the investor in put it back to EPF.

3-Someone from Internal(EPF) paid the reporter to make such news to public because more people are aware making investment in unit trust giving more return and EPF now short of money.

4-When short of money,EPF can't loan enuf to government to implement more projects to use the money in advanced.

5-Unit trust is one of the best way to make an investment which giving the best return(Pro! viding you invest in the right company) and been strongly adviced from our former PM.

6-Doing investment can help to make the country economy better.
Reporter's should educate themselves before they have very high ambitious to educate others....!!!
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