Public Bank's wholly-owned unit, Public Mutual Bhd, today declared dividends for eight of its funds for the financial
year ending December 31, 2013.

Public Mutual said the gross dividend for Public Savings Fund was three sen per unit, Public Islamic Savings Fund (0.75 sen), Public Focus Select Fund (two sen) and PB Growth Sequel Fund (1.50 sen).

The Public Islamic Enhanced Bond Fund distributed the highest dividend of five sen per unit while Public Strategic Bond Fund was 3.50 sen, Public Islamic Strategic Bond Fund was also 3.50 sen and PB Mixed Asset Conservative Fund 0.25 sen, Public Mutual said in a statement today.

Public Mutual said money invested in the Public Savings Fund, the maiden fund by Public Bank, is aimed to achieve long-term capital appreciation, while producing a reasonable level of income and is open for Employees Provident Fund members' investment scheme.

Its Public Islamic Savings Fund is also aimed to provide income over the medium-to long-term period by investing in Shariah-compliant investments which offer attractive dividend yields.

"Public Focus Select Fund is aimed to achieve capital growth through investments in medium-sized companies in terms of market capitalisation from diversified economic sectors.

"The PB Growth Sequel Fund seeks to achieve capital growth over the medium- to long-term period by investing in a diversified portfolio of stocks," it said.

Public Mutual said the Public Islamic Enhanced Bond Fund provided a combination of annual income and modest capital growth by investing in Islamic debt securities and equities which comply with Shariah requirements.

The Public Strategic Bond Fund gave investors the opportunity to participate in fixed income securities and money market instruments.

Public Islamic Strategic Bond Fund is invested in sukuk (Islamic bond) and Islamic money market instruments whereas PB Mixed Asset Conservative Fund, launched early this year, is invested in a diversified portfolio of fixed income securities and equities, it said.

"All the funds are distributed by Public Mutual Unit Trust consultants, with the exception of PB Growth Sequel Fund and PB Mixed Asset Conservative Fund, which are distributed via Public Bank branches nationwide," Public Mutual added.-- Bernama